• Home
• The U-boats
• The Men
• The Allies
• Maps
• Forums
• Articles
• Gallery
• Books
• Movies
• WWI

Allies in WWII

• Ships hit by U-boats
• Allied Warships
• Allied Commanders
  • Listing of officers
  • Decorations
  • Personal info
• Ships & Navies
• Aircraft & Air Forces
• Weapons & Techn.

Career information

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

Submarine HMS Snapper (N 39)

1 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (1)

5 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (1)

7 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN). Later on the day she made a practice attack on HMS Devonshire (Capt. J.M. Mansfield, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.H.D. Cunningham, CB, MVO, RN) who was conducting 4" gunnery exercises off Alexandria. (2)

9 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Coral and HMS Moonstone (Lt. W.J.H. Moorman, RN) and later with HMS Jade and HMS Beryl. (1)

11 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) was briefly docked in the Gabbari drydock at Alexandria. She was undocked later the same day. (1)

12 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included A/S exercises with HMS Coral and HMS Beryl. (1)

13 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Jade and HMS Beryl. (1)

15 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Moonstone (Lt. W.J.H. Moorman, RN). (1)

16 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Jade. (1)

19 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an practice attack on HMS Coventry (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, OBE, DSC, RN). (1)

22 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Jade and HMS Beryl. (1)

23 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Moonstone (Lt. W.J.H. Moorman, RN), HMS Amber (Boatswain H.W. Clark, RN) and later with HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN). (1)

25 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Jade and HMS Beryl. (1)

26 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included A/S exercises with HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) followed by a practice attack on HMS Coventry (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, OBE, DSC, RN). (1)

27 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included an A/S exercise with HMS Jade, HMS Amber (Boatswain H.W. Clark, RN) and later with HMS Grimsby (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) and HMS Deptford (Cdr. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN). (1)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta. She made the passage together with HMS Deptford (Cdr. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and HMS Salmon (Lt.Cdr. E.O. Bickford, RN).

For the daily positions of HMS Snapper during the passage from Alexandria to Malta see the map below.

(1)

2 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) arrived at Malta. (3)

11 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. Sealion was to proceed to the U.K.

For the daily positions of HMS Snapper during the passage Malta - Portsmouth see the map below.

(3)

15 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (3)

16 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (3)

22 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (3)

23 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) was docked at Portsmouth. (3)

30 Oct 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) was undocked. However the starboard stern gland was leaking and the floating dock was raised again for repairs. After the repairs were completed Snapper was undocked later the same day. (3)

1 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

3 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Sheerness. She was escorted by HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN). Part of the passage was made together with HMS Narwhal (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) that was en-route to Rosyth. (5)

5 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Sheerness for Rosyth. She made the passage in convoy FN 32. (4)

6 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) arrived at Rosyth. (4)

12 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Rosyth for Sheerness. She made the passage together with HMS Sealion (Lt.Cdr. B. Bryant, RN), HMS Shark (Lt. P.N. Buckley, RN) and HMS Sunfish (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Slaughter, RN). They were escorted by HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) until 0900/13 when HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Kingdon, RN) took over the escort. (4)

14 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (4)

24 Nov 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Sheerness for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the north of Texel, the Netherlands.

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

(6)

3 Dec 1939 (position 53.23, 4.14)
At 1019 hours, HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN), was mistakenly attacked by a British aircraft (Anson R/206) in the North Sea in position 53°23'N, 04°14'E.

The British were under the impression that Snapper was attacked by a German aircraft and that the Anson had attacked a U-boat. However no U-boat reported being attacked by an aircraft that day. (6)

6 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Harwich. (6)

13 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Harwich for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea. (6)

14 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) was recalled. (6)

15 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Harwich. (6)

19 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Harwich for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the north of Texel, the Netherlands.

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

(6)

20 Dec 1939
At 0615 hours, HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN), hit bottom in 85 feet of water causing damage to her log and Asdic dome. (7)

22 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) reported being hunted by an enemy destroyer. (5)

31 Dec 1939
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Harwich. (6)

17 Jan 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Harwich for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the north of Texel, the Netherlands.

