
HMS
PUNCHER D79
Bogue
Class Escort Carrier
ARISE AND DESTROY |
HMS Puncher
|
Laid down: 21 May 1943
Launched:
08 Nov 1943
Commissioned: 05
Feb 1944
|
Paid off: 16
Jan 1946.
Returned to the USN at Norfolk
Fate:
Sold to commercial service. Broken up in 1973 |
Battle honours and awards: Atlantic
1939-45
Begun as MV Willapa, she was
commissioned HMS Puncher at Tacoma, Wash., on 05 Feb 1944, and
arrived at Vancouver on 15 Mar for modification to RN standards.
She left Esquimalt in Jun for Norfolk, Va., en route ferrying motor
launches from New Orleans to New York. In Jul she left Norfolk for
Casablanca with a cargo of 40 USAAF aircraft, returning to Norfolk
to load the Corsairs of 845 (RN) Squadron and a deck load of U.S.
aircraft for the U.K. On 01 Feb 1945, she joined the Home
Fleet, and following VE-Day was used for several months for deck
landing training. In Sep she was partially converted to serve
as a troop carrier and employed the rest of the year repatriating
Canadian troops from Britain. In 1946 she left Halifax for Norfolk
and was paid off there 16 Jan for return to the USN. Converted
for merchant service, she became the British Muncaster Castle in
1949, later to be renamed Bardic in 1954 and Bennevis in 1959. She
was broken up in Taiwan in 1973.
Photos and Documents
Ship's company photos
HMS
Puncher - Royal Navy Research Archives
Commanding Officers
Capt.
Roger Edward Shelford Bidwell, RCN - 15 March 1944 - 16 Jan 1946
In memory of those who have crossed the bar
They shall not be
forgotten

Abbott,
Howard C.
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Adam,
Charles J,
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Andrews, Alfred
J.
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Armstrong,
Reginald L.
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Bold,
Frederick
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Book,
Kenneth E.
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Brown, Wilfred
L.
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Cairns,
Peter
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Crawford,
William L.
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Crisp,
Nelson W.
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Dennison,
Foster K. |

