HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

C - Class Destroyer (RN)

 

River Class Destroyer (RCN)

 


 

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 circa 1934-1944

DND/RCN photo

 

Battle honours and awards:  Atlantic 1939-45,   Biscay 1944,   English Channel 1944-45

 

 

Laid down: 18 Oct 1930

Launched: 29 Oct 1931

Commissioned: 1932

Transferred to the RCN: 19 Oct 1939

Commissioned: 19 Oct 1939

Paid off: 08 Aug 1945

Fate: Wrecked - 10 Nov 1945

 

Completed in 1932 as HMS KEMPENFELT. She was transferred to the RCN at Devonport on 19 Oct 1939 and commissioned as HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18. She arrived in Halifax on 19 Nov 1939. Assigned to the America and West Indies Station, she left for Jamaica on 05 Dec 1939 to carry out Caribbean patrols. While so employed ASSINIBOINE assisted in the capture of the German freighter Hannover in the Mona Passage and towed her into Kingston, Jamaica. She returned to Halifax on 31 Mar 1940, and was employed there as a local escort until 15 Jan 1941, when she sailed for the U.K. to join EG 10, Greenock. With the formation of Newfoundland Command in Jun 1941, "Bones" was allocated to it for mid-ocean escort service. While thus employed with convoy SC.94, on 06 Aug 1942, she rammed and sank U 210, necessitating repairs at Halifax from 29 Aug to 20 Dec 1942. Not long after her return to service, while on passage to Londonderry on 02 Mar 1943, she attacked a U-boat with depth charges set too shallow, causing serious damage to her stern. Repairs were effected at Liverpool from 07 Mar to 13 Jul 1943, when she joined EG C-1 of MOEF. In Apr 1944, she returned to Canada for refit at Shelburne, N.S., and on 01 Aug 1944 arrived at Londonderry to become a member of EG 12 and, a few weeks later, EG 11. In Dec 1944 she was loaned to EG 14, Liverpool, and remained with it until VE-Day. She returned to Canada in Jun 1945, and, after brief employment as a troop transport, was paid off 08 Aug 1945. On 10 Nov 1945, en route for scrapping at Baltimore, ASSINIBOINE broke her tow and was wrecked near East Point, P.E.I. Her remains were broken up on the wreck site in 1952.

 

U-Boats Sunk:  U-210 sunk on 06 Aug 1942 by HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 in position 54-25 N, 39-37 W

 


 

Photos and Documents          The Ship's Bell

 

CPO Max Bernays - A history maker of the RCN          The Battle with U-210 - as told by Allan Riley

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

Cdr Edmond Rollo Mainguy, RCN - 19 Oct 1939 - 02 Apr 1940

Commodore George Clarence Jones, RCN - 03 Apr 1940 - 15 Sep 1940

Capt Cuthbert Robert Holland Taylor, RCN - 16 Sep 1940 - 29 Oct 1940

Commodore Leonard Warren Murray, RCN - 30 Oct 1940 - 11 Feb 1941

A/LCdr John Hamilton Stubbs, RCN - 12 Feb 1941 - 01 Oct 1942

Lt Ralph Lucien Hennessy, DSC, RCN - 02 Oct 1942 - 01 Dec 1942

Cdr Ernest Patrick Tisdall, RCN - 02 Dec 1942 - 10 Feb 1943

Cdr Kenneth Frederick Adams, RCN - 11 Feb 1943 - 08 Jun 1943

A/LCdr Robert Philip Welland, DSC, RCN - 09 Jun 1943 - 07 Jul 1943

Cdr Kenneth Frederick Adams, RCN - 08 Jul 1943 - 30 Sep 1943

A/LCdr Robert Phillip Welland, DSC, RCN - 01 Oct 1943 - 13 Oct 1944

A/LCdr Ralph Lucien Hennessy, DSC, RCN - 14 Oct 1944 - 21 Feb 1945

Cdr Edgar Lorne Armstrong, RCN - 22 Feb 1945 - 08 Aug 1945

 


 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

FORWARD, Albert E.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 16 Apr 1941

HORNBY, Lloyd K.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 05 Aug 1942

MARSHALL, Albert W.

