Max Joshua Clark DSC, RAN
Birth details unknown |
Ranks
Retired: 30 Mar 1966 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Max Joshua Clark, RAN
Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
HMAS Nizam (G 38) | Lt.Cdr. | Destroyer | 19 Dec 1940 | 26 Jan 1943 |
HMAS Warramunga (I 44) | Cdr. | Destroyer | 19 Apr 1945 | 2 Dec 1946 |
Career information
Transferred to the Emergency List on 30 March 1957.Events related to this officer
Destroyer HMAS Nizam (G 38)
19 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is commissioned for trials at the John Brown shipyard at Clydebank (Glasgow), Scotland. (1)
23 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed her builders yard for Greenock where she conducted anchor trials before returning to her builders yard. (1)
31 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) proceeded from her builders yard to Tail of Bank, Greenock where she anchored. (1)
4 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted depth charge thrower trials off Greenock. (2)
5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted gunnery and full power trials in the Clyde area. (2)
8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted full power trials in the Clyde area following which she was accepted for service at Greenock. (2)
10 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar in Loch Long. (2)
11 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar in Loch Long following which she returned to Greenock. (2)
12 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) proceeded from Greenock to Arrochar to load torpedoes following which she returned to Greenock. (2)
13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted deperming trials in Loch Long following which she returned to Greenock. (2)
14 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (2)
17 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) proceeded from Greenock to Campbeltown for A/S exercises on completion of which she returned to Greenock. (2)
18 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted paravane trials in the Clyde area following which she returend to Greenock. (2)
20 Jan 1941
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted TSDS trials in the Clyde area following which she returend to Greenock. (2)
20 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where she is to conduct a work-up period. (2)
21 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (2)
27 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. These must have been with HMS Urge (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN) which was the only submarine at Scapa Flow at that time. (2)
31 Jan 1941
On her return to Scapa Flow from escort duty HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises inside the Flow. These included night gunnery exercises in the evening. (2)
2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted D/G trials and exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)
5 Feb 1941
Around 1115A/5, the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock.
At the same time the destroyer HMS Keppel (?) and the escort destroyers HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN) and HMS Cottesmore (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Londonderry. (4)
6 Feb 1941
Around noon, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (3)
16 Feb 1941
Around 0800A/16, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) returned to Scapa Flow via Londonderry from escort duties and A/S patrol. (3)
19 Feb 1941
In the late afternoon and evening, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)
20 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)
21 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)
22 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted HA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)
28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (3)
1 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. These must have been with HMS L 23 (Lt. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) as this was the only submarine present at Scapa Flow.
Following the A/S exercises, HMAS Nizam conducted HA gunnery exercises. (5)
2 Mar 1941
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is docked in the floating dock at Scapa Flow. (5)
7 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is undocked, ran over the D/G range at Scapa Flow and then departed around 1600A/7 for Greenock. (5)
8 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000A/8, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (5)
10 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) proceeded up river to her builders yard at Clydebank for a post work-up repair period. (5)
18 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) proceeded down river from Clydebank to Greenock. (5)
1 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. They were escorting the troopship Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928). (6)
8 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) and the troopship Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar.
Later the same day HMAS Napier and HMAS Nizam departed Fremantle for Simonstown via St. Helena. (7)
12 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at St. Helena to fuel. (7)
13 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed St. Helena for Simonstown. (7)
17 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Simonstown from Freetown via St. Helena. (7)
20 Apr 1941
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) which had departed Capetown on her undocking. Having made rendezvous course was set for Durban. (7)
22 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Durban from the Cape. After fuelling they departed for Mombasa / Kilindini later the same day. (7)
26 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Mombasa / Kilindini from Durban. After fuelling they departed for Aden later the same day. (7)
30 Apr 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Aden from Mombasa / Kilindini. After fuelling they departed for the Mediterranean later the same day.
