HMCS Prince Robert, dated Dec. 28, 1943
" In 1941 the ROBERT was attached to New Zealand as convoy protection for the airmen coming to Canada for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. She then escorted the Canadian troops to Hong Kong in the ill-fated plan to defend the port against the Japanese. Before her 1943 conversion, ROBERT spent her time looking for enemy merchant shipping where she successfully captured the German ship, M.S. Weser. She was then converted to an AA ship, and escorted convoys in the Mediterranean and was even put under US command for a period of time for operations in the Aleutians. In July, 1945, she went to join the British Pacific Fleet, and in August arrived in Hong Kong to facilitate the release of the Canadian POWs and to have her Captain represent Canada at the surrender ceremonies. "
The above quote is taken from The HMCS Prince Robert Tribute Website.
This DND photo is dated December 28, 1943.
Harry Lorne Sykes has been tentatively identified by his daughter as the man standing alone behind the 21st man,
counting from the far left of the photo, in the top row which starts with the Petty Officers standing above the
two life rafts.
In the same row as above, Petty Officer John ("Jack") McKirdy Miller is 6th from far left, standing a bit back, with
his face slightly obscured.
Kenneth William Helfrich is 7th from the left in the first row crouching, identified by his grandson Guy Helfrich.
CLICK HERE TO SEE AN ENLARGEMENT OF THIS PHOTO.
Thanks to
Robert Berbeck for providing this photo from Ken Lloyd's collection.
Can you provide names, details or corrections?
Please email Charlie Dobie.