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The Second World War
The Merchant Navy  - Serving with the Merchant Navy

During the Second World War, Canadian and Allied merchant mariners faced the constant hard work of operating and maintaining their ships, the threat of enemy attack, and the dangers of accidents and storms.

Memorial Cross, Third Engineer Alfred Henry Perry, SS Fort Longueuil
Memorial Cross, Third Engineer Alfred Henry Perry, SS Fort Longueuil

This Memorial Cross was sent to Kathleen Perry, the widow of Alfred Henry Perry, an engineer aboard the SS Fort Longueuil.

Alfred Perry was part of the engine room crew in the Fort Longueuil, sunk by the German U-Boat (submarine) U-532 in the Indian Ocean in September 1943. The Fort Longueuil was one of approximately 200 merchant ships built in Canada for British service. Perry was one of over 1,600 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who died serving in the merchant navy. Like many, he has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Halifax Memorial in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Memorial Cross
Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals
CWM 19920144-001

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Merchant Navy War Service Badge, Somer Oscar James
Painting a Life Raft, SS Temagami Park
Engine Room, SS Kelowna Park (CAN)
Shaft Tunnel, SS Kelowna Park (CAN)
Merchant Navy Uniform, Clovis Ira Bordeleau
Balaclava, Clovis Ira Bordeleau
Christmas Card, SS Lady Rodney
Identity Bracelet, Robert Bush
Torpedoed, North Atlantic
Burning Oil Tanker
Torpedo Damage, SS Samtucky
Torpedo Damage, MS Kronprinsen
Storm Damage, SS Joel R. Poinsett
MV Nipiwan Park
Memorial Cross, Third Engineer Alfred Henry Perry, SS Fort Longueuil
Rescuing Survivors
HMCS Longueuil Rescues Survivors
Port of New York Identity Card, Ernest Shackleton
Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James
Telegram, Percy Kelly, SS Lady Hawkins
Chief Officer Percy Kelly