HMCS DIGBY J267 / 179

 

Bangor Class Minesweeper

 


 

 

Post wartime badge

HMCS DIGBY J267

Credit: H.S. (Tim) Lee

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

 

Battle honours and awards:  Atlantic  1942-44,   Gulf of St. Lawrence  1942, 1944

 

 

Laid down: 20 Mar 1941

Launched: 05 Jun 1942

Commissioned: 26 Jul 1942

Paid off: 31 Jul 1945

Re-commissioned: 29 Apr 1953

Paid off: 14 Nov 1956

Fate: Sold in 1960 and broken up.

 

Built at Levis, Que, she was commissioned at Quebec City on 26 Jul 1942, she arrived at Halifax on 15 Aug 1942, and after completing workups at Pictou, was assigned to WLEF. When WLEF was divided into escort groups in Jun 1943, DIGBY became a member of EG W-5. In Apr 1944, she arrived at Lunenburg to commence a refit that continued at Shelburne and at Halifax and was completed on 07 Aug 1944. She then proceeded to Bermuda for workups. On returning she was allocated to Sydney Force and, in Feb 1945, to Newfoundland Force. She was paid off on 31 Jul 1945, and placed in reserve at Sydney. DIGBY was proposed for transfer to the marine section of the RCMP in 1945, to be re-named Perry, but was not taken over. She lay in strategic reserve at Sorel until re-acquired by the RCN in 1951 and refitted for training duties. She was re-commissioned on 29 Apr 1953, finally being paid off on 14 Nov 1956 and scrapped.

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

A/LCdr Stanely Warren Howell, RCNR - 26 Jul 1942 - 09 Jul 1943

Skpr/Lt John Winston Sharpe, RCNR - 10 Jul 1943 - 06 Apr 1944

Lt Edward Oswald Ormsby, RCNVR - 07 Apr 1944 - 01 Jul 1945

LCdr E.G.T. Fisher, RCN - 29 Apr 1953 - 07 Dec 1954

LCdr Ellsworth T. Coggins, RCN - 08 Dec 1954 - 28 Sep 1955

LCdr Arthur Francis Rowland, RCN - 29 Sep 1955 - 14 Nov 1956

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Armstrong, William Charles Leslie, Tel - WW2

 

De Lotbiniere, Edmond Joli, SLt, RCNVR - 26 Jul 1942

 

Dube, Jacques, Ch/Skpr, RCNR - 26 Jul 1944

 

Farrand, Charles Jackson Snider, Lt, RCNVR - 26 Jul 1942

 

Ford, Phillip Ernest, SLt, RCNVR - 21 Apr 1945

 

Griffin, Thomas Francis, Lt, RCNVR - 28 Jun 1943

Howe, William, SLt, RCNVR - 05 Jun 1944

 

Kurtz, Edmund Franklin, SLt, RCNVR - 15 Apr 1944

 

MacKinnon, Donald Leslie John, A/Wt (E) RCNR - 30 Apr 1942 / Wt (E), RCNR - 26 Jul 1942

 

Peever, William, CK

 

Perrault, Paul, Skpr, RCNR - 13 Jul 1942

Revfem, Erik, Lt (E), RCNR - 11 Jun 1943

 

Stephens, Robert Eric, A/Wt (E), RCNR - 20 Mar 1945

 

Tangye, Walter Addy, SLt (E), RCNVR - 23 Jul 1944

 

Theriault, Robert (Bob), SG, RCN

 

Wilcox, John Philip, A/Lt, RCNVR - 10 Jun 1944

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

 

Two sailors posing with HMCS DIGBY'S risqué gunshield art. From the book "Gunshield Graffiti" - painted on the canvas gun cover of HMCS DIGBY, she lit up the waterfront for a brief 48 hours before authorities decreed her removal.

 

From the collection of Joe Black, AB, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of John H. Rickard

 

 

A HMCS DIGBY J267 Christmas Card

 

The card is signed by Bill Alderson.  It is not know who Bill Alderson is - perhaps he is the sailor mentioned in this wedding announcement from the Aug 1943 edition of the Crowsnest.

