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Notable events involving Wessex (i) include:

1 Sep 1939
Around 1830A/1, HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Portland.

Around 2030A/2, in the North Channel she was joined by the destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Fryer, RN) and HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. A.R.M. Black, RN).

Around 0850A/2, near Milford Haven, these two destroyers were relieved by HMS Venetia (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN) and HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. W.A.R. Cartwright, RN). HMS Witherington and HMS Verity then entered Milford Haven arriving there around 1045A/3

HMS Ramillies arrived at Portland around 0115A/4.

Having completed escorting HMS Ramillies to Portland, HMS Venetia and HMS Wessex proceeded to Plymouth where they arrived around 0730A/4. (1)

17 Oct 1939

Convoy HX 5.

This convoy departed Halifax on 17 October 1939 and the bulk of the convoy arrived at Liverpool on 29 October 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following ships; Cairnglen (British, 5019 GRT, built 1926), Cairnmona (British, 4666 GRT, built 1918), Cairnvalona (British, 4929 GRT, built 1918), Dunaff Head (British, 5258 GRT, built 1918), Floride (French, 7030 GRT, built 1921), Gracia (British, 5642 GRT, built 1921), Hindpool (British, 4897 GRT, built 1928), Malabar (British, 7976 GRT, built 1938), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), New Westminster City (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Rancher (British, 5882 GRT, built 1927), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Trelissick (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919) and Vaclite (British (tanker), 5026 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by heavy cruiser HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).

Around 0930Q/19 the convoy was joined by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN).

At 1000Q/19, HMS York parted company with the convoy after which she proceeded on patrol. The destroyers also parted company with the convoy around this time to return to Halifax.

Around 0600Z/28, the destroyers HMS Grafton (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN) joined the convoy followed around 1600A/28 by the destroyer HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. W.A.R. Cartwright, RN). At 1700/28, HMS Emerald parted company with the convoy and set course for Plymouth.

In the early hours of 29 October the German submarine U-34 attacked the convoy and the merchant vessel Malabar was torpedoed and sunk. The survivors were picked up by HMS Grafton.

On 30 October the merchant vessel Cairnmona which had split off from the convoy was torpedoed and sunk off the east coast of the U.K. by the German submarine U-13.

HMS Grafton and HMS Gallant arrived at Plymouth on 30 October 1939.

HMS Wessex arrived at Milford Haven on 31 October 1939.

12 Dec 1939

Convoy HX 12.

This convoy departed Halifax on 12 December 1939.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelchief (British (tanker), 10000 GRT, built 1939), Athelprincess (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Baron Maclay (British, 6317 GRT, built 1924), Barrgrove (British, 5222 GRT, built 1918), Bengore Head (British, 2609 GRT, built 1922), Botwey (British, 5106 GRT, built 1916), Box Hill (British, 5677 GRT, built 1920), British Science (British (tanker), 7138 GRT, built 1931), Caledonian Monarch (British, 5851 GRT, buil 1928), Christoph v. Doornum (British (former German), 3845 GRT, built 1928), Corabella (British, 5682 GRT, built 1937), Domby (British, 5582 GRT, built 1932), Dunaff Head (British, 5258 GRT, built 1918), Elona (British (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1936), Frederick S. Fales (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Geo H. Jones (Panamanian (tanker), 6689 GRT, built 1919), James McGee (Panamanian (tanker), 9859 GRT, built 1917), King James (British, 5122 GRT, built 1925), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Medon (British, 5444 GRT, built 1923), Merchant Royal (British, 5008 GRT, built 1928), Montrolite (British (tanker), 11309 GRT, built 1926), Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Niceto de Larrinaga (British, 5591 GRT, built 1916), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Riley (British, 4993 GRT, built 1936), Rockpool (British, 4892 GRT, built 1927), San Diego (French, 6013 GRT, built 1930), San Felix (British (tanker), 13037 GRT, built 1921), Sandsend (British, 3612 GRT, built 1925), Scholar (British, 3940 GRT, built 1922), Scottish Star (British, 7224 GRT, built 1917), Sirikishna (British, 5458 GRT, built 1936) and Temple Yard (British, 5205 GRT, built 1937).

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ausonia (Capt. C.T.M. Pizey, RN), destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN), HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN) and the submarine Pasteur (Lt. P.E.A.E. Mertz).

Due to the bad weather conditions on leaving harbour the Merchant Royal (arrived Liverpool on 29 December) and Sirikishna (returned Halifax with weather damage on 13 December) never joined the convoy.

The two Canadian destroyers arrived back at Halifax on the 15th, having parted company with the convoy, most likely, around dusk on the 13th.

From the afternoon of the 14th until dawn on the 15th bad weather conditions and fog were encountered and the following merchant vessels straggled from the convoy;
Athelprincess, Baron Maclay, Botwey, Californian Monarch, Domby, King James, Nailsea Moor, San Felix and Scottish Star.

