HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Tribal Class Destroyer

 


 

 

WE FIGHT AS ONE

 

Signalman William George Stewart, who was lost on 29 April 1944,  designed the ship's badge while serving in ATHABASKAN.

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Battle honours and awards:  Arctic  1943-44,  English Channel  1944

 

 

**  HMCS ATHABASKAN COMMEMORATIVE COIN  **

 

Laid down: 31 Oct 1940

Launched: 15 Nov 1941

Commissioned: 03 Feb 1943

Fate: Sunk 29 Apr 1944

 

Commissioned on 03 Feb 1943 at Newcastle-on-Tyne and assigned to the British Home Fleet, ATHABASKAN left on 29 Mar 1943 to patrol the Iceland-Faeroes Passage for blockade runners. Stress of weather caused hull damage that required five weeks' repairs at South Shields, U.K., following which, in Jun 1943, she took part in Operation Gearbox III, the relief of the garrison at Spitsbergen. On 18 Jun 1943 she collided with the boom defence vessel Bargate at Scapa Flow, occasioning a month's repair at Devonport. In Jul and Aug 1943 she was based at Plymouth, carrying out A/S patrols in the Bay of Biscay, and on 27 Aug 1943 was hit by a glider bomb off the Spanish coast. She managed to reach Devonport, where she remained under repair until 10 Nov 1943; returning to Scapa Flow in Dec 1943. 

 

While on patrol in the Bay of Biscay Patrol area at 13:00 hours on August 27, 1943, HMCS ATHABASKAN was attacked by eighteen enemy Dornier-217s. H.M.S. Egret (British Sloop) was sunk. A glide bomb hit HMCS ATHABASKAN at the junction of "B" gun-deck and the wheel-house. It passed under the plot room, through the Chief Petty Officer's Mess, and out the starboard side. It exploded barely a few feet beyond and bomb fragments pierced HMCS ATHABASKAN'S side and bridge in a number of places. The Captain, Commander Miles was knocked down by the blast and several officers, including Lieutenant-Commander Dunn Lanthier and Sub-Lieutenant John A. Brebner had severe leg injuries. Able Seaman Joseph McGrath, a bridge lookout, died the next day. The crew of "B" gun bore the worst of the injuries with Able Seaman William Pickett and Petty Officer Ernest Latimer being killed. Leading Seaman John Gordon took charge despite the fact that he was injured and several others were burned. Several members of "A" gun were also burned and wounded. Leading Cook Frank Prudhomme also died. HMCS ATHABASKAN took on board the 35 survivors from H.M.S. EGRET. HMCS ATHABASKAN continued on at 14 knots, correcting a serious list to starboard. The ship reached Devonport, where she remained under repair until 10 Nov 1943; returning to Scapa Flow in Dec 1943.

 

In Feb 1944, she rejoined Plymouth Command and was assigned to the newly formed 10th Destroyer Flotilla. On 26 Apr 1944 she assisted in the destruction of German torpedo boat T 29 in the Channel off Ushant, and three days later was sunk by a torpedo from T24 north of the Ile de Bas. Her captain and 128 men were lost, 83 taken prisoner, and 44 rescued by HAIDA.

 

Click here to see a list of convoys escorted by ATHABASKAN during the Second World War

 

The wreckage of HMCS ATHABASKAN was located near the island of Batz in the English Channel. She was found by Jacques Ouchakoff, a French marine historian in 2002 in 90 metres of water. Ottawa Branch member Paul Bender is devoted to protecting RCN shipwrecks and their contents. As direct result of his work, and petitioning the government of France with respect to ATHABASKAN, the French government has placed the wreck, which is in French territorial waters, under the protection of the French Heritage Code, which provides legal protection of the wreck and its contents.

 

Click here to read the letter from the Government of France to Capt Paul Bender, ret'd

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

 


 

Record of 10th Destroyer Flotilla Results - Apr to Sep 1944

 

Lucky to be alive - 04 May 2014          Wartime Diary of Stewart Kettle

 

Plouescat Communal Cemetery, Finistere France - HMCS ATHABASKAN War Dead

 

The case of the phantom MTB and the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN

 


 

30th Anniversary Reunion

 

Remembering HMCS ATHABASKAN - 75 years later by Royal Roads University

 


 

RCN Memories:  Remembering Donald Metcalfe - HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Memories of a POW

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

Capt George Ralph Miles, OBE, RCN - 03 Feb 1943 - 05 Nov 1943

 

LCdr J.H. Stubbs, DSO, RCN - 06 Nov 1943 - 29 Apr 1944

 


 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

ADAMS, John C.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

AGNEW, John

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

ALLISON, Albert E.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

AMIRO, Irvin V.

Tel, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ANNETT, Robert I. L.

SLt (E), RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ARMSTRONG, George

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ASHTON, Percy G.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BARRETT, Arthur E.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

BELL, Donald A.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

BERKELEY, Alfred G.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BERTRAND, Laurent

CPO, RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

BIANCO, Anthony D.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BIEBER, E. Edward

Sto PO, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BLINCH, Harry C.

AB, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BRANDSON, Thomas

Paym/Lt, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BRIGHTEN, Victor H.

ERA 2c, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

BURROW, William O.

LS LR3, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

CHAMBERLAND, Paul

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

COOKMAN, Edgar A.

LS LTO, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

COONEY, Stewart R.

Stwd, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

CORBIERE, Vincent G.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

CORKUM, Gordon F.

AB, RCNR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

COTTRELL, Sydney A.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

CROFT, Moyle H.

AB, RCNR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

CROSS, Alfred T.

Ord. Tel, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

De ARMOND, Gordon

LS, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

DILLEN, Stewart C.

Stwd, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

DION, Albert J. G.

L/Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

EDHOUSE, Donald W.

Sto 2c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

FLEMING, Harold L.

AB A/QRIII, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

FORRON, Jack E. A.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

FRALICK, Earl I.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

FRITH, William A.

LS, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

FULLER, Eugene M.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

GAETANO, Valentino

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

GIBBONS, Marshall L.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

GOLDSMITH, Thomas

CYS, RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

GORDON, Lloyd M.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

GOULET, Robert J.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

GRAINGER, Roy J.

Supply PO, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

GUEST, Earlton G.

AB RDF 1c, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

HAYES, Christopher

LS, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

HEATHERINGTON, John

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

HENRY, Robert J.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

HEYMANN, Hans P.

Writer, Royal Navy

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

HOUISON, George D.

