|
They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
GOSNELL, Henry William, LS, 2791, RCN, killed - 26 Apr 1944, HMCS HURON - Born 10 Apr 1919, son of Sydney A. and Jean B. Gosnell, Saint John, NB.
Leading Seaman Henry William Gosnell volunteered for the RCN on 23 Apr 1936 as a Boy Seaman. Hewas killed in action overseas when serving on HMCS Huron which was participating in a naval engagement with a German destroyer off the coast of France. A small enemy shell struck the gun Henry was manning and a splinter passed through Henry's chest killing him instantly. His death was speedily avenged as the enemy destroyer was sunk. LS Gosnell is buried in the Weston Mill Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon, UK.
Citation for Mentioned in Despatches:
GOSNELL, Henry William, 2791, Acting Leading Seaman (Posthumous) Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 9 September 1944 and London Gazette of 11 July 1944:
"For leadership, zeal and devotion to duty shown in H.M.C.S. "Huron" in a successful action with enemy destroyers in the English Channel during the night of 25th/26th April 1944.
Leading Seaman Gosnell was Captain of the Pom-Pom and at all times he kept his Gun and Crew at maximum fighting efficiency. In this close range action, until he was killed, he did his utmost to keep his Gun firing with accuracy for the greatest length of time and in the face of heavy enemy opposition."
Ships served in: HMCS STADACONA - Enlisted as a Boy Seaman, RCN 23 Sep 1936. Rated OS, RCN 10 Apr 1937. HMCS ST LAURENT - Served in ST LAURENT 24 Apr 1937 - 20 Apr 1938 as an OS, RCN HMCS SKEENA - Served in SKEENA 21 Apr 1938 - 28 Nov 1938 as an OS an AB, RCN. Rated AB 10 Jul 1938 HMCS SAGUENAY - Served in SAGUENAY 29 Nov 1938 - 15 Jun 1939 as an AB, RCN HMCS ASSINIBOINE - Served in ASSINIBOINE 18 Oct 1939 - 08 Apr 1940 as an AB, RCN HMCS RESTIGOUCHE - Served in RESTIGOUCHE 03 Aug 1940 - 04 Nov 1940 as an AB, RCN HMCS PRINCE DAVID - Served in PRINCE DAVID 10 Dec 1940 - 15 Dec 1941 as an AB, RCN HMCS CALGARY - Served in CALGARY 13 Dec 1942 - 14 Jan 1943 as an A/LS, RCN HMCS ATHABASKAN - Served in ATHABASKAN 25 Mar 1943 - 28 May 1943 as an A/LS, RCN HMCS HURON - Drafted to HURON 19 Jul 1943 as an AB, RCN. Rated A/LS 27 Nov 1943
(HG01) Article on the death of LS Gosnell // The Saint John Telegraph Journal 01 May 1944 // Courtesy of Operation Picture Me (HG02) Service file of Henry Gosnell // Source: Library and Archives of Canada
Second World War Casualty Index
|
