Person Profile

Woods, Mervyl Harrison

?–1944

Woods, Mervyl Harrison
Photo: RCN Official Photo

Biography

He attended McGill University.

Military Service

He was appointed as an Ordinary Seama (Officer Candidate UNTD) RCNVR (With seniority dated 29/01/1943).

In 1943 he served in HMCS Cornwallis for Training. (Transferred to active service) He served in HMCS Cornwallis for Torpedo Specialization.

He was appointed as an Able-Seaman RCNVR. (He was killed in action on 07/05/1944 when HMCS Valleyfield was hit by one torpedo, fired by U-548, on the port side in the boiler room, broke in two and sank within four minutes about 50 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.)

Anecdotes

He refused his opportunity to escape the sinking ship to remain behind trying to neutralize the primers in the depth charges removing the danger for men who had abandoned ship. There is a memorial window to him in St. Peters Church, Mount Royal QC.

References

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