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

(6)

31 Jan 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Harwich. (6)

4 Feb 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) shifted from Harwich to the Chatham Dockyard for the replacement of her battery and docking. (8)

24 Feb 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) shifted from the Chatham Dockyard to Harwich. (8)

26 Feb 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Harwich for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol north of Terschelling, the Netherlands.

No log is available for this period therefore no map can be displayed. (6)

7 Mar 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Harwich. (6)

14 Mar 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Harwich for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the west of Texel, the Netherlands.

No log is available for this period therefore no map can be displayed. (6)

23 Mar 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Harwich. (6)

4 Apr 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) departed Harwich for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the west of Denmark.

No log is available for this period therefore no map can be displayed. (6)

12 Apr 1940 (position 58.53, 10.43)
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) sank the small German tanker Moonsund (322 GRT, built 1937) with gunfire off Larvik, Norway in position 58°53'N, 10°43'E.

0340 hours - As dawn was breaking a smal steamer was sighted to the north-east. She was proceeding to the east. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired but thes missed astern. It was then seen that the steamer was smaller an nearer then first thought. Set off in pursuit.

After a chase of seven miles the target was brought to with a shot across her bows in position 58.53'N, 10.43'E. She was seen to fly the German flag. Abandon ship was shouted and was answered with 'as you wish'. No efforts however appeared to be made to get the boats out.

The Lewis gun was then fired over the masts but this produced no results. One round of high explosive was then fired into the ships forepeak and the cargo of aviation spirit burst into flames and the crew jumped over the side.

Six out of seven were then picked up. The seventh could no longer be seen. Two of these subsequently died of shock and exposure in spite of stenuous efforts to save them. The remaining four, including the Captain, kept in good heart for the rest of the patrol.

As the last men was taken below a trawler and aircraft were seen coming towards. Snapper then dived and proceeded southwards. Three trawlers remained in the area but were never in contact. (6)

14 Apr 1940 (position 57.59, 10.51)
While operating in the Skagerrak HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) attacked but missed the German auxiliary Schiff 35 / Oldenburg (2312 GRT, built 1936) with one torpedo in position 57°59'N, 10°59'E.

Later the same day Snapper torpedoed and sank the German merchant Florida (6148 GRT, built 1939) in position 57°59'N, 10°51'E. She was en-route from Germany to Oslo.

0140 hours - Sighted a darkened ship to the south-east at a range of about 3000 yards. The enemy was steering south. Altered course to chase her at full speed.

0151 hours - Fired one torpedo but it missed. Snapper then turned north. A few minutes later two destroyers were sighted steering south at 20 knots. Snapper then dived. The destroyers hunter for 3,5 hours but dropped only one depth charge. Snapper meanwhile made off to the south.

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

1400 hours - In position 57°59'N, 10°51'E a convoy of two merchant vessels escorted by two destroyers were sighted 3000 yards to the south. Started attack.

1407 hours - Fired five torpedoes, one torpedo tube misfired. Range was about 1500 yards. One hit was obtained. The escorts then counter attacked with depth charges. After dark Snapper retired to the north. (6)

15 Apr 1940 (position 57.55, 10.53)
While attacking an enemy convoy, HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN), torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary minesweepers M 1701 / H.M. Behrens (525 GRT, built 1938) and M 1702 / Carsten Janssen (472 GRT, built 1938) north-east of Skagen, Denmark in position 57°55'N, 10°53'E.

The two ships that were sunk were part of the escort of a convoy. The convoy was, besides the two escorts mentioned above, made up of transports Hohenhörn (2997 GRT, built 1924), Neufundland (394 GRT, built 1922), escorted by M 12, M 14, M1704, M 1705, Claus von Bevern.

0345 hours - In position 57°55'N, 10°53'E sighted a darkened ship. This was soon seen to be a merchant ship. More vessels appeared out of the mist and it was evidently a northbound convoy. Started attack.

0400 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. Two hits were heard while Snapper was diving. Two more explosions were heard 3.5 minutes after firing. This may have been hits on the port wing of the convoy. Snapper was then hunted and depth charges for about one hour. (6)

19 Apr 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Harwich. (6)

29 Apr 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) departed Harwich for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol east of Denmark.

