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The Loss of HMCS Fraser June 25, 1940
Name: John Richard Kelly Service No.: 3099 Rank: Able Seaman Service: HMCS Fraser, Royal Canadian Navy Date of Death: June 25, 1940 Aged: 24 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Able Seaman Kelly was the son of Herbert Kelly, and of Helena Kelly, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 14 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on January 16
Remembering four from Nova Scotia lost in the sinking of HMCS Fraser
Name: Franklin George Macklin Service No.: 2536 Rank: Leading Signalman Service: HMCS Fraser, Royal Canadian Navy Date of Death: June 25, 1940 Aged: 26 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Leading Signalman Franklin George Macklin was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Macklin, of Brantford, Ontario. He left home at the age of sixteen and went to Halifax where he joined the Canadian Navy in 1930. He was a representative of Canada’s ratings at the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France on July 27, 1936 and was on the crew of the ship that carried Their Majesties, King George and Queen Elizabeth up the Pacific coast on their visit to Canada in 1939. Commemorated on Page 15 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on January 17
Name: Andrew Vincent McDowell Service No.: V/300 Rank: Stoker Service: HMCS Fraser, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Date of Death: June 25, 1940 Aged: 21 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Stocker Andrew Vincent McDowell was the son of Allen J. and Mary A. McDowell, of Enfield, Nova Scotia Commemorated on Page 16 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on January 17
HMCS Fraser HMCS Fraser was Canada's first naval loss of the Second World War. In May, 1940, HMCS Fraser was sent overseas for convoy duties, and escorted troopships carrying Canadian soldiers to the United Kingdom. On June 21, HMCS Fraser was dispatched to assist in the evacuation of St. Jean de Luz, a small town on the Bay of Biscayne coast near the Franco-Spanish border and one of the last outlets for refugees attempting to leave the continent. On the evening of June 22, she carried out anti- submarine patrols in the bay off the town, and later helped cover the vessels arriving to embark the refugees. By June 23 the evacuation was practically complete. Three ships, HMCS Fraser, HMCS Restigouche, and the British cruiser HMS Calcutta headed north toward the port of Bordeaux and onward to the United Kingdom. On the night of June 25, HMCS Fraser was in collision with HMS Calcutta while the ships were forming into line. ahead. Shortly after 8:30 pm, twelve miles due west of Pointe de la Coubre light at the Gironde River mouth, the bow of HMS Calcutta sliced into the starboard side of HMCS Fraser, cutting through to the centre line of the destroyer and stopping inside the crushed wheelhouse. The bow of HMCS Fraser broke off at the forecastle while the aft portion, engines still going astern to avoid the collision, moved quickly off the cruiser's port side. HMCS Fraser sank in the early hours of June 26. Rescue efforts by HMCS Restigouche and HMS Calcutta, and by the officers and men of the Fraser themselves saved many; however, forty-five of the ship's company were lost.
Name: Donald Harrison White Service No.: 3502 Rank: Ordinary Seaman Service: HMCS Fraser, Royal Canadian Navy Date of Death: June 25, 1940 Aged: 18 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Ordinary Seaman Donald Harrison White was the son of Gerald and Elsie White, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 19 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on January 19