For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

HMCS PRINCE ROBERT F56

unofficial wartime badge

HMCS Prince Robert F56 - Jul 1943

RCN Photo

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

 

Launched: 1930 

Acquired by RCN: 05 Feb 1940

Commissioned: 31 Jul 1940

Paid off: 10 Dec 1945

Fate: Possibly broken up in 1962

 

The third of the C.N. sisters, Prince Robert was purchased in Dec 1939, and fitted out as an AMC, commissioning at Vancouver 31 Jul 1940. She left in mid-Sep for patrol off Mexico and Peru, and on 25 Sep 1940 intercepted and captured the German freighter Weser. On 15 Dec 1940 she left Callao, Peru for Australia to act as escort to a Canada-bound troop convoy, and in May 1941 returned to the South Pacific for three months' escort and patrol duties under RN control on the New Zealand Station. She left Auckland on 28 Jul 1941 for Easter Island to investigate reports of a Japanese supply ship in the area, and arrived at Esquimalt on 24 Aug 1941 for a short refit. In Nov she escorted a shipload of ill-fated Canadian troops to Hong Kong and on her return rejoined Esquimalt Force. In Aug 1942, Prince Robert was placed under USN control for duty in the Aleutians, arriving back at Esquimalt on 04 Nov 1942. She was paid off on 02 Jan 1943, for conversion to an auxiliary A/A ship, and was re-commissioned on 07 Jun 1943 at Vancouver, leaving Esquimalt 12 days later for the Clyde via Bermuda. In Nov 1943, she was assigned to Gibraltar Command, Mediterranean Fleet, and employed as A/A escort to U.K.-Sierra Leone and U.K.-Mediterranean convoys. Though reassigned to Plymouth Command in Jan 1944, she remained at the same duties, and from Jun to Aug 1944 escorted Mediterranean convoys. In Sep 1944 Prince Robert left Plymouth for Esquimalt, and upon arrival underwent a refit that lasted until Jun 1945. She left Esquimalt 04 Jul 1945, for service with the British Pacific Fleet, arriving at Sydney, Australia on 10 Aug 1945. On 31 Aug 1945 Prince Robert entered Hong Kong, where her commanding officer had to honour to represent Canada at the surrender ceremonies, 16 Sep 1945. On 20 Oct 1945 she arrived at Esquimalt with repatriated Canadian prisoners from Hong Kong, and on 10 Dec 1945 was paid off and laid up in Lynn Creek, B.C. Sold in 1948, she became the merchant vessel Charlton Sovereign and, in 1952, the Italian-flag Lucania. Lucania operated in the Grimaldi fleet from 1951-1962. She may have been broken up in 1962.

 

RCN Memories:     Flour Bombs Away!!

 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          HMCS Prince Robert Tribute

 

HMCS Prince Robert photographs - Canada at War          The Three Princes - The Legion Magazine

 

Commanding Officers

Cdr. Charles Taschereau Beard, RCN - 31 Jul 1940 - 07 Oct 1940

Cdr. F.G. Hart, RCN - 08 Oct 1940 - 21 Jun 1942

A/Capt. Frank Llewellyn Houghton, RCN - 22 Jun 1942 - 31 Dec 1942

Cdr. Owen Connor Struan Robertson, RCN - 01 Jan 1943 - 23 Mar 1943

LCdr Edward William Finch-Noyes, RCN - 24 Mar 1943 - 05 Jun 1943

Capt. Adrian Mitchell Hope, RCN - 06 Jun 1943 - unk

Cdr Thomas Douglas Kelley, RCNR - unk - 07 Dec 1944

Capt. Wallace Bouchier Creery, RCN - 08 Dec 1944 - 19 Dec 1944

Capt. Wallace Bouchier Creery, RCN - 04 Jun 1945 - 10 Dec 1945

 

 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

BOEHLER, Stanley W.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

died - 17 Aug 1943

MENZIES, Archibald N.M.