On the 6th of May she was ordered to patrol off the Dutch coast.

No log is available for this period therefore no map can be displayed. (6)

6 May 1940 (position 56.30, 6.24)
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, RN) attackes the German armed merchant cruiser Schiff 21 / Widder (7851 GRT, built 1930) with two torpedoes east of Denmark in position 56°30'N, 06°24'E. Both torpedoes missed the target.

1455 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 3000 tons steering north in position 56°30'N, 06°24'E. Started attack. The ship was escorted by an aircraft that was patrolling overhead. A torpedo boat was seen to the northward and joined the merchant vessel.

1525 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. Both missed. The torpedo boat followed up on the torpedo tracks but dropped no depth charges. It is thought the aircraft may have seen Snapper in the glassy calm sea. (6)

12 May 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Harwich. (6)

22 May 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) departed Harwich for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the north of Texel, the Netherlands.

No log is available for this period therefore no map can be displayed. (6)

31 May 1940 (position 53.27, 4.50)
At 0300 hours, HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN), sighted an unidentified submarine in position 53°27'N, 04°50'E. Snapper was not able to attack.

The German submarine U-62 also sighted an unidentified submarine in Grid AN 82 about 20 minutes later. She too was unable to attack. (6)

3 Jun 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

22 Jun 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off south-west Norway.

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

(6)

25 Jun 1940 (position 58.54, 5.05)
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the German armed trawler V 1107 / Portland (286 GRT) south of Stavanger, Norway in position 58°54'N, 05°05'E. The German merchant Robert Sauber (2515 GRT, built 1910) was hit by a dud torpedo and was lightly damaged.

The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Robert Sauber as well as the German merchant Makki Faulbaum (1890 GRT, built 1912) as well as the Norwegian merchants (in German service) Bygdøy (1252 GRT, built 1921) and P.G. Halvorsen (1101, built 1912). They were escorted by the above mentioned V 1107 as well as V 1103.

(All times are zone -1)
1438 hours - Sighted an enemy convoy in position 58°54'N, 05°05'E. Started attacked.

1535 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards at a 5000 tons merchant vessel. Two probable hits were obtained.

1604 hours - Fired two more torpedoes at a merchant stopped beam on at a range of 4000 yards. No hits were obtained. (6)

30 Jun 1940 (position 57.42, 6.13)
at 1854 hours, HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN), reported being attacked by a German U-boat near Lister, Norway in position 57°42'N 06°13'E. No German U-boat was however near that position at that time. (6)

3 Jul 1940 (position 58.09, 5.32)
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Norwegian merchant Cygnus (1334 GRT, built 1921, offsite link) west of Hadryet, Norway in position 58°13'N, 05°06'E. Lt. King also claims to have damaged a second ship but this was not the case.

Cygnus was hit in the bow. She was escorted by the German auxiliary subchasers UJ 123, UJ 124 and UJ 127 as well was the auxiliary patrol vessels V 1101, V 1102, V 1103 and V 1104.

Four boats of the 18th MS Flotilla were also patrolling in the area and started a counter attack. These were M-1803, M-1805, M-1806 and M-1807.

(All times are zone -1)
1714 hours - In position 58°09'N, 05°32'E sighted a large convoy of merchant ships escorted by trawlers. Started attack.

1748 hours - Fired a full salvo of six torpedoes. Three possible hits were claimed. One of the trawlers dropped seven depth charges causing some minor damage to Snapper which meanwhile retired to the westward. (6)

5 Jul 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

20 Jul 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Stavanger, Norway.

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

(6)

4 Aug 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

7 Aug 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) was docked at Rosyth. (9)

14 Aug 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) was undocked. (9)

20 Aug 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Rosyth. (9)

27 Aug 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for her 12th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak.

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

(6)

14 Sep 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 12th war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

28 Sep 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for her 13th war patrol. She was ordered to perform an anti-U-Boat patrol to the north of the Shetland Islands.

