HMCS CHILLIWACK - circa 1942

Source: Ken Macpherson / Naval Museum of Alberta

Laid down: 03 Jul 1940

Launched: 14 Sep 1940

Commissioned: 08 Apr 1941

Paid off: 14 Jul 1945

Fate: Broken up in 1946

Atherton, Thomas Herbert, Slt, RCNVR - 28 Jun 1943 / Lt - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Bartlett, Frank, A/Wt (E), RCNR - 13 Apr 1944

Barnes, Harold Bramsbotte, Lt, RCNVR - 16 May 1944

Blachford, Robert Oswald, Lt, RCNVR - 27 Jul 1943

Calver, John Moran, Slt, RCNR - 28 Feb 1942

Chambers, John Hubert, Slt, RCNVR - 17 May 1944

Dunn, Timothy Hibbard, Lt, RCNVR - 05 Jun 1942 / Lt - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Foxall, Leslie Lewendon, A/LCdr, RCNR - 31 Mar 1941 (Stand by) CO

Hall, Wallis James, Slt, RCNVR - 05 Mar 1945

Hearn, Lt (boarding party U-744)

Jenkins, Stoker - 1944 (boarding Party U-744)

Johnstone, Thomas Albert, RCNVR - 08 Apr 1941

Lawrie, AB - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Longbottom, CERA - 1944  (boarding party U-744)

Makeranko, AB - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Martin, Telegrapher - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Nicholson, William Ernest, Mate, RCNR - 08 Apr 1941

Norris, Lawrence Henry, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1942

Passerini, AB - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Starr, Jack R., Signalman - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Temple, Clifford Maulson, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1943

Watson, William Wallace, Lt, RCNVR - 09 Mar 1945

Williamson, William John, Wt (E), RCNVR - 01 Jun 1943

Wilson, PO - 1944 (boarding party U-744)

Worsley, George Norman, Lt, RCNVR - 12 Mar 1945

HMCS Chilliwack K131

DND / RCN Photo Negative # E326

Crew of HMCS Chilliwack boarding U-744 on March 6, 1944.

Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-112996

Click here to read the newspaper article from the Crow's Nest newspaper - Jul 1944

Signalman Jack R. Starr of HMCS Chilliwack, which took part in sinking U-744 on 06 Mar 1944. Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 27 Mar 1944. 

Source: Lt J.D. Mahoney / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-204652

Boarding party from the corvette HMCS Chilliwack which boarded the German submarine U-744 on 06 Mar 1944. England, 27 Mar 1944.

(Front row, L-R): CERA Longbottom, Stoker Jenkins, AB Makeranko and Lawrie, PO Wilson, Signalman Starr. (Rear row, L-R): Telegrapher Martin, Lieuts Atherton, Dunn and Hearn, AB Passerini

Source: Lt John D. Mahoney / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-141569

Canadian Naval Craft Sink German U-boat

The Halifax Chronicle 01 Jun 1944

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

Ships mentioned in the article:  HMCS GATINEAU, HMCS CHAUDIERE, HMCS CHILLIWACK, HMCS FENNEL, HMCS ST CATHARINES, HMS ICARUS

Canadian Warships Rescue U-Boat Crew

Article on the rescue of survivors from U-744

The Halifax Chronicle 01 Jun 1944

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

Ships mentioned in the article:  HMCS CHAUDIERE, HMCS CHILLIWACK, HMCS FENNEL, HMCS ST CATHARINES

Sailors mentioned in the article:  Lt Douglas S. Boyle, RCN of Revelstoke, BC (HMCS Chaudiere);  Lt Charles Rathget, RCNVR of Toronto (HMCS Chaudiere);  PO Stevenson;  Lt W.W. Spicer, RCNVR of Regina, Sask

The mast of HMCS Chilliwack K131 at HMCS Star, Hamilton

Courtesy of Neil Bell, LCdr, RCN, Ret'd

Curator HMCS Star Historical Collection

Plaque at the base of the mast from HMCS Chilliwack at HMCS Star, Hamilton

Courtesy of Neil Bell, LCdr, RCN, Ret'd

Curator HMCS Star Historical Collection

Name plate HMCS Chilliwack K131 at HMCS Star, Hamilton

Courtesy of Neil Bell, LCdr, RCN, Ret'd

Curator HMCS Star Historical Collection

HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Gerald James Ryan

Courtesy of Kevin Ryan

HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Gerald James Ryan

Courtesy of Kevin Ryan

(1) Unknown ship - possibly a Town class destroyer. Photo taken from HMCS Chilliwack    (2) Sailors on HMCS Chilliwack with the catch of the day  (3) Wilson McMurdo (left) and shipmate (right) ashore.  Location and person in the middle unknown  (4) Sailors on HMCS Chilliwack - Wilson McMurdo on right  (6-7) HMCS Chilliwack on the slips in Sydney, NS  (7) Chipping ice off HMCS Chilliwack  (8) Sailors on HMCS Chilliwack

