HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 / 172

 

Algerine Class Minesweeper

 


 

 

Wartime Gunshield

Art

HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

Post wartime badge

 

Battle honours and awards:  Atlantic  1944-45

 

 

Laid down: 06 Jul 1942

Launched: 17 Dec 1942

Commissioned: 18 Nov 1943

Paid off: 07 Oct 1946

Re-commissioned: 01 Nov 1950

Paid off: 24 Sep 1957

Transferred to the Belgium Navy: 31 Jul 1959

Paid off: 1969

 

Built by Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Port Arthur, she was commissioned at there on 18 Nov 1943. She arrived at Halifax on 13 Dec 1943, and after working up was assigned to EG W-8, Western Escort Force, in Feb 1944.

 

On 28 Jan 1944, the Empire Manor, part of convoy HX.276 enroute from New York to Liverpool, was rammed by the merchant ship Edward Kavagh which had veer sharply to port. The next day, with the rescue tug Tenacity standing by, the Empire Manor broke in with the stern sinking but the forward section remained afloat. At approx 1300 on the 29 Jan 1944, HMCS WALLACEBURG sank the forward section with gunfire and depth charges. Unbeknownst to the convoy escorts, there was approximately 1 ton of gold ingots onboard the Empire Manor. A coded signal was later received asking about the gold bullion that was onboard the Empire Manor. Long after the war the gold was recovered by Risdon Beazley and delivered to the Bank of England.

 

In Apr 1944, WALLACEBURG was transferred to EG W-6 as Senior Officer's ship but returned in December to W-8. 

 

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

 

During Jul and Aug 1945, she was attached to HMCS CORNWALLIS for training, then placed in reserve, first at Sydney and then at Halifax. She was paid off on 07 Oct 1946, but re-commissioned on 01 Nov 1950 for cadet training. WALLACEBURG spent the summers of 1956 and 1957 on the Great Lakes and was paid off on 24 Sep 1957. On 31 July 1959, she was transferred to the Belgian Navy, to serve as Georges Lecointe until she was discarded in 1969.

 


 

RCN Memories:     Last North Atlantic Convoy     Steering a Zig Zag Course

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

 


 

HMCS WALLACEBURG Deck Log 12 May 1944 - 07 Aug 1944

 

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

 

WALLACEBURG Work-ups and State of Efficiency and Readiness Reports - 1944-1946

 

WALLACEBURG Work-ups Reports and Report on collision with tug GLENADA

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

A/LCdr F.R.K. Naftel, RCNVR - 18 Nov 1943 - 02 May 1944

LCdr Robert Auburn S. MacNeil, RCNR - 03 May 1944 - 09 Jan 1945

A/LCdr Freeman Elkins Burrows, RCNVR - 10 Jan 1945 - 21 May 1945

LCdr John Henry Gordon Bovey, RCNVR - 22 May 1945 - 16 Jul 1945

Lt Raymond Nelson Smillie, RCNVR - 17 Jul 1945 - 19 Aug 1945

Lt A.D. Ritchie, RCNVR - 20 Aug 1945 - 07 Sep 1945

Lt G. Kelly, RCNVR - 23 Oct 1945 - 01 Feb 1946

LCdr Richard Miles Steele, RCN(R) - 03 Jun 1946 - 07 Oct 1946

LCdr J.C. Marston, RCNR - 01 Nov 1950 - 20 Dec 1950

Cdr R.A. Webber, RCN - 21 Dec 1950 - 03 Apr 1951

LCdr John Herbert Maxner, RCN - 04 Apr 1951 - 27 Sep 1951

LCdr I.A. McPhee, RCN - 28 Sep 1951 - 21 Feb 1954

LCdr William Alexander Manfield, RCN - 22 Feb 1954 - 25 Nov 1954

Cdr Francis James Jones, RCN - 14 Apr 1955 - 16 Oct 1955

LCdr D.S. Bethune, RCN - 17 Oct 1955 - 24 Sep 1957

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

Amy, M. Keith J.

Anderson, Earle M.

Arthurs, Thomas S.

Bate, Charles D.S.

Beanlands, Gordon A.

Boughton, Benjamin

Boicey, Orville

Book, Kenneth E.

