The HMCS Athabaskan was sunk off the coast of France by German E-Boats April 29, 1944 during a battle while escorting minesweepers with her sister ship the HMCS Haida near Ile de d'Ouessant. One hundred and twenty eight of her crew of 261 were killed in the battle and 50 bodies were never recovered. Many bodies washed up on shore and three ended up on the shores of the tiny island of Batz. They were Able Seaman R.J. Henry, 20 of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Able Seaman R.L. Yeadon, 23 of Halifax, Nova Scotia and a sailor who as it says on his tombstone, "Is known only to God". A service was conducted by the local priest and the German occupiers supplied an honour guard and a three salvo military salute. The German commander ordered no flowers but during the night a thousand islanders gathered to pay tribute and left the graves covered in hundreds of bouquets.
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Able Seaman Robert J. Henry Age 20 killed in action April 29, 1944 buried Batz, France |
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Andre Seite, 70 visits the Canadian graves at the Batz cemetery every day in tribute to their sacrifice in the liberation of France.
This document maintained by
Ken Brisbois Jr..
Material Copyright © 2007