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HMCS
MARGAREE H49
D
- Class Destroyer (RN)
River
Class Destroyer (RCN)
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HMS DIANA H49 |
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Battle honours and awards: Atlantic
1940
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Laid down: 12
Jun 1931
Launched: 16 Jun 1932
Commissioned: 21
Dec 1932
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Transferred to RCN: 06
Sep 1940
Commissioned: 06 Sep
1940
Sunk: 22 Oct 1940 after a collision with the freighter
Port Fairy
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Commissioned on 21 Dec 1932 as HMS
DIANA, she was serving on the China Station when the war broke out,
and transferred to the Mediterranean for a short time before
returning to Britain to join the Home Fleet. In May 1940, she took part
briefly in the Norwegian campaign and in mid-Jul 1940 commenced refit at
Albert Docks, London. There she was transferred to the RCN to
replace the lost FRASER, commissioning as MARGAREE on 06 Sep 1940. On
20 Oct 1940 she left Londonderry for Canada with a five-ship
convoy, OL.8, and two days later was lost in collision with the
freighter Port Fairy. 143 of her ship's company were lost, 86 of
them survivors of Fraser.
The British flagged Port Fairy was a refrigerated ship
built in 1928 and weighed 8,337 gross registered tons. Here next port of
call was Bermuda, at which she called in November, 1940, landing the six
officers and 28 enlisted men which she had rescued from the stern portion of
HMCS Margaree before it sank. Men were either killed outright on the forward
section or survived intact on the aft section. Two men perished whilst
climbing up the side of the rescuing Port Fairy when they fell and were
crushed between the ships. The survivors rescued by Port Fairy were returned
to Canada by November 13th. Four of the surviving officers became rear
admirals or commodores, and the Port Fairy survived the war.1
Photos and Documents
Commanding Officers
Cdr Joseph Wilton Rouer Roy,
RCN - 06 Sep 1940 - 22 Oct 1940
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget
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AKAM,
Thomas
CERA, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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AMYES,
Alfred W. B.
EA 4c, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
ARCHER,
George
CPO TC, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
ARMSTRONG,
Arthur
Tel, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
ARNOTT,
Robert S.
LS ST, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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AULENBACK,
George
AB ST, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BAKER,
Owen C.
AB, RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BAKER,
Thomas M.
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BARROW,
Israel
Sto PO, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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BEATTIE,
William I.
AB SD, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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BEAUCAMP,
Gerald J. C.
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BINGHAM,
Edward J. B.
CPO, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BOILEAU,
Joseph P. L.
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BOUTET,
Charles H.
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BREBBER,
John G.
L/Sto, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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BROCKWAY,
Harold T.
A/L/Sto, Royal Navy
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
BURNETT,
John H.
Sto 2c, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CALDER,
William A.
LS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CAMPBELL,
Donald L.
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CANDY,
Alexander A.
LS QR III, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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CANN,
Malcolm A.
AB, RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CARSE,
James G.
Sto 2c, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CARTER, Victor
E.
LS HSD, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CHEDISTER, Ward
D.
LS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CLARKE,
Ralph L.
Tel, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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COLE,
John W.
Sig, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CONWAY,
Leo C.
AB, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CORBIN,
William H.
PO, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
COXON,
Thomas
AB QR II, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
CRANE,
Alan C.
ERA 4c, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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CUNNINGHAM, Edward
AB LR III, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
DAY, Stanley
G.
LVA, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
DICKENS,
Alexander
OS, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
DOMEIER,
Eric C.
AB ST, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
DONALDSON,
William
LS QR III, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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EDWARDS,
Norman W.
OS, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
ESTABROOKS,
Vernon
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FEAREY,
Charles E.
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FENERTY,
Morris St. G.
PO Tel, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FERGUSON,
Robert S.
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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FLEMING,
Ronald J.
VA, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FRANCIS,
James A.
Ck (S), RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FRANKHAM,
David G.
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FRAYER,
Donald L.
AB LR III, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
FROST,
Lawrence V.
AB, RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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FULLER,
Raymond H.
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
GILL,
John H.
OA 4c, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
GOLDSMITH,
William
AB QR III, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
GRAY,
Harold F.
Sto 1c, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
GUTTRIDGE,
Neville
Sto PO, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940 |
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HANCOCK,
Sydney C,
PO P&RTI, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HARRINGTON,
Edgar
Sto 2c, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HARTLEY,
Ernest O.
Sto 1c, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HARVEY,
William J.
AB SD, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HEALE,
Renfred C.
AB ST, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HEAN,
John D.
L/Sig, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HENDERSON,
James M.
Sig, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HEYCOCK, Selwyn
R
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HOLLAND, James
R.
