Alexander Robert Hammick, RN
| Born | 16 Feb 1887 | ||
| Died | 1969 | (81) |
| Ranks
Retired: 26 Jun 1940 Decorations |
Warship Commands listed for Alexander Robert Hammick, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Sussex (96) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 16 Dec 1938 | 5 Jun 1940 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (96)
4 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. D. de Pass, RN) and HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) departed Alexandria to make rendez-vous off Cape Matapan with HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.R. Moore, CB, DSO, CVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hardy (Capt. B.A. Warburton-Lee, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. C.F. Tower, MVO, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN) and take over the patrol in that area. (1)
7 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. D. de Pass, RN) and HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) are ordered to dicontinue their patrol off Crete. The destroyers are ordered to join convoy 'Green 1'. HMS Sussex is to return to Alexandria. (1)
8 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Alexandria from patrol. (2)
13 Sep 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Malta where she was immediately docked. She had sustained some damage after having hit a submerged wreck. (2)
14 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) is undocked. She then almost immediately left Malta for Alexandria. (2)
16 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (2)
29 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Alexandria. (2)
2 Oct 1939
Around 1100B/2, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) departed Alexandria with orders to proceed to the Indian Ocean.
They entered the Suez Canal around 0245B/3. (3)
3 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) passed the Suez Canal southbound and then departed Suez for Aden. (3)
6 Oct 1939
At midnight, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) arrived at Aden. After fuelling they departed for Simonstown around 1230C/6. (4)
13 Oct 1939
Around 1100B/13, HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) arrived at Capetown.
One hour later, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (5)
14 Oct 1939
Around 0600B/14, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) departed Simonstown and Capetown respectively for patrol in the South Atlantic.
They joined company around 1800B/14. (6)
22 Oct 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) returned to South Africa after patrol in the South Atlantic. HMS Sussex went to Simonstown to fuel while HMS Shropshire fuelled at Capetown. (6)
27 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) departed Simonstown and Capetown respectively to patrol in the South Atlantic on a sweep towards St. Helena. (6)
31 Oct 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) were still on patrol in the South Atlantic when the Walrus aircraft of HMS Sussex failed to return to the ship. A search was commenced by the cruisers for over three day but the aircraft and its crew were not found. (6)
7 Nov 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) returned to Simonstown and Capetown respectively from patrol in the South Atlantic. (6)
11 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) departed Simonstown and Capetown respectively to patrol in the South Atlantic on a sweep towards St. Helena. (6)
23 Nov 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) returned to South Africa after patrol in the South Atlantic. HMS Sussex went to Simonstown to fuel while HMS Shropshire fuelled at Capetown. (7)
24 Nov 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) departed Simonstown and Capetown respectively. They were to proceed to the eastwards to patrol in the Indian Ocean. (7)
27 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) are ordered to return to South Africa to fuel after which they were to proceed on patrol in the South Atlantic. (7)
29 Nov 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) arrived at Capetown and Simonstown respectively to fuel. Both departed again later the same day for patrol off South Africa. (7)
1 Dec 1939
Around 0630B/1, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) (Force 'H') made rendezvous with HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN) and HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) (Force 'K'). (8)
2 Dec 1939 (position -35.32, 18.27)
The German passenger/cargo ship Watussi (9552 GRT, built 1928) is intercepted in the South Atlantic about 50 nautical miles south of Cape Agulhas, South-Africa in position 35°32'S, 18°27'E by the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN). However, before the German ship can be captured she is scuttled by her own crew (set on fire). HMS Sussex picked up 198 crew and passenger. The German ships had been spotted by a South African aircraft earlier in the day.
To hasten the sinking of the German ship she was sunk by gunfire from the British battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN). (9)
3 Dec 1939
Around 0630B/3, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. After fuelling they departed again around 1700B/3 for a patrol in the South Atlantic. (7)
14 Dec 1939
Around 1800B/14, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (7)
15 Dec 1939
Around 1215B/15, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and
HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) departed Capetown for the Plate area.
Around 2145B/15, they parted company as HMS Sussex had been ordered to proceed to Simonstown. HMS Shropshire was ordered to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (7)
16 Dec 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Simonstown, her passage to the Plate area had been cancelled. (10)
27 Dec 1939
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown for Colombo via Mauritius. (10)
1 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Mauritius to fuel. She departed for Colombo later the same day. (11)
6 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Colombo. (11)
6 Jan 1940
Convoy US 1.
Troop convoy from New Zealand and Australia to Suez.
The convoy departed Wellington, New Zealand on 6 January 1940 and on departure was made up out of the following troopships: Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929) and Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932).
On departure from Wellington the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN).