 

Note: the photo of the ship shows a Bangor Class minesweeper with a pendant number of HMCS GRANBY J264

 

Courtesy of James Lapp

 

HMCS DIGBY J267 - note the convoy on the horizon

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Newspaper article from the Picton Gazette, Picton, Ont. on the visit of 6 RCN vessels - 14 Jul 1954

Courtesy of John Lyons

HMCS DIGBY 179, Ketchikan, Alaska, Jun 1955

From the collection of Sid Dobing

Courtesy of Brian Dobing

Photos of H.S. (Tim) Lee on HMCS DIGBY J267

 

                 

 

                    

 

              

 

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

H.S. (Tim) Lee (right) with unknown officer playing cards in the Wardroom on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267

 HMCS Wetaskiwin K175 and HMCS Cobalt K124 in background on the right

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Corvettes tied up at trot buoys - location unknown.  HMCS Long Branch K487 centre group, front - location unknown

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

H.S. (Tim) Lee (left) and unknown officer on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Corvettes tied up at trot buoys

HMCS Dawson K104 and HMCS Wetaskiwin K175 port side ships - location unknown

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor sitting on the gun of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor reading a book by the after gun on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267 - corvettes secured at trot buoys. HMCS Dawson K104 on right

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Unknown sailor with pistol by forward gun on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Two unknown sailors on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267 trailing a bunch of balloons - reason unknown

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Up Spirits!  Tot time on HMCS DIGBY J267

 

        

 

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailors on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailors on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailors with ship's mascot on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Sailing training with the ship's boat - HMCS DIGBY J267

A couple of the boat crew look a little bored with the evolution

 

        

 

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

A Catalina flying boat about to fly past HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor manning the Oerlikon gun on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown officers on in the bridge on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

H.S. (Tim) Lee (left), other officer unknown, in the bridge of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor manning the Oerlikon gun on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor, sentry on the jetty with the mascot from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Two unknown sailors with the ship's mascot on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor on the signal lamp on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Ship's Mascot, HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Sailors hauling taught on the lines, HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Gunnery drills on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown officers on the bridge of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown small craft approaching / passing by HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailors on the jetty believed to be from HMCS DIGBY J267

(note the Fairmile ML in the background - either Q086 or Q096)

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailors on the jetty believed to be from HMCS DIGBY J267

(note the Fairmile ML in the background - either Q086 or Q096)

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Identified:  William Charles Leslie (Les) Armstrong - standing, 2nd from left

Two unknown sailors man the after gun on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown officers / sailor on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Depth charge exploding astern of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Quarterdeck awash on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown officer on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Two unknown sailors keeping out of the elements as best they can on the bridge wing of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown sailor relaxing with a book in the ship's boat of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY escorting merchant ships through an ice field

 

                 

 

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

A couple unknown sailors enjoying a break and some sun on the quarterdeck of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

A couple unknown sailors by the signal lamp on HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

One Sig reading light from another ship, while the 2nd Sig writes - two officers in the background observing the other ship(s)

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Seaboat Drills on HMCS DIGBY J267

 

     

 

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Depth Charge Drills on HMCS DIGBY J267

 

           

 

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Barge - believed to be coming alongside HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267 with two tugs alongside

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267 alongside the jetty - outboard ship unknown

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS Transcona J271 with HMCS DIGBY J267 (foreground) following astern

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Rough seas - looking forward from the Starboard side bridge wing of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

HMCS DIGBY's saluting cannon - by the breakwater, directly in front of the forward gun

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

North Atlantic Convoy

Photo taken from convoy escort HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Whaler from HMCS DIGBY J267 (right foreground) heading out to the ships tied up at the trot buoys

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Ships secured at the trot buoys.  HMCS Stellarton K457, port side, front group of 3 ships

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Unknown Castle class corvette, St. John's, Newfoundland

Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Photo description submitted by Donald (Bud) Rose:  Taken from the South Western area of St. John's harbour where N A D was located. [Naval Armament Depot] Photographer was facing east towards Signal Hill which can be seen stretching across the top of the photo. The bell shaped rock in the center of the hill is a dead giveaway. Cabot Tower is to the right of this bell shape.

