The son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert McPherson, of R. R. #2 Tilbury East, Ontario. Albert had been home on leave in July when he was called back before his furlough had expired. Seaman McPherson was home on a twenty-eight day furlough to visit his father. CDN 13/11/42

Albert had been home on leave in July when he was called back before his furlough had expired. He had already made eight trips across the Atlantic before his last voyage.

HMCS St. Croix (I81) a Town Class Destroyer  was built in the USA originally launched in 1919 as the U.S.S. McCook (DD252). On 18 Dec., 1939 she was recommisioned and transferred to the RCN as HMCS St. Croix.

Though the sinking of the St. Croix in September of 1943 and AB Seaman McPherson was reported ‘Missing’ it was not until 29 December, 1943 that the Secretary of the Naval Board for official purposes, “is presumed killed on 20 September.”  As previously noted as MIA changed officially in January of 1944 when he was “for official purposes presumed dead. CDN 12/01/44

The parents received a letter from the Royal couple:

“The Queen and I offer you are heartfelt sympathy in your great sorrow.

We pray that your country’s gratitude for a life so nobaly given in its service may bring you some measure of consolation.”

A similar letter was received from the Canadian Naval Minister MacDonald.

HMCS St. Croix.

On 20 September, 1943 while escorting convoy ON.202, at 57.30N and 31.10W approximately 500 miles SE of Greenland.

At 21.51 hours on 20 Sep, 1943, the HMCS St. Croix (I 81) (LtCdr A.H. Dobson, RCNR, DSC) was hit in the stern by a Gnat from U-305 while escorting the convoy ON-202 south of Iceland. She sank within six minutes after being hit by a T-3 coup de grâce from the same U-boat at 22.44 hours. The next morning, five officers and 76 men were picked up from two rafts and a half sunken whaler by HMS Itchen (K 227), which also had been attacked by U-305 with a Gnat at 22.53 hours, but was missed. Only one of the rescued men (Stoker W. Fisher) survived the sinking of the frigate by U-666 (Engel) on 23 September.

The HMCS St. Croix (I 81) was one of the first victims of the new developed acoustic torpedo Gnat.  There was only one survivor of the destroyers full complement.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Supplemental Information

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert McPherson, of R. R. #2 Tilbury East, Ontario. Age: 23, LAS - Date of Death: 20/09/1943, HMCS St. Croix, sunk. A memorial service was held on 16 January, 1944 at the United Church in Tilbury for AB McPherson. CDN 7/01/44. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 10. Memorial: HALIFAX MEMORIAL. Found in “The Tilbury Story 1887 -1987”. Index of Overseas Deaths. TT 7/10/43.

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