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HMCS CAMROSE K154
Flower Class Corvette
Commissioned at Sorel, Quebec, on 30 June 1941, the Flower Class corvette CAMROSE arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 6 June. She was assigned to Halifax Force after working up, but in October joined Newfoundland Command, leaving St. John’s, Newfoundland, on 8 October for Iceland with convoy SC.48. She was employed as ocean escort to and from Iceland until February 1942, when she commenced a major refit at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Upon completion in May she resumed her mid-ocean escort duties for one round trip to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, but was assigned in June to Western Local Escort Force.
In October 1942, CAMROSE was allocated to duties concerned with the invasion of North Africa. She left Halifax on 20 October for the United Kingdom, and for the next five months escorted convoys between Britain and the Mediterranean. In April 1943 she proceeded to Pictou, Nova Scotia, for a refit lasting five and a half months, including forecastle extension, after which she worked up in Bermuda and was assigned to Escort Group 6. She left St. John’s, Newfoundland, early in December for Londonderry, where she was based for the next four months in support of convoys, especially to and from Freetown, Sierra Leone and Gibraltar. While with combined convoys OS.64/KMS.38, she shared with the British destroyer HMS BAYNTUN the sinking of U-757 in the North Atlantic on 8 January 1944. In May she joined Western Approaches Command, Greenock, Scotland for invasion duties, escorting convoys to staging ports, and to and from Normandy beaches. She left the United Kingdom on 2 September for another refit at Pictou, followed by workups in Bermuda, returning in January 1945 to become a member of Escort Group 41, Plymouth, England. She served with this group until Victory-in-Europe Day, afterward participating in the re-occupation of St. Helier in the Channel Islands. CAMROSE left Greenock, Scotland, for home early in June 1945 and was paid off at Sydney on 22 July. She was broken up at Hamilton, Ontario in 1947.
U-Boats Sunk: U-757 (Oblt Friedrich Deetz) sunk on 8 Jan 1944 by HMS BAYNTUN and HMCS CAMROSE K154 in position 50-33 N, 18-03 W - of the crew of 49 there were no survivors.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
U-boat Attack Narrative for the sinking of U-757 - From the collection of Harry Brian, RCNVR
Service summary for HMCS CAMROSE K154 - From the collection of Harry Brian, RCNVR
Commanding Officers
A/LCdr Louis Raymond Pavillard, RCNR - 12 Apr 1941 - 07 Nov 1944
Lt James Barrett Lamb, RCNVR - 08 Nov 1944 - 18 Jul 1945
AB, RCNVR died - 21 Jun 1944
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
(CMR001) HMCS CAMROSE K154 // Source: Flickr photo collection of Ron Bell (CMR002) HMCS CAMROSE K154 in Ireland // From the Collection of Larry Hartman // Courtesy of Ray Hartman (CMR003) HMCS CAMROSE K154 (CMR004) Three Corvette Commanding Officers at Gibraltar - 08 Mar 1943 // Right to Left: Lt Wilfred Joseph (Red) McIsaac, RCNVR, HMCS PRESCOTT, LCdr W Evans, RCNVR, HMCS KITCHENER, and Lt LR Pavillard, RCNR, HMCS CAMROSE // Source: Imperial War Museum https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205148542 (CMR005) L-R: Unknown corvette, HMCS CAMROSE K154 and HMCS COLLINGWOOD K180 circa 1945 // From the collection of Ivan Chamberlain // Courtesy of Dave Chamberlain
(CMR006) HMCS CAMROSE credited with possible u-boat kill - Toronto Daily Star 05 May 1943 // From the collection of J. Vincent Wesley, CPO, RCNVR // Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor (CMR007) Article on HMCS CAMROSE ramming U-boat and saving crew of two torpedoed merchantmen - Toronto Daily Star 14 Jul 1943 // Sailors mentioned in the article: Lt Harry K. Dawson, XO, of Toronto; PO William Lewis, of Toronto; Tel William Camblin, of Toronto; Lt Louis R. Pavillard, CO, of Halifax; CERA Louis Lapointe, of Sault Ste. Marie; ERA William P. Carlisle; LS Adelard Herbert, of Pine Falls, MB; Sig George Van Tassel; Sig Robert Bertland // From the collection of Ronald Wismer // Courtesy of Kerry (Wismer) Stewart (CMR008) Article on HMCS CAMROSE sailors from Ontario - Toronto Daily Star 14 Jul 1943 // sailors mentioned in article: William Cain, of Ottawa; William Camblin, of Toronto; William Lewis, of Toronto; Walter Palmer, of Hamilton; John Pinkerton, of Weston; Douglas Rogers, of London; Ronald Wismer of Biggar, SK // From the collection of Ronald Wismer // Courtesy of Kerry (Wismer) Stewart (CMR009) Autographs on the back of a HMCS CAMROSE reunion booklet // Courtesy of Patrick Moore
(CMR010) Article on CAMROSE sinking German U-boat. Names of Manitoban sailors listed in the article: SLt D. W. Wallar, RCNVR of Winnipeg; Stoker Charles Frazer, RCNVR of Winnipeg; AB Robert Gray, RCNVR of Winnipeg; LS Adelard Hebert, RCNVR of Pine Falls; Stoker John Jachison, RCNVR of Transcona; AB Donald McDiarmid, RCNVR of Winnipeg; Telegraphist Douglas McMahon, RCNVR of Winnipeg; Leading Signalman William Welsh, RCNVR of Winnipeg // From the collection of Charles Edward (Charlie) Frazer, RCNVR. Courtesy of Shirley Frazer (CMR0011) Article on a float of HMCS CAMROSE K154 built by Ferguson Industries, a former shipyard in Pictou, NS, for the V.E.-Day celebrations // The Refitter Magazine, Ferguson Industries // Courtesy of Hugh Muir
