HMCS ANNAN K404

River Class Frigate

Built by Hall Russell & Co. Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, she was launched on 29 Dec 1943 as HMS ANNAN. Named after a river in Scotland, she was transferred newly built from the RN to the RCN at Aberdeen on 13 Jun 1944 and commissioned as HMCS ANNAN K404. On completion of workups at Tobermory, she joined EG 6, Londonderry, for patrol and escort duties in U.K. waters. On 16 Oct 1944, while on A/S patrol south of the Faeroes, she engaged and sank U 1006, rescuing 46 survivors. During the action, the sub surfaced and opened fire with her deck guns.

The following is a quote from Lawrence Restall, Radar Operator on HMCS NEW WATERFORD. "Sub surfaces and opens fire. Now evening. We fired star shells and 20mm guns with red tracers. Sub used green tracers. Eight men injured on HMCS ANNAN, 46 survivors picked up from sub, many injured including sub c/o. brought to our ship for medical treatment.  HMCS ANNAN's Gunnery Officer wounded and lost a kidney; W/T Operator blinded in one eye; Radar Operator wounded in groin." 

In Apr 1945, EG 6 was transferred to Halifax, but ANNAN sailed for the U.K. on 20 May 1945 and was handed back to the RN at Sheerness on 20 Jun 1945. In Nov 1945 she was sold to the Dutch Navy and re-named Niels Ebbesen. She was broken up at Odense, Denmark, in 1963.

U-Boats Sunk:  U-1006 sunk on 16 Oct 1944 by HMCS ANNAN K404 in position 60-59 N, 04-49 W

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

Commanding Officers

A/LCdr Charles Patrick Balfry, RCNR - 13 Jun 1944 - 26 May 1945 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

Former Crew Members

Photos and Documents

(NNN001) Five crew members of HMCS ANNAN K404  //  Garnet Norman Rowntree, Stoker, RCNVR (centre)  //  From the collection of Garnet Norman Rowntree  //  Courtesy of Garnett Rowntree

(NNN002) HMCS ANNAN forward gun crew circa 1945  //  L-R top row: Robinson, Herbert, AB;  Maas, Joseph, AB; Murdock, Ken, LS.  Remainder unidentified  //  Note the ship's mascot on top of the gun.

(NNN003) HMCS ANNAN K404  //  Imperial War Museum photo FL 624

(NNN004) AB Ken Stewart with HMCS ANNAN'S mascot Herbie  //  "No mascot could be more colorful than that of HMCS ANNAN. Their pride and joy is a nine months old ring-tailed monkey that one of the crew, Able Seaman Ken Stewart of Winnipeg bought from a merchant in Liverpool, England. Herbie took to sea like a veteran, and after five months sea time hasn't ever been seasick.  He smokes, drinks, and is very partial to tickling, to which he screeches his protestations."  //  Crow's Nest newspaper - Aug 1945

(NNN005) Radio interview with crew members from HMCS ANNAN after the sinking of U-1006  //  From the collection of Charles Callow  //  Courtesy of Gord Callow

(GGH001) Jacket patch from HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH002) Newspaper article on the sinking of U-1006 by HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH003) Officers on the bridge of HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH004) Officers on the bridge of HMCS ANNAN K404  //  "Balcer (left) - officer on deck"

(GGH005) Convoy seen from HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH006) Sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH007) Sailors in front of the Hedgehog on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH008) Quarter deck and starboard depth charge throwers and rails on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH009) Quarter deck and port depth charge throwers and rails on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH010) HMCS ANNAN in rough seas

(GGH011) HMCS ANNAN K404, Faroe Islands

(GGH012) Four sailors on HMCS ANNAN K404 dressed for foul weather

(GGH013) Sailors on the carley floats on HMCS ANNAN K404  //  George Hone with the arm over his left shoulder

(GGH014) George Hone on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH015) George Hone with shipmates

(GGH016) George Hone with HMCS ANNAN'S mascot

(GGH017) George Hone on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH018) Unknown officers on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH019) Unknown sailor on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH020) Officers on the bridge of HMCS ANNAN K404  //  Howitt (background), Salsbury (foreground)

(GGH021) John Stronski on watch on HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH022) HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH023) LCdr Charles Patrick Balfry, DSC, Commanding Officer, HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH024) HMCS ANNAN K404 rescuing survivors from a merchant ship

(GGH025) HMCS ANNAN K404 rescuing survivors from a merchant ship

(GGH026) Telegraphist Pringle who lost an eye during the battle between HMCS ANNAN K404 and U-1006

(GGH027) Unknown sub astern of HMCS ANNAN K404

(GGH028) Sunderland flying boat

(GGH029) Survivors in motorboat

(GGH030) Merchant ship Whitticker, bridge blown back over the ship

From the collection of George Hone, RCNVR

Courtesy of Randy Hone