Draper, B.
Alexander
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Dycha,
Steve
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Eddy,
Roy E.
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Ewatski,
John
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Fane,
Peter E.
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Fee, James
P.
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Ford,
Donald E.
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Gammon,
Leonard P. M.
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Guile,
Eric
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Hewitt,
Arthur R.
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Home,
Robert
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Logan,
Bill
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Lowe,
James E.
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MacDonald,
Angus A.
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MacFayden,
Edward A.
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MacLachlan,
Peter
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Male,
Ronald
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Mann,
Cyril F.
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Marcoux,
Raymond
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Mason, Eric
B.
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McCallum,
Alexander
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McGhee,
Robert
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Muir,
John S.
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Muise,
Alexander
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Patterson,
Nelson M.
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Pomber,
Lionel J.
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Robinson,
Hugh J.
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Sawatzky,
Donald E.
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Sawyer,
Joseph F.
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Serafin,
Paul
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Sommerville,
Wilfred J.
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Spark,
Gerald G.
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Sproxton,
Douglas
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Steel,
John N.
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Sturch,
Douglas H.
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Tait,
Gordon
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Thomson,
Theodore D.
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Thordarson,
John F.
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Thorgeirson,
Fridfinnur K.
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Turner, David
R.
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White,
Clifford H.
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Williams,
J.A.
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Williams,
Norman H.
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Williston,
Archibald W.
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Former Crew Members
Allison, Ken, AB, Dhobey Worker (front Saint
John, NB)
Allison, Ted, CPO
Amundsen, James, AB, RCNR
Armit, G.G, Cdr, RCNR
Barker, Kenneth, AB, Bugler, RCNR
Brown, (Winger)
Calder, James, LCdr, RCNVR
Chorlton, Ron, AB, Met
Cooper, Cecil Ross, V60196 -
Cooper, Rupert, ABSM, Dryer Machine Worker (from
Windsor, ON)
Copland, Robert, ABSM
De Wolfe, Leo, CPO
Dirrado, Albert, AB, Dhobey Firm Steam Presser (from Montreal, QC)
Doyle, (Mother)
Duck, Vernon, AB, Dhobey Firm President (from York, PEI)
Fraser, E.B., Lt (S), C.O.'s Secretary / LCdr (S), RCNVR
Fraser, Joseph A., AB, RCNR
Gomeroy, George, PO (S), Dhobey Firm Book keeper
(from Victoria,BC)
Hart, W.J., Surg-Lt, RCN
Hope, Keith, AB, RCNVR
Horne, Robert, AB, Laundry Sleeve Ironer (from Ottawa, ON)
Humphreys, Cyril, PO, Yeoman of Signals |
Hutcheson, C., Capt, Dental
Koughan, W.H.. LCdr, RCNR
Latreille, Roger, AB, Laundry Steam Presser (from Montreal, QC)
Legatt
Logan, Jim
MacAskill, D., Lt (E), RCNVR
Macdonald, William, CPO
Macdonald, A.A., Lt, RCNVR
Malone, Maurice Charlie, Surg-Lt
McDonnel, J.A., RCNVR
McKenzie, Red, PO
McNair, Gerald
E. (Jerry), Stoker, RCNVR
McRae, J.D.J., Lt, RCNVR
Midleton, Charles, AB, RCNR
Morris, Sgt, Dental
Muise, A.O.
Munn, Gordon, Lt. (SB), RCNVR
Nelson, Crisp, CPO, MAA, RCN
Nichols, Edward, PO
Nicholson, LSM
Oneil, Lt, RCNVR
Outerbridge, L.M., Chaplain, RCN
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Piere, C.F., LCdr, RCNVR
Price, F.A., Cdr, RCNR
Reid, Stanley Park, CPO, MAA, RCN
Shoup, H.R.W., Lt, RCNVR
Siawk, Roman
Slater, Oliver Kenneth, RCNVR
Snelling, S.D.L., Lt, RCNVR
Spidell, Jack, CPO
Starkey, PO
Teepoorten, Sgt,
Dentral
Thorpe, W.J., Lt (S), CO’s Secretary, RCNVR
Tregaskes, Stuart, Lt (S), RCNVR
Tucker, J.L., Lt, RCNVR
Tullidge, G., A/Cdr (S), RCNVR
Wadsworth, G.B., Lt (S), RCN
Wallace, Dixon, Cdr, XO, RCNR
Waskett, PO
Whitson, Norman, PO SBA
Woods, A.B.W., Reverand, RCN
Woods, Albert, CPO
Yawney, William, AB, Laundry Checker (from Sudbury, ON)
Zelionka, Albert, RCNR
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Photos and
Documents
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HMS PUNCHER
DND / RCN Photo
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HMS PUNCHER Crossing the Line Certificate -
Arctic Circle - 07 Apr 1945
From the collection of Alexander
(Sandy) Muise
Courtesy of Paul Henderson, Royal Canadian
Legion, Br. 32, Cheticamp NS
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The photos below were from a book documenting
the 2 years that HMS Puncher operated mainly manned by sailors of
the RCN - 05 Feb 1944 to 16 Jan 1946.
Courtesy of Steve Hlasny
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HMS
PUNCHER - 18
Apr 1944 - 10 Sep 1945

RTL08887
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RTL-HA033
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RTL-HA034
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RTL-HA035
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RTL-HA036
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(08887)
Ship's badge for HMS PUNCHER (HA033) HMS PUNCHER at Vancouver to be
finished to RN standards, February to May 1944 (HA034) HMS PUNCHER's
first squadron of Fireflies fly over the carrier in preparations for
operations in the Pacific after VE day (HA035) An Avenger and a Barracuda
from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to
takeoff from HMS PUNCHER. The Canadian manned Aircraft Carrier is carrying
out Deck Landing Training on November 5th and 6th 1944 (HA036) A Wildcat
from HMS PUNCHER damages it's landing gear as it lands on the pitching deck
of the carrier in rough weather

RTL-HA037
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RTL-HA038
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RTL-HA039
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RTL-HA040
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RTL-HA041
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(HA037) The Batman coaches a Firefly onto
HMS PUNCHER's deck (HA038) A Firefly is returned onto its wheels after
flipping on its nose during a landing on HMS PUNCHER late in 1945. (HA039)
The damaged Barracuda of Lt Cornish, returns to HMS PUNCHER following a
minelaying operation off Haugesund Fjord, Norway on 22 February 1945
(HA040) A Firefly flies over HMS PUNCHER in June 1945 (HA041) Seven of the
nine Barracuda's returned to HMS PUNCHER following a minelaying operation in
Haugesund Fjord, Norway on 22 February, 1945. Two aircraft were shot down by
shore defences over the target and both aircrew were killed.

