So forgotten were the Navy Combines squad that a quarter of a century passed by before CFL officials decided that the they should get recognition for their feat during the war years when regular team play was suspended.[1] St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy beat the Hamilton Flying Wildcats 7-6 before a sparse crowd of 3,871 at Hamilton’s Civic Stadium, marking the last year that a service club won the Grey Cup.
The Combines started out as a pick-up crew, a bunch of sailors who liked to mess around on the football field. Playing coach Glen Brown moulded four seniors (himself included), a number of intermediates and a group of high schoolers such as McFall into a reputable defensive unit with many players traveling 40 miles to attend team practices.
The team was a combination of two HMCS units: St. Hyacinthe, located 40 miles from Montreal and Donnaconna based in downtown Montreal. Before playing in the Grey Cup game, the Combines got ready by playing games against other Quebec teams, including McGill.[2]
Grey Cup Championship roster (bold denotes the player played in the Grey Cup game):
Charlie Ellis, Wally Charron, Curly Hiltz, Ginger O’Brien, Bucko McLeod, Glen Brown (Coach), Roy Kirbyson, John Taylor, John Crncich, Steve Levantis, Jack Wedley, Al Hurley, Wally Patch, Malcolm Baker, Hal Chard, Tom Bainbridge, Ian Barclay, Sam Abbott, Whitey Leonard, Dick Swarbrick, Pat Santucci, Dutch Davey, Mickey McFall, Dave Kotavitch, Al Symms, Jim Spicer, Des Campbell, L. Raymond, W.O. John Montague, P.O. George Reid, Bill Kydd, Louis Segatore, Fred Porter, Surgeon Lt. Comdr. Richard Lane, Lt. Christopher Ellis, Moe Segal, Paul Kenwood, Milton Scully, Juan Sheridan[3]
