HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

Flower Class Corvette

 


 

HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

RCN Photo # HS-0299-2

Courtesy of the Comox RCAF Museum 

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

 

Laid down: 23 May 1941

Launched: 10 Dec 1941

Commissioned: 01 May 1942

Paid off: 27 Jun 1945

Re-commissioned: 17 May 1945

Paid off: 18 Mar 1946

Fate: Broken up at Etajima, Japan in 1975

 

Built by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., Collingwood, Ont., HMCS WOODSTOCK was commissioned on 01 May 1942, at Montreal. She arrived at Halifax on 23 May 1942 and, after working up at Pictou, joined WLEF. Assigned to Operation "Torch," she arrived on 23 Sep 1942 at Londonderry from convoy HX.207 and proceeded to the Humber for six weeks' refit, including extra A/A armament. While serving as escort to U.K.-Mediterranean convoys, on 10 Jan 1943, she sank MTB 105, 250 miles northwest of the Azores, after merchant ship carrying it had been sunk. WOODSTOCK returned to Canada arriving in Halifax on 24 Mar 1943 with convoy ON.172, and in Apr 1943, after repairs at Halifax, joined EG C-1 for one round trip to the U.K. In Jun 1943 she was transferred to EG 5, Western Support Force, at St. John's but late that month was reassigned to EG C-4 at Londonderry. She escorted only one convoy as member of that group before commencing refit late in Jun 1943 at Liverpool, N.S. Completed at Halifax in mid-Sep 1943, the refit was followed by three weeks' workups at Pictou, the ship then rejoining C-4. In Apr 1944, while at Londonderry, she was allocated to Western Approaches Command for invasion duties, and was so employed for the next three moths. She left 'Derry for the last time on 03 Aug 1944, for two months' refit at Liverpool, N.S. She left Halifax on 18 Oct 1944 for the west coast, arriving at Esquimalt a month later to join Esquimalt Force. On 27 Jan 1945, she was paid off there for conversion to a loop-layer but upon re-commissioning on 17 May 1945 was employed as a weather ship until finally paid off on 18 Mar 1946. Sold in 1948 for conversion to a whale-catcher, she entered service in 1951 as the Honduran-flag Olympic Winner. She passed into Japanese ownership in 1956, was renamed Otori Maru No. 20, and in 1957, Akitsu Maru. She was broken up at Etajima in 1975.

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

Lt Leslie Perman Denny, RCNR - 01 May 1942 - 18 Oct 1942

Cdr G.H. Griffiths, RCN - 19 Oct 1942 - 19 Jan 1943

Skpr/Lt John Manuel Watson, RCNR - 20 Jan 1943 - 16 Aug 1943

Lt Charles Edmond Wright, RCNVR - 17 Aug 1943 - 05 Oct 1944

Lt William McCombie, RCNR - 06 Oct 1944 - 27 Jan 1945

LCdr John Scudamore Cunningham, RCNVR - 17 May 1945 - 18 Mar 1946

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

(SC43) = Ship's Company Photo Jul 1943

 

Arthurs, Clarence A. 

 

Akey, H., AB  (SC43)


Auton, A., Stwd  (SC43)


Benini, L., Tel  (SC43)

 

Bolduc, Joseph Luzariate, Cd (E), RCNR - 18 Apr 1942 / 01 May 1942

 

Bouvier, T., Sig  (SC43)


Brickles, A., Sto PO  (SC43)


Campbell, C., Sto PO  (SC43)


Carrier, J., AB  (SC43)


Clarke, C., AB  (SC43)


Clayden, R., LS  (SC43)


Coleman, W., AB  (SC43)


Cook, Douglas A., AB  (SC43)


Cousineau, A., Sto1  (SC43)

 

Cunningham, J., Sig  (SC43)

 

Cunningham, John Scudamore, LCdr, RCNVR - 19 Apr 1945

 

Denny, Leslie Perman, Lt, RCNVR - 30 Mar 1942 (Stand by) CO / 01 May 1942

 

Dokupil, A., Sto1  (SC43)

 

Dondaneau, L/Sto  (SC43)


Drouin, G., Cook  (SC43)


Durdle, G., AB  (SC43)


