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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
Ross is listed in the Next of Kin (NOK) list for HMCS WASAGA for 15 Apr 1945. His NOK was his mother, Mrs. Etta Milligan, 15 Richard St., Trenton, ON.
Ships served in: HMCS WASAGA - Served in WASAGA 1944-1945 as Buffer
(RM01) Service Documents from Ross Milligan
(RTL-REM014) LS Ross Milligan in Halifax, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM016) LS Ross Milligan Dartmouth, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM135) 10 French Francs (RTL-REM136) Leave or Duty Ration Cardfor PO Ross Milligan
HMCS SUDBURY
(RTL-REM015) LS Ross Milligan in HMCS SUDBURY'S mess deck in 1942 (RTL-REM016) Two American sailors visiting HMCS SUDBURY in 1942 (RTL-REM017) Members of HMCS SUDBURY'S ships company stowing lines in the corvette in 1942 (RTL-REM018) Tug bringing a torpedoed tanker (stern first) into Halifax -1942. Note that the tankers bow is missing (RTL-REM019) Unknown Petty Officer on the fo'c's'le of HMCS SUDBURY 1942
(RTL-REM020) Aft view from HMCS SUDBURY alongside in Halifax, 1942 (RTL-REM021)View from HMCS SUDBURY's port bridge wing (left side of photo) looking aft. A total of eight corvettes are nested together in this picture from 1942 (RTL-REM022) Three sailors from HMCS SUDBURY on the corvettes foc's'le in 1942.
HMCS WASAGA
(RTL-REM006) HMCS WASAGA J162 (RTL-REM023) Three of HMCS WASAGA'S bridge lookouts in 1942 (RTL-REM024) Mackay standing watch as Quartermaster on HMCS WASAGA in 1942 (RTL-REM025) HMCS WASAGA shipmates R. Bourgon and R. LaCelle stand with the Catch-of-the-Day, after dropping Depth Charges near Pictou, NS. in 1942 (RTL-REM026) William Black from Newfoundland on HMCS WASAGA'S deck in 1942
(RTL-REM027) HMCS WASAGA'S main gun with shield removed, in 1942 (RTL-REM029) Looking forward from the quarterdeck of HMCS WASAGA in 1942 in Pictou, NS. Her twin 0.5s are shown in her after gun tub (RTL-REM030) HMCS WASAGA'S port side depth charge thrower in 1942 (RTL-REM032) Hands to bathe - HMCS WASAGA'S ship's company enjoys a swim ex off Pictou, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM013) HMCS TRILLIUM, Flower class corvette off Pictou, NS
(RTL-REM033) HMCS WASAGA'S boats crew pulls toward HMCS TRILLIUM off Pictou, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM052) ASW training submarine off Pictou, NS in 1942. Photo taken from HMCS WASAGA, sub may be HMS/M P512 (RTL-REM053) Unknown RCN corvette during gunnery practice near Pictou, NS - 1942
(RTL-REM034) HMCS WASAGA'S quarter deck party in 1942. Left to right; Ross Milligan, E. Bradley, Jack Glass, Jack Dewhirst, J McEntie, S. Morris and F. Deane (RTL-REM035) William Black, Ross Milligan and William Weaver on board HMCS WASAGA in St. John's in 1942 (RTL-REM036) HMCS ST CLAIR I65, outboard, takes on fuel in St. John's in 1942 (RTL-REM037) Accommodation ship HMCS AVALON II (ex SS Georgian) in St. John's in 1942 (RTL-REM050) Tanker with large hole from a torpedo midships in St. John's harbour awaiting repairs - 1942
(RTL-REM051) RCN sailors painting HMCS WASAGA IN St. John's, Nfld in 1942 - Photo taken from an RN submarine on loan for ASW training of RCN ships (RTL-REM096) Unknown CPO on the submarine alongside HMCS WASAGA during her paint ship routine. He is possibly checking out the paint job done by WASAGA'S crew - looking for missed spots. (RTL-REM066) Freshly painted, HMCS WASAGA is ready for her next escort job in 1942 (RTL-REM064) A torpedoed tanker at anchor in St. John's, Nfld, waiting repair in 1942 (RTL-REM068) HMCS KENORA J281 alongside in St. John's, Nfld
(RTL-REM038) Merchant ship at Sydney, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM039) Merchant ships in line at Sydney, NS in 1942. Lead ship has what appears to be a pilot boat alongside (RTL-REM040) Merchant ship underway in Sydney Harbour, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM041) Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) at anchor in Sydney Harbour, NS. in 1942 (RTL-REM042) Merchant ship at anchor in Sydney Harbour, NS in 1942
