George David Archibald Gregory DSO, RN

Birth details unknown


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Ranks

16 Oct 1930 S.Lt.
16 Oct 1932 Lt.
16 Oct 1940 Lt.Cdr.
31 Dec 1942 Cdr.
30 Jun 1951 Capt.
7 Jan 1960 Rear-Admiral
8 Mar 1963 Vice-Admiral

Retired: 24 Aug 1966


Decorations

23 Dec 1939 DSO
12 Nov 1940 Bar to DSO
1 Jan 1962 CB
13 Jun 1964 KBE

Warship Commands listed for George David Archibald Gregory, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Sturgeon (N 73)Lt.Submarine16 Dec 1938Nov 1940
HMS Oberon (N 21)Lt.Cdr.Submarine3 Nov 194117 Nov 1941
HMS Traveller (N 48)Lt.Cdr.Submarine19 Nov 194121 Apr 1942
HMS Constance (R 71)Cdr.Destroyer17 Jul 1945

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS Sturgeon (N 73)


23 Aug 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) departed Portland for Dundee. She made the passage together with HMS Spearfish (Lt. J.H. Eaden, RN) and HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN). (1)

25 Aug 1939
At 0700 hours, HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN), left her sister ships and set course for her patrol area to the south-west of Stavanger, Norway. When the war with Germany commenced this became her 1st war patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

4 Sep 1939
While on the return passage to Dundee HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) was bombed in error by a British aircraft at 1620 hours in position 56º34'N, 01º04'W. At 1642 hours the aircraft dropped another bomb much closer but fortunately Sturgeon was not damaged. (1)

5 Sep 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Dundee. (1)

13 Sep 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) departed Dundee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south-west of Stavanger, Norway.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

14 Sep 1939 (position 56.22, -1.28)

HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) fired three torpedoes against wat was thought to be an enemy submarine but was in fact the British submarine HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) in the North Sea about 50 nautical miles east-south-east of Aberdeen, Scotland in position 56°22'N, 01°28'W. Fortunately all torpedoes missed. HMS Swordfish ended her 1st war patrol at Dundee later the same day.

0043 hours - In position 56°22'N, 01°28'W sighted an enemy submarine bearing 115°, range 1500 yards, enemy course 340°, enemy speed 12.5 knots. Started attack.

0055 hours - The enemy was seen to dive. Fired three torpedoes. The first passed over the stern of the enemy, the other two missed astern.

(1)

21 Sep 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Dundee. (1)

8 Oct 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) departed Dundee for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

14 Oct 1939 (position 57.49, 9.59)
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) fired three torpedoes against German U-boat U-23 in the Skagerrak about 20 nautical miles west-north-west of Skagen, Denmark in position 57°49'N, 09°59'E. All torpedoes missed their target.

1435 hours - Sighted a vessel bearing 000°. Enemy course 110°. Range 4500 yards. Identified the target as a German submarine. Started attack.

1452 hours - Fired three torpedoes. Lost trim on firing and went deep to prevent Sturgeon from broaching.

1457 hours - Heard distinct explosion.

1501 hours - Heard two more explosions. Sturgeon meanwile had returned to periscope depth. The uboat was not seen again. (1)

16 Oct 1939
At 1910 hours, HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN), hit bottom at 60 feet damaging her Asdic dome. (1)

21 Oct 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth. (1)

27 Oct 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) was docked at Rosyth. (2)

10 Nov 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) was undocked. (3)

11 Nov 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) departed Rosyth for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Heligoland Bight. Later she patrolled off the west coast of Denmark.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

20 Nov 1939 (position 54.34, 6.28)
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) torpedoed and sank the German armed trawler V 209 / Gauleiter Telschow (428 GRT, built 1937) about 50 nautical miles north-west of Heligoland in position 54°34'N, 06°28'E. The second trawler was V 209 / R. Walther Darré.

1330 hours - Sighed a pair of armed trawlers bearing 070°, range 2.5 nautical miles. Position was 54°34'N, 06°28'E.

1400 hours - Started attack on these trawlers.

1555 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the first trawler.

1556 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the second trawler.

1558 hours - Heard a loud explosion. The result was not observed. (1)

29 Nov 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

13 Dec 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) departed Blyth for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the British east coast.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

15 Dec 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Blyth after having been recalled. (1)

17 Dec 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) departed Blyth for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the west coast of Denmark.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

20 Dec 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak. (1)

21 Dec 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, RN) was ordered to return to her original patrol area. (1)

30 Dec 1939
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

21 Jan 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

23 Jan 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was ordered to patrol off north-west Denmark. (1)

31 Jan 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

12 Feb 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) shifted from Blyth to Wallsend where she was to refit. (4)

26 Feb 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was docked at Wallsend. (4)

14 Apr 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was undocked. (5)

24 Apr 1940
With her refit completed HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) shifted from Wallsend to Blyth. (5)