L/Writer, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

HURLEY, Michael P.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

IRVINE, Leonard C.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

IZARD, Theodore D.

Lt (E), RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

JARVIS, Edmund A.

PO A/AA1, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

JOHNSON, Elswood S.

AB SD, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

JOHNSON, Richard R.

L/Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

JOHNSTON, Lawrence

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

KELLY, Lionel D.

Stwd, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

KOBES, John R.

LS, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LAMOUREUX, Andre

LS QR III, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LATIMER, Ernest G.

PO QR II, RCN

killed - 27 Aug 1943

LAWRENCE, Ralph M.

Lt, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LEA, Eric E.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LEDOUX, Louis

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

LEWANDOWSKI, Stanley

Sto 2c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LIND, Mekkel G.

Sto PO, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LOVE, Walter M.

ERA 3c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

LUCAS, Donald O.

Sto 2c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MACAVOY, Gerald W.

PO Ck (O), , RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MACDONALD, Ashley

AB, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MACKENZIE, Alexander

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MAGUIRE, John W.

L/Sto, RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

MAHONEY, John D.

Lt (SP), RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

MANSON, John L.

Cook (O), RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

MATTHEWS, George

AB A/SD, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MCBRIDE, John L.

AB AA III, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

MCCARROLL, Thomas

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MCCRINDLE, William

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MCGRATH, Joseph

AB AAIII, RCNVR

DOW - 28 Aug 1943

MCGREGOR, William

L/Sto, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

MCLEAN, Daniel H.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MCNEIL, John J.

Sto 2c, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

MEADWELL, Richard

AB ST, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MENGONI, Eric J.

AB, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

METCALFE, Donald I.

EA 3c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MILLAR, Victor

AB A/AA3, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MILLS, Ernest G.

CERA, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

MUMFORD, Leonard

ERA 4c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

NASH, Robert A.

SLt, RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

NICHOLAS, Joseph R.

L/Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

OUELLETTE, Joseph

AB A/LR3, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

PEART, Hilbert J.

AB, RCNR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

PHILLIPS, John D.

AB ST, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

PICKETT, William N.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 27 Aug 1943

PIKE, Brenton J.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

POTHIER, Charles L.

AB ST, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

PRUDHOMME, Frank E.

L/Ck (S), RCN

DOW - 28 Aug 1943

RENNIE, John E.

CPO, RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

RIENDEAU, Joseph A. L.

AB, V6869, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ROBERTS, John C.

ERA 4c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

ROBERTS, Raymond L.

AB LR3, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ROBERTSHAW, Eric

AB ST, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ROBERTSON, Ian

AB A/LR3, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ROBERTSON, William

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

ROGER, Leo A.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

ROLLS, Raymond B.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

RUTHERFORD, Norman

PO Radio Mech, RN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

RYAN, Norman V.

AB ST, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

ST. LAURENT, Joseph

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SAMPSON, Francis L.

AB QR III, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

SANDERSON, Earl H.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SENECAL, Jean G. L.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

SHERLOCK, Albert V.

L/Stwd, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SIGSTON, George D.

Cd Gunner (T), RCN

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SINGLETON, John C.

AB A/LR III, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SKYVINGTON, Francis

SBA, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SMITH, Thomas B.

AB A/LR III, RCN

MPK - 27 Aug 1943

SOMMERFELD, Samuel

AB A/AA III, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SOUCISSE, Paul E.

Coder, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

STEVENSON, Elmer H.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

STEWART, John L.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

STEWART, William G.

Sig, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

STOCKMAN, Ernest O.

Lt (E), RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

STUBBS, John H.

LCdr, RCN, C.O.

killed - 29 Apr 1944

SUTHERLAND, John W.

AB LR III, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

SWEET, Charles E.

CPO, RCN

killed - 29 Apr 1944

THOMPSON, Harry

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

TUPPER, Allister R.

OA 4c, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

VAIR, James A.

L/Stwd, RCNR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

VEINOTTE, Joseph V. W.

Supply PO, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

WAITSON, Maurice

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

WALLACE, Peter W.

AB A/AA III, RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

WARD, Leslie

Lt (SB), RCNVR

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

WATSON, Reginald J.

Tel, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

WILLIAMS, Kenneth W.

ERA 4c, RCNR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

WOOD, John A.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

YEADON, Robert L.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 29 Apr 1944

GINGER

Ship's Mascot

MPK - 29 Apr 1944

 

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

(SH) - Survived the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07. Rescued by HAIDA

(SC) - Survived the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07. Rescued by HAIDA'S cutter

(SP) - Survived the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07. Captured, became a POW

A

 

 

B

 

 

C

 

 

D

 

 

E

 

 

F

 

 

G

 

 

H

 

 

J

 

 

K

 

 

L

 

 

M

 

 

N

 

 

P

 

 

R

 

 

S

 

 

T

 

 

W

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

(SP) = Survived the sinking of ATHABASKAN.  Captured by the German forces. Became a POW for duration of war

(SH) - Survived the sinking of ATHABASKAN.  Rescued by HMCS Haida

(SC) - Survived the sinking of ATHABASKAN.  Rescued by HMCS Haida's cutter

 

** The last surviving crewmember of the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 passed away in Oct 2022.  All those listed below as having survived the sinking will be moved to the Crossed the Bar section as time permits.

 

Adams, S., L/Sto, V19451

 

Aikins, James O., OS, V64833, OS - (SH)

 

Alford, W.C., L/Sto, V23389

 

Anderson, H.F., AB,V9893

 

Andrews, C., AB, A4785

 

Anslow, C., PO, 2810

 

Armstrong, SA, V32303

 

Arnold, W.S., AB, 4217

 

Arnott, A.B., AB, V6726

 

Attwood, H.G., L/Tel, V7614

 

Bandick, Paul V., OS, V53713 - (SH)

 

Barkeer, J., Sto, KX165728

 

Barton, John J., ERA 4c, V32345 - (SH)

 

Baskett, H., Tel, V17947

 

Bates, P.J., PO Wrtr, 40578

 

Baxzinet, C., AB, V10407

 

Beach, Ernest Ray, AB, V10831 - (SP) 

 

Beaver, H., Sto, KX154785

 

Beddoe, C.E., PO, V6386

 

Berry, E.K., Sto, V22429

 

Berry W., Sto PO, A2083

 

Bibeault, C.R., Sto 1c, V4497

 

Blain, J., AB, V15267

 

Blain, W., Sto 1c, 31697

 

Blishen, B., SBPO, 40550

 

Bolduc, M., SyPO, 40584

 

