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Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (56)

29 Aug 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. (1)

1 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Singapore. (2)

3 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Singapore for a patrol off the Andaman Islands. (3)

5 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Port Blair. (2)

6 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Port Blair to patrol off Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. (2)

13 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) oiled at sea from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Appleleaf (5892 GRT, built 1917) about 20 nautical miles to the east of the Siberut Islands, Netherlands East Indies. (4)

18 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived off Nancowry Island where she dropped anchor. (2)

19 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Nancowry Island for patrol after which she is to proceed to Colombo to join the East Indies Station. (2)

26 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Colombo. (2)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Colombo for Calcutta. She was escorting the liner Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931). (5)

1 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and the liner Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931) arrived at Calcutta. (6)

2 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and the liner Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931) departed Calcutta for Singapore. (7)

4 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the mid-afternoon, while in the Andaman Sea, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), and the liner Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931) parted company. The liner proceeded to Singapore unescorted while HMS Cornwall set course for Colombo. (7)

6 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Colombo. (7)

7 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) is docked at Colombo. (8)

11 Oct 1939
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) is undocked.

HMS Cornwall then departed Colombo around 1730EF/11 for Trincomalee.

At sea she joined HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) which had departed Colombo two hours before. They then carried out night exercises while proceeding on their passage to Trincomalee. (8)

12 Oct 1939
Around 1730EF/12, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Trincomalee.

HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) remained at sea, presumably for exercises. She only entered Trincomalee harbour around 0745EF/13. (8)

13 Oct 1939
Between 1200EF/13 and 1330EF/13, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (8)

15 Oct 1939
Around 0700EF/15, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. En-route exercises had been carried out.

They departed again in the evening, around 2030EF/15, for patrol. They were joined at sea the next morning, around 0600EF/16, by HMS Gloucester (Capt. F.R. Garside, CBE, RN). (8)

23 Oct 1939
Around 1430EF/23, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Gloucester (Capt. F.R. Garside, CBE, RN) and HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) arrived at Colombo from patrol to the east / south-east of Ceylon. (8)

7 Dec 1939
Around 0915D/7, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from patrol. (9)

23 Dec 1939
Late in the afternoon, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) is ordered to proceed to Simonstown with despatch so she then parted company around 1800C/23, with HMS Gloucester (Capt. F.R. Garside, CBE, RN) and HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN). (10)

26 Dec 1939
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown.

Rear-Admiral Murray struck his flag the following day. (9)

2 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Simonstown for a patrol in the South Atlantic. (11)

11 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (11)

25 Jan 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Capetown to escort the liner / troopship Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939) eastwards until about noon the following day.

HMS Cornwall then patrolled the the South of South Africa. (11)

30 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (11)

3 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Capetown at 0218/3 to intercept the Portugese passenger/cargo ship Nyassa (9028 GRT, built 1906). This ship had been sighted by shore based aircraft in position 34°40'S, 18°54'E at 1740/2. (12)

4 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) is ordered to return to Capetown as a search for the Portugese passenger / cargo ship Nyassa (9028 GRT, built 1906) could not take place due to fog. Cornwall arrived at Capetown around 1400 hours. (12)

8 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) shifted from Capetown to Simonstown where she was immediately docked for intermediate docking and to repair urgent defects. (12)

14 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) in undocked. (13)

18 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt W.H.G. Fallowfield, RN) departed Simonstown for patrol and then to proceed to Freetown afterwards. (12)

6 Apr 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (12)

12 Apr 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown to patrol near position 05°00'S, 25°00'W with to object of intercepting Norwegian and Danish merchant vessels and direct them to Freetown. (12)

15 Apr 1940
Late in the evening, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), parted company. HMS Cornwall was to continue the patrol while HMS Cumberland was to proceed to the Rio de Janeiro - Santos area to prevent German merchant ships escaping from that area. (12)

28 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) returned to Freetown from patrol. (12)

7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) conducted exercises off Freetown. (14)

26 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Freetown. (14)

27 May 1940
The troopships / transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) departed Freetown for Takoradi and Lagos. Here they were to embark troops which they were to transport to Mombasa.

They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN). (12)

30 May 1940
The troopships / transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived off Takoradi.

HMS Cornwall then patrolled off Takoradi while Orion and Reina del Pacifico entered the harbour.

Devonshire and Lancashire continued on to Lagos with Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936) which joined off Takoradi. They arrived at Lagos the next day. (12)

31 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While patrolling off Takoradi, HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises. (14)

4 Jun 1940
The troopships Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) departed Takoradi. At sea they joined their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN).

The transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936) and Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917) and their escort, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Pretoria Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.J. Shelly, RN), departed Lagos.

Both groups were to proceed to position 00°50'N, 03°30'E where they were to rendez-vous at 0800/5 after which HMS Cornwall with the troopships and transports would set course to Capetown while HMS Pretoria Castle was to proceed to Dakar. (12)

13 Jun 1940
The troopships / transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived off Capetown.

Due to a gale they could not enter the port and they were ordered to continue on to Durban but as Lancashire was running low on fuel they could not make it where so they were diverted to Simonstown where they arrived on the 14th. They departed for Durban later on the 14th after Lancashire had fuelled. (15)

18 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The troopships / transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Durban. (15)

20 Jun 1940
The transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) departed Durban for Capetown. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN). (15)

23 Jun 1940
The transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), arrived at Capetown. HMS Cornwall then proceeded to Simonstown. (15)

24 Jun 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown where she picked up the transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930). They then set course for Freetown. (15)

5 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), arrived at Freetown. (16)

6 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The troop transports and transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) departed Freetown for the U.K. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN). (16)

11 Jul 1940
The troop transports and transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), were joined by the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN). (16)

15 Jul 1940
The troop transports and transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and their escorts, the heavy cruisers HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) were joined by a local A/S escort made up of the destroyers HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN).

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 16th minus HMAS Australia which had gone to the Clyde. (16)

18 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Cammell Laird Shipyard at Birkenhead. (17)

20 Jul 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) is docked at Birkenhead. (17)

5 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) is undocked and completed her refit at Birkenhead. (18)

6 Aug 1940

Convoy WS 2.

This convoy departed Liverpool / the Clyde on 6 August 1940 for the far east.

The Liverpool section of the convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Clan Macaulay (British, 10492 GRT, built 1936), Empress of Britain (British, 42348 GRT, built 1931), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Waiwera (British, 12435 GRT, built 1934).

They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

The Clyde section of the convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Lanarkshire (British, 9816 GRT, built 1940), Memnon (British, 7506 GRT, built 1931) and Suffolk (British, 11063 GRT, built 1939).

They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN), light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) and the destroyers HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Howlett, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN).

Both sections made rendezvous around 1200A/6 and then the convoy was formed in position 55°30'N, 06°00'W.

Around 1430A/6, the troopship Orion, was ordered to proceed to the Clyde as she had developed engine defects.

At 2118A/7, the destroyers HMS Vortigern and HMS Watchman were detached in response to an SOS signal. [This was from the torpedoed Mohamed Ali El-Kebir.]

At 2359A/7, HMS Emerald and the remaining destroyers parted company with the convoy.

Around dawn on the 8th the convoy split up in a 'fast' and a 'slow' section. The fast section was made up of the Andes, Batory, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, Monarch of Bermuda, Strathaird and Stratheden. They were escorted by HMS Cornwall. The other ships formed the 'slow' section escorted by HMS Shropshire.

The 'fast' section arrived at Freetown on 15 August 1940. The 'slow' section arrived at Freetown on 16 August 1940.

----------------------------------------------------

On 16 August 1940 the 'fast' section departed Freetown for Capetown. It was now made up of the troopships / transports Andes, Batory, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, Strathaird and Stratheden under the escort of HMS Cornwall.

The 'slow' section, now made up of the troopships / transports Clan Macaulay, Franconia, Lanarkshire, Memnon, Ormonde, Otranto, Suffolk and Waiwera under the escort of HMS Shropshire.

The fast section arrived at Capetown on 25 August 1940, the slow section on 28 August 1940.

Both cruisers proceeded to Simonstown after delivering the convoy at Capetown, HMS Cornwall arriving there on 25 August and HMS Shropshire on 28 August.

----------------------------------------------------

On 30 August 1940 the troopships / transports Andes, Clan Macaulay, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, Lanarkshire, Memnon, Otranto, Strathaird, Suffolk and Waiwera departed Capetown for Aden / Suez. They were escorted by HMS Shropshire. This convoy was now known as WS 2A.

On 2 September 1940, while off Durban, this convoy was joined by the troopships / transport Franconia and Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929) which had been escorted out of Durban by the HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN). These ships had departed Durban the day before.

The Llangibby Castle was detached from the convoy around noon on 7 September for Mombasa where she arrived on 8 September being escorted from them moment she had been detached by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN).

The convoy arrived near Aden on 12 September 1940 where it split into two sections around 2145C/12. The 'fast' section was escorted by light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN), AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN). HMS Shropshire remained with the 'slow' section but was reinforced by the destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN).

