The story of HMCS Brantford
The HMCS Brantford was the last of the six Royal Canadian Navy “Flower” Class corvettes built between 1940-1941.
Built sometime between 1940-1941, The HMCS Brantford was the last of the six “Flower” Class corvettes built by the Canadian Navy.
The HMCS BRANTFORD served from 1941 to 1944. HMCS Brantford was a Flower Class Corvette with the Pennant, K218. Her construction started in Midland, Ontario on February 24, 1941 at the Midland Ontario Shipyards. The official launch took place on September 6, 1941. Brantford Mayor J. P. Ryan presented the HMCS Brantford with her Plaque.
By May of 1942 she moved to Collingwood for additional fittings and then on to Toronto for gun and depth-charge trials. Her last stop was in Montreal for installation of wireless equipment. The HMCS Brantford was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Navy on May 15, 1942.
Spending two years as an escort vessel, The HMCS Brantford protected the convoy lanes of the Western Atlantic. During the period refereed to as the “Battle of Atlantic” between 1942 to 1944, HMCS Brantford logged thousands of miles guarding hundreds of cargo ships as they came and went from Canadian coastal waters. The HMCS Brantford played a vital role in assisting the Mid-Ocean Escort Force to keep allied shipping safe from enemy attack.
The residents of Brantford followed her construction and launch with great interest. The City of Brantford sponsored the HMCS Brantford and provided the crew with supplies including radios, magazines, heavy winter clothing and cigarettes.