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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
CHALMERS, Robert James, Tel, V62740, RCNVR, MPK - 18 Mar 1945, HMCS GUYSBOROUGH - Son of James and Marion Chalmers, of Toronto, Ontario.
Tel Chalmers died when his ship, HMCS GUYSBOROUGH, was torpedoed and sunk by U-868 in the Bay of Biscay with the loss of 53 of her crew.
Telegraphist Robert James Chalmers, 18, RCNVR, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Chalmers, Pape Ave., was lost at sea March 23, his parents have been informed. No details were given, "He enlisted 18 months ago," his father said, "and was home on embarkation leave just a few days before his death was reported." Teleg. Chalmers trained at HMCS York and Cornwallis. He was an accordion player and led his own band aboard ship. He was born and educated at Fairbank, and was a member of Fairbank Presbyterian Church. His father served with the Imperial navy in the last war. Surviving are his parents, four sisters, Mrs. Helen Chaplin, Mrs. Nancy Glandfield, Mrs. Barbara Wheeler and Mrs. Marion Patterson, the latter serving for five years overseas with civil defence service, and a winner of the George Medal, and a brother Alexander. (The Toronto Star, 05 Apr 1945)
Ships served in: HMCS YORK - Enlisted 18 May 1943. Commenced Active Service 30 Jun 1943 as an OS W/T, RCNVR HMCS MONTCALM - Drafted to MONTCALM 02 Jul 1943 as an OS W/T, RCNVR HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 04 Aug 1943 as an OS W/T, RCNVR HMCS ST HYACINTHE - Drafted to ST HYACINTHE 03 Nov 1943 as an OS W/T, RCNVR * Rated O/Tel 05 Feb 1944 * Rated Tel 30 Jun 1944 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 25 Jul 1944 as a Tel, RCNVR HMCS FORT RAMSAY - Drafted to FORT RAMSAY 01 Aug 1944 as a Tel, RCNVR HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 19 Jan 1945 as a Tel, RCNVR HMCS GUYSBOROUGH - Drafted to GUYSBOROUGH 07 Feb1945 as a Tel, RCNVR
(RC01) Photo of Robert Chalmers from an article on HMCS GUYSBOROUGH casualties (RC02) Article on the death of Tel Robert Chalmers (RC03) Documents from the Service File of Robert Chalmers
Second World War Casualty Index
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