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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
KENNEDY, Robert Makin, AB, 3230, RCN, MPK - 25 Jun 1940, HMCS FRASER - Son of Herbert Makin Kennedy and Margaret S. Kennedy, of Elmwood, Manitoba; husband of Agnes Love Kennedy, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
AB Kennedy 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.
Able Seaman Robert Makin Kennedy left for active service with the Royal Canadian Navy; his father James Kennedy hung a Union Jack on a huge flag pole at the rear of his home, 416 Talbot Ave. It was a Fly proudly until young Kennedy returned. Friday morning a gust of wind ripped the flag in half. Friday afternoon word was received that Bob had been killed when HMCS Fraser sank off the coast of France, following a collision. His address was given as 1117 Hillside Ave., Victoria, B.C., but he was actually a native of Winnipeg. Seaman Kennedy age 24 was born here and attended Lord Selkirk School. Five years ago he joined the sea cadets and then the RCNVR. He joined the permanent navy two years ago and was married about the same time. A reassured souvenir of his parent is a silver trophy he won last year in a RCN boxing tournament in Vancouver. Kennedy last leave was in November at which time his baby daughter, Roberta was born. He told his wife, who resides in a Carlton Street rooming house, that following service in Jamaica he would visit Winnipeg again, but his plans were apparently changed and his boat went to France instead. He is survived by his parent's one sister, Mrs. D. J. Whitehead, Saskatoon, and two brothers, James and David at home.
Ships served in: WINNIPEG DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 06 Dec 1933 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCNVR * Rated Able Seaman, RCNVR 31 Aug 1935 * Rated Seaman Gunner 08 Apr 1939 * Discharged 02 Oct 1938. Transferred to the RCN HMCS NADEN - Enlisted 03 Oct 1938 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCN HMCS FRASER - Drafted to FRASER 05 Jul 1939 * Rated Able Seaman, RCN 03 Apr 1940
Documents from the Service File of Robert Kennedy
Second World War Casualty Index
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