(WJD05) William (Bill) J. Davies manning the .50 cal machine gun on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (WJD06) Postcard picture of HMCS CAMROSE K154 sent with a Christmas card of William J. Davies (WJD07) Unknown sailors manning the Bofors on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (WJD08) "Buddies on CAMROSE" - William (Bill) J. Davies on the left (WJD09) Unknown sailor on the fo'c's'le of HMCS CAMROSE K154 From the collection of William J. Davies, AB, RCNVR Courtesy of Vicky Burwell
(WW01) William Welsh aiming a bren gun on HMCS CAMROSE (WW02) William Welsh on a signal lamp on HMCS CAMROSE (WW03) William Welsh on the bridge of HMCS CAMROSE (WW04) William Welsh "on the bridge of CAMROSE late 1941, original issue convoy coat and winter cap, holding our original WW1 telescope. Note the awning bars ... and us in the North Atlantic (WW05) "On the bridge of CAMROSE in the North Atlantic and fresh salt water 'inboard' bound, fortunately nobody in the way."
(WW08) L/Tel "Dusty" and Alan Dickie (right) on HMCS CAMROSE (WW09) Sailors on HMCS CAMROSE. Alan Dickie on left (WW10) Unknown officer on HMCS CAMROSE - possibly Lt McIsaac, CO of HMCS PRESCOTT
(WW11-WW12) William Welsh. On back of photo - "What 'well dressed' Ldg Sig people used in North Atlantic 1942, etc. On CAMROSE with free rum" (WW13) William Welsh on HMCS CAMROSE (WW14) Unknown sailor on HMCS CAMROSE (WW15) Written on back of photo - "On CAMROSE: Mortimore (stoker) was unofficial barber: haircuts $0.25 or a drink of rum. He wanted to serve with his brother on St. Croix and got the draft: but both were lost when St. Croix torpedoed."
Photo WW15 note: There were two brothers lost on St. Croix, but not with the name “Mortimore.” (No crewman with that name.) The two brothers that died were Carmen Ernest Stephenson (Leading Seaman, RCNVR) and Francis Woodrow Stephenson (Petty Officer, RCN) - however, neither were stokers.
From the collection of William Welsh, Sig
Courtesy of Kyle Daun
(HB01) Business card for the Atlantic Bar, Foyle St., Londonderry, Northern Ireland with the name John J.J. Kaminski written on it
(HB02) Article on pre-invasion operations for HMCS CAMROSE and her rescued of the crew of a blockade runner (HB03-HB04) Article on corvettes escorting the Phoenix Cassions across the Channel for the Mulberry Harbours (HB05) Camrose Sailors Played Ball on Invasion Beach (HB06) Article on CAMROSE'S wartime exploits and sketches from War Artist PO Edmund "Tug" Wilson
(HB07) Harry Brian on the fo'c's'le HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB08) Harry Brian by the 4-inch gun on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB09) Harry Brian on an AA gun on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB10) Harry Brian, on the main deck just aft the funnel on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB11) Harry Brian - "Trying to get my zipper done up. Leave it to Gaven to take a picture like that"
(HB12) Staff Laurence on the lower port side bridge wing on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (pre-foc's'le extension refit) (HB13) Staff Laurence on ladder coming down from the fo'c's'le (port side) on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (post fo'c's'le extension refit) (HB14) Staff Laurence by the depth charge rails on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB15) Staff Laurence on HMCS CAMROSE K154 at Halifax, NS
(HB16) View of Gun deck and fo'c's'le of HMCS CAMROSE K154 at Halifax (HB17) Unknown sailor on HMCS CAMROSE K154 at Halifax (HB18) Unknown sailor sun tanning atop the 4-inch gun mount of HMCS CAMROSE K154 at Halifax (HB19) Unknown sailors relaxing on the fo'c's'le of HMCS CAMROSE K154 at Halifax (HB20) Bill Davis of Hamilton, Ontario, indicated by arrow on left side of photo, died 21 Jun 1944 from an accidental gunshot wound
(HB21) HMCS CAMROSE K154 in refit at Pictou, NS from May 1943 till Oct 1943 for her fo'c's'le extension. Note her gunshield art. (HB22) HMCS CAMROSE'S gunshield art (visible in refit photo) showing a male flamenco dancer stomping a u-boat (HB23) HMCS CAMROSE K154 - March 1945 (HB24) HMCS EDMUNDSTON K106 - Photo taken from HMCS CAMROSE (HB25) Either HMCS STRATHADAM K682 or HMCS PRESTONIAN K662 - location unknown
(HB26) Unknown sailors jacking around on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB27) Cooks on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB28) Sailors on HMCS CAMROSE K154 in Bermuda - Back: L-R: Walter, Brouner, Harry, unknown - Front: Unknown, Wednt, Smarb(t) (HB29) Sailors on HMCS CAMROSE K154 in Bermuda (HB30) Sailors on HMCS CAMROSE with duffle bags ready to go ashore
(HB31) Unknown sailor peeling potatoes on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB32) Unknown sailor in his bunk on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB33) Various warships secured to trot buoys - location unknown. HMCS CAMROSE K154 front left foreground - nested with a corvette and a frigate.
