H.M.S. JERVIS BAY On November 13, 1940 - THE HALIFAX CHRONICLE reported in their newspaper the heroic deeds of the crew of the H.M.S. JERVIS BAY. The crew of the "JERVIS BAY", including three Newfoundland lads, engaged a superior radar to give the rest of the convoy that they were travelling with time to escape; 29 of the 38 ships in the convoy were saved by the HMS JERVIS BAY, and the 65 crew members of the ship were picked up by a Swedish Freighter out of Gothenburg, Sweden - the Captain of that ship was Captain Sven Olander. The crew of the "Jervis Bay" participated in the suicide battle against overwhelming odds. The Jervis Bay, with only light armament, tackled a heavy German warship in mid-Atlantic and held her off long enough for at least 29 ships of the 38 ship convoy to escape. The battle was hard fought with the crew of the Jervis Bay giving it their best. This convoy was bound from an East Coast Canadian Port to Britain when the attack occurred November 5th, 1940. The St. John's Evening Telegram reported on November 2lst, 1940 that the citizens of St. John's and surrounding area came out in great numbers to welcome home three of our local heroes who participated in this battle - it was an opportunity to honour two of their own and also to pay tribute to the ships company of the HMS Jervis Bay: Seaman George Malcolm Squires Seaman Arthur Tilley Seaman Arthur Taylor (could not attend the reception was still in hospital). These young heroes received a tremendous welcome, and the shipʼs crew also was honoured for their participation in this outstanding act of gallantry and devotion to duty. Their devotion to duty will always be remembered. Seaman Squires spent three days in the Atlantic on a raft - all three of these sailors survived the war - and Seaman Squires died October 12, 1961 in St. John's, NL. Their actions during this battle are even more significant - because these young sailors were in some cases on their first voyage - and according to senior officers, performed their duties in a manner that defied their knowledge - they acted like very well trained veterans. The Colors of the "Jervis Bay" were flying to the end. The Flag Mast was shot away but the crew tied the "red, white and blue" to the rigging and it could still be seen as the battered bulk sank slowly beneath the waves. Pictures and write up supplied by Mrs. Gail Tippett, RN - daughter of Seaman George M. Squires, of St. John's, NL.
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