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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
Awards and Decorations: DSM, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, CVSM and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
MEDFORD, Kenneth Alleyne, DSM - Ken passed away after a short illness. He is predeceased by his parents Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Medford of Montreal, brother Austin and sister-in-law Beverly. He is survived by his loving wife Sylvia, sons Gary (Karen) and Brian, nephews Kenneth and Gordon (Sylvia) and sister-in-law Edith. He was born in Montreal and was a long time employee of the CNR at Headquarters. He served for 5 years in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, participated in the Battle of the Atlantic in many convoy battles during WW2 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. At his request, a private Anglican service was held September 1st at Boundary Bay Cemetery in Delta. A drop-in reception in his memory will be held at the family home on Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 1330 to 1630. Donations to charity of choice or Delta Hospital Foundation. Delta Funeral Home (604) 946.6040 (The Vancouver Sun 04 Sep 2010)
DSM Citation: MEDFORD, Kenneth Alleyne, Acting Leading Seaman (V5989) - Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) - RCNVR / HMCS Sackville - Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 21 November 1942 and London Gazette of 18 November 1942. - "For devotion to duty and courageous service before the enemy. Acting Leading Seaman Medford, by prompt action in laying and firing the 4" gun in and engagement with a U-Boat in thick fog, caused damage to the U-Boat and thus made a substantial contribution to the result of the engagement."
Ken enlisted in the RCNVR on 17 Sep 1940 and was demobilized at HMCS DONNACONA on 07 Sep 1945
Ships served in: HMCS BADDECK - Served in Baddeck 18 May 1941 - 05 Apr 1942 as OS/AB LR3, RCNVR. Commissioning crew HMCS SACKVILLE - Served in Sackville 06 Apr 1942 - 03 Mar 1943 as A/LS Layer Rating 3rd class, RCNVR HMCS KAMLOOPS - Served in Kamloops 01 May 1943 - 21 May 1944 as A/CPO Torpedo Cox'n, RCNVR HMCS WENTWORTH - Served in Wentworth 22 May 1944 - 20 Jul 1945 as A/CPO Torpedo Cox'n, RCNVR
(1) Portrait of LS Medford (2) Ken's first parade at Montreal Division RCNVR, Jul 1940 (3) First pay muster - the 50 cent piece and nickel were saved as a souvenir (4-5) Letter received by Ken Medford congratulating him on his award of the DSM - but also informing him of the death of a Lancaster pilot. The letter is from Ken's boss at CNR. Ken took leave from CNR to join the Navy and went back to his job after the war. (6) Ken Medford's membership card for "The Beaver Club". The Beaver Club was a club for Canadian's near Trafalgar Square in London (7) Letter to Ken Medford with a copy of his citation for the award of the DSM from The Canada Gazette (8) Telegram to Ken Medford from his parents - 16 Nov 1942
(9-10) Ken Medford's annual assessment while on HMCS Sackville with comments on the back from his assessments on while on HMCS Kamloops and HMCS Wentworth (11) Newspaper article on awards to crew members of HMCS Sackville after action with U-boats (12) Ken Medford interviewed after action with U-boats (13) Newspaper article on HMCS Sackville's action with U-boats (14) Newspaper article on Ken Medford's promotion to Petty Officer (15) Ken Medford's membership card for the C&PO's mess at HMCS Donnacona (16) Family that served - Top L: Ken Medford with 1st cousin Gordon Brooks RCAF with wife Ivy. Top R: brother M. Austin Medford RCAF. Bottom L: first cousin Eustace Heath RAF. Bottom R: Ken Medford with his brother Austin
Awards Ceremony - CPO Ken Medford being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal at HMCS Donnacona - Jan 1946 (17-18) Capt. Campbell, CO, HMCS Donnaconna awarding CPO Medford the DSM(19) After the presentation, CPO Ken Medford, his wife Sylvia and Capt. Campbell (20) Newspaper article from the Montreal Herald 26 Jan 1946
Some of Ken Medford's wartime memorabilia (21) Wood Hammock spreader to keep the head area open. Spike and unofficial knife (blunted as per regulation) and handmade sheath used throughout the war. The standard pusser's dirk that no one used. A blade sharpener. And his oilskin sou'wester. (22) a lead corvette - possibly made from ship's ballast (23) Lamp made from a 2pdr Oerlikon shell casing (24) an ashtray made from a 4-inch shell casing