(RTL-REM041) SS Drumahoe underway to join an ocean convoy out of Sydney Harbour in 1942. Owned by Sarnia Steamships Ltd, the laker has been pressed into wartime ocean service (RTL-REM044) SS Royalite, owned by Imperial Oil Ltd in Sydney Harbour in 1942. The merchant ship was built in 1916 (RTL-REM045) Merchant ship underway in Sydney Harbour, NS in 1942 (RTL-REM046) Convoy LC44 sailing from Sydney, NS to St John's, Nfld on 9 September 1942. The five ship convoy consisted of the merchant ships, Drumahoe, Connector, William Schupp, James Stuart and Charles Huntley, escorted by HMCS WASAGA (RTL-REM047) SS James Stuart and SS Charles Huntley in Convoy LC44 from Sydney, NS to St. John's, Nfld on 9 September 1942. The two merchant ships are part of a five ship convoy, escorted by HMCS WASAGA
(RTL-REM048) Seven merchants ships from a Sydney, NS to St. John's convoy approaching their destination in 1942. The convoy is escorted by HMCS WASAGA (RTL-REM049) Convoy of thirty-seven merchant ships from Halifax to the UK. Photo taken from convoy escort HMCS WASAGA on the starboard side of the convoy in 1942 (RTL-REM057) Three Lake sailors in HMCS WASAGA, Lt to Rt, William Black, Ross Milligan and William Weaver in 1942 off Newfoundland. All three served in Great Lake ships prior to the war. The merchant ship in the background is the Laker SS Drumahoe.
On 15 Nov 1942, HMCS SAGUENAY, while escorting convoy WB13 from St. John's, Nfld to Sydney, NS, at a distance of approximately 12 miles south of St. John's and 50 miles South East of Cape Spare, HMCS SAGUENAY was struck in the stern by the freighter SS Azra. Depth charges from HMCS SAGUENAY were dislodged overboard and exploded beneath both ships. The SAGUENAY had her stern blown off and the Azar sustained damage forward. Damage to the Azar was sufficient to cause her to sink at the site. The SAGUENAY stayed afloat and took Azar's crew members onboard.
(RTL-REM059) HMCS SAGUENAY with her stern gone, following a collision with the Panamanian freighter SS Azra (RTL-REM060) SS Azra has begun to list following a collision with HMCS SAGUENAY (RTL-REM061) HMCS SAGUENAY, down by the stern, but still afloat (RTL-REM062) With her stern gone and after deck completely awash many of HMCS SAGUENAY sailors have moved to her fo'c's'le while they prepare to have the ship towed. Webmaster's note: While there would be room below decks for the crew in the forward section of the ship, there was no guarantee that she ship would not sink and its is better to be above decks just in case.
(RTL-REM031) HMCS WASAGA dressed overall in Halifax, possibly for Dominion Day 1942 (RTL-REM056) The ocean astern of HMCS WASAGA erupts from the explosion of a depth charge in 1942 (RTL-REM065) Unknown sailor putting the finishing touches on WASAGA'S pendant number - 1942 (RTL-REM068) Troopship - unknown name / location (RTL-REM070) Troopship SS Pasteur in Halifax c1942
(RTL-REM055) HMCS WASAGA'S mascot, as a small kitten, sleeping in a sailors port 'n starboard cap undated (RTL-REM054) HMCS WASAGA'S mascot, enjoys his portion of the daily rum tot, licking the decanters clean - undated (RTL-REM058) One of WASAGA'S mascots, just like any member of the ship's company, had her own mic (hammock) - undated (RTL-REM083 - RTL-REM084) HMCS WASAGA'S mascot enjoying Christmas dinner - 25 Dec 1942
HMC NAVAL CAMP (RTL-REM291) Several sailors from HMCS WASAGA take a break at the HMC NAVAL CAMP located seven miles outside of St. John's, Nfld in 1942. (RTL-REM292) Sailors from the escort groups could trade their shipboard hammocks for tents at the HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM293) William Black from HMCS WASAGA still preferred a nap in his hammock compared to the beds provided at the HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM294) HMCS WASAGA sailors William Weaver and Ross Milligan lounge at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM295) Ross Milligan, William Weaver and William Black from HMCS WASAGA at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942
