The Jervis Bay was a 1922 vintage passenger liner of 14,000 tons employed mainly in the United Kingdom - Australia run. When the Second World War broke out, it was converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser with seven out-of-date 6 inch guns. In the autumn of 1940, it was in refit in the Saint John drydock. Before the refit was complete, duty called HMS Jervis Bay to Halifax. Some of the dock-workers sailed with her to Halifax to continue maintenance work.
In Halifax, HMS Jervis Bay was tasked to escort Convoy HX84 of 38 ships to England. On November 5, 1940, south of Greenland, the convoy encountered the German pocket battleship Admiral Sheer, armed with 11 inch guns. HMS Jervis Bay sprang to the attack and was sunk with the loss of 198 men out of the crew of some 250. The three hour battle provided a sufficient delay to permit the majority of merchant ships to scatter for safety. This action earned Commander (Acting Captain) Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen the Victoria Cross.
This memorial was erected by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 53 and dedicated to the crew of HMS Jervis Bay. The legion has a display of memorabilia from the ship, including a white ensign, clock, crockery and pictures. The legion also helped develop the Jervis Bay - Ross Memorial Park on Lock Lomond Road, where there is an attractive bronze plaque.
