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In memory of:

4th Engineer John Reiben

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Military service

Age: 26
Rank: 4th Engineer
Force: Merchant Navy
Unit/Regiment: Canadian Merchant Navy
Division: SS Cold Harbor (Panama)
Death: June 14, 1942 North Atlantic

Burial/memorial information

Additional information

From Benito, Manitoba.

On 15 June 1942, Cold Harbor was sailing 100 miles (160 km) north-west of Trinidad when she was torpedoed by U-502 at 4:10 am. Her cargo of munitions caused her to explode. About 30 minutes later, another torpedo sank her, in position 11°40'N/62°55'W. The crew of 10 armed guards and 41 men of various nationalities abandoned ship in canoes. Eight survivors were picked up by the USS Opal (PYC-8) and landed at Port of Spain, Trinidad, 19 others were rescued by the SS Exmouth and taken back to the same place, 14 sailors and 3 gunners were rescued by the SS Kahuku, which was sunk at 3:20 am on 16 June by U-126. One sailor and one gunner were killed, while the others were rescued by the USS Opal. The attacks caused the death of 7 men and left 44 survivors.

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 275 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.
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BURIAL AT SEA

For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

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