Ley, J E (James Ernest)

Ley, J E (James Ernest)

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Leading Seaman James Ley was born on the 24th January 1917 and served with the Canadian navy from the 19th of December 1939.

James listed his father, who was also called James as his next of kin and had worked as a hardware clerk prior to enlistment. His home address was 17 Richmond Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

During the month of September 1942 his ship H.M.C.S. Amherst[1] picked up 40 survivors from the Norwegian merchant Hindanger[2] that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U608.[3]

Leading Seaman James Ley is listed as having died while on convoy SC 107 and was lost overboard on the night of the 5th of October 1942. His father was telegrammed on the 8th of October. Unfortunately, his body was found in the River Foyle, Londonderry on the 5th of November 1942. He had drowned.

James was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with clasp.

Date of Death: 05/10/1942 (Aged 25)

Service: Leading Seaman, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.C.S. Amherst

Service Number: V/7625

Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, C. of E. Plot. Sec. F. Grave 28.


[1] HMCS Amherst was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy, and it survived the war only to be wrecked while under tow in 1945.

[2] Norwegian merchant Hindanger: Only one sailor lost his life.

[3] U-boat U608 was sunk on the 10th of August 1944.

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