Iolanda “Vi” Connolly

In 1941, Iolanda “Vi” Montani married the love of her life - William Connolly. Soon after, William enlisted in the navy, as a signalman on HMCS Athabaskan.

Inspired by ads encouraging women to contribute to the war effort, Vi quit her job as a telephone operator and took up factory work. She had various jobs, including making gun mounts used on Tribal Class Destroyers, the type of ship her husband served on. She became known as Hamilton’s “Rosie the Riveter”, appearing on a cover magazine and poster to encourage women to follow in her footsteps.

On April 29th, 1944, German ships torpedoed HMCS Athabaskan. While the nearby HMCS Haida saved 47 men, 128 men died and 85 men became prisoners of war. Vi did not know her husband’s fate; she was simply told he was missing at sea. After three months, it was confirmed that William was a German prisoner. The pair re-united after the war.

Vi is fondly remembered as an iconic symbol of women’s contributions to the WWII war effort. She was an important member of the Friends of HMCS Haida and was honoured – in person – at 2018’s Women of War celebration.

Read Vi’s story in her own words.