(25) As civilian rep for the Navy League Cadet Corps NorthCrest #8, Ken Medford is shown presenting an award to S/Lt Paquette (top right) at the 1962 Annual Inspection. The Corps had a complement of up to 115 cadets and held parades at Maple Hill School, Montreal East. The corps had a 16 cadet guard (.22 rifles fitted to take spike bayonets) and a large drum and bugle band that played in many local parades of all sorts. At top left, officers in the centre of the picture are Lt Roy Barker XO and Lt Ken Hall CO , both of whom gave of tremendous time and effort over many years. (26) Ken Medford visits HMCS Sackville 60 years later - source: the Trident Magazine (27) Remembrance Day ceremony / parade, Ladner, BC 2001
(28) RNCVR cap tally given to Ken Medford by Lyle Fitzpatrick who served in the RNCVR during World War 1
HMCS SACKVILLE
(KM29) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - Photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 while convoy escort for ONS.18 & ON.202, Sep 1943 (KM02) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (KM03) Floating mine seen just off HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM04) A flock of seagulls over HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM05) North Atlantic convoy seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942
(KM34) Unknown corvette seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM35) Kenneth Medford on the twin Lewis machine gun on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM36) Jetty 3 Halifax circa 1942 - The bow and forward gun of HMCS Ottawa H60 seen on the right of the photo (KM37-KM38) HMCS GALT K163 seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (foreground) circa 1942
(KM39) HMCS SKEENA I59 seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (foreground) circa 1942 (KM40-KM41) HMCS SACKVILLE'S whaler turned out and ready for use circa 1942 - Note convoy in the distance (KM42) Rough seas in the North Atlantic circa 1942 - HMCS SACKVILLE'S whaler turned out and ready for use (KM43) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, looking aft along the port side circa 1942
(KM44) North Atlantic convoy seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM45) Paddy's Milestone (Ailsa Craig), seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942. Ailsa Craig or in Scots Gaelic, Creag Ealasaid, is an island of 99 hectares (240 acres) in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) from mainland Scotland which was formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano (KM46) RMS Queen Elizabeth, seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM47) HMS BRAMHAM L51, seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM48) Seaplane base on the way to Greenock, Scotland circa 1942
(KM49) Depth charge thrower on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM50-KM52) Two unknown aircraft carriers and a County class cruiser on the River Clyde - photos taken from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM53) Catapult Aircraft Merchant Ship (CAM ship) seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942. The planes on these ships were one launch planes. Once launched, the pilot had to ditch the plane and hope he would be able to be picked up
(KM54-KM58) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 Iced-up, Winter 1942-1943. Note her gunshield art in photos 57 and 58
(KM59) Catalina Flying Boat seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM60) At sea on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942. "The Rev" Morris holding the ship's mascot Corky. Others in the picture ... Gordie Cartwright, Tom Stevenson, Claude Clow. Note submitted by Mary Gair - "The Rev" - Ashley Harl Morris was nicknamed Reverend due to his ability to tell lies (tall tales) (KM61) Jim Steele from Toronto, ON on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circ 1942 (KM62) Jack Wilcox from PEI and Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM63) Claude Ransom from Windsor, ON on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942
(KM64) Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM65) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, St. John's, NFLD circa 1942 (KM66-KM67) Unknown Allied sub alongside HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at St. John's NFLD circa 1942. Kenneth Medford standing on sub in photo 66 (KM68) Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at St. John's NFLD circa 1942
(KM69) SS Belgian Soldier (4th ship 9th column of ON 115), torpedoed but still afloat, under tow by unknown corvette (not in photo). Convoy ON 115 departed Liverpool, England 24 Jul 1942, arrived Boston, Mass, 08 Aug 1942. Belgian Soldier was torpedoed and damaged by U-553. She straggled and was later sunk by U-607 on 4 Aug. Twenty-one dead (KM70) G S Waldren, ON 115, torpedoed but still afloat, under tow by HMCS Agassiz (not in photo). Convoy ON 115 departed Liverpool, England 24 Jul 1942, arrived Boston, Mass, 08 Aug 1942. G.S. Waldren was a tanker. She was torpedoed by U-552 on 03 Aug 1942, East of Cape Race. She was towed into St. John’s, NFLD. 1 Dead (KM71) Line ahead in Conception Bay, NFLD circa 1942 (KM72) Unknown freighter near St. John's, NFLD circa 1942
