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Notable events involving Heliotrope include:

18 Sep 1940
HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Primula (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Drake, RNR) and HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR). (1)

22 Sep 1940
HMS H 50 (Lt. G.V. Prowse, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR). (1)

23 Sep 1940
HMS H 50 (Lt. G.V. Prowse, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR). (1)

25 Sep 1940
HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR) and HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN). (1)

30 Nov 1940
HMS H 32 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) and HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR). (2)

1 Dec 1940
HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR) picks up 32 survivors from the British tanker Appalachee that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-101 about 340 nautical miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 54°30'N, 20°00'W.

8 Apr 1941

Convoy OG 58.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 8 April 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 5 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adjutant (British, 1931 GRT, built 1922), Baron Carnegie (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), City of Dublin (British, 1095 GRT, built 1882), Empire Cormorant (British, 5760 GRT, built 1918), Flynderborg (Norwegian, 2022 GRT, built 1930), Forest (British, 4998 GRT, built 1937), Inverness (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940), Lanahrone (Irish, 1221 GRT, built 1928), Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927), Neva (Swedish, 1456 GRT, buil 1928), Senta (Swedish, 1497 GRT, built 1905), Sheaf Mount (British, 5017 GRT, built 1924) and Vanellus (British, 1886 GRT, built 1921).

The Liverpool section (sailed 6 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algerian (British, 2315 GRT, built 1924), Bifrost (Swedish, 1781 GRT, built 1923), Bruse Jarl (Norwegian, 1890 GRT, built 1923), Empire Kestrel (British, 2674 GRT, built 1919), Ilissos (Greek, 4724 GRT, built 1915), Norita (Swedish, 1516 GRT, built 1924), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), Torfinn Jarl (Norwegian, 1480 GRT, built 1922) and Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930).

The Clyde section (sailed 7 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels; Brisk (Norwegian, 1594 GRT, built 1923), Caverock (British, 1332 GRT, built 1915), Empire Ridge (British, 2922 GRT, built 1941), Marga (Norwegian, 1583 GRT, built 1923), Marita (Norwegian, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922), Switzerland (British, 1290 GRT, built 1922) and Vassilios A. Polemis (Greek, 3429 GRT, built 1907). The rescue ship Toward (British, 1571 GRT, built 1923) also sailed from the Clyde.

The Oban section (sailed 7 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924), Blairesk (British, 3300 GRT, built 1925), Cape Corso (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929), Carperby (British, 4890 GRT, built 1928), Dover Hill (British, 5815 GRT, built 1918), Fidra (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936), Grodno (British, 2458 GRT, built 1919), Inger Toft (British (former German), 2190 GRT, built 1920), Melrose Abbey II (British, 2473 GRT, built 1936), Nesstun (Norwegian, 1271 GRT, built 1917) and Polyana (Norwegian, 2415 GRT, built 1919).

On final assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), sloops HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), corvettes HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR), HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR), HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR) and A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR) and HMS Northern Spray (?). The special service vessel HMS Fidelity (Cdr. C.A.M. Péri) and armed boarding vessel HMS Maron (Cdr. (Retd.) J.H. Blair, DSC, RD, RNR) were also with the convoy.

The Ashbury arrived back at Oban on 8 April 1941, after having been involved in a collision with a trawler. She later proceeded to the Clyde to effect repairs.

Around 1130A/9, the destroyer HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/12, HMS Malcolm, HMS Watchman, HMS Burwell, HMS Fleetwood, HMS Arabis, HMS Heliotrope, HMS Northern Gem and HMS Northern Pride parted company with the convoy. The Toward also left the convoy with them.

Around 1000Z/12, the corvette HMS Primula (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Fuller, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/13, the ships with destinations in North America and the West Indies parted company with the convoy. These were the following; Baron Carnegie (arrived at Boston on 24 April 1941), Brisk (arrived at Demarara, Guyana on 28 April 1941), Empire Cormorant (arrived at New York on 28 April 1941), Flynderborg (arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland on 24 April 1941), Grodno (arrived at Barbados on 1 May 1941), Illisos (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941), Inger Toft (arrived at Weymouth, Nova Scotia on 23 April 1941), Inverness (arrived at Philadelphia on 25 April 1941), Marga (arrived at Demarara, Guyana on 28 April 1941), Marita (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941), Modavia (arrived at Saint John, New Brunswick on 21 April 1941), Nesstun (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941) and Star (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941).

Around 2028Z/13, in approximate position 47°27'N, 23°16'W [another source gives 47°21'N, 22°49'W] the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) joined the convoy.

