For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

 

They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Robert Albert Hammer

 

Petty Officer 2nd Class, 16441, RCN

 

Born: 02 Jun 1934, Barrie, Ontario

 

Died: 11 Jun 1963

 

Book of Remembrance

 

HAMMER, Robert Albert, PO2, N16441, RCN - 880 ANTI-SUBMARINE SQUADRON, HMCS BONAVENTURE - Son of Robert and Isabel F. Hammer; husband of Theresa E. Hammer; father of Judith A., Catherine I, Robert L, Michael P, Richard W. and Gwenn L. Hammer.

 

On 11 Jun 1963, a Tracker from 880 Squadron, while performing operational training several miles from the aircraft carrier, inadvertently flew too low allowing the port wingtip to strike the ocean below. The aircraft immediately and violently cartwheeled over the surface of the water. The co-pilot managed to escape through the shattered cockpit side window and one of the crewmen exited using his overhead hatch. Although SIKORSKY 55877 quickly recovered the two survivors from the water there was no trace of the remaining two crew members. A search continued throughout the morning but was unsuccessful.

 

Ships served in:

HMCS QUEBEC

HMCS BONAVENTURE - VS-880 Anti-Submarine Squadron

 

 


 

In Service of Canada - RCN Peacetime Casualty Index

 

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