At daylight on the 17th, when the convoy was in position 45°38'N, 46°12'W, the following merchant vessels were seen to have straggled from the convoy during the night.
Mactra and Sandsend.

On 19 December, in position 48°36'N, 40°20'W, the Baron Maclay caught up with the convoy coming from astern.

On 20 December, the Pasteur had to stop to make engine repairs. The Elona was detailed to stand by and this merchant vessel did not rejoin the convoy. She later arrived independently at Liverpool.

At daylight on the 21st, when the convoy was in position 50°01'N, 32°16'W, the following merchant vessels were seen to have straggled from the convoy during the night.
Baron Maclay, Box Hill, Christoph v. Doornum, Medon and Temple Yard.

On 22 December the Temple Yard managed to rejoin the convoy from astern.

Around 0900Z/25, in position 50°51'N, 14°22'W, the destroyers HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. W.A.R. Cartwright, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and sloop HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN) joined. HMS Ausonia then parted company to return to Halifax. Around this time also the merchant vessels Baron Maclay and Domby rejoined the convoy.

Around 1600Z/25, the convoy split.

The Irish Sea / West coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arndale (arrived at Liverpool 27/28 December), Baron Maclay (arrived in the Clyde 29 December), Bengore Head (arrived at Belfast on 28 December), Corabella (arrived at Liverpool 27/28 December), Domby (arrived at Cardiff on 27 December), Dunaff Head (arrived at Dublin on 27 December), Riley (arrived at Cardiff on 27 December), Scholar (arrived at Liverpool 27/28 December) and Temple Yard (arrived at Avonmouth on 28 December). They were escorted by HMS Walpole and Wessex.

Around 1010Z/27, HMS Wessex parted company and arrived at Milford Haven around 1300A/27.

HMS Walpole arrived at Liverpool around 0200Z/28.

The Channel / East coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelchief (arrived at Le Havre on 28 December), Barrgrove (arrived in the Downs on 28 December), British Science (arrived in the Downs on 28 December), Frederick S. Fales (arrived at Le Havre on 28 December), Geo H. Jones (arrived at Southampton on 27/28 December), James McGree (arrived at Le Havre on 28 December), Montrolite (arrived at Southampton on 27/28 December), Niceto de Larrinaga (arrived in the Downs on 28 December), Pacific Exporter (arrived in the Downs on 28 December), Rockpool (arrived in the Downs on 28 December) and San Diego (arrived in the Downs on 28 December). They were escorted by HMS Windsor and HMS Enchantress which both arrived in the Downs on 28 December. HMS Windsor had refuelled at Plymouth on the 27th though before rejoining the convoy.

All ships that had straggled from the convoy and that had not managed to rejoin arrived safely at their destinations. (2)

26 Apr 1940

Convoy HX 38.

This convoy departed Halifax on 26 April 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Ancylus (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), Anglo-African (British, 5601 GRT, built 1929), Anglo-Saxon (British, 5596 GRT, built 1929), Athelsultan (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Athelviking (British (tanker), 8779 GRT, built 1926), Bourgogne (French (tanker), 9357 GRT, built 1937), Brasil (Norwegian (tanker), 8130 GRT, built 1935), British Grenadier (British (tanker), 6857 GRT, built 1922), Delhi (Swedish, 4571 GRT, built 1925), Drupa (British (tanker), 8102 GRT, built 1939), Europa (British, 10224 GRT, built 1931), Geo W. McKnight (British (tanker), 12502 GRT, built 1933), Gretavale (British, 4586 GRT, built 1928), Hanseat (Panamanian (tanker), 7932 GRT, built 1929), Ile de Ré (French, 5104 GRT, built 1920), Kaia Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9063 GRT, built 1931), Llanwern (British, 4966 GRT, built 1928), Magician (British, 5105 GRT, built 1925), Manchester Brigade (British, 6042 GRT, built 1918), Merchant Royal (British, 5008 GRT, built 1928), Mytilus (Norwegian (tanker), 5716 GRT, built 1916), Norfolk (British, 10948 GRT, built 1918), Quebec City (British, 4745 GRT, built 1927), Queen City (British, 4814 GRT, built 1924), San Amado (British (tanker), 7316 GRT, built 1935), San Angelo (British, 5619 GRT, built 1918), San Gaspar (British (tanker), 12910 GRT, built 1921), Scottish Maiden (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1921), Simonburn (British, 5213 GRT, built 1925), Skeldergate (British, 4251 GRT, built 1930), Sovac (British (tanker), 6724 GRT, built 1938), Stigstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5964 GRT, built 1927), Texas Banker (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Valparaiso (Swedish, 3762 GRT, built 1917), Vestfold (Panamanian (whale factory ship), 14547 GRT, built 1931), Vimeira (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927), Waziristan (British, 5135 GRT, built 1924) and White Crest (British, 4365 GRT, built 1928).

The RFA tankers Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) and Olwen (6470 GRT, built 1917) are also part of the convoy.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania (Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Ringrose-Wharton, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN).

