HMCS MILLTOWN J317 / 194

 

Bangor Class Minesweeper

 

 

 

HMCS MILLTOWN J317

31st Mine Sweeping Flotilla

From the collection of Charles Mitchell Young

HMCS MILLTOWN J317

 

Laid down: 18 Aug 1941

Launched: 27 Jan 1942

Commissioned: 18 Sep 1942

Paid off: 16 Oct 1945

Re-acquired: 1952

Paid off: Feb 1959

Fate: Sold for scrap in 1959

 

Commissioned on 18 Sep 1942 at Port Arthur, MILLTOWN arrived at Halifax on 27 Oct 1942 and, after working up, joined Halifax Force in Dec 1942. In March 1943, she transferred to WLEF and in Jun 1943, to Gaspé Force. In Nov 1943, she returned to Halifax Force until 20 Feb 1944, when, with BLAIRMORE, FORT WILLIAM and MINAS, she sailed via the Azores for Plymouth, arriving on 08 Mar 1944. She was present on D-Day with the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla. She returned to Canada to refit at Saint John, N.B., from Mar to Jun 1945, leaving Halifax 23 Jun 1945 for Plymouth via the Azores. She left Plymouth for home on 21 Sep 1945 and was paid off on 16 Oct 1945 at Sydney and laid up at Shelburne. MILLTOWN was placed in strategic reserve at Sorel in 1946, but re-acquired by the RCN in 1952 and kept in reserve at Sydney until Feb 1959, when she was sold for scrap.

 

 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

 

HMCS MILLTOWN J317 Nominal Roll for 21 Jul 1945

 

The Thirty-First Minesweeping Flotilla

 

 

Commanding Officers

 

A/LCdr J.H. Marshall, RCNVR - 18 Sep 1942 - 14 Apr 1943

 

Lt Edward Henry Maguire, RCNVR - 15 Apr 1943 - 18 Sep 1944

 

A/Cdr Anthony Hubert Gleadow Storrs, RCNR - 19 Sep 1944 - 16 Oct 1945

 

 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

BELL, Daniel

AB.HSD, RCN

died - 09 May 1945

 

 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 

 

Former Crew Members

 

(NR45) = crew members listed on HMCS MILLTOWN Nominal Roll dated 21 Jul 1945

 

Allan, David M., ERA A/4c, V40534, RCNVR - (NR45)


Anderson, Robert, Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Bannerman, Andrew G., E.A. - (NR45)


Beckerson, Allan, Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Belleisle, R., AB - (NR45)


Benjamin F. Bako, Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Braendle, John, L/Tel - (NR45)


Brewer, James R., Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Brown, George King, Lt - 15 May 1945 - (NR45)


Brown, William G., Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Bruce, Howard, OS - (NR45)

 

Burke, Lester, LS - 1944


Calder, Albert, Sto. 1 (of Glace Bay, NS) - (NR45)


Campbell, Harold R., Sto 1 - (NR45)


Chalifoux, Roland, Sig - (NR45)


Cloutier, George, Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Colvin, Thomas G., L.Sto - (NR45)


Coreless, R.J., Coder - (NR45)


Cox, Thomas W., Sig - (NR45)

 

Crowe, Edward J., ERA 5c, V38092, RCNVR - 1944


Cumming, George T., Sto. 1 - (NR45)

 

Davidson, Donald, Tel - (NR45)


Dobson, William A., SPO - (NR45)


Dorrington (Darrington ?sp), William, (of Inverness) ERA3 - (NR45).  L/ERA during D-Day  - 1944-1945.  List in article Apr 1945 as CERA.