RTL-HA42
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RTL-HA043
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RTL-HA044
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RTL-HA045
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RTL-HA046
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(HA042) A
Barracuda nosed into HMS PUNCHER's flight deck; the rear gunner was slightly
injured according to Howard Abbot; the angle of the plane made rescue
difficult (HA043) Crashed Barracuda is secured to HMS PUNCHER's deck
following a crash. Howard Abbott recalls this plane was later pushed over
the side (HA044) Firefly missed the arrester wires and crashed into the
barricade (HA045) Having snapped its tail hook, this Barracuda was
flipped onto its nose by the barrier, saving both aircrew and aircraft on
HMS PUNCHER (HA046)
HMS BIRMINGHAM and another CVE, possibly HMS TRUMPETER sail in formation
with HMS PUNCHER in April 1945. HMS PUNCHER was attached to Operation
NEWMARKET in the Arctic Ocean. The objective was to attack the U-Boat depot
ships at Kilbotn, Norway.

RTL-HA047
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RTL-HA049
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RTL-HA050
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RTL-HA051
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RTL-HA052
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(HA047) HMS DIDO alongside HMS PUNCHER during
operations off Haugesund Fjord in January 1945 (HA049-HA050) Several of HMS
PUNCHER's sailors take advantage of the hot weather to tan on the carriers
crowded flight deck, while ferrying aircraft to Casablanca in July 1944. Too
hot to touch, they cover the deck with blankets and towels (HA051) An
Avenger is secured to the flight deck of HMS PUNCHER during a ferry
operation of aircraft from Norfolk Virginia in September 1944. Eventually
ending in Glasgow, HMS PUNCHER transported 40 aircraft including, 18
Corsairs, Hellcats, Avengers, and one Helldiver. (HA052) Following a
crash on HMS PUNCHER's deck during night operations, this Barracuda was
jettisoned over the carrier's side. Note the artwork - Donald Duck holding a
torpedo
RTL-HA053 |
RTL-HA054 |
RTL-HA055 |
RTL-HA056 |
RTL-HA057
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(HA053) Flight Operations aboard HMS PUNCHER in 1944/45,
with one Barracuda safely on the flight deck, two more are making their approach
(HA054)
A Barracuda catches the wire and lands safely on HMS PUNCHER during flight
operations in late 1944 or early 1945 (HA055) Arrester wire on the tail
hook of a Barracuda on HMS PUNCHER's flight deck. (HA056) Deck handling
party ready a Barracuda for storage on HMS PUNCHER late 1944 or early
1945 (HA057) Eleven of the twelve Barracuda's from HMS PUNCHER's 821
Squadron sit ready for take-off in Jan 1945. The ship's company and squadron
personnel were undergoing flight training operations in January 1945
RTL-HA058 |
RTL-HA076
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RTL-HA077 |
RTL-HA080 |
RTL-HA082 |
(HA058) HMS PUNCHER ferrying a deck load of aircraft to Glasgow in September or
October 1944. This Avenger is destined for delivery to an RCAF
Squadron (HA076) Communicator on HMS PUNCHER (HA077) Unknown sailor on
HMS PUNCHER (HA080)
"Guess
Who?" "Off Norway this winter"" Howard Abbott on
HMS PUNCHER of Norway - 1945 HA082) Howard Abbott on HMS PUNCHER of
Norway - 1945
RTL-HA083 |
RTL-HA084 |
RTL-HA086 |

RTL-HA087
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RTL-HA090 |
(HA083) "Meet the boys" - Howard's shipmates on
HMS PUNCHER (HA084) Howard Abbott (front left) with shipmates in HMS
PUNCHER (HA086) Howard Abbott onboard HMS PUNCHER (HA087 &
HA090) HMS NABOB
taken from HMS PUNCHER at Vancouver while both escort carriers were
completing in February 1943
RTL-HA092 |
RTL-HA093 |
RTL-HA095 |

