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Career information

John William Josselyn married Doris M. Butterworth on 27 June 1925 and they had 4 children; John Rodney (1926), Audrey M. (1928), Mylne and Carol (1932).

Light cruiser HMS Caradoc (D 60)

14 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed New York for Norfolk and a few days of working up in Chespeake Bay.

[As no log is available for March 1942 no further details can be given.] (1)

15 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Norfolk / Chespeake Bay. (1)

21 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Norfolk / Chespeake Bay for Halifax, Nova Scotia. (1)

23 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia. (1)

25 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Halifax, Nova Scotia for Plymouth. (1)

1 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth where she went to the Devonport Dockyard to complete her refit. (2)

1 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), departed Plymouth for the Clyde. (3)

2 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock. (3)

3 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Lamlash. (3)

4 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Lamlash, Isle of Arran. (3)

7 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Lamlash, Isle of Arran. (3)

8 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Lamlash, Isle of Arran to Greenock. (3)

10 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (3)

11 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a work-up period with the Home Fleet. (3)

22 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (3)

25 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (3)

27 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (3)

28 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock. (3)

30 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar. HMS Caradoc is to proceed to the Far East to join the Eastern Fleet. (4)

3 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (4)

5 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (4)

6 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) developed an engine defect and is forced to return to Gibraltar. (4)

7 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived back at Gibraltar for repairs. (4)

1 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her engine repairs completed, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (5)

7 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (5)

9 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for Pointe Noire. (5)

13 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire. (5)

14 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Pointe Noire for Simonstown. (5)

19 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (5)

3 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (6)

4 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and take over the escort of the cable laying ship John W. MacKay (British, 4049 GRT, built 1922).

Rendezvous was effected around 1000B/5.

HMS Caradoc and the John W. MacKay arrived at Capetown on August 7th. (6)

8 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown. (6)

11 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown where she joined the cable laying ship John W. MacKay (British, 4049 GRT, built 1922) to escort her to Durban where they arrived on August 15th. (6)

16 Aug 1942

Convoy CM 31.

This convoy departed Durban on 16 August 1942 and arrived at Aden on 31 August 1942.

The convoy was made up of the following transports / troopships; Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926) and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN).

At 2200C/23, HMS Caradoc parted company with the convoy to proceed to Diego Suarez.

Around 0815C/25, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) joined in position 06.40'S, 49.02'E and shortly afterwards the convoy split up into the ' Aden section ' made up of the Ascanius, Kosciuszko and Salween and was escorted by HMS Chital and the ' Bombay section ' made up of the Indrapoera and Nova Scotia and was escorted by HMS Worcestershire.

The ' Aden section ' arrived at Aden on 31 August and the ' Bombay section ' arrived at Bombay on 1 September. (7)

24 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (6)

22 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Kilindini. (8)

24 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (8)

28 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Kilindini. (8)

30 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy CM 32B

This convoy departed Kilindini on 30 September 1942 for Bombay where it arrived on 9 October 1942.

The convoy was actually only made up of one transport the Khandalla (British, 7018 GRT, built 1923).

Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN). Local escort was provided until 1900C/30 by the corvette HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR).

The 'convoy' arrived at Bombay on 9 October 1942. (8)

10 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Duncan Drydock at the Bombay Dockyard. (9)

12 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (9)

13 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Bahrein. (9)

16 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahrein where she joined the Persian Gulf Division. (9)

18 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bahrein for Shatt Al-Arab. (10)

19 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Shatt Al-Arab. (9)

20 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Shatt Al-Arab for Bandar Abbas. (9)

21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Shatt Al-Arab for Bandar Abbas. (9)

24 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. (9)

26 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Sharjah. (9)

28 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Sharjah to Henjam Island. (9)

29 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Khasab Bay. (9)

31 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Khor Kuwai. (9)

2 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Bandar Abbas. (11)

4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas to patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (11)

5 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Khassab Bay from patrol. She departed for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz later the same day. (11)

6 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) returned to Khassab Bay from patrol. She departed for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz later the same day. (11)

7 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khassab Bay to Henjam Island. (11)