AB, RCNR

died - 14 Aug 1941

WALSH, Patrick J.

L/Ck (S), RCNVR

died - 28 Jan 1943

 

 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A-B

 

 

C-D

 

 

E-F

 

 

G-H

 

 

I-J

 

 

K-L

 

 

M-N

 

 

O-P

 

 

S-V

 

 

W-X

 

 

Ship's Mascots

 

Mickey

Cobber

 

 

 

 

Former Crew Members

 

Acreman, Ben - Aug 1944

 

Adamson, William Edward, A/Paym Lt, RCNR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Anderson, Charles, AB, Torpedoman, RCNVR - Sep 1940

 

Armstrong, Jack - Sep 1940

 

Atwood, Lorenzo Lysons, A/Cdr (WHA), RCNVR - 29 Mar 1944

 

Bauer, Elmer, AB - Aug 1944

 

Bennett, Stan, AB - Aug 1944

 

Beverley, Maurice Outhit, Lt, RCNVR - 05 Mar 1945

 

Bichan, William James, Lt, RCNVR - 07 Jun 1943

 

Bigelow, Neal, PO, RCNVR

 

Birtwistle, Kenneth,  Lt, RCNVR - 28 May 1945

 

Bolduc, Joseph Lazariate, A/Wt (E), RCNR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Boorman, William Irwin, Lt, RCNVR - 10 May 1943

 

Boyd, James, Lt, RCNVR - 20 Mar 1945

 

Birtwistle, Kenneth, Lt, RCNVR - 21 Jun 1943

 

Boorman, William I., RCNVR

 

Brooke, Donald John, Paym/Slt, RCNVR - 09 May 1942

 

Brown, George - Sep 1940

 

Bulmer, John, LCdr (E), RCNR - 10 Feb 1944

 

Burns, Leo

 

Butt, Mel D., C.E.A. - 1944 (of Victoria, BC) Commissioning crew

 

Carruthers, Harvey, Slt (E), RCNVR - 24 Jun 1943

 

Carruthers, John

 

Christianson, John AB (of Gleichen, AB)

 

Clark, William, Slt, RCNVR - Jan 1942

 

Clayton, John Every, Lt, RCNR - 27 May 1943

 

Clayton, W.G., AB (of Harris, SK)]

 

Cordrey, Harry, AB (of Brantford, ON)

 

Collins, Ian Norman, Paym Lt, RCNVR - 25 Jul 1943

 

Cuddie, Hugh, AB - Aug 1944

 

Cunningham, Ronald A., AB - 24 Jul 1944 - 08 Mar 1946

 

Dampsy, John Victor, Pay/Slt, RCNVR - 09 May 1942

 

Darcus, Solomon Lionel, Skpr, RCNR - 15 Apr 1941

 

Darragh, Sid, AB - Aug 1944

 

Davies, Edwin Thomas, Lt, RCNR - 05 Apr 1945

 

Davies, John Morley, LCdr, RCNVR - 01 Apr 1945

 

Day, Frederick John, A/LCdr, RCNR - 04 Jun 1945

 

Dean, George, AB (of Montreal)

 

DeFrayne, Alfred, AB (of Victoria, BC)

 

Docksey, Kingsley, Writer

 

Dolton, Weldon, AB, RCNVR

 

Dosie, John Charles, Cd (E), RCNR - 01 Apr 1941

 

Dufour, George Aime, A/Wt (E), RCN - 14 Jul 1943

 

Dundas, Robert Montague, A/Slt, RCNVR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Dunn, Robert Wesley Ault, Lt (SB), RCNVR - 09 Jun 1945

 

Dykes, Aubrey Alvin Rabdle, Lt, RCNR - 04 Apr 1941

 

Earl, Leslie Nelson, Slt, RCNVR - 03 Apr 1941

 

Eddy, Frederick Nelson, A/Lt, RCNR - 13 Jul 1940

 

Elkins, William, Lt, RCNVR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Elliott, Herbert Lane, LCdr (E), RCNR - 12 Feb 1942

 

Elliott, William, Wt (E), RCNVR - 31 May 1945

 

Finlayson, Don, Lt (E) - Aug 1944

Finley, George Steele, Lt, RCNVR - 26 Jun 1944

 

Foster, John

 

Fowler, Stanley, S.A.