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

(6)

14 Oct 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

18 Oct 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Rosyth. (10)

22 Oct 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for Newcastle. (5)

23 Oct 1940
HMS Snapper (Lt. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at the Swan Hunter shipyard at Wallsend on Tyne. She commenced a refit the following day. (5)

Submarine HMS Trusty (N 45)

28 Jul 1941
Around 1430B/28, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 34 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (11)

29 Jul 1941
In the late afternoon, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training.

[As no logs are available for this period details regarding the training period are incomplete.] (11)

30 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (12)

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

3 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

6 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

7 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

8 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for trials / exercises in the Clyde area. She returned to Holy Loch on the 9th. (13)

11 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for trials / exercises in the Clyde area. She returned to Holy Loch on the 12th. (13)

13 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch. She only returned on the 18th. Presumably during this period she conducted her torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo range at Arrochar. (13)

19 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

20 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

27 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for exercises in the Clyde area. She returned to Holy Loch on the 28th. (13)

29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for exercises in the Clyde area. She returned to Holy Loch on the 30th. (13)

6 Sep 1941
Around 1400A/6, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar escorted by armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) to Bishop Rock. She is to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

[No log is available for this period and the passage report don't mentions positions so no map can be displayed.] (14)

13 Sep 1941
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Holy Loch. (14)

20 Sep 1941
Around 2000A/20, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea North of Sicily. She is to provide cover for convoy operation 'Halberd'.

HMS Trusty is to proceed to Malta upon completion of this patrol.

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

(15)

27 Sep 1941
Around 2000A/27, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) left her initial patrol area as ordered in Capt. S 10's signal timed 1715B/27 to proceed with despatch for a patrol area off Naples to intercept the Italian battle fleet. (15)

28 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530A/28, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a small two-masted schooner in position 40°37'N, 13°47'E. She was not attacked. (15)

29 Sep 1941
Around 0825A/29, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a small sailing vessel at a range of about 4 miles, possibly a two-masted schooner in position 40°35'N, 13°46'E. No attack was made so as to not give away the submarines position.

Around 1440A/29, HMS Trusty sighted a two-masted schooner at a range of about 3 miles in position 40°33'N, 13°40'E. Again no attack was made.

Around 2000A/29, HMS Trusty left patrol for Malta as ordered in Capt. S 10's signal timed 1617B/29. (15)

30 Sep 1941
At 1148A/30, in position 38°39'N 12°19'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted the Vichy-French hospital ship Canada (9684 GRT, built 1912).

A submarine was then seen to surface on the hospital ships port bow steering 050°. The hospital ship then hove too and hoisted her signal letters before getting underway again.

The submarine was first thought to be perhaps HMS Upholder but was later thought to be Italian. In fact it was neither as it was the German U-97 which according to her KTB (log) surfaced at 1150 hours within signalling distance of the hospital ship before continuing her passage on the surface. The Germans were not aware of the fact that HMS Trusty was also in the area. (16)

2 Oct 1941
Around 1030A/2, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Malta. (15)

19 Oct 1941
Around 1745B/19, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Greece.

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

(15)

20 Oct 1941
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) and HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) are ordered (in a signal from Capt. S 1 timed 1731B/19) to form a patrol line 75 miles South-West of Cephalonia to intercept a convoy that was expected to proceed from Taranto to Benghazi. (15)

22 Oct 1941
At 2200B/22, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) was ordered to proceed to her initial patrol area. (Signal from Capt. S 1, timed 1651B/22.) (15)

25 Oct 1941 (position 38.24, 20.13)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) claims the sinking of a merchant vessel out of a convoy off the West coast of Greece in position 38°24'N, 20°13'E. No ship was however sunk in that area at that time. The convoy attacked was made up of the transports Calino (Italian, 5186 GRT, built 1940) and Calitea (Italian, 4013 GRT, built 1933) escorted by the Italian destroyer Augusto Riboty. They were proceeding from Brindisi to Patras.

0618B/25 - In position 38°24'N, 20°13'E sighted two merchant vessels escorted by one destroyer bearing 351°, range 5000 yards. The ships were in line ahead in the following order:
- destroyer (one funnel, type unknown)
- merchant vessel of about 5000 tons, single funnel amidships,
- straight bow merchant vessel, also of about 5000 tons, single funnel amidships, ice breaker bow and cruiser stern.

