Herbert was born on December 5, 1921 while the family were still in Grimsby. When the family moved to Orono, Herb was educated at the Orono Continuation School, completing his studies during the early days of World War II, in 1940. Like his father before him, Herb began a career in electronics, taking up employment with Research Enterprises, located in the Leaside area of Toronto. He worked as a tube technician, work which improved wartime electronic capabilities. Alongside his work, he undertook night classes completing a one-year university extension course in electron optics, a mathematical framework for the calculation of electron trajectories in the presence of electromagnetic fields, or put more simply, radio frequency theory.
Herb’s extensive knowledge in electronics proved a valuable skill as he decided to enlist for service. On July 4, 1944, Herb enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) at HMCS York, which was a Toronto based part of the RCN. He was taken on strength as a telegrapher, and undertook training in Windsor, Ontario and Ste. Hyacinth, Quebec as an Ordinary Seaman. Duvall also completed his training as a Radio Artificer – an appointment held by someone skilled in working with electronic, electric, electro-mechanical, and/or mechanical devices – on August 30, 1945.The next day, Herb was transferred to Halifax, and found himself aboard the locally-named, HMCS Bowmanville based at Cornwallis, Nova Scotia on September, 1945.
During his five-month stay aboard the Bowmanville, Herb acted as radio operator for the ship, before being transferred to the HMCS New Liskeard, a minesweeping vessel also based in Cornwallis. As the war drew to an end in the Atlantic and European theatre, Herb was returned to Toronto for demobilization. He was discharged from service on April 15, 1946.
Following his return home, Herb found work at the General Motors plant in Oshawa. In 1948, Herb married Eira Joan Toaze, and together they had two children. In 1948, Herb along with his brother Jerry, also established Orono Electric, a long running and successful appliance and TV sales and repair store and continued with electrical contracting.
Herb retired from the business in 2012, transferring its operations to his son.
In May, 1988, Herb helped organize a reunion of the crew who had served on the HMCS Bowmanville, an event attended by naval veterans from across the country. Herb also remained active in his community, acting as Master and Past Master of the Orono Masonic Lodge, and in 1963 serving as the District Deputy Grand master for the Ontario District. He was a member of the Navy Club in Oshawa.
Herb passed away on January 14, 2014 at the age of 92 years.
Courtesy of the Orono Weekly Times with special credit to Carol-Ann Oster
To subscribe to the Orono Weekly Times, please visit: https://www.oronoweeklytimes.com/