Bovey, John H.G.

Bowditch, William W.

Brown, Raymond B.

Bush, Charles L.

Coady, Francis E. M.

Cook, D. Glenn

Corner, Richard W.

Craddock, G. H. William

Crowley, Michael J.P.

Dewey, Stanley C.

Doherty, Raymond E.

Dougall, William J.

Erlendson, John H.

Exley, Earl W.

Forbes, George S.

Goodchild, Charles A.

Govan, Brian F.

Guile, Gerald E.

Guy, Allan R.

Hoffman, Herman E.

Jenkins, Donald

Jones, George T.

Kemp, Samuel G.

Kilbride, Gerald

Leeming, John M.

Leslie, Gerald G.

Love, Alan T.

Lysens, P. Paul

MacRae, Ralph R.

Mainguy, Daniel N.

Malin, Richard R.G.

Manfield, William A.

Mann, Dennis H.

Massender, Cecil N.

McCaw, Hubert J.

McKnight, Shepherd

Mitchell, John E.

Moore, Douglas C.

Morrison, Keith A.

Norberg, James W.

Okros, Richard D.

Parsons, Wallace W.

Pelletier, Léo O.

Phillips, Edward C.

Reid, John M.

Rhymes, Reginald H.

Roscoe, Joseph F.

Rostek, Arthur

Simpson, Douglas C.

Sipko, Victor D.

Smith, Arthur H. C.

Spence, Cecil E.

Steele, Richard M.

Stitt, Don M.

Tizard, John

Turnbull, David T.

Upton, Harold

Wallace, Sidney R.

Walsh, John F.

Webber, Reginald A.

Weightman, Richard E.

Wood, James C.

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Blodgett, Albert Lorne Nelson, Lt (S), RCN(R) - 05 Jun 1946

 

Bosworth, William John, SLt, RCNVR - 12 Feb 1945

 

Bulmer, OSTR - 1951-1952

 

Carter, Lionel James 

 

Craft, ABRP - 1951-1952

 

Guite, Jean Paul, Lt, RCNVR - 12 Feb 1944

 

Hlasny, Stephen, OSTR - 1951-1952

 

Irvine, Daniel John Sylvester, Lt (E), RCNVR - 30 Jun 1944

 

Jensey, W. OSTR - 1951-1952

Kelly, Edmund Barrie, Lt (E), RCNR - 07 Jun 1943

 

Kraft, Darryl, ABRP - 1951

 

Later, ABRP - 1951-1952

 

MacInnis, Donald Ross, Wt (E), RCN - 14 Jun 1946

 

McDougall, Graham Robertson, SLt (El) (R), RCNVR - 10 Feb 1944

 

McIsaas D., OSTR - 1951-1952

 

McKee, Fraser Murray, SLt, RCNVR - 18 May 1945

 

McMillan, Norman McLeod, Lt, RCNVR - 26 Jul 1944

Mitchell, Frank Grenfell, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1944

 

Preston, ABRP - 1951

 

Rogers, John (Jack) Wells, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1944

 

Squires, William Robert, Lt, RCNVR - 23 Mar 1944

 

Sym, Colin, SLt, RCNVR - 21 May 1945

 

Tofflemire, Bob, RP

 

Tyrer, John Campbell, Lt, RCNVR - 27 Jun 1944

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

Article on the Christening of HMCS WALLACEBURG

The Windsor Star 22 Nov 1943

 


 

Article on the sinking the Empire Manor and rescue of her crew

The Sault Daily Star 11 Mar 1944

Article on the sinking of the Empire Manor by HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

The Windsor Star 10 Jul 1946

 

 


 

HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

RCN Photo

Gunshield art on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

From the collection of LS William (Bill) Dougall, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Grant Dougall

HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

From the collection of Ivan Chamberlain

 

Courtesy of Dave Chamberlain

HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

From the collection of John C. Orr

 

Courtesy of John P. Orr

Lt Douglas C. Simpson on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - 1944

 

From the collection of Douglas Simpson

 

Courtesy of Janet Simpson

Colour photo of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

Print from a glass negative

 

Courtesy of Michael Malone

 


 

