|
They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
BARK, Wilfred, SLt, RCNVR, MPK - 22 Feb 1943, HMCS WEYBURN - Son of Cyril W. and Edith Bark, of Montreal, Quebec.
On February 22, 1943, HMCS WEYBURN K173, was mined by U-118 off the Strait of Gibraltar. The ship was moving up the port wing of a US-bound convoy when the mine exploded on her port side abreast the engine room, which at once flooded, killing one rating. With all of the crew in the water or picked up by HMS WIVERN, and after a bulkhead let go in WEYBURN she sank quickly by the stern. Depth charges that had been jammed by the original explosion and could not be rendered safe, exploded and killed several crew in the water including Sub-Lieutenant Bark. In all, eight R.C.N. crew were killed, including the Commanding Officer Lt. Cdr. Tom Golby who was also killed in the water and 4 R.N. crew members were also killed. Lieutenant William Arthur Bordett Garrard, First Lieutenant in Weyburn and Lieutenant Patrick Sproull Milsom were awarded the MBE; Sub-Lieutenant Bark and Leading Signalman Leonard William Murray were awarded MIDs.
Citation for Mentioned in Despatches: BARK, Wilfred, Sub-Lieutenant, Mentioned in Despatches (Posthumous), RCNVR, HMCS WEYBURN
Awarded as per London Gazette of 1 June 1943. “For gallant rescue work.”
Ships served in: MONTREAL DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 13 Jan 1942. Commenced Active Service 16 Mar 1942 HMCS KINGS - Appointed to KINGS 26 Mar 1942 as a Prob. SLt, RCNVR for training and disposal HMCS WEYBURN - Appointed to WEYBURN 20 Jul 1942 as SLt, RCNVR
(WM01-WM02) Record of Service (WM03) Appointment Certificate to MONTREAL DIVISION RCNVR 13 Jan 1942 (WM04) Appointment Certificate to HMCS HOCHELAGA II for HMCS MONTREAL (reserve division) 16 Mar 1942 and HMCS KINGS 26 Mar 1942 (WM05) Appointment Certificate to Sub-Lieutenant and HMCS WEYBURN 20 Jul 1942
(WB07) Report of Death (WB07-WB09) Telegram and letters to SLt Bark's father
Second World War Casualty Index
|
