HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

Bangor Class Minesweeper

Laid down: 09 Dec 1940

Launched: 30 Jun 1941

Commissioned: 08 Dec 1942

Paid off: 31 Jul 1945

Transferred to the RCMP Marine Division: 03 Aug 1945

Commissioned: 03 Aug 1945

Paid off: 1959

Fate: Sold for scrap in 1960

Built at Sorel and commissioned there on 12 Aug 1942, she arrived at Halifax on 29 Aug 1942 and, after working up at Pictou, was assigned to WLEF. In Nov 1942, she was transferred to the Newfoundland Force, serving until the Command was disbanded in Jun 1945. She was under repair at Dalhousie, N.B., Halifax and Saint John between Oct 1943 and Jan 1944.

On 20 Jun 1944, HMCS WALLACEBURG, exiting Halifax Harbour at a speed of 10 knots in heavy fog, rammed HMCS TROIS RIVIERS in a head on collision putting both ships out of action for several weeks for repairs.

WALLACEBURG had a major refit at Lunenburg from Feb to May 1945, followed by workups in Bermuda. TROIS-RIVIÈRES was paid off on 31 Jul 1945, and handed over later that year to serve the RCMP as MACBRIEN MP 92. She was sold for scrap in 1960.

Photos and Documents Ship's company photos

Board of Inquiry report into the collision between HMCS WALLACEBURG and HMCS TROIS RIVIERES on 20 Jun 1944

Commanding Officers

A/LCdr George Murray Kaizer, RCNR - 12 Aug 1942 - 11 Feb 1943

Lt John Eastwood Taylor, RCNVR - 12 Feb 1943 - 10 Mar 1943

A/LCdr George Murray Kaizer, RCNR - 11 Mar 1943 - 15 Nov 1943

Lt William Grant Garden, RCNVR - 16 Nov 1943 - 12 Sep 1944

Lt Ronald Charles G. Merriam, RCNVR - 13 Sep 1944 - 11 Dec 1944

Lt J.M.S. Clark, RCNVR - 12 Dec 1944 - 23 Apr 1945

Lt Maurice D. Gagnon, RCNVR - 24 Apr 1945 - 31 Jul 1945

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

Mulvihill, Brian W.I.

Squarebriggs, Sterling A.

Stewart, Allan

Wall, John F.

Former Crew Members

(SC1) = Ship's company photo from Don Birdsell collection

(SC2) = Ship's company photo from John Cartmill collection

Abbott, Bob, Coder

Allen, Williard, 1st Lt (SC2)

Ashmore, Albert, OS

Blackwell, Jack A., M/M (SC1/SC2)

Blaikie, Bob, LS (SC2)

Bloating, J.H. (SC1)

Blouin, Joseph R., Coder (SC2)

Bowen, R., AB (SC2)

Boyd, H. (SC1)

Braggs, Nathan, NavO (SC2)

Brisson, Armand (Hamer), LS

Brooks, LS (SC2)

Brown, Colin E., L/Tel (SC2)

Buleah, Henry, AB (SC2)

Burchmore, Edward, LS (SC2)

Churham, ?? (SC1)

Clarke, Norman, M/M (SC2)

Cole, Don B.

Colwill, G.J. (SC1)

Cooper, C.J. (SC1)

Craft, Russel, Sto (SC2)

Dawson, William (SC1)

Dean Ed (SC1)

Donnelly, P. (SC1)

Dunham, Frank, Cook (SC2)

Dunmore, D., AB (SC2)

English, A. (SC1)

Etchells, Jack, AB

Ferguson, J.R. (SC1)

Ferguson, John M., Lt

Field, Harley, W., OS (SC1)

Findley, Ian (Doc), SBA (SC2)

Forbes, Joseph, E.A. (SC2)

Fowler, Harold, Sto (SC2)

Fraser, George R., AB

Fraser, Ross, AB (SC2)

Gagnon, Maurice D. (SC1)

Gauld Charles W., Sig (SC2)

Gauld, Harry, Sto (SC2)