 

Gagnon, Bernard, LS, RCNR

 

Gangon, Joseph A., AB (of Jonquiere, QC)

 

Gibbons, Thomas William, Wt (E), RCN - 14 May 1945

 

Giglia, Johnny (GeeGee) - 1944 (of Hamilton, ON)

 

Goold, Henry

 

Graham, Douglas Kenneth Moody, Paym/Lt, RCNR - 19 Feb 1943 / 07 Jun 1943

 

Gravel, Paul S. Slt, RCNVR - Jan 1942

 

Grundy, Ernest, Lt, RCNVR - 02 Jun 1942

 

Hart, William James, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 08 May 1942

 

Harvey, William Clement, Slt - 20 Jul 1943

 

Hayward, Claude Edgar, Chaplain (Pres), RCN - 26 Jul 1943

 

Heintzman, Bradford, Lt, RCNVR - 19 May 1945

 

Hendy, Robert Ian, Lt, RCNVR - 05 Mar 1943 / A/Paym/Lt - 07 Jun 1943 / LCdr (G) - 08 Jul 1944

 

Herring, George Alexander, Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 29 Mar 1943

 

Hill, G.F., AB - 1944 (Commissioning crew)

 

Hope, Geoffrey Bateman, LCdr, RCN - 05 Feb 1940 (Stand by) / 31 Jul 1940

 

Hopf, Harold

 

Hudson, Bill, AB - Aug 1944

 

Hurst, Art, L/Sig - Aug 1944

 

Hutton, Noel Harry, Skr/ Lt, RCNR - 04 Jul 1945

 

Janigan, George Gregory, Slt (E), RCNVR - 23 Apr 1944 / Lt (E), RCNVR  - 05 Mar 1945

 

Jennings, David Cumming, Slt (E), RCNVR - 04 Apr 1941

 

Jermain, Robert Lloyd Valentine, A/Paym Slt, RCNR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Jordan, Stanley, AB (of Calgary, AB)

 

Jerome, Jerry, LS - Aug 1944

 

Johnson, George Ross, Lt (El), RCNVR - 08 May 1943

 

Johnson, Keith Morrison, Inst/Lt, RCNVR - 04 Jun 1945

 

Jones, Edwin, A/Gnr, RCN - 01 Jun 1941

 

Jupp, Edward, AB (of Montreal, QC)

 

Kennedy, Henry McKee, A/Lt, RCNR

 

Kerr, W., S/PO - 1944 (Commissioning crew) (of Vancouver, BC)

 

Kerry, George, AB - 1944 (of Montreal)

 

Koyl, Jack Earde, Lt, RCNVR - 23 Apr 1944

 

LaCouvee, Reginal James, Lt (E), RCNR - 02 Feb 1943

 

Lang, R., CERA - 1944 (Commissioning crew) (of Vancouver, BC)

 

Lawson, I.W., AB - 1940

 

Lea, William Harold, Lt (SB), RCNVR - 20 May 1945

 

LeClaire, J., OS (of Montreal, QC)

 

Levirs, Jack (Sails), PO - c1943-1944

 

MacDuff, Thomas, A/Lt, RCNR - 31 Jul 1940

 

MacDonnell, James Alastair, A/Lt, RCNR - 31 Jul 1940

 

MacMillan, Robert Laidlaw, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 16 Mar 1943

 

Mann, Lawrence Edwin, Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 04 Jul 1944

 

Martinuk, Nick 

 

Massingham, Frederick Robert, Gnr, RCN - 01 Mar 1945

 

