For Lt. Glassco, the paperwork was just beginning. A report detailing the actions of the crew and himself before and after Trentonian was attacked needed to be completed. As well, he needed to write a detailed account of the disposal of all code books, charts, and secret material in the ship; a complete nominal list of the crew, listing survivors, wounded, and the men who had been killed or were missing; and finally, letters to the families of the wounded and dead would have to be written.
There would be a Board of Inquiry to investigate the loss of Trentonian and, depending on the findings of the board, there could be a court martial. Lieutenant Glassco received notice that a Board of Inquiry was to be convened on February 27 in the Royal Navy Barracks, Plymouth, at 0930. He was to bring with him all reports, documentation, and witnesses necessary for the board to determine the cause of Trentonian’s loss.[31]
Despite the secrecy surrounding Trentonian’s loss, the families of the wounded needed to be notified that their loved ones were in hospital and the families of the men killed and missing had to be informed of their son’s or husband’s death.
In Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, the following telegram was received by Mrs. Bertha Beck:
THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE FOR NAVAL SERVICES DEEPLY REGRETS TO REPORT THAT YOUR HUSBAND MOYLE KITCHENER BECK LEADING SEAMAN IS MISSING AT SEA. LETTER FOLLOWS.[32]
Similar telegrams were arriving at homes all across Canada for the other five men killed or missing and the families of the wounded.
One can only imagine the anguish and hardship these telegrams would cause to so many Canadian families. There are no details; these messages brought with them questions but no answers. The family of each man would be greatly distressed wondering what the fate of their loved one was.
Preparations for the funeral of Lt. Gordon Stephens began. Glassco had received a message that a Canadian Navy chaplain was being sent to Falmouth to preside over the service and visit with the men.[33]
While writing his reports, Glassco made a point of recommending five members of the crew for special praise and to be Mentioned-In-Dispatches. He stated Lt. William Kinsman; Warrant Engineer Hamilton Hindle; ERA Murray Angus of Smith Falls, Ontario; ERA Douglas Excell; and ERA George Goar, deserved special praise for their actions during the attack and while abandoning the ship. (See Appendix 1: Medals and Awards.)
In his official report, Lt. Glassco made a point of thanking the crews of the two RN motor launches for the expeditious rescue and the comfort and aid provided to his men by the two crews. He also remarked about the care and comfort provided to them by FOIC Falmouth and the RN barracks that his men had enjoyed since arriving in Falmouth.
The Captains, Officers, and crews of the two rescuing M.L.’s, Numbers 600 and 124, deserve the highest praise for their efforts in picking up survivors, and their kindness in providing comforts for the men.
It is further desired to wholeheartedly thank Flag Officer In Charge Falmouth, and his staff, for the considerate and efficient manner in which the needs of the rescued officers and men were supplied. Everyone was most generous in providing every comfort for all concerned which contributed greatly in keeping up the morale of the men.[34]
Glassco chose his witnesses for the inquiry. Lieutenant Kinsman, Lt. Abbott, Warrant Engineer Hindle, ERA George Goar, and LS Jack Straw of Hamilton, Ontario, were to accompany him to Plymouth for the Board of Inquiry on the twenty-seventh.[35]
The rest of the crew spent the remainder of February 23 with the RCN Public Affairs Department giving interviews and taking photos for the press release that would be sent out across Canada when news of the sinking was made public.[36]
Royal Navy-issue great coats and caps were given out so the men looked like sailors. The caps had HMS on the cap tallies, so several of the men took them off — after all they were RCN. They were grouped together by province for the photos, and if there was a group from one particular area or city, those men were photographed separately.
Several of the men gave interviews and quotes for publication. The media loves strong, brave, humorous statements like, “We sang while waiting rescue,” or “Every man did his duty,” or “We wasted all that time painting the ship.”
