HMCS WINDFLOWER K155

Flower Class Corvette

Built for the RN, she was commissioned on 20 Oct 1940 as HMS WINDFLOWER, at Quebec City. She arrived at Halifax on 31 Oct 1940 and left on 06 Dec 1940 with convoy HX.94 for the U.K. There, at Scotsoun, she completed fitting out on 02 Mar 1941, following which she went to Tobermory to work up. Later in Mar 1941 she was assigned to EG 4 (RN), Greenock, escorting convoys between the U.K. and Iceland. On 15 May 1941 she was transferred to the RCN and commissioned as HMCS WINDFLOWER. She left Aultbea on 10 Jun 1942 for St. John's with OB.332, and on arrival transferred to Newfoundland Command. After two round trips between St. John's and Iceland, she arrived at Liverpool, N.S., on 29 Aug 1942 for a short refit, resuming her ocean escort duties in mid-Oct 1942. She made one more round trip to Iceland, and on 07 Dec 1941, while making her second trip, was rammed and sunk in convoy SC.58 by the Dutch freighter Zypenberg in dense fog off the Grand Banks. Twenty-three of her complement were lost.

Photos and Documents

Commanding Officers

A/LCdr John Hubert Smith MacDonald, RCNR - 20 Oct 1940 - 13 Oct 1941

Lt J. Price, RCNR - 14 Oct 1941 - 07 Dec 1941

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

(s) - survived the sinking of HMCS WINDFLOWER

Former Crew Members

Fraser, Gilbert Goodwin, Lt, RCNVR - 22 Jun 1941

Johnson, Frederick James Gordon, Lt, RCNVR - 02 Mar 1941

Photos and Documents

(WDF001) HMCS WINDFLOWER K155 during builders trials near Quebec City, fall, 1940

(WDF002) John Abraham reunited with his family after returning to Canada following the sinking of HMCS WINDFLOWER  //  From the collection of John E. Abraham  //  Courtesy of John M. Abraham

(WDF003) HMC WINDFLOWER K155  //  Source: CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

(WDF004) Newspaper article on the sinking of HMCS WINDFLOWER

(WDF005) Newspaper articles on the sinking of HMCS WINDFLOWER K155  //  The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario - 09 Mar 1943

(WDF006) Six Toronto Men Save, Two Lost  //  Toronto Telegram Dec 1941  //  Article on HMCS WINDFLOWER casualties and survivors

(WDF007) Article on HMCS WINDFLOWER casualties and survivors  //  Toronto Star Dec 1941

(WDF008) Four Manitobans Lost, Four Westerners Saved in Windflower

(WDF009) Article on Windflower casualties and survivors  //  The Toronto Star Dec 1941  //  Edward Lockwood is reported in the article as lost, but he survived the sinking

(WDF010) Article on 8 Toronto area casualties and survivors from HMCS WINDFLOWER