The Poor Guys Were Dying

Heroes Remember

The Poor Guys Were Dying

Transcript

Somewhere along the line, we got assigned to be a striking force and looking for a sub off the coast of England that had been sinking coastal ships. We picked up a contact doing that. Depth charges brought up an oily slick which they determined was diesel fuel, but no debris and no bodies, nothing. So you couldn’t claim it unless you had proof. When we were on that striking force looking for that sub, off the English coast and we picked up survivors from an English Corvette that had got torpedoed. And to see them laying on the deck, vomiting up fuel oil, the diesel fuel which was poison and you knew the poor guys were dying. And the other ones trying to ... who had a full beard on, where the beard had knotted in the oil and was choking them to death … I’ve... that haunts me. It will forever, I guess. There’s no way of avoiding it. It comes back every once in a while. And I think that was the worst thing I’d ever seen. I don’t know names. I know I broke down and cried. I just couldn’t take it. It was a long time before I could get rid of the vision of the men lying on the deck. Every time I’d pass the spot, I’d see them.

Description

Mr. Irwin describes the probable sinking of a German submarine, and a very emotional description of dying sailors rescued after the torpedoing of a British warship.

Robert Irwin

Mr. Irwin was born in Toronto, Ontario on April 9, 1921. He lost his father in a car accident while a boy. Because his mother had to work, he and his brother were taken under the wing of the local YMCA, where they both became excellent competitive swimmers. Once old enough, Mr. Irwin worked on the lake boats on Lake Superior. Shortly before enlisting, he also worked for General Electric, where he was promised a job upon his return from active service. Mr. Irwin trained as a wireless operator and, after doing shore duty in the Halifax communications centre, joined the frigate HMCS Prince Rupert, which was assigned to convoy duty. Mr. Irwin spent his entire time at sea aboard this vessel. Notable events during his duty include a possible sub kill off Ireland and the rescue of survivors from a torpedoed British warship in the same action. After leaving the service, General Electric made good on its promise, and Mr. Irwin pursued a 40 year career with them. He now resides in London, Ontario.

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