The HMCS Prescott was a Canadian ship that rescued many of the survivors from the Partridge after it was sunk on June 11, 1944. The ship doesn’t look that much larger than the Partridge in this photo:
From uboat.net:
The German submarine U-163 was sunk in the North Atlantic north-west of Cape Finisterre in position 45º05’N, 15º00’W by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Prescott (Lt. W. McIsaac, RCNVR).
Read more about the Prescott and her history here: Link
My grandfather Robert Ainslie was on the HMCS Prescott during WW2 and was one of the people that helped to rescue the men from the partridge. He is now 86.
My father Stanley W Bachynski served on the Prescott and talked frequently about the rescue. He also spoke with respect of Commander McIsaac “The Old Man”.
Great to read these stories about the Prescott
My grandfather was Lt. Commander Wilfred Joseph McIsaac, who commanded the Prescott. He also received the distinguished service medal for sinking U-boat 163 in the N.Atlantic off Cape Finesterre.Passed away several years ago. Always loved and remembered
Prescott is celebrating 200 years in 2010, at the same time as the Navy honours 100, and towns after which vessls were named are receiving recognition. As well, our Bicentennial Committee is working to recognize the crews of HMCS Prescott. We have contacted at least one whom we expect to be here on June 26, and I and a Navy veteran are seeking others. Your grandfather obviously played a key role in shaping Prescott’s success. I wonder if you or other family members would like to join us in our celebrations?
As well, would you are or others have any pictures of the ship or crew that you could share with us? We expect to put to-gether an illustrated book which we could share with others interested in the Prescott or Corvettes in general, as well as a digital record of the ship and and the event here.
Gerry Brown,
for The prescott Bicentennial Committee
Gerry
My father Stanley W Bachynski served on the Prescott. I only recently came upon this exchange, Were you able to get a book put together? I would certainly like to get a copy and I might be able to supply photo’s.Regards,
Bob Bachynski
Thank you Bob for contacting us …yes…it is written and we are in the last artist stages of our book …we are looking for a photo of Lt. Commander McIsaac in particular but what ever you could help us with it would be much appreciated …..please copy and paste our email address and place into your address section for email ..we find that if you go through this site it may not get to us for a very long time …love this site but the book is just about ready and we can not afford the time now in waiting for info. All the best looking forward to your reply. [email protected]
My uncle Bill Foreman served under “Red” McIsaac and says that he was a good man and was very happy to have served under him.
He often talks about him and one story in particular says that he asked my uncle about what he did at home on Sundays and my uncle responded well after church we just sat around and relaxed. Your grandfather said `Well, that`s what we are going to do here!“
My uncle would appreciate it if you could post a photo of him here.
thanks
Yes we are writing a book on Rev. Paul Moulton, he served on the Prescott would you be willing to send us a photo of your grandfather “Lt. Commander Wilfred Joseph McIsaac” for the book chapter on the war years and the time he served on the Prescott.
Hello, we are in the final stages of our book on the Rev. Paul Moulton Missionary to Peru who served as a gunner on the HMCS Prescott…I tried to contact you previously with no response …we would love to have a photo of your Grandfather in our book …we are at the artist stage and it is going fairly fast ….would this be possible…please copy and paste our email address and place into your address section for email ..we find that if you go through this site it may not get to us for a very long time …love this site but the book is just about ready and we can not afford the time now in waiting for info.
All the best and thank you for your help.
My father served on the Prescott under your grandfather….he remembers sinking the U Boat, although they didn’t know at the time they had actually hit it. Dad was so excited when they were finally credited with the sinking – in the 1990’s I believe? He speaks fondly of your grandfather. Dad is now 97 1/2 🙂 H. Arnold Trask – might have been called Hank, from Digby, NS. Ordinary Seaman, responsible for setting off the depth charges.
My Father Colin Richard Mullens was the Wireless Mechanic in charge of the Radar (Type 271) which picked up the U-163. He was one of 4 RN seamen in a ship full of Canadians, but it was clear to me that these were the happiest times he had at sea, even if life in a Flower was extremely uncomfortable.
He recounted a number of things about the U-163 action including that both McIsaac and he were adamant that there were 2 U-boats – facts that have subsequently been discounted by others but he remained absolutely convinced. He had apparently just been fixing the radar (which kept blowing vacuum tubes) and switched it on in what were ideal conditions and for once it worked like a dream and picked up the first U-boat within minutes.
He also recalled being sent up the mast in a Biscay gale after advising the Captain that that was the only way to get the radar (? not the 271) working.
He was delighted when he discovered that the U163 had been credited to Prescott. He never forgave the Germans for the war (post WW1 generation never really did) and for the lives they caused to be lost. In particular he recalled having a survivor from a sunken ship dying in his arms on deck (I am uncertain if this was the Partridge – possibly not), certainly he was on-board to escort Mulberry across the Channel so was present at the loss of the Partridge.