HMC NAVAL CAMP (RTL-REM296) Sailors from HMCS WASAGA enjoy cooking a meal at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM301) Sailors from HMCS WASAGA enjoy cooking their own meal at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM297) HMCS WASAGA sailors, MacDonald, William Black, William Weaver, Lew Theriault, S. Morris and Ross Milligan enjoy a beer at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM298) Jack Glass and McKay from HMCS WASAGA at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM304) HMC NAVAL CAMP was a rest area for sailors from the escort ships in St. John's, Nfld, but like all military establishments, someone still had to stand sentry
HMC NAVAL CAMP (RTL-REM299) A fresh water pond is a cool relief for these sailors from HMCS WASAGA at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM300) Wm Black, S. Morris, Wm. Weaver, Ross Milligan and J. Glass from HMCS WASAGA, enjoy a swim at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (.RTL-REM307) Wm Black, S. Morris, Wm. Weaver, Ross Milligan and Jack Glass from HMCS WASAGA, enjoy a swim at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM302) HMC NAVAL CAMP was located outside of St. John's, Nfld, and some areas were "Off Limits" to the sailors. Ross Miligan and William Weaver from HMCS WASAGA, stand by one of the boundary signs in 1942 (RTL-REM303) Sailors from HMCS WASAGA arrive for Mail Call at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942
HMC NAVAL CAMP (RTL-REM305) HMCS WASAGA shipmates Lew Evans and Jack Dewhurst enjoy a meal at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM306) Bags are packed and hammocks rolled as two shipmates from HMCS WASAGA, Lew Evans and Robert Massen depart HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942 (RTL-REM326) Shipmates from HMCS WASAGA at HMC NAVAL CAMP - 1942
(RTL-REM071) Sailors on HMCS WASAGA chipping ice off the ship at sea - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM077, RTL-REM072, RTL-REM076) With the bridge looking more like an ice-castle, sailors on HMCS WASAGA prepare to chip ice off the ship at sea off Halifax - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM073) Looking down from the bridge wing at the ice covered gun and fo'c's'le of HMCS WASAGA - Jan 1943
(RTL-REM075) The forward gun of HMCS WASAGA encased in ice - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM074) The anchor windlass on HMCS WASAGA completely covered in ice - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM078) Ross Milligan on an ice-covered HMCS WASAGA, port side just forward of where the Carley floats are secured - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM081) Sailors on HMCS WASAGA pose on the fo'c's'le after chipping off the ice - Jan 1943. Listed on back: S. Morris, J. McEntie, Platt, William Weaver, Jack Glass and Paskavik (RTL-REM082) Ross Milligan on HMCS WASAGA - still some ice left on the ship - Jan 1943
Skating at Quiddy Vidi Lake, St. John's, Nfld - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM308) PO Beaulieau from HMCS WASAGA skating with a local child on Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM309) William Weaver, Jack Glass, J. McEntie and PO Beaulieau from HMCS WASAGA, skating at Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM310) RCN Sailors, J. McEntie, William Weaver, S. Morris, Jack Glass and PO Beaulieau from HMCS WASAGA enjoy a day skating on Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM311) Ross Milligan, Lew Evans and Lew Theriault enjoy a day away from HMCS WASAGA and skating on Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM312) Ross Milligan from HMCS WASAGA skating at Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943
