|
HMCS
ATHABASKAN G07
Tribal
Class Destroyer
|
WE FIGHT AS ONE
Signalman William George
Stewart, who was lost on 29 April 1944, designed the ship's
badge while serving in ATHABASKAN. |
HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 |
|
Battle honours and awards: Arctic 1943-44,
English Channel 1944
|
** HMCS
ATHABASKAN COMMEMORATIVE COIN **
|
Laid down: 31
Oct 1940
Launched: 15
Nov 1941
|
Commissioned: 03
Feb 1943
Fate: Sunk
29
Apr 1944 |
Commissioned on 03 Feb 1943 at
Newcastle-on-Tyne and assigned to the British Home Fleet, ATHABASKAN
left on 29 Mar 1943 to patrol the Iceland-Faeroes Passage for blockade
runners. Stress of weather caused hull damage that required five
weeks' repairs at South Shields, U.K., following which, in Jun
1943, she took part in Operation Gearbox III, the relief of the
garrison at Spitsbergen. On 18 Jun 1943 she collided with the boom
defence vessel Bargate at Scapa Flow, occasioning a month's repair
at Devonport. In Jul and Aug 1943 she was based at Plymouth, carrying
out A/S patrols in the Bay of Biscay, and on 27 Aug 1943 was hit by a
glider bomb off the Spanish coast. She managed to reach Devonport,
where she remained under repair until 10 Nov 1943; returning to
Scapa Flow in Dec 1943.
While on patrol in the Bay of
Biscay Patrol area at 13:00 hours on August 27, 1943, HMCS ATHABASKAN
was attacked by eighteen enemy Dornier-217s. H.M.S. Egret
(British Sloop) was sunk. A glide bomb hit HMCS ATHABASKAN at the
junction of "B" gun-deck and the wheel-house. It passed
under the plot room, through the Chief Petty Officer's Mess, and out
the starboard side. It exploded barely a few feet beyond and bomb
fragments pierced HMCS ATHABASKAN'S side and bridge in a number of
places. The Captain, Commander Miles was knocked down by the blast
and several officers, including Lieutenant-Commander Dunn Lanthier
and Sub-Lieutenant John A. Brebner had severe leg injuries. Able
Seaman Joseph McGrath, a bridge lookout, died the next day. The crew
of "B" gun bore the worst of the injuries with Able Seaman
William Pickett and Petty Officer Ernest Latimer being killed.
Leading Seaman John Gordon took charge despite the fact that he was
injured and several others were burned. Several members of
"A" gun were also burned and wounded. Leading Cook Frank
Prudhomme also died. HMCS ATHABASKAN took on board the 35 survivors
from H.M.S. EGRET. HMCS ATHABASKAN continued on at 14 knots,
correcting a serious list to starboard. The ship reached Devonport,
where she remained under repair until 10 Nov 1943; returning to
Scapa Flow in Dec 1943.
In Feb 1944, she rejoined Plymouth Command and was assigned to the
newly formed 10th Destroyer Flotilla. On 26 Apr 1944 she assisted in
the destruction of German torpedo boat T 29 in the Channel off
Ushant, and three days later was sunk by a torpedo from T24 north of
the Ile de Bas. Her captain and 128 men were lost, 83 taken
prisoner, and 44 rescued by HAIDA.
Click here to see a list of convoys escorted by
ATHABASKAN during the Second World War
The wreckage of HMCS ATHABASKAN
was located near the island of Batz in the English Channel. She was
found by Jacques Ouchakoff, a French marine historian in 2002 in 90
metres of water. Ottawa Branch member Paul
Bender is devoted to protecting RCN shipwrecks and their contents.
As direct result of his work, and petitioning the government of
France with respect to ATHABASKAN, the French government has placed
the wreck, which is in French territorial waters, under the
protection of the French Heritage Code, which provides legal
protection of the wreck and its contents.
Click
here to read the letter from the Government of France to Capt Paul Bender,
ret'd
Photos
and Documents Ship's
company photos
Record
of 10th Destroyer Flotilla Results - Apr to Sep 1944
Lucky
to be alive - 04 May 2014
Wartime Diary of
Stewart Kettle
Plouescat
Communal Cemetery, Finistere France - HMCS ATHABASKAN War Dead
The
case of the phantom MTB and the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN
30th
Anniversary Reunion
Remembering
HMCS ATHABASKAN - 75 years later by Royal Roads University
RCN Memories: Remembering
Donald Metcalfe - HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
Commanding Officers
Capt George Ralph Miles, OBE,
RCN - 03 Feb 1943 - 05 Nov 1943
LCdr
J.H. Stubbs, DSO,
RCN - 06 Nov 1943 - 29 Apr 1944
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget
|
ADAMS, John C.
AB, RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
AGNEW, John
AB,
RCNVR MPK - 29
Apr 1944
|
ALLISON,
Albert E.
AB,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
AMIRO,
Irvin V. Tel,
RCNVR killed
- 29 Apr 1944 |
ANNETT,
Robert I. L.
SLt
(E),
RCN killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
ARMSTRONG,
George
AB, RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
ASHTON,
Percy G.
AB,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
BARRETT,
Arthur E.
AB,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
BELL,
Donald A.
Sto 1c,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
BERKELEY,
Alfred G.
OS,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
BERTRAND,
Laurent
CPO,
RCN killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
BIANCO,
Anthony D.
AB,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
BIEBER,
E. Edward
Sto PO,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
BLINCH,
Harry C.
AB,
RCN MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
BRANDSON,
Thomas
Paym/Lt,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
BRIGHTEN,
Victor H.
ERA 2c,
RCN MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
BURROW,
William O.
LS
LR3,
RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
CHAMBERLAND,
Paul AB,
RCNVR killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
COOKMAN,
Edgar A.
LS
LTO,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
COONEY,
Stewart R.
Stwd,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
CORBIERE,
Vincent G.
AB,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
CORKUM,
Gordon F.
AB,
RCNR
killed
- 29 Apr 1944 |
COTTRELL,
Sydney A. AB,
RCNVR killed - 29 Apr
1944 |
CROFT,
Moyle H.
AB,
RCNR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
CROSS,
Alfred T. Ord. Tel,
RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
De
ARMOND,
Gordon
LS,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
DILLEN,
Stewart C.
Stwd,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
DION,
Albert Jean Germain
L/Sto,
V3373,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
EDHOUSE,
Donald William
Sto 2c,
V58286,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
FLEMING,
Harold Louis
AB,
V12849,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
FORRON,
Jack Edward Albert
Sto 1c,
V17506,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
FRALICK,
Earl I.
AB,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
FRITH,
William Alexander
LS, V17806
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
 |
FULLER,
Eugene Milton
AB,
V8808,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
GAETANO,
Valentino Joseph
AB,
V35858,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
GIBBONS,
Marshall L.
AB,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
GOLDSMITH,
Thomas Henry Hardy, CYS, 2980,
RCN
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
GORDON,
Lloyd M.
MID
AB, RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
GOULET,
Robert James
Sto 1c,
V42673,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
GRAINGER,
Roy James
L/Supply
Asst, V17877, RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
GUEST,
Earlton Gordon
AB,
V17487,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
HAYES,
Christopher
OS,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
HEATHERINGTON,
John Thomas
Sto 1c,
V31647,
RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
HENRY,
Robert John
AB,
V16777,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
HEYMANN,
Hans P.
