They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
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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