(KM73-KM75) Entering St. John's, NFLD circa 1942
(KM76) Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM77) Tom Stevenson of Toronto, ON on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM78) Claude Ransom (with rifle) on the jetty by HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM79) Cliff Aickens, SBA, HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at Trafalgar Square, London circa 1942
(KM80-KM84) Transiting the River Foyle enroute to Londonderry, Ireland
(KM85-KM89) Transiting the River Foyle enroute to Londonderry, Ireland (KM87) Wren's quarters
(KM90) Blue Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 - L-R: Tom Stevenson, Toronto, ON; Ashely Harl “The Rev” Morris, Chester, NS; Jim Steele, Toronto, ON; Hunter, Alberta; Claude Clow, Shelbourne, NS; Medford, Kenneth, Leading hand
(KM91) Blue Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 - Back Row: L-R: Kenneth Medford, Leading Hand; Ashely Harl "The Rev" Morris; Unknown Front Row: L-R: Jim Steele; Claude Clow; Tom Stevenson
(KM92) Blue Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181, in Newfoundland circa 1942 - Front: Kenneth Medford - Back Row: L-R: Jim Stevensen , Jim Steele, Hunter, Ashley Harl "The”Rev” Morris, Claude Clow
(KM93) White Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181, in Newfoundland circa 1942 - L-R: unknown; unknown; Jack Hickox, Leading Hand, Charlottetown, PEI; unknown; George Saunders, Montreal; unknown
(KM94) Ashley Harl "The Rev" Morris on a train in Scotland circa 1942 (KM95) An overturned lifeboat near HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM96) Unknown freighter in convoy carrying trucks circa 1942 (KM97) Unknown freighter in convoy circa 1942 (KM98)
(KM98) HMCS SACKVILLE biting in to a wave circa 1942 (KM99) Kenneth Medford standing by the port Engine room air intakes on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM100) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, starboard Engine room air intakes (foreground), starboard Boiler room air intake (background) circa 1942 (KM101)
(KM102-KM103) Fo'c's'le and 4-inch gun on HMCS SACKVILLE icing up - circa 1942 (KM104-KM106) Iceberg near HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - circa 1942
(KM107-KM110) Liverpool NS, during refit of HMCS SACKVILLE, K181 - Jan-Feb 1943
(KM111) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1943-1944 - Photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 (KM112) Convoy seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (KM113) HMCS ROSTHERN K169 and (likely) HMCS GALT K163. Photo taken from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (KM114) US gunboat arriving in Halifax. Photo taken from HMCS SACKVILLE K181. HMCS Galt K163 outboard of HMCS SACKVILLE (KM115) Newspaper article on how sailors (on HMCS SACKVILLE) pass time at sea
(KM116-KM118) Various newspaper articles on HMCS SACKVILLE action with U-boats
(KM119) Legion Newspaper Article mentioning Claude Clow, Sep 1995 (KM120) Article from the Trident magazine - Ken Medford visits HMCS SACKVILLE 60 years later
HMCS BADDECK
(KM121) HMCS BADDECK jacket patch (KM122-KM124) HMCS BADDECK K147 in the North Atlantic escorting Convoy SC.48 - On 05 Oct 1941, HMCS BADDECK departed Syndey, NS as part of the escort for Convoy SC.48. Nine merchant ships of the 52 in the convoy were lost along with two escorts, HMS Gladiolus and the Free French corvette Mimosa. USS Kearny was also torpedoed but not sunk. She lost 11 of her crew and 22 were wounded. These photos of HMCS BADDECK were taken during that voyage. (KM125) HMCS BADDECK K147
(KM126) Kenneth Medford in front of the 4-inch gun on HMCS BADDECK K147 (KM127) Unknown sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS BADDECK K417. HMCS BADDECK was in the Dartmouth Slips, Halifax Shipyards at the time of the photo - circa Jan 1942 (KM128) Kenneth Medford on the fo'c's'le of HMCS BADDECK K147, Dartmouth, NS (KM129) Kenneth Medford on HMCS BADDECK, Dartmouth, NS (KM130) Kenneth Medford sitting on the stern rail of HMCS BADDECK K147
(KM131-KM137) Hvalsfjord, Iceland "Hvalsfjord, Iceland was used as a Naval Base as no shore facilities were available. Large ships (in these photos) are USS Vulcan and HMS Hecla which were "Mother" ships and provided facilities and repairs normally done in shore bases. It was not unusual to have larger ships and aircraft carriers here."
