Burns, F C (Francis Connolly)
Burns, F C (Francis Connolly)
Stoker 1st Class Francis Burns served on H.M.C.S. Drumheller[1] and was the son of James Michael and Mary Gertrude Burns, of Rexton, Kent Co., New Brunswick, Canada.
During May 1943 H.M.C.S. Drumheller, an RCAF Sunderland[2] (no. 423 Squadron[3]) and H.M.S. Lagan[4] worked together to sink U-Boat U753.[5]
Officially Francis Burns died at 12:50 noon on the 1st of September 1943, because of peritonitis[6] onboard H.M.S. Icarus. He had been suffering for two days after having an operation for a severe stomach complaint on the same ship. He had been transferred from his ship just prior to the operation.
Just after his death his ship, the Drumheller, was involved in a convoy battle surrounding convoy ON 202/ONS 18, which saw the loss of six merchant ships, three escorts and the destruction of three German U-Boats.
Francis was buried later with full military honours. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, War Medal, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with Clasp.
Date of Death: 01/09/1943 (Aged 20)
Service: Stoker 1st Class, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.C.S. Drumheller
Service Number: V/37387 Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, R.C. Plot. Sec. M. Grave 9.
[1] HMCS Drumheller was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy, she was launched on the 5th of July 1941.
[2] The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber.
[3] RCAF 423 Squadron was based in Castle Archdale, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It performed antisubmarine patrols using Short S.25 Sunderland flying boats.
[4] HMS Lagan was a Frigate of the River class and had been launched on the 28th of July 1942. The ship was struck by a torpedo on the 20th of September 1943. Although never sunk the ship was later declared a total write off.
[5] U-Boat U753 was launched June 1943 and sunk by depth charges on the 13th of May 1943. 47 crewmen lost their lives.
[6] Peritonitis: bacteria or fungi infection of the stomach.