(aka
Heaton, Hugh P)
Writer,
C/MX 678680,
Royal
Navy
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
HOUISON,
George Douglas
L/Writer,
V23114,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
HURLEY,
Michael Patrick
Sto 1c,
V36734,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
IRVINE,
Leonard Clayton
AB,
V11886,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
IZARD,
Theodore Douglas
Lt (E),
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
JARVIS,
Edmund Arthur
LS, 3330,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
JOHNSON,
Elswood Svein
AB,
V16839,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
JOHNSON,
Richard Riley
L/Sto,
V5801,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
JOHNSTON,
Lawrence Richard
AB,
V51370,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
KELLY,
Lionel David
Stwd,
V4445,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
KOBES,
John Robert
LS, 3074,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
LAMOUREAUX,
Andre
LS,
V4348,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
LATIMER,
Ernest George
PO, 2418,
RCN
killed
- 27 Aug 1943 |
LAWRENCE,
Ralph Miles
Lt,
O-40930, RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
LEA,
Eric Edward
Sto 1c,
V47397,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
LEDOUX,
Louis
AB,
V4433,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
LEWANDOWSKI,
Stanley Steve Sto 2c, V61813,
RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
LIND,
Mekkel George
Sto PO,
V13918, RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
LOVE,
Walter McGiffen
ERA 3c,
V8030,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
LUCAS,
Donald Owen
Sto 2c,
V60018,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MacAVOY,
Gerald William
PO Cook (O), 40500,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
MACDONALD,
Ashley Kilburn
AB, 3625,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MACKENZIE,
Alexander
AB,
V19875,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MAGUIRE,
John Wesley
L/Sto, 40911,
RCN killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
MAHONEY,
John Daniel
Lt
(SP), O-45890, RCN
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
MANSON,
John Lovell
Cook (O),
V23559,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
MATTHEWS,
George Herbert
AB,
V2809,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MCBRIDE,
John Lytle
AB,
V45461,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
MCCARROLL,
Thomas George
Sto 1c,
V39522,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
McCRINDLE,
William Donald
AB,
V1854,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
MCGRATH,
Joseph
AB,
V11616,
RCNVR
DOW - 28
Aug 1943 |
|
MCGREGOR,
William
L/Sto,
V30291,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
MCLEAN,
Daniel Haddow
AB,
V14742,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MCNEIL,
John James
Sto 2c,
V59518,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
MEADWELL,
Richard George
AB,
V49203,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MENGONI,
Eric Joseph
AB, 3980,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
METCALFE,
Donald Irving
E.A.3c,
V11603,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MILLAR,
Victor
AB,
V27555,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MILLS,
Ernest G.
CERA, 21508,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
MUMFORD,
Leonard Kempster
ERA 4c,
V42353,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
NASH,
Robert Arthur
SLt,
O-54790, RCN
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
|
NICHOLAS,
Joseph Russell
L/Sto,
V16615,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
OUELLETTE,
Joseph Emmett Victor
AB,
V50769,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
PEART,
Hilbert Joseph
AB,
A927,
RCNR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
PHILLIPS,
John David
AB,
V19152,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
PICKETT,
William Nutter
AB,
V2987,
RCNVR
killed - 27
Aug 1943 |
|
PIKE,
Brenton J.
AB,
V36417,
RCNVR
killed
- 29 Apr 1944 |
POTHIER,
Charles Louis
AB,
V4752,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
PRUDHOMME,
Frank E.
L/Ck (S), 40702,
RCN DOW - 28
Aug 1943 |
RENNIE,
John Ernest
PO, 3075,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
RIENDEAU,
Joseph A.L.
AB, V6869,
RCNVR killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
ROBERTS,
John Clark
ERA 4c,
V41069,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
ROBERTS,
Raymond Leslie
AB,
V10880,
RCNVR killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
ROBERTSHAW,
Eric
AB,
V8634,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
ROBERTSON,
Ian Anderson
AB,
V33909,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
ROBERTSON,
William
Sto 1c,
V55418,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
ROGER,
Leo Anthony
Sto 1c,
V38426,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
ROLLS,
Raymond Burton
AB,
V34863,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
RUTHERFORD,
Norman PO Radio Mech,
P/MX
124283 Royal
Navy MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
RYAN,
Norman Vincent AB,
V52603,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
ST
LAURENT, Joseph Ludger Marcel,
AB, V37192,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
SAMPSON,
Francis Leonard
AB,
V174,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
SANDERSON, Earl
Henry
AB,
V34973,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
SENECAL,
Jean George Lionel
AB,
V15272,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
SHERLOCK,
Albert Victor
Stwd,
V861,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
SIGSTON,
George Dennis
Cd
Gunner,
RCN
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
SINGLETON,
John Clifford
AB,
V17334,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
SKYVINGTON,
Francis G.
SBA,
RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
SMITH,
Thomas Bernard
AB,
3722,
RCN killed - 27
Aug 1943 |
SOMMERFELD,
Samuel Whitney AB, V32952,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944
|
SOUCISSE,
Paul Edward
Coder,
V836,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
STEVENSON,
Elmer Howard
Sto 1c,
V53221,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
STEWART,
John Lorne
AB,
V1362,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
STEWART,
William George
Signalman,
V8866,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
STOCKMAN,
Ernest Oswald
Lt (E),
O-70390, RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
Stubbs,
John H.
LCdr,
RCN, Commanding
Officer killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
SUTHERLAND,
John Watt
AB,
V12533,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
SWEET,
Charles Edwin
CPO, 2563,
RCN
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
THOMPSON,
Harry
Sto 1c,
V38485,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
TUPPER,
Allister Robertson
Ordnance Artificer 4c,
V40751,
RCNVR
MPK
- 29 Apr 1944 |
VAIR,
James Alexander
L/Stwd,
A4980,
RCNR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
VEINOTTE,
Joseph Victor Wilkins
Supply PO,
V25606, RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
WAITSON,
Maurice
AB,
RCNVR MPK
- 29 Apr 1944 |
WALLACE,
Peter William
AB,
V11722,
RCNVR
MPK - 29 Apr 1944 |
WARD,
Leslie
Lt
(Sp), O-76040, RCNVR
MPK
- 29 Apr 1944 |
WATSON, Reginald
John Tel,
V35953,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
|
WILLIAMS,
Kenneth Walter
ERA 4c,
A5402,
RCNR
killed - 29 Apr 1944
|
WOOD, John
Alfred
AB,
V34862,
RCNVR
killed -
29 Apr 1944 |
YEADON,
Robert Lawrence
AB,
V272,
RCNVR
killed - 29 Apr 1944 |
GINGER
Ship's
Mascot
killed
- 29 Apr 1944 |
|
In memory of those who have crossed the bar
They shall not be
forgotten
(s) - Survived the sinking of HMCS
ATHABASKAN G07 on 29 Apr 1944
A
B
|
Bacchus,
Robert F.L.
(s)
|
Beanlands,
Gordon A.
|
Beaudoin,
Arthur E.
