Wilfred Hastings Harrington DSO, RAN
| Born | 17 May 1906 | Maryborough, Queensland, Australia | |
| Died | 17 Dec 1965 | (59) | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Wilfred Hastings Harrington, RAN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMAS Yarra (L 77 / U 77) | Lt.Cdr. | Sloop | 30 Aug 1939 | 14 Nov 1939 |
| HMAS Yarra (L 77 / U 77) | Lt.Cdr. | Sloop | 7 Dec 1939 | 11 Feb 1942 |
| HMAS Quiberon (G 81) | Cdr. | Destroyer | 14 Jul 1944 | 16 Feb 1945 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Destroyer HMAS Quiberon (G 81)
14 Jul 1944
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip.
On completion of these exercises she set course for Fremantle. (1)
17 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930H/17, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Williamstown. (1)
18 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the period of 18 to 23 July 1944, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted working-up exercises off Fremantle. (1)
23 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400H/23, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Fremantle for Geraldton. (1)
24 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830H/24, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Geraldton from Fremantle.
After fuelling she departed for Trincomalee around 1400H/24. (1)
1 Aug 1944
Around 0700FG/1, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee from Fremantle. (1)
10 Aug 1944
The aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN). (2)
11 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN). (2)
14 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN). (2)
20 Aug 1944
HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee to make rendezvous with the US troopship USS General H.W. Butner (17806 GRT, built 1944) and the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) coming from Fremantle.
Around 1600FG(-6.5)/22, rendezvous was made in approximate position 04°15'S, 84°01'E. The destroyers then took over the escort duties and HMS Cumberland parted company.
The troopship and the destroyers arrived at Bombay on 26 August 1944. (3)
31 Aug 1944
The US troopship USS General H.W. Butner (17806 GRT, built 1944) departed Bombay for Melbourne.
She was escorted until 3 September 1944 to position 04°41'S, 69°38'E by the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN). (4)
4 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Addu Atoll from escort duty. After fuelling they departed for Trincomalee later the same day. (4)
6 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0835FG/6, HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee from Addu Atoll. (5)
15 Sep 1944
Around 0715FG/15, HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee, presumably for exercises.
HMS Quilliam and HMS Quadrant returned around 1635FG/15.
HMAS Quiberon only returned the following day, around 1125FG/16. (5)
16 Sep 1944
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) commenced boiler cleaning at Trincomalee. (6)
23 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) completed boiler cleaning at Trincomalee. (6)
25 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700FG/25, the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN). (7)
26 Sep 1944
Around 0720FG/26, HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (7)
27 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530FG/27, HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. (7)
29 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800FG/29, HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (7)
2 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Bombay. (8)
6 Oct 1944
Around 1230FG/6, the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (9)
8 Oct 1944
Around 1515FG/8, the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) arrived off Colombo from Bombay.
HMS Victorious then entered the harbour which the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) had just left to proceed to Trincomalee. This carrier was then joined by the destroyers. (10)
9 Oct 1944
Around 1915FG/9, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) and the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (11)
26 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (8)
27 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (8)
9 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (12)
10 Nov 1944
During 10/11 November 1944, the light cruisers HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN) and HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises with destroyers. Destroyers out exercising appeared to have been the following; HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN, with the Commodore Eastern Fleet Destroyers, Commodore A.L. Poland, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN on board), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN) and HMAS Norman (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN).
12 Nov 1944
Around 1200FG/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for Bombay. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (A/Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Norman (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN). (13)
15 Nov 1944
Around 1000FG/15, HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMAS Napier (A/Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Norman (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Bombay from Trincomalee.
HMAS Quiberon was docked later the same day in the Duncan Graving Dock. (14)
17 Nov 1944
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) is undocked from the Duncan Graving Dock at Bombay following which HMAS Norman (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) was docked. (15)
23 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) conducted bombardment exercises off Bombay.
She departed for Trincomalee later the same day. (16)
26 Nov 1944
Around 1525FG/26, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee from Bombay. She then commenced boiler cleaning. (16)
29 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) completed boiler cleaning at Trincomalee. (16)
30 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945FG/30, HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (16)
1 Dec 1944
Around dawn, HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (16)
14 Dec 1944
Around 1830H/14, the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Albany to make rendezvous with the escort carriers HMS Atheling (A/Cdr. H.L. Oliver, RN), HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) and HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) coming from Ceylon.
En-route to the rendezvous very heavy weather was encountered resulting in weather damage. (17)
18 Dec 1944
Around 1040I/18, the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN), coming from Albany, made rendezvous with the escort carriers HMS Atheling (A/Cdr. H.L. Oliver, RN), HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) and HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) coming from Ceylon. Course was then set to the eastwards.
The destroyers had been delayed due to the heavy weather conditions they had encountered on passage to the rendezvous. (18)
21 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0500K/21, HMS Atheling (A/Cdr. H.L. Oliver, RN) and HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) parted company with HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN), HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN), HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN).
HMS Atheling and HMS Battler continued on to Sydney where they arrived around 1215K/25.
HMS Fencer, HMS Striker, HMS Quilliam, HMS Quality, HMS Quadrant and HMAS Quiberon meanwhile set course for Port Phillip. Around 2035K/22, the destroyers parted company and arrived at Williamstown very early on 23 December. The escort carriers arriving at Melbourne later the same morning. (19)
25 Dec 1944
HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Port Phillip for Sydney. En-route they were to conduct and A/S hunt to search for the attacked whixh had sunk the American transport Robert J. Walker (7180 GRT, built 1943) off the east coast of New South Wales on 24 December 1944. (17)
27 Dec 1944
Around 0900K/27, HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN) arrived at Sydney.
HMAS Quickmatch had joined the other four destroyers around 0700K/27. (17)
29 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) departed Sydney for an A/S sweep. She returned to following day. (20)
2 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900K/2, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN) departed Sydney for Wellington. (21)
5 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1045M/5, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN) arrived at Wellington from Sydney. (21)
6 Jan 1945
Convoy US 25.
This convoy departed Wellington around 0400M on 6 January 1945.
The convoy was made up of the troop transport Empress of Scotland (Former Empress of Japan, 26032 GRT, built 1930).
The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN).
The convoy arrived at Hobart around 0900K/9. (21)
15 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400H/15, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN) arrived at Albany from convoy escort duty. (21)
20 Jan 1945
Around 1500H/20, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN) departed Albany to make rendezvous with the transport / troopship Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) coming from Colombo.
Rendezvous was affected around 1200I/21. HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN) also joined coming from Fremantle. HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN0, HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Hanson, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN) then parted company. (21)
28 Jan 1945
Around 2300K/28, HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN) and the troop transport Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) arrived at Sydney. On board the Rimutaka were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, their children and their staff. The Duke of Gloucester was the new Governor-General of Australia. (22)
Sources
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for July 1944
- ADM 53/120695 + ADM 53/120770
- ADM 53/119175 + ADM 199/1388
- ADM 199/1388
- ADM 53/120771
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for September 1944
- ADM 53/120696 + ADM 199/1388
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for October 1944
- ADM 53/120697 + ADM 187/41
- ADM 53/119615 + ADM 53/120697 + ADM 187/41
- ADM 53/119615
- ADM 53/120773
- ADM 53/120698
- ADM 53/120698 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Norman for November 1944 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for November 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Norman for November 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for November 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for December 1944
- ADM 53/119430 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for December 1944
- ADM 53/118957 + ADM 53/119430 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for December 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for December 1944 + War diary Naval Officer in Charge, Sydney for December 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for January 1945 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quickmatch for January 1945
- ADM 53/ + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for January 1945 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quickmatch for January 1945
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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