Around 2200Z/14, in position 44°41'N, 22°43'W, the ships with destinations in South America and Africa parted company with the convoy. These were the following; Carperby (arrived at Freetown on 30 April 1941), Forest (arrived at Freetown on 28 April 1941), Norita (arrived at Bathurst on 24 April 1941), Polyana (destination was Freetown but she was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-103 on 25 April 1941), Sheaf Mount (arrived at Freetown on 29 April 1941), Ulla (arrived at Bathurst on 24 April 1941) and Vassilios A. Polemis (arrived at Freetown on 27 April 1941). HMS Amaranthus also parted company at this time. She arrived at Gibraltar on 18 April 1941.

Around 0700A/21, in position 35°50'N, 06°14'W, ships bound for Portugese and Spanish west coast ports parted company with the convoy. These were the following; Bifrost (arrived at Villa Real on 21 April 1941), Cape Corso (arrived at Cadiz on 21 April 1941), Empire Ridge (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941), Fidra (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941), Melrose Abbey II (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941), Switzerland (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941) and Torfinn Jarl (arrived at Seville on 22 April 1941).

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 21 April 1941. (3)

30 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 124.

This convoy departed Halifax on 30 April 1941 for Liverpool where it arrived on 20 May 1941.

Upon departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships: Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Alchiba (British, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), Auditor (British, 5444 GRT, built 1924), Baron Ogilvy (British, 3391 GRT, built 1926), Barrington Court (British, 4910 GRT, built 1924), Beaconstreet (British (tanker), 7467 GRT, built 1927), Botavon (British, 5848 GRT, built 1912), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), British Fortune (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), British Industry (British (tanker), 4297 GRT, built 1927), British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940), Daytonian (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Echodale (British (tanker), 8150 GRT, built 1941), Empire Hawk (British, 5033 GRT, built 1919), Empire Steel (British (tanker), 8138 GRT, built 1941), Gitano (British, 3956 GRT, built 1921), Harmala (British, 5730 GRT, built 1935), King Lud (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kingswood (British, 5080 GRT, built 1929), Korsholm (Swedish, 2647 GRT, built 1925), Madrono (Norwegian (tanker), 5894 GRT, built 1917), Morska Wola (Polish, 3208 GRT, built 1924), Pacific Enterprise (British, 6736 GRT, built 1927), Pomella (British (tanker), 6766 GRT, built 1937), Queen City (British, 4814 GRT, built 1924), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917), Varand (British (tanker), 6023 GRT, built 1927), Vera Radcliffe (British, 5587 GRT, built 1925), Vivi (Norwegian (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1932) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR). The corvettes were detached later the same day.

On 2 May the convoy was joined by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN). She detached from the convoy on 9 May.

On 11 May the destroyer HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) and corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR) joined the convoy

On 12 May the destroyers HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), corvettes HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR), and A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR), HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR), HMS Notts County (T/S.Lt. R.H. Hampton, RNR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) joined the convoy.

Around 0600Z/13, the destroyers HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1715Z/14 the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr. (retired) D.F. White, RNR) joined the convoy.

The destroyers HMS Scimitar, HMS Malcolm, corvettes HMS Aubretia, HMS Heliotrope, HMS Hollyhock, HMS Mallow, HMS Nigella, HMS Verbena, HMS Veronica and all the A/S trawlers were detached on 14 May.

Around 1200Z/15, the tanker British Industry and the transport Trolla (Norwegian, 1598 GRT, built 1923) [from convoy SC-30] were detached to Reykjavik escorted by HMS Mallow and HMS Verbena.

HMS Circassia, HMS Watchman and HMS Burwell were detached around 1810Z/15 while on the same day the destroyers HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), escort destroyer HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN), minesweepers HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), HMS Niger (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bayley, DSC, RN), and catapult ship Ariguani joined the escort.

On 18 May the destroyer HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) joined the convoy. Also on this day HMS Leamington and HMS Anemone were detached.

On 19 May the destroyer HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) joined the escort.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 20 May 1941.

1 Jun 1941

Convoy HX 130.

This convoy departed Halifax on 1 June 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ary Lensen (British, 3214 GRT, built 1930), Ashworth (British, 5227 GRT, built 1920), Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930), Brabant (Belgian, 2483 GRT, buil 1938), British Valour (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1927), City of Johannesburg (British, 5669 GRT, built 1920), Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Danae II (British, 2660 GRT, built 1936), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Empire Elk (British, 4748 GRT, built 1920), Empire Leopard (British, 5781 GRT, built 1917), Gyda (British, 1695 GRT, built 1934), Hallanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1928), Kaipara (British, 5882 GRT, built 1938), Marit (Norwegian (tanker), 5563 GRT, built 1918), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Peterton (British, 5221 GRT, built 1919), Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929), San Florentino (British (tanker), 12842 GRT, built 1919), San Gerardo (British (tanker), 12915 GRT, built 1929), Sommerstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5923 GRT, built 1926), Spind (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1917), Thornliebank (British, 5569 GRT, built 1939) and Willesden (British, 4653 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Pictou (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Driver, RCNR) and HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. J.W. Bonner, RCNR).

Around 1500P/1, the Daphnella returned to Halifax due to engine trouble.