(s)
|
Beer,
John E.
|
Bell,
Joseph A. (s)
|
|
Bennett,
George M.
|
Bennetts,
Henry J. (s)
|
Bint,
Benjamin W. (s)
|
Brown,
Douglas M. |
Buck,
Stanley J.
(s)
|
|
Burgess,
Charles T.
|
Bushie,
Victor A.
(s)
|
|
|
|
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
|
Mayman, Cyril
|
MacNeill,
Glen R. (s)
|
McGrath, Donald
K.
|
Meloche,
Raymond (s)
|
Miles,
George R. |
|
Miles,
George W.V.
|
Miller,
Julian E.
|
Milot,
Gérard J.A. |
Mitchell, William D.
(s)
|
Moses, Stanley G.
|
|
Myette,
Vincent L. (s)
|
|
|
|
|
N
P
R
S
|
Savage,
Francis J.
(s)
|
Scott, John
W.
(s)
|
Senior,
James A.
|
Sharp,
Kenneth G. (s)
|
Statz,
Clarence K.
|
|
Stevenson,
Richard H. (s)
|
Sulkers,
Herman C. (s)
|
Sutherland,
William G. (s)
|
Swaffer,
Donald
|
Sweeney,
Daniel T. (s)
|
T
W
Former Crew Members
POW = Survived the sinking of
ATHABASKAN. Captured by the German forces.
Became a POW for duration of war
Haida - Survived the sinking of
ATHABASKAN. Rescued by HMCS Haida
HC - Survived the sinking of
ATHABASKAN. Rescued by HMCS Haida's cutter
**
The last surviving crewmember of the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
passed away in Oct 2022. All those listed below as having
survived the sinking will be moved to the Crossed the Bar section as
time permits.
|
Adams,
S., L/Sto, V19451
Aikins,
James O., OS, V64833, OS - (Haida)
Alford,
W.C., L/Sto, V23389
Anderson,
H.F., AB,V9893
Andrews,
C., AB, A4785
Anslow,
C., PO, 2810
Armstrong,
SA, V32303
Arnold,
W.S., AB, 4217
Arnott,
A.B., AB, V6726 Attwood,
H.G., L/Tel, V7614
Bandick,
Paul V., OS, V53713 - (Haida)
Barkeer,
J., Sto, KX165728
Barton,
John J., ERA 4c, V32345 - (Haida)
Baskett,
H., Tel, V17947
Bates,
P.J., PO Wrtr, 40578
Baxzinet,
C., AB, V10407
Beach,
Ernest Ray, AB, V10831 - (POW) 
Beaver,
H., Sto, KX154785
Beddoe,
C.E., PO, V6386
Berry,
E.K., Sto, V22429
Berry
W., Sto PO, A2083
Bibeault,
C.R., Sto 1c, V4497
Blain,
J., AB, V15267
Blain,
W., Sto 1c, 31697
Blishen,
B., SBPO, 40550
Bolduc,
M., SyPO, 40584
Bonhomme,
G., OS, V4343
Bowell,
N.C., AB, 3588
Bower,
Milton C., AB, A4553 - (POW)
Brady,
W.E.C., SA, V32338
Brebber,
G., L/Sto, 21720
Brebner,
John Atchison, SLt, , O-8460, RCNVR - 03 Feb 1943
Brick,
C.J., L/Sto, V32949
Brooker,
P., Sto 2c, DKX178025
Brown,
J., Cook(S), V42097
Burgess,
Arthur, AB, V31538 - (POW)
Burkholdeer,
O.R., Tel, V27970
Burkmar,
G.P., L/Sig, 2350
Burrows,
Berchman R., LS, V32266 - (POW)
Bush,
W.G., AB, V17164
Caldwell,
F.B., Lt, O-11210
Caldwell,
John Birch, Lt (E), O-11220, RCN - 03 Feb 1943
Caldwell,
M.W., AB, V24934
Calkins,
V., Sto 1c, V16362
Calverly,
E., PO, 2501
Cannon,
J., DKX178033
Cannon,
M., L/Sto, A4414
Capson,
J.S., AB, V2527
Carr,
John J., AB, V9472 - (Haida)
Cattani,
Robert F.P., LS, V16567 - (Haida) Chadwick,
R.G., Sig, V10458 Chapman,
J., AB, V18017 Clark,
P.R., AB, V26087 Clark,
William, Lt, O-14230 - (POW) Clarke,
Stanley, J, AB, V23104 - (POW) Claxton,
L., L/tel, V17413 Clearwater,
R., LS, 3942 Clifford
R., L/Sto, 21827 Clouthier
J., OS, V32156 Cockburn,
M., LS, V23019 Colvin,
S., CPO, 2299 Comnor,
J., Sto, KX106654 Cooper,
G.E., Sto PO, V19741 Cooper,
Hector H., SY CPO, 40532 - (POW) Cooper,
J., Sto, KX146361 Corby,
G., L/Sto, KX95735 Cordall,
A., Sto, KX138070 Coughlan,
F., LS, V2252 Coulter,
B.W., AB, V7827 Cousins,
H., Sig, V7709 Cowley,
Arthur E., AB, V41591 - (POW)
Cox,
A., LS, PJX253699 Crews,
T.W., AB, A4822 Cripps,
W., Sto, V32040 Daly,
F., Sto, DKX598294 Dalzell,
Robert G., AB, 4141 - (POW) Davenport,
J.R., AB, V11861 Davey,
K., Sig, V9585 Davis,
A., OS, V31142 Davis,
T., Sto, DKX 178037 Deal,
Cornelius O., AB, V31445 - (POW) Decle,
d., LS, V5593 Dempsey,
Frank J., OS, V59818 - (POW) Dempsey,
William B., Tel, V33968 - (Haida) Dentremont,
P.J., AB, A5181 Derby,
J., Sto PO, V4823 Dick,
J., L/Sto, VB23988 Dick,
Stanley R., LS, V7995 - (POW) Docker,
T., Wt Eng, O-19940 Docksey,
D.C., AB, 3745
Dodds,
James Robert, Surg/Lt, O-19980, RCNVR - 12 Feb 1944
Dolan,
John J., Sto 1c, V35529 - (POW)
Downey,
John,Sig, V23421 - (POW) Doyle,
J., Sto, KX121868 Drone,
W., Shipwright 4c, V44404 Dukin,
C., L/Cook(S), DMX68391 Dunden,
J., CXook(S), V38381 Dunnell,
Stephen T., Ordnance Artificer 2c, V30419 - (POW)
Dykes,
James Grant, Paym/Lt, RCNVR
Eady,
Thomas G., Sig, V19177 - (HC)
Eastwood,
Whitley Joseph, Lt, O-21660, RCNVR - 03 Feb 1943
Edwards,
John, AB, V12916 - (Haida)
Ellis,
C., Sto, KX146777
Ellis,
F.W., PO Stwd, A2039
Evans,
James E., CPO, 2390 - (POW)
Evans,
L.M., CERA, V21506
Faulkner,
C., Sto 1c, 3114
