For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

They made the Ultimate Sacrifice 

CAMPBELL, William Franklin, LCdr, RCNVR, MPK - 06 Feb 1943, HMCS LOUISBURG - Son of Edward Cassidy Campbell and Mary Campbell, of Toronto, Ontario; husband of Freda Margaret Campbell, of Toronto.

William Campbell Enlisted in the navy in 1922 and served on several ships including HMCS Skeena before WWII and HMCS Assiniboine in the early stages. He took command of HMCS Louisburg in 1940. Killed in action at sea on 6th February 1943 when the ship was sunk by an enemy torpedo bomber off Oran. From Grand Valley, Ontario, son of Edward and Mary Campbell. He was married to Freda Leckie in 1939 and had one son Lt Colonel (Ret'd) Edward Campbell of the Canadian Army.

"He has two grandsons, one, also named William Franklin Campbell, is, at the time of writing, a Lieutenant Commander in the R.C.N. and Executive Officer of a warship in the Atlantic Fleet." Frank was born at Shelbourne, Dufferin, Ontario, completed an arts degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1926 and was working as a salesman for Imperial Oil when he enlisted two years later 1928." (Ultimate Sacrifice by Robert D'Aoust)

Awards and Decorations: 1939-45 Star;  Atlantic Star;  Africa Star and Clasp;  CVSM and Clasp; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D.

Citation for Mentioned in Despatches:

CAMPBELL, William Franklin, Lieutenant-Commander, Mention in Despatches (Posthumous), RCNVR, HMCS LOUISBURG - Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 8 January 1944 and London Gazette of 1 January 1944.

"Lieutenant-Commander Campbell, as Commanding Officer of HMCS Louisburg was responsible for the saving of many lives, due to his rapid summing up of the situation and his prompt action. His bravery, in the face of the enemy, cost him his own life"