Stuart was born in the United States and for many years and for many years his father operated the lakeview Hotel in Erieau, he had passed away years ago the result of injuries in an accident. He had twin sisters Jean and Louise and a brother Wardlow.

Stuart had resided in Erieau for twenty years and had shipped out on the Alexander Lesslis as the Coal Passer, working his way up to fireman. At the start of the war Stuart and his companion Stanley Alexander had enlisted in the army joining the Royal Canadian Engineers. However Stuart had become ill and he was discharged from the army. Once recovered he rejoined the crew of the Alexander Lesslie and sail on her fro the remainder of the sailing season.

He and three other Erieau men ( Gordon Parker, Wesley Sebbins and Jean Baker) went to Halifax and joined the RCNVR and were posted to corvettes. At the time of his death he was rated as First Class Stocker although he had passed his examination to be a Petty Officer he had not been promoted.

In the early morning of 10/02/ 1942 the German U-136 fired four torpedoes at convoy SC-67 sailing south of Iceland and reported strikes on two freighters and a corvette and sighted the debris of two lifeboats. In fact HMCS Spikenard and Heina were sunk.

HMCS Spikenard was struck on the port side in the bow near the bridge and she sank within five minutes after being hit. Other escort ships did not notice her sinking in the dark night and no search was begun until the morning. Lt. Cdr. H. G. Shadforth, four officers and 52 ratings were lost. Eight ratings were picked up from a raft by HMS Gentian (K90) some 19 hours after the sinking.

A memorial service was held at Saint Pauls Anglican Church conducted by Mr. John Henderson, rector of Erieau. Also attending the service were members of the crew and officers of the ship Alexander Leslie, which Stuart sailed on and the Erieau hockey team that he also played on. CDN 31/03/42.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

The First 200 Years” by Alvin Armstrong, Index of Overseas Deaths, Blenheim IODE Tablet of Remembrance., BFL, Blenheim Presbyterian Church – Roll of Honour, CDN (26-09-1939), CDN (20/02/42), CVWM

Supplemental Information

Age: 21, LAS Date of Death: 10/02/1942, H.M.C.S Spikenard (K198), sunk. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 6. Memorial: HALIFAX MEMORIAL. Found on Blenheim Presbyterian Church – Roll of Honour. . “The First 200 Years” by Alvin Armstrong. Index of Overseas Deaths. CDN 26/09/39 (enlisted in Royal Canadian Engineers). Blenheim IODE Tablet of Remembrance. BFL, Ultimate Sacrifice Vol.-2.

Age

21

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