PO.Ck (O), RCN

MPK - 14 Oct 1942

WATSON, Kenneth W.

OS, RCN

killed - 06 Aug 1942

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A

 

Aucoin, Milton A.

 

 

 

 

 

B

 

 

C

 

 

D

 

 

E

 

Evans, Harold W.

 

 

 

 

 

F

 

 

G

 

 

H

 

 

I

 

Ireland, Alexander D.

 

 

 

 

 

J

 

 

K

 

 

L

 

 

M

 

 

N

 

Noseworthy, Donald C.

 

 

 

 


P

 

 

R

 

 

S

 

 

T

 

 

V

 

Vander Haegen, George

 

 

 

 

 

W

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Almas, Gordon, AB - 1942 - (o/b for battle with U-210)

 

Bailey, Thomas James, A/Sig/Bosn, RCN, Jan 1944

 

Bonnell, Henry Nathan, A/LCdr (E), RCNR - 21 Jul 1943

 

Boyer, Frederick John, SLt, RCNVR - 07 Jul 1941

 

Burgon, William James, Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 18 May 1944

 

Campbell, Bruce Alexander, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 13 May 1941 / 19 Jul 1941

 

Chown, Edwin George, RCNVR - 14 Apr 1944

 

Clarke, John Henry 

 

Clemens, Steven Albert, A/Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 02 Apr 1944

 

Cooper, John Sidney, Lt, RCNVR - 28 Feb 1944

 

Frost - Dec 1940

 

Garven, Alexander Smith, SLt, RCNVR - 30 Mar 1942

 

Gearing, Dan, Torpedoman, D.S.M. - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210)  

 

Greening, Kenneth Norman Haynes, SLt, RCNVR - 31 May 1941

 

Hardy, Patrick Arthur, Lt, RCNVR - 23 Jun 1945

 

Hart, James, AB - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210) 

Jackson, John B., Midshipman, RCNVR - to ASSINIBOINE for training circa Sep 1943 (Navy List Oct 1943). Appointed SLt eff 01 May 1944 (Navy List Jul 1944)

 

Jeckell, Allan Wray, LCdr, RCNVR - 25 May 1943

 

Knowlton, John Grant, Cdr (E), RCN - 02 Apr 1940

 

LeClair, Henri, L/Sto - Nov 1940

 

Lindsay, Bert, AB - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210) 

 

Livingstone, Arnold, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 23 Jun 1942

 

Mainguy, James Wishart, SLt, RCNVR - 13 Jun 1942

 

Manfield, William Alexander, A/Gnr (T), RCN - 06 May 1940

 

McLean, M.B., Cook - 1940

 

Medland, Morson Alexander (Miff), Lt (G), RCN - 02 Apr 1940

 

Meredith, Kenneth Elliott, SLt, RCNVR - 20 Jun 1941

 

Patterson, (??), Cook - 1940

 

Putnam, James Malcolm, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 13 Feb 1943

 

Rayner, Herbert Sharples, Lt (T), RCN - 02 Apr 1940

Rosier, Claude Harry, Lt (E), RCNVR - 15 Jun 1944

 

Ruddle-Browne, Herbert William, Mate, RCNR - 05 Apr 1942

 

Savoy, John Alfred, O.B.E. - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210) 

 

Seager, Leonard F., PO - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210)

 

Sleight, James Alfred, Lt, RCNR - 26 Jan 1944

 

Stirling, Michael Grote, Lt, RCN - 02 Apr 1940

 

Stubbs, William James, Lt, RCN - 02 Apr 1940

 

Sutherland, Hugh John Gunn, Wt/Mech, RCN - 01 May 1940

 

Tobin, Eugen, Sig - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210) 

 

Tuck, George, AB - 1942 (o/b for battle with U-210) 

 

Wilkins, George Arthur, Lt (E), RCNR - 27 Jul 1942

 

