In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

Charles Atkins

 

Leading Telegraphist, V33304, RCNVR

 

Born: 18 Feb 1916, Montreal, Quebec

 

Died: 22 Jan 1968, Cooksville, Ontario

 

ATKINS, Charles - ATKINS, Charles - was born February 18, 1916 in Montreal and died January 22, 1968 in Cooksville Ontario (now downtown Mississauga). His parents were James Henry Atkins and Hannah Eliza Atkins (née Barsby). Charles had three brothers, Leslie, Alfred and James and one sister Doris. James served in WW2 as a Halifax Bomber Pilot. Charles was employed in the accounting department of J. Walter Thompson Advertising from 1936 to 1941, and joined the RCNVR September 23, 1941. He trained at St. Hyacinth as a Telegraphist and served in HMCS Fredericton from August 22, 1942 to October 13, 1944, then in HMCS Red Deer from January 11, 1945 to June 23, 1945. On October 21, 1944 Charles married Winifred Mary Strain. They had two children, Terence Charles and Lorne Eric. After the war, Charles went back to his former job and in 1955 moved to Cooksville and eventually became Traffic and Production Manager for Foster Advertising in Toronto. Charles was a very friendly, easy going man who got along with everyone. On his grave is written “To Know him is to Love him”. A very true statement.

 

Ships served in:

MONTREAL DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 23 Sep 1941. Commenced Active Service 29 Jan 1942

HMCS ST HYACINTHE - Drafted to ST HYACINTHE 02 Apr 1942 as an OS W/T RCNVR

* Rated O/Tel 02 13 Jun 1942

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 25 Aug 1942 as an O/Tel, RCNVR

HMCS FREDERICTON - Drafted to FREDERICTON 27 Aug 1942 as a O/Tel, RCNVR

* Rated Tel 29 Jan 1943

HMCS ST HYACINTHE - Drafted to ST HYACINTHE 14 Oct 1944 as a Tel, RCNVR

* Rated A/L/Tel 01 Jan 1945 (Advanced)

HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 02 Jan 1945 as a L/Tel, RCNVR

HMCS RED DEER - Drafted to RED DEER 11 Jan 1945 at a L/Tel, RCNVR

HMCS AVALON - Drafted to AVALON 24 Jun 1945 at a L/Tel, RCNVR

HMCS ST HYACINTHE - Drafted to ST HYACINTHE 27 Jun 1945 as a L/Tel, RCNVR

HMCS DONNACONA - Drafted to DONNACONA 30 Aug 1945 as a L/Tel, RCNVR

* Demobilized 17 Sep 1945

 

     

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(CA00) Portrait of Telegraphist Charles Atkins

(CA01) Service documents for Charles Atkins

(CA02) Cap tallies, rank and trade badges

 

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(CA03) Seaman Charles Atkins with his mother, Hanna in Montreal

(CA04) Seaman Charles Atkins in Montreal

(CA05) Unknown couple in Montreal

 


 

HMCS ST HYACINTHE

 

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(CA06-CA10) Heading to HMCS ST HYACINTHE from Halifax

(CA09) Training Station, Moncton, NB

 

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(CA11-CA12) Heading to HMCS ST HYACINTHE from Halifax

 

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(CA13-CA15) Divisions at HMCS ST HYACINTHE

(CA13) Markers falling in on the double

 

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(CA16-CA18) Charles Atkins (top, bottom, left) with friend, St Hyacinthe, Quebec

(CA17) photo taken on the walkway along the Yamaska River, St Hyacinthe, Quebec

(CA19-CA20) Charles Atkins, St Hyacinthe, Quebec

 

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(CA21-CA23) Charles Atkins and Winifred Strain, St Hyacinthe, Quebec

 


 

HALIFAX, NS

 

 

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(CA24) Charles Atkins (left) with unknown friend in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax

(CA25) Charles Atkins in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax

(CA26) Unknown friend of Charles Atkins' in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax

(CA27) Approaches to Halifax harbour

(CA28) Unknown corvette underway near Halifax

 

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(CA29) Diving Tender No. 4 in Halifax. Unknown Minesweeper on the left side of photo

(CA30) Diver going into the water from Diving Tender # 4, Halifax

(CA31) USN landing craft in the approaches to Halifax harbour

 


 

HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA32-CA33) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 (RCN photos)

(CA34) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - Nov 1943 (RCN photo)

(CA35) Gunshield art of HMCS FREDERICTON K245 moved to the bridge face

 

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(CA36) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 Ship's Company Photo - Christmas 1942

(CA37) Unknown Leading Seaman on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - Christmas 1942

(CA38) L-R: Charles Atkins (centre) and one of the other 2 sailors is named Holton on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - Christmas 1942

(CA39) Charles Atkins, (back, centre) with unknown shipmates on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - Christmas 1942