Skating at Quiddy Vidi Lake, St. John's, Nfld - Jan 1943 (RTL-REM314) Unknown sailor off HMCS WASAGA outside of the USO in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM313) Ross Milligan and Lew Evans from HMCS WASAGA enjoy at day skating at Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL0REM320) Lew Evans and Lew Theriault from HMCS WASAGA, skating at Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM322) Lew Theriault from HMCS WASAGA enjoys a skate with one of the local ladies of St. John's Nfld at Quiddy Vidi Lake in Jan 1943 (RTL-REM322) Ross Milligan and Lew Theriault from HMCS WASAGA skating on Quiddy Vidi Lake in St. John's, Nfld in Jan 1943
Memorial Day Parade, Curling, Newfoundland, 04 Jul 1943 Memorial Day commemorates the sacrifice of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment during WWI at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel and is held on the anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Curling is now a suburb of Corner Brook, Nfld (RTL-REM278) HMCS WASAGA'S ships company marches in the Memorial Day Parade in Curling Nfld (RTL-REM279) HMCS WASAGA'S ships company marches behind the veterans of WWI, with members of the Newfoundland Home Guard following, in the Memorial Day Parade in Curling Nfld (RTL-REM282) Soldiers of the Newfoundland Home Guard marching in the Memorial Day Parade in Curling Nfld (RTL-REM280 / RTL-REM281) Surrounded by local citizens, HMCS WASAGA's ships company marches off from the ceremony commemorating Memorial Day in Curling Nfld
(RTL-REM161) HMCS WASAGA sails past a train barge in New York City (RTL-REM162) The New York city skyline, seen from HMCS WASAGA transiting the Hudson River (RTL-REM163) New York city seen from HMCS WASAGA transiting the Hudson River (RTL-REM164) Troopship RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH in New York
Gunshield art on various ships (RTL-REM169) HMCS SOREL'S gunshield art on her 4-inch gun depicting a horse eating a U-boat. The photo was taken in St. John's Nfld in 1943 (RTL-REM170) HMCS MORDEN'S gunshield art on her 4-inch gun depicting a bald eagle swooping down on the sea towards a periscope with outstretched talons. The photo was taken in St. John's Nfld in 1943 (RTL-REM171) HMCS PICTOU'S gunshield art on her 4-inch gun depicting a Griffin breaking a U-boat in two. The photo was taken in St. John's Nfld in 1943 (RTL-REM172) Norman Baker poses with the colourful gunshield art on the 4-inch gun of HMCS COBALT depicting a Bee with mining equipment breaking a swastika. The corvette is named after the town, Cobalt in Ontario, known for mining. The photo was taken in St. John's Nfld in 1943 (RTL-REM173) HMCS DRUMHELLER'S gunshield art depicting the devil beating on a fiery drum. The photo was taken in St. John's Nfld in 1943
(RTL-REM069) Hospital Ship Lady Nelson - c1943. Location unknown
HMCS WASAGA in the Dartmouth Marine Slips, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia sometime in 1943 (RTL-REM086) Ross Milligan (sitting) with shipmate, William Weaver at Dartmouth, NS while their ship HMCS WASAGA is in the Dartmouth Marine Slips (RTL-REM089 / RTL-REM091) HMCS WASAGA in Dartmouth Marine Slips (RTL-REM092) HMCS WASAGA sailors give their ship some fresh paint while in the Dartmouth Marine Slips (RTL-REM093) WASAGA'S hull has been given a fresh coat of anti-fouling paint while in the Dartmouth Marine Slips
RCN ships of the 31st MINESWEEPING FLOTILLA (RTL-REM003) HMCS BAYFIELD J08 (RTL-REM004) HMCS CARAQUET J38 (RTL-REM005) HMCS FORT WILLIAM J31 (RTL-REM006) HMCS WASAGA J162 (RTL-REM007) HMCS COWICHAN J146
RCN ships of the 31st MINESWEEPING FLOTILLA (RTL-REM008) HMCS MINAS J165 (RTL-REM009) HMCS MALPEQUE J148 (RTL-REM010) HMCS MILLTOWN J317 (RTL-REM011) HMCS MULGRAVE J313 (RTL-REM012) HMCS BLAIRMORE J314 Note: HMCS THUNDER was assigned to the 31st MSF in May 1945.
(RTL-REM121) HMCS KENORA seen from HMCS WASAGA as the two ships approached the Azores in Feb / Mar 1944. WASAGA was assigned to the 31st MSF and KENORA to the 14th MSF.