Bonhomme, G., OS, V4343

 

Bowell, N.C., AB, 3588

 

Bower, Milton C., AB, A4553 - (SP)

 

Brady, W.E.C., SA, V32338

 

Brebber, G., L/Sto, 21720

 

Brebner, John Atchison, SLt, , O-8460, RCNVR - 03 Feb 1943

 

Brick, C.J., L/Sto, V32949

 

Brooker, P., Sto 2c, DKX178025

 

Brown, J., Cook(S), V42097

 

Burgess, Arthur, AB, V31538 - (SP)

 

Burkholdeer, O.R., Tel, V27970

 

Burkmar, G.P., L/Sig, 2350

 

Burrows, Berchman R., LS, V32266 - (SP)

 

Bush, W.G., AB, V17164

 

Caldwell, F.B., Lt, O-11210

 

Caldwell, John Birch, Lt (E), O-11220, RCN - 03 Feb 1943

 

Caldwell, M.W., AB, V24934

 

Calkins, V., Sto 1c, V16362

 

Calverly, E., PO, 2501

 

Cannon, J., DKX178033

 

Cannon, M., L/Sto, A4414

 

Capson, J.S., AB, V2527

 

Carr, John J., AB, V9472 - (SH)

 

Cattani, Robert F.P., LS, V16567 - (SH)

 

Chadwick, R.G., Sig, V10458

 

Chapman, J., AB, V18017

 

Clark, P.R., AB, V26087

 

Clark, William, Lt, O-14230 - (SP) 

 

Clarke, Stanley, J, AB, V23104 - (SP) 

 

Claxton, L., L/tel, V17413

 

Clearwater, R., LS, 3942

 

Clifford R., L/Sto, 21827

 

Clouthier J., OS, V32156

 

Cockburn, M., LS, V23019

 

Colvin, S., CPO, 2299

 

Comnor, J., Sto, KX106654

 

Cooper, G.E., Sto PO, V19741

 

Cooper, Hector H., SY CPO, 40532 - (SP)

 

Cooper, J., Sto, KX146361

 

Corby, G., L/Sto, KX95735

 

Cordall, A., Sto, KX138070

 

Coughlan, F., LS, V2252

 

Coulter, B.W., AB, V7827

 

Cousins, H., Sig, V7709

 

Cowley, Arthur E., AB, V41591 - (SP)   

 

Cox, A., LS, PJX253699

 

Crews, T.W., AB, A4822

 

Cripps, W., Sto, V32040

 

Daly, F., Sto, DKX598294

 

Dalzell, Robert G., AB, 4141 - (SP)

 

Davenport, J.R., AB, V11861

 

Davey, K., Sig, V9585

 

Davis, A., OS, V31142

 

Davis, T., Sto, DKX 178037

 

Deal, Cornelius O., AB, V31445 - (SP)

 

Decle, d., LS, V5593

 

Dempsey, Frank J., OS, V59818 - (SP)

 

Dempsey, William B., Tel, V33968 - (SH)

 

Dentremont, P.J., AB, A5181

 

Derby, J., Sto PO, V4823

 

Dick, J., L/Sto, VB23988

 

Dick, Stanley R., LS, V7995 - (SP)

 

Docker, T., Wt Eng, O-19940

 

Docksey, D.C., AB, 3745

 

Dodds, James Robert, Surg/Lt, O-19980, RCNVR - 12 Feb 1944

 

Dolan, John J., Sto 1c, V35529 - (SP)

 

Downey, John,Sig,  V23421 - (SP)

 

Doyle, J., Sto, KX121868

 

Drone, W., Shipwright 4c, V44404

 

Dukin, C., L/Cook(S), DMX68391

 

Dunden, J., CXook(S), V38381

 

Dunnell, Stephen T., Ordnance Artificer 2c, V30419 - (SP)

 

Dykes, James Grant, Paym/Lt, RCNVR

 

Eady, Thomas G., Sig, V19177 - (SC)

 

Eastwood, Whitley Joseph, Lt, O-21660, RCNVR - 03 Feb 1943

 

Edwards, John, AB, V12916 - (SH)

 

Ellis, C., Sto, KX146777

 

Ellis, F.W., PO Stwd, A2039

 

Evans, James E., CPO, 2390 - (SP)

 

Evans, L.M., CERA, V21506

 

Faulkner, C., Sto 1c, 3114

 

Fee, H., ERA 5c, V40148

 

Fennel, W., Sto 2c, V27390

 

Figg, R.A., LS, 3847

 

Frame, D.W., AB, V4974

 

Freisen, R.W., LS, 3682

 

Fyfe, James G., Surg. Lt., O-25690 - (SP)

Gallant, Paul G., AB, A1889 - (SP)

 

George, J.A., L/Stwd, V9714

 

Gibson, E., Sto PO, KX78170

 

Gloeckler, L., Stwd, 40708

 

Googan, A., Mechanic, KX30409

 

Gordon, John O., AB, V8281

 

Goulet, Antoine A., Sto1c, V42224 - (SP)

 

Goulet, J.G.A., PO, V6627

 

Gracie, Robert B., Sto 1c, V36493 - (SH)

 

Greenhalg, J., Sto 1c, V35670

 

Guertin, J.T., OS, V31857

 

Gunter, J., L/Sto, KX95064

 

Haggett, T., Cook, MX53621

 

Hamlett, W., Sto, KX163442

 

Handy, H.A., Sto 1c, V26959

 

Harbour, F.R., LS, V4150

 

Harold, C.W., AB, V9948

 

Hawes, C., AB, V19630

 

Hayes, William, L/Coder, V8722 - (SH)

 

Hearl, John H., AB, V69248 - (SP)

 

Hearn, J.H., ERA, V39837

 

Herring, R., AB, V1557

 

Hesler, Geoffrey, Cook(S), V23323 - (SP) 

 

Hingston, F., Chief Mech., D307084

 

Holwell, John B., AB, V8875 - (SP) 

 

Hopkins, Robert W., Sto 1c, V35886 - (SP)

 

Hopkins, W., Sto, KX153590

 

Howard, George C., AB, V1468 - (SP)

 

Howard, William S., ERA 5c, V40160 - (SH)

 

Howell, C., AB, V22248

 

Hoyle, T.P., AB, V17213

 

Hubbard, Frederick M., Sto PO, V44405 - (SP)

 

Hunt, S., L/Sto, k60596

 

Jackson, A., L/Coder, V8520

 

Jackson, E.R., Sto 2c, V17904

 

