HMCS Chebogue
BBC recently showed a special edition of Saving Lives “Saving Lives at Sea in World War II”, the program presented by y Dermot O’Leary looked at the courage acts of lifeboat crews around the country saving lives at sea. From 1939 to 1945, 6,376 lives had been saved. Sadly, there was no mention of the Mumbles Lifeboat.
In her article “The Mumbles Lifeboat ‘A Constant
Devotion: 1939-45’”, Kate Jones writes …….” But it was the ‘miraculous
and magnificent’ rescue of 42 officers and men on board the badly damaged HMCS
Chebogue that had run aground on Port Talbot bar during a gale in October 1944
that was regarded as on the most courageous.
For his conspicuous gallantry Coxswain William Gammon was awarded the
RNLI’s highest honour, a Gold Medal, along with the Maud Smith Award for the
bravest rescue of the year. Bowman Tom Ace
and Mechanic William Gilbert Davies received Bronze Medals. The rest of the crew – lifeboat veterans (two
in their ‘70s) as the younger men had been called up – were accorded the Thanks
of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum…..”
 |
| The Chebogue Rescue Crew Photo RNLI The Mumbles, taken by South Wales Evening Post photographer Back Left to Right William Eynon, Mechanic William Gilbert Davies, Charles Davies (survivor of the 1903 Mumbles disaster), and Tom Davies Front Left to Right William Michael, Coxswain William John Gammon, Bowman Tom Ace and Alfred Michael |
This article will be looking at HMCS Chebogue.
 |
| HMCS Chebogue |
The convoy at this time was 800 miles from the British
Isles, Chebogue, was unable to move under her own steam and had to be
taken under tow. HMCS Chambly,
HMS Mounsey, HMCS Ribble and the ocean tug HMS Eamer
undertook the task covering 900 miles between them. the towline parted in a
gale and Chebogue was driven ashore to the apparent safety of Swansea
Bay, however, a 40-knot gale turned into 70-knot hurricane, the Chebogue
was driven stern-first on to the Port Talbot Bar.
The Mumbles Lifeboat, the Edward, Prince of Wales was
dispatched, to assist in a rescue. The
lifeboat had been launched into complete darkness, due to wartime restrictions
set out by the Government that all lifeboats were not to use any lights, sleet
and enormous waves, travelling to the damaged frigate.
Commander of Chebogue, Lieutenant Commander M. F.
Oliver RCNR, asked Coxswain Gammon if his crew could be saved, Gammon shouted
back “Yes if they keep their heads”.
The Mumbles Lifeboat undertook a remarkable manoeuvre 12
times, rescuing all the 42 crew, the of injuries that were suffered were minor
ones from a life-or-death leap onto the lifeboat.
The Chebogue was refloated and taken to Port Talbot,
where she was declared a constrictive loss. Staying unto December, and towed to Newport,
and planned to to made seaworthy and towed back across the Atlantic, this plan
was scrapped, Chebogue was taken to Milford Haven, where she was paid
off and finally scrapped during 1948.
That would be the end, however, there is still a twist in
the tale.
One of the seven sailors that were killed in the initial
explosion, was Joseph Gaal, who was an Able Seaman.
Joseph’s body was discovered on the 12th October
on Aberavon Beach, Aberavon. His cause
of death is Due to War Operations.
He was buried at Morriston Cemetery, on the 16th
 |
| Joseph Steven Gaal headstone Morriston Cemetery credit findagrave |
So, who was Joseph?
 |
| Joseph Steven Gaal credit Ancestry.co.uk |
 |
| Joseph Steven Gaal credit findagrave |
The family emigrated to America and arrived at Buffalo, New
York, 1928. By the time of the 1931
Canadian Census, the family were resident of South Dumfries, Ontario.
1931 Census of Canada
On the outbreak of the Second World War, Joseph, enlisted
and served with the Highland Light Infantry from July 1940 until March 1942,
when he enlisted as a Ordinary Seaman and served with the Royal Canadian Naval
Volunteer Reserve. His home address as
given as 81 Grey Street, Brantford, Ontario.
His death certificate, which was registered on the 14th
October 1944, indicates that his home address as been as 227 Dundas Street,
Ontario.
 |
| Joseph Steven Gaal Death Certificate |
The following year, August 1945, Paul Meyn, Leading Stoker, who was saved from Chebogue the previous October had died.
So, who was Paul?
 |
| Paul Fredrich Meyn |
Like the Gaal family, the Meyn family emigrated to
Canada. Paul married Sarah Luisa Guidi,
of West Summerland, British Columbia.
Paul enlisted during 1942, serving with the Royal Canadian
Naval Volunteer Reserve. He served from
May 1942 on HMCS Nonsuch, until June 1942. January 1943 served on HMCS Givenchy
until March 1943, that May served on HMCS New Westminster until May
1944. June 1944 Paul was drafted on to
HMCS Chebogue.
Having been saved by the Mumbles Lifeboat, October 1944, it
was whilst he was on shore leave that he drowned in a swimming accident at
Morfa Beach, Port Talbot on 5th August 1945.
Paul’s death certificate records his death as a Drowning Accident, with an Inquest heard on the 8th August. There is a little error on his death certificate, it states his surname as Mayne and not Meyn.
 |
| Paul Fredrich Meyn Death Certificate |
 |
| Paul Fredrich Meyn headstone Morriston Cemetery credit findagrave |
Paul’s funeral was 10th August, where he was buried at Morriston Cemetery, not far from Joseph Gaal. Following his funeral, his wife Sarah, received several letters from Naval Board.
Comments
Post a Comment