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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
ROURKE, Thomas James, PO.MM, V11392, RCNVR, died - 14 Apr 1943, HPDC D15 (HMCS CAPTOR) - Son of Gertrude Shortt, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; husband of Wilma E. Rourke, of Levis.-
Petty Officer Rourke died when his ship, HDPC D15, capsized and sank in the main channel at the entrance to Saint John Harbour, NB, during a storm on 14 Apr 1943. His body was recovered and he was buried in the Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec City, Quebec.
Petty Officer Thomas Rourke, who had been a resident of Saint John for the last four months, was born in Ireland, and made his home in Canada in Saskatoon, Sask. He joined the navy in March 16, 1940 and was stationed in Halifax for two years previous to his coming to Saint John. His wife is the former Miss Wilma Weyman of Levis, Que., and came to Saint John with him on his transfer here. Their home in this city was at 83 Hazen Street. Besides his wife, to whom he was married in March of 1941 at Levis, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. J.F. Shortt, Saskatoon; his grandmother, by whom he was brought up, Mrs. S. Ward, Saskatoon and one uncle, Chief Petty Officer D. Ward, stationed at Prince Rupert, B.C.
Ships served in: SASKATOON DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 16 Mar 1940 * Commenced Active Service 20 Mar 1940 as a Motor Mechanic, RCNVR HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 20 Mar 1940 HMCS CARIBOU - Drafted to CARIBOU 19 Jun 1940 HMCS VENTURE - Drafted to VENTURE for "C&M Party" 03 Dec 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA for "C&M Party" 01 May 1942 HDPC D15 - Drafted to HDPC D15 02 Jan 1943
Service File for Thomas Rourke Library and Archives of Canada
(below) Article on the sinking of HDPC 15
Click on the article to view a larger image
Second World War Casualty Index
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