They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Ernest George (Ernie) Mills, M.I.D.

 

Chief Engine Room Artificer, 21508, RCN

 

Born: 13 Jun 1916, Grimsby, England

 

Died: 29 Apr 1944 at sea

 

Book of Remembrance

 

MILLS, Ernest George, CERA, 21508, RCN, MPK - 29 Apr 1944, HMCS ATHABASKAN - Son of Ivy Mills, Victoria, British Columbia; Husband of Agnes Mills, Saanich, British Columbia.

 

CERA Mills was awarded MID for his actions after HMCS ATHABASKAN was struck by a glider bomb on 27 Aug 1943.

 

CERA Mills died when his ship, HCMS ATHABASKAN, was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on 29 Apr 1944.  CERA Mills had been relieved on ATHABASKAN as CERA by Vic Brighten. He had stayed on board ship a couple of extra days to completed the turn-over as it was taking longer than anticipated.

 


 

Citation for Mentioned in Despatches:

 

MILLS, Ernest George, Chief Engine Room Artificer, 21508, Mention in Despatches, RCN, HMCS ATHABASKAN - Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 29 April 1944 and London Gazette of 11 January 1944. 

 

"For courage and seamanship in bringing their ship, HMCS ATHABASKAN, safely to port after she was damaged."

 


 

Ships served in:

HMCS NADEN - Enlisted 03 Feb 1938 as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, RCN

HMCS ST LAURENT - Drafted to ST LAURENT 26 Apr 1938

* Rated Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, RCN 03 Feb 1939

* Rated Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class, RCN 03 Dec 1940

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 16 Apr 1941

HMCS ST LAURENT - Drafted to ST LAURENT 21 May 1941

* Rated Chief Engine Room Artificer, RCN 01 Dec 1941

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 30 Jun 1942

HMCS NIOBE - Drafted to NIOBE 06 Aug 1942

HMCS ATHABASKAN - Drafted to ATHABASKAN 04 Feb 1943

 

Documents from the Service File of Ernest Mills

 


 

Second World War Casualty Index

 

HOME PAGE     SHIP INDEX      CONTACT