Fee,
H., ERA 5c, V40148
Fennel,
W., Sto 2c, V27390
Figg,
R.A., LS, 3847
Frame,
D.W., AB, V4974
Freisen,
R.W., LS, 3682
Fyfe,
James G., Surg. Lt., O-25690 - (POW)
Gallant,
Paul G., AB, A1889 - (POW)
George,
J.A., L/Stwd, V9714 Gibson,
E., Sto PO, KX78170
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Gloeckler,
L., Stwd, 40708 Googan,
A., Mechanic, KX30409
Gordon,
John O., AB, V8281
Goulet,
Antoine A., Sto1c, V42224 - (POW)
Goulet,
J.G.A., PO, V6627
Gracie,
Robert B., Sto 1c, V36493 - (Haida)
Greenhalg,
J., Sto 1c, V35670
Guertin,
J.T., OS, V31857
Gunter,
J., L/Sto, KX95064
Haggett,
T., Cook, MX53621
Hamlett,
W., Sto, KX163442
Handy,
H.A., Sto 1c, V26959 Harbour,
F.R., LS, V4150 Harold,
C.W., AB, V9948 Hawes,
C., AB, V19630
Hayes,
William, L/Coder, V8722 - (Haida)
Hearl,
John H., AB, V69248 - (POW)
Hearn,
J.H., ERA, V39837
Herring,
R., AB, V1557
Hesler,
Geoffrey, Cook(S), V23323 - (POW)
Hingston,
F., Chief Mech., D307084
Holwell,
John B., AB, V8875 - (POW)
Hopkins,
Robert W., Sto 1c, V35886 - (POW)
Hopkins,
W., Sto, KX153590
Howard,
George C., AB, V1468 - (POW)
Howard,
William S., ERA 5c, V40160 - (Haida)
Howell,
C., AB, V22248
Hoyle,
T.P., AB, V17213
Hubbard,
Frederick M., Sto PO, V44405 - (POW) Hunt,
S., L/Sto, k60596
Jackson,
A., L/Coder, V8520 Jackson,
E.R., Sto 2c, V17904 Jako,
Leonard W., L/Sto, 21818 - (Haida) James,
A., Sto, KX597948 Jarvis,
D., Sto, KX165761 Jennings,
M.A., LS, 4085 Jewett,
G., PO, 2227 Johnson,
C., L/Sto, V2401
Johnson,
Ira Freeman, CPO, 2792 - (POW)
Johnson,
L., AB, V23858
Johnston,
C., Sto, KX134508
Jollicliffe,
T., Sto, KX115716
Jones,
E., Sto, KX178054
Jones,
F.E., L/Stwd, A2736
Jones,
W., OS, V31862
Jordan,
A., Sto, KX162301
Kane,
John F., LS, V8971 - (Haida)
Keane,
E., Sto, KX111355
Kennedy,
G.S., Sto 1c, 21770
Kent,
B.A., AB, A4880
King,
John A.C., AB, V48770 - (POW)
King,
W., L/Sto, KX93598
Kinisky,
F., Tel, V12548
Kirby,
W., OS, JX557472
Kirkby,
A., AB, A4079
Kirkendale,
G., Chief E.A., 40445
Kirkpatrick,
J., L/Stwd, V13662
Laidler,
John, AB, V11667 - (POW)
Lambert,
William S., Tel, V5883 - (Haida)
Lamoureux,
Andre, LS, V4348 - (POW)
Latimer,
E., PO, 2418
Lauder,
G.A., LS, 3115
Lawson,
C., Sto PO, A3315
Legh,
Norris J., L/Coder, V36139 - (Haida)
Leighton,
S., Sto, KX76918
Liggat,
AB, Sto 1c, V37475
Liversidge,
R.A., PO, 2601
Love,
Alexander W.R., C/Sto, V8620 - (Haida)
Love,
J., Sto, KX135016
Lowe,
C.D., AB, C17674
Lowther,
W.H., Sto 1c, V8813
MacDonald,
Hugh T., Sto 2c, V58962 - (Haida) MacGregor,
K., AB, A5423 MacKenna,
J., Sto, KX597970 MacKenzie,
C., OS, V1705 Madden,
D., Sto, KX525986 Maggs,
J., ERA, M20707 Mancor,
B.H., PO, 3233 Mancor,
Claude A., Sto PO, 40464 - (Haida) Manuel,
A., Sto 1c, 21973 Marshe,
W., Sto 1c, V26150 Martin,
H.H., Sto, V12714 Martin,
James A., Tel, V44560 - (POW) Martin,
W., AB, A2243 Martin,
William M., Tel, V45798 - (Haida) Maslove,
N.P., Stwd, V33677 Mastboom,
J., PO Stwd, A2815 Maxerall,
G., PO Stwd, A946
McBride,
William Oag, SLt (E), RCNVR - 19 Jun 1943
McCabe,
Jesse A., AB, V34420 - (POW) McCaw,
R.A., V17419
McCloy,
Edward H., AB, V18488 - (POW)
McKeeman,
Lester, B., AB, A4311 - (POW)
McLelland,
J.H.C., Surg-LCdr, O-48000 McCormick,
R.J., AB, V19188 McDonald,
G.F., Sto 1c, A4685 McDonald,
R., AB, V362 McDougall,
W., Stwd, V36934 McGrath,
J., AB, V11616 McKinnon,
A.A., L/Sto, A4902
Miles,
H.F., L/Sto, 21820
Miller,
Joseph Raymond P.P.H., OS, V3922 - (Haida)
Milne,
A., Sto 1c, V33170
Moar,
Raymond F., AB, V34808 - (POW)
Moore,
Bob
Moore,
R.F., OS, V30868
Morris,
Guy
Morris,
J., AB, V-3771
Muncer,
E., PMX101537
Murray,
F., Sto, KX118187
Mylrea,
R.P., PO, 2815
Neaves,
Harry B., Electrical Artificer 3c, 40844 - (Haida)
Nelson,
D.H., OA, 40631
Norwood,
W., Sto, KX104669
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O'Brien,
Earl, Sto PO, V26333 - (Haida)
O'Connell,
J.B., Tel, 3862
O'Neill,
D., AB, A2770
O'Rourke,
W.A., Sy, CPO, 40375
Ogilvie,
Robert B., SBPO, V27800 - (POW)
Osborne,
Robert D., AB. V11851- (POW)
Page,
V.H., AB, V9975
Page,
W., AB, V23154
Pallin,
H., AB, 3748
Parker,
G., Sto, KX130794
Parker,
R., OS, V31867
Parkes,
R., Sto, KX139454
Parsons,
George J., AB, V18056 - (Haida)
Parsons,
T., OS, JX570507
Patton,
H.R., SLt, O-58000
Pearce,
C., AB, 2959
Pennell,
F.W., A-2254
Penny,
E.V., L/tel, 2659
Percival,
E.C., LS, 4090
Perin,
H.W, AB,. V19749
Petersen,
G., Sto 1c, A4147
Pfrimmer,
E., AB, V24313
Pickett,
W.M., AB, V2987
Pine,
S.J./, L/Sto, V8923
Polson,
Edwin A., Sto 1c, V33438 - (POW)