Dumond, Leonard A., OS - (NR45)

 

Edwards, J., LS (of Dartmouth, NS) - 1944

 

Farley, Norman, Stoker, RCNVR

 

Farrell, Frank, Lt (of Montreal/Winnipeg) - listed in article in Apr 1945


Fetinko (Fetinki ?sp), Patrick C. (of Halifax, NS), L/Sto - (NR45) - 1944 - 1945

 

Gain, Howard, Lt (of Calgary, AB) - listed in article in Apr 1945

Gelder, Burton, Sto. 1 - (NR45)

 

German, Donald R., L/Sto - (NR45)

 

Germann, Michael J., L/Sto - (NR45)

 

Gill, Roland, G. LS - (NR45)

 

Gooch, John A., L/SA - (NR45)


Green, Edmund, Sig - (NR45)


Greenham, Stuart, OS - (NR45)


Haggart, Hugh J., AB - (NR45)


Hall, Alfred J., LS - (NR45)

 

Hazell, Rockwell, SBA (of Scotch Village) - 1944


Herron, E.T., Sto. 1 - (NR45)


Holman, Harold (Henry / Hank), L/Sig (of London, ON) - (NR45).  List in article Apr 1945


Hopper, Lowell K., AB - (NR45)

 

Hudson, William Herman, SLT, RCNVR - 17 May 1943


Hurst, Stanley Douglas, AB - (NR45)


Jensen, Paul H., C/Eng - (NR45)


Jenter, Oscar, AB - (NR45)

 

Johnston, Leonard Edward, SLT, RCNVR - 29 Jan 1944 (of Toronto). Listed in article Apr 1945


Jolliffe, Lewis F., ERA3 - (NR45)


Jones, B.R., SPO - (NR45)


Jones, Iolo, SPO - (NR45)


Koubek, Joseph J., SPO - (NR45)


Krupp, J., OS - (NR45)


Labelle, J. Guy, P/Stwd - (NR45)


Legare, Walter V., LS - (NR45)


Lowe, Charles, R., CK(S) - (NR45)


MacDonald, Francis W., SBA - (NR45)

 

MacIntyre, John, ERA, (of Sydney, NS) - 1944


MacLean, Joseph H., Tel - (NR45)


MacNeil, John Alexander, Lt - 16 Apr 1945 - (NR45)

 

MacRae, Douglas Kenneth, Lt, RCNVR - 07 May 1943

 

Martin, Ethelbert Cowley (Bert), SLT, RCNVR - 26 Feb 1943 / 26 Mar 43.  Listed in article Apr 1945 as a Lt.

Mason, Robert A., CPO/TC - (NR45)

 

McAuley, Alfred Joseph, SLT - (NR45)

 

McMillan, Murray Daniel, SLT - 02 Apr 1945 - (NR45)

 

McNiven, James Alexander, Lt, RCNVR (of Montreal) - Jan 1944 - listed in article in Apr 1945 as XO


Melanson, J.A., L/Sto - (NR45)

 

Morris, Elstan G., Tel - (NR45)

 

Morris, Glen, Cook, Ck(S), RCNVR - Alive and well in 2020  (NR45)

 

Naftel, Frederick Robb Knyvet, Lt, RCNVR, 06 May 1942 (Stand by) CO

 

Nickerson, Leland Malcolm Lt, RCNVR - 14 Apr 1943

 

Pineau, Joseph, CPO, M.I.D., (of Port Arthur, On, formerly of Charlottetown, PEI) - 1944. Listed in article Apr 1945


Pratt, Forsyth C., L/Stwd - (NR45)


Prouff, Joseph, AB - (NR45)


Reeves, H.E., AB - (NR45)


Roy, Albert C., AB - (NR45)


Ruzyski, Joseph, AB/LTO - (NR45)


Sanders, Philip A., ERA A/4c - (NR45)


Semple, R.T., L/Sto - (NR45)


Sherlock, Nathaniel, AB - (NR45)


Shewchuk, John, AB - (NR45)


Shoemperlen, Jack B., Sto. 1 - (NR45)

 

Sille, John, AB (of Belleville, ON) - List in article Apr 1945.