Sig, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HOLLOWAY,
Arthur
Ck(S), RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HOPPER,
Jack Herbert
Sto 1c, 21763, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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HUOT,
Robert
L/Ck (O), RCN
Killed: 06 Sep 1940
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JAINES,
George F.
A/L/Sto, P/KX 88543, RN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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JONES,
Ackland Hubert
OS, 3421, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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JONES, Alfred Ernest
OS, 3422, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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KEEPING,
Robert
AB, A1178, RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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KELLY,
James George
ERA 3c, 21390, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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KIRKWOOD,
Thomas
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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KYLE,
Kenneth Harvey
AB, 3182, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LAAK,
Mike
LS, V13193, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LAMB,
Thomas Henry
ERA 4c, 21552, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LANGHAM,
Edward M.
A/L/Sto, P/KX 56315, RN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LEGAULT,
Marcel
Sto 1c, 21416, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LEMIEUX,
Joseph Edward
Sto PO, 21248, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LEWIS,
Bernard Arthur
Cd Gnr, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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LINDSAY, James
Sto PO, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MACDOUGALL,
Gordon Willard
Shpt 4c, 40667, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MACKIE,
Ronald
AB, 3263, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MARA,
John Joseph
PO, 2489, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MARTIN,
Jean Marie
L/Sto, 21407, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MARTIN,
Merle Garnet
Ck(S), V25198, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MARTIN, Sidney Francis
PO Ck(S), 40406, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MATTHEWS,
Thomas H.
AB, 3136, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MAYNARD,
William Henry
Stwd, A826, RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCALISTER,
William James
AB, 3389, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCCONNELL,
James Clifford
S.B.A., V6389, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCILDOON,
Edward
LS, 2819, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCKINNON,
Desmond Scott
Ch Sto, 21202, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCLUSKIE,
William Richard
VA, V25209,
RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCMURTRY,
Alexander Eric
Lt, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MCTAGGART,
David Alexander
Tel, 2710, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MEADOWS,
Charles Blackburn
Tel, 3012, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MILLAR,
James Ralph
OS, 3475, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MILLER,
James Bertram
AB, 2592, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MILLS,
Frederick J.
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MOORE,
Ronald Joseph
AB, V273, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MUNRO, Gordon Whitney
LS, 2995, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MURRAY,
Wallace Haig
Sto 1c, 21569, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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MYLREA,
Russell Edward
Sto 2c, 21597, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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NORRIS,
Cyril Anthony
Tel, 2686, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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OLSON,
Clarence Joseph
OS, 3326, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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OLSON,
Ole Adrian
Sto 1c, 21555, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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OVERY, Ernest Kenneth
Sto PO, 21344, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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PEGNEM,
John Charles
PO Instructor, 3227, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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PENNEY,
Selby Jack
AB, A991, RCNR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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PETTS,
Clifford
LS, V7403, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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PONDER,
Harold Russell
AB, 3632, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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POPE, Rufus Campbell
Lt, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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POWELL,
Stephen B
OS, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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READING,
William Joseph
Sig, 3634, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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REID,
Robert Benzie
OA 4c, 21639, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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ROBERTSON,
William Dalton
Sto, 21566, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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ROWE,
Frederick Edward
LS, 2719, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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ROWSE,
Edward Grant
LS, 2926, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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ROY,
Joseph Wilton Rouer
Cdr, RCN, Commanding Officer
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SANDERS,
Leslie
AB, 3494, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SIMPKIN,
Donald Harry
L/VA, 40525, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SKINNER,
Edward Lomas
AB, 3306, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SMITH,
Cedric De Herries
L/Sig, 2533, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SMITH,
George Burnett
EA 4c, V5469, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SMITH,
Gordon Elsworth
AB, V3220, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SMITH,
Robert
AB, 3317, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SMITH,
Robert Borden
OS, V266, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SMITHSON,
David Baker
AB, 3279, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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SNOWSELL,
Ernest Walter
AB, 3308, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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STANDING,
Thomas
LS, 2415, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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STARK,
Horace G.
Tel, V6408, RCNVR
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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STEPHENS,
Richard Henry
Sto 1c, V5387, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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TODOS,
William
AB, 3398, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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UNDERWOOD,
John Comber
AB, 3072, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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VENNE,
Joseph Raoul Georges
VA,
40502, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WALKER,
William
L/Sto, 21275, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WATKINS,
Harry
Sig, 3031, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WEBB,
Horace M.
LS QR II, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WEBB,
Valentine Gordon
Sto PO, 21195, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WEISER,
Lincoln Edward
Sto, 21672, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WHEELER,
Victor Spencer
AB, 3268, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WIGHT, Allan
E.
Sto, 40555, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WILLIAMS,
Robert J.
