HMCS UGANDA

Crown Colony Class Light Cruiser

As HMS UGANDA, she was completed 03 Jan 1943, at Vickers-Armstrong Ltd., Newcastle-on-Tyne. After working up with the Home Fleet she joined Plymouth Command in Apr 1943 for operations in the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, and in Jul 1943 joined the 15th Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet, as part of Force "K." She was badly damaged by a German glider bomb on 13 Sep 1943, while supporting the Allied landing at Salerno, Italy, and arrived at Charleston, S.C., in November for a year of repair work.  Presented to the RCN, the ship was commissioned HMCS UGANDA on 21 Oct 1944, at Charleston, and in Nov 1944 returned to the U.K. for further modifications. She left in Jan 1945, for the Pacific via the Suez Canal, to join the 4th Cruiser Squadron, British Pacific Fleet thus becoming the first ship of the RCN to transit the Suez Canal. In Apr 1945 she joined Task Force 57 in the Okinawa area, and was thereafter principally employed in screening the Fleet's aircraft carriers operating against Japanese airfields in the Ryukyu Islands. 

After the fall of Germany, while UGANDA was involved in operations with the US Navy's Third Fleet that a directive came through from RCN Headquarters that Captain Mainguy poll the crew on whether they would volunteer for the Pacific War and eventually Operation Downfall, the codename for the invasion of the Home Islands. The crew of UGANDA felt that they had volunteered for "hostilities only", (i.e., hostilities against Nazi Germany) but now found themselves fighting a different enemy in a quite different part of the world. On 7 May 1945, the vote was held onboard UGANDA and 605 crew out of 907 refused to volunteer for continuing operations against Japan. The British Admiralty was furious and said it could not replace the ship until 27 July at the earliest. An embarrassed Royal Canadian Navy offered to replace UGANDA with HMCS Prince Robert, an anti-aircraft flak ship that was being refitted in Vancouver.

UGANDA remained on duty until relieved by HMS Argonaut. On 14 Jun 1945 she participated in the bombardment of Truk, and in Jul 1945 supported carriers operating against Tokyo. HMCS UGANDA was detached from the US Navy's Third Fleet on 27 July 1945 when HMS Argonaut arrived. UGANDA proceeded to Eniwetok, and then to Pearl Harbor for refuelling before heading for Esquimalt. En route to Pearl Harbor, one boiler suffered a liner collapse which would have resulted in the ship's withdrawal from active combat at any rate. UGANDA limped into Pearl Harbor on 04 Aug 1945 but was not welcomed because of the resentment that her crew was "quitting" the war. UGANDA departed after refuelling and proceeded for Esquimalt. En route to Canada, the crew heard news about the atomic bombs being dropped on Japan. They arrived in Esquimalt on 10 August 1945, the day that Japan announced its acceptance of the Instrument of Surrender.

Click here to view a summary of UGANDA'S deployment from her commissioning on 21 Oct 1944  till her arrival in Esquimalt on 10 Aug 1945 (from the collection of Charles Bourgeois)

On 05 Feb 1946, HMCS UGANDA sailed from Esquimalt for a South American cruise.  During that deployment she "rounded the Horn" west to east "under sail" and became the first ship of the RCN to do so.  She returned to Esquimalt transiting from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Panama Canal, arriving at Esquimalt on 17 May 1946.  UGANDA was paid off into refit on 10 Jan 1947 and on completion of refit she was re-commissioned as HMCS Quebec on 14 Jan 1952.

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

Shipboard Newspaper:  The UGANDA TAR PAPER - Feb-Aug 1945

- A Lonely Ambassador - HMCS UGANDA and the War in the Pacific by Bill Rawling

- Paved with Good Intentions: HMCS UGANDA, the Pacific War, and the Volunteer Issue

by Bill Rawling, Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence

- Thesis - HMCS UGANDA: ‘Volunteers Only’ By Naval Cadet Malcolm A.P. Butler

- Transcription of the wartime diary of Sto 1c Lawrence Brown, RCN during his time on HMCS UGANDA from joining ship in Halifax after commissioning until her arrival in Esquimalt

Commanding Officers

Capt Edmond Rollo Mainguy, OBE, RCN - 21 Oct 1944 - 04 Jul 1946

Capt Kenneth (Ken) Frederick Adams, RCN - 05 Jul 1946 - 01 Aug 1947

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

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Ship's Mascots

Former Crew Members

Photos and Documents

(UGA01) HMCS UGANDA.  Courtesy of Gordon Howard

(UGA02-UGA03)  Newspaper articles  on the transfer HMCS UGANDA to the RCN from the RN. From the collection of John Acorn. Courtesy of Barry Acorn

(UGA04) Robert Gordon Browne's Crossing the Line (Equator) Certificate on HMCS UGANDA 25 Feb 1945.  From the collection of Robert Browne.  Courtesy of Daniel Browne

