HMCS Lethbridge remembered on anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic

By Herald on April 30, 2021.

Members of the crew of the HMCS Lethbridge take a break while in the St Lawrence after dropping of other crew members. Photo submitted by Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller – for the Lethbridge Herald

Prairie power was at sea during the Second World War. 

Many sailors both men and women from the prairies enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. Perhaps motivated by being familiar of the flat landscape and open spaces to experience something just as familiar but in a different environment. Ships bearing names of Lethbridge, Calgary, Blairmore, Edmonton and Regina are just a few.

The Canadian government ordered on 20th January 1940 as part of the 1939-1940 flower class building program a number of Corvettes to provide escort protection for supply convoys. Lethbridge City Council sponsored His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) LETHBRIDGE. It was laid down by Canadian Vickers limited at Montreal QC on five August 1940 and was commissioned 25 June 1941 with a crew of 54. 

It served on Atlantic missions before being reassigned to the Gulf Escort Force in the St Lawrence. HMCS Lethbridge came under US control for a few months in late 1942, then returned to Halifax until the end of the war. It was also part of the largest convoy of WW2. 

It was sold in 1945 to Marine Industries Ltd., before being resold and converted to a Dutch whaler Nicolaas Vinke in 1952. It was later dismantled in 1966 for scrap in Spain. 

Artifacts help tell a story. The City of Lethbridge is lucky to have some make their way back after the war to preserve the ships contribution. The Bell was sent to Lethbridge after the war by the minister of National Defence for naval services, where it is now proudly used and housed with the city’s Navy League Cadet Corps. The General Stewart branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has a few rare artifacts on display. One is a brass registration plate that was affixed to the ship. Visitors to the branch can view these objects at the front entrance display.  

The back of the registration plate has a unique secret. 

Hidden from viewers today, as well as crew members who served aboard during the war you will find a message written in pencil during the construction. In large bold handwriting is the following sentence by R. Scott: 

“Good luck to all who sail on her!”

Imagine the sailors who would have had the duty of shining that brass plate but would be never know of the good wishes sent from R. Scott. Perhaps he was with the construction company, but we do not know his connection to the ship. 

The other is a cloth badge of the ships crest sent by a former member of the crew. During the war a crest for the ship was developed to represent the character of the crew. Rules at the time were more relaxed than the formal process involved today. After several Commanding Officers and two years service in June of 1943, the new Commanding Officer of Lethbridge T/Lt St Clair Balfour invited his wife Helen Balfour to come up with a design. He provided some general guidance, and she went to work. She had considered some Alberta connections such as wheat and the St George cross of the provincial coat of arms and the roll of the ship in hunting submarines when drafting ideas before selecting her final design. Their daughter Lisa Balfour kindly donated the original artwork to the Galt Museum and it, and other artifacts can be viewed online. She also provided permission to scan and keep copies of selected letters her father made to his wife as they related to his command of HMCS Lethbridge before it went into refit.  At the Army Navy and Air Force Club #34 they have a picture just after her commissioning. A recent discovery this week was an oil painting of the ship.  A variety of other artifacts have made their way to the Lethbridge Military Museum by conducting years of research. Thanks goes out to all these contributors who through their donations will help pass on the torch of Remembrance for future generations. 

The citizens of the Lethbridge were supportive of their adopted ship and its crew of men. Many forms of support were demonstrated by the community citizens and organizations. The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire city chapters in the spring of 1944 provided support and comforts to all local military units as part of their contribution of the war effort. They arranged to forward parcels to each the men on the Corvette “Lethbridge” during Easter. Each of the 54 parcels sent contained candy, gum, handkerchiefs and magazines. Other parcels would contain knitted clothing to help them keep warm during the winter. One such sweater made of red and white wool was worn by Jim Bessie, the Executive Officer.  

Although the ship did not actually score a kill against a submarine it was involved in providing support for the successful delivery of goods moving across the Atlantic it was also involved inside Canadian waters where many Germans U boats sunk shipping in the St Lawrence River 

HMCS Lethbridge after the war was awarded with two battle honors. Atlantic 1941-1945 and Gulf of St Lawrence 1942,1944.

The Battle of the Atlantic began on the opening day of the war in September 1939 and ended almost six years later with Germany’s surrender in May 1945. This was the longest continuous battle of the Second World War and one in which Canada played a central role evolving to be the largest sized navy.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest battle of World War Two and is commemorated on the 1st Sunday may each year. It would not have been possible without victory at sea made by the men and women of the Merchant Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

Their legacy in providing vital supplies across the Atlantic during the initial challenges of the war would demonstrate Canada’s resolve, innovation, courage and sacrifices will be remembered. The Navy League annually conducts a ceremony at the cenotaph on the 1st Sunday of May at 11 am. This year due to Covid restrictions the General Stewart branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on behalf of the Navy League of Canada will lay a wreath to recognize and remember the Battle of the Atlantic.