HMCS TORONTO K538 / 319

 

River Class / Prestonian Class Frigate

 


 

HMCS TORONTO K538

From the collection of Thomas J. Simpson

 

Battle honours and awards:  Gulf of St. Lawrence  1944

 

 

Laid down: 10 May 1943

Launched: 18 Sep 1943

Commissioned: 06 May 1944

Paid off: 27 Nov 1945

Re-commissioned: 26 Mar 1953

Paid off: 14 Apr 1956

Loaned to the Norwegian Navy: 1956

Re-commissioned: 14 Apr 1956

Transferred to the Norwegian Navy: 1959

Re-classed: 1965

Disposed: 1977/78

 

Laid down as HMCS GIFFARD, she was renamed and commissioned on 06 May 1944, at Lévis as HMCS TORONTO. She arrived at Halifax on 28 May 1944 leaving on 18 Jun 1944 for a month's working-up in Bermuda. In Aug 1944 TORONTO was allocated to EG 16, Halifax, but for the next few weeks operated principally from Sydney. Following repairs in Nov 1944 she joined Halifax Force and was employed locally until May 1945, when she began five months' training duty at HMCS CORNWALLIS. Paid off on 27 Nov 1945, she was placed in reserve at Shelburne, but was re-commissioned on 26 Mar 1953, after conversion to a Prestonian class ocean escort. She was paid off for the last time on 14 Apr 1956, having been lent to the Norwegian Navy, which renamed her HNoMS GARM. She was permanently transferred in 1959, and re-classed in 1965 as a torpedo boat depot ship - simultaneously renamed HNoMS VALKYRIEN, she served a further 13 years before being disposed of.

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

LCdr Henry K. Hill, RCNVR - 20 Mar 1944 - 17 Mar 1945

LCdr Anthony G. S. Griffin, RCNVR - 18 Mar 1945 - 17 Jun 1945

A/LCdr Edward B. Pearce, RCNVR - 18 Jun 1945 - 27 Nov 1945

LCdr William D. F. Johnston, RCN - 26 Nov 1953 - 31 Aug 1954

LCdr A.H. MacDonald, RCN - 01 Sep 1954 - 03 Jan 1956

LCdr Gordon S. Clark, RCN - 04 Jan 1956 - 05 Apr 1956

LCdr William W. MacColl, RCN - 06 Apr 1956 - 14 Apr 1956

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

(CC) = Commissioning crew

 

Beique, Leon, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 12 Jun 1944

 

Brown, Alexander, Lt (E), RCNR - 18 Mar 1944 (CC)

 

Chappell, Norman Russell, Lt, RCNVR - 20 Mar 1944  (CC)

 

Curry, Don, Radar Operator - Feb 1956 - Apr 1956

 

Gilbert, Bruce Walter, SLt, RCNVR - 10 Apr 1944 (CC)

 

Gordon, Arnold

 

Howard, Ralph Turnbull, SLt, RCNVR - 10 Apr 1944  (CC)

 

Madden, Frederick George, SLt, RCNVR - 21 May 1945

Mann, Roger James, Lt, RCNR - 16 May 1944

 

McBean, Athol Oscar, Lt, RCNVR - 07 May 1945

 

Merkel, James William Arthur, Lt, RCNVR - 29 Mar 1945

 

Spears, Lawrence, AB 

 

Thomas, Charles Humbert, A/Lt, RCNVR - 06 May 1944  (CC)

 

Tofflemire, Bob, RP

 

Turnbull, Walter Gordon Gay, SLt, RCNVR - 05 Mar 1945

 

Webb, Maurice Edward, Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 12 Jun 1944

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

The launching of HMCS TORONTO K538 - 18 Sep 1943

From the collection of Thomas J. Simpson

HMCS TORONTO K538 in Annapolis Basin - 1944

 

DND / RCN Photo

A HMCS TORONTO K538 Christmas Card - 1944

From the collection of John Hainsworth

Courtesy of Nancy Goede

Jacket Patch from HMCS TORONTO K538

From the collection of John Hainsworth

Courtesy of Nancy Goede

Petty Officer Robert Porter, HMCS TORONTO K538

From the collection of Robert Porter

Courtesy of Dana Porter

Officers on HMCS TORONTO K538, Bermuda, Jun-Jul 1944

Harry Marshall - centre

From the collection of Harry Marshall

Courtesy of Jeff Marshall

Sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS TORONTO K538, Bermuda, Jun-Jul 1944

Harry Marshall only officer in group, standing on left

From the collection of Harry Marshall

Courtesy of Jeff Marshall

Don Lovell on HMCS TORONTO K538, Halifax, Jetty "0", 1945

From the collection of Don Lovell

Courtesy of David Barlow

Wedding of Emma (Judy) and Harry Marshall onboard HMCS TORONTO 17 Mar 1945

Courtesy of Maggy - daughter of Charlie Thomas

 

(L-R) Pauline (Polly) Thomas, bride Emma (Judy) M. Marshall, groom Harry S. Marshall and Charles (Charlie) Thomas. Pauline and Charie were bridesmaid and best man. The WRENs Polly and Judy, were stationed at Stadacona. Charlie was a Lt on HMCS TORONTO.

Wedding party of Lt Harry Marshall and Wren Emma Maud (Judy) Morrow on HMCS TORONTO 17 Mar 1945

 

Wren Pauline Kennedy and Lt Charles Thomas were the maid of honour and best man.

 

 2nd row L-R:  unknown, Charles Thomas, Pauline Kennedy, Judy and Harry Marshall, unknown

 

Back Row: 3rd from right - William J.J. Wade, Ch Skpr, RCNR

 

From the collection of Harry Marshall

Courtesy of Jeff Marshall

Cornwallis recruits on board HMCS TORONTO 319 - 1954

From the collection of Francis Gerald (Gerry) Walsh

Courtesy of Mike O'Keefe

HMCS TORONTO 319

 

DND / RCN Photo

 


 

HOME PAGE     SHIP INDEX      CONTACT