They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
SMITH, Thomas Bernard, AB A/LR III, 3722, RCN, MPK - 27 Aug 1943, HMCS ATHABASKAN - Son of Ralph Leslie and Olive Alexandria Smith, New Westminster, BC.
Able Seaman Thomas Bernard Smith son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Smith, Hjoth Road, Surrey, died when an enemy glider bomb hit HMCS ATHABASKAN. Able Seaman Smith, age 20, was blown over board when the bomb exploded. He had joined the Navy in May 1940, at the age of 17 after completing his studies at Michel High School at Crow's Nest Pass. A brother, Leslie, is with the RCAF. Details of the ATHABASKAN'S encounter with German planes in the Bay of Biscay last August were revealed Friday by the Navy Department.
The province of British Columbia honoured Able Seaman Thomas Bernard Smith by naming Smith Peak in his honour.
Ships served in: HMCS NADEN - Enlisted 06 May 1940 as a Boy Seaman, RCN HMCS NADEN - Lent to Comox Camp 15 Sep 1940 * Rated Ordinary Seaman, RCN 07 Oct 1940 * Rated Acting Layer Rating 3rd Class HMCS PRINCE DAVID - Drafted to PRINCE DAVID 09 Dec 1940 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 12 Jun 1941 HMCS HOCHELAGA II (Manning Pool) - Drafted to HOCHELAGA II 05 Jul 1941 * Rated Able Seaman, RCN 07 Jul 1941 HMCS DUNVEGAN - Drafted to DUNVEGAN 10 Sep 1941 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 26 Jan 1942 HMCS CHAMBLY - Drafted to CHAMBLY 13 Jun 1942 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 16 Aug 1942 HMCS NIOBE - Drafted to NIOBE (for Tribal II) 28 Oct 1942 HMCS ATHABASKAN - Drafted to ATHABASKAN 05 Feb 1943
(TS01) Article on AB Thomas Smith missing due to enemy action (TS02) Documents from the Service File of Thomas Smith
Article from the Natal FFP 23 Sep 1943
Second World War Casualty Index
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