Shortly after departure they parted company with HMAS Napier proceeding ahead of HMAS Nizam as HMAS Nizam was to deploy her TSDS mineweeping gear to sweep along the route which the troop transports Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) and Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) were to take while entering the Red Sea. (8)
3 May 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Port Said and Suez respectively. (9)
4 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) now also arrived at Port Said.
She then proceeded from Port Said to Alexandria later the same day together with HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN). The destroyers then joined the Mediterranean Fleet. (9)
4 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted vibration trials at Alexandria. (10)
12 Jun 1941
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is docked in the Gabbari graving dock at Alexandria. (10)
16 Jun 1941
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is undocked. (10)
3 Jul 1941
Around 0100C/3, HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for Haifa where they arrived around 1500C/3.
[For more information on the attack on the Vichy-French colony of Syria and subsequent movements see the event ' The Syrian campaign ' for 6 June 1941.] (11)
30 Jul 1941
A.M. on the 30th, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) went to sea with all the other available destroyers from the Mediterranean Fleet for exercises. They returned to harbour the following morning after night exercises had been completed.
The other destroyers involved in the exercises were most likely the following; HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair-Ford, RN), HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN) and HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN). (12)
14 Aug 1941
Around 1615C/14, HMS Glenroy (Capt.(Retd.) Sir J.F. Paget, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. She was escorted by HMS Coventry (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN).
They arrived at Port Said A.M. on the 15th. (13)
25 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is docked in the floating dock at Alexandria for repairs to the damage sustained on 21 August. (13)
29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is undocked. (13)
31 Aug 1941
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted post-repair trials off Alexandria between 1000C/31 and 1300C/31. (13)
18 Sep 1941
Around 0800B/18, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) and HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk where they arrived very late on the same day
After having unloaded they departed Tobruk around 0115B/18. While berthing at Tobruk, HMAS Nizam was damaged which would require about two weeks of repairs on after her return to Alexandria.
They returned to Alexandria around 1225B/19. (14)
7 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Alexandria. (15)
9 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/9, the battleship HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, KCB, CVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN), HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair-Ford, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for exercises.
They returned to harbour around around 1430B/9. (16)
20 Oct 1941
Around 0555B/20, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 20/21 October and returned to Alexandria in the afternoon of 21 October. (17)
10 Nov 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria during which HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) acted as target.
On completion of the exercises the destroyers returned to Alexandria while the submarine proceeded on patrol. (18)
14 Nov 1941
Around 0545B/14, the fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk. They unloaded at Tobruk during the night of 14/15 November 1941.
They returned to Alexandria in the afternoon around 1430B/15. (19)
27 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The destroyers HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria with one of the Greek submarines. (18)
1 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is docked at Alexandria. (20)
12 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) is undocked. She conducted full power trials off Alexandria later the same day. (20)
22 Dec 1941
The destroyers HMS Griffin (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, DSC, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) were conducting an A/S sweep in the Alexandria area.
HMAS Nizam had departed harbour around 0840B/22 with other destroyers of which the others returned to harbour later the same day.
Around 0945B/22, HMS Griffin, HMS Sikh and HMS Kimberley departed Alexandria. They were then joined by HMAS Nizam.
Around 0945B/23, HMS Griffin, HMS Sikh and HMAS Nizam returned to Alexandria. HMS Kimberley apparently remained out and only returned in the early afternoon of the 24th. (21)
4 Feb 1942
Around 1840F/4, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo.
She was first to patrol off Dondra Head and then make rendezvous with the troopship Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Wakefield (American, 24289 GRT, built 1931) and West Point (American, 26454 GRT, built 1940) and escort them to Colombo. These troopships came from Singapore with evacuees. (22)
6 Feb 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and the troopships Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Wakefield (American, 24289 GRT, built 1931) and West Point (American, 26454 GRT, built 1940) arrived at Colombo. (23)
14 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is docked at Colombo. (23)
20 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is undocked. She then left Colombo for Sumatra where she was to pick up RAF personnel. (23)
22 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is recalled and arrived at Trincomalee later the same day. (23)
23 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Trincomalee escorting the Norwegian tanker Belita (6323 GRT, built 1933).