8 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Khor Kuwai. She departed Khor Kuwai to patrol in the Strait of Hormuz later the same day. (11)

9 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bandar Abbas from patrol. (11)

10 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for patrol. (11)

11 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Henjam Island from patrol. (11)

12 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Sharjah. (11)

13 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Sharjah to Khor Kuwai. She proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Bandar Abbas later the same day. (11)

28 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. (11)

29 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Bahrein. (11)

30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahrein. (12)

3 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bahrein for Bandar Lengeh. (13)

4 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bandar Lengeh. (14)

6 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Lengeh to Khor Kuwai. (14)

7 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (14)

8 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bandar Abbas from patrol. (14)

9 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for patrol. (14)

10 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Sharjah from patrol. She proceeded from Sharjah to Henjam Island later the same day. (14)

11 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Khor Kuwai. (14)

12 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed from Khor Kuwai to Khasab Bay. (14)

17 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted 3" gunnery exercises off Umm al Fayarin Island. She returned to Khasab Bay later in the day. (14)

21 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Bandar Abbas. (14)

23 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. She went on to Khasab Bay later the same bay. (14)

27 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Khow Kuwai. She went on to Bandar Abbas later the same day. (14)

29 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khow Kuwai. She went on to Henjam Island later the same day. (14)

1 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Henjan Island for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (15)

2 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai. She proceeded to Khassab Bay later the same day. (15)

3 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khassab Bay to Bandar Abbas. (15)

4 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. She proceeded to Khassab Bay later the same day. (15)

7 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed from Khassab Bay to Khor Kuwai and returned to Khassab Bay later the same day. (15)

8 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khassab Bay to Bandar Abbas. (15)

10 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for Bahrein. (15)

11 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahrein. (15)

12 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bahrein for Bombay. (15)

16 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bombay. (15)

22 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Hughes Drydock at Bombay. (15)

29 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (15)

17 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Bombay. (15)

21 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Bombay. (15)

22 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 22/23 February 1943, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Bombay. (15)

24 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy BA 38.

This convoy departed Bombay on 24 February 1943 and arrived at Aden on 3 March 1943.

This convoy was made up of the transports; Jehangir (British, 3566 GRT, built 1924) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN).

3 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (16)

4 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini. (16)

9 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (16)

10 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for Diego Suarez. (16)

12 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez and departed for Tamatave later the same day. (16)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Tamatave. (16)

14 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Tamatave for Diego Suarez. (16)

15 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. She departed for Kilindini later the same day, escorting the transport Kutsang (British, 5847 GRT, built 1922). (16)

18 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Kutsang (British, 5847 GRT, built 1922) arrived at Kilindini. (16)

22 Mar 1943

Convoy CM 40.

This convoy departed Durban on 22 March 1943.

On departure from Durban the convoy was made up of the following transports; Cap Tourane (British, 8009 GRT, built 1923), City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).

The auxiliary fleet repair ship HMS Wayland (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.S. Carson, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN), HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN), destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN).

Around 1200C/26, HMAS Napier left the convoy. She returned to Durban around 1000B/28.

Around 1630C/26, HMS Chitral, HMS Quality and HMS Catterick parted company with the convoy. They returned to Durban around 1400B/28.

Around 1200C/30, The ' Aden section ' (CM 40A) of the convoy parted company. HMS Canton continued on with the ' Bombay section ' (CM 40B) which was made up of the City of Canterbury, City of London, Dilwara and Empire Trooper. They arrived at Bombay on 8 April 1943.

Meanwhile the ' Aden section ', which was made up of the Cap Tourane, Devonshire, Empire Woodlark, Khedive Ismael and Pulaski, was joined around 0840/1 by their escort, the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) which had departed Kilindini around 0615C/1. They arrived at Aden on 8 April 1943.

30 Mar 1943
During 30/31 March 1943, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. These included night exercises.

On completion of the exercises HMS Resolution, HMAS Nizam and HMAS Quickmatch proceeded to Manza Bay. (17)

1 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for escort duty with convoy CM 40(A).