Around 1955P/1, HMCS Pictou parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 2115P/1, HMCS Rimouski parted company to return to Halifax.

At dawn on 4 June 1941 it was seen that some ships were missing of which the Empire Elk was not seen again.

Around 0900P/5, in approximate position 43°05'N, 49°30'W, convoy BHX 130, coming from Bermuda, merged with the convoy. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), British Courage (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1928), British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Donax (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Laurits Swenson (Norwegian, 5725 GRT, built 1930), Narragansett (British (tanker) 10389 GRT, built 1936), Nyholt (Norwegian (tanker), 8087 GRT, built 1931), Refast (British (tanker) 5189 GRT, built 1914), Samuel Bakke (Norwegian, 4719 GRT, built 1929), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935) and Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928).

Convoy BHX 130 had been escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax.

Around 0800P/6, in position 44°42'N, 46°24'W, convoy SHX 130 merged with the convoy. This convoy had departed Sydney, Nova Scotia on 1 June 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alioth (British, 4583 GRT, built 1937), Chepo (Panamanian, 5707 GRT, built 1919), King Frederick (British, 5106 GRT, built 1920), Kronprinsessan Margareta (Swedish, 3739 GRT, built 1914), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Taborfjell (Norwegian, 1339 GRT, built 1938), Tetela (British, 5389 GRT, built 1926) and Tucurinca (British, 5412 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Sydney, convoy SHX 130, had been briefly escorted by the auxiliary M/S trawler HMCS Rayon d'Or (?).

Another merchant vessel, the Tureby (British, 4372 GRT, built 1936) had straggled from convoy SHX 130 on 6 June 1941 and thus did not join convoy HX 130. She arrived at Reykjavik on 12 June 1941.

Around 1730P/7, in position 48°19'N, 45°49'W, the destroyers HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Agassiz (Lt. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR), HMCS Alberni (Lt. G.O. Baugh, RCNR) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN) joined coming from St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Around 1900P/7, HMS Burnham and HMCS Alberni were detached to join convoy SC 33. This convoy was later ordered to proceed in close convoy HX 130 and proceed in very close proximity astern of convoy HX 130. The A/S escorts, HMS Churchill, HMS Burnham, HMCS Agassiz, HMCS Alberni and HMCS Wetaskiwin then protected both convoys.

On 8 June 1941, the New York City straggled from the convoy. She proceeded to St. Johns, Newfoundland where she arrived on 15 June 1941.

Around 1830P/9, in position 53°41'N, 46°45'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 0500O/15, the current A/S escort of HMCS Agassiz, HMCS Alberni and HMCS Wetaskiwin was relieved in approximate position 60°36'N, 25°58'W, by a new group of A/S escorts. It seems that HMS Churchill and HMS Burnham had already been detached at that time as they arrived at Hvalfjord on 15 and 14 June respectively. The three Canadian corvettes arrived at Hvalfjord on 16 June.

The new group of A/S escorts was was made up of the following ships; cutters HMS Banff (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Evans, RN), HMS Culver (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN), HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR), HMS Hartland (A/Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN), destroyers HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), corvettes HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), HMS Petunia (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) minesweepers HMS Niger (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bayley, DSC, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR) and HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.A. Campbell, RNR). [It is possible / likely these did not all join at the same time.] The armed boarding vessel / fighter catapult ship HMS Ariguani (Cdr.(Retd.) R.A. Thorburn, RD, RNR) also joined the convoy.

On 15 June 1941, the Norbryn parted company with the convoy and joined convoy SC 33 instead.

Ships of the convoy arrived in U.K ports as follows;

Loch Ewe, 18 June 1941;
Amastra, Ary Lensen, Athelprince, British Engineer, British Valour, Cape Wrath, Dalross, Danae II, Donax, Empire Leopard, Peterton, Scottish Heather, Tetela and Willesden.

Clyde, 19 June 1941;
Athelduchess, City of Johannesburg, Hallanger, Iroquois, Kronprinsessan Margareta, Nyholt, San Arcadio, San Florentino and Thornliebank.

Liverpool, 20 June 1941;
Alioth, Benedict, British Courage, British Tenacity, Chepo, Gyda, Kaipara, King Frederick, Laurits Swenson, Refast, Romney, Samuel Bakke, San Gerardo, Sommerstad, Taborfjell and Tucurinca.

Barry Roads, 21 June 1941;
Ashworth, Brabant, British Dominion, Marit, Narragansett and Spind.

The escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows;

Londonderry, 19 June 1941;
HMS Watchman, HMS Sardonyx, HMS Banff, HMS Culver, HMS Fishguard, HMS Hartland and HMS Violet.

Clyde, 19 June 1941;
HMS Ariguani.

Londonderry, 20 June 1941;
HMS Heliotrope, HMS Petunia, HMS Verbena, HMS Northern Gem and HMS Northern Pride. (4)