Rear-Admiral (RCN) Hugh Francis Pullen, OBE, M.I.D., 1 July 1905 - 3 May 1983

Hugh Francis Pullen went to sea as a Cadet Officer in Canadian Pacific Steamships 1922-24 when there were no openings in the RCN following the closure of the Royal Canadian Naval College in 1922. He was a founder of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and was President of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia in 1956. He died during a visit to the U.K. and was buried in the naval vault of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Halifax NS.

Naval Career:

He was appointed as a Naval Cadet RCN 1920. He served in the Royal Naval College of Canada (Eleventh term) 1920. (He was released.) (He rejoined the RCN in 1924.)

He was appointed as a Naval Cadet RCN (with seniority dated 30/08/1924).

He served in the RN for Training (Special Entry No. 16) serving in H.M.S. Thunderer. He was awarded the Admiralty Dirk as Midshipman in 1925 as "Best All Around Cadet". He was appointed as a Midshipman (with seniority dated 15/09/1925) serving in HMS Hood for sea training.

He was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant RCN (with seniority dated 01/01/1928). He served in H.M.S. President 1928. He served in H.M.S. Dryad 1928. He served in H.M.S. Excellent 1928.

He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant RCN (with seniority dated 01/12/1927). He served in HMCS Champlain 1929.

He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCN (with seniority dated 01/11/1929). He served in H.M.S. Excellent for RN Long Gunnery Course 1932. He was appointed to HMCS Naden as Gunnery Officer 1933. He served in HMCS Skeena as Gunnery Officer 1934. He served in HMCS Saguenay as Gunnery Officer 1936. (He commanded the Royal Guard at the unveiling of the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, France in 1936.) He served in H.M.S. Hardy as Flotilla (G) Officer 1937.

He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander RCN (with seniority dated 01/11/1937). He served in HMCS Ottawa as First Lieutenant 1938. He served in HMCS Stadacona for RCN Barracks Halifax for General Gunnery Duties Atlantic Coast 1939. He was the commander of the escort company of RCN officers and ratings at the presentation of the Kings Colour to the RCN in Victoria BC in 1939. He was appointed as the Officer-in-Charge at the Gunnery School. He served in HMCS St. Francis (In command) 1940.

He was appointed as an A/Commander RCN (with seniority dated 01/07/1941). He served in HMCS Ottawa (I) (In command) 1941. He was appointed as the Superintendent of Naval Armament Depot Halifax 1941.

He was appointed as a Commander RCN (with seniority dated 01/07/1942). He served in HMCS St. Laurent (I) (In command) 1943. He served in HMCS Ottawa (II) (In command) and Senior Officer Convoy Escort Groups 1943. He served in HMCS Uganda as Executive Officer 1944.

He was appointed as an A/Captain RCN (with seniority dated 20/11/1945). He was appointed to NSHQ as Director Naval Reserves 1945.

He was appointed as a Captain RCN (with seniority dated 01/01/1947). He served in HMCS Nootka (In command) and as Captain (D) Canadian Destroyer Flotilla 1947. He served in the US National War College for Staff Course 1948. He served in HMCS Ontario (In command) 1949.

He was appointed as a Commodore RCN (with seniority dated 01/01/1951). He served as Commodore RCN Barracks Halifax 1951.

He was appointed as a Rear-Admiral RCN (with seniority dated 15/03/1953). He served in NHQ as Chief of Naval Personnel 1953. He was appointed as the Flag Officer Pacific Coast 1955. He was appointed as the Flag Officer Atlantic Coast and Commander Atlantic Sub-Area and Maritime Commander Atlantic 1957-60.

Rear-Admiral Pullen retired in August 1960.