Bill Andrew

William Charles Andrew Born Mar 7, 1921 Enlisted with British Civilian Technical Corps Sept 4th 1941. Last heard from Oct. 7th 1941. Reported missing Nov 6th 1941. Reported officially deceased having been en route to England on M.S. Vancouver Island. Torpedoed about 690 miles off Ireland Oct 15th 1941.

SARNIA BOY LOST WHEN BOAT GOES DOWN

The Sarnia Canadian Observer
Washington, DC

Word has been received here that William C. Andrew, eldest son of Ex-Mayor George A.C. Andrew and Mrs. Andrew, 111 North College avenue, was presumably lost at sea when the ship on which he was enroute to the United Kingdom was sunk. He is shown here in the uniform of the British Civilian Technical Corps of which he was a member as a radio technician.

Relatives and friends of William C. Andrew, 20 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. G.A.C. Andrew, 111 College avenue, north are still hopeful today that he was safe, after the ship on which he was enroute to Great Britain was sunk in the Atlantic ocean. Word that he and eighteen other members of a detachment of the British Civilian Technical Corps on their way to England were presumably lost at sea, was received last evening.

The British Press Service announcing the loss on behalf of the Royal Air force delegation at Washington said the boat was presumed to have been sunk in the Atlantic ocean but the date was uncertain and there was no information yet of any survivors. Despite meagre details available here, hope was still entertained that the men were safe. No mention was made concerning the crew of the shop. J.D. Barter, Calgary, Alta, was the only other Canadian among the experts.

"Bill" Andrew was one of the best qualified men in wireless telegraphy and telephony to enlist with the British Technical Corps. Recruited largely in the United States and made up of young men not likely for call for actual military service, the corps was to assist civilian technicians in embattled Britain.

Graduating in electricity from the Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School he took a radio operator's course at the Canadian Electronic School, Toronto. Upon his return he spent his spare time experimenting with wireless equipment. Last winter when the Royal Canadian Air Force issued a call for radio technicians he made application for enlistment here and was promptly taken to London for special examination. He was rejected, however, owing to a slight defect of his knee.

During the Summer, when the British Civilian Technical Corps sent out its call for recruits, he communicated with the headquarters in Washington, D.C., passed his technical examination at Port Huron and his physical examination locally. Accepted as the 93rd enlistment to the unit from the North American continent he was congratulated by his commanding officer for having passed his examinations with marks of 100 percent. He reported for duty at Montreal on Sept 4 and his family last heard from him on October 5.

Last evening word of the probable loss of the 19 men was received by the Canadian Observer which relayed the apprehensive news to the family. It was the first word the family had received although they had been worried over lack of information concerning him because they desired to secure his address so that Christmas parcels could be sent to him.

Today official word was received as follows: "It is with most profound regret that I have to convey to you, the news that your son is among the list of missing passengers from a ship on which he was taking passage to the United Kingdom as a member of the British Civilian Technical Corps. The ship is missing and is presumed sunk but the date is uncertain and there is no news of any survivors.

"In expressing their deepest sympathy the Air Council gratefully acknowledges the generous motives which inspired your son to give his services in the defense of human liberty and progress. WCG Cribbett, RAF Delegation, 1424 16th Street NW, Washington DC"

(Date of the article was not saved but the telegram from Cribbett that it quotes was dated Nov 5, 1941)