(HB33) Unknown sailors by the 4-inch gun on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB34) Unknown sailor with the ship's mascot on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB35) "Berry" on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB36) Watt, Brian, Laurence, Day on the fo'c's'le of HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB27) Unknown sailor on HMCS CAMROSE K154 practising with a speed bag.
(HB28) British Sub (HB29) British Destroyer (HB30) Unknown corvette (HB31) HMS STONECROP K142 (HB32) sailors on the gun barrels of an unknown battleship
(HB33) HMS NASTURTIUM K107 with damage to her bow (HB34-HB35) Damage to unknown corvette
(HB36) Harry Brian (left) painting with Staff Laurence on HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB37) Painting ship - HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB38) Painting the ship's side - HMCS CAMROSE K154 (HB39-HB40) Ship's mascot for HMCS CAMROSE K154
(HB41-HB42) Horta, Azores 07 Jan 1945
(HB21) Supply ships in Scotland (HB12) Staff Laurence, Sandcliffe and Harry Brian - Trafalgar Square, London, England, 21 Jun 1945
(HB45) German prisoners picked up near Bay Biscay France from blockade runner sunk by British planes. The ship was coming from Japan (HB46) unknown location - possibly off the French coast (HB47) Merchant ship with either HMS RODNEY or HMS NELSON in the background (HB48) Ships off Normandy shortly after D-Day (HB49) Wreckage from a sunken ship
(HB50) Fort de l'Ouest and the entrance to the harbour at Cherbourg in Normandy, France (HB51) British Monitor HMS ROBERTS off Normandy (HB52-HB53) A Phoenix Cassion being towed across the English Channel to Normandy. Historical note: The Phoenix Cassions were used to create the Mulberry portable harbour breakwaters to facilitate landing of troops and material until harbour facilities in France could be repaired and brought back into use.
(HB54-HB55) Moville, Irish Free State, on the way to Londonderry
(HB56-HB57) Torpedoed Tanker of England 06 Apr 1945. Photos taken from port wing of HMCS CAMROSE (HB58) Torpedoed tanker in the Atlantic (HB59-HB60) Recovering the body of a downed British airman about 01 Apr 1945
(HB61) At the breaker's yard. HMCS ORILLIA K119 centre of 3 nested ships (HB62) ship's at the breaker's yard
(HB63) Discharge Party after the ship was paid off // back of photo
(HB64) Church Parade at the 50th Reunion of the HMCS CAMROSE crew at Camrose, Alberta
(HB65) Certificate given to attendees of the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the crew of HMCS CAMROSE K154 at Camrose, Alberta (HB66) Service summary for HMCS CAMROSE. This document was given out at the 50th Anniversary Reunion. The last page has some autographs of the attendees.
From the collection of Harry A. J. Brian, RCNVR
Courtesy of David Brian
"CORVETTE MEN BACK FROM OVERSEAS" Press release on HMCS CAMROSE sailors back in Halifax preparing for leave
Sailors mentioned in Press Release: AB Ernest Wyatt (of Esquimalt); LS Bill Follis (of Edmonton); Sig Don Leyden (of Winnipeg); AB Roy Smart (of Vancouver); AB Hans Rieck (of Saskatoon); Tel Charles Logelin (of Calgary); AB Gus Hungle (of Regina); Cook Norman Garrie (of Victoria); and Coder Bob Jamieson (of Vancouver)
From the collection of AB Hans Rieck, RCNVR
Courtesy of Dawn Wesenberg
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In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget 
