Biographical Data

Woods, Mervyl Harrison

Personal Image

Photo Credit: RCN Official Photo

 
 
Title Able-Seaman (RCNVR)
Official Number V-50658
 
Birth (nk) Death 07/05/1944
Place (nk) Place (At sea) southeast of Cape Race NL
Area (nk) Area
Country (nk) Country (At sea) southeast of Cape Race NL
 
Titles
Honours M.I.D.
Awards
Qualifications
 
Biography
He attended McGill University.
 
Military Service
He was appointed as an Ordinary Seama (Officer Candidate UNTD) RCNVR (With seniority dated 29/01/1943). In 1943 he served in HMCS Cornwallis for Training. (Transferred to active service) He served in HMCS Cornwallis for Torpedo Specialization. He was appointed as an Able-Seaman RCNVR. (He was killed in action on 07/05/1944 when HMCS Valleyfield was hit by one torpedo, fired by U-548, on the port side in the boiler room, broke in two and sank within four minutes about 50 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.)
 
Vessels Owned
Aircraft Flown
Named Features
 
Anecdotes
He refused his opportunity to escape the sinking ship to remain behind trying to neutralize the primers in the depth charges removing the danger for men who had abandoned ship. There is a memorial window to him in St. Peters Church, Mount Royal QC.
 
References
http://www.naval-history.net/; http://www.archives.mcgill.ca/public/exhibits/mcgillremembers/results.asp?id=300; McGill University Archives, 0000-0481.01.1.e0301;
Last update
2018-07-15 00:00:00

© 2002-2023