Gellert, Normand, Sig

Gervais, Gaston, Coder

Gould, Arthur Graham, Lt, RCNVR - 28 Apr 1945 (SC1)

Green, Louis, L/Sig (SC2)

Green, William, AB (SC2)

Hall, Arthur D. (Cox'n) (SC1)

Hansen, Ernest G., Sto

Hardiker, Gerald, CMM (SC1)

Harding, R. Shirley, CERA (SC1/SC2)

Harper, Frank, Sto (SC2)

Hemmings, Stan, Coder (SC2)

Henry, Charles E., CMM (SC1)

Higginson, ?? (SC1)

Hill, C.P. (SC1)

Hill, Ernie (SC1)

Howells, Robert (SC1)

Huffman, Edward A., AB

Jones, J., Sto (SC2)

Kaizer, George Murray, Lt, RCNR - 14 May 1942 (Stand by) CO (SC2)

Kitchin, G.W. (Bill), L/Sig

Lawson, George, Tel (SC1)

Lee, Jack E. (Stoker) (SC1)

Leonard, Harry M., Tel (SC2)

Low, Jack D., L/Tel

MacDonald, Eldon, Tel (SC2)

MacKenzie, Don F., LS

Magnar, Joseph, AB

Matthewson, Charles, L/Tel (SC1)

McCallum, John, Stwd

McDormand, Eldridge (SC2)

McLeod, Jack, Coder

McMurray, Ray C., Sto (SC1)

McNicol, R. (SC1)

McPhee, R.T. (SC1)

Mole, I.W. (SC1)

Morrison, Bruce (Bunky), AB (SC2)

Mulholland, Russell, Stores (SC2)

Nairne, R.S. (SC1)

Neck, W.C., Electrician (SC1)

Newport, Ken E., Sto

Nielson, AB (SC2)

O'Connor, JC (SC1)

Picard, Russell, AB (SC2)

Porrelli, Len B., Sto

Purcell, Vernon, LS (SC2)

Rann, Jack R., OS

Ridgewell, Alfred, Sto (SC2)

Rizzo, Frank, AB (SC2)

Robertson, A.C. (SC1)

Ronald, George Irving, Slt, RCNVR (SC1)

Scalzo, Al, AB (SC1)

Sewell, NE (SC1)

Sharland, J.M. (SC1)

Sochowski, P., Sto (SC1)

Sullivan, Joe (SC1)

Swan, R. (SC1)

Tanner, K. (SC1)

Taylor, John Eastwood, Lt, RCNVR - 05 Jun 1942

Thompson, John William, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1944

Underhill, Harry, AB (SC2)

Vautheir, Jack, AB (SC1)

Ward, Frank, ERA / PO MM (SC2)

Waterman, Charles W., A/PO (SC1)

Watsham, Fred E., ERA (SC1)

Watson, Herbert Jack, Slt, RCNVR - 26 Jun 1944

Wells, Frank (SC1)

Williams, A. Ray, Slt (SC2)

Worsley, Slt (SC2)

Photos and Documents

HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES' mascots

Labrador Huskies - Newfie, John and Screech

From the collection of John (Scotty) Cartmill

Courtesy of Paul Cartmill

HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269 postcard

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES jacket patch

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Catch of the Day on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Dean, Morrison, Luft and Ballard on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Sailors on the Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Red Luft on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Sailors on the Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

Cooper and Seeley in the photo

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor by the ship's bell of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor by the ship's bell of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Christmas Card from William Connor to his parents - Dec 1943

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown officer standing on the jetty by HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269 - Dec 1944

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor on the Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES (possibly tot time)

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

William Connor was Commanding Officer for the day on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269, Christmas, Dec 1944

(webmaster's note: these photos may have been taken in St. John's, Nfld)

Photo 1 - William Connor, CO for the day. Photo 4 "Christmas of 1944 one great party"

Click here to view signatures on the back of photo 4

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Two officers on the fo'c's'le of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

(webmaster's note: these may be officers or newly appointed "Christmas Day Officers")

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Two officers on the jetty by HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

(webmaster's note: these may be officers or newly appointed "Christmas Day Officers")

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor on the Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Two unknown sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269 (in what appears to be St. John's, Nfld)

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269 dropping depth charges

William Connor called them "Pop Bottles"

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor by after gun mount on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Stern view of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor working by the depth charge chute on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269, refit in Lunenburg, Feb-May 1945

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269, refit in Lunenburg Feb-May 1945

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269, refit in Lunenbrug Feb-May 1945

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor (as Quartermaster) on the Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES, refit in Lunenburg Feb-May 1945

Note the young lad wandering around behind him.