Egleston, J., Sto2  (SC43)


Elliott, A., CERA  (SC43)


Elvins, F., AB  (SC43)


Fitzgibbon, D., OS  (SC43)

 

Foster, H., AB  (SC43)

 

Gagnon, Maurice, Lt, RCNVR, XO - 25 May 1943  (SC43)

 

Groombridge, R., Sto1  (SC43)

Haggett, B., Stwd  (SC43)

 

Heater, Allan Randolph, Skpr/Lt, RCNR - 27 Apr 1945

 

Hudgin, D., PO  (SC43)


Jackson, A., PO  (SC43)


James, K., CPO  (SC43)


Jones, G., OS  (SC43)


Kirby, G., Coder  (SC43)


Knowlton, D., AB  (SC43)


Kooker, G., AB  (SC43)


La Fontaine, Jacques Francois, Slt, RCNVR - 14 Mar 1944

 

Larue, P., Sto1  (SC43)


Latimer, G., L/Sig  (SC43)


Laursson, J., Sto1  (SC43)


Leathem, K., Tel  (SC43)


Letterick, K., OS  (SC43)


Linecar, H., SBA  (SC43)


Livingston, R., AB  (SC43)

 

MacIntyre, John Fleming, Slt, RCNVR - 25 Apr 1942 (Stand by) / 01 May 1942  (SC43)

 

MacLachlan, D., AB  (SC43)


Mason, R., Sto1  (SC43)


Matson, L., Coder  (SC43)


McCubbrey, D., ERA  (SC43)


McGinnis, G., AB  (SC43)

 

McKenzie, Gordon Booth, Ch/Skpr, RCNR - 16 Apr 1945

 

McLaughlin, CK  (SC43)


McLeod, A., Sto PO  (SC43)

 

Morton, E., Coder  (SC43)

Murdy, L., AB  (SC43)


Osburn, G., AB  (SC43)


Oxford, H., PO  (SC43)

 

Park, Alexander Wardman, Lt, RCNVR - 02 Jun 1942

 

Park, R., Sto1  (SC43)

 

Patterson, W., Sto1  (SC43)

 

Pike, Francis Rodney, Lt, RCNVR - 23 Mar 1942 (Stand by) / 01 May 1942

 

Poirier, E., AB  (SC43)


Potts, W., AB  (SC43)


Proulx, R., AB  (SC43)


Richards, D., ERA  (SC43)


Roberts, E., AB  (SC43)


Rowe, L., AB  (SC43)


Ryan, G., AB  (SC43)

 

Scott, George Smith, Mate, RCNR - 18 Apr 1942 (Stand by) / 01 May 1942

 

Scott, K., AB  (SC43)

 

Shewchuck, J., Sto PO  (SC43)


Smibert, J.M., Lt  (SC43)


Smith, F.C., Ch Skpr  (SC43)


Stoutenburg, G., Sig  (SC43)


Thayer, F., ERA  (SC43)


Thayer, G., LS  (SC43)


Turcot, J., AB  (SC43)


Vanevery, AB  (SC43)


Ward, J., OS  (SC43)

 

Williams, John Samuel, Skpr/Lt, RCNR - 16 Apr 1945

 

Williams, P., AB  (SC43)


Willimont, A., L/R.M.  (SC43)


Wood, V., PO  (SC43)

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

HMCS WOODSTOCK jacket patch

 

From the collection of R. Burns Ellis

 

Courtesy of Mike Ellis

John Francis (Frank) Sidaway on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

Courtesy of Grace Sidaway

Charles (Charlie) Orville Murduff on HMCS WOODSTOCK

 

Photos from the collection of Charlie Murduff

 

Courtesy of Scott Murduff

Depth Charge exploding astern of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

RCN photo Negative # NP 1069

Japanese whaler Otori Maru No. 20 in 1957. Former HMCS Woodstock.