 

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(CA40) Unknown sailors onboard HMCS FREDERICTON K245 in Halifax

(CA41) Turner, Tabah, Charleton, Mattson and Seymore on the jetty by HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA42) Unknown sailor on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - possibly in the radio room

(CA43) Unknowns sailors horsing around on the fo'c's'le of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA44) Unknown sailors on the flag deck of HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - The 3 standing are Telegraphists

(CA45) Unknown sailors on the flag deck of HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - the sailor on the left is a Signalman

(CA46)  Unknown sailors on the flag deck of HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - The 3 standing are Telegraphists

(CA47) Unknown sailor on the flag deck of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA48) A.J. Moore in the wheelhouse of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA49) Unknown sailor in the wheelhouse of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA50) Bob Mattson on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA51) Jim Turner in a mess deck on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA52) Statebury in a mess deck on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA53) Gun deck and bridge on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA54) Two unknown cooks on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 in New York

(CA55) .50 cal machine gun on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA56) USN Patrol Craft PC543 and Tug YT-344 - New York, NY

 

 

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(CA57-CA59) HMCS HALIFAX K237

 

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(CA60) Little Abner on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 in Boston

(CA61) Boston harbour

(CA62) Two USN Patrol Craft alongside in Boston. PC554 outboard

(CA63) Training aircraft flies past HMCS FREDERICTON K245 near Boston

(CA64) HMCS OSHAWA J330

 

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(CA65-CA68) Unknown US merchantman passes by HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA69-CA70) USN Blimp escorting convoy near Boston

(CA71-CA73) HMCS ASSINIBOINE I18

 

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(CA74) Charles Atkins on the fo'c's'le of  HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA75) Unknown sailor on the fo'c's'le of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA76) Charles Atkins in the radio room of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA77) Charles Atkins with the ship's mascot looking out the scuttle of the radio room on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA78) Charles Atkins (foreground) enjoying some Caribbean sun on the fo'c's'le of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA79) Sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS FREDERICTON K245. Charles Atkins, rear, 1st on left

(CA80) Sailors taking in the Caribbean sun on the fo'c's'le of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA81) HMS ILEX I61 at anchor, Cuba

(CA82-CA83) Aircraft taking off in harbour, Cuba

 

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(CA84) Corvette USS Fury, Cuba

(CA85) Destroyer USS SIMPSON, Cuba

(CA86) Unknown warship in harbour, Cuba

(CA87) Various ships in harbour, Cuba

(CA88) Aircraft passing tankers while landing / taking off in harbour, Cuba

 

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(CA89-CA90) Local passenger ferries in Cuba

(CA91) Charles Atkins (left) and Seymour on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 in Cuba

(CA92) Newton (left) and Seymour on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 in Cuba

(CA93) Charles Atkins on HMCS FREDERICTON K246 in Cuba 

 

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(CA94) Unknown sailor on HMCS FREDERICTON K245, Cuba

(CA95) Seymore (left) and Gunnery Officer Hardy on HMCS FREDERICTON K245, Cuba

(CA96) Swales on lookout on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA97) Robinson and Fraser (closest with back to camera) having a friendly match on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA98) Unknown officer and sailor on HMCS FREDERICTON  K245, port side just aft the gun deck. It looks like the officer is squaring off for some fisticuffs

 

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(CA99) Seymour with his mic slung on the upper decks on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA100) Unknown sailor sleeping in his mic, slung on the upper decks, on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA101) Fraser asleep in his mic on the upper decks at sea on HMCS FREDERICTON K245 while another sailor slings his mic

(CA102) HMCS FREDERICTON'S boat swung out ready for use. A sailor is in the boat checking the lines.

(CA103) A tattered ensign flying from HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA104-CA105) A calm day at sea. Sailors on the port and starboard side of the fo'c's'le of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA106-CA107) A couple flying fish whose day didn't end so well on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

 

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(CA108) HMCS SUDBURY K162

(CA109) Unknown Allied sub and escort vessels

 

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(CA110) Convoy from Cuba to New York

 

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(CA111) Convoy from Cuba to New York

(CA112) Merchant ships and escorts in harbour

(CA114) Merchant ship with MAC off its port bow

(CA115) Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) in convoy

 

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(CA117) Merchant ship with 2 tugs secured to her deck

 

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(CA118) Unknown frigate transiting the River Foyle

(CA119) Unknown River Class destroyer transiting the River Foyle

(CA120) The River Foyle, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

(CA121-CA122) Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

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(CA123-CA125) Londonderry, Northern Ireland

(CA126) The Diamond War Memorial, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

(CA127) Two unknown sailors, presumably from HMCS FREDERICTON K245, ashore in Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

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(CA128) Charles Atkins (left) and 2 shipmates ashore in Northern Ireland

(CA129) Charles Atkins and shipmate ashore in Northern Ireland

(CA130) Two sailors from HMCS FREDERICTON K235 ashore (with Charles Atkins) in Northern Ireland

 

 

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(CA131) Ship's mascot sitting on a receiver in the Radio Room of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA132) Charles Atkins at the signal light on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA133) Unknown sailor reading a book on the bridge of HMCS FREDERICTON K145 - This photo was taken after her refit from Jun-Oct 1943.

