Dale George Downey Class of 1940 Died: March 18, 1945, age 21

Stoker first class Dale Downey of Moncton was on his first voyage aboard H.M.C.S. Guysborough when he was lost at sea on March 18, 1945. The Guysborough, a Royal Canadian Navy minesweeper, was torpedoed by a U-boat while on operational duty at sea. Only one sailor was killed in the initial attack. The other 52 men were left to face the cold ocean. The Guysborough’s whaler had been overturned and the ship’s motor boat had its hull perforated when the torpedo hit. Only the Carley floats, inflated rubber rafts, remained. 

Four of the five were lashed together and the men held on as best they could. All but six died from hypothermia in the 19 hours that passed before the first rescue ship, a Royal Navy Frigate, arrived at the scene. 

Dale Downey was the son of George Foster Downey and Mary Kathleen (Halfpenny) Downey of 44 Fleet Street in Moncton. He was also survived by his sister, Marion. He was a graduate of Moncton High School and an active Boy Scout. He worked for a short period at T. Eaton Company and apprenticed at the CNR shops before he enlisted. He was 21 when he died.