[For more info this convoy see the event ' Convoy CM 40 ' for 22 March 1943.] (18)

8 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from escort duty with convoy CM 40A. (18)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Kilindi. (18)

13 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini from Aden. (18)

21 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises followed shortly afterwards by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

Excercises were carried out during the afternoon and the evening. Shortly after midnight HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez.

HMS Mauritius arrived at Manza Bay on the 22nd, while HMS Caradoc retuned to Kilindini / Mombasa. (19)

7 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini escorting the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) to Diego Suarez. (20)

10 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) arrived at Diego Suarez.

The both departed for Tulear later the same day. (20)

14 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) arrived at Tulear.

HMS Caradoc departed for Diego Suarez later the same day. (20)

17 May 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. She departed for Kilindini later the same day. (20)

19 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (20)

25 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 25 to 28 May exercises were carried out by ships from the Eastern Fleet off Kilindini. The following ships participated in these exercises; battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

HMS Chitral returned to Kilindini early, on May 27th. (21)

4 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (22)

7 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived in the Seychelles to conduct landing exercises near Port Victoria. (22)

10 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Diego Suarez, Madagascar. (22)

12 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. She departed for Durban later the same day. (22)

17 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban where she is taken in hand to be outfitted to serve as gunnery training ship. (22)

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (D 86)

29 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (23)

15 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (24)

20 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted post refit trials off Simonstown. (24)

21 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises off Simonstown. (24)

22 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630B/22, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for Durban. (24)

24 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200B/24, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (24)

14 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (25)

15 Sep 1943
Around 1700C/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Colombo. On board was the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN and part of his staff. The Headquarters of the Admiral was being transferred from Kenya to Ceylon. (26)

21 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000FG/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), with Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN and part of his staff on board, arrived at Colombo from Kilindini / Mombasa. (26)

1 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Colombo. Also a range and inclination (RIX) exercises was carried out during which HMS Scout (Lt. R.G. Woodward, RN) acted as target. (27)

5 Oct 1943
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Colombo to make rendezvous with the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) coming from Fremantle and then relieve the troopships current escort. Rendezvous was made around 1000G/11.

Around 1300FG/15, HMS Hawkins was relieved by HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN). She then proceed to Addu Atoll. (27)

15 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1955FG/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from escort duty. (27)

16 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1815FG/16, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Kilindini / Mombasa. (27)

21 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300C/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Addu Atoll. (27)

3 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Diego Suarez.

Around 1700C/3, she departed Diego Suarez for Simonstown. (28)

9 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700C/9, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Diego Suarez. At Simonstown she was to be taken in hand for refit and a docking. (28)

18 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (28)

30 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (28)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (29)

5 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (30)

9 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Simonstown. (30)

10 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the late afternoon and evening, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Simonstown. (30)

11 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230C/11, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for Durban. (30)

13 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930C/13, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (30)

19 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800C/19, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. (30)

24 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000C/19, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (30)

31 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 31 January / 1 February 1944, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and, at least, HMS Lulworth (Lt.Cdr. R.C.S. Woolley, RNR) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (31)

3 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (32)

14 Feb 1944
Around 0015FG/14, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from convoy escort duty. (32)

15 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200FG/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Colombo. (32)

17 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145FG/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Addu Atoll. (32)

24 Feb 1944
Around 1315FG/24, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (32)

25 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945FG/25, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (32)

29 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500FG/29, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (32)

1 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330FG/1, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (33)

3 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800FG/3, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. HMS Hawkins is to return to the U.K. (34)

8 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400C/8, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Colombo. (33)

10 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900C/10, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Suez. (33)

13 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1255B/13, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Tewfik from Aden. (33)

14 Mar 1944
Around 0545B/14, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Port Tewfik for Alexandria where she arrived around 1400B/15. (33)

17 Mar 1944
Around 1800B/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Gibraltar. (33)

19 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0002B/19, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer RHS Kanaris collided in position 33°28'N, 19°34'E. HMS Hawkins sustained some minor damage. RHS Kanaris suffered damage to her bow above the waterline. She was only able to make 12 knots in moderate weather conditions because otherwise she would ship water. (35)

21 Mar 1944
Around 2230A/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Alexandria. (33)

24 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1815A/24, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Greenock. (33)

29 Mar 1944
Around 0915A/29, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock from Gibraltar. While in the Clyde she was taken in hand for repairs and some modifications to her AA armament. (33)

23 Apr 1944
Around 1300B/23, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Plymouth. On departure she first carried out D/G exercises followed by torpedo firing exercises. (36)

24 Apr 1944
Around 1800B/24, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Greenock. (36)

26 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300B/26, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN) departed Plymouth for bombardment exercises between Start Point and Dartmouth. They were escorted by HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN).