HMAS Nizam parted company with the tanker the following day which then proceeded to Fremantle unescorted arriving on 12 March.
HMAS Nizam returned to Trincomalee on 25 February 1942. (23)
17 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Trincomalee. (24)
20 Mar 1942
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Addu Atoll.
On 21 March 1942, HMAS Norman was detached to proceed to the assitance of the tanker San Cirilo (British, 8012 GRT, built 1937). This tanker, which was on passage from Colombo to Melbourne, had been torpedoed and damaged in position 06°40'N, 79°40'E by the Japanese submarine I-162. (25)
23 Mar 1942
Around 0720F/23, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, DSO, RN, second in command Eastern Fleet), coming from Mauritius, was joined by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) coming from Trincomalee.
They arrived at Addu Atoll ('Port T') around 1630F/23. (26)
24 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) conducted an A/S patrol off Addu Atoll. They returned to the anchorage the following day. (24)
18 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is docked in the Duncan Dry Dock at the Bombay Dockyard. (27)
22 Apr 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is undocked. (27)
6 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is again docked in the Duncan Dry Dock at the Bombay Dockyard. (28)
13 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is undocked. She then conducted port repair trials off Bombay. (28)
14 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Bombay for Port Vicoria, Seychelles. (29)
18 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Port Vicoria, Seychelles from Bombay.
On completion of fuelling she departed for Mombasa / Kilindini later the same day. (29)
21 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Mombasa / Kilindini from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (29)
21 Aug 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Kilindini with HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bach Kolling, RNN(R)). (30)
24 Aug 1942
Around 1500C/24, HMS Formidable (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for Durban. She was escorted by HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN).
Rear-Admiral Boyd had hoisted his flag on board HMS Formidable shortly before departure having struck it in HMS Illustrious (Rear-Admiral A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) (31)
28 Aug 1942
HMS Formidable (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini.
HMAS Norman was immediately docked. Most likely she was undocked the following day.
It seems that Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN struck his flag in HMS Formidable on this day. (31)
29 Aug 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is docked at Durban for repairs to a leaking fuel tank and to her Asdic Dome. (30)
30 Aug 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) is undocked.
She then left Durban escorting HMS Formidable (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN) together with HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN).
They parted company with the carrier the following day. The carrier setting course for Freetown and the destroyers for Diego Suarez. (30)
4 Sep 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (32)
7 Sep 1942
A convoy for ' Operation Stream ', the landings at Majunga departed Diego Suarez. On departure the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN).
[No further infomation available on ' Operation Stream ' for the moment, further research is required.] (33)
10 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
A boarding party from HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) captured a small Vichy French merchant vessel and steamed it into Majunga which was captured on this day. (32)
11 Sep 1942
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) captured thee small Vichy French vessels. They were sent into Majunga. (32)
18 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On completion of operations in the Tamatave area, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Rear-Admiral A.W.laT. Bisset, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN) departed the Tamatave area for Durban.
The destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) were also with them until the 19th. (32)
22 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915C/22, HMS Illustrious (Rear-Admiral A.W.laT. Bisset, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN) arrived at Durban from the Tamatave area.
Around 2015C/22, HMAS Nizam and HMAS Hotspur departed Durban to patrol to the south of South Africa to intercept escaping Vichy French transports. (32)
24 Sep 1942
Around 0115C/24, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) sighted the Vichy-French transport Marchegal Gallieni (1251 GRT, built 1913) in position 36°31'S, 25°36'E. A prize crew was put on board and course was set towards Durban.
The following day, HMAS Nizam parted company with her prize and resumed patrol. (32)
28 Sep 1942
Around 0900C/28, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Durban from patrol.
After having fuelled, she departed again around 1600C/28, to resume patrol but now to the east of Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique. (32)
29 Sep 1942
P.M. on the 29th, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) sighted the Vichy-French transport Amiral Pierre (4388 GRT, built 1905) in position 25°49'S, 35°17'E. On HMAS Nizam closing, the French crew commenced to scuttle their ship.
A boarding party was put on board but was later taken off for the night. HMAS Nizam then conducted an A/S patrol nearby the French vessel.
The following day an inspection party was put on board the French ship to see if she could be towed but owing to the extent of the damage this was not possible. The ship was then sunk by gunfire. (32)
1 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100C/1, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (34)
5 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845C/5, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (34)
7 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (34)
8 Oct 1942
HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Simonstown around 0800B/8, to pick up survivors from the Greek merchant vessel Koumoundouros and the Dutch merchant Gaastekerk that were torpedoed and sunk earlier that day by German U-boat U-68 south-west of Cape Point, South Africa. HMS Foxhound had also picked up survivors from the Koumoundouros.
HMAS Nizam and HMS Foxhound then joined HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) for an A/S sweep in the area. These last two destroyers had departed Simonstown around 1020B/8.
Later that day, around 2240B/8, HMS Active sighted a submarine on the surface which then submerged. HMS Active then managed to sink the enemy about 10 minutes later, which was the U-179, with a pattern of 10 depth charges. (35)
9 Oct 1942
Around 0800B/9, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Capetown where she landed the survivors she had picked up. She then commenced refuelling.
Around 0845B/9, HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) arrived at Capetown where she landed the survivors she had picked up. She then commenced refuelling.
Around 1115B/9, HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) arrived at Capetown where she landed the survivors she had picked up. She then commenced refuelling.
Around 1515B/9, HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) arrived to refuel.
Around 1545B/9, HMS Foxhound and HMAS Nizam departed Capetown for A/S patrol from about 40 miles, 270° from Cape Point in direction 320°.
Around 1800B/9, HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR) departed Capetown for A/S patrol from about 20 miles, 270° from Cape Point in direction 320°. (35)
10 Oct 1942
At 1040B/10, a signal was received from the troop transport Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937) that she had been torpedoed in position 35°51'S, 14°40'E. The destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) were ordered to proceed to this position.
Around 1445B/10, an aircraft attacked a submerging submarine in position 35°20'N, 17°42'E. Some oil was seen on the surface after the attack.
At 1651B/10, the merchant vessel Narwik (Polish, 7030 GRT, built 1942) reported having rescued over 1000 survivors from the Orcades. HMS Active and HMAS Nizam were ordered to join the Polish ship and escort her to Capetown.
HMS Arrow and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) were ordered to patrol about 40 miles to the west of Cape Point. (36)
11 Oct 1942
Around 0030B/11, HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) reported that HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) were intercepting the merchant vessel Narwik () to escort her to Capetown and that HMS Arrow and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) were proceeding to make rendezvous with the troopship Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) to Capetown.
At 0629B/11, HMAS Nizam reported having sighted a surfaced submarine in position 35°51'S, 16°24'E.
At 1101B/11, HMAS Nizam reported having met the merchant vessel Narwik (Polish, 7030 GRT, built 1942) which had on board over 1000 survivors. She had ordered the merchant vessel to steam to the northward for two hours at maximum speed to clear the submarine that HMAS Nizam had sighted earlier.
At 2030B/11, HMS Arrow reported that one lifeboat with 23 survivors had been picked up by HMS Active. They were from the merchant vessel Coloradan (American, 6557 GRT, built 1920) that had been torpedoed and sunk on 9 October. Another lifeboat was still missing. (36)
12 Oct 1942
At 0105B/12, D/F bearings indicated an enemy submarine in position 32°40'S, 17°25'E at 0015B/12. HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Cyclamen (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR), which were on patrol off Saldanha Bay were ordered to investigate.
At 0730B/12, HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) reported having picked up survivors from the merchant vessel Pantelis (Greek, 3845 GRT, built 1911) which had been torpedoed and sunk on 9 October.
Around 0930B/12, HMAS Nizam and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) arrived at Capetown with the merchant vessel Narwik (Polish, 7030 GRT, built 1942).
Around 1830B/12, were ordered to intercept the merchant vessel Kronprincessen (Norwegian, 7244 GRT, built 1941) which was loaded with ammunition and then escort her to Capetown. Aircraft reported this ship to be in position 34°23'S, 17°21'E at 1500B/12.
HMAS Nizam reported having met the Kronprincessen around 1830B/12 and that they would arrive at Capetown around 2200B/12.
13 Oct 1942
Around 1000B/13, HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) joined the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) which had departed Simonstown around 0730B/13 for Saldanha Bay where she arrived around 1500B/23. The two destroyers had parted company with her shortly before.
At 1349B/13, a signal was received that the merchant vessel Empire Nomad (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942) had been torpedoed in position 36°25'S, 16°18'E at 1345B/13. HMS Foxhound was ordered to proceed to this position and aircraft were sent to search.
Around 1630B/13, the troopship Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) escorted by HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) arrived at Capetown. (37)
17 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (34)
18 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed for an A/S patrol.
At 2155B/18, they were ordered to proceed to position 36°20'S, 18°20'E where an enemy submarine was suspected through direction finding. (35)
19 Oct 1942
At 0815B/19, HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) and HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN), which were on passage from Durban to Simonstown were ordered to search for a submarine indicated by D/F bearings in position 36°00'S, 24°00'E.
At 1220B/19, a signal from the merchant vessel Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) was received stating that she had been attacked but missed with torpedoes in position 36°25'S, 13°34'E. A torpedo had passed underneath her stern. The attacker was U-68 which had fired two torpedoes.
At 1304B/19, the Stephen A. Douglas reported that she was being chased by an enemy submarine in position 36°32'S, 13°33'E.
At 1509B/19, HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) were ordered to endeavour to intercept the Stephen A. Douglas and escort her to Capetown. (36)
20 Oct 1942
Around 1800B/20, the merchant vessel Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) arrived at Capetown.
HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) must have detached shortly before arrival as they arrived at Simonstown around 1825B/20. (38)
21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) commenced a refit at the Simonstown Dockyard.
The main modifications made during the refit were; Replacing the 4" AA gun with a bank of torpedo tubes (she now had again her original torpedo tube armament of ten torpedo tubes). Modifications to the RDF (radar) outfit. Fitting of an additional (6th) 20mm Oerlikon AA gun. (34)
29 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Simonstown for Durban. (39)
31 Dec 1942
Around 0820C/31, HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. After fuelling she departed for Kilindini around 1400C/31. (40)
4 Jan 1943
HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Kilindini from Durban. She then rejoined the Eastern Fleet. (41)
12 Jan 1943
HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN, with Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN, on board), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Kilindini. (41)
Sources
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for December 1940
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for January 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for February 1941
- ADM 199/399 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for February 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for March 1941
- ADM 199/661 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for April 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for April 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for April 1941 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Canberra for April 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for May 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for June 1941
- ADM 53/113531 + ADM 53/114866 + War diary of HMAS Nizam for July 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for July 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for August 1941
- ADM 53/115214 + War diary of HMAS Nizam for September 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for October 1941
- ADM 53/115215 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for October 1941
- ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for October 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for November 1941
- ADM 53/115216 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for November 1941
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for December 1941
- ADM 53/115217 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/116554 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for February 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for February 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for March 1942
- ADM 199/426 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for March 1942
- ADM 53/116533 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for March 1942
- ADM 53/115497
- Report of proceedings of HMAS May 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for May 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for August 1942
- ADM 53/115930 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for August 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for September 1942
- ADM 53/115978 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for September 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for October 1942
- ADM 199/653 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for October 1942
- ADM 199/653
- ADM 53/116654 + ADM 199/653
- ADM 53/115565 + ADM 199/653
- ADM 199/2563
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for December 1942
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for January 1943
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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