Smith, Arthur, Stwd - (NR45)


Strang, Norman A., Tel - (NR45)

 

Tait, John Watterson, Lt, RCNVR - 12 Apr 1943


Tereschuk, James E., AB - (NR45)


Walker, Richard A., A/L/Sto - (NR45)


Wicks, J.W., RA 5/c - (NR45)


Worrall, Frederick Lloyd, SLT - 19 Mar 1945 - (NR45)


Zaborski, Bronie, AB - (NR45)

 

 

Photos and Documents

 

HMCS MILLTOWN J317

 

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Charles Mitchell Young on board HMCS MILLTOWN

Photo taken circa 1944 possibly during minesweeping practice along the Devon or Cornwall coasts

 

From the collection of Charles Young

Courtesy of Stephen Young

Photo of Charles Mitchell Young on board HMCS MILLTOWN.  Charles is on the right.  The sailor on the left is unknown

 

From the collection of Charles Young

Courtesy of Stephen Young

Charles Mitchell Young (bottom right) with two other crew of HMCS MILLTOWN posing by an anti-aircraft gun

 

From the collection of Charles Young

Courtesy of Stephen Young

HMCS MILLTOWN J317

 

DND / RCN Photo - Crown copyright

Library and Archives of Canada PA-192397

Top Photo - Men from HMCS MILLTOWN

 

(Front Row, L to R) - Chief Engine Room Artificer L. Jolliffe, London; Leading Stoker R. Walker, Munt Brydges; Sub. Lt. M. McMillan, Blenheim; Chief Petty Officer R. Mason, Windsor.

 

(Back Row, L to R) - Ables Seaman S. Greenham, Harrow (Windsor); Able Seaman L.K. Hopper, Leamington; Able Seaman C. Young, London, and Leading Signalman H. Holman, London.

 

Lower Photo - Men from HMCS Georgian

 

(L to R) - Signalman E. Lawrence, London; Leading Stoker C. Chidley, Stratford; Able Seman G. Warren, Erieau, and Able Seaman J. Evans, Melbourne.

 

From the collection of Charles Young

Courtesy of Stephen Young

 

photo 1

photo 2

photo 3

(1) Page from the Deck Log Book of HMCS MILLTOWN J317 - 31 Dec 1943   (2) Deck Log Book cover for 12 May 1944 - 07 Aug 1944  (3) Page from the Deck Log Book of HMCS MILLTOWN J317 - D-Day - 06 Jun 1944

 

Courtesy of Stephen Young

 

  

 

Two pages of personnel changes for HMCS MILLTOWN - Dec 1944

 

Names listed - James J. Darling, Pay-SLT, RCNVR (from HMS Fantome);  Edward J. Crowe, ERA 5c, V38092, RCNVR (from HMCS Niobe);  David M. Allan, ERA 5c, V40534, RCNVR (from HMCS Niobe);  Charles Young, AB, V58806, RCNVR (to R.N.H. Plymouth / returned to ship as per 2nd personnel change form)

 

HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of Jim Silvester

Courtesy of Jim Silvester

A few crew members of HMCS MILLTOWN - 1944

 

(1) Wilkison, Tel  (2) Holman, Sig  (3) Burnham, ERA  (4) Dorrington, ERA  (5) Saunders, ERA  (6) Bromley, Sto

 

(7) Young, Seaman  (8) Enderby, Sto  (9) Harrison, Sto  (10) Thethaway, Stwd  (11) McMillan, Sig  (12) Corliss, Coder

 

Click here to view the photo with sailors numbered

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Art Bromley on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Art Bromley on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Unknown sailors in a messdeck on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Unknown event on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

 

Webmaster's note: appears to be Commanding Officer's defaulters

Ice on the gun deck and fo'c's'le of HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Three sailors on HMCS MILLTOWN J317 - Art Bromley - centre

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Tot time on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Unknown sailor on HMCS MILLTOWN J317 showing off a Flying fish

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Sailors on HMCS MILLTOWN J317 relaxing on the quarterdeck - location unknown

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Sailors on the gun deck / fo'c's'le of HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Stokers from HMCS MILLTOWN J317 ashore - location unknown

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Cdr Storrs, Commanding Officer, HMCS MILLTOWN J317 visiting one of the mess decks. Art Bromley 1st on right.

