Remembering Merchant Seamen Aubie, Albert Joseph Bowdridge, Frederick W. Clannon, James Benedict Clannon, Peter Martin Gillespie, Roy William Melanson, Alphonse Louis Mason, Arthur Robert Pierre, Louis Auguste Sampson, Martin L. Sponagle, Harold Whitford

The Motor Tanker Montrolite was owned by the Imperial Oil Shipping Company Limited of Toronto Canada. On February 5, 1942, the ship with a cargo of crude oil was en-route from Trinidad to Halifax where it was to join a convoy. The crew numbered 48 including four DEMS (Defensively Armed Merchant Ship) gunners. In the early hours of February 5, the unescorted Montrolite was hit by two torpedoes from U-109 north east of Bermuda. The Montrolite sank by the stern within five minutes. The master, 26 crew members and one gunner were lost. Following the first torpedo strike three lifeboats were launched but only one was rescued. 17 crew members and three gunners survived were picked up by the British steam merchant Winkleigh and landed at Halifax on February 10.

Albert Joseph Aubie Albert Joseph Aubie was the Junior Engineer Officer, aged 20. Born on April 27, 1921, he was the son of Geoffrey Aubie (1878- 1973) and Marie Lucie Anne (Chouinard) Aubie (1894-1968), of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Albert’s birth certificate registration lists his name as Albert Jeffery Aubie. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial. Commemorated on Page 88 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance. Canadian Virtual War Memorial Frederick W. Bowdridge Frederick W. Bowdridge was serving as First Mate. aged 33. He was born on April 5, 1908, the son of Leonard Bowdridge (1872- 1957) and Matilda (Dicks) Bowridge (1877-1966) of Burgeo, Newfoundland. He was the husband of Annie Elizabeth Jeans (1908–2000), having married on September 14, 1934. They were living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Frederick’s brother Gordon was lost when HMS Javelin was torpedoed in the English Channel on November 29, 1940. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial. Commemorated on Page 98 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance. Canadian Virtual War Memorial James Benedict Clannon James Clannon, aged 19, was the Saloon Messman. He was born on April 15, 1922, the son of Hugh Thomas Clannon and Marie Alexina (Samson) Clannon, of Little Anse, Richmond Co., Nova Scotia. His brother Peter Clannon also was lost following sinking of the Montrolite. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 112 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial Peter Martin Clannon Peter Clannon, aged 21 was a Fireman on the MT Montrolite. He was born on August 10, 1920, the son of Hugh Thomas Clannon and Marie Alexina (Samson) Clannon, of Little Anse, Richmond Co., Nova Scotia. His brother James Clannon also was lost following sinking of the Montrolite. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 112 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial Gillespie, Roy William Roy William Gillespie, aged 21, was an Engineer on the Montrolite. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 14, 1920, the son of William James Gillespie (1889-1938) and Nellie (Butler) Gillespie (1893-1986) of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was the brother of Raymond Butler Gillespie (1922-1999) and Patricia A. Gillespie (1933-2006). His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 142 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial Mason, Arthur Robert Arthur Robert Mason, aged 26, was an Able Seaman on the Montrolite. He was born on July 13, 1915, in Tangier, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia. He was the son of George Edward Mason (1892-1966) and Lenora Agnes Mason (1875-1940) of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 184 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial Melanson, Alphonse Louis Alphonse Louis Melanson, aged 39, was an Able Seaman on the Montrolite. He was born on September 23, 1901, in Saulnierville, Digby Co., Nova Scotia. He was the son of Son of Jean Hilaire Melanson (1870-1936) and Jeanne Comeau (1872-1938) of Lynn, Massachusetts. The family moved to the United States in 1919. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 192 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 17, September 14, And November 20. Canadian Virtual War Memorial Pierre, Louis Auguste Louis Auguste Pierre aged 48/49, was Chief Steward on the Montrolite. He was born in Seychelles Island in 1892, the son of Leo Pierre (b. France) and Louise (Delcy) Pierre. On August 14, 1931, at the age of 39, he married Mary Agnes Hickey (1908-1992) of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prior to his marriage he was a resident of Montreal, Quebec. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 211 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial Sampson, Martin L. Martin Sampson, aged 36, was an Ordinary Seaman on the Montrolite. He was the son of Eliza Sampson, of South River Bourgeois, Richmond Co., Nova Scotia. His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 222 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial Sponagle, Harold Whitford Harold Whitford Sponagle, aged 24, was the Third Mate on the Montrolite. He was born on November 4, 1917 in West Dublin, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia. Harold was the son of Charles Austin Sponagle (1890-1978) and Leone Katherine (Mosher) Sponagle of West Dublin, NS. His brother, Ronald Charles Sponagle (1921-2000) also served in the Merchant Navy during WWII. From the Bridgewater Bulletin: “Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sponagle received word on Wednesday that their son, Harold, who was one of the crew of a torpedoed tanker, must be listed as missing. As no news had been received that the lifeboat with twenty-eight members of the crew had been picked up, it is now believed that all have perished at sea. Harold was a young man of fine character and was well liked in this community. He was 22 years old and had been at sea for the past few years. He attended school here and received his grade eleven certificate and also attended Navigation School at Halifax. Another brother, Ronald, is also serving on a tanker. The sympathy of the whole community is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Sponagle in their great sorrow.” His name is listed on the Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 232 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Canadian Virtual War Memorial