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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
GARLAND, Melvin, AB, 40815, RCN, MPK - 13 Sep 1942, HMCS OTTAWA - Son of Frederick Marshall Garland and Katherine Garland, of Vancouver, British Columbia.
AB Garland died when HMCS OTTAWA H60 was torpedoed and sunk by U-91 on 13 Sep 1942. Of her crew of 175, plus 50 survivors they had picked up, there were only 69 survivors.
Able Seaman Melvin Garland, age 20 is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Marshall Garland and Katherine Garland, of 2195 West Seventh, Vancouver, British Columbia. Born in New Westminster, he attended Lord Tennyson and Kitsilano Junior and Senior High School in Vancouver and enlisted in the navy in November 1940. Able Seaman Garland played rugby for Kitsilano and was employed at Burrard Drydock for a short time before joining the navy. Besides his parents the young seaman leaves six sisters and two brother's, one of whom is serving with the Canadian army overseas.
Ships served in: HMCS NADEN - Enlisted 29 Nov 1940. Commenced Active Service 29 Nov 1940 as a Probationer Steward, RCNVR * Transferred to the RCN 25 Feb 1941 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCN HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 26 Feb 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 01 Aug 1941 HMCS OTTAWA - Drafted to OTTAWA 03 Sep 1941 * Rated Able Seaman 02 Jan 1942 HMCS AVALON - Drafted to AVALON 08 Jul 1942 HMCS OTTAWA - Drafted to OTTAWA 07 Aug 1942
(MG01) Mel Garland - "From Vancouver - He did not survive. Photo taken at St. John's, Newfoundland" // From the collection of Norman Wilson, QRII, RCNVR (MG02) Article on the death of AB Melvin Garland (MG03) Documents from the Service File of Melvin Garland
The photo below was in the service file of AB Melvin Garland. Melvin is listed as missing presumed killed. There is no indication his body was recovered and subsequently buried at sea. It is not know if the sailor being carried is AB Garland or some other sailor.
Unknown sailor / casualty RCN neg # 04464
Second World War Casualty Index
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