Pope,
G., Sto PO, A2188
Potter,
W.h., AB, V6463
Pottie,
S.D., Sto 1c, V324
Powell,
N.C., AB, 3888
Priest,
G., Sto, Kc76481
Primeau,
G., AB, V2417
Prudhomme,
F.E., L/Cook(S), 40702
Quigley,
George - L/Tel, V7980 - (Haida)
Rafuse,
C.E., AB, V31865
Ramsey,
An., Cook(S), NX65692
Renaud,
L., AB, V4323 - (Haida)
Reynolds,
F., PO, DJ25460
Rigby,
J., Sto, KX123843
Roach,
J., ERA 5c, DMX509558
Rock,
J.M.G., Wrtr (SP), C/MX 677366, RN - (Haida)
Rodin,
P., AB, 3805
Rose,
W.S., AB, V19038
Ross,
C., L/Sto, 21827
Ross,
J.D., Lt, O-62630
Rowbottom,
H., Sto, KX146868
Russell,
R., Sto, KX524794
Sabean,
C., tel, 3856
Saint
Pierre, F., Ls, 3244
Salisbury,
W.C., LS, V7581
Sanders,
R., AB, V27480
Sanders,
S., AB, A5291
Sanders,
Walter B., AB, V2801 - (POW)
Scanlon,
Delbert D.H., Sig, V7702 - (POW)
Scott,
A., Sto, KX133993
Scratch,
Elmer W., AB, V50726 - (POW) Sealey,
E., Sto, KX597867 Seymour,
W., Tel, V12334 Shea,
John T., CERA, 21801 - (Haida) Sheppard,
Walter R., Tel, 4420, (POW) Sillars,
W., Sto, KX158110 Simaluk,
Walter, AB, V10998
- (POW) Smith,
A.J., Sto 1c, 21841 Smith,
G., AB, V3312 Smith,
G.W., Sig, 3618 Smith,
J., Sto, KX107746 Smith,
J.N., LS, 3831 Smith,
O.W., AB, V37393 Smith,
T.B., AB, 3722 Smyth,
James W., AB, V6532 -(POW) Staples,
W., Sto 2c, DKX179070 Stark,
H., Sto 1c, A4447 Starr,
C.L., LSA, V40835 Strachan,
L.G., PO, 3206 Strachan,
W., L/Sto, KX102994 Stenning,
Raymond B., CPO Cook(S), 40848 - (POW) Sutherland,
William G., Sto 1c, V36523 - (POW) Swaffer,
D., AB, 3944 Sygrove,
J., L/Stwd, V26316 Sylvester,
R., LS, 3560
Tate,
W., Sto
Taylor,
J., Sto, KX99498
Taylor,
M.O., PO Tel, 2493
Templton,
J., AB, V8930
Thisby,
G., Sto, KX135243
Thomas,
J., LS, V2354
Thourin,
J., Sto 1c, V4417
Turner,
R.E., CPO, V6132
Tyrie,
James, Cook(S), V18295 - (POW)
Ullathorne,
T., Sto, KX157137
Verden,
P., AB, V24184
Virgint,
S., LS, V7391
Walker,
E., Sto 2c, KX165789
Wallace,
William Bruce, Surg/Lt, O-75800, RCNVR - 03 Feb 1943
Wallen,
S., EA
Waller,
C., AB, V-18245
Wendon,
F.W., PO, 2329
Westaway,
Roy A., AB, V34915 - (POW)
White,
J., Sto, KX102707
Whitson,
J.A., L/Sto, A4165
Wiggins,
D.H., LS, 2770
Wilkinson,
M., Sto, KX59807
Willets,
F., Shipwright 4c, V33365
Williams,
A., Mechanic, KX77174
Willock,
Samuel C., SA, V52873 - (POW)
Wilson,
E., Sto, V37006
Wilson,
R.V., LS, V11282
Wiseman,
W., Sto PO, KX82916
Woodbridge,
J., KX83362
Woods,
L., Sto PO, KX80126
Woolley,
P.A., Sto 1c, V38278
Young,
Charles, Shipwright 4c, V41759 - (Haida)
Young,
T.M., Sig, V24746
Yourke,
J., PO, 3024 |
Photos
and Documents
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
RCN Photo |
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 - date and location unknown |
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 rescues survivors from German U-boat that was sunk by a
Wellington bomber
Crow's Nest newspaper - Jan 1944 |
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Engine room dept of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 when she was hit by a bomb on 27 Aug
1943
Crow's Nest newspaper - Jan 1944 |
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
From the collection of Raymond Rolls
Courtesy of Kevin Gaines |
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Newspaper article on HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |
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Damage to HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 caused by a
glider bomb attack on August 27, 1943
Source: CROWSNEST Magazine Vol. 1, No. 6, April
1949 |
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Damage to HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 caused by a
glider bomb attack on August 27, 1943
From the collection of Joseph
W. (Jim) L'Esperance, LS, RCNVR
Courtesy of Jim L'Esperance |
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Newspaper article on HMCS ATHABASKAN picking up
survivors of German U-boat - dated 15 Dec 1943
From a Quebec newspaper
From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland
Courtesy of Pierre Barrette |
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First official photo of HMCS ATHABASKAN along the coast of Scotland
From a Quebec newspaper
From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland
Courtesy of Pierre Barrette |
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Captivating story of combat between a Canadian destroyer and German
pilots
HMCS ATHABASKAN hit by bomb - 5 sailors killed, many wounded.