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Quartermaster "shooting" another sailor on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

(Webmaster's note: The "victim " has to work on his acting as he is smiling. The Quartermaster in this photos appears to be the same person as in the photo directly above.)

Sailors on the Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269, Feb 1945, refit in Lunenburg

Back, L-R: Redmond, Arthur Hall (Cox'n), unknown

Front, L-R: Maurice (Whitey) Hamspon, William (Blondie) Connor

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor just aft the funnel on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

William Connor just aft of the funnel on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor on the boat deck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

William Connor (left) and shipmate by forward gun on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

3 unknown sailors by the forward gun on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor just forward the bridge on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Ernie Hill on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor, Quartermaster on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailors by the port depth charge thrower on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailor by the forward gun on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailors by the forward gun on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Celebration on the fo'c's'le of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES - reason for the celebration unknown

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailors HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Bermuda circa May/Jun 1945

"My grandma told me my Grandpas ship was sent to Bermuda in 1945 for some R&R. My Grandpa told me a story about painting the ship during this time, and the water was so beautiful and they weren't allowed to swim - so he came up with the idea of "accidentally" dropping his paintbrush in the water and diving to retrieve it. The captain caught on after he had dropped it the third time and he caught trouble for that. He also said they had to wear those knee high wool socks and they were torture. Grandpa told me that a coca-cola was far more expensive than a glass of rum and a local pastor took them around Bermuda on a bicycle tour while they were there."

(Webmaster's note: After her refit from Feb to May 1945, HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES was sent to Bermuda for Work-ups. From a sailors perspective, after convoy escort in the North Atlantic, that would seem like R&R)

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269, Bermuda circa may/Jun 1945

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Unknown crew members of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES

From the collection of John (Scotty) Cartmill

Courtesy of Paul Cartmill

Alan L. Ballard on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

From the collection of Alan Ballard

Courtesy of Scott Ballard

Sailors on HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

Back Row: Roach, Charles (Benny), Wt (E); Abbott, Bob, Coder; Findlay, Ian, SBA; Birdsell, Don, Stoker; Hall, A.D., Cox'n; Harper, Frank, Sto

Joyce, William, Tel; Gervais, Gaston, Coder; Hampson, Maurice, Tel

From the collection of W.T. Joyce

Courtesy of Mike Joyce

RCMP Vessel MacBrien - former HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES J269

Source: RCMP Historical Photos

Flyer by Maurice Hampson to organize a TROIS-RIVIÈRES reunion in 1990

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Letter from Maurice Hampson to William Connor as they work on organizing a reunion

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

Contact list of former crew members put together in the lead up to the 1990 reunion

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

List of deceased crew members put together in the lead up to the 1990 reunion

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

JW02

JW03

JW04

JW05

JW06

(JW01) John Wall on leave (JW02) HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES (JW03) "Painting the Stack - Refit Lunenburg 1945" (JW04) "Kind a windy up there - Lunenburg 1945" (JW05) Sailors relaxing on the quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES during refit in Lunenburg - 1945 (JW06) Quarterdeck of HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES as seen from the crow's nest. Looks like laundry day

JW07

JW08

JW09

(JW07) HMCS NIPIGON J154 outboard minesweeper (JW08) HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES "in slips - taken from mast - 1945" (JW09) Unidentified sailor "sitting in the vent - HMCS TROIS-RIVIÈRES - 1945"

From the collection of John F. Wall

Courtesy of John F. Wall Jr.

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