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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
GORDON, Lloyd Murchison, AB, V1267, RCNVR MPK - 29 Apr 1944, HMCS ATHABASKAN - Son of John and Maimie Gordon, of Clyde River, Prince Edward Island. Brother of Lewis, Cassie, John, and Florence.
AB Gordon died when his ship, HMCS ATHABASKAN G07, was sunk in the English Channel on April 29, 1944.
Citation for Mentioned in Despatches:
GORDON, Lloyd Murchison, Able Seaman, V1267, Mention in Despatches, RCNVR, HMCS OAKVILLE. Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 26 December 1942 and London Gazette of 29 December 1942.
"For good services in action with enemy submarines while serving in HMCS Oakville."
GORDON, Lloyd Murchison, Able Seaman - Missing presumed killed 29 April 1944. Born December 19, 1920 in Appin Road, PEI., youngest son of John Gordon and Mamie (MacLeod) Gordon, dear brother of Lewis Gordon, Cassie (Gordon) MacPhee, John Gordon Jr., and Florence (Gordon) Gamble. Lloyd Murchison Gordon presumed killed in action when HMCS ATHABASKAN was sunk in battle in the English Channel, April 29th, 1944. Murchison (Murky) joined the Navy Oct. 31, 1939, at the age of 19, taking his basic training at the Charlottetown Naval Barracks, thence to Halifax, July 1940. Early in 1941 he went overseas on the Canadian destroyer, St. Francis, as a gunnery rating, returning to Canada in September of the same year. His next sailing was on the newly built corvette HMCS OAKVILLE, where for more than a year and a half he served as a gunner down in southern waters. It was while on convoy duty there, the crew of the OAKVILLE sank a German U-boat, when Murchison, as captain of the gun-crew credited with the sinking, received mention in dispatches for “distinguished service”. This action was in the Caribbean Sea when with complete disregard for his own safety, and in order to get his gun back into action, he immediately removed the hot charge of cordite from the breach of the gun when the third charge misfired, throwing it with all his might into the sea. He returned to sea aboard HMCS ATHABASKAN, which was torpedoed and sunk in the morning hours of April 29, 1944, “still firing at two German destroyers that struck at her in the haze of a starlit night”. On April 30 the radio carried the news of the sinking and anxious relatives awaited further word. Although he was reported “missing” on May 2nd, hope was entertained that he had been taken a prisoner of war. However, In October last, his mother was informed that he was not among those taken, and on Jan. 15th last, the official report was received: Presumed killed in action April 29, 1944. News of Murchison’s untimely death was received with sorrow and regret, not only by his family and loved ones, but by all those who had been privileged to know him. Murchison was born in Appin Road Dec. 19, 1920, the youngest son of John Gordon who predeceased him by six years, and Mamie MacLeod Gordon. He was a most likeable lad possessed as he was, of a kind and sunny disposition, attractive and manly personality, and a splendid physique. He spent much of his time in Clyde River, with his brother-in-law and elder sister, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur MacPhee, and was greatly attached to the small niece and nephews there. He spent two days of his final shore leave with Mr. MacPhee in England, only nine days prior to his death. The remaining members of his family who sadly mourn the passing of a brave, dutiful and affectionate son and brother, are his mother, Mrs. John Gordon now living in Charlottetown, two brothers, Lewis, Appin Road, John a S.B.A. at the HMCS Queen Charlotte, Charlottetown, two sisters, Cassie, Mrs. Arthur MacPhee, Clyde River, and Miss Florence, Crapaud, five nieces and nephews all mourn the loss of a loving and considerate uncle: John and Ann Gordon, Appin Road, June, Tommy and Artie MacPhee, Clyde River. (Published with permission of Judy A. (McPhee) LeDrew)
Ships served in: CHARLOTTETOWN DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 31 Oct 1939. Commenced Active Service 01 May 1940 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 12 Jul 1940 as an OS, RCNVR HMCS ST FRANCIS - Drafted to ST FRANCIS 24 Sep 1940 as an OS, RCNVR * Rated A/AB 01 Jan 1941 * Rated AB 23 Jan 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 10 Sep 1941 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS HOCHELAGA - Drafted to HOCHELAGA 03 Oct 1941 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS OAKVILLE - Drafted to OAKVILLE 12 Nov 1941 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 26 Nov 1943 as an AB, RCNVR * rated A/LS 01 Apr 1943 HMCS HURON - Drafted to HURON 19 Jul 1943 as an A/LS, RCNVR * Disrated to AB 10 Nov 1943 HMCS NIOBE - Drafted to NIOBE 11 Nov 1943 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS RESTIGOUCHE - Drafted to RESTIGOUCHE 26 Nov 1943 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS NIOBE - Drafted to NIOBE 23 Dec 1943 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS ATHABASKAN - Drafted to ATHABASKAN 03 Mar 1944 as an AB, RCNVR
(LG01) Newspaper article - LS Gordon reported missing in the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN (LG02) Documents from the Service File of Lloyd Gordon
Second World War Casualty Index
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