Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship named HMCS Robert Hampton Gray
By Eva Liu
This past Saturday, under crisp blue skies in Halifax, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) breathed new life into a WW2 hero's timeless legacy. What is expected to be the last of six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) to be built for the RCN, the newly completed ship was officially named the HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, a fitting tribute to one of Canada’s greatest wartime heroes. The ceremony was held on the very day that marks 80 years since Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, Canada’s last recipient of the Victoria Cross, was killed in combat during World War II.
Born in Trail, British Columbia, Robert Hampton Gray ‘Hammy’ was a young man who could have chosen a peaceful life. Instead, armed with his engineering degree from the University of British Columbia and a sense of duty, he answered the call to serve. In 1940, Gray decided to enlist in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) and he served on loan to the Royal Navy. In September 1941, Hammy earned his commission as a Sub-Lieutenant and graduated as a qualified pilot. He was ready for war, though it would be three more years before he faced the enemy in combat.
August 9, 1945 was a day when the world stood poised on the edge of peace and upheaval. It is a date which is etched into history, not just for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, but also for the brave Canadian pilot who soared into the deadly skies over Onagawa Bay, Japan. Flying from the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable, Lieutenant Gray quickly set his sights on a Japanese flotilla anchored in Onagawa Bay. Amidst a storm of anti-aircraft fire, he targeted the largest ship in the harbour: the HIJMS Amakusa. As he initiated his attack, one of his two 500-pound bombs was shot away by the withering barrage. Undeterred, he released his remaining bomb, scoring a direct hit which tore into Amakusa’s engine room. The blast instantly killed 40 sailors and triggered an explosion, sending the ship to the bottom within minutes. His triumph was tragically short-lived. Gray’s comrades later recounted seeing his Corsair engulfed in smoke and flame, skimming the waves at barely 50 feet before rolling into the sea in an eruption of debris. His aircraft and remains were never found.
Lieutenant Gray was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross; the highest military decoration in the British Commonwealth. Gray remains Canada’s last recipient of the VC, a rare recognition of 'Uncommon Valour' in combat.
The HMCS Robert Hampton Gray is the sixth and last ship on order for the RCN’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship program. Two more AOPS will be built for the Canadian Coast Guard. These ships are specially designed to operate in the harsh conditions of Canada’s northern waters. Beyond sovereignty patrols, these ships will support search and rescue missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The AOPS fleet will help ensure Canada’s presence and security in the Arctic, a region of increasing importance due to climate change and emerging shipping routes. Thus the HMCS Robert Hampton Gray's mission matches with Lieutenant Gray’s legacy of dedication to protecting Canada’s interests, wherever they may lie.
Additionally in the past few days, support for Canada’s Armed Forces is stronger than ever. Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed the government's commitment to supporting its military personnel.
As the HMCS Robert Hampton Gray prepares to serve in the waters of the Arctic, it will carry with it not just advanced abilities, but also the enduring story of a man who placed duty above his own life. Eight decades after his final flight, Gray’s courage endlessly fuels new generations of Canadians. With renewed investment in the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, his legacy is not only remembered, but is actively shaping the path of those who follow in his wake.
