GRAHAM James Alexander

Name:                  GRAHAM      James Alexander                                                                                                                                   Royal Canadian Navy
Rank:                    Able Seaman      4193
Ship:                     HMCS Cobalt - K 124                                                                                                            Residence:           Goderich - Ontario                                                                                                                  Birth:                     April 1, 1921 - Goderich - County of Huron - Ontario                                                                    Died:                    January 13, 1943     21 years   9 months
Cemetery:            Goderich Maitland Cemetery - Goderich - Ontario
                             E 6 108
Parents:               Mr. Malcolm and Hanna Graham - Goderich                                                                      Brothers:              Angus was serving with the Royal Canadian Navy - on one the harbour craft based at Halifax -                              Nova Scotia.                                                                                                                                                                Donald was serving on HMCS Prince David based at Esquimalt - British Columbia.                  Sister:                  Helen was living in Toronto.

James was born in Goderich on April 1, 1921. James and his family were members of Knox Presbyterian
Church in Goderich. Before he enlisted into the Canadian Navy he was a seaman on the Great Lakes with Paterson Steamship Lines between 1937-40.. It is believed that the family lived on Picton Street. 

Canada

James enlisted into the Canadian Navy on January 22, 1941 in London at District Headquarters. When he enlisted he stood 5' 8" tall and he weighed 154 pounds. He had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. He was then posted to HMCS Stadcona in Halifax - Nova Scotia on April 22nd. It was here where he took his training before being posted to HMCS Lisgar which was a naval tug.

In the Field

Then on October 23rd, 1941 he was assigned back to Stadcona before being posted to HMCS Cobalt. He also served on HMCS Renard. Prior to being posted to the Cobalt he had the ranks of as Skipper, Officer of the Watch, Navigation Officer and Executive Officer.
Able Seaman Graham served with HMCS Cobalt a Flower Class Corvette and she survived the war and was
decommissioned in 1945.
Able Seaman Graham had been granted leave on January 12, 1943 while HMCS Cobalt was moored at No. 8 Pier at the Section Base at Tompkinsville - Staten Island in New York City. His leave began at 12:30 pm on January 12th and he departed his ship with three other seamen. All of them went drinking at several bar & grills along Broadway in the Times Square section of the city. The three other seamen and Able Seaman Graham parted company later that night at 10:30 pm.                                                                                                          As one of the Interborough Rapid Transit southbound trains was entering the station at 215 Street & 10th Avenue something on the track triggered the emergency brakes. Upon inspection the body of Able Seaman Graham was found on the tracks under one of the rail cars.                                                                                                        He was still alive at this time and he was transported to Glotzer Jewish Memorial Hospital but he was dead upon arrival. His injuries included multiple fractures, lacerations, hemmorhaging and shock. His alcohol level was 3+.
He lost his life at 05:00 hours when he was struck and run over by a New York City subway train of 10 cars. The body of Able Seaman Graham was escorted from New York City back to Goderich - Ontario. 

His mother Hanna received the Memorial Cross in February of 1944. James was awarded the 1939-45 Star, The Atlantic Star, the War Medal along with the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + Clasp and his family received these. 

James is honoured and remembered on the Goderich - Ontario Cenotaph and on the Memorial Plaque of Knox Presbyterian Church. He would be honoured and remembered on the Memorial Plaque of Goderich Collegiate. He is honoured and remembered on the Virtual Canadian War Memorial.