Wright, Eric Nicholas Henry, Lt, RCNVR - 11 Jun 1944

 

Young, Frank Malcolm, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 30 Jun 1944

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

HMS Kempenfelt (prior to transfer to RCN and renamed HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18)

 

Source: Flickr photo collection of Ron Bell

HMS Kempenfelt (prior to transfer to RCN and renamed HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18)

 

From the collection of John James Ashworth Clarke

 

Courtesy of Eric Clarke

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

From the collection of Joseph Henri Lionel Forget

 

Courtesy of Johnny Forget

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

Courtesy of Mike O'Keefe

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

DND / RCN Photo

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

Courtesy of Ken Cox

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 alongside in Halifax

 

From the collection of Ivan Chamberlain

 

Courtesy of Dave Chamberlain

HMCS ASSINIBOINE leaving Halifax on 30 Sep 1940 to join convoy HX 77 as a local escort.  HMCS Saguenay following astern

Source Ken Macpherson / Naval Museum of Alberta / IKMD-03420

View of RN destroyer as seen from HMCS ASSINIBOINE taking over escort of Convoy HX180 - 19 Mar 1942

 

Source: Lt Gerald M. Moses / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-180611

Cooks M.B. McLean and Patterson mixing rum into a Christmas pudding aboard the destroyer HMCS ASSINIBOINE, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Dec 1940

 

Source: Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-1044

HMCS ASSINIBOINE laying smoke in the English Channel

Courtesy of Lou Ranahan

After a storm, damage to HMCS ASSINIBOINE is assessed by crew members of HMCS Swansea K328

 

Photo from the collection of Albert Tomlinson, Telegraphist, RCN

 

Courtesy of Stephen Tomlinson, Lt, RCN

After a storm, damage to HMCS ASSINIBOINE is assessed by crew members of HMCS Swansea K328

 

Photo from the collection of Albert Tomlinson, Telegraphist, RCN

 

Courtesy of Stephen Tomlinson, Lt, RCN

After a storm, damage to HMCS ASSINIBOINE is assessed by crew members of HMCS Swansea K328

 

Photo from the collection of Albert Tomlinson, Telegraphist, RCN

 

Courtesy of Stephen Tomlinson, Lt, RCN

The officers of HMCS ASSINIBOINE pictured with their wartime mascot. The man holding the dog is the late, Lieutenant-Commander John Stubbs, who was just 28 when he received command of of HMCS ASSINIBOINE in January 1941. For the next two years he commanded the ship on the treacherous North Atlantic run.

 

Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Denis Messier

Donald Portree (right) and unknown sailor HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

From the collection of Donald Portree

 

Courtesy of Donna Portree

Article on two HMCS ASSINIBOINE sailors from Montreal in Hospital after the battle with U-210

 

Sailors named:  Able Seaman Henry M. Sharo and Ordinary Seaman Herbert F. Taylor, RCNVR

 

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

Sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 circa Nov 1941 - Oct 1942

 

Ken Sharp 2nd from left

 

From the collection of Ken Sharp

 

Courtesy of Phil Sharp 

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 outboard of another vessel at the US Army Dock (today Pier 17) St. John's, Newfoundland, circa May 1942

 

Photographer: Roy T. Cardy

 

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

CLARKE, John Henry, Able Seaman (3666) - Mention in Despatches - RCN / HMCS ASSINIBOINE - Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 12 Dec 1942 and London Gazette of 03 Dec 1942.

 

CLARKE. John Henry, 3666, AB, RCN, MID~[12.12.42] - "This rating was in "A" gun's crew and after casualties had reduced the number of the crew to three, he continued to keep the gun firing whilst under fairly heavy fire from an enemy U-Boat."