(RTL-REM148) A sailor from HMCS WASAGA stands in a banana grove while his ship is visiting Horta in the Azores in Feb / Mar 1944 (RTL-REM149) A Sailor from HMCS WASAGA enjoys shore leave in Horta in the Azores in Feb / Mar 1944 (RTL-REM150) Referred to as "Bum Boats" by sailors, these peddlers in Horta in the Azores have come alongside HMCS WASAGA to sell their wares to the sailors in Feb / Mar 1944 (RTL-REM151) The harbour at Horta in the Azores is busy during war as HMCS WASAGA makes a stop, with a Pan-American flying boat and Liberty Ship in Feb / Mar 1944 (RTL-REM152) Portuguese destroyer VOUGA at Ponta del Gada, Azores in Feb / Mar 1944
(RTL-REM119) HMCS WASAGA passing the lighthouse on the Isle of Wight while entering Portsmouth harbour (RTL-REM125) Two sailors from HMCS WASAGA, Ross Milligan on the left, take a moment on shore leave to feed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square, London (RTL-REM126) Unknown ships in #3 Basin in Plymouth, UK. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-REM126) (RTL-REM001) Ross Milligan by the forward gun mount on HMCS WASAGA, Plymouth, England - 1944 (RTL-REM002) Ross Milligan onboard HMCS WASAGA, Plymouth, England - 1944
(RTL-REM101) HMCS WASAGA arriving in Londonderry - 1944 (RTL-REM102) HMCS WASAGA transiting the River Foyle - 1944 (RTL-REM103) HMCS WASAGA transiting Lough Foyle near the Eire coastline - 1944
(RTL-REM104) Americans fill the streets of Cherbourg, France as HMCS WASAGA'S ship's company enjoy shore leave in the French port (RTL-REM105) View of the outer harbour at the port in Cherbourg, France (RTL-REM106) HMCS MULGRAVE J31 at Cherbourg, France (RTL-REM107) Old fort at the entrance to Cherbourg, France. Fortified by the Germans and heavily shelled by the allies in retaking the French port (RTL-REM108) Ross Miligan (right) with shipmate from HMCS WASAGA in Cherbourg, France
(RTL-REM109) HMCS WASAGA'S funnel with the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla badge (RTL-REM110) HMCS WASAGA during minesweeping operations off the coast of France (RTL-REM111) HMCS WASAGA during minesweeping operations off the coast of France (RTL-REM112) Sailors from HMCS WASAGA take a break during minesweeping operations off the coast of France in 1944 (RTL-REM113) Sailors from HMCS WASAGA take a break during minesweeping operations off the coast of France in 1944
(RTL-REM114) A mine that was cut free surface near HMCS WASAGA. Note the splash and spray from machine gun fire as they fire on the mine to detonate it (RTL-REM115) A mine is detonated / destroyer astern of HMCS WASAGA (RTL-REM116) "Mine sleeping" - sailors on HMCS WASAGA take a break during minesweeping operations off the coast of France in 1944 (RTL-REM0117) A minesweeping paravane is released from HMCS WASAGA during minesweeping operations off the coast of France in 1944 (RTL-REM118) Minesweeping gear on HMCS WASAGA
(RTL-REM120) HMCS WASAGA passes a Liberty Ship in Cherbourg Harbour, France (RTL-REM122) American battleship off the coast of France (RTL-REM124) Ships off the coast of France (RTL-REM127) A minelayer passes by HMCS WASAGA (RTL-REM137) An MTB passes by HMCS WASAGA
(RTL-REM138) USS AUGUSTA, Northampton class heavy cruiser (RTL-REM139) Unknown allied destroyer (RTL-REM141) Rocket landing craft, HMS LCT(R) 481 off Normandy Jun 1944 (RTL-REM142) USN LST (Landing Ship Tank) off Normandy Jun 1944 (RTL-REM143) HM LCT (Landing Craft Tank) off Normandy Jun 1944
(RTL-REM144) Gate Vessel, HMS WESTLYN Z154 in 1944 (RTL-REM145) Landing Craft Infantry off Normandy in Jun 1944
(RTL-REM0130) Ross Milligan stands in the hole in HMCS WASAGA's port side created when the danlayer HMS SURSAY had sliced into the minesweeper on 11 April 1945. The collision hit the seaman's mess and playing cards can be seen strewn on the deck (RTL-REM131 / RTL-REM132) With the port side of her hull sliced open by the danlayer HMS SURSAY, HMCS WASAGA's damage control parties used all material at hand to brace the minesweepers hull on 11 April 1945. Heavy shoring for hull support and tables to increase freeboard (RTL-REM134) With a sister ship alongside, sailors from both ships inspect the damage to HMCS WASAGA port side hull following a collision with the danlayer HMS SURSAY on 11 April 1945.
(RTL-REM140) Captured Auxiliary German Minesweeper FGi07. FGi07 surrendered to the 31st MSF in May 1945. Her surrender was accepted by HMCS THUNDER J156 (RTL-REM128 / RTL-REM129) Captured German submarine, U1023 is on display in Falmouth, UK after the war. She was later scuttled as part of Operation DEADLIGHT.
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For Posterity's Sake 