Matheison, Andrew Fraser, A/Wt (E), RCNR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Mauro, Earl, AB (of Sault Ste Marie, ON)

 

McDonald, Glen, Lt, RCNR - 07 Jun 1943

McDowall, George, LS - Aug 1944

 

McGee, Thomas d'Arcy, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1945

 

McIntosh, Benjamin Wilcox, Wt (E), RCN - 05 Jul 1944

 

McKenna, Johnny, AB - 1944 (of Neville, SK)

 

McLardy, William, AB (of Toronto, ON)

 

NcNab, Robert -Sep 1940

 

Merlin, Harvey Bird, CK

 

Miller, Ken

 

Mills, James Gordon, Lt, RCNVR - 29 Mar 1944

 

Murdoch, William - Sep 1940

 

Mustard, George

 

Myers, Kay, AB - Aug 1944

 

Newill, Peter, Slt, RCNVR - 31 Mar 1943

 

Nicols, James, AB - 1944 (of Winnipeg, MB)

 

Nott, Herbert Jessop, Lt (SB), RCNVR - 19 Jul 1943

 

Osland, Leslie M. - 1944 (of Winnipeg, MB)

 

Owen-Jones, Bertram Glyndwr Killeen, Skpr, RCNR - 06 Apr 1942

 

Park, Walter (Shag), AB - Aug 1944

 

Paul, Stewart, L/Coder - Aug 1944

 

Peters, Frederick Hatheway, Lt, RCNVR - 01 May 1945

 

Pinhorn, Vincent Gerald, Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 25 Mar 1941

 

Pokryfka, Ted

 

Pretty, Jonathan Malcolm, Lt, RCNVR - 23 Feb 1942

 

Price, James Edwin, Slt, RCNVR - Jan 1945

 

Pritchard, D., AB - 1944 (of Vancouver, BC) Commissioning crew

 

Ramsay, Thomas Murdock, Lt (Temp), RCNVR - 06 Mar 1942

 

Ransome, Wilson, L/CK

 

Reid, Andy, L/Sto - Aug 1944

 

Reid, James A., LS (of Edmonton) - poss same persib as L/Sto Andy Reid

 

Reynolds, Calvin, AB (of Vancouver, BC)

 

Robb, Harry - Sep 1940

 

Robertson, John Ralph, Lt, RCNVR - 01 Feb 1945

 

Robinson, Bruce Edwin, A/Gnr (T), RCN - 12 Mar 1943

 

Robinson, Joseph Freeman, Lt, RCNVR - 31 May 1945

 

Rodger, James, AB (of Sault Ste Marie, ON)

 

Rodwell, Frank Ernest Reid, Wt/Mech, RCN - 31 Jul 1940

 

Rooke, George Monroe, Lt, RCNVR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Smith, Eddie (Red), ERA - Aug 1944

 

Smythies, Dudley Raymond, A/Slt, RCNVR - 31 Jul 1940

 

Spearing, Albert

 

Stevens, Gib, AB - Aug 1944

 

Suddick, Ronald B. - 1945

 

Sykes, Harry Lorne - 1943

 

Taylor, Edward Penniston, Lt, RCNVR - 02 Apr 1941

 

Tefler, Russell Bertrand, Slt, RCNVR - 20 Jul 1943

 

Tibbo, Gordon Tucker, Slt (E), RCNVR - 04 Apr 1941

 

Tough, Donald

 

Travis, Alge? R., OS, of Little Buffalo, SK

 

Trimble, William Lt, RCNVR - 12 Feb 1945

 

Wareham, George Wilfred Norman, Chap Cl/III, RCN - 11 Jun 1945

 

Watts, Philip John Brown, A/Cdr, RCNVR - 07 Jun 1943

 

Webb, Art

 

Weller, Charles Greenfield, Cdr, RCNR - 08 Feb 1944

 

Whitley, Donald Mark, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 07 Jun 1943

