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Undaunted by Fire: The Life, Legacy, and Accomplishments of Chief Petty Officer Max Bernays 

From the Second World War to HMCS Max Bernays

A UVic Public History Project

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Above: HMCS Max Bernays 

Credit: Canadian Military Family Magazine

A HERO'S LEGACY UNVEILED

Dive into the extraordinary life of Chief Petty Officer Max Bernays, a hero whose legacy continues to inspire generations. Learn about his remarkable journey, his service to the Royal Canadian Navy, and the impact he made through his dedication and bravery.

The following Public History website is broken down into 3 distinct sections for ease of use: 

 

1. The Hero: The story of Max Bernays, including his actions aboard the HMCS Assiniboine in 1942.

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2. The Ship: A timeline of HMCS Max Bernays' construction from announcement to arrival in Esquimalt, British Columbia.

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3. The Legacy: Community engagement with the ship. From Halifax to Victoria, see how locals are becoming familiar with Max and his story.

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Above: Chief Petty Officer Max Bernays

HMCS Max Bernays in 3 Parts 

Mission

This UVic public history project is devoted to my great-grandfather and his heroism. It is as much a familial project as it is a history one. â€‹

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To a degree, this website engages with the RCN's goal of connecting people to Canadian naval history. The goal was to combine public knowledge with oral history and primary sources to create an all-encompassing website. 

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Any image without credit is family-owned or taken by Max Thompson. All other photos are given appropriate credit below. While the majority of information on this site comes from personal knowledge and family archives, minor supplemental dates/names were cited from various online resources such as federal government websites.

Questions, Comments, or Reviews? 

Please reach out to: maxthompson466@gmail.com

250-884-2156

Ship Sponsor Shannon Bernays at the Commissioning Ceremony of the Max Bernays

Credit: Lookout Newspaper and Publishing

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