HMCS Sioux (R64)

HMCS Sioux (R64) was a V class destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy that saw service in World War II.

She was launched as HMS Vixen for the British Royal Navy. She was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, into which she was then commissioned 21 February 1944 while fitting out, and was completed on 5 March 1944.

Second World War Service
Sioux was based with the British Home Fleet at Scapa Flow. Her duties involved escorting convoys to Russia (RA-58/JW-58 in April 1944); raids on German coastal shipping off the coast of Norway; and attempts to sink the German battleship Tirpitz, which was anchored at Altenfjord, Norway. On D-Day, Sioux provided naval gunfire off Juno Beach. In February 1945, after escorting convoy JW-64 to Polyarnoe; she was sent from there as part of a relief expedition to convey 500 inhabitants of a Norwegian island, left without food or fishing boats by the Germans, to safety. On 17 February 1945, she returned with convoy RA-64, fighting both determined JU-88 attacks and Arctic gales, and sailed to Halifax immediately thereafter, to prepare for transfer to the British Pacific Fleet and operations against Japan.

Post War Service
She wore pennant R64 until she was paid off into reserve shortly after the war. She emerged again, fully modernized, in 1950, to participate in the Korean War. She helped provide naval support for the troops that landed at Inchon in September 1950, the first entry of Canadian forces in the war. In 1953 she was one of a number of Royal Canadian Navy ships which took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

She wore pennant 225 until she was finally paid off in October 1963.

Ship's bell
The Chatham and Area Royal Canadian Naval Association branch acquired HMCS Sioux ship's bell, which was used for baptism of babies onboard ship. The names of 48 children christened aboard the 'V' Class destroyer are inscribed on the bell.