(UGA05) The gundeck of HMCS UGANDA after shelling Miyakojima in May, 1945. The ship in the distance is HMNZS GAMBIA. Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum:  Image # VR2014.1.1

(UGA06) Officers from HMCS UGANDA visit El Alamein. In photo - Lt Eric Makovski, Instr Lt E. Smeathers and Capt H. Hollister. Crow's Nest newspaper - May 1945

(UGA07) Crossing the Equator on HMCS UGANDA.  Crow's Nest newspaper - May 1945

(UGA08) Bombardment by HMCS UGANDA off Sukuma Airfield on Miyako Jima.  Source: Library and Archives Canada, ref PA-136073

(UGA09) Petty Officer Engine Room Artificer John Renvik, HMCS UGANDA, Jun 1945.  Source: Lt Gerald M. Moses / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-179624

(UGA10) Sailors from Medicine Hat, Alberta, serving aboard HMCS UGANDA, Jun 1945.  (L-R): AB J.L. Taylor, W.C. Moore, M.M. Brigham, Stokers E. Titsing, S.A. Tanbling. Source: Lt Gerald M. Moses / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-188863

(UGA11) AB Garth Barnes and Paul Kuzma relaxing during a lull in action stations aboard the cruiser HMCS UGANDA in the Pacific Ocean, 18 May 1945.  Source: Lt Gerald M. Moses / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-140832

(UGA12) Gun crew of HMCS UGANDA setting fuses on 6" shells prior to bombardment of Truk - 23 June 1945.  Source: Lt Gerald Milne Moses / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-114920

(UGA13) HMCS UGANDA

(UGA14) HMCS UGANDA.  Courtesy of Mike O'Keefe

(UGA15)  HMCS UGANDA - Stoker Phillips Burial at Sea 1945.  Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-132982

(UAG16)Aboard HMCS UGANDA in the Pacific. CPO Kenneth Barker, Lt Eric Makovski, LS John B. Elder and CPO John Rafter.  Crow's Nest newspaper - Aug 1945

(UGA17) HMCS UGANDA - Esquimalt, 1945.  From the collection of Hugh A. Benson.  Courtesy of Doug Benson

(UGA18) HMCS UGANDA - Esquimalt, 1945.  From the collection of Kenneth Marlatt. Courtesy of Judy Agis

(UGA19) HMCS UGANDA arrives in Esquimalt after service in the Pacific.  From the collection of J. Vincent Wesley, CPO, RCNVR.  Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor

(UGA20) WRENs on HMCS UGANDA, 30 Aug 1945.  Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

(UGA21) Crew of UGANDA muster for pay parade on return to Esquimalt

(UGA22) UGANDA sailors on their arrival in Esquimalt

(UGA23) Newspaper article on UGANDA'S visit to Talara, Peru and then Callao, Peru.  The Halifax Mail 01 Mar 1946.  Research by / Courtesy of George Newbury

(UGA24) HMCS UGANDA rounding Cape Horn "under sail", 1946. From the collection of Eric Stapleton

(UGA25) Charles Williamson onboard HMCS UGANDA rounding the Horn in 1946. Courtesy of Dale Welta

(UGA26) A piece of the pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee.  From the collection of Tom Elstone.  Courtesy of Rick Elstone

(UGA27) HMCS UGANDA at the old Ocean Dock, Prince Rupert, BC - circa 1946. Courtesy of John Gabel

(UGA28) Valley Sailor on the UGANDA.  The Picton Gazette 13 Feb 1946.  Source: Prince Edward County Archives Microfilm collection.  Researched and complied by: © John Lyons 2016

(UGA29) HMCS UGANDA in San Francisco - date unknown

(UGA30-UGA31) HMCS UGANDA in the government dry dock in Esquimalt, BC - 1948. From the collection of Tom Smith, C2ET, RCN

(UGA32) Signatures of UGANDA crew members. From the collection of Dale Pollard

(UGA33) Envelope from a letter to Mrs T. K. Boutilier of Halifax from HMCS UGANDA in Peru - postmarked 1945

(EL02-EL09) photos taken during UGANDA'S South American cruise in 1946

(EL07) Believed to be the funeral for L/Stwd George Stuart who died on ship of an accidental electrocution during UGANDA'S port visit to Rio

From the collection of Eric Long, AB, RCN

(LR15) HMCS UGANDA'S badge and motto

(LR16) PO's Mess, HMCS UGANDA - PO Larry Restall serving

(LR17) HMCS UGANDA in Esquimalt - 1946

(LR18) HMCS UGANDA in San Diego - 1946

(LR19) PO Larry Restall (left) and friend at the San Diego Zoo - 1946

(LR20) Shore Patrol in San Diego - 1946

(LR21) PO Larry Restall (right) and friend in Tijuana, Mexico - 1946

(LR22) HMCS UGANDA, Magdalena Bay, Mexico - 1946

(LR23) PO Larry Restall, Magdalena Bay, Mexico - 1946

(LR24) HMCS UGANDA joins HMCS WARRIOR and HMCS CRESCENT off Acapulco Bay - Halifax Mail, Wed. 27 Nov 1946. Researched by / courtesy of George Newbury