Jako, Leonard W., L/Sto, 21818 - (SH)

 

James, A., Sto, KX597948

 

Jarvis, D., Sto, KX165761

 

Jennings, M.A., LS, 4085

 

Jewett, G., PO, 2227

 

Johnson, C., L/Sto, V2401

 

Johnson, Ira Freeman, CPO, 2792 - (SP)

 

Johnson, L., AB, V23858

 

Johnston, C., Sto, KX134508

 

Jollicliffe, T., Sto, KX115716

 

Jones, E., Sto, KX178054

 

Jones, F.E., L/Stwd, A2736

 

Jones, W., OS, V31862

 

Jordan, A., Sto, KX162301

 

Kane, John F., LS, V8971 - (SH)

 

Keane, E., Sto, KX111355

 

Kennedy, G.S., Sto 1c, 21770

 

Kent, B.A., AB, A4880

 

King, John A.C., AB, V48770 - (SP)

 

King, W., L/Sto, KX93598

 

Kinisky, F., Tel, V12548

 

Kirby, W., OS, JX557472

 

Kirkby, A., AB, A4079

 

Kirkendale, G., Chief E.A., 40445

 

Kirkpatrick, J., L/Stwd, V13662

 

Laidler, John, AB, V11667 - (SP) 

 

Lambert, William S., Tel, V5883 - (SH) 

 

Lamoureux, Andre, LS, V4348 - (SP)

 

Latimer, E., PO, 2418

 

Lauder, G.A., LS, 3115

 

Lawson, C., Sto PO, A3315

 

Legh, Norris J., L/Coder, V36139 - (SH)

 

Leighton, S., Sto, KX76918

 

Liggat, AB, Sto 1c, V37475

 

Liversidge, R.A., PO, 2601

 

Love, Alexander W.R., C/Sto, V8620 - (SH)

 

Love, J., Sto, KX135016

 

Lowe, C.D., AB, C17674

 

Lowther, W.H., Sto 1c, V8813

 

MacDonald, Hugh T., Sto 2c, V58962 - (SH)

 

MacGregor, K., AB, A5423

 

MacKenna, J., Sto, KX597970

 

MacKenzie, C., OS, V1705

 

Madden, D., Sto, KX525986

 

Maggs, J., ERA, M20707

 

Mancor, B.H., PO, 3233

 

Mancor, Claude A., Sto PO, 40464 - (SH)

 

Manuel, A., Sto 1c, 21973

 

Marshe, W., Sto 1c, V26150

 

Martin, H.H., Sto, V12714

 

Martin, James A., Tel, V44560 - (SP) 

 

Martin, W., AB, A2243

 

Martin, William M., Tel, V45798 - (SH)

 

Maslove, N.P., Stwd, V33677

 

Mastboom, J., PO Stwd, A2815

 

Maxerall, G., PO Stwd, A946

 

McBride, William Oag, SLt (E), RCNVR - 19 Jun 1943

 

McCabe, Jesse A., AB, V34420 - (SP)

 

McCaw, R.A., V17419

 

McCloy, Edward H., AB, V18488 - (SP) 

 

McKeeman, Lester, B., AB, A4311 - (SP)

 

McLelland, J.H.C., Surg-LCdr, O-48000

 

McCormick, R.J., AB, V19188

 

McDonald, G.F., Sto 1c, A4685

 

McDonald, R., AB, V362

 

McDougall, W., Stwd, V36934

 

McGrath, J., AB, V11616

 

McKinnon, A.A., L/Sto, A4902

 

Miles, H.F., L/Sto, 21820

 

Miller, Joseph Raymond P.P.H., OS, V3922 - (SH) 

 

Milne, A., Sto 1c, V33170

 

Moar, Raymond F., AB, V34808 - (SP)

 

Moore, Bob

 

Moore, R.F., OS, V30868

 

Morris, Guy

 

Morris, J., AB, V-3771

 

Muncer, E., PMX101537

 

Murray, F., Sto, KX118187

 

Mylrea, R.P., PO, 2815

Nelson, D.H., OA, 40631

 

Norwood, W., Sto, KX104669

 

O'Brien, Earl, Sto PO, V26333 - (SH)

 

O'Connell, J.B., Tel, 3862

 

O'Neill, D., AB, A2770

 

O'Rourke, W.A., Sy, CPO, 40375

 

Ogilvie, Robert B., SBPO, V27800 - (SP) 

 

Osborne, Robert D., AB. V11851- (SP)

 

Page, V.H., AB, V9975

 

Page, W., AB, V23154

 

Pallin, H., AB, 3748

 

Parker, G., Sto, KX130794

 

Parker, R., OS, V31867

 

Parkes, R., Sto, KX139454

 

Parsons, George J., AB, V18056 - (SH)

 

Parsons, T., OS, JX570507

 

Patton, H.R., SLt, O-58000

 

Pearce, C., AB, 2959

 

Pennell, F.W., A-2254

 

Penny, E.V., L/tel, 2659

 

Percival, E.C., LS, 4090

 

Perin, H.W, AB,. V19749

 

Petersen, G., Sto 1c, A4147

 

Pfrimmer, E., AB, V24313

 

Pickett, W.M., AB, V2987

 

Pine, S.J./, L/Sto, V8923

 

Polson, Edwin A., Sto 1c, V33438 - (SP)

 

Pope, G., Sto PO, A2188

 

Potter, W.h., AB, V6463

 

Pottie, S.D., Sto 1c, V324

 

Powell, N.C., AB, 3888

 

Priest, G., Sto, Kc76481

 

Primeau, G., AB, V2417

 

Prudhomme, F.E., L/Cook(S), 40702

 

Quigley, George - L/Tel, V7980 - (SH)

 

Rafuse, C.E., AB, V31865

 

Ramsey, An., Cook(S), NX65692

 

Renaud, L., AB, V4323 - (SH) 

 

Reynolds, F., PO, DJ25460

 

Rigby, J., Sto, KX123843

 

Roach, J., ERA 5c, DMX509558

 

Rock, J.M.G., Wrtr (SP), C/MX 677366, RN - (SH)

 

Rodin, P., AB, 3805

 

Rose, W.S., AB, V19038

 

Ross, C., L/Sto, 21827

 

Ross, J.D., Lt, O-62630

 

Rowbottom, H., Sto, KX146868

 

Russell, R., Sto, KX524794

 

Sabean, C., tel, 3856

 

Saint Pierre, F., Ls, 3244

 

Salisbury, W.C., LS, V7581

 

