Robert Ainsworth Freeman, Signalman, RCNVR

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

Robert Ainsworth Freeman

Signalman, V31608, RCNVR

Born: 22 Feb 1923, Willesden, England

Died: 03 Oct 1977, Montreal, Quebec

FREEMAN, Robert Ainsworth (Bob) - was born Feb 22, 1923 in Willesden, England. He and his parents, Ainsworth and Dorothy, immigrated to Canada on Apr 5, 1931 settling in St. Andrew's by the Sea, N.B. After finishing school in 1940, in October he joined Canadian Pacific Railway in Montreal. In Feb 1942 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy in the Volunteer Reserve and served as a Signalman on various convoy patrol vessels until the September 7, 1945.He rejoined the CPR working in their Accounting Department at Windsor Station in Montreal. He married Winona (Nony) Parks of Lunenburg NS on Sept 25, 1945 and they settled in Greenfield Park, Quebec thereafter. They raised 4 children Marylou, Rodney, Heather and Kim. He was active in the Royal Canadian Legion, St. Paul's Anglican Church, and for many years sang in the St. Lambert Saint's Chorus and quartets (the High Five Four) in the SPEBSQSA - the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America Inc. He passed away on October 3, 1977 following a yearlong battle with lung cancer. He was buried on Oct 6 at the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. (Bio submitted by son Rod Freeman)

Ships served in:

HMCS MONTREAL - Enlisted 28 Feb 1942. Commenced Active Service 01 Apr 1942 as an Ordinary Seaman V/S, RCNVR

HMCS ST HYACINTHE - Drafted to ST HYACINTHE 22 Jul 1942

* Rated Ordinary Signalman, RCNVR 04 Sep 1942

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 24 Nov 1942

HMCS FENNEL - Drafted to FENNEL27 Nov 1942

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 11 Dec 1942

HMCS FRENCH - Drafted to FRENCH 14 Jan 1943

* Rated Signalman, RCNVR 01 Apr 1943

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 21 Sep 1944

HMCS NORANDA - Drafted to NORANDA 29 Sep 1944

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 16 Jul 1945