First to Die: Lives of the First Canadian Navy Casualties in the First World War

This is the story of four young Canadian seamen, and the early days of the Canadian Navy, celebrating its Centennial in 2010.

The four were among the 21 young men who made up the first class of the Royal Navy College of Canada, set up in 1911 shortly after the Canadian Navy itself was established in 1910. All four sailors were from Canada’s Maritime provinces. After their training at the College, they were posted to the British Navy for further experience at sea.

William Palmer, first in his graduating class, and Arthur Silver, senior Cadet Captain, both from Halifax, were personally chosen by Rear-Admiral Christopher Cradock to go to war on the large and powerful British vessel Good Hope. Their comrades John Hatheway of Fredericton, and Malcolm Cann of Yarmouth, were also selected, to the disappointment of the remaining men. Within six weeks, these four much-envied comrades were dead as the Good Hope went down with no survivors, sunk by the German navy. They were the Canadian Navy’s first casualties.

First to Die depicts the early history of Canada’s navy and the reality of war at sea, experienced through the eyes of the four young midshipmen eager for adventure. The book is extensively illustrated with photographs drawn form key archival and private collections.