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 Christmas Card - Dec 1943

 

From the collection of William O. Burrow, LS, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of William (Bill) Cottam

HMCS ASSINIBOINE, St. John's, NFLD, date unknown

 

From the collection of Donald Noseworthy

 

Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

Newspaper article on HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 circa 1943

 

From the collection of Donald Noseworthy

 

Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 - date unknown

 

From the collection of Donald Noseworthy

 

Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

Sailors on HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 - date unknown

 

From the collection of Donald Noseworthy

 

Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

From the collection of Eric Baird

 

Courtesy of Roger Clarke

 

Messages received by HMCS ASSINIBOINE announcing the German surrender and the end of the war

 

  

Message to the Commander German Forces Channel Islands

061119B

     

Grouper received by HMCS ASSINIBOINE

(decoded copy not available)

071629B

  

Message announcing Germany's unconditional surrender

080012B

     

Message from Field Marshal Montgomery to the First Sea Lord (1 & 2)  and the First Sea Lord's reply (3)

080418B

  

Message from the Board of Admiralty congratulating all officers and men in their victory 

090416B

  

Message on proclamation ceremony on 12 May on the Channel Island

111805B

 

  

Message on formal surrender of Channel Island

121230B

 

 

From the collection of John MacMillan

Courtesy of Jamie MacMillan

Wreck of HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 off PEI

Source: Flickr photo collection of Ron Bell

Wreck of HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 off PEI.

Source: Flickr photo collection of Ron Bell

Remains of former HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 near South Lake, PEI circa 1969

Courtesy of Lou Ranahan

 

Webmaster's note: The wreck was salvaged/broken-up in 1952. These photos show what the breakers didn't bother to salvage

Remains of former HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 near South Lake, PEI circa 1969  "This photo was taken while looking in the cut away where you see the plank at the water line in the first photo. It is looking to the aft of the ship and there is still a fair amount of structure below the water line right to the stern."

Courtesy of Lou Ranahan

 


 

CA71

CA72

CA73

(CA71-CA73) HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 photographed from HMCS FREDERICTON K245

From the collection of Charles Atkins, RCNVR

Courtesy of Lorne Atkins

 


 

Battle between HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 and U-210 on 06 Aug 1942

 

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(1) U-210 on the surface attempting to escape HMCS ASSINIBOINE.  Photo Credit: LAC PA 37443 - From the collection of Donald Noseworthy.  Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

(2) U-210 on the surface attempting to escape HMCS ASSINIBOINE. From the collection of Donald Noseworthy. Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

(3) Conning tower of U-210 visible between the guardrails of ASSINIBOINE.  Photo Credit: LAC PA 37444.  From the collection of John Wampler.  Courtesy of Barb Ishler

(4) U-210 just before she was rammed by HMCS ASSINIBOINE.  From the collection of John Wampler. Courtesy of Barb Ishler

(5) Fire fighting teams attack the fire on the boat deck of HMCS ASSINIBOINE caused by gunfire from U-210.  ERA 4c Donald Portee in foreground with his back to the camera. From the collection of John Wampler. Courtesy of Barb Ishler

 

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(6) Survivors from U-210 being picked up.  From the collection of John Wampler.  Courtesy of Barb Ishler

(7) Damage to HMCS ASSINIBOINE from the battle with U-210.  From the collection of John Wampler.  Courtesy of Barb Ishler

(8) Damage to HMCS ASSINIBOINE from the battle with U-210.  RCN photo negative # NF773.  From the collection of Hamilton Skilling.  Courtesy of Chris Skilling

(9) Burial at Sea. Ordinary Seaman Kenneth Watson, youngest rating on board, killed in action in the battle against U-210, 06 Aug 1942, is buried at sea. He was hit twice while carrying ammunition to "A" gun. DND/RCN photo

(10) German prisoners being led of HMCS ASSINIBOINE to a ship alongside while the crew of HMCS ASSINIBOINE looks on. RCN Photo Negative # NF800.  From the collection of Hamilton Skilling. Courtesy of Chris Skilling

 

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(11) German prisoners being taken ashore (blind folded). Note: they were not blindfolded when the left HMCS ASSINIBOINE, but may have been blindfolded on the inboard ship. From the collection of Donald Noseworthy. Courtesy of Steve Gemmill