His experience at sea with Radar stood him in good stead as he was recruited by EMI Ltd on being demobbed and worked for most of his career in the design of military Radar systems. He passed away in 2001.
David, your dad Colin may have held Lloyd Beal in his arms when he died. I was holding on to Beal when we were picked up by the Prescott. The crew of the lifeboat thought he was already dead. I told them he was passing out on me in the water. The boat pulled us both out of the water. I saw Beal on the deck of the Prescott just before I passed out. I don’t remember much after that, but commiing to once in awhile. I don’t remember how I got off the Prescott, but came to on the beach. but from then on I was in and out until some time in July when I finnaly woke up for good.
Joe Shannon
Thanks jJoe,
it is certainly possible, he mentioned picking up survivors of the torpedoing of the Partridge, the only ship he mentioned by name, but this may have been because the sinking was notable for being (if I’m not mistaken) the only significant ship loss to enemy action during the Normandy landings. The survivor dying in his arms may have been a separate incident, I really cannot be sure.
Unfortunately picking up survivors was too regular an occurrence in a service on the convoys of 4 years – including, as per many RN sailors, a 4 funnel ex US Destroyer of similar vintage to the Partridge – the USS Crowinshield/HMS Chelsea.
David
” And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”
David, your dad Colin may have held Lloyd Beal in his arms when he died. I was holding on to Beal when we were picked up by the Prescott. The crew of the lifeboat thought he was already dead. I told them he was passing out on me in the water. The boat pulled us both out of the water. I saw Beal on the deck of the Prescott just before I passed out. I don’t remember much after that, but commiing to once in awhile. I don’t remember how I got off the Prescott, but came to on the beach. but from then on I was in and out until some time in July when I finnaly woke up for good.
Joe Shannon
David, your dad Colin may have held Lloyd Beal in his arms when he died. I was holding on to Beal when we were picked up by the Prescott. The crew of the lifeboat thought he was already dead. I told them he was passing out on me in the water. The boat pulled us both out of the water. I saw Beal on the deck of the Prescott just before I passed out. I don’t remember much after that, but commiing to once in awhile. I don’t remember how I got off the Prescott, but came to on the beach. but from then on I was in and out until some time in July when I finnaly woke up for good.
Joe Shannon
David, your dad Colin may have held Lloyd Beal in his arms when he died. I was holding on to Beal when we were picked up by the Prescott. The crew of the lifeboat thought he was already dead. I told them he was passing out on me in the water. The boat pulled us both out of the water. I saw Beal on the deck of the Prescott just before I passed out. I don’t remember much after that, but commiing to once in awhile. I don’t remember how I got off the Prescott, but came to on the beach. but from then on I was in and out until some time in July when I finnaly woke up for good.
Joe Shannon
My Father was the Telecommunications officer aboard the Prescott, I believe, according to his Service Records, at the time of the Partridge recovery. I have a photo of that era, I would like to share with you. Please let me know how to add this to this forum.
My wife and I are doing a book on Rev. Paul and Helen Moulton who where missionaries to the country of Peru and the Amazon river area….Rev Moulton served on the Prescott march 1943 to the end of the war…we are looking for a good photo or high resolution scan or other photos of interest.. of the Prescott …could anyone help us …Thanking in advance for your help!
Terry and Peggy Milton
Whitby Ontario
Canada
My Father, George Kroitor, served on the Prescott from late 1941 to until the end of 1944 after which he was stationed in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia until the end of the war. I have looked at his photos from on board which document some of the events in the ship’s service during that time. He is now 87 years of age and keeps a Flower class Corvette model on his mantel as a reminder of the ship on which he served.
My father, Colin Mullens, served on board HMCS Prescott from November 1942 until October 1944. He was a wireless mechanic with the Royal Navy and seconded to the Canadian Navy which had recently been equipped with new British anti-submarine radar units because they were short of personel trained to use this equipment.
The following link, http://usseriepg50.org/attacker/attacker.htm, details the loss of the u-boat U-163 which Mr Kroitor may remember. Almost certainly he would have met my father who died in 2001 but would be 89 if alive today – a little older than Mr Kroitor. There is a picture of my father on the site – I wonder if Mr Kroitor would recognise and remember him?
Hello Scott
My father Herbert Dick served on the Prescott Sept 1941-June 1942 he served as a Stoker on the Prescott. My father passed away on June 28th 2007 I am wondering if your dad knew my Dad , after he left the Prescott he was stationed in Cornwallis as well.
Cheers
“Lest We Forget”
Rodney Dick
Hi, My father passed away in Sept of 2010 so I miss the chats we used to have about “his” ship. I have photos on disc from onboard Prescott that he saved after the war. They are of the ship and other personnel so may/may be of interest. Let me know and thanks for the note.
Scott Lawson.
Scott
My father served on the Prescott as well, Stanley Bachynski, (also a stoker ) you mentioned in your response to Rodney Dick that you have CD with pictures. Could you make that available either by emailing the photos or I would pay for you to mail me a copy.
