John Henry McVittie joined the Royal Canadian Naval Voluntary Reserve on November 2, 1917, as an engine tender in a patrol ship in the north Atlantic, HMCS Margaret, sailing out of Halifax. A month later on December 6, while his ship was in port, the ships Mont-Blanc and Imo collided in the Halifax explosion. Moored about two kilometres away, the Margaret was only lightly damaged and John and the other crew were safe, save for two who were ashore. He died in December 1969, one month shy of his 81st birthday.

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