David Daniel Ruddy

Born somewhere between the Alleghenies and the Alps, I spent most of my boyhood in and about New York City, with several journeys in the 30s on the zeppelins to Germany, and to Italy and France.  I was educated by the Jesuits at Fordham University.  My university career was interrupted by the Second World War and my obligation to serve.  Having joined the U.S. Navy, I started my military career as an organist and choir director.  That soon changed with my assignment to the S.B.N.O.A.W.A., Bermuda.  In the inimitable words of W.S. Gilbert, "don’t ever go to sea", and except for trips to Argentia, Newfoundland and various ports in the Caribbean, the Azores and the Mediterranean, I didn’t.  The end of the war saw my return to academia and my bachelor’s degree in history, followed by the Master of Arts.

A holiday trip to Britain on the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth in 1948 resulted in a five-year residency at St. Andrews University, where I avoided academic studies by indulging in archaeology and expeditions in my 1923 Daimler. The latter was the hit at the first garden party given at Holyrood Palace by H.M. the Queen.  The friendships made in my student days in Scotland range from Mr. Evelyn Waugh and Monsignor Ronald Knox, to those of my fellow students with whom I have maintained a connection over the past half century.

On returning to North America, I found my life’s work at le college militaire royal de Saint-Jean.  Living in Montreal for the thirty-six years until retirement was a very rewarding experience, but my move to Victoria,  British Columbia was a fulfilling experience. 

 
My frequent trips to Europe and to Asia and Australia were equaled by my bi-annual drives across Canada to Victoria.
In addition to academic work, I have been involved in military museums and the work of the Heraldry Society of Canada.  A more detailed biography may be found in the Canadian "Who’s Who."

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