Two more troopships joined the convoy in New Zealand waters, these were: Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939).
The convoy then set course for Australia.
On 9 January the troopships: Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Orford (British, 19941 GRT, built 1928), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925) and Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) departed Sydney to join the convoy which they did the next day. They were being escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN).
HMS Leander was then detached while HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, RAN) joined the convoy on the 10th but already left again the day after when she was detached at 0238K/11 to search for a missing aircraft. As it was later reported that the aircraft had crashed on land the search was soon abandoned.
HMS Ramillies also made a brief stop for a few hours at Sydney on the 9th before rejoining the convoy.
On the 12th the troopship Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930) joined the convoy coming from Melbourne.
On 18 January the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) near Fremantle joined the convoy escort.
The convoy arrived at Fremantle later the same day.
On 20 January, the convoy departed Fremantle escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies and the heavy cruisers HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN) and Suffren (Capt. R.J.M. Dillard).
HMAS Canberra and HMAS Australia had departed a few hours earlier to patrol the area. They returned to Fremantle on 21 January.
The convoy arrived at Colombo on 30 January and entered the harbour as did HMS Ramillies. HMS Kent and Suffren kept patrolling off the harbour until the convoy set sail again on 1 February but now escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN). HMS Ramillies and HMS Sussex had sailed with the convoy from Colombo, the other two escorts came from Trincomalee. HMS Kent and Suffren then entered Colombo. At Colombo the convoy had been joined by the French troopship Athos II (French, 15276 GRT, built 1927).
On 6 February 1940 the destroyer HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) joined the convoy coming from Colombo. On joinig the convoy she was oiled by HMS Sussex.
Early on the 7th, HMAS Hobart proceeded ahead to Aden with three of the troopships.
At dawn of the 8th the convoy arrived off Aden and three more of the troop transports entered the harbour. The remainder proceeded towards the Red Sea now escorted by HMS Sussex and HMAS Hobart. Aircraft from HMS Eagle patrolled in the area while HMS Ramillies fuelled in the outer anchorage.
The transports that had entered Aden left there on 9 February escorted by HMS Sussex as this cruiser had turned back when off the Perim Strait. HMS Sussex and HMS Westcott now escorted these ships until they met HMAS Hobart which had now dispersed the first group of transports in 22°30'N.
HMS Sussex then turned back to proceed to Aden leaving the transports of the second group to HMAS Hobart which then escorted the transports to 22°30'N when they were dispersed. HMS Westcott went on to Suez with the Rangitata. HMAS Hobart then also set sourse to return to Aden. (12)
15 Jan 1940
Around 0730EF/15, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) departed Colombo to patrol off Ceylon. (13)
18 Jan 1940
Around 1100EF/18, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) returned to Colombo from patrol. (13)
25 Jan 1940
Around 0830EF/25, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (13)
26 Jan 1940
Around 1530EF/26, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee. (13)
28 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (13)
29 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Colombo. (13)
1 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Colombo for convoyescort duty.
[See the event convoy US 1 for 6 January 1940 for more information on this convoy. (14)
12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (14)
18 Feb 1940
Around 1800C/18, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (14)
25 Feb 1940
Around 0830EF/25, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Colombo. (14)
1 Mar 1940
Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN, struck his flag in HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) and hoisted it in HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN).
HMS Sussex then departed Colombo to proceed to the U.K. First leg of the trip was to Suez. (15)
8 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Suez. After fuelling she transited the Suez Canal northbound and immediately set course for Malta. (16)
10 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Malta. (16)
12 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) departed Malta for Liverpool where she was to refit before joining the Home Fleet. (16)
17 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Liverpool where she was taken in hand for refit. (16)
23 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN), shifted from Liverpool to Greenock. (17)
24 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (17)
25 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (17)
28 May 1940
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN). (17)
29 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (18)
31 May 1940
HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN), HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) all conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (19)
4 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the morning HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN).
HMS Valiant returned to Scapa Flow early in the afternoon. HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) then came out for gunnery exercises. The destroyers then joined the cruiser to escort her.
All ships returned to Scapa Flow later on the same day. (20)
Sources
- ADM 199/389
- ADM 53/110729
- ADM 53/110730 + ADM 199/389
- ADM 53/110730 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/110730
- ADM 53/110607 + ADM 53/110730 + ADM 199/444
- ADM 53/110608 + ADM 53/110731 + ADM 199/444
- ADM 53/110731
- ADM 199/444
- ADM 53/110732 + ADM 199/444
- ADM 53/113286
- ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/113286 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/113288 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/113289 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/113289
- ADM 53/113290
- ADM 53.113290
- ADM 53.113290 + ADM 199/376
- ADM 199/361 + ADM 199/376
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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