 

Whittall, James William, Lt, RCNVR - 31 May 1945

 

Photos and Documents

 

Crew of HMCS Prince Robert at sea circa 1940

Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

HMCS Prince Robert passing under the Lion's Gate bridge

From the collection of John Diebel

Courtesy of Dave Bullock

HMCS Prince Robert in the North Pacific

 

        

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert somewhere in the North Pacific. Note her boarding party in the foreground

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert in the North Pacific

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Burial at sea on HMCS Prince Robert - date unknown

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Ordinary Seadog Mickey - Mascot of HMCS Prince Robert

 

                       

 

(1) Lt Larry Fricke with Mickey. Mickey was presented to Lt Fricke by an admiral's daughter as the ship's mascot and stayed with him until his departure from HMCS Prince Robert (when this photo was taken)    (2) OD Mickey Takes On the Dog Watch   (3) Ordinary Seadog Mickey - 07 Jun 1943   (4) Ordinary Dog Joins Navy   (5 & 6) Mickey, just after being drafted aboard Prince Robert   (7) Msg on missing sailor - OD Mickey - 22 Mar 1944   (8) OD Mickey located on US warship Enterprise   (9) Prince Robert Going To Dogs

 

        

 

(10) Mickey's Station Card   (11) Mickey enjoying some time ashore   (12) Family portrait: Skipper, Mickey's father (left), Mickey (right) and Larry Fricke - no doubt Mickey had some interesting stories to tell his father about his time on Prince Robert.  (13) The two Mickeys - Miss Mickey Kennedy & Mickey Vancouver, June 1943

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Officers of HMCS Prince Robert

These officers were on board HMCS Prince Robert at some time during Lt Fricke's period of service on her 

 

Capt A.M. Hope

Commanding Officer

6th Commanding Officer

Cdr Philip John Brown Watts

X.O.

Cdr Lorenzo Lysons Atwood

 

Cdr (E) Elliott

E.O.

LCdr Robert Hendy

Gunnery Officer

Lt John Every Clayton

(Jackson)

NavO

Lt  Ned Colquhoun

(Zomb)

Torpedo Officer

LCdr Douglas Kenneth Moody Graham

A.O.

Lt William Clement Harvey

(Bill) (Tiny) (Big Heap)

1943

Lt Jack Eardley Koyl

(Killer)

Lt Bill Johnson

(Radar)

Lt Dacre Patterson Cole

(King)

Cd Bos'n Frederic Harold Moist

(Hal) (Big Joe)

Cd Gunner Frederick Freeman

(Little Joe)

Lt Glen McDonald

Lt Kenneth Birtwistle

(Ken) (Moose)

Lt Paul Gravel

Lt Roger Thompson Hager

(Rog) (Curly)

Slt (E) Harvey Carruthers

Lt (E) Reginald James LaCouvee

WT (E) George Aime Dufour

Lt (E) John Leslie Maw

(Johnny)

Lt (E) Ferris Durnin Sturdy

Paym-Lt Ian Norman Collins

Paym-Lt George Alexander Herring

Paym-Lt Peter Newill

Padre Claude Edward Hayward

Surg-LCdr Robert Laidlaw MacMillan

(Bob) (Beefy)

Surg-Lt Donald Mark Whitley

Lt (SB) Herbert Jessop Nott

Lt (E) George Gregory Janigan

Angus McDonald, "Pay"

SYO Barwick

 

 

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Crossing the Line Certificate (Equator) for I.W. Lawson, AB, HMCS Prince Robert, 25 Oct 1940

Courtesy of Jim Hopkins

Crossing the Line Certificate (Equator) for James Stewart, ERA, HMCS Prince Robert, 14 May 1941

From the collection of James Stewart

Courtesy of Al Stewart

Mickey with 3 officers on board HMCS Prince Robert - Lt Fricke holding Mickey

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Infantry men of "C" Company, Royal Rifles of Canada, aboard HMCS Prince Robert en route to Hong Kong, 15 Nov 1941

Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-166999

HMCS Prince Robert - date unknown

Original source unknown

Courtesy of Dale Davies

HMCS Prince Robert - "Somewhere at sea"

From the collection of E.A. Sellers

Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

Firing the 6-inch gun on HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Rupert Joining Chit for Ordinary Seaman Roy T. Cardy dated 13 Jun 1942

From the collection of Roy T. Card

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

"The Plumbers"

Officers of HMCS Prince Robert - 1942

 

Front L-R:  Lt I.J.L. Palmer, LCdr Elliott E.O., Lt Ferris Sturdy

Rear L-R: Slt Gardner, Davidson Cummings (Dave) Jennings, George V. Roche, Reinhold Rudolph (Roy) Schneider

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Away Seaboat

HMCS Prince Robert's Seaboat is lowered

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert's Landing Party in the ship's seaboat

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Hockey on HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

"Dhobey" Hart as Admiral on the Quarterdeck of HMCS Prince Robert, "X" gun, Nanoose Bay, Jun 1942

 

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

 

Webmaster's note: Looks as though they are having a Banyan

P40s of 111 (F) Squadron RCAF. Location unknown - either at Patricia Bay, BC, or the US station at Kodiak, Alaska

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

"The boys of the Robert"

Crew members of HMCS Prince Robert. Date and place unknown

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

AB Thomas doing evolutions at "A" gun on HMCS Prince Robert, Nanoose Bay, BC

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

 

"Fully kitted-out in the Canadian Army's latest combat harness.. tin hat, chest mounted gas mask bag, two ammunition pouches, and most useful of all, a bayonet the size of a sword ... for the Lee Enfield .303 rifle."

Honour Guard on HMCS Prince Robert for the Lieut. Governor of British Columbia, William Culham Woodard - date unknown

 

     

 

(1 & 2) "The officer with the single stripe is our gunner or warrant officer"   (3) Roy T. Cardy is part of the guard and is first man on the right

 

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

"Chippy Chaps"

Two unknown crew members of Prince Robert wearing some form of breathing apparatus

Location: on the Starboard aft bridge wing in front of the air intake

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

A/Capt Frank Llewellyn Houghton on HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

50 Cal, Afterdeck, HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Roy T. Cardy

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

HMCS Prince Robert, date and place unknown

From the collection of LCdr Douglas Ford, RCNVR

Courtesy of Jay Ford

A view of HMCS Prince Robert from her fo'c's'le

From the collection of Albert Osborne

Courtesy of Terry Osborne

A "dip in the pool" on HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

(1) From the collection of Albert Osborne - Courtesy of Terry Osborne

(2 & 3) From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke - Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Firing a depth charge from HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Depth charge exploding astern of HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Albert Osborne and shipmate somewhere down south

From the collection of Albert Osborne

Courtesy of Terry Osborne

Albert Osborne somewhere down south

From the collection of Albert Osborne

Courtesy of Terry Osborne

HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Henry Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

HMCS Prince Robert - Port side, looking aft

From the collection of Henry Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

 

Boarding party of HMCS Prince Robert removed 8 Germans from the President Garfield - intercepted by HMCS Prince Robert on 29 Apr 1941

From the collection of Henry Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

TSS Awatea (after conversion to a troopship) with troops onboard

The Awatea, accompanied by HMCS Prince Robert, transported the Winnipeg Grenadiers and Royal Winnipeg Rifles to Hong Kong.