Sanders, R., AB, V27480

 

Sanders, S., AB, A5291

 

Sanders, Walter B., AB, V2801 - (SP)

 

Scanlon, Delbert D.H., Sig, V7702 - (SP)

 

Scott, A., Sto, KX133993

 

Scratch, Elmer W., AB, V50726 - (SP)

 

Sealey, E., Sto, KX597867

 

Seymour, W., Tel, V12334

 

Shea, John T., CERA, 21801 - (SH)

 

Sheppard, Walter R., Tel, 4420, (SP)

 

Sillars, W., Sto, KX158110

 

Simaluk, Walter, AB, V10998    - (SP)

 

Smith, A.J., Sto 1c, 21841

 

Smith, G., AB, V3312

 

Smith, G.W., Sig, 3618

 

Smith, J., Sto, KX107746

 

Smith, J.N., LS, 3831

 

Smith, O.W., AB, V37393

 

Smith, T.B., AB, 3722

 

Smyth, James W., AB, V6532 -(SP)

 

Staples, W., Sto 2c, DKX179070

 

Stark, H., Sto 1c, A4447

 

Starr, C.L., LSA, V40835

 

Strachan, L.G., PO, 3206

 

Strachan, W., L/Sto, KX102994

 

Stenning, Raymond B., CPO Cook(S), 40848 - (SP)

 

Swaffer, D., AB, 3944

 

Sygrove, J., L/Stwd, V26316

 

Sylvester, R., LS, 3560

 

Tate, W., Sto

 

Taylor, J., Sto, KX99498

 

Taylor, M.O., PO Tel, 2493

 

Templton, J., AB, V8930

 

Thisby, G., Sto, KX135243

 

Thomas, J., LS, V2354

 

Thourin, J., Sto 1c, V4417

 

Turner, R.E., CPO, V6132

 

Tyrie, James, Cook(S), V18295 - (SP)

 

Ullathorne, T., Sto, KX157137

 

Verden, P., AB, V24184

 

Virgint, S., LS, V7391

 

Walker, E., Sto 2c, KX165789

 

Wallace, William Bruce, Surg/Lt, O-75800, RCNVR - 03 Feb 1943

 

Wallen, S., EA

 

Waller, C., AB, V-18245

 

Wendon, F.W., PO, 2329

 

Westaway, Roy A., AB, V34915 - (SP)

 

White, J., Sto, KX102707

 

Whitson, J.A., L/Sto, A4165

 

Wiggins, D.H., LS, 2770

 

Wilkinson, M., Sto, KX59807

 

Willets, F., Shipwright 4c, V33365

 

Williams, A., Mechanic, KX77174

 

Willock, Samuel C., SA, V52873 - (SP)

 

Wilson, E., Sto, V37006

 

Wilson, R.V., LS, V11282

 

Wiseman, W., Sto PO, KX82916

 

Woodbridge, J., KX83362

 

Woods, L., Sto PO, KX80126

 

Woolley, P.A., Sto 1c, V38278

 

Young, Charles, Shipwright 4c, V41759 - (SH)

 

Young, T.M., Sig, V24746

 

Yourke, J., PO, 3024

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

RCN Photo

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 - date and location unknown

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 rescues survivors from German U-boat that was sunk by a Wellington bomber

Crow's Nest newspaper - Jan 1944

Engine room dept of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 when she was hit by a bomb on 27 Aug 1943

 

Crow's Nest newspaper - Jan 1944

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

From the collection of Raymond Rolls

Courtesy of Kevin Gaines

JS151

Newspaper article on HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

From the collection of James A. Senior, Wt (E), RCN

Courtesy of Bob Senior

Damage to HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 caused by a glider bomb attack on August 27, 1943

Source: CROWSNEST Magazine Vol. 1, No. 6, April 1949

Damage to HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 caused by a glider bomb attack on August 27, 1943

 

From the collection of Joseph W. (Jim) L'Esperance, LS, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Jim L'Esperance

Newspaper article on HMCS ATHABASKAN picking up survivors of German U-boat - dated 15 Dec 1943

From a Quebec newspaper

From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland

Courtesy of Pierre Barrette

First official photo of HMCS ATHABASKAN along the coast of Scotland

From a Quebec newspaper

From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland

Courtesy of Pierre Barrette

Captivating story of combat between a Canadian destroyer and German pilots

HMCS ATHABASKAN hit by bomb - 5 sailors killed, many wounded.

From a Quebec newspaper

From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland

Courtesy of Pierre Barrette

Canadian and British flotilla sink German destroyer

From a Quebec newspaper

From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland

Courtesy of Pierre Barrette

Nazi destroyer sunk

From a Quebec newspaper

From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland

Courtesy of Pierre Barrette

 

Front page article on the loss of the ATHABASKAN

Toronto Daily Star, Monday 01 May 1944

Click on the above image to view the full front page

 


 

JA11

(JA11) Crossing the Line certificate (Arctic Circle) for John James Acorn while onboard HMCS ATHABASKAN G07, 17 December 1943

 

JA12

JA13

JA14

JA15

JA16

(JA12) Newspaper article of the battle in which HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was lost // HMCS ATHABASKAN Was Sunk In Battle With German Destroyers. About 130 Of Her 200-Man Crew Are Accounted For. One Of the German Destroyers Was Driven Ashore in Flames

(JA13-JA16) Newspaper articles on HMCS ATHABASKAN'S POWs

 

From the collection of Leading Stoker John Acorn

 

Courtesy of Barry Acorn

 


 

FM887

FM888

FM889

FM890

FM891

(FM887) HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 rescues survivors from a German U-boat sunk by a Wellington bomber - dated 31 Dec 1943

(FM888) Article on Gunner (T) G.D. Sigston and AB Eric J. Mengoni

(FM889) HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 back on duty after being struck by a glider bomb

(FM890) Headline - HMCS ATHABASKAN IS SUNK - dated 01 May 1944

(FM891) Article on the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

FM892

(FM892) A Gallant End - newspaper article on the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 with crew photo

 

From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Denis Messier

 


 

 

Articles from Quebec newspapers on the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN and the loss, capture and rescue of her crew

 

Note:  These articles are in French only

 

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photo 10

photo 11

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photo 14

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photo 27

 