(LR25) Newspaper article on crew of UGANDA assisting locals in the village of Bahia, Magdelina Bay, Mexico, 1946  //  Crew mentioned in article: Chaplain (R.C.) J.H. Laporte, RCN; Surgeon-Commander J. Blair MacLean, RCN; Capt. E.B. Hooks (Dentist), C.D.C.(N); Surgeon-Lt F.C. Johns, RCN; L/S.B.A. Frank Oliver, RCN

(LR26) HMCS UGANDA'S padre performing Baptisms/Christenings at Bahia, Magdelina Bay, Mexico, 1946.  He was the first priest to visit the village in 11 years

(LR27) HMCS UGANDA'S ship's dentist examining the local villagers at Bahia, Magdelina Bay, Mexico, 1946

(LR28) Crossing the Line (Equator) on HMCS UGANDA during her trip from the Pacific to the Atlantic - 1946

(LR29) Crossing the Line (Equator) on HMCS UGANDA during her trip from the Pacific to the Atlantic - 1946

(LR30) King Neptune's Men - Crossing the Line (Equator) on HMCS UGANDA during her trip from the Pacific to the Atlantic - 1946

(LR31) HMCS UGANDA at anchor of Peru - 1946

(LR32) PO Larry Restall standing by a train in Perua steam locomotive in Peru.  The train ran up the mountains using a series of switchbacks. At the end of the day they still had not got to the top, so they returned to their starting point. PO Restall had hoped to get up to Machu Pichu.

(LR33) Petting a Llama, Peru, 1946

(LR34-LR35) HMCS UGANDA arriving at Valparaiso, Chile

(LR36) HMCS UGANDA Libertymen, Valparaiso, Chile

(LR37) Some of the crew of HMCS UGANDA

(LR38) HMCS UGANDA rounding Cape Horn "under sail", 1946.  "It may not look rough, but the swells were so large that when the ship's whaler went in a trough it could not see the ship"

(LR39) HMCS UGANDA rounding Cape Horn "under sail", 1946

(LR40) Falkland Islands - 1946

(LR41) Penguins on the Falkland Islands - 1946

(LR42) Crew member of HMCS UGANDA at an event on the Falkland Islands - 1946

(LR43) HMCS UGANDA entering harbour - possibly Montevideo

(LR44) The crew of the UGANDA collection artifacts from the wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee, Montevideo, Uruguay, 1946

(LR45) A few of UGANDA'S crew talking to a local in Montevideo - 1946

(LR46) Montevideo - 1946

(LR47) A few of HMCS UGANDA'S crew, Montevideo, Uruguay, 1946 - PO Larry Restall on the left

(LR48) HMCS UGANDA at sea en route to Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR49) HMCS UGANDA at sea en route to Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR50) HMCS UGANDA entering Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR51) HMCS UGANDA entering Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR52) Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR53) Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR54) Church service on HMCS UGANDA - 1946

(LR55) HMCS UGANDA alongside in Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR56) A few sailors at the Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR57-LR61) Parade / Ceremony, Rio de Janeiro - 1946

(LR62) HMCS UGANDA alongside in Trinidad - 1946

(LR63) Trinidad - 1946

From the collection of Larry Restall, Radar Operator, RCNVR

Courtesy of Clay Restall

(RC16-RC18) Rodney Carson on HMCS UGANDA 1945

(RC19) Fo'c's'le of HMCS UGANDA circa 1945

From the collection of Rodney Carson

Courtesy of Chris Carson

These artifacts were collected from the Admiral Graf Spee when some of UGANDA'S crew went aboard her.  In the photo of the UGANDA sailors on the Graf Spee, the Petty Officer in the top right of the photo is the one who collected these items.  It is regretted that the name of the Petty Officer is no longer remembered.

Courtesy of George Cruikshank

(AB21) HMCS UGANDA in Esquimalt.  Crew milling about the upper decks.  Castle Class HMCS LEASIDE K492 is alongside UGANDA with and 2nd vessel pendent number ending in a "4" out board of her

(AB22) Unknown sailors in front of UGANDA'S "A" turret

(AB23) Looking down from the bridge of HMCS UGANDA in Esquimalt.  On the left hand side of the photo, the Castle Class Corvette HMCS COPPER CLIFF K495 is alongside other Castle Class Corvettes.  The "5" in her pendent number visible

From the collection of Sto 1c Art Bell, RCNVR

Photos courtesy of Art's son Andrew, daughter-in-law Rita Giulietti and daughter Janet Bell Crawford