Left to right:  HMCS Truro J268, HMCS Brockville J270, unknown, HMCS Transcona J271 - Location unknown

Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Left to right:  HMCS Truro J268, HMCS Brockville J270, unknown, HMCS Transcona J271 - Location unknown

Note the plum of smoke in the distance

Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Troopship RMS Aquitania - location unknown

Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Sailors in the Calgary Stampede Parade - it is believed these sailors are part of the crew of HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

Two unknown sailors in a punt - believed to be from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

L-R:  HMS Cyclamen K83, HMS Gardiner K478, HMS Seychelles K592, St. John's Newfoundland

Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY J267

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Photo description submitted by Donald (Bud) Rose:  Appears to be taken from a vessel which is located near M H C Dockyard and facing North - East towards the harbour entrance.

 

Hills around the harbour at St. John's, Newfoundland - Cabot Tower on Signal Hill in the distance in the top photo

From the collection of H.S. (Tim) Lee

Courtesy of Ryan Lee

 

Photo description submitted by Donald (Bud) Rose: Top photo:  Taken from the Eastern most end of the South Side Hills, overlooking the entrance to St. John's harbour. Cabot Tower can be seen in the distance but not the harbour entrances, known as the "Narrows". Defence Construction used this area as an access to the hill area above the West side of the "Narrows". There they constructed a bulk oil storage tank.

 

Bottom photo:  Taken from the same area as first photo, but looking to the North. This area was first cleared and used in 1914 as a shooting range, for new recruit training for the Nfld Regiment. During WWII the area was used for the installation of a "tank farm" for the Navy. It contained several large bulk oil storage tanks. At war's end, some tanks were turned over for civilian use and the others removed.

HMCS DIGBY J267 in refit in Lunenburg, NS

 

Courtesy of David MacLachlan

 


 

HMCS DIGBY 179

From the collection of Robert (Bob) Theriault

Courtesy of Bob Theriault

HMCS DIGBY 179

From the collection of Robert (Bob) Theriault

Courtesy of Bob Theriault

HMCS DIGBY 179 - undated

 

DND / RCN photo

 


 

WP119

WP120

WP121

WP122

WP123

(WP119)  HMCS DIGBY (foreground) transiting the Panama Canal  - 1954  (WP120) HMCS DIGBY (foreground) in the Miguel Locks, Panama Canal - 1954  (WP121) Jamaican Cop - 1954  (WP122) HMCS DIGBY alongside jetty in Jamaica - 1954  (WP123) Downtown Acapulco - 1954  

 

WP124

WP125

WP126

WP127

WP128

(WP124) Yacht "El President" - Acapulco - 1954  (WP125) HMCS JONQUIERE (inboard), HMCS DIGBY (centre) and HMCS BROCKVILLE (outboard) alongside in Acapulco - 1954  (WP126) HMCS JONQUIERE 318 - 1954. Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY  (WP127) HMCS JONQUIERE 318 laying a smoke screen. Photo taken from HMCS DIGBY   (WP128) HMCS DIGBY 179 - 1954

 

WP129

WP130

WP131

  (WP29) Partial crew of HMCS DIGBY 179 - 1954  (WP130) HMCS DIGBY - 1955  (WP131) Newspaper article on the former HMCS DIGBY awaiting a buyer - dated 1961. Webmaster's note: the report is a bit off on his facts as the photo he is using is taken sometime between 1953 and 1957, not when she was fresh off the builder's way in 1942.

 

From the collection of William (Bill) Argyle Paterson, P1BN, RCN / C.A.F.

 

Courtesy of Bruce Paterson

 


 

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