 


 

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(HP10) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP11) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 - Refit Lullaby

(HP12) The Woodstock Lament or the Forgotten Crew

 

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(HP13-HP17) Believed to be one of WOODSTOCK'S two refits at Liverpool, NS

 

 

 

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(HP18) Believed to be one of WOODSTOCK'S two refits at Liverpool, NS

 

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(HP19) Fo'c's'le and gun deck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238, Starboard side looking forward

(HP20) Ship's bell and RDF antenna on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP21) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 port side looking forward toward bridge

(HP22) Rocket cages on gun mount on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP23) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 in rough seas

 

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(HP24-HP28) Gun deck and fo'c's'le of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

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(HP29) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 - Port side looking forward

(HP30) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 - Port side looking aft

(HP31) Gun deck and bridge of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP32) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 - looking forward aft of AA gun mount

(HP33) Sailors formed up on the fo'c's'le of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 for entering or leaving harbour. Photo take from port side looking forward

 

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(HP34) Unknown sailor with machine gun by the Carley floats on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP35) ... the target (black dot on water)

(HP36) ... did he hit it??

(HP37) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 firing a depth charge

(HP38) Unknown Fairmile Motor Launch seen from HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

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(HP39) Sailors on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238, port side, just after the gun deck

(HP40) Sailors behind the gun deck on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP41) Sailors with broom and mops on the quarterdeck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP42) Unknown sailor on the bridge wing of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP23) That jacket needs a bit of tailoring.

 

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(HP44) Sigs on the flag deck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP45) Sailor by / in an engine room air intake on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP45) Sailors on the bridge / flag deck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP47) Sailor sitting on an air vent on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP48) Anchor windlass, gun deck and bridge of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

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(HP49) Sailor by a depth charge thrower on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP50) A couple sailors horsing around on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP51) Signal on the lamp on HMCS WOODSTOCK K2389. Tel Palatnick writing for him

(HP52) Sailor on an AA gun on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP53) Sailor climbing up / down the mast on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

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(HP54-HP56) Sailors on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP57) A couple sailors on the boat deck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP58) Sailors on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238, just aft the funnel

 

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(HP59) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 in Esquimalt, BC

(HP60) A couple sailors on the boat deck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP61-HP62) Sailors relaxing by the breakwater on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP61) Sailor in front of the breakwater / gun deck on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

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(HP64-HP68) Harry Palatnick on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 (HP66) "Yours truly. Pretty windy. Note the hair"

 

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(HP69-HP73) Harry Palatnick on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

 

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(HP74-HP78) HMCS WOODSTOCK K278 off the approaches to Esquimalt

 

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(HP79) HMCS WOODSTOCK passing Fisgard Lighthouse, Esquimalt, BC

(HP80) USS Admiral C. F. Hughes, AP-124 in Esquimalt Harbour

(HP81) Unknown hospital ship in Esquimalt Harbour

 

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(HP83) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 going alongside in Esquimalt.  Part ship hands formed up on the port side of the fo'c's'le

(HP83) HMS DRAGONET Z82 (Boom Defence Vessel) towing HMCS WOODSTOCK.  Victoria Machinery Depot (V.M.D.) Ogden Point in the background

(HP84-HP85) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 passing the Johnston Street Bridge, Victoria, BC, transiting in / out of the inner harbour

 

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(HP88) Sailor on the bridge wing of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP87) Tel Palatnick on the jetty IN Esquimalt beside HMCS WOODSTOCK K238

(HP88) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 alongside in Esquimalt

(HP89) HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 in Esquimalt with her a tarp over her bridge

(HP90) A couple sailors getting water out of the harbour by bucket

 

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(HP91) Sailor relaxing on HMCS WOODSTOCK'S gun

(HP92) Four sailors on the after gun deck of HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 in the spot where an AA gun was once mounted

 


 

Photos HP93-HP119 appear to be some sort of celebration on HMCS WOODSTOCK K238 - possibly after she was paid off which culminated in a bunch of the crew leaving the ship - photos HP120-HP125 - with their kitbags and hammocks ...and the ship's tally plate.

 

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From the collection of Harry Harold Palatnick, Tel, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Wesley Palatnick

 


 

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(RB07) Robert Bartlett up the mast of HMCS WOODSTOCK  (RB08) Unknown sailors on HMCS WOODSTOCK  (RB09) A group of unknown sailors on HMCS WOODSTOCK c1943

 

From the collection of AB Robert Bartlett, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Lloyd Bartlett

 


 

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