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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Donald Hamilton Robb

In memory of:

Sub-Lieutenant Donald Hamilton Robb

March 31, 1941

Military Service

Age:

25

Force:

Navy

Unit:

Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve

Division:

H.M.S. Bonaventure

Additional Information

Son of Charles Wesley Robb and Nora Margaret Robb, of Toronto, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 42 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

HALIFAX MEMORIAL
Nova Scotia, Canada

Grave Reference:

Panel 8.

Location:

The HALIFAX MEMORIAL in Nova Scotia's capital, erected in Point Pleasant Park, is one of the few tangible reminders of the men who died at sea. Twenty-four ships were lost by the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War and nearly 2,000 members of the RCN lost their lives. This Memorial was erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and was unveiled in November 1967 with naval ceremony by H.P. MacKeen, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, in the presence of R. Teillet, then Minister of Veterans Affairs. The monument is a great granite Cross of Sacrifice over 12 metres high, clearly visible to all ships approaching Halifax. The cross is mounted on a large podium bearing 23 bronze panels upon which are inscribed the names of over 3,000 Canadian men and women who were buried at sea. The dedicatory inscription, in French and English, reads as follows:

1914-1939
1918-1945
IN THE HONOUR OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF THE NAVY
ARMY AND MERCHANT NAVY
OF CANADA
WHOSE NAMES
ARE INSCRIBED HERE
THEIR GRAVES ARE UNKNOWN
BUT THEIR MEMORY
SHALL ENDURE.

On June 19, 2003, the Government of Canada designated September 3rd of each year as a day to acknowledge the contribution of Merchant Navy Veterans.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper Clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Memorial Arch East– The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “S/Lt D. H. ROBB R.C.N.V.R.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial Arch East
    Memorial Arch East – The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “S/Lt D. H. ROBB R.C.N.V.R.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Book– University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 59 reads: Sub Lt Donald Hamilton ROBB RCNVR. Victoria College, BA 1937. Killed in action at sea while serving in HMS Bonaventure, 31 March 1941. Name inscribed on the Halifax Memorial, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    Details

    Memorial Book
    Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 59 reads: Sub Lt Donald Hamilton ROBB RCNVR. Victoria College, BA 1937. Killed in action at sea while serving in HMS Bonaventure, 31 March 1941. Name inscribed on the Halifax Memorial, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  • Memorial Room– Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial Room
    Memorial Room – Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Photograph of Robb Donald Hamilton– Photograph from Torontonensis yearbook in 1937 describes Hamilton's interests and involvement.

    Details

    Photograph of Robb Donald Hamilton
    Photograph of Robb Donald Hamilton – Photograph from Torontonensis yearbook in 1937 describes Hamilton's interests and involvement.
  • Photograph of Robb Donald Hamilton– Group photograph from Torontonensis yearbook in 1937.

    Details

    Photograph of Robb Donald Hamilton
    Photograph of Robb Donald Hamilton – Group photograph from Torontonensis yearbook in 1937.
  • The Soldiers’ Tower– The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.

    Details

    The Soldiers’ Tower
    The Soldiers’ Tower – The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.
  • Plaque– This outdoor plaque is located at Victoria College, part of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. “They were valiant in life and triumphant in death. [Victoria University Crest] Abeunt studia in mores. Erected to the memory of the students of this college who gave their lives in the Great War 1939-1945. This tablet was erected by the Board of Regents and Dedicated October 13th, 1953”. Among the 79 names inscribed is that of: “Donald Hamilton Robb”. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Plaque
    Plaque – This outdoor plaque is located at Victoria College, part of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. “They were valiant in life and triumphant in death. [Victoria University Crest] Abeunt studia in mores. Erected to the memory of the students of this college who gave their lives in the Great War 1939-1945. This tablet was erected by the Board of Regents and Dedicated October 13th, 1953”. Among the 79 names inscribed is that of: “Donald Hamilton Robb”. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star April 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star April 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star May 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star May 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Donald is mentioned in this article about his brother Malcolm. From the Toronto Star April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Donald is mentioned in this article about his brother Malcolm. From the Toronto Star April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– An article about Donald's brother J Malcolm Robb. From the Toronto Star August 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – An article about Donald's brother J Malcolm Robb. From the Toronto Star August 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Donald is mentioned in this article. From the Toronto Star August 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Donald is mentioned in this article. From the Toronto Star August 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram April 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram April 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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