(9-11) Captured German U-boat U-774. Photos taken from HMCS Chilliwack  (12) Convoy escorts surround U-744 - 06 Mar 1944  (13) Captured crew members from U-744 on deck of HMCS Chilliwack K131 for some air  (14) Newspaper article from The Evening Telegram, Toronto 14 Jul 1945 on the capture of U-744  (15) Newspaper article from The Evening Telegram, Toronto of crew painting a U-boat on their gun shield

(16) After bandstand on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (17) Wilson McMurdo (right) and unknown shipmate relaxing against the breakwater on the fo'c's'le of HMCS Chilliwack K131  (18) Wilson McMurdo holding ship's mascot on HMCS Chilliwack K131. Other sailor unknown  (19) Mascot of HMCS Chilliwack K131 (Webmaster's note:  Can it look any cuter?)  (20) HMCS Chilliwack K131  (21) HMCS Chilliwack K131 astern of unknown corvette. Appears to be a minesweeper in the slips on her port side  (22) Wilson McMurdo (right) and unknown sailor on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (23) Looking out at large swell off HMCS Chilliwack K131

(24) Sailors relaxing just aft the funnel on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (26-26) Unknown sailors on HMCS Chilliwack holding a depth charge (Webmaster's note: since the MK VII depth charge carried 290 lbs of TNT, it weighed in the area of 400 lbs.  It is most likely that these two sailors are carrying the dummy charge used for training on firing the thrower.)  (27) Sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS Chilliwack K131  (28) Whaler from HMCS Chilliwack K131 under sail  (29) Unknown sailor by depth charge thrower on the quarterdeck of HMCS Chilliwack K131  (30) Wilson McMurdo (right) and ship mates on the fo'c's'le of HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Wilson Reginald McMurdo

Courtesy of Scott Wilson McMurdo

These photos are not for reproduction or reposting without permission of Scott McMurdo

HMCS Chilliwack jacked patch

Courtesy of Scott McMurdo

HMCS Chilliwack K131

DND / RCN photo # HSO 343-114A

From the collection of Wilson Reginald McMurdo

Courtesy of Scott Wilson McMurdo

Click here to view the signatures on the back of the photo

The names here were transcribed from the back of the photo. When not sure of spelling (?sp) was put by the name. A few of the names could not be made out at all.  If you are able to make out any of the missing names or correct and of those shown here, please send me an email 

G. Feltis (?sp), M. Kirstiuk, L. Ross, R.N. Herd, R.N. Rand, L.B. Taylor, J. Boucher, Z.W. Tucker, R.L. Carlson, R.C. Powct (?sp), B. Lindblom, L. McDonald, P. Benson, W.R. McKenna, J. L. Mather, B. Clayton, J. Jackson, H. Stewart, W. Martinson (?sp), A.W. Lute (?sp), Husson, Wm Belash, A. Lang (Doc), Jeff Wards, John MacNeil, Johnny Crook, Chas. Lose (?sp) (Sabo), R. Dureanel (?sp) (Harpo), R.K. Clutsam (VA), J.L. Allison, Yeo, D. Biletchi, Joe Price (Guchio), Gerald J. Ryan, Freddy McCormick, J. Spence, Douglas R. Walion (?sp), Pele Walsor (?sp?, Fred Jones, E.A. Travis

HMCS Chilliwack K131 circa 1943-1944

Photo taken from HMCS Kamloops K176

From the collection of Kenneth Medford, DSM

Courtesy of Gary Medford

(1) HMCS Chilliwack K131 circa 1941  (2) HMCS Chilliwack K131 circa 1941  (3) Pierre, George and Doug on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (4) Billy on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (5) Bill and Doug on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (6) "The Barrens of Iceland"  (7) Pierre in Iceland - in background, farmer moving hay bales on horses  (8) The boys of Chilliwack in Iceland

(9-10) Icelandic farmer moving hay bales on horses  (11) 'Swain and Brownie (right) ashore in Iceland  (12) Brownie with Icelandic pony  (13) Local riding an Icelandic pony  (14) Boys ashore in Iceland waiting for boat to take them back to HMCS Chilliwack K131  (15) "Boys in Iceland" on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (16) HMCS Chilliwack K131 at anchor, Iceland circa 1941 - Chilliwack is the corvette on the left

(17) Army blokes in Iceland - Limeys  (18) Corvettes in Line Abreast formation - Photo taken from HMCS Chilliwack K131  (19) Christmas Day in Iceland  (20) HMCS Chilliwack K131 "heading back to Newfie John"  (21) Convoy to the U.K.  (22) Convoy  (23) Erin (Ireland)  (24) Castle in Irish Free State

(25-26) Loch Foyle, Ireland  (27) Londonderry Sunset  (28) Goodbye to Derry  (29) Goodbye Erin  (30) Convoy astern of HMCS Chilliwack K131  (31) Scotty and Pooky on HMCS Chilliwack K131  (32) Scotty with a flounder on HMCS Chilliwack K131