Robert Bachynski
I would love to have copies of your pics of the Prescott for my Dad, if possible
Hello Scott thanks for replying to me, yes our fathers and all the Veterans had some interesting stories, maybe your Dad and mine were thrown in jail in Murmansk , for sight seeing in a Russian training area where the Russian ski troops were training. The Skipper had to bail them out, I believe they had spliced the main brace too much “lol” Be nice if you could post those pics .
Take Care
Rod Dick
My dad served on the Prescott – North Africa run for sure – was on board when they sank the Uboat. He was also posted to Cornwallis, NS 1944 until end of the war. H. Arnold Trask – usually responsible for the depth charges. He’s now 97 1/2 and still mentally active although his legs have given out. He’s looking forward to laying a wreath on Saturday at the Remembrance Day Service and attending the banquet at the Legion as the oldest living member 🙂
Regarding George Kroitor: Scott we are looking for photos, for our book on Rev. Paul & Hellen Moulton…Missionaries to Peru. Paul served as a gunner on the Prescott …see other communications on this site…..can you help us. Am I right, that George had some photos of the daily life onboard the Prescott?? We are moving soon and we may loose touch with this site …we are a little anxious to say the least we do not want to miss any info …could you get back to us …Thank you…Terry
Scott,
Would it be possible to purchase a copy of the CD with the Prescott pictures on it? I have recently picked up the mantle from my father on my grandfather war service of which the majority was on the Prescott as the radio operator from after its second set of repairs in Liverpool until its last war days. Thank you.
Alishia we would be happy to respond to you …please copy and paste our email into your email address box separate of this site …we love this site but we are down to the wire and it takes too long to get a reply ..thank you so much for contacting us …all the best!
Although I am uncertain of the exact dates, my great-grandfather, Stanley Chant, served on the Prescott. I would greatly appreciate any information or photos you might have regarding his service on the ship.
With thanks,
Colin Chant
Windsor, Ontario
My name is prescott krous and i believe i am family of thurman krouse, a crewman, and was named after the ship that saved him.
My father was Edwin Mathews, who was a Ham Operator on the Prescott and I was wondering it there is any site I may look up to find more information about him, if there is anything about him written up. He talked about the war, but not to much about the battles or the Prescott. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Due to the Queen’s visit and the 100th anniversary of the RCN I retrieved my father’s brief records. He was a telegraph operator aboard HMCS Prescott from 28/7/42. His name was Fern Gard from Winnipeg, MB (full name: Henry Fernley Walter Gard). Fern headed to Halifax in 1940. He passed away in 1973.
There is little information about the full crew of the HMCS Prescott.
He trained with my uncle, Clifford Moon (Weston, ON), in Halifax. You may find these links interesting.
http://www.jproc.ca/rrp/nro_ww2.html
https://usspartridge.com/2008/10/16/audio-robert-ainslie-of-the-hmcs-prescott-recalls-rescue-of-partridge/#comments
http://usseriepg50.org/attacker/attacker.htm
I just found this posting today (and wish I had found it sooner). As a part of the Canadian Naval Centennial, we will be honouring HMCS PRESCOTT by presenting the town of Prescott, the legion branch 97, and the Mayor with a framed plaque (including a photo and history of the ship). If anyone of you are in or around Prescott on 26 June 2010, we would love for you to attend! 2pm 141 Henry Street, Prescott, Ontario, Canada
My Uncle William “Bill” Foreman served on the Prescott and remembers the times as some of the happiest moments in his life. He recalls most of the gentleman mentioned here with great fondness.
If anyone cares to share pictures or memories please contact me.
Bill could you please get in touch …Thank you
Terry and Margaret Milton Authors of the up coming book …on Paul and Helen Moulton former Missionaries to Peru.
My father Bill Foreman, called Red by his pals served on the HMCS Prescott. He is still living and will be 92 years old next month. He speaks of his time on the Prescott and has many photos of his shipmates. He speaks with fondness and respect for Commander McIssac. My Father has an album of photos of his time in service and many of his ship mates.. I will definitely read to him these earlier posts.
Jane Crombie
Hello Jane …we have not received any response to our requests from this site plus we have moved …not sure if you are getting out emails …could you reply to our new email address: [email protected]…we are trying to close off the chapter on Rev. Mouton’s book and it would be such a blessing to include some photos of his mates and ship…Thank you so much for your help…all the best!
Jane,
My grandfather was also on the Prescott and I have recently begun my own research into its movements and his shipmates to share with my father and our family. I have made contact with a member of another site that has a father that served on the Prescott and shared some pictures with us. Could we possibly exchange pictures? I would love to hear from you.
Absolutely…the Rev. has passed away …and our book has been written but is at the artist stage…I find it takes too long to get a reply from this site …this is an awesome site but need ufo faster to get into the book …please reply to the email direct if you can to [email protected]