 

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(CA134) Fishing schooner off the coast of Newfoundland

(CA135) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 approaching the entrance to St. John's Harbour. Cabot Tower can bee seen on the left

(CA136) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 transiting the narrows in the St. John's Harbour

(CA137-CA138) HMS MOYLA K260 in harbour at St. John's

 

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(CA139) HMS HASTING U27 in harbour at St. John's

(CA140) HMCS AVALON II - depot / accommodation ship at St. John's

(CA141) Torpedoed merchantman in harbour awaiting repairs at St. John's

(CA142) Warships in St. John's Harbour.  HMCS PROVIDER F94 at anchor with Fairmiles and a derrick barge secured alongside her

(CA144) St. John's, Newfoundland with an unknown warship tied up at the jetty

 

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(CA145-CA146) Wrens on board HMCS FREDERICTON K245 at St. John's

(CA147-CA148) USN Support ship alongside at St. John's

 

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(CA149-CA152) Icebergs and pack-ice off the coast of Newfoundland

 

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(CA153-CA155) Fo'c's'le and gun deck of HMCS FREDERICTON K245 - North Atlantic

(CA156) Minesweeping gear on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA157) Starboard side of HMCS FREDERICTON K245 looking aft from the boat deck

 

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(CA158-CA159) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 in heavy seas in the North Atlantic

(CA160) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 preparing to launch the ship's boat.  Unknown coastline in the background

(CA161) Unknown sailor on the after end of the boat deck on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA162) Unknown sailor on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA163-164) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 receiving depth charges from a merchant ship by jackstay

(CA165) Unknown sailor on look-out by an Oerlikon on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA166) Unknown sailors on the bridge wing of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA167-CA171) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 heavily iced-up after a winter crossing in the North Atlantic

(CA171) Unknown officer on the boat deck of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA172-CA175) HMCS FREDERICTON K245 stern fueling from a MAC while in convoy

 

 

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(CA176) Unknown River class destroyer (left) and the corvette HMCS MATAPEDIA K112 in the approaches to St. John's, Nfld. Cabot Tower visible on the upper left of the shore

(CA177) HMCS OAKVILLE K178

(CA178) Corvettes in line ahead formed up astern of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 

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(CA179-CA180) Boat work at sea at various times

 

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(CA182) Unknown allied submarine astern of HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA183) Seymour looking out a scuttle on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA184) Unknown sailors looking out the scuttle on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

(CA185) Unknown officer on HMCS FREDERICTON K245

 


 

HMCS RED DEER J255

 

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(CA186) HMCS RED DEER J255

(CA187) Charles Atkins in the bridge window of HMCS RED DEER J255 in St. John's

(CA188) Charles Atkins by the ready use ammunition locker HMCS REED DEER J255 in St. John's

(CA189) Unknown sailor by the ready use ammunition locker on HMCS RED DEER J255 in St. John's

(CA190) Unknown sailor on top of the bridge of HMCS RED DEER J255

 

 

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(CA191) Unknown sailor by a depth charge on HMCS RED DEER J255 in St. John's

(CA192) Two unknown sailors by the ship's work boat on HMCS RED DEER J255. Shoreline of Newfoundland in the back ground

(CA193) A quiet day in the radio room of HMCS RED DEER J255 while alongside in St. John's

 

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(CA194) Unknown officer with a woman (possibly a wren) by the bridge Oerlikon of HMCS RED DEER J255. Iceberg and the coast of Newfoundland in the background

(CA195) Depth charge exploding astern of HMCS RED DEER J255

(CA196) Looking aft from the boat deck of HMCS RED DEER J255

(CA197) Unknown officer by the ready use ammunition locker on HMCS RED DEER J255

(CA198) Unknown officer by forward gun on HMCS RED DEER J255 in Halifax

 


 

Photos taken while Charles Atkins was drafted to either RED DEER or FREDERICTON

 

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(CA199) Looking ashore though the gun shield of an Oerlikon

(CA200) Coast of Newfoundland

(CA201) Royal Navy submarine HMS P553

(CA202-CA203) Hospital ship Lady Rodney

 

 

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(CA204) Unknown sailor at HMC NAVAL CAMP, a rest camp for sailors, near St. John's, Nfld

(CA205) Possibly the flight deck on a MAC

(CA206) Unknown sailor asleep on a train

 


 

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