Gun crew

[lew]

I was going through some of my late Dad's pictures today and came across this photo of a gun crew and thought someone may find it interesting.

It's the 1st time I ever saw this picture I know absolutely nothing about the details, but my Dad served on the Canadian corvette Kitchener, K225, during the 2nd war, so possibly it's from there.

[kc]

What an excellent picture. Thank lew. It's these kind of photos from 'private' collections that are the most sought after - often nothing like them has seen the light of day and we are dedicated to bringing them to light.

[astraltrader]

Absolutely right. It is an excellent picture and it definitely is of a Canadian warship - the gun shield art gives it away!

I have tried to find out what gun-shield art decorated the turret of Kitchener, but despite having many good pictures of her myself I have not been able to discover the badge used.

[alanbenn]

The badge is that of a mine-sweeper, I don't know if Kitchener had anything to do with mine-sweeping or not, however she took part in a film called Corvette K225 starring Randolf Scott during her work-up period and the photo maybe one taken during filming.


Regards
Alan

[CYLLA]

Alanbenn ,
IThink you may be correct with your answer,as i could not see them wearing there caps , only if it was for show ..i.e for a film.

cylla

[lew]

alanbenn, I think your onto something about that gun being on a minesweeper. I also came across this picture in my dad's album of the Canadian minesweeper, HMCS Drummond, first picture on left. My dad never served on Drummond, but perhaps these pictures were given to him by a friend who did.

2nd picture is the corvette Kitchener from when Dad served in her, and your 100% correct, she was indeed featured in the movie with Randolf Scott.

Dad was a stoker on Kitchener as is evident by all the coal dust on him in the 3rd picture that was taken just as him and his pal came off watch. Dad is on your right wearing the black cap.

The man on your left was seasick one day and had gone for a sleep in behind the boilers when a fire broke out in the engine room. Nobody knew he was in there and they opened the steam smothering valve to extinguish the fire and the man was scalded to death. Very tragic indeed.

The 4th picture also shows Dad on Kitchener....2nd from the right in grey sweater.... and 3 of his shipmates. Interesting to note that they are all wearing civilian clothing.

Dad was RCNVR so perhaps uniforms were only for going ashore, but sadly I never found the last picture till after his death so I never had the chance to ask him about that.

Hopefully I haven't bored anyone, but thought some may find the pictures interesting.

[astraltrader]

Lew - you will find it is of Drummondville-J253- a Bangor class minesweeper.

[lew]

Thanks for that astraltrader, I stand corrected.

[astraltrader]

No problem Lew [it is Terry btw] - thanks for the pictures they were much appreciated.

[Dave Hutson]

Hi Lew,

The civilian clothes bit -- I did read in one of the accounts of Atlantic Convoys that life on a Corvette was a very wet one and half the time the crews wore whatever clothes happened to be dry at the time.

Dave H