Around 1800Q/27, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1900Q/27, the merchant vessel Akaroa (British, 15130 GRT, built 1914) overtook and joined the convoy. She had departed late from Halifax.

During the night of 28/29 April 1940, the following merchant vessels lost contact with the convoy in the fog that had been encountered;
Bourgogne (arrived at Le Verdon on 11 May), Brazil (rejoined the convoy on 2 May), Drupa (rejoined the convoy on 3 May), Gretavale (rejoined the convoy on 1 May), Hanseat (arrived at Le Havre on 12 May), Ile de Ré (arrived at Le Havre on 11 May), Merchant Royal (arrived at Portland on 12 May), Scottish Maiden (arrived at Brest on 10 May) and Simonburn (arrived at Portland on 12 May).

On 1 May, the following merchant vessels lost contact with the convoy in the fog that had been encountered;
Abbeydale (rejoined the convoy on 2 May), Akaroa (arrived at Portland on 10 May), Ancylus (rejoined the convoy on 2 May), Anglo-African (rejoined the convoy later the same day), Athelsultan (arrived at Belfast on 12 May), Athelviking (arrived at Liverpool on 11 May), British Grenadier (arrived at Milford Haven on 10 May), Delhi (rejoined the convoy on 2 May), Europa (rejoined the convoy on 2 May), Kaia Knudsen (rejoined the convoy later the same day), Llanwern (rejoined the convoy later the same day), Magician (rejoined the convoy on 3 May), Mytilus (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Quebec City (arrived at Newport on 10 May), San Amado (rejoined the convoy on 3 May), San Gaspar (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Stigstad (arrived at Liverpool on 11 May), Texas Banker (rejoined the convoy on 3 May), Valparaiso (rejoined the convoy on 6 May), Vestfold (arrived at Liverpool on 11 May), Waziristan (rejoined the convoy later the same day) and White Crest (arrived at Ardrossan on 14 May).

On 3 May, the following merchant vessels lost contact with the convoy in bad weather conditions;
Anglo-African (rejoined the convoy on 9 May), Anglo-Saxon (arrived at Portland on 11 May), Delhi (rejoined the convoy on 4 May), Llanwern (rejoined the convoy on 4 May) and San Angelo (arrived at Portland on 12 May).

On 5 May, the Vimiera straggled from the convoy but she rejoined the following day.

Around 0630O/8, in position 49°50'N, 22°35'W, HMS Ascania parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 0600A/10, in position 50°04'N, 13°30'W, the destroyers HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN) and HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. W.A.R. Cartwright, RN) joined the convoy.

Later that day, around 1700A/10 [???, time difficult to read on the Commodore's report] in position 50°05'N, 10°45'W, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Abbeydale (arrived in the Clyde on 12 May), Drupa (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Europa (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Magician (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Manchester Brigade (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), San Amado (arrived at Swansea on 12 May), Sovac (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Texas Banker (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May), Valparaiso (arrived at Liverpool on 12 May) and Waziristan (arrived at Swansea on 12 May). They were escorted until 2200A/10 by HMS Walpole. HMS Walpole then parted company to join the Nore Command as a result of the German attack of The Netherlands, Belgium and France. She was to proceed to Plymouth first to fuel. The Irish Sea / west coast section then proceeded apparently unescorted.

The Channel / east coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Anglo-African (arrived at Portland on 12 May), Brasil (arrived at Le Verdon on 13 May), Delhi (arrived in the Downs on 13 May), Geo W. McKnight (arrived at Southampton on 12 May), Gretavale (arrived in the Downs on 13 May), Kaia Knudsen (arrived at Southampton on 12 May), Llanwern (arrived at Portland on 12 May), Norfolk (arrived at Portland on 12 May), Olwen (arrived at Plymouth on 12 May), Queen City (arrived at Portland on 12 May), Skeldergate (arrived at Portland on 12 May) and Vimeira (arrived at Plymouth on 12 May). They were escorted by HMS Wessex. Like HMS Walpole, HMS Wessex was also ordered to part company with the convoy, proceed to Plymouth to fuel and then join the Nore Command. It looks like the Channel / east coast section also proceeded unescorted. (3)

24 May 1940
The Polish destroyer Burza was ordered to join the British destroyers HMS Vimiera and HMS Wessex and shell German positions in Calais area. At 16.20 the Allied vessels opened fire on enemy armoured column at Sangatte Hill, west of Calais. 10 minutes later they were attacked by 27 German airplanes which hit and sank HMS Wessex. HMS Vimiera managed to escape. Then the entire enemy air group concentrated on the Polish destroyer. The AA guns (2 40 mm) jammed due to shrapnel hits, three bombs exploded in the water. They caused boiler damage and loss of speed. The commander (Lt.Cdr. Francki) ordered to emergency launch the torpedoes and drop all depth charges, trying to avoid additional explosions. Shortly after this, two bombs hit the Burza and badly damaged her. However the airplanes had dropped all of their bombs and broke off the attack. The crew managed to stop the leakage and return to Dover. One German airplane was shot down during the action. (4)

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