(1 & 2) Terrible odyssey of 5 sailors from the Canadian ship ATHABASKAN - 27 Sep 1944  (3 & 4) Three sailors from ATHABASKAN saved from the high sea  (5) Five sailors from ATHABASKAN have escaped the Germans - 29 Aug 1944  (6) LS Stanley Dick missing with HMCS ATHABASKAN  (7) Sailors Beaudoin and Dion disappear with the ATHABASKAN  (8) Cold blood of a Sailor - Lt G.K. Cowan remembers G.J. Parsons - 04 May 1944  (9) Preparations for the invasion provoked the action which resulted in the sinking of the ATHABASKAN  (10) Raymond Miller, serving in ATHABASKAN, was saved  (11) Canadian destroyer ATHABASKAN sinks in the channel  (12) Two Quebecois return home - Arthur Beaudoin and John Fairchild  (13 & 14) Six Quebecois lost with HMCS ATHABASKAN - 05 May 1944  (15) Leaders of political parties pay tribute to the sailors of the ATHABASKAN - 02 May 1944  (16 & 17) Loss suffered by the Canadian Navy - 14 May 1944  (18) Loss suffered by the Navy  (19) Quebec sailors missing  (20) HMCS ATHABASKAN POWs arrive in England - 16 May 1945  (21) The valiance of ATHABASKAN sailors is praise - 02 May 1944  (22)  Thirty-five survivors of HMCS ATHABASKAN arrive in Canada - 04 May 1944  (23) ATHABASKAN survivors and casualties  (24) LCdr Dunn Lantier missing  (25) Sailor Germain Dion killed  (26) HMCS ATHABASKAN sunk  (27) Sailors Liberated - 11 May 1945

 

From the family of Able Seaman Paul Chamberland

Courtesy of Pierre Barrette

 

Robert Yeadon and shipmate, HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Courtesy of Cynthia Tompkins

Graves of Robert Yeadon and Robert Henry, both were killed when HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was sunk on 29 Apr 1944. Their bodies washed ashore on Ile de Batz, France.

 

Courtesy of Cynthia Tompkins

 

 

Newspaper articles on casualties and survivors from the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

 

       

 

(1) ATHABASKAN Survivor - OS Joseph Raymond P.P.H. Miller - The Montreal Gazette 03 May 1944   (2)  Lindsay Boy went down on ATHABASKAN - May 10, 1944  (3) Signalman Allen Thasher (Thrasher) reported lost at sea  (4) Lindsay Native Believed on ATHABASKAN - May 2, 1944  (After articles #2, 3, and 4 were published it was found that Allen Thrasher did not die but had been captured and was a POW.)

During their captivity, some 70 members of HMCS ATHABASKAN'S crew captured by German forces signed this mimeographed - or copied - document. Printed on the reverse side of a commemorative image of ATHABASKAN, the document provides space for survivors from each of the nine provinces in wartime Canada. More than 80 members of ATHABASKAN's crew were rescued and captured by German forces. Most of them wound up in prisoner of war camps, while a few seriously injured sailors were sent to a hospital where they were later liberated by American troops. George Metcalf Archival Collection CWM 19870005-001

Poem - HMCS ATHABASKAN

 

by Stuart Kettles, L/Writer, RCNVR

 

From the collection of Joseph (Jim) L'Esperance, LS, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Jim L'Esprance

 

"X & Y" turret crew on HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Back row, 2nd from left - John W. Fairchild. 4th from left - Louis Ledoux

 

From the collection of Herman C. Sulkers

 

Courtesy of Paul Sulkers

 

Crew members of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

The 3 men on the left in front of the turret are (left to right) Raymond Leslie Roberts, Herm Sulkers, and Jim L'Esperance. In the turret window is John Gordon. On the turret, rear row, left to right are - Bob Moore, Bill Pickett and Ernest Anderson.  Eugene Fuller is on the gun barrel on the right, in front, behind him is Gerry Milot. On the left gun barrel - front to back - Maurice Watson, Vince Myette and Art Barrett

 

Source: Web blog by Pierre Lagacé

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 Gun crew

 

Front row (L-R) Vince Myette, Bill Pickett, Gerry Milot, Art Barrett, Eugene Fuller

Rear row (L-R) Herm Sulkers, Maurice Watson, Bob Moore, John Gordon, Ernest Anderson, Ray Roberts, Jim L'Esperance

 

Update: The unknown gunner in this photo has been identified as Ernest Raymond Anderson

 

From the collection of Herman C. Sulkers

 

Courtesy of Paul Sulkers

Ernest Raymond Anderson has been identified by his wife and daughter as being the unknown gunner in the gun crew photo above

Jim L'Esperance

 

Jim survived the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07. He was captured by the Germans and was a POW for the remainder of the war

 

Source: Web blog of Pierre Lagacé

 

John W. Fairchild - When the ATHABASKAN was sunk, John went overboard on the opposite side of the ship from the Haida which was under orders NOT to stop and pick up survivors; the captain did anyway but only picked up men they could see…and then went to high revolutions to get away from the patrolling German P-T boats. The RCN had just introduced a new flotation device which had a lamp attached that was activated when in contact with water; my dad was wearing one of these.  At around the time of the sinking, John’s sister in Quebec City woke with a start seeing my father floating in the water with a big light over his head.  She was the only one in the entire family that was convinced he was alive as his paperwork was lost for some time and the family had received a telegram indicating “missing and presumed drowned at sea”.

 

John was sent to a prison camp with the other survivors; he and one of his mates escaped by hiding for three days in an asbestos filled attic when the Germans evacuated the prison (the Russians were approaching). They wandered west for a few days before being picked p by American troops who promptly arrested by Dad as they were convinced that he was a German posing as an escapee (blonde hair and blue eyes and all)! That took some time to sort out but, eventually, all the paperwork caught up to him and he came back to Canada.

 

Written by Peter Fairchild, son of John W. Fairchild

 

Source: Web blog of Pierre Lagacé

Newspaper article on the repatriation of 64 POWs from HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

From the World War 2 collection of Jim L'Esperance

Source: Lest We Forget blog of Pierre Lagacé

Headstones for Leading Stoker William McGregor and Lt. Commander John H. Stubbs who were lost when HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was sunk

 

Headstones are located at the PLOUESCAT COMMUNAL CEMETERY; Finistere, France

 

Source: Web blog by Pierre Lagacé

Raymond Burton Rolls (Centre) - other crew member's names unknown

 

From the collection of Raymond Rolls

 

Courtesy of Kevin Gaines

Raymond Burton Rolls

 

Raymond was killed when the ATHABASKAN was sunk on 29 Apr 1944

 

From the collection of Raymond Rolls

 

Courtesy of Kevin Gaines

Remembrance Day: The captain yelled out, "Abandon ship!"