RTL-HA094
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RTL-HA097 |
(HA092)
RCN sailors on the foc's'le of HMS PUNCHER. Howard Abbott, rear, 2nd from
right in light coloured shirt (HA093) RCN sailors on the foc's'le of HMS
PUNCHER (HA095) Howard Abbott resting against the jack staff on HMS
PUNCHER - 1944 (HA096) One of PUNCHER's boats coming alongside the
ship (HA097) HMS PUNCHER's ships boat looks like a toy set alongside the
steel wall of the carrier's hull - 1943
RTL-HA099 |
RTL-HA101 |
RTL-HA103 |
RTL-HA111
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RTL-HA113 |
(HA099 & HA101) Howard Abbott catching
a short break onboard HMS PUNCHER (HA103)
Howard Abbott gets a big hug from PUNCHER's bugler (HA111) " A few of us
at Coney Island one day" "Ferguson" - Howard Abbot in front
passenger seat - 1944 (HA113) "Here is a picture of the ship Dear.
What do you think of her? - HMS PUNCHER Feb 1945
RTL-HA117 |
RTL-HA118 |
RTL-HA119 |
RTL-HA120 |
RTL-HA121 |
(HA117) A Petty Officer
from HMS PUNCHER poses with a Palace Guard in Casablanca - 1944
(HA118)
Crew from HMS PUNCHER touring the lush gardens in Casablanca during a visit
in early Aug 1944 (HA119) HMS PUNCHER's ships company had a
good view of Rabat, the capitol of Morocco, during a visit there in early
August 1944 (HA120) Sailor from HMS PUNCHER poses with a Moroccan Palace
Sentry during a visit by PUNCHER in early August 1944 (HA121)
Crew from HMS PUNCHER explored the ancient ruins in Morocco during a
port visit in Aug 1944
RTL-HA122 |
RTL-HA123 |
RTL-HA124 |
(HA122) Three of PUNCHER's crew in
Casablanca, Morocco - Aug 1944 (HA123) The Royal Palace - Casablanca,
Morocco - Aug 1944 (HA124) A Petty Officer from HMS PUNCHER
poses with one of the Palace guards in Casablanca, Morocco - Aug
1944
From
the collection of AB Howard Charles
Abbott, RCNVR
Courtesy
of Roger Litwiller
*
The photos from the Howard Abbott collection were scanned and
cataloged by Roger Litwiller. The numbers below the photos are the reference numbers from Roger's collection.
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R.C.N.A.C. Puncher (HMS Puncher) arriving in
Halifax, NS, Nov. 18, 1945
Photographer: Hayward, Buckingham St., Halifax
From the collection of James Edward Lowe, RCN
Courtesy of Kathleen Lowe
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HMS PUNCHER arriving in Halifax - her deck
lined with returning soldiers, sailors and airmen
DND / RCN Photo
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HMS PUNCHER in Halifax
From the collection of François
Messier, AB, RCNVR
Courtesy of Denis Messier
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(TT05)
Ted Thomason (left) ashore in New York City with a shipmate during HMS
PUNCHER'S port visit in Jun/Jul 1944
(TT06) Ted Thomason (right) ashore
in New York City with a shipmate during HMS PUNCHER'S port visit in Jun/Jul
1944
(TT07)
View from M4 mounting on HMS PUNCHER - at sea South Pacific
(TT08-TT09)
"G Mess" HMCS PUNCHER - population 34
(TT10)
Crossing the Line Certificate - 07 Apr 1945 - HMS PUNCHER (TT11)
Sailors on HMS PUNCHER posing with a Second World War German Naval Ensign (TT12) Colourized copy of photo "TT11" (TT13)
Sailors on HMS PUNCHER posing with a Nazi flag
(TT14)
Aircraft taking off from HMS PUNCHER (TT15-TT18) aircraft prangs (crashes) on HMS PUNCHER
From
the collection of Ted Thomson, P2RT, RCN
Courtesy
of Ed Paquette
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