HMCS GODERICH J260 / 198

Bangor Class Minesweeper

Commissioned at Toronto on 23 Nov 1941, GODERICH arrived at Halifax on 06 Dec 1941. She spent her whole career based at Halifax as a member, alternately, of Halifax Local Defence Force and Halifax Force. She was damaged on 18 Nov 1942, in a collision with the tanker Iocoma in Halifax harbour, which necessitated three weeks' repairs there. GODERICH saw almost continuous service service, undergoing only one major refit at Liverpool, N.S., from 05 Mar to 15 May 1943. On 29 Jan 1943, she rescued survivors from the after section of the U.S. tanker Brilliant, which had broken in half during a storm. She was paid off at Halifax on 06 Nov 1945, and in 1946 placed in strategic reserve at Sorel. In 1951 she was re-acquired by the RCN and underwent modernization at Lauzon. Never re-commissioned, however, she lay in reserve at Sydney until sold in Feb 1959 for scrap.

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

Commanding Officers

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

MYLES, Orville Ronald

Sto PO, RCNR

Lost at sea - 14 Aug 1943

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

Former Crew Members

Photos and Documents

(GDR001) HMCS GODERICH J260

(GDR002) HMCS GODERICH J260 in drydock being repaired after her collision with tanker Iocoma in Halifax harbour // From the collection of John Stewart, Sub-Lieutenant, RCNVR  //  Courtesy of Jim Stewart

(PP004) HMCS GODERICH sinking the bow section of the "SS British Freedom" with depth charges  //  This above photo is from the collection of Paul Pigeon.  It is not known who Jean-Guy Desforges (of 8245 Berri Nor, Montreal) is - crew member of GODERICH or perhaps a survivor of the merchant ship. If you have any info on him please send me an email.

(PP005) HMCS GODERICH J260 in drydock at Saint John, NB, being repaired after her collision with tanker Iocoma in Halifax harbour

(PP006) L-R:  Boam, Pigeon, Cunningham, unknown, unknown

(PP007) In the galley on HMCS GODERICH - L-R: Boam, unknown, Pigeon

From the collection of Paul Pigeon, Cook (S), RCNVR

Courtesy of Patricia Pigeon

(HLM001) HMCS GODERICH J260 

(HLM002) HMCS GODERICH J260

(HLM003) Harold Murray on the fo'c's'le of HMCS GODERICH J260

(HLM004) Unidentified sailors in a mess deck on HMCS GODERICH J260

(HLM005) Unidentified sailors in a mess deck on HMCS GODERICH J260

From the collection of Harold Murray, Able Seaman, RCNVR

Courtesy of Rick Murray

(WSR007) Ship's mascot of HMCS GODERICH  //  Note: On the back of the Starboard Mess photo, the mascot is named "Little Gersh".  In an article in the Crowsnest Magazine, he is named "Timmy"

(WSR009) Starboard Communication Mess Feb 1945  //  Click here to view the names on back of  the photo  //  Click here to view the photo with sailors numbered for identification purposes //  (1) Donald Barton, Sig TO (of Mount Brydges, Ontario)  (2) L.W. Vanderlip, Tel TO (0f 6544 King St. W., Sunnyside, Toronto, Ontario  (3) Rodney N. Walker, L/Sig (of 5408 Verdun Ave, Verdun Quebec) (4) J.K. Cunningham, Tel (of 190 Cooper St., Ottawa, Ontario)  (5) John P. Roberts, Sig (of 63 Erie St., South Ridgetown, Ontario  (6) Brian Prentice, L/Tel (of 544 Home St., Winnipeg, Manitoba)  (7) "Little Gersh" on the table

(WSR009) HMCS GODERICH Communications Branch - 1945  //  Click here to view the names on the back of the photo  //  Click here to view the sailors numbered for identification purposes  //  (1) "Little Gersh" (2) Harold Wannamaker  (3) Don Barton  (4) Jack Cummingham  (5) Pat Connolly  (6) Brian Prentice  (7) Lloyd Vanderlip  (8) Barry Nelson (9) William Roast  (10) Harold Metcalf  (11) Rodney Walker  (12) Jack Roberts