AB, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WILLIS,
Daniel Curtis
AB, 3175, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WILSON,
Charles McNeil
PO, 2371, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WILSON,
George Reynolds
ERA 4c, 25041, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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WOOD,
Stanley Edmondson
AB, 3094, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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YOUNG,
Alfred
AB, 3007, RCN
MPK: 22 Oct 1940
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar
They shall not be
forgotten
(s) - Survived
the sinking of HMCS MARGAREE on 22 Oct 1940
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Hanson,
Brian A. (s)
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Hart, Harold
J.
(s) |
Landymore,
William M. (s)
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Leggett,
Harry F. (s)
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McLean,
Timothy B. (s)
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Meddings,
Stanley (s)
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Millian,
Francis (s)
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Semple,
Allan A.
(s)
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Timbrell,
Robert W. (s)
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Watson,
Douglas K. (s)
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Photos and
Documents
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MGE001 |
MGE002 |
MGE003 |
MGE004 |
MGE005 |
(MGE001)
Article on HMCS MARGAREE having been sunk // The Montreal Star // Courtesy of Operation Picture Me
(MGE002)
Newspaper article on 3 Margaree survivors and two
casualties from the Toronto area
(MGE003)
Newspaper article on the loss of HMCS Margaree
H49 // The Daily Colonist, Victoria, BC, 29 Oct 1940
// Note:
AB Francis Millan is listed as one of those lost in the sinking of
HMCS Margaree, however, AB Millan did not sail with Margaree and was
later reported safe in England.
(MGE004)
Photos of MARGAREE crew members from all parts of Canada - Missing and
Survivors
(MGE005)
MARGAREE Casualties and Survivors from the
Toronto area
HMCS MARGAREE survivors return home
Article 1: Lt William Landymore, Cd
Eng E.J. Sawdy, Surg-Lt T.B. McLean
Article 2: Stanley Medding
Article 3: AB Doug Watson
Article 4: Stoker Harold
Hart
Article 5: Leading Seaman Harry Leggett,
ERA Allan C. Kent
Articles courtesy of "Operation Picture
Me"
The
last moments of the Margaree
Original
newspaper unknown
The H.M.C.S.
Margaree
The poem below - The HMCS Margaree - was written
by the brother of a sailor lost when HMCS Margaree was sunk on 22 Oct
1940. The sailor, identified only as Gus, survived the sinking
of Fraser, only to be lost on the Margaree.
Of those lost on the Margaree, there are two possibilities
as to whom the poem may be about ....
Robert Scott Ferguson - Robert joined the
RCN in 1938 as a Boy seaman, age 17. He survived sinking of Fraser. He
had one brother David Pollock Ferguson.
James Augustine Francis. James
joined the RCNR on 21 Oct 1939, age 20. He survived sinking of
Fraser. He had 3 brothers, Henry, Lonell and Lloyd Francis.
Based
on the poem I'm leaning toward James Augustine Francis as the subject
of the poem - and hope one day to confirm.
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The H.M.C.S. Margaree
It happened back in thirty-nine
When I left to do my part,
To join the active service force
To fight with all my heart.
My brother shortly after this
Did join the R.C.N.
And landed aboard the Frasher
With a jolly bunch of men
It seems she was a hardluck ship,
And just why it had to be,
Hardluck and misfortune did follow her
When ere she put to sea.
They patrolled the South Atlantic
They patrolled off Britain's shore,
But allas my darling brother
He shall patrol no more.
The Frasher was rammed off Dunkirk
And sank without a trace
He had a narrow escape there
And was saved by Gods kind grace.
They lost all their belongings
And everything they wore
And were lucky to escape disaster
And be landed on Britain's shore
A new ship then commissioned
And proudly put to sea
Twas on this ship he gave his life
On the ill-fated Margaree
Coming home on convoy duty
Guarding Britain's ships out there
That never knew that in the dark
Lurked danger everywhere.
Then out of the fog and darkness,
A strange hulk came into view
Too late to avoid the accident
As she cut the Margaree in two.
Now brother Gus was one of the many
Who their life for England gave,
And now sleeps beneath the Atlantic
In a dark, unknown grave.
Now All who read this story
And who fight for liberty
Offer up a kindly prayer
For the men of the Margaree.
A jinx ship she was christened
And such she had to be
And twas a very sad ending did come
for the H.M.C.S Margaree
Author Unknown |
The H.M.C.S. Margaree
Author unknown
From the collection of Murray Flewelling,
SPO, RCNVR
Click on the above pages to read the
original poem |
Footnotes:
(1) - Info on MV Port
Fairy and her rescue of the officers and men from HMCS Margaree is from the research of
Capt. Eric T. Wiberg, Esq
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