(33) Jack Corwin the mad barber, on our way to the east coast via Panama - Note: the photo was taken just forward the bridge prior to Chilliwack going into refit to have her fo'c's'le extended and mast move astern of the bridge.  (34) Colter and Patty by the hedgehog  (35) Robert Macklem (left) and Coulter by hedgehog  (36) Chilliwack iced up of Iceland, Christmas 1942  (36) CB in quit suit minus drape - Webmaster's note: I have no idea what that means.  (38) "Flounders" - HMCS Chilliwack's crew holding the catch of the day  (39) "and more fish" - HMCS Chilliwack's crew holding the catch of the day  (40) "Cut her up chief" - The catch of the day being cleaned and cut up

(41) Quartermaster (QM) Pooky on HMCS Chilliwack  (42) Robert Macklem on HMCS Chilliwack  (43) "The Rugged Line" - Three unknown sailors on HMCS Chilliwack  (44) "The Rugged King" - Unknown sailor on HMCS Chilliwack  (45) Quarterdeck of HMCS Chilliwack from the Yardarm  (46) "Montreal Kid" - Unknown sailor on HMCS Chilliwack  (47) "No more shore leave" - Two unknown sailors and HMCS Chilliwack's mascot, Champ, watching the shoreline disappear as they head out to sea  (48) Port side aft, looking forward on HMCS Chilliwack

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem & Bob Macklem

Portside, mid ships looking forward on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Kathy the Cat

Ship's Mascot of HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Ken and Champ between the depth charge rails on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Ken holding ship's mascot Champ, and two unknown sailors sitting on the depth charge rails on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

"Chilliwack Iced Up"

Minesweeping gear and depth charges on HMCS Chilliwack K131 covered in ice

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Danny on the windlass on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Danny by the 4-inch gun on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

"Doug and S2"

Doug by a depth charge thrower on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Doug standing on the guard rail and holding the jack staff on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

4-inch gun on HMCS Chilliwack K131 - photo taken from the wheelhouse

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Atlantic Charter Conference

Placentia Bay, NFLD 9-12 Aug 1941

Above:  HMS Ripley and HMS Prince of Wales

Left: The battleship HMS Prince of Wales     Centre: Ships at anchor, Placentia Bay, NFLD    

Right: "End of a Rendezvous" - The battleship HMS Prince of Wale in the distance in the centre of the photo

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem & Bob Macklem

Historical note: The first wartime meeting of Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the so-called "Atlantic Conference" or "Atlantic Charter Conference", was held from 9-12 August 1941. The conference took place off Ship Harbor, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland (Canada).  Roosevelt already arrived as early as 7 August in Placentia Bay aboard the heavy cruiser USS "Augusta", escorted by the heavy cruiser USS "Tuscaloosa", and the destroyers "Madison", "Moffett", "Sampson", "Winslow" and "McDougal". Churchill arrived on 9 August from England aboard the battleship HMS "Prince of Wales", escorted by the British destroyer HMS "Ripley" and the Canadian destroyers HMCS "Restigouche" and "Assiniboine". The first meeting of the US president and the British prime minister took place on 9 August on board of the "Augusta". Their second meeting was held on 10 August aboard the "Prince of Wales", and the following day the conference continued on the "Augusta" again, which also was the location of the final meeting on 12 August. After the conference ended that day, both Churchill and Roosevelt left Placentia Bay on the same ships and with the same escort vessels they arrived with four days earlier. The principal result of the meeting was the issuance of the Atlantic Charter which for security reasons, was dated two days after the closing of the conference. The Atlantic Charter, with its eight principles for a better postwar world, was in fact the genesis of the United Nations. The name "United Nations" was first used in the published joint, or "United Nations," declaration of January 1, 1942, in which all of the Allied nations pledged themselves to support the principles of the Atlantic Charter.

White Ensign on HMCS Chilliwack K141

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

HMCS Chilliwack K131 - Flag host for oiling up

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Flag hoist signal on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Frank doing a handstand just aft of the funnel on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Gordon and Monae - HMCS Chilliwack secured alongside

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

"Green one"

HMCS Chilliwack K131 bites into a wave

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

The Chief and John working on the minesweeping gear on HMCS Chilliwack K131

 From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

ST Shack (or what's left of it) on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Sailors of HMCS Chilliwack on the bandstand

(1) Boyd, AA3   (2) "Bluenose"   (3) Robert Macklem

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

HMS Berwick and corvettes of W-4

Photo taken from HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

"The Boys"

HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

HMCS Chilliwack K131

Photo taken from the fantail - looking forward

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Handy and Chapman on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Jacky and George in the bandstand loading ammunition belts - HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Lorwin and Sweezer

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Wilf on HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Willie on watch on the bandstand - HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

William Mason in his mic - HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

Tony on the fo'c's'le of HMCS Chilliwack K131

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

HMCS Chilliwack K131

Note the faint gunshield art and also that the censor tried to obscure the radar

DND/RCN photo L3701R

Click here to view a zoomed in image on the gunshield

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem