John Hereward Edelsten, RN
| Born | 12 May 1891 | Enfield, London, England | |
| Died | 10 Feb 1966 | (74) | Liphook, Hampshire, England |
| Ranks
Retired: 24 Nov 1954 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for John Hereward Edelsten, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Shropshire (83) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 12 Apr 1940 | Mar 1941 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (83)
12 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/12, HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) returned to Capetown. (1)
13 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/13, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with the whale factory ships Southern Princess (British, 12156 GRT, built 1915) and Terje Viken (British, 20638 GRT, built 1936) and their ten whale catchers which were currently being escorted by HMS Neptune (Capt. J.A.V. Morse, DSO, RN).
Around 1800Z/19, HMAS Shropshire joined the whale factory ships.
They arrived at Freetown around 0930N/21. (1)
1 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800N/1, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Freetown for Simonstown. (2)
7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400B/7, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Freetown. (2)
13 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Simonstown. (2)
16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1420B/16, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with convoy US 3.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 3 ' for 1 May 1940.] (2)
16 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived in the Clyde with convoy US 3. (3)
20 Jun 1940
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) is taken in hand for a short refit, fitting of degaussing equipment and turbine repairs at Glasgow. (3)
4 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. At Greenock D/G trials were carried out. (4)
14 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500A/14, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations off Iceland. (5)
2 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) proceeded from Govan to Greenock where compass swing trials were carried out. (6)
15 Sep 1940
Convoy BS 4C
This convoy departed Port Sudan on 15 September 1940.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Amra (British, 8314 GRT, built 1938), Ann Stathatos (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1918), Ayamonte (British, 845 GRT, built 1899), El Amin (British, 746 GRT, built 1926), El Hak (British, 1022 GRT, built 1929), Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911), Jaladuta (British, 4966 GRT, built 1927), Jalakrishna (British, 4991 GRT, built 1937), Karagola (British, 7053 GRT, built 1917), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) and Varela (British, 4651 GRT, built 1914).
On departure from Port Sudan the convoy was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN).
Around 0530C/16, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN, destroyer HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) and sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) joined.
Around 1750C/17, the fast section of the convoy (probably these were the Karagota, Nevasa and Varela) parted company to proceed ahead to Aden where they arrived on the 18th. They were escorted by HMS Shropshire and HMS Kimberley.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Aden on 19 September 1940.
20 Sep 1940
Around 1100C/20, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Aden for Colombo.
She was escorted until 1255C/20, by HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN). (7)
26 Sep 1940
Around 1100EF/26, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (7)
2 Oct 1940
Around 1045EF/2, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Colombo for gunnery exercises. On completion of the exercises, around 1445EF/2 she joined convoy US 5 to escort it to Aden.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 5 ' for 14 September 1940.] (8)
8 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1515C/8, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (8)
11 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy AP 3½
This convoy departed Durban on 11 October 1940.
It was made up of the transports; Clan MacArthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936) and Columbia Star (British, 8293 GRT, built 1939).
On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN).
HMS Kanimbla parted company with the convoy around 1800C/23 after whicht the convoy proceeded unescorted towards the Gulf of Aden.
Around 1500C/22, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN), AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), destroyer HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and sloop HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined.
Around 1200C/24, HMS Shropshire, HMS Carlisle and HMAS Parramatta parted company.
The convoy, escorted by HMS Defender arrived at Suez on 26 October 1940. (9)
12 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800C/12, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Aden to join convoy SW 2 coming from Suez. She joined the convoy around 0830C/12.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SW 2 ' for 8 October 1940.] (8)
20 Oct 1940
Around 0815C/20, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) parted company with convoy AP 3 in position 20°00'N, 38°55'E.
They were then joined by HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN).
The destroyer parted company around 0150C/21 to proceed to Kamaran Island. (10)
21 Oct 1940
Around 1330C/21, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN and HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) arrived at Aden. (10)
22 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345C/22, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN), HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) departed Aden to join convoy AP 3½.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy AP 3½ ' for 11 October 1940.] (11)
24 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1540C/24, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) joined the southbound transport Denbighshire (British, 8983 GRT, built 1938) and her escort HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN). (8)
1 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon and early evening, HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN), HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) and HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) all arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (12)
9 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2245C/9, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Aden to proceed to the area to the north-east of Socotra where the armed boarding vessel HMS Chakdina (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Hickey, RNR) which was towing the transport Bhima (British, 5280 GRT, built 1939) from Aden to Bombay. These ships had run into a typhoon and had reported to be in trouble.
On the 10th it was found out that HMS Chakdina and the Bhima were no longer in need of help. (13)
12 Nov 1940
Convoy BN 8½.
[This convoy is sometimes known as convoy BN 8A, official documents however give the name as BN 8½.]
This convoy departed Bombay on 12 November 1940.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913), President Doumer (British, 11898 GRT, built 1934), Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926), Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926), Slamat (Dutch, 11636 GRT, built 1924) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).
On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN).
Around 1100D/15, HMS Ranchi parted company.
Around 1130D/16, the convoy was joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN).
Around 0930C/17, HMS Hector parted company to 'patrol' towards Colombo.
Around 0700C/18, the sloop HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined the convoy escort.
Around 0845C/18, the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) joined the convoy escort.
Around 1100C/18, three more (troop) transports joined coming from Aden, these were the following; Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Khedive Ismael (Egyptian, 7290 GRT, built 1922) and Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911). They were escorted out of Aden by the sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) which then also joined the convoy.
Around 1800C/20, HMS Carlisle and HMAS Parramatta parted company to proceed to Port Sudan. At the same time HMS Flamingo also parted company to patrol off Jeddah.
Around 1530C/21, the sloop HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN) joined. HMS Shropshire then parted company with the convoy.
The convoy arrived at Suez on 23 November 1940. (14)
14 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700C/14, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) returned to Aden. (15)
15 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1515C/8, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Aden to make rendezvous with convoy BN 8½.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BN 8½ ' for 12 November 1940.] (15)
23 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700C/23, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) returned to Aden from convoy escort duty. (15)
23 Nov 1940
Convoy SW 3.
This convoy departed Suez on 23 November 1940.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Brisbane Star (British, 12791 GRT, built 1937), City of Capetown (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Georgic (British, 27759 GRT, built 1932), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929).
On departure from Suez the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN).
Around 1545C/25, the sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) joined the convoy escort.
Around 1705C/25, the destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and the sloop HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined the convoy escort.
On the 26th, HMAS Parramatta dropped astern being unable to keep up with the convoy. [She was overdue for a docking and her speed was brought down to the marine growth on her hull below the waterline.]
Around 1400C/27, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) joined the convoy. The Highland Brigade was detached to Aden escorted by HMS Caledon.
Around 1740C/27, HMS Flamingo was detached to Aden.
Around 1415C/27, the City of Capetown and Brisbane Star parted company and set course for Bombay and Colombo respectively.
Around 1805C/1, the Orontes parted company to proceed to Mombasa.
The convoy arrived at Durban on 5 December 1940. (14)
6 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1355C/6, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Durban with despatch to proceed to the central Mozambique Channel from where the tanker British Duchess (British, 5973 GRT, built 1924) had sent a 'QQQ' radio message.
The message was later cancelled and HMS Shropshire set course to return to Durban where she arrived around 1300C/7. (16)
25 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600C/25, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (17)
27 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145C/27, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Aden for Mombasa / Kilindini. She was to patrol off Italian Somaliland while en-route. (17)
31 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1045C/31, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Mombasa / Kiindini from Aden / patrol. (17)
2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330C/2, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Mombasa / Kilindini for Durban. (18)
7 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600B/7, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Durban from Mombasa / Kilindini. (18)
10 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1445B/10, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Durban to patrol the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. Before proceeding on patrol HA gunnery exercises were carried out. (18)
14 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0500B/14, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) returned to Durban from patrol. (18)
15 Jan 1941
Around noon (B), first the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and then heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Durban for patrol.
They parted company around 1745C/16.
HMS Ranchi then patrolled in the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel.
HMS Shropshire patrolled in an area from the east of Durban to the south of Port Elizabeth. On 21 January she joined convoy WS 5A, having departed her patrol area on 18 January to do so.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 5A and the attack by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper ' for 18 December 1940 (on the page of HMS Shropshire).] (18)
25 Jan 1941
Around 0700B/25, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol / escort duty with convoy WS 5A. (18)
30 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500B/30, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) returned to Durban from convoy escort duty. (18)
27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600D/27, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from patrol. (19)
28 Feb 1941
Around 0630D/28, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Durban.
[As no log is available of HMS Shropshire for the month of March 1941, some details for this month might be missing.] (19)
2 Mar 1941 (position -26.30, 47.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) intercepted the Vichy French transport Ville de Strasbourg (7007 GRT, built 1920) south of Madagascar in position 26°30'S, 47°00'E.
Due to the heavy weather conditions the Vichy ship could not be boarded and she at first refused to get underway to Durban and she hove too. Eventually the following day she could be boarded and the ship got underway to Durban escorted by HMS Shropshire until HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) took over [date and time not known but most likely on 5 March].
The Vichy ship arrived at Durban on 7 March still escorted by HMS Ranchi. (20)
6 Mar 1941
Around 0700C/6, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. She departed for Simonstown around 1515C/6 after having fuelled. (20)
8 Mar 1941
Around 0845B/8, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban.
At Simonstown she was taken in hand for refit. (20)
Sources
- ADM 53/113226
- ADM 53/113227
- ADM 53/113228
- ADM 53/113229
- ADM 53/113229 + ADM 53/113292
- ADM 53/113230
- ADM 53/113231
- ADM 53/113232
- ADM 53/111740 + ADM 53/113232 + ADM 199/383 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Parramatta for October 1940
- ADM 53/111740 + ADM 53/113232
- ADM 53/111740 + ADM 53/113232 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Parramatta for October 1940
- ADM 53/111741 + ADM 53/112531 + ADM 53/112630 + ADM 53/113233 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Parramatta
- ADM 53/113233 + ADM 199/383
- ADM 199/383
- ADM 53/113233
- ADM 53/113234 + ADM 199/383
- ADM 53/113234
- ADM 53/115070
- ADM 53/115071
- ADM 199/408
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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