HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136

 

Flower Class Corvette

 


 

From the collection of

Arthur W. Turner

HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136

RCN Photo

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

 

From the collection of

J.T. Williams

 

Battle honours and awards:  Gulf of St. Lawrence  1942, 1944,   Atlantic  1942-44

 

 

Laid down: 04 Jun 1940

Launched: 16 May 1941

Commissioned: 19 Sep 1941

Fate: Sunk on 25 Nov 1944 by U-1228

 

Built by George T. Davie & Sons Ltd., Lauzon, Que. Commissioned on 19 Sep 1941, at Quebec City, SHAWINIGAN arrived at Halifax on 27 Oct 1941. She joined Sydney Force in November but on 13 Jan 1942, arrived at St. John's to join Newfoundland Command. She left 25 Jan 1942 to escort convoy SC.66 to Londonderry, the first of three round trips. In mid-May 1942 she left 'Derry for the last time, and in Jun 1942 was assigned to Halifax Force as escort to Quebec-Labrador convoys. She joined WLEF that November, almost immediately commencing a refit at Liverpool, N.S. This refit was completed in mid-Mar 1943, and in Jun 1943 SHAWINIGAN joined the recently established EG W-3. In Apr 1944, while undergoing another refit at Liverpool, during which she had her fo'c's'le extended,, she was transferred to W-2 and, on completion of the refit on 16 Jun 1944, proceeded to Bermuda to work up. At 0230 hours on 25 Nov 1944, while on independent A/S patrol out of Sydney, she was torpedoed in the Cabot Strait by U-1228 (Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich-Wilhelm Marienfeld). She exploded and sank immediately with all hands. A memorial monument dedicated to the 91 lost was erected at SHAWINIGAN, Quebec.

 


 

RCN Memories:     Remembrance

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Search for the HMCS SHAWINIGAN

 

Casualty List

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

A/LCdr Charles Patrick Balfry, RCNR - 19 Sep 1941 - 04 Jan 1944 

Lt Richard Sugden Williams, RCNVR - 05 Jan 1944 - 14 Mar 1944

Lt William Edward Callan, RCNVR - 15 Mar 1944 - 04 Jun 1944

Lt William James Jones, RCNR - 05 Jun 1944 - 25 Nov 1944

 


 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

Webmaster's note: Postwar analysis of German records shows that HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 was sunk at 0230 on 25 Nov 1944 by U-1228.  The service records of all those who died on her show their date of death as 24 Nov 1944.  At the time she would have been presumed lost based on her last known contact, which in this case would was on 24 Nov 1944.

 

AGAR, Robert J.

L/Ck (S), RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

ANDERSON, Stewart

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

ANDERSON, William J.

L/Coder, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

ARMSTRONG, Robert

L/Tel, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BAIRD, Haddow F.

SLt, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BARLOW, Howard C.

Tel, RCNVR

killed - 24 Nov 1944

BEAUCHAMP, Joseph

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BENOIT, Joseph B. A.

Cook, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BERNST, Ronald W.

AB LR III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BLAYLOCK, Douglas J.

AB SD, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BRETT, Robert A.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BREUX, Joseph Y. P.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BROWN, Gordon

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

BUTLER, Arthur H.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CALLAN, William E.

Lt, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CAMPBELL, Alexander

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CAMPBELL, James

ERA 4c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CHALMERS, George A.

L/Sig, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CHISHOLM, Eric M.

LS SD, RCN

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CLAYTON, Alfred E. J.

SA, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

COLE, Harry C. B.

OS ST, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

CONNERS, Cyril W.

CPO TC, RCN

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

DUPUIS, R. Joseph

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

DUVAL, Alfred H.

Stwd, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

EARP, Ralph N.

AB SD, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

EPPLER, Clifford

OS Radar III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

EVANS, David M.

PO LTO, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

EVANS, John J.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

EVANS, Lewis B.

OS AA III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

FIANDER, Edgar L.

Sto PO, RCNR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

FOUGERE, Leo H.

Sto PO, RCNR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

FRENCH, Donald F.

Lt, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

GARRETT, Dudley M.