Started attack.

Two salvos of three torpedoes each were fired. One salvo at each of the merchant ships. The first salvo missed. Five minutes after firing the first torpedo of the second salvo an explosion was heard, followed 42 seconds later by another similar explosion. These explosions are thought to be torpedoes hitting the target.
[According to Italian sources Calino sighted a torpedo track and took avoiding action but the other torpedoes must have been quite off the mark.]

Eight minutes later a small pattern of depth charges was dropped.

After avoiding action Trusty came to periscope depth and saw the first merchant disappearing out of sight. The second merchant vessel had dropped astern. The destroyer was near hear. After a second look through the periscope a few moments later only the destroyer was seen. The merchant vessel is thought to have sunk.

Trusty then went deep to reload. Fourteen more depth charges were dropped at random. (15)

27 Oct 1941
At 1515B/27, while in position 37°57'N, 20°22'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted smoke bearing 330°.

The smoke was seen to come from two ships. They were joined by two aircraft thought to be BR 20 bombers. The convoy, which was thought to consist of a merchant vessel of about 3000 tons and another smaller merchant vessel / trawler type vessel. They were proceeding eastwards towards the coast. HMS Trusty broke off her attack at 1622B/27 as it was not possible to get within attack range.

The convoy sighted was probably the one made up of the merchant vessels Goffredo Mameli (Italian, 4103 GRT, built 1910) and Resurrectio (Italian, 981 GRT, built 1894 [She looked a bit like a trawler]). They had been escorted by the auxiliary Brindisi (1977 GRT, built 1931) but perhaps this ship had already been detached or was out of sight at the time the convoy was sighted. This convoy arrived at Patras around 1845B/27. (15)

30 Oct 1941
At 2112B/30, while in position 37°02'N, 20°22'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted smoke bearing 181° at an estimated range of 10 nautical miles.

Earlier, at 1335B/30, HMS Trusty had received a signal from Capt. S 1 times 1131B/30, which stated that a small convoy had been sighted which was expected to pass through position 37°58'N, 19°50'E at 1700B/30. Enemy course was 155°, speed 10 knots. Course was then set to try to intercept.

The smoke was sighted thought to come from a merchant vessel and an escorting destroyer. They course and speed were estimated to be 180°, speed 8 knots. Trusty was well astern of the enemy and it was decided to try to work up onto the port bow of the convoy keeping out of sight and then attack from close range against the setting moon. However during the night contact was lost and it could not be regained. HMS Trusty then set course to return to her patrol area.

The ships sighted were most likely part of the convoy made up of the transports Capo Faro (Italian, 3476 GRT, built 1906) and Capo Arma (Italian, 3172 GRT, built 1905) escorted by Italian torpedo boat Procione on passage from Brindisi (departed 1830B/29) to Benghasi (arrived 0900B/1). This convoy came under air attack between 0040-0155B/1 with about 50 bombs dropped but none hit. (15)

1 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1147B/1, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a small vessel bearing 115°, range about 7 nautical miles. Position was 105°, Cape Gheroghambo, 6 nautical miles. She was proceeding at very slow speed and it is thought this was a patrol vessel. Later she turned to the eastward and disappeared. (15)

3 Nov 1941 (position 38.32, 19.52)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) attacked two merchant vessels in a convoy off the West coast of Greece, in position 38°32'N, 19°52'E. Four torpedoes were fired but all missed. The targets have not yet been identified.

1817B/3 - In position 38°32'N, 19°52'E sighted a convoy of two merchant ships escorted by one destroyer, bearing 280°, distance 7000 yards, enemy course 155°, speed 8 knots. Started attack.

1824B/3 - Fired two salvos of two torpedoes each at both merchant ships. All torpedoes missed. Attempted to get ahead of the enemy for another attack but they were not sighted again so course was set for Malta. (15)

5 Nov 1941
Around 0940B/5, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Malta. (15)

19 Nov 1941
Around 1630B/19, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Greece.

She was escorted out by HMS Abingdon (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR) on which two practice attacks were made. (15)

19 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trusty during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.

