JBCA Welcomes UK Action to Protect Canadian Naval War Graves : Juno Beach Centre

JBCA Welcomes UK Action to Protect Canadian Naval War Graves Juno Beach Centre | March 30, 2026 Designation of HMCS Trentonian and HMCS Regina, and efforts to protect HMCS Alberni, mark important progress in safeguarding sites of remembrance for fallen Canadian sailors. The Juno Beach Centre Association (JBCA) welcomes recent actions to strengthen the protection of Canada’s overseas naval war graves, including new measures introduced by the United Kingdom and ongoing efforts to formally designate wrecks such as HMCS Alberni as protected sites. HMCS TRENTONIAN off the Normandy Beaches -Painting by Marc Magee, now on display at the Quinte West Public Library in Trenton, ON. In particular, the designation of HMCS Trentonian and HMCS Regina as protected wrecks marks an important step forward. These sites are not simply historical remains, they are the final resting places of Canadian sailors who gave their lives in service. They deserve to be treated with the same care, dignity, and legal protection as military cemeteries on land. The JBCA has closely followed recent developments, including the case of HMCS Trentonian ship’s bell, and was encouraged to see it transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and entrusted to the Naval Museum of Halifax. This outcome underscores the importance of ensuring that objects connected to war graves are cared for with dignity and placed within appropriate public institutions. HMCS REGINA (1st) in her Western Approaches camouflage scheme. Censors have removed her pennant number. RCN Photo. In the summer of 2025, when the ship’s bell and shipbuilder’s plate from HMCS Alberni became available, this same principle informed our decision to acquire them. Our objective was to ensure that these significant artifacts would be preserved, cared for, and made accessible within a public, educational institution. While we did not know with certainty at the time that the objects had been removed from the wreck itself, we have since learned that this is almost certainly the case, thanks to our friends at the HMCS Alberni Memorial and Museum. The JBCA believes that while war graves should not be disturbed, when artifacts have been removed, they should be entrusted to institutions that can ensure their long-term preservation, respectful interpretation, and public accessibility. We wish to acknowledge and thank Canada’s allies, particularly the United Kingdom and France, for the care and protection they have extended to Canadian war graves in their waters. Their leadership highlights the shared international responsibility to honour those who served. We also want to thank Canadian naval historian Roger Litwiller for his reporting and advocacy around this issue. At the Juno Beach Centre, we remain committed to advancing awareness of Canada’s naval history and supporting efforts that protect and preserve these important sites of remembrance. Dispatches from Juno shares all the news, events, and stories from the Juno Beach Centre in France and Canada. Interested in contributing a story to the blog? Email the editor at jbca@junobeach.org. Share this article: Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Current ye@r * Leave this field empty