HMS Hawkins and the destroyers returned to Plymouth around 1730B/27. HMS Enterprise proceeded to Greenock where she arrived around 1530B/28. (37)

28 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145B/28, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow.

Around 1530B/28, she developed engine trouble and the ship came to a stop at 1540B/28.

Repairs were made and HMS Hawkins got underway around 1640B/28 and course was set to return to Plymouth where she arrived around 0100B/29. (38)

4 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked at the Devonport Dockyard. (39)

6 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (39)

9 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500B/9, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (39)

11 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830B/11, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. (39)

12 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 12/13 May 1944, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. G. Bernard, CBE, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (40)

13 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted bombardment exercises at Scapa Flow. (40)

15 May 1944
HMS Nelson (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises HMS Nelson was escorted by HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN). (41)

17 May 1944
Around 0715B/17, HMS Nelson (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock where they arrived around 0830B/18. (41)

20 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted bombardment and AA gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (40)

21 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted bombardment and AA gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (40)

25 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900B/25, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Belfast Lough where she arrived around 2330B/25. (40)

31 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 31 May / 1 June 1944, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Newcastle, Northern Ireland. (42)

6 Jun 1944
At 0538B/6, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) commenced bombarding German positions on the French coast in the ' Utah Beach sector '. The initial bombardments by HMS Hawkins ceased at 0945B/6.

From 1600B6/ to 1630B/6 another bombardment was carried out.

HMS Hawkins was part of ' Bombardment Force A ' which was part of the Western Task Force. (43)

7 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Late in the morning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) carried out a bombardment of German positions.

Three further bombardments were carried out late in the afternoon / early in the evening. (43)

8 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Late in the afternoon, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) carried out a bombardment on a German gun position.

In the evening two further bombardments were carried out on enemy troop concentrations. (43)

10 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Late in the morning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) opened fire on an enemy small craft close inshore.

During the afternoon four bombardments of enemy gun positions / troop concentrations were carried out.

Around 1845B/10, HMS Hawkins departed the operations area for Portsmouth. She arrived there around 2330B/10. (43)

15 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1410B/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Juno Beach where she anchored around 1935B/15. She then assumed her new role as depot ship.

At 2000B/15, the Commodore Depot Ships Eastern Task Force, Commodore H.T. England, DSO, RNR, hoisted his broad pendant in her. (43)

23 Jul 1944
Around 1130B/23, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore H.T. England, DSO, RNR) departed the operations area of Normandy for Portsmouth (Spithead) where she anchored around 1930B/23. (44)

28 Jul 1944
HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore H.T. England, DSO, RNR) proceeded from Spithead to Portsmouth. (44)

29 Jul 1944
Around 2000B/29, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Rosyth where she arrived around 0830B/31.

Shortly before departure Commodore H.T. England, DSO, RNR, struck his broad pendant and had left the ship. (44)

24 Aug 1944
Around 1420B/24, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for Greenock she arrived around 0945B/26. It had originally been intended that HMS Hawkins would join the training squadron at Rosyth but this appointment was cancelled and she was sent to the Clyde where she served as depot ship.

Around 0545B/25, the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Cassandra (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) joined. They had departed Scapa Flow around 0400B/25 to escort the cruiser to the Minches and then join the escort carriers HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN), HMS Nabob (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RCN) near the Faeroer Islands. The destroyers parted company with HMS Hawkins around 0850A/25 after a new escort [names not known to us for the moment] for HMS Hawkins had joined.

On 10 September 1945, she arrived at Falmouth and on 14 September 1945 she was paid off into reserve (Cat. C). (45)

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