30 Apr 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south-west of Stavanger, Norway.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

6 May 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was ordered to a new patrol area, to the north-west of Terschelling, Netherlands. (1)

11 May 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

22 May 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the north-west of Terschelling, Netherlands.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

5 Jun 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

9 Jun 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered perform a local patrol as it was feared that German warships might perform a raid along the British east coast. (1)

10 Jun 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Blyth after having been recalled. (1)

26 Jun 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Texel, The Netherlands.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

30 Jun 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) hit bottom at 50 feet sustaining some damage. (1)

11 Jul 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Blyth. Later the same day was docked in No.5 dock. (6)

14 Jul 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was undocked. (6)

27 Jul 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 12th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Texel, The Netherlands.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

4 Aug 1940 (position 53.15, 4.36)
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) attacked the German auxiliary patrol vessel V 811 / Hugo Homann in tow of tug Memmert. They were escorted by two auxiliary AA vessels FL 21 and FL 24. V 811 had been mined and damaged on 5 May 1940 and was towed to Den Helder, Netherlands for repairs. No torpedo hits were obtained.

1239 hours - In position 53°15'N, 04°36'E fired six torpedoes at two small merchant vessels (three torpedoes at each). Enemy course was 210°, speed 8 knots. Range on firing was 1200 yards. No hits were obtained.

The convoy was in line ahead in the order merchant vessel, tug and towed merchant vessel with the escort of three 'armed tugs' disposed on either bow of the leading ship and astern.

Following the attack the escort dropped six depth charges of which two were close. The hunt by the escorts lasted for about 30 minutes. (1)

9 Aug 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 12th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

27 Aug 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 13th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

2 Sep 1940 (position 57.56, 10.46)
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the German troop transport Pionier (3264 GRT, built 1934) about 15 nautical miles north of Skagen, Denmark in position 57°56'N, 10°46'E. Pioneer was escorted by the torpedo-boat T 4.

1953 hours - In position 57°56'N, 10°46'E fired two torpedoes at a 10000 tons transport ship escorted by two torpedo-boats and one float plane. Range was 6000 yards. Enemy course 360°, speed 15 knots. Shortly before fring a concentration of smaller merchant vessels was seen beyond the large transport. Lt. Gregory decided to fire the remaining four torpedoes of the salvo at these ships.

1958 hours - An explosion was heard and a dense column of black smoke was seen to rise from the target. Soon afterwards she was seen to be on fire.

The smaller merchant vessels were seen to scatter and in the end no torpedoes were fired at these ships. (1)

10 Sep 1940 (position 57.14, 6.04)
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) fires 6 torpedoes against German U-boat U-43. All torpedoes missed their target although the British thought to have obtained one hit and that they had sunk the submarine. Position of the attack was 57°14'N, 06°04'E.

1333 hours - Heard faint HE bearing 055°. Came to 22 feet and at ...

1335 hours - Sighted a large German u-boat on the surface. Range was 5000 yards. Started attack.

1348 hours - In position 57°14'N, 06°04'E fired six torpedoes from 7000 yards.

1354 hours - Heard a loud explosion. HE of the submarine ceased.

1355 hours - No sign of the submarine. The remaining five torpedoes were heard to explode at the end of their run. (1)

13 Sep 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

14 Sep 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was docked at Blyth. (7)

21 Sep 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was undocked. (7)

29 Sep 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 14th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the western entrance to the Skagerrak.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

9 Oct 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) was ordered to patrol off Lister, Norway. (1)

14 Oct 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) ended her 14th war patrol at Blyth. (1)

26 Oct 1940
HMS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 15th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak to the east of 08°E.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.

(1)


Submarine HMS Oberon (N 21)


3 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN). (8)

4 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (8)

5 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN). (8)

6 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). These included night exercises. (8)

7 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (8)

9 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (8)

10 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (8)

11 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). These included night exercises. (8)

12 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (8)

14 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (8)

17 Nov 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) was docked at Kames Bay. (8)


Submarine HMS Traveller (N 48)


10 Apr 1942
At 1740B/10, Traveller (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch having successfully conducted acceptance trials in the Clyde area. She was then placed in full commission. (9)

12 Apr 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

13 Apr 1942
During 13/14 April 1942, HMS Traveller (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN), conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. These included a deep dive trial. (10)

17 Apr 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted exercises / trials in the Clyde area. (9)

18 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815B/18, HMS Traveller (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch presumably for trials and exercises. Most likely these would include torpedo discharge trials at the Arrochar torpedo range.

She only returned to Holy Loch around 1515B/28. (9)

Sources

  1. ADM 199/1837
  2. ADM 173/16151
  3. ADM 173/16152
  4. ADM 173/16548
  5. ADM 173/16550
  6. ADM 173/16553
  7. ADM 173/16555
  8. ADM 173/16824
  9. ADM 53/115938
  10. ADM 53/115938 + ADM 199/424

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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