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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
WITHERS, Mark Bruce, AB, C.A.F. (NR), MPK - 11 Oct 1970, HMCS DISCOVERY - Son of Ernest and Bernice Withers of North Vancouver, British Columbia.
In October 1970 four sailors from HMCS DISCOVERY were in a 27 foot whaler as part of a weekend training exercise. They departed Gabriola Island about noon on Sunday 11 October. They were reported missing when they failed to rendezvous with another two boats at Keats Island. The rescue coordination centre was notified with about 90 minutes of daylight remaining; unfortunately no aircraft were available to be tasked. Monday’s search found the whaler and the body of Able Seaman David Arthur Clarke 18. On Tuesday an oar and two lifejackets were found. Wednesday saw the winding down of the search by the Rescue Coordination Centre although members of HMCS DISCOVERY continued a land and sea search. Nothing else was found. Lost to the sea were Able Seamen Mark Bruce Withers 18, and Walter Karwowski 20 and Lieutenant Mark Lyons 25.
Ships served in: HMCS DISCOVERY - Enlisted 21 Nov 1957
Articles on the death of Able Seamen David Clarke, Mark Withers, and Walter Karwowski and Lieutenant Mark Lyons Source LAC CVWM website
In Service of Canada - RCN Peacetime Casualty Index
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