HMS Jervis Bay

Able Seaman Thomas Frederick Rainsbury R.N.V.R.

Born 1916 in London, Tom married at the age of 21, and worked as an Ostler.

He volunteered for the Royal Navy at the outbreak of war in 1939, and trained on HMS Belfast on the River Thames before being posted to HMS Jervis Bay initially as a Carpenter's Mate, and later training as a Gunner.

He wrote fondly of Canada and the Canadian people in his last letter home, dated 3rd July 1940 which is presented here. The letter arrived some weeks after his last voyage when he was declared Missing, Presumed Dead at the age of 23.

Click on the letter to read it in its entirety.