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Remembering
Francis Robert d’Entremont
Name:
Francis Robert d’Entremont
Rank:
Chief Gunners Mate
Service Number:
4005082
Service
USS Saint Augustine PG-54
United States Navy Reserve
Date of Birth:
July 29, 1919
Place of Birth:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Date of Enlistment:
December 16, 1940
Place of Enlistment:
Boston, Massachusetts
Age at Enlistment:
21
Address at Enlistment:
Boston, Massachusetts
Date of Death:
January 7, 1944
Age:
24
Cemetery:
Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury,
Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Grave:
Sect JN4, Lot 885
Francis Robert d’Entremont was the son of James Thomas d’Entremont (1872-1935) and Mary Martha
(Maillet) D’Entremont (1877-1946). His father was born December 29, 1872 in West Pubnico, Yarmouth
County, NS. His mother was born in Salmon River, Clare, Digby County, NS.
The parents of Francis were married in Boston, Massachusetts on November 4, 1903. His mother was
residing at 80 Kittredge St, Roslindale, Boston, Massachusetts at the time of his service. His father had
died prior to the war; in 1935.
Francis’ siblings were Iva May d'Entremont (1904-1977), Marian Therese d'Entremont (1906-1993),
Jeannette Margaret d'Entremont (1911-1998), Edith Martha d'Entremont (1916-2015), and James Arthur
d'Entremont (1918-2013).
Francis’ brother Arthur registered for the US Draft on December 30, 1940. It was noted he had been
discharged from the US Naval Reserve on December 13, 1940. His obituary notes that Jim worked in the
shipyards building ships for the Navy, and then served in the US Navy in the later part of WWII.
After enlisting in December of 1940, Francis joined the USS Augustine shortly thereafter on February
11, 1941. He was promoted to Gunner’s Mate First Class on January 1, 1943.
The USS Saint Augustine was assigned to the 1st Naval District and operated out of Boston as a patrol
ship until 1942. It was transferred to the Eastern Sea Frontier where it escorted convoys between New
York City and various Caribbean ports.
On January 6, 1944, while leading a convoy from New York to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, USS Saint
Augustine was accidentally rammed by Merchant Tanker Camas Meadows off the coast of Cape May, New
Jersey. The USS Saint Augustine foundered within five minutes, and one hundred sixteen of the one
hundred forty-six crew members on board were killed. Forty-nine bodies were never recovered.
Francis’ body was recovered and he was interred January 17, 1944, at the Saint Joseph Cemetery in
West Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Recalling a World War II tragedy by Larry Paul, Newburyport MA
“To the Editor:
Every year in early January, I think about my uncle Robert who died by drowning in the 38 degree
waters off Cape May, New Jersey on the night of Jan. 6, 1944.
Robert was baptized Francis Robert D'Entremont, but was nicknamed "Rocky."
Rocky was a handsome, vivacious and fun-loving son of French Canadian (Nova Scotia) parents
(my maternal grandparents).
I was 8 years old that Christmas in 1943, when Uncle Robert (my mother's youngest brother) came
home on leave to Roslindale. I was crushed when he sternly said that he did not get me a present
because I didn't deserve one.
On Christmas morning, he gave me a gift that was my favorite that year. I was beside myself with
joy. He gave me a small-scale model train set which I loved!
On one of those evenings when Rocky was home on leave, I woke up around midnight because
there was some loud frolicking nearby. I opened the shade and looked out and Rocky was singing
some crazy song "Jingle Balls! Jingle Balls!" Rocky and his shipmate Arthur "Buzzy" Bouzan were
sledding down a nearby hill we called Murphy's Hill. It was right next to the house we called the
"Haunty".
Rocky was a chief petty officer on the gunboat USS Saint Augustine. The Saint Augustine was
purchased in 1941 from Barbara Hutton, the Woolworth heir, and converted into a gunboat by the
US Navy.
Gunboats were used to escort ships near the coast to protect them from German submarines.
About 10 p.m. on the night of the disaster, Augustine was rammed amidships by Camas Meadows,
a tanker which was not in convoy with them. All ships were running without lights to avoid
detection by the enemy. Augustine sank in five minutes in 250 feet of water. Of the ships
complement of 146 sailors, 30 survived, 67 bodies were recovered and 49 remain missing.
Divers have since located the wreck, and have taken pictures.
An architect from Florida, Mays Leroy Gray, has written two very detailed books about the ship
and the disaster. "THE USS SAINT AUGUSTINE (PG-54) DISASTER" and the sequel "THE THREE LIVES
OF THE USS SAINT AUGUSTINE (PG-54)"
We were able to locate Arthur Bouzan who was able to supply photographs for the books. Mr. Gray
also lost an uncle, Ausley Lee Scarborough, who was listed among the missing. Mr. Gray was also
instrumental in the erection of a memorial to his uncle and all his shipmates.
The family was accorded a military burial by the Navy, 56 years after his uncle was lost at sea.
The memorial is in the New Hope Cemetery, Leon County, Florida”
USS St. Augustine off the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts,
May 27, 1941