The wounded men did not escape the Public Affairs Department visit. The men in hospital were photographed in their beds in fresh hospital gowns, with clean dressings and full smiles — except for Telegrapher Vince Hadley, who had lost two teeth.
Petty Officer Lounsbury was photographed wearing his precious lifejacket and a few of the crew had their picture taken with one of the ladies from the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS).
Command Chaplain E.G.B. Foote, RCN, arrived at Falmouth on February 24, 1945, and spent the morning with the men before officiating the burial service for Lt. Stephen and memorial service for the missing men.[37] With his shipmates attending, Lt. Stephen was laid to rest at the Falmouth Cemetery with full military honours.
Chaplain Foote ended the service with a prayer of thanksgiving for the ninety-five lives that had been spared.
Telegraphist Vince Hadley was thrown face down on Trentonian’s deck by the explosion, breaking his teeth and upper palate.
Photo courtesy of the Family of Maurice Campbell.
AB James Rickard lying in a hospital bed with a head wound, pictured with OS Douglas Campbell. Campbell sustained a head injury and shrapnel wounds over most of his body.
Photo courtesy of the Family of Maurice Campbell.
17: The Board of Inquiry;
Goodbye to Old Friends
I am sure we were all proud to have served in Trentonian. To those who were lost, we can only say that they were less fortunate than the rest of us, but their names will live for evermore. Lest we forget, lest we forget.”
— Anonymous crew member HMCS Trentonian[1]
The men left Falmouth after the funeral, seventy-three ratings and one officer boarded a train for Niobe in Scotland.[2] Lieutenant Glassco and three officers and three ratings travelled to Plymouth to appear before the Board of Inquiry.
In Canada, the official letters to the families were written and sent by air mail for quick delivery. Mrs. Beck was sent the following letter from the secretary of the Navy Board:
It is with deepest regret that I must confirm the telegram of the 24th of February, 1945, from the Minister of Defence for Naval Services, informing you that your husband, Moyle Kitchener Beck, Leading Seaman, Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, is missing at sea.
The only information that can be given at this time is that your husband is missing at sea as the result of enemy action, overseas. The position of the action is such that there is no possibility of him being a prisoner of war and little hope can be held for his survival.
Please be assured that as soon as further particulars can be released or any other news received, you will be informed.
For security reasons it is requested that you regard the name of your husband’s ship in connection with his loss as confidential at this time.
Please accept the sincere sympathy of the Department in your anxiety.[3]
The train to Scotland stopped at London where the men had to wait for a connecting train to take them north. Still wearing the ragtag clothes issued at Falmouth, the crew was a very sorry looking lot. Stoker Bruce Keir remembers some of the civilians in the station called them some very derogatory names as they passed by. One of the station employees came over and explained that a group of German POWs had just passed through the station wearing the same style of clothes.[4]
This problem was quickly remedied once the crew arrived at Niobe, and each man was issued a full set of RCN kit, complete with HMCS cap tallies.
The RCN medical officer examined the men fully. Able Seaman Stanley Bennett of Belle Isle, Newfoundland, had complained of increasing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Bennett was admitted to the Royal Canadian Navy hospital at Niobe with fractured ribs,[5] bringing the total number of wounded to fourteen.
On February 26, 1945, the medi
cal officer at Niobe had the following message sent to Naval Service Headquarters:
Medical Officer recommends survivors leave in Canada be granted to survivors from HMCS TRENTONIAN. Request early approval to discharge ratings to Canada by first available passage.[6]
At Niobe, Stoker Bruce Keir ran into a friend who had been transferred off Trentonian two weeks before; he was shocked on learning the news. The friend asked Keir for a loan; it seemed he had lost his money and was penniless. Keir had received survivors pay, so he made the loan to the friend and in return the friend gave Keir all the photos that he had collected from the Tiffy, SBA Arthur Singleton.[7]
This worked out well for Stoker Keir; he had lost all his photos, as did the rest of the crew. Singleton’s entire collection of negatives and prints went down with Trentonian, lost forever. The only photographs to survive were those held by crew members that had left Trentonian.