Newspaper article from "The Senior Times" - by Irwin Block

 

On November 11, we remember those who served our country, but for Harry Hurwitz the day he can’t forget is April 29, 1944.

 

That was the day Hurwitz and other victims of a German torpedo attack on his Canadian ship ended up in the English Channel, struggling to survive.

 

At 92, and a resident of the B’Nai Brith House in Côte St. Luc, Hurwitz recalled his remarkable story in preparation for Remembrance Day ceremonies. He is to lay a wreath at the cenotaph in Montreal West.

 

The Lachine-born son of trucker Chaim and Bella, with seven brothers and five sisters, enlisted in 1939 at age 18. He switched from the army to the navy and in 1942 shipped out to Greenock, just west of Glasgow, Scotland.

 

As an able-bodied seaman, Hurwitz was assigned to H.M.C.S. ATHABASKAN and in August 1943, while patrolling the channel, the ship was attacked by six Messerschmitt fighter-bombers.

 

“We opened fire, we drove five away, but one came out of the sky and dropped a bomb right near me. I was one of the lucky ones. The guy next to me was killed instantly and seven others died as well.”

 

He later sailed to Murmansk, Russia, as part of a convoy of 57 ships delivering materials and supplies to assist the Soviet Union in resisting and counter-attacking the German assault.

 

“Only about 20 made it. The rest were torpedoed and sunk. I was up in the masthead when it was 40 below zero, watching for enemy ships. They gave me a cup of coffee every 10 minutes, it was so cold.”

 

From its base in Plymouth, U.K., the ATHABASKAN continued to patrol the English Channel where the Allies were expected to launch the long-awaited second front by invading France.

 

On April 29, the ship left Plymouth at 6 pm and after three hours was at the French coast not far from Brest.

 

“For some reason, we went a little too close to the French coast. I’m on my gun at our action station, and all of a sudden a torpedo hit our ship near the stern. It was cut off completely, about 2,000 shells exploded and everyone was killed instantly.

 

“We got the order from Commander John Stubbs—who gave the order to man the hoses—to see if we could put out the fire. Guys were dying, they were screaming. Me and four other guys grabbed the hose, and just then a second torpedo hit. There was no pressure, everything was dead, the whole ship was ablaze. I got a piece of shrapnel right above my nose.

 

“Then the captain yelled out, ‘Abandon ship!’ Me and my friend Raymond Meloche (who lives at Ste. Anne’s veterans’ hospital) jumped. I threw off my big rubber boots and my heavy coat. We sunk at 4:28 am. How do I know? My mother bought me a cheap watch on my bar mitzvah and I had it all these years. She paid $4 for it!

 

“We were in the water for six or seven hours.

 

“First I was holding on to the masthead, with Meloche. I couldn’t see.

 

“I was covered with oil from head to toe. Then I held on to an empty barrel.

 

“One guy had his leg blown off and he kept yelling, ‘I don’t want to die.’ Another had a big hole in his stomach and the salt water was getting in and he was yelling. We couldn’t do anything. They all died in the water.”

 

A lifeboat floated nearby, probably released by Allied ships to help survivors. “About 15 or 16 of us got into the lifeboat. We had no oars, so we drifted, like a bunch of dummies.”

 

A German battleship appeared and prepared to take the men prisoner.

 

“I had my Magen David (Jewish star) and I ripped it off my neck and tossed it into the water. I also tossed a wallet, with Jewish things and about $40 I won the day before rolling the dice with the money from payday.”

 

Records show that 129 of the crew, including Captain John Stubbs, died. Hurwitz was among 83 men taken prisoner while another 44 were rescued by H.M.C.S. Haida. The war was coming to an end and the German captors “were very good to us.”

 

“We arrived in France and we saw two girls completely naked, dead drunk, and they cheered, ‘A way, les bons Canadiens,’ while the Germans commander yelled, ‘schnell’.”

 

Hurwitz was interrogated at a convent and gave his name as Hurwit – “I took off the zed, to sound less Jewish.”

 

His interrogator, an officer about 75, turned out to be “a really nice man. I told him I was from Lachine and he told me he had worked for General Electric in Lachine for about 20 years! I lived on 10th Ave. and LaSalle St., and General Electric was on 1st Ave. and LaSalle St.”

 

The German had immigrated to Canada to work as an engineer, but in 1936 went back to Germany to help his country, Hurwitz recalled.

 

He pounded the table, denounced the Jews, but Hurwitz said he replied he had worked for Jews and never had any problems.

 

After 14 days in Brest, the POWs were taken to a camp outside Hamburg. “Every night at exactly midnight, R.A.F. bombers attacked the oil installations there, and at Kiel, Bremen and Hanover. We would sit on top of our shack and had a beautiful view.”

 

He and a fellow prisoner bribed a guard with 25 cigarettes, worth “$500 on the black market,” and got wire cutters to escape. But when he asked a German woman in his Yiddish-style German in a nearby farm for a glass of water, she called the police and they were rearrested.

 

A senior British officer among the prisoners at the camp warned the Germans to “release the men immediately” because “the British were only 400 miles away and I will hold you personally responsible if anything happens to them.” They were returned to the general PoW population.

 

They were told to march to Lubek, and the column was accidentally attacked by an R.A.F. fighter—four men were killed by friendly fire. They returned to the prison camp.

 

Hurwitz was liberated on April 29, 1945—a year to the day he was captured. Two of his three daughters were born after war’s end—on April 29.

 

When he lays the wreath, Hurwitz says he’ll be thinking of that day in 1944, and “the guys in the water dying, shouting: ‘Save me, save me’.”