From a Quebec newspaper
From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland
Courtesy of Pierre Barrette |
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Canadian and British flotilla sink German destroyer
From a Quebec newspaper
From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland
Courtesy of Pierre Barrette |
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Nazi destroyer sunk
From a Quebec newspaper
From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland
Courtesy of Pierre Barrette |
Front
page article on the loss of the ATHABASKAN
Toronto
Daily Star, Monday 01 May 1944
Click
on the above image to view the full front page
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JA11 |
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(JA11)
Crossing the Line certificate (Arctic Circle) for John James Acorn
while onboard HMCS ATHABASKAN G07, 17 December 1943
(JA12)
Newspaper article of the battle in which HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was lost //
HMCS ATHABASKAN Was Sunk In Battle With German Destroyers. About 130 Of Her
200-Man Crew Are Accounted For. One Of the German Destroyers Was Driven
Ashore in Flames
(JA13-JA16)
Newspaper articles on HMCS ATHABASKAN'S POWs
From
the collection of Leading Stoker John Acorn
Courtesy
of Barry Acorn
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FM887 |
FM888
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FM889 |
FM890 |
FM891 |
(FM887)
HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 rescues survivors from a German U-boat sunk by a Wellington
bomber - dated 31 Dec 1943
(FM888) Article on Gunner (T)
G.D. Sigston and AB
Eric J. Mengoni
(FM889) HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 back on duty after
being struck by a glider bomb
(FM890) Headline - HMCS ATHABASKAN IS SUNK -
dated 01 May 1944
(FM891) Article on the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
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FM892 |
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(FM892)
A Gallant End - newspaper article on the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 with crew
photo
From
the collection of François Messier, AB,
RCNVR
Courtesy
of Denis Messier
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Articles from Quebec newspapers on the sinking
of HMCS ATHABASKAN and the loss, capture and rescue of her crew
Note: These articles are in French only
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photo 1 |
photo 2 |
photo 3 |
photo 4 |
photo 5 |
photo 6 |
photo 7 |
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photo 8 |
photo 9 |
photo 10 |
photo 11 |
photo 12 |
photo 13 |
photo 14 |
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photo 15
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photo 16
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photo 17
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photo 18
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photo 19 |
photo 20 |
photo 21 |
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photo 22
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photo 23
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photo 24
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photo 25
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photo 26
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photo 27
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(1
& 2)
Terrible odyssey of 5 sailors from the Canadian ship ATHABASKAN - 27
Sep 1944 (3 & 4) Three sailors from ATHABASKAN saved from the high
sea (5) Five sailors from ATHABASKAN have escaped the Germans
- 29 Aug 1944 (6) LS Stanley Dick missing with HMCS ATHABASKAN (7) Sailors Beaudoin and Dion disappear with the
ATHABASKAN (8) Cold blood of a Sailor - Lt G.K. Cowan remembers G.J. Parsons - 04 May 1944
(9) Preparations for the invasion provoked the action which resulted
in the sinking of the ATHABASKAN (10) Raymond Miller, serving
in ATHABASKAN, was saved (11) Canadian destroyer ATHABASKAN sinks in the channel (12) Two Quebecois return home - Arthur
Beaudoin and John Fairchild (13 & 14) Six Quebecois lost
with HMCS ATHABASKAN - 05 May 1944 (15) Leaders of political
parties pay tribute to the sailors of the ATHABASKAN - 02 May 1944
(16 & 17) Loss suffered by the Canadian Navy - 14 May 1944
(18) Loss suffered by the Navy (19) Quebec sailors
missing (20) HMCS ATHABASKAN POWs arrive in England - 16 May
1945 (21) The valiance of ATHABASKAN sailors is praise - 02
May 1944 (22) Thirty-five survivors of HMCS ATHABASKAN arrive in Canada - 04 May 1944 (23)
ATHABASKAN survivors and casualties
(24) LCdr Dunn Lantier missing (25) Sailor Germain Dion
killed (26) HMCS ATHABASKAN sunk (27) Sailors Liberated
- 11 May 1945
From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland
Courtesy of Pierre Barrette
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Robert Yeadon and shipmate, HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
Courtesy of Cynthia Tompkins |
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Graves
of Robert Yeadon and Robert Henry, both were killed when HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
was sunk on 29 Apr 1944. Their bodies washed ashore on Ile de Batz, France.
Courtesy of Cynthia Tompkins |
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Newspaper articles
on casualties and survivors from the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
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(1)
ATHABASKAN Survivor - OS Joseph Raymond P.P.H. Miller
- The Montreal Gazette 03 May 1944 (2) Lindsay Boy went down on
ATHABASKAN -
May 10, 1944 (3) Signalman Allen Thasher (Thrasher)
reported lost at sea (4) Lindsay Native Believed on ATHABASKAN -
May 2, 1944 (After articles #2, 3, and 4 were published it was found
that Allen Thrasher did not die but had been captured and was a POW.)
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During
their captivity, some 70 members of HMCS ATHABASKAN'S crew captured
by German forces signed this mimeographed - or copied - document.
Printed on the reverse side of a commemorative image of ATHABASKAN,
the document provides space for survivors from each of the nine
provinces in wartime Canada. More than 80 members of ATHABASKAN's
crew were rescued and captured by German forces. Most of them wound
up in prisoner of war camps, while a few seriously injured sailors
were sent to a hospital where they were later liberated by American
troops. George Metcalf Archival Collection CWM
19870005-001 |
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Poem - HMCS ATHABASKAN
by Stuart Kettles, L/Writer, RCNVR
From the collection of Joseph
(Jim) L'Esperance, LS, RCNVR
Courtesy of Jim L'Esprance |
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"X & Y" turret crew on HMCS ATHABASKAN
G07
Back row, 2nd from left - John W. Fairchild.
4th from left - Louis Ledoux
From the collection of Herman
C. Sulkers
Courtesy of Paul Sulkers
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Crew members of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
The
3 men on the left in front of the turret are (left to right) Raymond
Leslie Roberts, Herm Sulkers, and Jim L'Esperance. In the turret
window is John Gordon. On the turret, rear row, left to right are -
Bob Moore, Bill Pickett and Ernest Anderson. Eugene Fuller is
on the gun barrel on the right, in front, behind him is Gerry Milot.
On the left gun barrel - front to back - Maurice Watson, Vince
Myette and Art Barrett
Source: Web
blog by Pierre Lagacé |
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 Gun crew
Front row (L-R) Vince Myette, Bill Pickett,
Gerry Milot, Art Barrett, Eugene Fuller
Rear row (L-R) Herm Sulkers, Maurice Watson,
Bob Moore, John Gordon, Ernest Anderson, Ray Roberts, Jim
L'Esperance
Update: The unknown gunner in this photo has
been identified as Ernest Raymond Anderson
From the collection of Herman
C. Sulkers
Courtesy of Paul Sulkers |
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Ernest Raymond Anderson has been identified by
his wife and daughter as being the unknown gunner in the gun crew
photo above |
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Jim L'Esperance
Jim survived the sinking of HMCS
ATHABASKAN G07. He was captured by the Germans and was a POW for the
remainder of the war
Source: Web
blog of Pierre Lagacé |
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John
W. Fairchild - When
the ATHABASKAN was sunk, John went overboard on the opposite side of
the ship from the Haida which was under orders NOT to stop and pick
up survivors; the captain did anyway but only picked up men they
could see…and then went to high revolutions to get away from the
patrolling German P-T boats. The RCN had just introduced a new
flotation device which had a lamp attached that was activated when
in contact with water; my dad was wearing one of these. At
around the time of the sinking, John’s sister in Quebec City woke
with a start seeing my father floating in the water with a big light
over his head. She was the only one in the entire family that
was convinced he was alive as his paperwork was lost for some time
and the family had received a telegram indicating “missing and
presumed drowned at sea”.
John
was sent to a prison camp with the other survivors; he and one of
his mates escaped by hiding for three days in an asbestos filled
attic when the Germans evacuated the prison (the Russians were
approaching). They wandered west for a few days before being picked
p by American troops who promptly arrested by Dad as they were
convinced that he was a German posing as an escapee (blonde hair and
blue eyes and all)! That took some time to sort out but, eventually,
all the paperwork caught up to him and he came back to Canada.
Written
by Peter Fairchild, son of John W. Fairchild
Source:
Web
blog of Pierre Lagacé |
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Newspaper article on the repatriation of 64
POWs from HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
From the World War 2 collection of Jim
L'Esperance
Source: Lest
We Forget blog of Pierre Lagacé
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Headstones for Leading Stoker William McGregor
and Lt. Commander John H. Stubbs who were lost when HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was sunk
Headstones are located at the PLOUESCAT
COMMUNAL CEMETERY; Finistere, France
Source: Web
blog by Pierre Lagacé |
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Ernest Raymond Anderson
RCN - HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
Ernest
R. Anderson - Atlantic Star with clasp France and Germany, War Medal
1939-45, 1939-45 Star and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with
clasp.
