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HMCS BAYFIELD J08
Bangor Class Minesweeper
Named for the village of BAYFIELD, N.S., she was built at Vancouver for the RN but transferred to the RCN for manning, and commissioned on 26 Feb 1942. After working up, BAYFIELD joined Esquimalt Force in May 1942 but was transferred to Prince Rupert Force in Nov 1942, returning to Esquimalt in Mar 1943, for re-assignment to the east coast. She left Esquimalt on 18 Mar 1943, arriving at Halifax on 30 Apr 1943 and, after a major refit at Baltimore, Md., joined Halifax force until ordered to the U.K. for invasion duties.
On 18 Feb 1944, with GEORGIAN, MULGRAVE and THUNDER, she left Halifax for Plymouth via the Azores, arriving on 07 Mar 1944. Allocated to the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla on 07 Mar 1944, her CO, Lt, Pierce was the SO of the flotilla. She was present on D-Day, and she remained with Plymouth Command until paid off on 24 Sep 1945. When departing for Normandy to sweep the channel for D-Day, BAYFIELD suffered minor damage to her bow when WASAGA, moving astern, hit her. The BAYFIELD shored it up with bedding and lumber and put to sea to complete the mission.
BAYFIELD was returned to the RN, she was placed in reserve at Sheerness until 1948, when she was broken up at Gateshead.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos The Ship's Bell
The Thirty-First Minesweeping Flotilla
Commanding Officers
Captain for the day
Captain for the day is a tradition in the RCN where during the ship's Christmas celebrations, the Commanding Officer changes places with the youngest member of the ship's company.
Clayton, Sto 1c - 1944
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
(BAY001) Sailors (and one WREN) on HMCS BAYFIELD J08, Christmas Day 1944 (BAY002) Captain for the Day - Sto 1c Clayton, HMCS BAYFIELD J08, Christmas Day 1944 (BAY003) Unknown sailor with mascot on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 // From the collection of Jim Yeldon, RCNVR // Courtesy of Kyle Scott
(WGC027) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (WGC028) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 in the English Channel (WGC029) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 in the English Channel (WGC030) At work on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (WGC031) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 - aft looking forward
(WGC032) AB Wilson in front of gun mount on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 // Note the "Little Joe" gunshield art (WGC033) AB Terry Whitaker in front of gun mount on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 // Note the "Little Joe" gunshield art (WGC034) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 off the French coast (WGC035) Heavy seas wash over the depth charge throwers on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (WGC036) Looking aft from the crowsnest on HMCS BAYFIELD J08
(WGC037) Detonated mine exploding near HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (WGC038) Radio shack on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (WGC039) Troopship QUEEN ELIZABETH (WGC040) HMS HART at Plymouth (WGC041) HMS PLUCKY
(WGC042) HMS QUEEN OF THANET (WGC043) USN battleship in the Mediterranean (WGC044) HMCS IROQUOIS at Plymouth, Dec 1944 (WGC045) Canadian Minesweepers at Plymouth, Jan 1945 (WGC046) HMS REVENGE at Plymouth, Jan 1945
(WGC047) The Azores as seen from HMCS BAYFIELD J08, Nov 1944 From the collection of William George Clark, Leading Telegraphist, RCN Courtesy of Suzanne Clark
(CHI004) Men of Minesweepers Feel Lucky to Be Alive // Newspaper article from the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Monday, 14 Aug 1944 (CHI005) Lt. Cunningham's thank you letter to the BAYFIELD's crew for his departing gift and their friendship (CHI006) HMCS BAYFIELD Christmas card (CHI007) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 From the collection Clifford Isaac, RCNVR Courtesy of Laureen Duerksen
(JAH004) A few shipmates on HMCS BAYFIELD // L-R: G. Saunders, Montreal; M. Gregoire (Cox'n), Niagara Falls; Heiffer, Moncton, NB; M. Plasky, Ft Williams, Ont // Note the artwork on the front of the gun shield // Webmaster's Note: Heiffer's surname is actually Heffer (JAH005) Blue Watch // Seamen Mike Plasky and Ossie Ostennud on HMCS BAYFIELD (JAH006) Seaman Ossie Ostennud (JAH007) Sailors on HMCS BAYFIELD // Back row L-R: R. Aitchison, Toronto, Ont; E. Rose, Sault Ste Marie; A. Wozny, Vancouver; B. Wilson, Saskatoon; J. Buckley, Toronto // Front row L-R: W. Walker, St. John, NB, M. Gregoire, Niagara Falls; G. Saunders, Montreal (JAH008) James Hogan on HMCS BAYFIELD // Webmaster's note: not sure what is happening in this photo, charged fire hose, coils of rope and boxes laying about. Its enough to send the buffer into a fit of rage.
(JAH009) Sailors on HMCS BAYFIELD (all seamen!) // Back row L-R: B. Schultz, Chalk River, BC; Higgins, Vancouver, BC; G. Saunders, Montreal; E. Rose, Sault St. Marie; M. Wahl, Whitehorse, Yukon // Front row L-R: M. Gregoire, Niagara Falls; B. Rowsell, Harrington Harbour, Quebec (JAH010) Mike Plasky, B. J. Buckley, James Hogan on HMCS BAYFIELD From the collection of James Hogan, Able Seaman Submarine Detector, RCNVR Courtesy of Eileen St. Coeur
(JCDT007) Unknown sailor on HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (JCDT008) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 in the English Channel From the collection of John Thomas, Leading Coder, RCNVR Courtesy of Rick Thomas
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