Around 2310C/13, HMS Kandahar parted company with the fast section to proceed to Port Sudan to fuel.

Around 0130C/14, HMS Coventry and HMS Kingston were detached from the fast section, they were also to proceed to Port Sudan to fuel.

Around 0600C/14, HMAS Hobart parted company with the fast section which then continued its passage to Suez unescorted.

Around 1300C/14, HMS Kimberley parted company with the slow section.

Around 1930C/14, HMS Shropshire and HMS Flamingo parted company with the slow section which then continued its passage to Suez unescorted.

----------------------------------------------------

One day later, 31 August 1940, the troopships / transports Batory, Orion (which by now had also arrived at Capetown, Ormonde and Stratheden departed Capetown for Bombay. They were escorted by HMS Cornwall. This convoy was now known as WS 2B.

The escort of convoy WS 2B was taken over by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN) in position 35°08'S, 34°27'E at 1200/3. Half an hour later HMS Cornwall parted company with the convoy.

Convoy WS 2B arrived at Bombay in the morning of September 15th. (19)

27 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) conducted exercises off Simonstown, South Africa. (18)

28 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) conducted exercises off Simonstown, South Africa. (18)

5 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) returned to Simonstown having parted company near Durban with convoy WS 2B on 3 September. (20)

8 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Simonstown for Freetown. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was being towed by HMS St. Dogmael. (20)

15 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Freetown. (20)

16 Sep 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Freetown for patrol.

[See the event 'Operation Menace, the attack on Dakar, 23-24 September 1940, Part I, initial movements of the Allied naval forces' dated 28 August 1940, for more information.] (20)

27 Sep 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) returned to Freetown from operations.

[See the events 'Operation Menace, the attack on Dakar, 23-24 September 1940'

Part I, initial movements of the Allied naval forces. (for 28 August 1940) and
Part II, the actual attack. (for 23 September 1940)
for more information.] (20)

28 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Freetown for Manoka Bay, Cameroon. (21)

1 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Manoka Bay, Cameroon. (22)

5 Oct 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Manoka Bay, Cameroon for Libreville, French Equatorial Africa. (22)

7 Oct 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Libreville, French Equatorial Africa. (22)

8 Oct 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Libreville, French Equatorial Africa for patrol. She was to proceed to Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa afterwards. (22)

11 Oct 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa.

She departed Pointe Noire for patrol later the same day. On completion of her patrol she was to proceed to Freetown. (22)

18 Oct 1940 (position 5.46, -13.43)
Around 1900A/18, the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), intercepted the Vichy French merchant vessel Indochinois (6966 GRT, built 1939), that was en route from Casablanca to Conakry, French Guinea, in position 05°46'N, 13°43'W. Course was then set to proceed to Freetown with the Vichy ship.

Around dawn the following morning the Vichy ship tried to scuttle herself but this failed.

The light cruiser HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) then departed Freetown to go to the assistance of HMS Cornwall.

All ships arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of the 19th. (23)

19 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (22)

21 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departe Freetown for the Clyde. (22)

21 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Freetown for the Clyde. (22)

31 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Greenock. (22)

1 Nov 1940

Convoy WS 4A.

This convoy departed Liverpool / the Clyde on 1 / 2 November 1940 for the far east.

The Liverpool section of the convoy departed Liverpool on 1 November and was made up of the following troopships / transports; Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Akaroa (British, 15130 GRT, built 1914), City of Manchester (British, 8917 GRT, built 1935), Duchess of Richmond (British, 22022 GRT, built 1928), Dunedin Star (British, 11168 GRT, built 1936), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920) and Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936).

From the Bristol Channel three ships joined this convoy, these were; Delius (British, 6065 GRT, built 1937), Martand (British, 7967 GRT, built 1939) and Port Wyndham (British, 11005 GRT, built 1937).

It was being escorted by the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski). This last destroyer had been escorting the three ships that came from the Bristol Channel.

The Clyde section of the convoy departed the Clyde on 2 November was made up of the following troopships / transports;

Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Clan Chattan (British, 7262 GRT, built 1937), Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1935), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).

They were escort by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN), HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, RN).

The convoy merged around 1000/2 in position 55°45'N, 07°21'W.

HMS Bulldog and ORP Garland left the convoy around 1200/3 in position 54°25'N, 14°39'W to go to the aid of the troopship Windsor Castle which had been damaged by German aircraft bombs in position 54°12'N, 13°18'W.

HMS Cairo left the convoy at 1830/3 in position 54°12'N, 16°13'W.