AB, RCNVR

killed - 24 Nov 1944

GRANT, Robert G.

Sig, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

HIBBARD, Arnold A.

OS Radar III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

HODGSON, John W.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

HUGHES, William

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

HUNTER, Roy S.

Ord. Tel, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

HURD, Harold J.

L/SBA, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

JAMES, John L.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

JOHNSON, Maurice W.

Coder, RCNVR

killed - 24 Nov 1944

JONES, William J.

Lt, RCNR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

KEMP, Arthur E.

Coder, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

KENDALL, Robin D. H.

Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

KENNAH, Willette R.

Sig, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

La BARRE, Joseph A.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

LANGFELD, Leslie B.

LS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

LAWRENCE, John C. 

Lt, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

LAWRENCE, Thomas E.

AB Radar III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

LLOYD, Walter J.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MACARTHUR, David A.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MACEACHERN, William

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MACLANDERS, Vernon

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MACWILLIAM, Jack

AB Radar III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MCDOUGALL, Donald

Sig, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MCNEIL, Donald B.

Wt (E), RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MITCHELL, Patrick A.

LS, RCN

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MORRISON, Ewen

LS QR III, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MORROW, David J.

Lt, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MOSS, Cecil R.

OS SD, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

MURRAY, Glenn S.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

O'GORMAN, Michael B.

ERA 4c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

OSSACHUK, John

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

PAITHOWSKI, Michael

Sto PO, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

PARSONS, Howard N.

PO HSD, RCN

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

PHILLIPS, James G.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

RAYNER, Robert F.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

REA, Clifford L.

Sto 1c, V39455, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

RIGBY, John J.

OS, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

RITZER, Edward R.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

ROY, Frank N.

Stwd, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SAVOY, Alfred T.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SEALEY, Walter B.

AB, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SMITH, Gerald J.

Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SMITH, William R.

AB AAIII, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SMITHSON, Stanley L.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SMRKE, Anthony

OS Radar III, RCNVR

killed - 24 Nov 1944

SNYDER, Arthur D.

PO, RCNR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

STEFIUK, George

LS QRII, RCNR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

SWART, Dirk C.

Sto PO, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

THOMAS, Roger C.

Tel, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

TODD, Hugh L.

AB RDF2, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

TRENHOLM, Frank R.

OS, RCNVR

killed - 24 Nov 1944

VINCENT, Eldon G.

L/Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

WALLINGTON, Spencer

L/Sto, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

WATSON, Wilfred

EA 4c, V44390, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

WATT, Conway J.

ERA 4c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

WHITE, Clayton L.

AB SD, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

WHITEHEAD, Arthur J.

AB Radar 3c, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

WHYMARK, Milton E.

AB ST, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

Window in the chapel at

Cornwallis dedicated to

HMCS SHAWINIGAN

 

WOODS, Harold G.

Tel, RCNVR

MPK - 24 Nov 1944

 

Window in the chapel at

Cornwallis dedicated to

HMCS SHAWINIGAN

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Balfry, Charles Patrick, Lt, RCNR, CO - 28 Jul 1941 (Stand by)

 

Beament, Thomas Harold, A/Cdr, RCNVR - 23 Jul 1943

Bronstetter, William Edgar, SLt, RCNVR - 25 Jul 1943

 

Fotheringham, James Brant (Pop), RCNVR - 24 Jun 1943

Lawrence, John Campbell, SLt, RCNVR - 25 Jan 43

 

Simon, David, ERA

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

Ship's badge for HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136

 

Courtesy of James Gilbert

HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136

RCN Photo # O-6625

Courtesy of the Comox RCAF Museum

HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 - Note her gunshield art

From the collection of Robert Macklem

Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

The gun shield badge of HMCS SHAWINIGAN

A British bulldog wearing an HMCS cap is tearing the flag of NAZI Germany to shreds

From the collection of Thomas Joseph Simpson

Courtesy of Ron Simpson

HMCS SHAWINIGAN in St. John's, Newfoundland circa Nov/Dec 1943

 

Note that her mast was snapped off

 