From the collection of Henry Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

 

Click here to read the history of the TSS Awatea

HMCS Prince Robert circa 1940-1941

From the collection of Jim Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

HMCS Prince Robert circa 1940-1941

From the collection of Jim Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

RCN photographer on HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert's mascot Cobber

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert's mascot - name unknown

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Kodiak, Alaska Aug-Nov 1942

 

              

 

                 

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Rupert in Dry dock

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Canadian Warship Prince Robert Is Refitted into Ack-Ack Cruiser

from an unknown newspaper

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

The Christening of Lt William Irvine Boorman's daughter on board HMCS Prince Robert, Jun 1943, Esquimalt, BC

 

        

 

(1) The side is piped as Lt Boorman and daughter come onboard  (2) Lt Boorman, his wife and daughter  (3) The Christening ceremony in the wardroom of HMCS Prince Robert  (4) The side is piped as the water from the baptismal font (the ship's bell) is poured over the side. 

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert visits Horta, Azores, Oct 1943

 

     

 

(1) Article on HMCS Prince Robert's visit to Horta  (2 & 3) Horta as seen from HMCS Prince Robert

 

           

 

(4) Prince Robert's shore patrol with local authorities   (5-8) Sailors from HMCS Prince Robert ashore in Horta. Note the garb worn by the local women

 

              

 

(9-11) Sailors from HMCS Prince Robert ashore in Horta   (12-14) Mount Pico, opposite Horta

 

                 

 

(15-20) Postcards from Horta  (21) Local currency

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Apparently Admirals and other dignitaries liked to visit HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

(1) Inspection by F.O.I.C. Greenock  (2) Vice-Admiral Nelles addresses the crew  (3) Visit of Vincent Massey, High Commissionaire to Britain and Capt F. Houghton, RCN

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Belfast, Northern Ireland

 

              

 

(1) Prince Robert's wardroom appears to be hosting WRENS - with an aboriginal theme to the gathering  (2 - 6) Belfast postcards

 

HMCS Prince Robert shipping seas in the North Atlantic

   From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert's Engine Room 

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

In and around HMCS Prince Robert

Note: these photos were taken during Lt Fricke's time on HMCS Prince Robert - they are not in an specific sequence or time line order

                    

 

(1 & 2) Lookouts  (3) Search light crew  (3) ship's canteen  (4) Jive session  (5) shipboard news broadcast  (6) ship's diver  (7) sailor on platform for accommodation ladder

 

             

 

(8) repairing the scrambling net  (9) repairing / replacing the rope for the block and tackle  (10) a taste test  (11) the butcher ... (12) the baker ...  (13) and the sandwich meat maker

 

                 

 

(14) just a little off the back please  (15) relaxing on the upper decks  (16) its appears the ship's boat is a bit low in the water  (17) unknown event  (18) ship's doctor removing dressing checking how the incision is healing  (19) ship's dentist at work  (20) sailor in the ship's laundry room

 

              

 

(21 & 22) unknown officers on the bridge  (23) "The lonesome polecat and CO on the bridge"  (24) Light-line transfer  (25) a lookout  (26) Friendly aircraft approaching

 

                 

 

(27) Master at Arms and R.P.O.   (28) Signalmen sending/receiving a message  (29) Unknown rating, possibly a sig reading a flag signal from another ship  (30) Sleep .... whenever and wherever possible  (31 & 32) Prince Robert's Landing Party  (33) A birthday celebration

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Mail from Home

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Wartime sketches of scenes on HMCS Prince Robert by Lt Ed. McNally Apr 1942 - Dec 1943

 

           

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert escorting a convoy

 

           

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Capt Adrian Mitchell Hope, 6th Commanding Officer, HMCS Prince Robert

At the ship's concert

 

     

 

(1) Cdr Watts, XO at Broadcast and Concert  (2) L-R: "Pete" McRitchie, Robert Ian "Bob" Hendy, Cdr Elliot, Cdr Philip J.B. Watts XO, Peter Stursberg

(3) crew at ship's concert

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Sunday Divisions on HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Unknown Bangor Class Minesweeper in company with HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Secondary Armament on HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

(1) 4 Barreled Pom Pom  (2) Twin .5  (3) 20 MM Oerlikon

 

        

 

(4 - 8) Oerlikon firing practice

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert's main armament - gunnery drills

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Mel Butt, C.E.A.

