The sod turning for a commemorative statue for a Cobourg native who was the first female wireless radio operator in Canada took place in the east end of Victoria Park on Monday, July 6, 2020.
Fern Blodgett Sunde grew up in Cobourg before joining the navy in World War II.
When WWII started she decided to become a wireless radio operator but was turned down by two schools before she graduated from the third school as the first female wireless radio operator in Canada.
Canadian and British ships would not hire a woman but the Norwegian ship the Mosdale hired her. The Norwegian merchant navy hired 22 additional Canadian female wireless radio operators over the course of the war. Fern blazed a trail for them.
Blodgett Sunde made 78 crossings of the Atlantic avoiding submarines, receiving and sending coded messages, and earned the respect and admiration of the Captain and crew for her professionalism.
She showed courage and determination overcoming sea sickness, frayed nerves, and the stress of being the only female member of a 36 man crew at war.
When the radios had to be on 24 hours, Fern was made the superior operator over a one and eventually two man team.
In 1942 after the Mosdale’s sister ship was sunk off the coast of Ireland, Fern and Captain Sunde decided to get married as the chances of survival to the end of the war were slim.
In 1943, Fern was awarded the Norwegian War Medal by the King of Norway, the first Canadian to be so honoured, recognized for her courage and contribution to the allied war effort.
The Mosdale survived the war, and Fern lived to be 73.
A citizen’s steering committee in partnership with the Cobourg Museum Foundation is recognizing Fern Blodgett Sunde’s achievements as the first Canadian female wireless radio operator, the first female to serve at sea in this role, a veteran of WWII, a hero, a Canadian who made a difference.
A life sized bronze statue is being erected in the meditation garden at the east end of Victoria Park
FInances
• Total Cost: $160,000 ( ½ grant, ½ fundraising)
• Government Grant anticipated $80,000 (June/July)
• Local fundraising began January 2019 (raised $11,000 with one request submitted requesting funds from a local service club, another request pending, approaches to individuals interested in the project, fundraising ideas generated.
• Goal is to raise $25,000 locally and the remainder nationally and internationally (specifically Norway and Britain)
• Unveiling: October 17, 2020 (75th anniversary of the end of WWII)
On behalf of all Canadians, Cobourg will recognize the courage, determination, and resilience of Fern Blodgett Sunde, the first Canadian female wireless radio operator, a trailblazer, a veteran of WWII, with a statue overlooking the lake in a town she loved.
Source:Town of Cobourg civic web
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