JM01

JM02

JM03

JM04

JM05

(JM01) Portrait of Surg-Lt John E. Mitchell  (JM02-JM04) The launching of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (JM05) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - 1945

 

JM06

JM07

JM08

JM09

JM10

(JM06-JM07) The bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (JM08-JM09) HMCS BROCKVILLE J270 Approaches HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 and positions herself for what appears to be a towing exercise.  Note the hawser placed on WALLACE BURG'S foc's'le

 

JM11

JM12

JM13

JM14

JM15

(JM11) HMCS PRESCOTT K161 photographed from HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (JM12-JM13) Jim McAlister signalling USN Blimp  (JM14-JM15) Depth charges exploding astern of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

JM16

JM17

(JM16) Gunnery training on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (JM17) Oerlikon crew on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

From the collection of John E. (Jack) Mitchell, Surg-Lt, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of John Mitchell

 


 

VS11

VS12

VS13

VS14

VS15

(VS11) Victor Sipko peeling potatoes aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (VS12-VS15) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 at unknown location

 

VS16

VS17

VS18

VS19

VS20

(VS16-VS20) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 at unknown location

 

VS21

VS22

VS23

VS24

VS25

(VS21) Searchlight platform on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (VS22) Forward gun with missile racks on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (VS23) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - boat deck just aft the funnel  (VS24) HMCS WARRIOR and HMCS MICMAC  (VS25) HMCS MICMAC

Note: it is presumed VS24 and VS25 were taken from HMCS WALLACEBURG

 

From the collection of Victor Sipko, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Linda and Ron Matshes

 


 

JW01

JW02

JW03

(JW01) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (JW02) SD John Walsh painting ship on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  (JW03) John Walsh on HMCS WALLACEBURG with the ship's mascot

 

From the collection of John Walsh, SD, RCNVR

 


 

(WD61) HMCS WALLACEBURG J338 at anchor

 

WD62

WD63

WD64

WD65

WD66

(WD62) Gunshield art on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD63) Bingo night on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD64) Fire fighting (training??) aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. The officer in the photo appears to be SLt Jarl Ketola

(WD65) Signalmen on the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD66) Unknown sailor climbing in/out the quarter deck hatch on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. Note the convoy on the horizon

 

WD67

WD68

WD69

WD70

WD71

(WD67-WD68) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 in rough seas.  View from beside the starboard side depth charge thrower

(WD69-WD71) Officers on the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

WD72

WD73

WD74

WD75

WD76

(WD72) The boat's crew of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 pose for a photo

(WD73) Gunnery drills on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. The gun crew looks pretty happy

(WD74) The Doc and SBA on an AA mount on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD75) Escorts at anchor. Believed to be in Bedford Basin, Halifax, NS

(WD76) Boat crews get in place for a whaler race in Bedford Basin, Halifax, NS

 

WD77

WD78

WD79

WD80

WD81

(WD77-WD78) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 conducting a stern fueling from a tanker in convoy

(WD79) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 conducting a stern fueling from a tanker in convoy

(WD80) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 passing near the stern of a tanker in convoy - possibly after completion of a fueling

(WD81) Sailors on WALLACEBURG J336 by the forward gun and below the carley floats

 

WD82

WD83

WD84

WD85

WD86

(WD82) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 transferring (receiving) depth charges at sea

(WD83) Convoy seen from HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD84) Looking aft down the port side of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336.  Unknown sailor looking up at the camera

(WD85) Stoker Petty Officer G.A. Jones in the boiler room - believed to be on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD86) Unknown sailor in the engine room - believed to be on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

WD87

WD88

WD89

WD90

WD91

(WD87) John Walsh onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 with ship's mascot

(WD88) Smith onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD89) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 digs in and shipping water over her bow

(WD90) Unknown sailor by the signal lamp of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD91) Three members of the gun's crew at the forward gun mount on HMCS WALLACEBURG K336

 

WD92

WD93

WD94

(WD92) Duty Quartermasters on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 during winter. HMCS MELVILLE J263 in the background

(WD93) Duty Quartermasters on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. Note: It is still during the period of winter dress, but at least there is no snow on the ship and it looks much warmer than in the previous photo