(KM138) HMCS BADDECK K147 at Gaspé, QC. (Possibly alongside Fort Ramsay) (KM139) HMCS BADDECK K147 returning from Jamaica escorting the Lady Rodney carrying Winnipeg Rifles who were to go on leave before being shipped to Hong Kong on that fateful mission. Circa summer 1941 (KM140) Unknown sailor on the Lewis gun bandstand on HMCS BADDECK K147 (KM141) Ken Medford by the 4-inch gun on HMCS BADDECK K147 (KM142) Ken Medford on Barrington Street, Halifax - photo taken during the time he was drafted to HMCS BADDECK K147
(KM143-KM145) HMCS BADDECK K147 visits Jamaica - everyone got a tailor made light cotton uniform to replace the heavy issue which was the most uncomfortable piece of clothing imaginable.
Courtesy of Gary Medford
Misc. Photos
(KM146) HMCS CHILLIWACK K131 - photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS (KM147) HMCS DUNVEGAN K177 on the Dartmouth slips, Halifax Shipyards - circa Jan 1942 - Photo taken from HMCS BADDECK K147, also on the Dartmouth slips
HMCS KAMLOOPS
(KM148) HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 in the River Foyle, Norther Ireland (KM149) On 01 May 1943, CPO Kenneth Medford becomes Cox'n of HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 at St. John's, NFLD. Photo taken by Stoker PO Archie Grove, RCN (KM150) E.G. C-2 sails in line ahead //Photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 (KM151) Two unknown sailors by the depth charge thrower, starboard side, HMCS KAMLOOPS K176. One of the sailors is holding an axe for chipping the ice off the ship. (KM152) Stoker PO Jock Campbell on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176. The gun mount, mast and bridge are caked in heavy ice
(KM153-KM157) Survivors of S.S. Yorkmar - Convoy SC143on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 - with notes from CPO Kenneth Medford, DSM - 09 Oct 1943
(KM158-KM160) Injured survivor from S.S. Yorkmar being transferred from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 to a boat sent over by a destroyer (destroyers carried doctors) - 09 Oct 1943
(KM161) Singsong on the quarterdeck of HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943. Jorgenson playing the Concertina (KM162) HMIS Godaveri U52 (KM163) Unknown frigate circa 1943-1944. HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 in the fore ground (KM164) Escort Group C-2 circa 1943-1944 - photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 (KM165) Snowflake (starshell)
(KM166-KM168) Merchant Aircraft Carrier (M.A.C.) seen from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943-1944 This Merchant Aircraft Carrier is one of the Rapana Class converted oil tankers - 8,000 tons standard, 16,000 tons deep load, 12 knots, 3 aircraft, crew 118 (64 RN plus 54 MN), converted 1942-44. Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company tankers. No hangar and lift; aircraft maintained and stored on deck. Armament: 1 x single 4 in (102 mm) QF MK IV, 2 x single 40 mm Bofors, 6 x single 20 mm Oerlikon cannons. Vessels of the Rapana Class: MV Acavus, MV Adula, MV Alexia, MV Amastra, MV Ancylus, MV Gadila, MV Macoma, MV Miralda, MV Rapana
(KM169-KM173) Merchant ships in convoy circa 1943-1944
(KM174) North Atlantic Convoy. HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 in the fore ground (KM175-KM177) Catalina Flying Boat flies past HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943-1944 (KM177) Sailor on the far right is an ERA named Pete (KM178) Smoke marker
(KM179) A blimp passes near HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 (KM180) A squadron of RAF Hurricanes (KN181) Unknown aircraft passing over HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 (KM182-KM183) HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 in rough seas
(KM184) ERAs on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943-1944. centre: Stoker PO Jock Campbell; remainder unknown. Man in sweater is a Lt. (KM185) Unknown sailors on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943-1944 (KM186) Unknown sailors on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943-1944 (KM187) Kenneth Medford on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943-1944 (KM188) HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943
(KM189-190) Unknown Escort Carrier in the Irish Sea c1943-44 (KM191) Unknown River Class Destroyer in the Irish Sea c1943-44 (KM192) Looking aft on HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 circa 1943 (KM193) Unknown merchant ship. KAMLOOPS' sea boat on the left of the photo
(KM194-KM197) HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 passing by Moville, Ireland, then transiting the River Foyle C1943-44 (KM198) L-R: CPO Ken Medford Cox’n, CPO Alf Puncheon ERA, PO Jock Campbell ERA circa 1943-1944
(KM199) Track chart showing the movements of HMCS KAMLOOPS from 04 Nov 1943 to 11 Nov 1943. It is not known which convoy, if any, KAMLOOPS was escorting at the time. Also on the chart are two positions 04 Dec 1943 and 11 Dec 1943 which would coincide with convoy ONS.24. In the upper right corner of the chart, there are two markings indicating U-boats, but there is no date with those position markings.
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