HMCS LONG BRANCH K487

Flower Class Corvette

Built for the RN as HMS Candytuft, she was launched on 28 Sep 1943. Transferred to the RCN in Sep 1943 she was commissioned on 05 Jan 1944 as HMCS LONG BRANCH K487; named after a village near Toronto. In Apr 1944, following a month's workups at Tobermory, LONG BRANCH joined EG C-5 at Londonderry, and sailed to pick up her maiden convoy, ONS.233. She developed mechanical defects on the crossing and was under repair at St. John's for six weeks. She left St. John's 14 Jun 1944 to resume her duties, but returned from her next westbound convoy with the assistance of HM tug Tenacity. Repaired, she left St. John's ON 23 Jul 1944 to join HXS.300, the largest convoy of the war, and continued as an ocean escort until her final departure from "Derry on 27 Jan 1945. Arriving at Halifax on 11 Feb 1945, she commenced a refit on completion of which, in Apr 1945, she was assigned to Halifax Force for local duties. On 17 Jun 1945 she was paid off at Sorel for disposal. Sold for commercial use in 1947, she was renamed Rexton Kent II (later dropping the "II") and finally scuttled off the east coast in 1966.

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

Commanding Officers

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

Former Crew Members

Photos and Documents

(LGB001) HMCS LONG BRANCH K487 underway again  //  Photo taken from HMCS ROSTHERN on 21 Apr 1944, 600 miles west of Ireland.  ROSTHERN had transferred a new spare air valve via wire hook-up between ships. ROSTHERN provided protection to LONG BRANCH while she effected the repairs - sitting motionless for 6 hours. Note the C5 Barber Pole on the LONG BRANCH'S funnel  //  From the collection of Reese Berwyn Davies, Lt, RCNVR  //  Courtesy of Dale Davies

(LGB002) Chief Puppy Officer Rivets  //  Ship's mascot of HMCS LONG BRANCH K487  //  Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum  Photo #VR2016.78.53

(LGB003) HMCS LONG BRANCH K487 Christmas Card  //  Courtesy of Hugh Muir

(LGB004) HMCS LONG BRANCH K487  //  From the collection of Ron Critchley  //  Courtesy of Diane Brown

(LGB005) Bollard, mascot of HMCS LONG BRANCH K487 //  Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum - photo # VR2016.78.131

(JS01) Jack Shunk with friend. Jack is holding the ship's mascot

(JS02) Jack Shunk

(JS03) L-R: Rip, Harry and Jack

(JS04) Shipmates ashore at "the rest camp"

(JS05) Jack Shunk (1st on right) with shipmates

(JS06) Jack Shunk (1st on left) with shipmates

(JS07) Engine Room gang on HMCS LONG BRANCH  (8) names on back of photo: Swain, Sparkes, Tug 2, Harry, Adams, Jack, Wallis, Rip, Donaldson 2  //  Note: Jack Shunk is listed on the back of the photo - but is not in the photo - he was the photographer

(JS08-JS12) Jack Shunk at various places ashore

Newspaper article from the Montreal Herald on HMCS LONG BRANCH K487  //  Listed in the article: Stoker Bill Sumner, ERA Jack Shunk, ERA Rod Polter and ERA John Dowell  //  Courtesy of Randy McKee (grandson of Jack Shunk) and Doug Shunk

RCN Branch 101 Lapel pin honouring HMCS LONG BRANCH K487  //  Courtesy of Doug Shunk

From the collection of Jack Shunk

Courtesy of Lorne Shunk, Doug Shunk and Randy McKee