(12) Crew of "A" Gun of HMCS ASSINIBOINE who took part in the sinking of U-210 on 06 Aug 1942. Photo taken St. John's Newfoundland, 10 Aug 1942  Source: Lt Gerald M. Moses / Canada. DND / LAC PA-115355

(13) Lt R. Hennessy, Admiral L.W. Murray, A/LCdr John Stubbs (Commanding Officer HMCS ASSINIBOINE) on the jetty with the crew of HMCS ASSINIBOINE along the rails after her battle with U-210.  Note the A/LCdr Stubbs still has his Mae West on. RCN Photo: Negative # HS0015. From the collection of Hamilton Skilling. Courtesy of Chris Skilling

(14) Crew of HMCS ASSINIBOINE and their mascot returning from sea after sinking the German submarine U-210 in August of 1942. LAC MIKAN 3576701

(15) Admiral L.W. Murray addressing the crew of HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 on the quarterdeck. RCN Photo Negative # NF810. From the collection of Hamilton Skilling. Courtesy of Chris Skilling

 

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(16)  Admiral L.W. Murray addressing the crew of HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18 on the quarterdeck. From the collection of Hamilton Skilling. Courtesy of Chris Skilling

(17) The bow of HMCS ASSINIBOINE after ramming U-210

 


 

Newspaper articles on the sinking of U-210 and HMCS ASSINIBOINE crew members from Ontario

 

From the collection of Donald Portree

 

Courtesy of Donna Portree

 


 

Front page headlines of the Halifax Mail, Saturday, September 19, 1942

 

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(1) U-Boat Rammed, Crew Captured - Halifax Mail, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

 

(2) Artist rendition of HMCS ASSINIBOINE ramming U-210 - Halifax Mail, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

 

(3) Canadian Destroyer Wins In Blazing, Close Range Battle - Halifax Mail, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

 

(4) Saw Action On Assiniboine - Lt Douglas S. Martin, RCNR and Lt Ralph Hennessy - Halifax Mail, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

 

(5) Laud Heroic Action Of Crew Of Assiniboine - Halifax Mail, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

 

(6) Bears Wounds From Sea Battle - PO Edward Moore - Halifax Mail, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

 

(7) Battle Is Fought At Close Quarters - Halifax Mail - 19 Sep 1942

 

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

 


 

 

Battle damage to HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

From the collection of Thomas E. Elstone, CPO1, RCN

Courtesy of Rick Elstone

 


 

JVW241

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JVW245

(JVW241) Artist rendition of HMCS ASSINIBOINE ramming U-210 - Halifax Herald, Sat., 19 Sep 1942

(JVW242) HMCS ASSINIBOINE wins battle against U-210

(JVW243) HMCS ASSINIBOINE sinks Nazi sub in close range gun battle

(JVW244) These Nazis Will Raid No More - HMCS ASSINIBOINE rescues survivors of U-210

(JVW245) OS Kenneth Watson killed by U-boat shell

 

JVW246

JVW247

JVW248

JVW249

(JVW246) CPO Max Bernay's, Cox'n of HMCS ASSINIBOINE manned the helm of HMCS ASSINIBOINE during battle with U-210 while fires burned around the wheelhouse

(JVW247) We threw everything at them but potato masher

(JVW248) Sto PO Edward Moore, HMCS ASSINIBOINE, wounded in action against U-210

(JVW249) Photo of U-210 just off HMCS ASSINIBOINE'S beam - The Star Weekly, Toronto, 03 Oct 1942

 

From the collection of J. Vincent Wesley, CPO, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor

 


 

FM847

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Newspaper articles on HMCS ASSINIBOINE'S battle with U-210 on 06 Aug 9142

 

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Newspaper articles on HMCS ASSINIBOINE'S battle with U-210 on 06 Aug 142

 

 

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FM859

 

Newspaper articles on HMCS ASSINIBOINE'S battle with U-210 on 06 Aug 1942

 

From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Denis Messier

 


 

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