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Officers and ratings on the Quarterdeck of HMCS MILLTOWN J317.  Cdr Storrs, C.O., 1st on left

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

HMCS MILLTOWN J317 streaming her minesweeping gear

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Stokers at work on HMCS MILLTOWN J317 - Art Bromley on left

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Unknown sailor on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Cdr Storrs, Commanding Officer, HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

 

Webmaster's note: The C.O. appears to be in a good mood and it look like its Tot time

Unknown sailors on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Art Bromley (right) and two shipmates ashore

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Sailors on HMCS MILLTOWN J317.  Art Bromley top left

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Unknown sailor from HMCS MILLTOWN J317 ashore enjoying a pint

Note the sign in the background for the Ind Coope Allsop Brewerly

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Four ratings and an officer on HMCS MILLTOWN J317.  Sto PO Art Bromley 2nd from right (sitting)

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Tot time on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

 

Webmaster's note - most likely in the Petty Officer's mess

Sailors on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

 

(1) Jensen  (4) Tasker  (6) Bromley

 

Names on back of photo:  Harrison, Alymer Heron, Tasker, Adams, Jenson, Kennedy, Bromley

 

Click here to see the photo with sailors numbered   //   Click here to see the names written on back

 

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Art Bromley (left) and Tasker on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

 

HMCS MILLTOWN J317 oiling at sea

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Newspaper article on the return of the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla to Canada

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Newspaper article on the return of the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla to Canada

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

 

Note:  This article makes special mention of Commissioned Engineer P.H. Jensen of Denmark who was serving in the RCN

Newspaper article on Stoker PO W.A. Bromley returning to Canada on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Commissioned Engineer Paul Hoeybye Jensen on HMCS MILLTOWN J317

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

HMCS MILLTOWN J317 souvenirs

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

HMCS MILLTOWN jacket patch - 31st Minesweeping Flotilla

From the collection of William (Art) Bromley

Courtesy of Peter Bromley

Newspaper article on the Bangor minesweepers converting to escort role

Globe and Mail 11 Apr 1945, Page 22

Courtesy of Steve Young

 

Sailors listed in the article:

 

McNiven, James, 1st Lt (XO) of Montreal;  Farrell, Frank, Lt of Montreal/Winnipeg;  Martin, E.C. (Bert), Lt;  Gain, Howard, Lt of Calgary;  Johnston, Len, SLT of Toronto; Pineau, Jo, MID, PO of Port Arthur;  Dorrington, Bill, CERA of Peterborough;  Holman, Henry (Hank), L/Sig of London, ON;  Sille, John, AB of Belleville.

 

 

HH01

HH02

HH03

HH04

HH05

(HH01) British subs in the Solent - May 1944.  Spithead Forts in the background. Photo taken from HMCS MILLTOWN  (HH02) Special Order of the Day No. 2 - officers and ratings of the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla - Mentioned in Despatches  (HH03) Edmund Green and James Lovie on HMCS MILLTOWN  (HH04) Edmund Green, Paul Jensen and James Lovie on HMCS MILLTOWN  (HH05) Gordon Albright, Thomas Cox and Roland Chalifoux on HMCS MILLTOWN as Portsmouth, England

 

HH06

HH07

HH08

HH09

HH10

(HH06) Gordon Albright, Thomas Cox and Roland Chalifoux on HMCS MILLTOWN as Portsmouth, England  (HH07) Gordon M. Albright on HMCS MILLTOWN  (HH08) Harold Holman (standing) and Lawlor on the jetty by HMCS MILLTOWN  (HH09) Harold Holman on HMCS MILLTOWN  (HH10) HMCS MILLTOWN Christmas card

 

HH11

HH12

HH13

HH14

HH15

(HH11) HMCS MILLTOWN in refit, Saint John, NB - Mar-Jun 1945  (HH12) Approach to Horta, Azores - 1945  (HH13) Harold Holman at Horta, Azores  (HH14) Sailors off HMCS MILLTOWN at Ponta Delgada, Azores - 04 Jul 1945  (HH15) Sailors off HMCS MILLTOWN swimming at Ponta Delgada, Azores - 04 Jul 1945

 

HH16

(HH16) Roland Chalifoux at Ponta Delgada, Azores - 04 Jul 1945

 

From the collection of Harold Holman

 

Courtesy of the Holman family

 

 

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