Able Seaman Cuthbert Austin McWade

Son of Stanislaus Eugene McWade and Cecillia McMahon of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. During the First World War, Cuthbert enlisted on 5 September 1916 at Barryfield, now Kingston, Ontario, in the 74th Depot Battery, regimental number 344861, of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 13 October 1916, in England, he was transferred to the 2nd Heavy Battery of the B Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery. On 20 January 1917, he landed in France and by the 25th was in the front line. On 9 May 1919, he returned to Canada and was demobilized on the 18th in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

On 14 February 1942, convoy ON-63 was scattered south-east of Sable Island, Newfoundland, due to an attack by U-576. At 3:37 am on the 15th, the Empire Spring found itself without escort when it was torpedoed and sunk at 3:53 am by a coup de grace 50 miles (80 km) south-east of Sable Island, position 43°27'N/58°55'W. The captain, the convoy commodore, the 42 crew members, 5 gunners and 6 naval personnel lost their lives. The Empire Spring was reported missing on the 15th and this date was used for the death of these men.