Date of birth:

June 25th, 1912 (Ottawa/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

May 7th, 1944 (North Atlantic)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Graves Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Plot: A. Row: 1. Grave: K.

Service number:

O/61810

Nationality:

Canadian

Frank Clarin Reynolds was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Lawrence and Ada Reynolds. He grew up in the city and remained there throughout his early life. Before enlisting, he worked as a salesman for Farlinger Realty in Toronto. He married Constance Whipple Reynolds at the Church of the Redeemer in Toronto, and together they had one daughter, Shelagh Jane Reynolds, born September 14, 1939.

Reynolds had prior service with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (R.C.N.V.R.) from 1930 to 1936 as a Sub-Lieutenant. On July 12, 1940, he re-enlisted and was appointed Lieutenant (g). His attestation and medical records describe him as physically fit, with blue eyes, red hair, and a fair complexion. He bore a birthmark on his right arm and an appendix scar.

Reynolds was the captain of HMS Violet, which was tasked with retrieving the Duchessa d'Aosta and the Likomba after they had been captured by a British commando team during Operation Postmaster in January 1942.

In April 1944, Reynolds was assigned to HMCS Valleyfield as Group Gunnery Officer under the Senior Officer of C-1 Group. His duties placed him aboard the ship during its final convoy escort mission in the North Atlantic.

On May 7, 1944, HMCS Valleyfield was torpedoed and sunk by enemy action while on convoy duty. Reynolds was among the 121 crew members reported missing, including the commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. D.T. English. Only 38 survived. Reynolds’ body was recovered and buried with full naval honours in St. John's, Newfoundland.

The Department of National Defence confirmed his death to his widow, Constance, in a series of letters dated May 8–15, 1944. These communications emphasized the confidentiality of the incident due to wartime security and expressed deep sympathy for the family's loss.

Reynolds left no will, and his estate was administered by the Department of National Defence. His widow, Constance, was recognized as next of kin and received his service estate and war service gratuity. The total qualifying service amounted to 2,384 days, including 677 days overseas. His estate included Victory Loan Bonds and War Savings Certificates deducted from service pay, but no life insurance or other assets.

Constance Reynolds was awarded a memorial cross and campaign medals. The estate records also document her relocation to 312 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, following her husband's death.

1930: Sub Lieutenant
April 27, 1940: T/Lieutenant
?: A/Lieutenant
?: Lieutenant
?: Lieutenant (g)

September 1941 - April 9, 1942: HMS Violet (K 35)

According to the book Ian Fleming and SOE's Operation POSTMASTER), Herbert Nicholas was the captain of HMS Violet, but his name does not appear in the ship's records.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

March 18th, 1944

With clasp

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - CWGC
  - uboat.net
  - Service record(s)

Helaas geen map gevonden.