On 16 December 1941, convoy SC-60 left Sydney, Cape Breton with 23 merchant ships on the way to Liverpool. Part of the escort was the Canadian corvette, HMCS SPIKENARD. Two days later, her 1st Lt, Lt Bob Hughes, who had joined at HMCS STAR, wrote this letter to a friend, John Wade, back in Hamilton.
Thanks to Roseanne Wade, to whose father, John Wade, the letter was addressed, the letter, transcribed as best as I could, reads:
North Atlantic
Dec. 18, 1941
Dear Johnnie,
Yesterday, about ten minutes after we pushed out of a “certain” port for a “certain job” the navigator casually mentions there’s a letter waiting for me. I see it’s from Hamilton, has been all the way to England – covered with censors stamps and such – and got the surprise of my life when I saw it was from you.
George (illeg) told me a long time ago he had mailed it to me – but I had forgotten it. Sure got a kick out of it, even if it was a matter of four months late or so. I know George of old – when I was on the destroyer he was Gunners Mate and my stand-by when I had problems about gunnery, which was most of the time, I must confess. Have seen him on and off around Halifax for quite a while.
Glad to hear that you’re still holding up the big end of the banners at John and Main. Sure wish I could drop in there tonight after a few at the Connaught and chew the fat with you. In fact almost any part of Hamilton would look good to me right now.
This sea life is good – I enjoy it a helluva lot more than sitting in an office in Halifax, but I would rather be down south chasing them native girls than up here looking for Jerry subs. Even long underwear, fleece lined boots, two sweaters and sundry other woolen goods can’t keep these wintery winds off the old Hughes hide.
Have been away from this business for a few weeks while they were putting the old girl back in shape after a few good poundings and thought I might get home. However, Esther didn’t want to go back to stay and I couldn’t afford to take us all home and back too, so we took the leave down the coast where we did the refit. Expect to get home about March, I hope – and so just be prepared!
I intend to just sit down in either the Joe Murphy or the Connaught for about two days and bask in the luxury of beer, beer and more beer. Oh Boy!
Not much I can give out in the way of news John, but will have a few with you one of these days. My regards to Rose and the gang – if you see any I know and write again soon if you get a chance.
Hope to see you soon
Bob Hughes
About six weeks later, SPIKENARD’s CO, LCdr Hubert Shadforth took part in a competition at The Seagoing Officers’ Club, later known as The Crowsnest, in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It is quite possible that Lt Hughes was there.
Bob Hughes was not to get the chance to drink beer at the Joe Murphy or the Connaught. Less than two weeks later, while escorting Convoy SC-67, SPIKENARD was torpedoed and sunk by U-136. There were only eight survivors of the 85 crew. Neither Shadforth or Hughes were among them.
John Wade, to whom the letter was addressed, went on to join the navy himself, also at HMCS STAR, and served in MTB 745, which protected the west flank of the invasion fleet on D-Day.