When Keir sorted through the collection, there were over 180 photos and, since the friend had joined Trentonian in Quebec City, the photographs covered the entire history of their ship up two weeks before the sinking. This chance encounter between two old shipmates — and the poor card playing by the friend — saved the unprecedented photographic record of Trentonian, preserving a remarkable history for all Canadians.
The crew of Trentonian was transferred to HMCS Niobe in Scotland to wait for travel arrangements to Canada for survivors leave.
Photo courtesy of Bruce Keir.
On February 27, 1945, Niobe’s medical officer received a response from NSHQ and the Canadian Naval Medical Officer; it simply read, “28 days survivors leave in Canada approved.”[8]
The crew of Trentonian was going home.
Now that all the survivors had been examined by Canadian doctors and each of the fourteen wounded were expected to recover, letters were being sent to their families. In London, Ontario, Mrs. Gladys Crandall, mother of AB Lewis Karns, received the following letter:
I regret to inform you that the Department has received information that your son, Lewis Charles Karns, Able Seaman, Royal Canadian Volunteer Reserve, has been admitted to the Royal Naval Sick Quarters, at Falmouth, Cornwall, England, suffering from slight injuries received due to enemy action at sea. The exact nature of his injuries is not known.
As he has not been reported as seriously or dangerously injured, there would not appear to be any cause for anxiety but, should anything untoward occur, you will be informed immediately.
It is suggested that you son’s mail should be addressed as follows:
Lewis C. Karns, Able Seaman,
c/o Canadian Fleet Mail Office, Great Britain
London S.W.1 , ENGLAND
and that the envelop be plainly marked “IN HOSPITAL”.
No Particulars can be given regarding the action in which your son was injured and it is requested that, for security reasons, you regard the name of his ship in this connection as confidential at this time.
Please be assured that he is receiving the best medical attention and that everything possible is being done for his comfort and welfare.[9]
In Plymouth, Lt. Glassco and the six crew members he had chosen as witnesses reported to the Royal Naval barracks for the Board of Inquiry. They were led to an open room and asked to have a seat. A few minutes later a warrant officer appeared and laid a sword on the head table. During a serious trial, naval custom places a sword on the table of the court president presiding over the case. At the end of the trial, when the charged man returns for the court’s decision, if found guilty, the sword is turned to face the guilty person. If innocent, the sword is pointed away. Glassco’s heart sank — it appeared the inquiry was to be disposed of and the matter was going directly to court martial. The warrant officer returned later and apologized as he picked up the sword, cheerfully saying, “Sorry Sir, wrong room.”[10]
At 0930 the Board of Inquiry commenced with Commander R.T. White, DSO, RN, commanding officer of HMS Terpsichore presiding, along with Lt. J.B. Lamb, RCNVR, commanding officer of Camrose, and Lt-Cmdr. G.A. Wilkins, (E)RCNR from the Office of Captain(D). Wilkins was an engineering officer and had the expertise to understand the damage to Trentonian.[11]
Lieutenant Glassco was the first witness called. The board’s questions were direct and to the point. Glassco was asked to confirm the weather and position of his ship. Relate his actions and orders before and after his ship was attacked, based on information available to him at the time. He was also asked to confirm if Trentonian had been torpedoed or mined and the location of the submarine in relation to the convoy.[12]
After the questioning, Lt. Glassco was excused and remained in the room while the other witnesses were called.[13]
Lieutenant Abbott was called next. As officer-of-the-watch at the time and navigation officer, he was asked to describe his actions when Alexander Kennedy was torpedoed and why he turned Trentonian to port, and his actions in destroying the code books and charts.[14]
Warrant Officer Francis Hindle was then asked to describe the location that the torpedo struck Trentonian and the damage to the ship that caused it to flood and sink. Hindle was asked to confirm that Trentonian was torpedoed and had not struck a mine. He replied, “I think it was a torpedo. I have never been torpedoed or mined before, so I don’t really know.”[15]
Engine Room Artificer George Goar gave testimony as part of the damage control party and his actions as messenger between Warrant Officer Hindle and the executive officer, Lt. Kinsman.[16]
Lieutenant Kinsman was questioned concerning the actions of the crew while at action stations and after the torpedo struck. He gave details of how the men performed while abandoning the ship and the rescue of the men following the sinking.[17]
The board members attempted to confirm that the explosion behind Trentonian was from the sinking merchant ship and not a torpedo striking the CAT gear. Glassco was recalled to confirm if his ship had worked up to full speed at the time the torpedo struck and if the CAT gear was streamed and working properly.
