They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

James Donald McGrath

 

Leading Seaman Radar Operator 3rd Class, V652, RCNVR

 

Born: 15 Jan 1924, Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

Died: 21 Aug 1944 at sea

 

Book of Remembrance

 

MCGRATH, James Donald, LS, V652, RCNVR, MPK - 21 Aug 1944, HMCS ALBERNI - Son of John and Isabella McGrath, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

LS McGrath died when his ship, HMCS ALBERNI, was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on 21 Aug 1944 by U-480, southeast of the Isle of Wight. Fifty-nine of her ship's company lost their lives.

 

James Donald McGrath was the third son to be reported missing during the war. Brother Denis and Robert perished in the war as well. McGrath Lake in northern Manitoba has been named for him.

 

Ships served in:

HMCS CHIPPAWA - Enlisted 10 Feb 1942. Commenced Active Service 12 Apr 1942 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCNVR

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 19 Apr 1942

NOIC QUEBEC - Drafted to NOIC QUEBEC 02 May 1942

HMCS MACSIN - Drafted to MACSIN 06 Sep 1942

HMCS CHALEUR II - Drafted to CHALEUR II 14 Oct 1942

FORT II - Drafted to FORT II 18 Nov 1942. It is not known if Fort II was RN or RCN.

HMCS CHALEUR II - Drafted to CHALEUR II 14 Dec 1942

HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 30 Jan 1943

HMCS CARIBOU - Served in CARIBOU 03-09 Apr 1943 for training while drafted to CORNWALLIS

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 10 Apr 1943

* Rated Acting Able Seaman 12 Apr 1943

* Rated Probationer Radio Direction Finder Operator 2nd Class 27 Apr 1943

* Confirmed Radar Operator 3rd Class 27 Apr 1943 (confirmed)

HMCS NIPIGON - Drafted to NIPIGON 28 Apr 1943

HMCS STADACONA  Drafted to STADACONA 10 Oct 1943

HMS CHELSEA (RN Town Class Destroyer) - Drafted to CHELSEA 12 Oct 1943

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 14 Dec 1943

HMS LORING (RN Captain Class Frigate) - Drafted to LORING 14 Jan 1944

HMCS NIOBE - Drafted to NIOBE 17 Feb 1944

HMCS ALBERNI - Drafted to ALBERNI 09 May 1944

* Rated Able Seaman 01 Jun 1944

 

Document from the Service File of James McGrath

 


 

Second World War Casualty Index

 

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