Ernest Anderson's HMCS ATHABASKAN cap tally
Ernest
R. Anderson joined the Royal Canadian Navy on 14 December 1939.
He served on HMCS ATHABASKAN and survived her sinking, being picked
up by HMCS Haida. The following is from his daughter, Karen
Anderson. "My dad really never talked about his days in
the war, he was just never the boastful kind of person. My mom does
remember his brother telling her a story about my dad, on the ATHABASKAN
on the night it sank. He mentioned how he was with one of
the guns that exploded, he was thrown into the water and a lot of
the men he was with were killed. He was a very strong swimmer and
was able to swim to be rescued. He was covered in oil and had bad
burns on his hands. He told me he remembers coming out being covered
in oil and being filmed on a camera. I do know these burns on his
hands gave him pain and limitations for his whole life."
Click
here to view Ernest Anderson's Certificate of Service
Courtesy
of Karen Anderson
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Raymond Burton Rolls (Centre) - other crew
member's names unknown
From the collection of Raymond Rolls
Courtesy of Kevin Gaines |
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Raymond Burton Rolls
Raymond was killed when the ATHABASKAN was sunk
on 29 Apr 1944
From the collection of Raymond Rolls
Courtesy of Kevin Gaines |
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Remembrance
Day: The captain yelled out, "Abandon ship!"
Newspaper
article from "The
Senior Times" - by Irwin
Block
On
November 11, we remember those who served our country, but for Harry
Hurwitz the day he can’t forget is April 29, 1944.
That
was the day Hurwitz and other victims of a German torpedo attack on
his Canadian ship ended up in the English Channel, struggling to
survive.
At
92, and a resident of the B’Nai Brith House in Côte St. Luc,
Hurwitz recalled his remarkable story in preparation for Remembrance
Day ceremonies. He is to lay a wreath at the cenotaph in Montreal
West.
The
Lachine-born son of trucker Chaim and Bella, with seven brothers and
five sisters, enlisted in 1939 at age 18. He switched from the army
to the navy and in 1942 shipped out to Greenock, just west of
Glasgow, Scotland.
As
an able-bodied seaman, Hurwitz was assigned to H.M.C.S. ATHABASKAN and in August 1943, while patrolling the channel, the ship was
attacked by six Messerschmitt fighter-bombers.
“We
opened fire, we drove five away, but one came out of the sky and
dropped a bomb right near me. I was one of the lucky ones. The guy
next to me was killed instantly and seven others died as well.”
He
later sailed to Murmansk, Russia, as part of a convoy of 57 ships
delivering materials and supplies to assist the Soviet Union in
resisting and counter-attacking the German assault.
“Only
about 20 made it. The rest were torpedoed and sunk. I was up in the
masthead when it was 40 below zero, watching for enemy ships. They
gave me a cup of coffee every 10 minutes, it was so cold.”
From
its base in Plymouth, U.K., the ATHABASKAN continued to patrol the
English Channel where the Allies were expected to launch the
long-awaited second front by invading France.
On
April 29, the ship left Plymouth at 6 pm and after three hours was
at the French coast not far from Brest.
“For
some reason, we went a little too close to the French coast. I’m
on my gun at our action station, and all of a sudden a torpedo hit
our ship near the stern. It was cut off completely, about 2,000
shells exploded and everyone was killed instantly.
“We
got the order from Commander John Stubbs—who gave the order to man
the hoses—to see if we could put out the fire. Guys were dying,
they were screaming. Me and four other guys grabbed the hose, and
just then a second torpedo hit. There was no pressure, everything
was dead, the whole ship was ablaze. I got a piece of shrapnel right
above my nose.
“Then
the captain yelled out, ‘Abandon ship!’ Me and my friend Raymond
Meloche (who lives at Ste. Anne’s veterans’ hospital) jumped. I
threw off my big rubber boots and my heavy coat. We sunk at 4:28 am.
How do I know? My mother bought me a cheap watch on my bar mitzvah
and I had it all these years. She paid $4 for it!
“We
were in the water for six or seven hours.
“First
I was holding on to the masthead, with Meloche. I couldn’t see.
“I
was covered with oil from head to toe. Then I held on to an empty
barrel.
“One
guy had his leg blown off and he kept yelling, ‘I don’t want to
die.’ Another had a big hole in his stomach and the salt water was
getting in and he was yelling. We couldn’t do anything. They all
died in the water.”
A
lifeboat floated nearby, probably released by Allied ships to help
survivors. “About 15 or 16 of us got into the lifeboat. We had no
oars, so we drifted, like a bunch of dummies.”
A
German battleship appeared and prepared to take the men prisoner.
“I
had my Magen David (Jewish star) and I ripped it off my neck and
tossed it into the water. I also tossed a wallet, with Jewish things
and about $40 I won the day before rolling the dice with the money
from payday.”
Records
show that 129 of the crew, including Captain John Stubbs, died.
Hurwitz was among 83 men taken prisoner while another 44 were
rescued by H.M.C.S. Haida. The war was coming to an end and the
German captors “were very good to us.”
“We
arrived in France and we saw two girls completely naked, dead drunk,
and they cheered, ‘A way, les bons Canadiens,’ while the Germans
commander yelled, ‘schnell’.”
Hurwitz
was interrogated at a convent and gave his name as Hurwit – “I
took off the zed, to sound less Jewish.”
His
interrogator, an officer about 75, turned out to be “a really nice
man. I told him I was from Lachine and he told me he had worked for
General Electric in Lachine for about 20 years! I lived on 10th Ave.
and LaSalle St., and General Electric was on 1st Ave. and LaSalle
St.”
The
German had immigrated to Canada to work as an engineer, but in 1936
went back to Germany to help his country, Hurwitz recalled.
He
pounded the table, denounced the Jews, but Hurwitz said he replied
he had worked for Jews and never had any problems.
After
14 days in Brest, the POWs were taken to a camp outside Hamburg. “Every
night at exactly midnight, R.A.F. bombers attacked the oil
installations there, and at Kiel, Bremen and Hanover. We would sit
on top of our shack and had a beautiful view.”
He
and a fellow prisoner bribed a guard with 25 cigarettes, worth “$500
on the black market,” and got wire cutters to escape. But when he
asked a German woman in his Yiddish-style German in a nearby farm
for a glass of water, she called the police and they were
rearrested.
A
senior British officer among the prisoners at the camp warned the
Germans to “release the men immediately” because “the British
were only 400 miles away and I will hold you personally responsible
if anything happens to them.” They were returned to the general
PoW population.
They
were told to march to Lubek, and the column was accidentally
attacked by an R.A.F. fighter—four men were killed by friendly
fire. They returned to the prison camp.
Hurwitz
was liberated on April 29, 1945—a year to the day he was captured.
Two of his three daughters were born after war’s end—on April
29.