(WD94) A not to well organized group photo by the after antenna mast on HMCS WALLACEBURG K337

 

WD95

WD96

WD97

WD98

WD99

Actress / Movie Star Gail Patrick visits HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

Royal Navy Photograph stamp on back of photos

Passed by Naval Censor July 3, 1944

 

(WD95) LCdr Robert A.S. MacNeil, RCNVR, CO welcomes Gail Patrick aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG - RCN Neg # HN1110

(WD96) Gail Patrick and LCdr MacNeil hold the 6th Victory Loan pennant while a signalman prepares to hoist it. The 6th Victory Loan drive commenced Apr 1944 - RCN Neg # HN1109

(WD97) Gail Patrick visits the seaman's mess deck - RCN Neg # HN1108

(WD98) Gail Patrick signs the ship's guest book - RCN Neg # HN1112

(WD99) Gail Patrick with 2 unknown officers on the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG - RCN Neg # HN1113

 

 

WD100

WD101

 

Actress / Movie Star Gail Patrick visits HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 circa Jul 1944

Royal Navy Photograph stamp on back of photos

Passed by Naval Censor July 3, 1944

 

(WD100) Visit over, Gail Patrick, with LCdr Roberts following behind, crosses the boat deck just aft of the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG, heading towards the brow by the searchlight platform - No Neg # on photo

(WD101) LCdr Robert A.S. MacNeil, RCNVR, CO salutes Gail Patrick as she departs HMCS WALLACEBURG - RCN Neg # HN1111

 

WD102

WD103

WD104

WD105

WD106

(WD102) Boats crew from HMCS WALLACEBURG heading out to another ship in convoy to pick up a casualty

(WD102-WD106) WALLACEBURG'S boat returns and is hoisted up

 

 

 

WD107

 

 

(WD107) Casualty being brought onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

WD108

WD109

WD110

WD111

WD112

Christmas 1944 aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

Historical note: It is a tradition in the RCN on Christmas day for the youngest sailor on the ship to trade places with the Commanding Officer and become CO for the day.

 

(WD108) The ship's cox'n (centre) addressing "OS" Lorne Main (left) while the CO of the day (right) looks on - RCN NEG # SY 132-12

(WD109) "OS" Main sweeping the seaman's mess while the crew looks on - RCN NEG # SY 132-13

(WD110) CO for the Day (left) and the newly demoted "OS" Main (Lt Lorne Main) - RCN NEG # SY 132-14

(WD111) Ratings in the seaman's mess on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 enjoying a few Christmas snacks - RCN NEG # SY 132-15

(WD112) Christmas ditty bags being handed out to the crew of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - RCN NEG # SY 132-16

 

WD113

WD114

(WD113) The ships cook brings out the Christmas turkey - cooked to a golden brown - RCN NEG # SY 132-17

(WD114) A band for some Christmas music aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - RCN NEG # SY 132-18

 

Webmaster's note:  The officer in photo WD75 photo has been identified as Lt Lorne Main, RCNVR.  He was the 1st Lt (XO) of HMCS WALLACEBURG when LCdr Robert MacNeil was the CO.  The Navy List for Jan 1945 Navy does not show LCdr MacNeil as CO of WALLACEBURG and his replacement, LCdr Freeman Burrows was not appointed CO until 10 Jan 1945 leaving Lt Main, XO as the senior officer.  By the looks of the photos, it would appear that LCdr MacNeil left the ship early, perhaps for leave prior to his new appointment to NSHQ Ottawa and that Lt Lorne Main was the acting CO for the period of Christmas 1944.

