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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
RALPH, George, AB LR III, 4122, RCN, MPK - 07 May 1944, HMCS VALLEYFIELD - Son of George Ralph, and of Mary Ralph, of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Able Seaman Ralph died when his ship, HMCS VALLEYFIELD, was torpedoed and sunk on 07 May 1944 by U-548. Of her crew of 163, there were only 38 survivors.
George Ralph was born on September 23, 1923 at Vancouver, BC. He was the son of Mary Ralph of 257 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver and the late George Ralph. His parents were married in 1917 at Vancouver, BC. George had two older brothers, John William and Daniel McPherson Ralph and one younger sister, Violet Mary Ralph. George enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy on January 27, 1941 at Esquimalt, BC as a boy sailor at the age of 17 years and four months. His stature was 5 feet 11 inches, chest 36. His occupation at the time of his enlistment was fisherman, and his residence was Quathiaski Cove, BC. On his 18th birthday he signed up for a seven year engagement, official number 4122. George underwent naval training at the shore establishments HMCS NADEN in Victoria and at HMCS STADACONA in Halifax and on armed merchant cruiser HMS RANPURA; armed yacht HMCS BEAVER; and destroyer HMCS RESTIGOUCHE prior to his posting to Corvette K234 HMCS REGINA on January 21, 1942 for sea duties. He was promoted to the rank of Able Seaman, Gunner on July 5, 1942. AB Ralph joined HMCS REGINA one day after her commissioning. Able Seaman Ralph served for 609 days on REGINA and was present on 45 convoys including Mediterranean and Africa patrols in addition to protecting the Halifax, Boston, and New York to the United Kingdom convoys. From September through November 1943 he underwent further training ashore. George was posted to Frigate K329 HMCS VALLEYFIELD on December 8, 1943, once again, one day after her commissioning. This new ship was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U548 on May 7, 1944, 50 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland during her fourth convoy escort duty. One hundred and twenty-five of her ship's company of 164 personnel were lost when the ship exploded and sunk within five minutes of the torpedo striking the ship’s ammunition magazine. AB Ralph was listed as missing - presumed dead. George Ralph’s name is engraved on the Halifax Memorial. Honours and Awards: 1939 – 45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Medal & Clasp; CVSM & Clasp; War Medal
Ships served in: HMCS NADEN - Enlisted as a Boy Seaman, RCN 27 Jan 1941 * Rated Ordinary Seaman, RCN 05 Jul 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 09 Jul 1941 HMS RANPURA - Drafted to RANPURA 15 Jul 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 16 Sep 1941 HMCS RESTIGOUCHE - Drafted to RESTIGOUCHE 17 Sep 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 26 Sep 1941 HMCS BEAVER - Drafted to BEAVER 27 Sep 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 13 Nov 1941 * Rated Layer Rating 34d Class, RCN 03 Jan 192 HMCS REGINA - Drafted to REGINA 21 Jan 1942. Survived the sinking of HMCS REGINA * Rated Able Seaman, RCN 05 Jul 1942 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 22 Sep 1943 HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 24 Sep 1943 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 10 Nov 1943 HMCS HOCHELAGA II - Drafted to HOCHELAGA II 26 Nov 1943 HMCS VALLEYFIELD - Drafted to VALLEYFIELD 08 Nov 1943. Commissioning crew.
Service File for George Ralph Source: The Library and Archives of Canada
Second World War Casualty Index
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