When
he lays the wreath, Hurwitz says he’ll be thinking of that day in
1944, and “the guys in the water dying, shouting: ‘Save me, save
me’.” |
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AB Harry Hurwitz and cousin in London, England
From the collection of Harry Hurwitz
Courtesy of Darla Hurwitz Scott |
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ATHABASKAN G07 POWs at Marlag und Milag. Harry
Hurwitz is in the white shirt
From the collection of Harry Hurwitz
Courtesy of Darla Hurwitz Scott |
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Marlag und Milag POW camp
From the collection of Herman
C. Sulkers
Courtesy of Paul Sulkers |
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ERA Leonard Mumford penned a letter home 2 days
before his ship was sunk |
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Sig Donald King McGrath on the flag deck of
HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
Courtesy of Donna McGrath |
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An oil covered Francis (Frank) Austin Charles
Roach stands on the deck of HMCS HAIDA after being rescued
Courtesy of Garry McFadden |
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More Ottawa Men Off ATHABASKAN Now
Prisoners-of-War
The Ottawa Journal 11 Aug 1944 |
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Four Montreal Sailors Rescued In Loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN
The Montreal Gazette, Tue, 02 May 1944 |
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Newspaper article dated 29 Apr 1944 on Missing ATHABASKAN
crew members Lawrence Johnston, Herman Sulkers and Eddie Bieber
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé
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Letter from OS Berkeley to his parents - dated
02 Mar 1944
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé |
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Letter from OS Berkeley to his brother - dated
20 Apr 1944 (9 days before ATHABASKAN was sunk)
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé |
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Letter sent to OS A.G. Berkely that was
returned to sender - OS Berkeley was MPK
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé |
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Newspaper article on one ATHABASKAN casualty
(OS Berkeley) and one ATHABASKAN survivor (PO Mancor)
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé |
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Newspaper article announcing the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN
G07 - Sunk in action
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé |
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Newspaper article on two of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07's casualties - OS Berkeley and AB Barrett
Courtesy of Pierre Legacé |
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Newspaper article on LCdr Stubbs
Courtesy of Steve Hlasny |
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Article on the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
From the collection of CPO
J. Vincent Wesley, RCNVR
Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor
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Poem about the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
From the collection of CPO
J. Vincent Wesley, RCNVR
Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor
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Three ATHABASKAN sailors reported missing
OS L.R. Johnson, AB Herman Sulkers and PO Eddie
Bieber
Courtesy of Operation Picture Me
Note: Herman Sulkers survived the war as a POW
- OS Johnson and PO Bieber died when ATHABASKAN was sunk |
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Article from an Ontario newspaper and Ontario
men missing from HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 |
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ATHABASKAN Survivors In Canada
The Halifax Chronicle, Tuesday, 23 May 1944
Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury |
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ATHABASKAN Survivors in Halifax
The Halifax Mail, Monday, 22 May 1944
Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury |
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Survivors Tell of ATHABASKAN Sinking
The Halifax Chronicle Thursday, 25 May 1944
Research by / Courtesy of George Newbury
Sailors
mentioned in the article: Leading Cook Alfred Richardson; Leading Seaman Victor Bushie of Halifax,
NS; Stoker Petty Officer Earl O'Brien of New Waterford,
NS; Leading Seaman Frank (Doc) Savage of Edmonton; Able
Seaman
Al Foran; Able Seaman Andre Audet of Montreal; Seaman Stanley
Buck of Toronto: Signalman Tom Eady of Welland, ON; Petty Officer
George Caswell of Vancouver, BC; Signalman Guy J. Norris of
Neslon, BC. |
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Articles on the repatriation of ATHABASKAN POWs
From the collection of Joseph
W. (Jim) L'Esperance
Courtesy of Jim L'Esperance
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Leading up to D-Day (50 years later) - Re-print
of a newspaper article on the loss of ATHABASKAN G07 - original
article dated 01 May 1944
From the collection of Ivan Chamberlain
Courtesy of Dave Chamberlain |
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On
September 19, 2017, HMCS Montréal took time from their operation to
honour and remember the officers and sailors of HMCS ATHABASKAN who
were lost at sea when the ship was torpedoed and sank off the coast
of France on April 29, 1944 during the Second World War. As HMCS
Montréal transited north as part of NEPTUNE TRIDENT 17-02, the ship’s
company laid a wreath at sea over the area where HMCS ATHABASKAN sank. The wreath was laid by those who served on HMCS
ATHABASKAN (3rd of name), named after the original ATHABASKAN, whose members
felt a close connection to the ship and its history.
DND/RCN Photos / Crown copyright 2017
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Montage
that was presented to Mr. Ernie Takalo, a survivor of the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN
G07, onboard HMCS HAIDA during a Remembrance Ceremony for the
crew of ATHABASKAN G07. The montage has the last crew photo taken of HMCS ATHABASKAN
G07 and a crew photo from HMCS ATHABASKAN 282
Courtesy of Blair Gilmore
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 Survivors Reunion 1971
Back
Row (L-R): Bert Burrows, Jack Scott, Robin Hayward, Geoffrey Hesler, William
Bint, Jim Richardson, Raymond Heloche, Wilfred Henrickson, William Howard,
Charles Burg, Alex McKinnon, George Howard
Front
Row (L-R): Mac Young, George Parsons, Clarence Rafuse, Sam Pine, George Lunder,
Jim Tyrie, Orwen Deal, Jim L'Esperance, Emile Beaudoin, Paul Galland, Raymond
Moar, Jim Eva
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Surviving
crew members for HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 onboard HMCS ATHABASKAN 282 in
the English Channel near where HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was sunk - 1974
From the collection of Greg Mackenzie
Courtesy of David H. Brown
Click on the above photo to view a larger
image
In
2003, Greg Mackenzie, a commissioning crew member for HMCS ATHABASKAN
282, received a tour of HMCS ATHABASKAN 282 from MS David
Brown. Greg sent David a thank you letter for the tour and sent him
the above photo with the letter.
Click
here to read the letter Greg Mackenzie sent to MS David Brown
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Six survivors of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 on HMCS ATHABASKAN
282 - 2002
(1) Wilf Henrickson (2) Ernie Takalo
(4) Herm Sulkers
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Article from the Vancouver Sun
on HMCS ATHABASKAN G07
Courtesy of Dave Clarke
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Newspaper
article from the Trident Magazine on a memorial service conducted on HMCS ATHABASKAN
282 on 16 Oct 2015, off the coast of France, for those lost on
HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 by SLt Blair Gilmore, HMCS ATHABASKAN.
Courtesy
of Blair Gilmore
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Convoys escorted during
the Second World War (back to ship's history)
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Convoy Desig. |
Convoy Departs from |
Arrives at |
Join as escort |
Depart Convoy |
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JW.55A
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Loch Ewe
(12 Dec 1943) |
Archangel
(22 Dec 1943) |
15 Dec 1943 |
21 Dec 1943 |
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RA.55A
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Kola Inlet
(22 Dec 1943) |
Loch Ewe
(01 Jan 1944) |
23 Dec 1944 |
28 Dec 1944 |
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WP.SP 18 |
Milford Haven
(23 Jan 1944) |
Portsmouth
(25 Jan 1944) |
23 Jan 1944 |
25 Jan 1944 |
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HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 Commemorative Coin
HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was commissioned on 03 Feb
1943 and was sunk in battle on 29 Apr 1944 off the coast of France. The ship's badge was designed by a member of
her crew, but before it could be mounted on the ship she was lost in
action. Her captain and 128 officers and men were lost, 83
taken prisoner, and 44 rescued by HMCS HAIDA. Her badge was
used as the basis for the ship's badge for HMCS ATHABASKAN 2nd and
3rd of name.
The cost is $18 per coin, which will
include shipping anywhere in Canada. To get more information on how
to order an ATHABASKAN commemorative coin,
please email - info@forposterityssake.ca
Please put ATHABASKAN G07 COIN in the subject line.
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