AB Harry Hurwitz and cousin in London, England

 

From the collection of Harry Hurwitz

 

Courtesy of Darla Hurwitz Scott

ATHABASKAN G07 POWs at Marlag und Milag. Harry Hurwitz is in the white shirt

 

From the collection of Harry Hurwitz

 

Courtesy of Darla Hurwitz Scott

Marlag und Milag POW camp

 

From the collection of Herman C. Sulkers

 

Courtesy of Paul Sulkers

ERA Leonard Mumford penned a letter home 2 days before his ship was sunk

Sig Donald King McGrath on the flag deck of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Courtesy of Donna McGrath

An oil covered Francis (Frank) Austin Charles Roach stands on the deck of HMCS HAIDA after being rescued

 

Courtesy of Garry McFadden

More Ottawa Men Off ATHABASKAN Now Prisoners-of-War

 

The Ottawa Journal 11 Aug 1944

Four Montreal Sailors Rescued In Loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN

 

The Montreal Gazette, Tue, 02 May 1944

Newspaper article dated 29 Apr 1944 on Missing ATHABASKAN crew members Lawrence Johnston, Herman Sulkers and Eddie Bieber

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

 

Letter from OS Berkeley to his parents - dated 02 Mar 1944

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

 

Letter from OS Berkeley to his brother - dated 20 Apr 1944 (9 days before ATHABASKAN was sunk)

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

Letter sent to OS A.G. Berkely that was returned to sender - OS Berkeley was MPK

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

Newspaper article on one ATHABASKAN casualty (OS Berkeley) and one ATHABASKAN survivor (PO Mancor)

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

Newspaper article announcing the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 - Sunk in action

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

Newspaper article on two of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07's casualties - OS Berkeley and AB Barrett

 

Courtesy of Pierre Legacé

Newspaper article on LCdr Stubbs

 

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

   

 

Article on the loss of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

From the collection of CPO J. Vincent Wesley, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor

 

 

Poem about the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

From the collection of CPO J. Vincent Wesley, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor

 

Three ATHABASKAN sailors reported missing

 

OS L.R. Johnson, AB Herman Sulkers and PO Eddie Bieber

 

Courtesy of Operation Picture Me

 

Note: Herman Sulkers survived the war as a POW - OS Johnson and PO Bieber died when ATHABASKAN was sunk

Article from an Ontario newspaper and Ontario men missing from HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

ATHABASKAN Survivors In Canada

 

The Halifax Chronicle, Tuesday, 23 May 1944

 

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

ATHABASKAN Survivors in Halifax

 

The Halifax Mail, Monday, 22 May 1944

 

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

Survivors Tell of ATHABASKAN Sinking

 

The Halifax Chronicle Thursday, 25 May 1944

 

Research by / Courtesy of George Newbury

 

Sailors mentioned in the article: Leading Cook Alfred Richardson;  Leading Seaman Victor Bushie of Halifax, NS;  Stoker Petty Officer Earl O'Brien of New Waterford, NS;  Leading Seaman Frank (Doc) Savage of Edmonton;  Able Seaman Al Foran;  Able Seaman Andre Audet of Montreal;  Seaman Stanley Buck of Toronto: Signalman Tom Eady of Welland, ON; Petty Officer George Caswell of Vancouver, BC;  Signalman Guy J. Norris of Neslon, BC.

 

Articles on the repatriation of ATHABASKAN POWs

 

From the collection of Joseph W. (Jim) L'Esperance

 

Courtesy of Jim L'Esperance

 

Leading up to D-Day (50 years later) - Re-print of a newspaper article on the loss of ATHABASKAN G07 - original article dated 01 May 1944

 

From the collection of Ivan Chamberlain

 

Courtesy of Dave Chamberlain

 

On September 19, 2017, HMCS Montréal took time from their operation to honour and remember the officers and sailors of HMCS ATHABASKAN who were lost at sea when the ship was torpedoed and sank off the coast of France on April 29, 1944 during the Second World War. As HMCS Montréal transited north as part of NEPTUNE TRIDENT 17-02, the ship’s company laid a wreath at sea over the area where HMCS ATHABASKAN sank. The wreath was laid by those who served on HMCS ATHABASKAN (3rd of name), named after the original ATHABASKAN, whose members felt a close connection to the ship and its history.

 

DND/RCN Photos / Crown copyright 2017

Montage that was presented to Mr. Ernie Takalo, a survivor of the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07, onboard HMCS HAIDA during a Remembrance Ceremony for the crew of ATHABASKAN G07. The montage has the last crew photo taken of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 and a crew photo from HMCS ATHABASKAN 282

 

Courtesy of Blair Gilmore

 

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 Survivors Reunion 1971

 

Back Row (L-R): Bert Burrows, Jack Scott, Robin Hayward, Geoffrey Hesler, William Bint, Jim Richardson, Raymond Heloche, Wilfred Henrickson, William Howard, Charles Burg, Alex McKinnon, George Howard

 

Front Row (L-R): Mac Young, George Parsons, Clarence Rafuse, Sam Pine, George Lunder, Jim Tyrie, Orwen Deal, Jim L'Esperance, Emile Beaudoin, Paul Galland, Raymond Moar, Jim Eva

 

 

 

Surviving crew members for HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 onboard HMCS ATHABASKAN 282 in the English Channel near where HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was sunk - 1974

From the collection of Greg Mackenzie

Courtesy of David H. Brown

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

 

In 2003, Greg Mackenzie, a commissioning crew member for HMCS ATHABASKAN 282, received a tour of HMCS ATHABASKAN 282 from MS David Brown. Greg sent David a thank you letter for the tour and sent him the above photo with the letter.

 

Click here to read the letter Greg Mackenzie sent to MS David Brown

 

 

Six survivors of HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 on HMCS ATHABASKAN 282 - 2002

(1) Wilf Henrickson  (2) Ernie Takalo  (4) Herm Sulkers

 

Article from the Vancouver Sun on HMCS ATHABASKAN G07

 

Courtesy of Dave Clarke

 


 

Convoys escorted during the Second World War  (back to ship's history)

 

Convoy Desig.

Convoy Departs from

Arrives at

Join as escort

Depart Convoy

 JW.55A

Loch Ewe

(12 Dec 1943)

Archangel

(22 Dec 1943)

15 Dec 1943

21 Dec 1943

RA.55A

Kola Inlet

(22 Dec 1943)

Loch Ewe

(01 Jan 1944)

23 Dec 1944

28 Dec 1944

WP.SP 18

Milford Haven

(23 Jan 1944)

Portsmouth

(25 Jan 1944)

23 Jan 1944

25 Jan 1944

 


 

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 Commemorative Coin

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN G07 was commissioned on 03 Feb 1943 and was sunk in battle on 29 Apr 1944 off the coast of France.  The ship's badge was designed by a member of her crew, but before it could be mounted on the ship she was lost in action.  Her captain and 128 officers and men were lost, 83 taken prisoner, and 44 rescued by HMCS HAIDA.  Her badge was used as the basis for the ship's badge for HMCS ATHABASKAN 2nd and 3rd of name.

 

The cost is $18 per coin, which will include shipping anywhere in Canada. To get more information on how to order an ATHABASKAN commemorative coin, please email - info@forposterityssake.ca  Please put ATHABASKAN G07 COIN in the subject line.

 

 


 

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