Claude Cyril Ernest Barrett 1920-1976
Served 1945-1976
Served 1988 – 2018
Claude was born on Belmont Avenue in Hamilton in 1920. His father, Ernie Barrett was an Officer with the Hamilton Police. He was active in sports especially as a member of the Hamilton Aquatic Club and playing water polo. He attended Hamilton Technical Institute and then began as an electrical apprentice at Westinghouse but was laid off and worked delivering groceries.
Claude joined the Canadian Navy in 1940 and attended Signals School in Halifax after basic training. During training he became ill with Scarlet Fever. After he recovered, he was required to pass his swimming test in Halifax Harbour. He passed but developed Rheumatic Fever and was hospitalized again. The combination of diseases probably damaged his heart.
Claude is shown here in a 1926 picnic in Dundas held by the Hamilton Police Association.
He is sitting in the front row with his brother and sister.
He served as a signalman on the HMCS Chedabucto, a minesweeper. That ship sank in October 1943 after an accidental collision during the night (black out rules) with a civilian cable-laying ship in the St. Lawrence River near Rimouski, Quebec. Most were able to swim or boat to shore but there was one fatality, a sailor who slept in the mess behind Claude. He was eventually assigned to HMCS Lachine until the War ended.
When he returned home to Hamilton his father told him to apply
to the Police Department for a job.
This picture from 1946 shows Claude with all other returning Veterans
who had been hired by the Police.
Claude is on the left end of the 3rd row.
After the Chedabucto sank the survivors were housed by the Canadian Army and during this time Claude met a serving member of the Canadian Women Army Corps (CWAC), Anne Emily Lucretia Coddington, (1917-2004) and they were married in Hamilton on January 26, 1946. Their first home together was at 15 Senator Avenue in Hamilton and these are pictures of him at that house with his new uniform.
That was going to be a busy year for him because of labour unrest in the city. He is seen here making an arrest at the famous strike at Dominion Steel (later Stelco)
Claude worked on foot patrol and cruiser duties during the 1950’s as he began to gain experience.
He is shown here at a crime scene at the Yacht Club in 1950 with Howard Cherry and George Smith & one unknown
Claude worked on foot patrol and cruiser duties during the 1950’s as he began to gain experience.
In 1961 he attended a new class for Police Officers at McMaster University, and he is shown here on the Campus.
Also during the 1950’s Claude became a member of the Board for the Hamilton Police Association.
Claude became a Detective and worked for a long time
with Detective Jim Galloway among other people.
He is shown here gathering the evidence after a Bank Robbery Arrest.
Claude was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant but in the early 70’s his health began to fail. He had one heart attack in 1971and was hospitalized and returned to duty. In July 1976 while exercising at home he had a second fatal heart attack. He was 56 years old. He left his widow Anne and two daughters, Jeanne a nurse at the General Hospital and Lynda who also became a Police Officer.
By Dave Bowen, Retired Inspector, Hamilton Police Service