Rodine “Ronnie” Doris Mary Buckley-Beevers Egan

Ronnie Egan was born in Vancouver, B.C. on March 20, 1923. Her father had been “a Conway boy,” and trained as member of the British Royal Navy, so when the Second World War began, she enlisted at HMCS Discovery, the shore facility in Vancouver, in 1942, in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service – WRCNS. She was sent to HMCS Conestoga, the shore facility at Galt, Ont., for training in the engineering department. She was then posted to HMCS Stadacona, the shore facility in Halifax, she rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, one of only four Wrens to run the Mechanical Training Establishment offices at Stadacona. Ronnie had many service responsibilities in her role in charge of the WRCNS in the clerical department. Among many, she took great pride leading close order and marching drills (for men and women) on parade square at Stadacona barracks.

While serving in Halifax, taking her WRCNS contingent to an armed services dance, she met Canadian Army soldier Willis Egan (who was about to be shipped overseas when because his driving experience had him diverted to becoming VIP chauffeur for the army); and they married in 1943.

Ronnie witnessed the Halifax riots on VE-Day (May 8, 1945).

She returned with Willis to Uxbridge and went on to serve her community (Legion, Uxbridge Cottage Hospital, Community Care, etc.) and was recognized in many ways, including the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal. She died in 2016.

We Will Remember Them