 

WD115

WD116

WD117

WD118

Work-ups (WUPS) in Bermuda - circa Mar 1945

 

(WD115) Unknown evolution on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336  The crew seem pretty relaxed - though all are wearing life jackets and carrying their gas masks.  One sailor by the depth charge rails looks very fatigued

(WD116) Two sailors wearing gas masks sitting at after gun on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

(WD117) Three sailors by the after gun of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - one looks like he is ready to hit the beach.  WALLACEBURG appears to be moored alongside an island in the harbour

(WD118) Robust Class dockyard paddle tug HMS SANDBOY W12 passing astern of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

 

(WD119) HMCS BROCKVILLE J270 tied to a compass buoy, St. George's Harbour, Bermuda - Mar 1945.  BROCKVILLE was in Bermuda for WUPS at the same time as WALLACEBURG

 

WD120

WD121

WD122

WD123

WD124

Touring Bermuda - likely after work-ups - Mar 1945

 

(WD120) Royal Navy Dockyard, Ireland Island, Bermuda with captured German U-boat U-505 secured alongside and a barge outboard of her

(WD121) Sailors off HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 ashore in Bermuda. Bill Dougall is the (only) sailor in the photo wearing sunglasses

(WD122) St. Peter's Church, St. George's, Bermuda

(WD123) Figurehead from HMS IMAUM, Kings Wharf, Royal Navy Dockyard, Ireland Island, Bermuda

(WD124) The Crystal Caves, Bermuda

 

Historical note U-505: Captured on 4 June 1944 off Mauritania, French West Africa by the warships of Task Force 22.3, consisting of the US escort carrier USS Guadalcanal and the US destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury, USS Chatelain, USS Flaherty, USS Jenks and USS Pope, after being badly damaged by depth charges from USS Chatelain and strafing by two Wildcat aircraft (VC-8 USN/F-1 & F-7). 1 dead and 59 survivors. U-505 arrived in Bermuda on 19 Jun 44. She was used for secret trials and training in Bermuda until May 45. The sub remained hidden in Bermuda for many months, with its capture remaining a secret from the world, and in 1945, the US Navy revealed the story of the capture of U-505 for the very first time, and the sub was moved from Bermuda to Philadelphia. Postwar she was gifted to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and is on display in Chicago, USA.

 

Historical note HMS IMAUM:  HMS IMAUM was a 72-gun third rate ship of the line that began life in Bombay 1826 as the Liverpool, built for the Imaum of Muscat.  Ten years later, in 1936, she was sailed to England and presented to the Royal Navy as a gift from the Imaum of Muscat. She was re-named HMS IMAUM and served in the West Indies until she was retired in 1863. The figurehead came to Bermuda from the Jamaica Dockyard, and was transferred to Halifax when the Bermuda Dockyard closed.  The figurehead is on display at the Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax.

 

WD125

WD126

WD127

(WD125-WD127) Touring Bermuda on the Bermuda Railway - likely after Work-Ups - Mar 1945

(WD127) Bermuda Sailors' Home, Hamilton, Bermuda

 

Historical note:  The Bermuda Railway was a 21.7-mile (34.9 km) common carrier line that operated in Bermuda for a brief period (October 31, 1931 – May 1, 1948). In its 17 years of existence, the railway provided frequent passenger and freight service over its length spanning most of the archipelago from St. George's in the east to Somerset, Sandys Parish, in the west.

 

From the collection of William (Bill) Dougall, LTO LP, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Grant Dougall

 


 

SH06

SH07

SH08

SH09

SH10

(SH06) L-R: Unknown, Daryl Kraft and Steve Hlasny on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 circa 1951

(SH07) AB.RP Daryl Kraft on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 circa 1951

(SH08)  AB.RP Preston on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 circa 1951

(SH09) HMCS WALLACEBURG 172, Halifax, 1951

(SH10) Station card for OS Steven Hlasny

 

SH11

SH12

SH13

(SH11) OSTR Steve Hlasny on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172, circa 1951

(SH12) AB.NQ Steve Hlasny onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 - Oct 1951

(SH13 HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 at HMCS STAR, Hamilton, Jul 1955

 

From the collection of Steve Hlasny, CPO2, LT

 



 

 

AD78

AD79

AD80

 

(AD78) HMCS WALLACEBURG at Pictou, NS

(AD79-AD80) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336

From the collection of Allan Dougall, LCdr (E), RCN(R)

Courtesy of David Dougall

 



 

HMCS WALLACEBURG 172

 

DND / RCN Photo - Crown copy right

HMCS LABRADOR and HMCS WALLACEBURG in an ice field - date and location unknown

 

Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, photo number 2004.471.102

 


 

HOME PAGE     SHIP INDEX      CONTACT