HMS Hesperus and HMS Hurricane left the convoy around 1900/3 to go to the aid of the torpedoed armed merchant cruiser HMS Laurentic.

HMS Beagle, HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Skeena parted company with the convoy at 0300/4 in position 52°30'N, 19°00'W.

HMCS Ottawa and HMS Harvester parted company with the convoy at 1600/4 in position 52°30'N, 22°25'W.

At 0310/5 the Duchess of Richmond parted company with the convoy in position 52°10'N, 26°05'E to proceed to her destination independently.

At 0630/9 the Akaroa parted company with the convoy in position 32°44'N, 22°58'W to proceed to Trinidad.

At 0855/11 the Almanzora, Abosso, City of Manchester, Darius, Malancha and Martland were detached ('slow' group) were detached in position 23°47'N, 22°15'W under the escort of the armed merchant cruiser HMS Pretoria Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.J. Shelly, RN) which had just joined the convoy.

The 'fast' section of the convoy arrived at Freetown on 14 November escorted by HMS Cornwall.

The 'slow' section of the convoy arrived at Freetown on 15 November escorted by HMS Pretoria Castle.

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The convoy, now made up of troopships / transports Almanzora, City of Manchester, Clan Chattan, Clan Lamont, Delius, Dunedin Star, Highland Monarch, Malancha, Martand, Port Wyndham, Scythia, Stirling Castle and Warwick Castle, departed Freetown for South Africa around 1630 hours on 17 November 1940.

They were escorted by HMS Cornwall and HMS Pretoria Castle.

At 0805 hours on 26 November the Scythia and Warwick Castle parted company with the convoy in position 22°55'S, 09°03'E to proceed to Capetown. They were escorted by HMS Pretoria Castle.

These ships arrived off Capetown on 29 October. The troopships both entered the harbour but Scythia only briefly to take on board water.

HMS Pretoria Castle rejoined to convoy around 1200 hours on 29 November. Scythia rejoined about 45 minutes later.

At 1500 hours on 2 December, while in position 32°15'S, 29°35'E, the Almanzora, City of Manchester, Delius, Malancha and Martand were left astern to enable to other ships to arrive at Durban early the next day. HMS Pretoria Castle remained with these five ships while HMS Cornwall went ahead with the others.

Pretoria Castle arrived with the five ships that had split off at Durban some hours after the others. The convoy then entered harbour while HMS Pretoria Castle set course for Capetown.

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The convoy, now made up of troopships / transports City of Manchester, Clan Chattan, Clan Lamont, Delius, Dunedin Star, Highland Monarch, Malancha, Martand, Port Wyndham and Stirling Castle, departed Durban for Aden around 1030 hours on 5 December 1940.

There was one more ships in the convoy, this was the troopship Dunera (11162 GRT, built 1937) who had taken over the troops of the Scythia and took her place in the convoy.

Escort was once again HMS Cornwall but she was now with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN).

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In the morning of 18 December 1940 the convoy arrived near Aden and was transferred to the Red Sea escort. HMS Cornwall and HMS Kanimbla parted company with the convoy at 0925/18 in position 11°53'N, 45°08'E. The then proceeded to Aden where they arrived around 1300/18.

The Red Sea escort joined the convoy as follows; sloops HMIS Indus (Cdr. E.G.G. Hunt, RIN) and HMAS Yarra (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) joined the convoy at 0730/18 in position 11°53'N, 45°34'E.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) and AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) joined at 0945/18 in position 11°55'N, 45°03'E.

And the last ship to join, the destroyer HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) joined at 1023/18 in position 11°57'N, 44°56'E.

Two more troopships / transports joined the convoy at 1130/18 in position 12°02'N, 44°45'E. These were the City of Agra (British, 6361 GRT, built 1936) and Melbourne Star (British, 11076 GRT, built 1936).

HMS Carlisle parted company with the convoy at 1650/20 in position 20°33'N, 38°45'E.

HMIS Indus and HMAS Yarra parted company with the convoy at 1730/20 in position 20°42'N, 38°41'E.

At 1200/21, the Dunedin Star, Melbourne Star and Stirling Castle, escorted by HMS Kingston proceeded ahead. They arrived at Suez at 1500/22.

The remaineder of the convoy arrived at Suez at 0700/23 escorted by HMAS Perth. (24)

18 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN) arrived at Aden from escort duties. (24)

19 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Aden for Durban. (25)

26 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Durban. She departed for Simonstown later the same day. (25)

28 Dec 1940
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Simonstown where she is taken in hand for a refit at the Simonstown Dockyard. (25)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) is docked at Simonstown. (26)

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