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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
CLARKE, William, OS, 3276, RCN, MPK - 25 Jun 1940, HMCS FRASER - Son of Thomas and Florence Clarke, of Calgary, Alberta.
Besides his parents, Seaman Clarke has six brothers in Calgary, Robert, 19, in the RCNVR; Stanley, 17; Jack, 12; Glen, 7 and Jim, 4. William's father, Mr. Clarke is known in Calgary, having operated the elevator in the post office for many years. He is a veteran who lost a leg in the Battle of the Somme. Another lad from the Calgary district known to be on the Fraser was Vic Wheeler of Nanton, 21-year-old son of C.H. Wheeler, of Nanton. By noon today, however, Mr. Wheeler had received no word of his son and it is believed that he is safe. The two boys were close friends as well as shipmates. (Transcription for article below - WC03)
OS Clarke died when his ship, HMCS FRASER, was in a collision with HMS CALCUTTA 12 miles due west of Pointe de la Coubre light at the Gironde River mouth and sank as a result with the loss of 65 of her crew.
Ships served in: HMCS NADEN - Enlisted 03 Oct 1938 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCN HMCS FRASER - Drafted to FRASER 05 Jul 1939 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 07 Nov 1939 HMCS FRASER - Drafted to FRASER 25 Feb 1940
(WC01) William Clarke ashore (WC02) Article from the Toronto Telegram, Jul 1940 (WC03) Partial article from the Calgary Herald (WC04) Documents from the Service File of William Clarke
Article from the Winnipeg Evening Tribune Courtesy of Operation Picture Me
Second World War Casualty Index
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