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James Ralph Conn
| Leading Seaman Steward 1914 - 1945 |
James Ralph Conn was born in Hillcrest, Alberta on 7 December
1914 where his family lived for a number of years.
1914 where his family lived for a number of years.
His mother, Lillian Maude, was born in
Cape Breton in 1879 and married his
father, John Robert, a fellow Nova Scotian
born in 1865, in that province before
moving to Alberta. The couple had seven
children, four daughters, Annie, Violet,
Daphne and Rhoda, and three sons,
James, Robert, who died at age three
months and Thomas who died in 1939 age
30. Lillian Maude died in Amherst, Nova
Scotia, age 36 on 4 January 1916. His
father followed on 8 April 1921. Ralph left
school after Grade 7.
Cape Breton in 1879 and married his
father, John Robert, a fellow Nova Scotian
born in 1865, in that province before
moving to Alberta. The couple had seven
children, four daughters, Annie, Violet,
Daphne and Rhoda, and three sons,
James, Robert, who died at age three
months and Thomas who died in 1939 age
30. Lillian Maude died in Amherst, Nova
Scotia, age 36 on 4 January 1916. His
father followed on 8 April 1921. Ralph left
school after Grade 7.
In 1930, Ralph Conn
moved to Montreal,
Quebec and began work
as the headwaiter at the
Ritz Carlton, before
moving on the Canadian
Pacific Railroad as one of
its headwaiters.
moved to Montreal,
Quebec and began work
as the headwaiter at the
Ritz Carlton, before
moving on the Canadian
Pacific Railroad as one of
its headwaiters.
On 9 August 1943, Ralph Conn joined the Royal Canadian Naval
Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) as a steward. From September of that year
until October 1944, he served in HMCS Chippawa, Naden, Chippawa,
Carleton and Stadacona. On 17 October 1944,he was drafted to HMCS
Esquimalt, at which time Ralph Conn was promoted to Leading Steward.
Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) as a steward. From September of that year
until October 1944, he served in HMCS Chippawa, Naden, Chippawa,
Carleton and Stadacona. On 17 October 1944,he was drafted to HMCS
Esquimalt, at which time Ralph Conn was promoted to Leading Steward.
During the early morning hours of 16 April 1945, while patrolling off the
coast of the coast of Nova Scotia, HMCS Esquimalt was struck by a
torpedo from the German U-boat U-190, and sank stern first within a few
moments. Ralph Conn was last seen on the upper deck, and was initially
listed as missing.
coast of the coast of Nova Scotia, HMCS Esquimalt was struck by a
torpedo from the German U-boat U-190, and sank stern first within a few
moments. Ralph Conn was last seen on the upper deck, and was initially
listed as missing.
On 7 May 1945, Leading Steward James Ralph Conn was officially
declared dead having perished on 16 April 1945, along with 5 officers and
39 ratings.
declared dead having perished on 16 April 1945, along with 5 officers and
39 ratings.
| Leading Steward James Ralph Conn was posthumously awarded a Mention in Dispatches, a system of mentioning specific acts of gallantry or distinguished service under fire by senior officers of their juniors in dispatches. His citation is as follows: Leading Steward James Ralph Conn showed exceptional courage in remaining in the upper mess deck helping others to get up from the lower mess deck despite the fact that HMCS Esquimalt was obviously sinking fast. When last seen, he was still thus engaged and it is presumed that he went down with the ship. |
| Leading Steward James Ralph Conn was survived by his four sisters. |
| In addition, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Canadian Voluntary Service Medal and the War Medal. |
| Presentation Made By CPO1 Simms & CPO2 Doucet |
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