ERA George Goar and LS Jack Straw were both called as witnesses in the inquiry of Trentonian’s loss. Goar was later Mentioned-In-Dispatches for his actions following the attack.
Photo courtesy of the Family of Maurice Campbell.
Kinsman was then recalled to confirm the type of CAT gear in use and whether it was used properly. He was also asked if it had planed out of the water while the ship was at full speed.[18]
Leading Signalman Jack Straw was asked to give evidence of the signal messages received in Trentonian from the commodore of the convoy that reported a disturbance behind the ship just before Trentonian was torpedoed.[19]
Glassco was recalled again and asked if the convoy commodore changed the convoy’s course following the attack, and if the torpedo had not struck his ship, if it would have hit another ship in the convoy. He replied the convoy remained on its original course and the torpedo would have struck the starboard column if it had missed Trentonian.[20]
Glassco was then asked if he could account for any of the men killed. The skipper then related the details of the deaths of the men in his ship.[21] Glassco was excused and Cmdr. White, Lt.-Commander Wilkins and Lt. Lamb began their deliberations of the testimony given.
The board submitted their report the same day with the following conclusions:
There is insufficient evidence to prove conclusively that it was not a GNAT, but the evidence goes to prove that it was a straight running torpedo fired from the starboard side of the convoy, and probably aimed at the leading ship of the starboard wing column.
Up to the time of the torpedoing, HMCS Trentonian had never put herself in a position for a GNAT attack, and was only just clear of the convoy and proceeding to carry out a search on the starboard side, when she was hit, all of which tends to confirm it being a straight running torpedo.
The action taken by the Commanding Officer prior to the torpedoing, was entirely correct.
The conduct of the Officers and men appears to hav
e been of the highest order, and Lieutenant William Burnley Kinsman, RCNVR, and Warrant Engineer Hamilton Francis Hindle, RCN deserve special praise.[22]
The results of the Board of Inquiry established that Lt. Glassco, along with the officers and men of Trentonian, had acted properly during the circumstances that led to the loss of the ship and that no further action would be required.
Even though Trentonian had been sunk by the enemy, her operations from January 1 to the day it was lost earned the ship the extension to her Battle Honour, English Channel 1944–45.
Glassco received a letter from Hazel Farley welcoming him as Trentonian’s new commanding officer on behalf of the Trenton Corvette Committee. He replied to the letter as best he could under the circumstances, as the loss of the ship had not yet been made public.
Thank you very much for your kind letter of February 9th, in which you outlined what the “Trentonian” Committee is doing for the Ship. Since taking over command I have learnt with pleasure of the many things which your Committee has already done for the Ship, and it is with great comfort to know that your generous support will be forthcoming in the future. [23]
Lieutenant Glassco then began completing the administrative portion of losing his ship. Accounts had to be finalized and records completed. The letters he had written to the families of the dead were completed, but were being looked over by the secretary, Canadian Naval Mission Overseas. The secretary had taken exception to his comments, in each letter, referring to the sailor having been killed. Citing that it was too early to designate the men dead, as they were still considered missing, he insisted that the letters be rewritten so that the families would not lose hope.[24]
White Ensign Flying Page 22