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

P.O. Jack Levirs (Sails)

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

"The Guns"

Close up of one of the gun turrets on HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Night action on HMCS Prince Robert

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Webmaster's note - this photo was damaged in the upper left and was repaired to the best of my rudimentary abilities.

 

Click here to see the unedited copy

Christening of John Christopher Maw on HMCS Prince Robert, Oct 1943

 

  

 

Photo 2 - Kit and Gloria

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Webmaster's note:  this would have taken place in the UK.

Convoy battle in the Bay of Biscay - 19-22 Nov 1943

 

Photos below taken from HMCS Prince Robert who joined the convoy escort in mid battle on 21 Nov 1943

 

        

 

(1) Near miss on a merchantman - 23 casualties  (2) Flak explosions  (3) Near miss on corvette (left of explosion) - no casualties  (4) the corvette steams on

 

            

 

  (5 - 8) Newspaper articles on the convoy battle

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Webmaster's note:  This battle involved convoys SL.139 and MKS.30 destined for Liverpool, which merged on 16 Nov 1943.

Admiral Borroughs F.O.G.M.A. inspects the crew of HMCS Prince Robert

 

     

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

HMCS Prince Robert steams past the Rock of Gibraltar

 

           

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Postcards from Gibraltar

 

                    

 

(7) the first warship on the left along the breakwater is a Queen Elizabeth class battleship, the middle one is HMS Hood and the 3rd is either HMS Renown or HMS Repulse.

 

(8) The warship on the left is HMS Hood. The one on the right is either HMS Renown or HMS Repulse.

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Ceremony of the Keys - Gibraltar

 

              

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Travel documents allowing Lt Fricke to leave Gibraltar and enter Spain

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Anti-Aircraft Cruiser Joins Canadian Navy

Newspaper article dated 18 Jan 1944

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Prince Robert's Colourful Career Is Continued as Ack Ack Cruiser

Newspaper article dated 27 Jan 1944

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Dunn - Collins Wedding, Plymouth, Eng, Feb 1944

 

Paymaster-Lt Ian Collins weds Leading Wren Evelyn Dunn

 

           

 

Photo 3 L-R: LCdr Graham, Lt Harvey, Paym-Lt Collins (groom), Lt (E), Maw, Lt McDonald, Lt Fricke

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Sailors off HMCS Prince Robert visit Gibraltar

 

AB Leslie M. Osland and AB James Nicols both of Winnipeg

 

Crow's Nest newspaper - Apr 1944

 

Click here to see the photo used in the article

HMCS Prince Robert's Dance Orchestra

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Paint, Paint .... and more Paint.  A bit of ship's husbandry on HMCS Prince Robert - date unknown circa 1942-44

 

                       

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Jun 1944 - HMCS Prince Robert, the first Canadian warship to visit Naples since it was liberated from the Germans

 

                 

 

(1) Isle of Capri   (2 & 3) Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius (4 & 5) Naples  (6 & 7) Newspaper article on Prince Robert's visit to Naples

 

Below - postcards from Naples. Italy

 

                    

 

                 

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Three Windsorites Help Make Prince Robert "Sportin'est" Ship in Royal Canadian Navy

The Windsor Daily Star, 11 Aug 1944

Source: HMCS Prince Robert Tribute site

Lookout on HMCS Prince Robert in the tropics - date / location unknown

 

              

 

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

Splicing the mainbrace: Ordinary Seaman Ernest Weir receives an extra rum ration during Victory over Japan celebrations aboard HMCS Prince Robert, Sydney, Australia, 16 Aug 1945

Source: PO Jack Hawes / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-166428

Souvenir certificate from the first Prince Robert crew reunion in 1988

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

Cover of Reunion booklet

From the collection of Laurence (Larry) Fricke

Courtesy of Linda Carleton

 

HOME PAGE     SHIP INDEX      CONTACT