From the collection of David Simon, ERA

 

Courtesy of Matthew Simon

"Start Chipping Boys, Winter At Sea"

Don Lovell, Stan Sutton, Corky Harris, Stan Green

 

HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 covered in ice

 

Note that her mast has snapped off

 

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

What Happens When The North Atlantic's 'Mad'

 

Newspaper article on HMCS SHAWINIGAN in a North Atlantic storm

 

Crew's Nest newspaper - Apr 1944

HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 covered in ice

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

Coming into port - St. John's, 1944

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 in 1943

From the collection of Thomas J. Simpson

Signalman McDougall - Missing at Sea

Written on clipping - 26 June 1945

Source: City of Kawartha Lake Public Library

Signalman Donald McDougall - Missing at Sea

Written on clipping - 26 June 1945

Source: City of Kawartha Lake Public Library

AB Milton Whymark - Missing at Sea

Written on clipping - 26 June 1945

Source: City of Kawartha Lake Public Library

ANDERSON, William John, L/Coder, V/19542, RCNVR

 

HMCS SHAWINIGAN

 

Courtesy of Troy Wells


Newspapers on the loss of HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136

From the collection of Rodney Carson

Courtesy of Chris Carson

Londoners Missing When Canadian Corvette Lost - 90 Missing After Canuk Ship Lost

Article on the loss of HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 from the London Free Press, London, ON

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

Missing at Sea - Leading Stoker Edward Ritzer

Article from the London Free Press, London, ON

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

Londoner Missing On Lost Corvette - Leading Stoker Stanley L. Smithson

Article from the London Free Press, London, ON

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

Newspaper article on 8 men from western Ontario who were lost when HMCS SHAWINIGAN was sunk

Courtesy of Gary Silliker

Newspaper article about Ontario sailors lost when HMCS SHAWINIGAN was sunk

The Evening Telegram, Toronto, 07 Dec 1944

Courtesy of BIll Watson

4 Calgary, 5 Alberta Men Lost In SHAWINIGAN Sinking

Courtesy of Operation Picture Me

Newspaper article on SLt Haddow Baird and AB Alfred Savoy who were reported missing when HMCS SHAWINIGAN was sunk

From the Fredericton Daily Gleaner

Courtesy of Ian Baird

A poem honouring those lost on HMCS SHAWINIGAN

 

From the collection of David Simon, ERA

 

Courtesy of Matthew Simon

Monument dedicated to all those who died on HMCS SHAWINIGAN at Shawinigan, Quebec

Transcription of newspaper article on HMCS ANTIGONISH search for survivors of HMCS SHAWINIGAN

Source: Service file of Tel Howard Barlow

Article on the loss of the SHAWINIGAN

 

The Edmonton Bulletin Dec 1944

Photos of Edmonton and District men who were lost when SHAWINIGAN was sunk

 

The Edmonton Bulletin Dec 1944

 

Courtesy of Operation Picture Me

 


 

JW01

JW02

JW03

JW04

JW05

 

( JW01) Four crew members of HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 - date unknown  (JW02) Five crew members of HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 - date unknown  (JW03) Officers on the bridge of HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 - date unknown  (JW04) Officers and hands on the bridge of HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136 - date unknown  (HW05) A couple sailors relaxing on the depth charge racks on HMCS SHAWINIGAN at the Chelsea piers, New York, NY

 

JW05

(JW06) Lifeboat on HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136

 

From the collection of J.T. Williams

 

Courtesy of Jim Williams

 

Note: J.T. Williams was drafted off HMCS SHAWINIGAN shortly before she sailed on her final voyage.

 


 

AT04

AT05

AT06

AT07

(AT04) The Harp and Halo - HMCS SHAWINIGAN'S original gunshield art  (AT05) Chiefs and Petty Officers on HMCS SHAWINIGAN K136. PO Arthur Turner, standing, 2nd from right  (AT06) HMCS SHAWINIGAN'S gun crew - Don Keeley first on left  (AT07) HMCS SHAWINIGAN casualties

 

From the collection of Arthur W. Turner, Sto PO, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Art Turner

 


 

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