23 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0200B/23, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is ordered to take up position 'P' [unknown what position this was]. She was ordered to be within 48 miles from position 38°11'N, 20°21'E [which is on land near Cape Gheroghambo] passing through position 36°20'N, 20°00'E en-route. (15)

24 Nov 1941 (position 37.13, 20.37)
At 0830B/24, in position 37°13'N, 20°37'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN), which had been ordered further south by now, sighted a tanker escorted by a destroyer. An attack was started. While bringing the torpedo tubes to the ready no.3 torpedo tube had a hot run forcing the tube crew to use DSEA apparatus but they all collapsed from CO poisoning before a salvo of torpedoes could be fired. The attack had to be aborted.

The targets were most probably the tanker Berbera (Italian, 2093 GRT, built 1931) escorted by the Italian torpedoboat Pegaso. (15)

25 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal timed 1917B/24, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) to return to her previous patrol area 'P' within 48 miles from position 38°11'N, 20°21'E. Course was set accordingly at 0230B/25. (15)

26 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal timed 1205B/26, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) to patrol off Argostoli on the 27th. (15)

28 Nov 1941 (position 38.01, 20.21)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) was patrolling off Argostoli (in position 38°01'N, 20°21'E) when at 1411B/28, three Navigatori-class destroyers were observed coming out of the mist at a range of 1500 yards. The submarine could not turn quickly enough to bring it to an attacking course and the opportunity was missed. This was one of the instances where the lack of gyro angle torpedoes was regretted. According to Italian sources the destroyers were most probably Antonio da Noli, Emanuelle Pessagno and Ugolino Vivaldi escorting the transport Bellona (German, 1297 GRT, built 1929) from Argostoli to Navarino. (15)

29 Nov 1941
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) was ordered (in a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 0133B/29) to form a patrol line with HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, DSO, RN), HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) and HMS Triumph (Lt. J.S. Huddart, RN) south-west of Navarino to intercept enemy convoys and the heavy ships covering them but nothing was sighted. (15)

1 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal timed 1116B/1, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) to return to her previous patrol area 'P'. (15)

3 Dec 1941 (position 37.43, 20.22)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) when about 15 nautical miles West of Zakinthos in position 37°43'N, 20°22'E fires three torpedoes from a range of 600 yards at three Grecale-class destroyers but they miss probably under. They are probably Maestrale, Vincenzo Gioberti and Alfredo Oriani proceeding from Derna to Taranto.

0813B/3 - In position 37°43'N, 20°22'E heard HE and sighted smoke bearing 140°. This was later seen to be three Grecale-class destroyers in close formation. Enemy course was 310°, speed 26 knots. Trusty was right ahead of the enemy and turned out for a stern shot. A concentrated salvo of three torpedoes were fired on a 85° track at a range of 600 yards with a firing interval of four seconds. No hit was obtained and it is considered likely that the torpedoes ran must have ran under. (15)

4 Dec 1941 (position 37.46, 20.25)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on ' what is identified as ' an Italian Grecale-class destroyer west of Zakynthos island, Greece in position 37°46'N, 20°25'E. All torpedoes fired however missed their target. The target was the Italian torpedo-boat Procione transporting fuel from Argostoli to Benghazi. She counter attacked, dropping 63 depth-charges (12 x 100 kg and 51 x 50 kg) but did not observe any result.

1150B/4 - In position 37°46'N, 20°25'E heard HE and sighted smoke bearing 345°. This soon proved to be a Grecale-class destroyer [Actually it was a Spica-class torpedo boat, but this mistake often made as the ships looked alike]. Started attack.

1217B/4 - Fired three torpedoes from 1800 yards. One torpedo, most likely the last, had a gyro failure and ran back over the submarine. No hits were obtained and a counter attack developed. 54 Depth charges were counted but none was very close and no damage was done.

HMS Trusty is often credited with the sinking of the transport Eridano (Italian, 3586 GRT, built 1912) but this ship was sunk by HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, DSO, RN) instead. (15)

9 Dec 1941
Around 1100B/9, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Alexandria. (15)

26 Dec 1941
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for Port Said. She is to proceed to Singapore to join the British forces in the Far East fighting the Japanese.

[No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed.] (17)

27 Dec 1941
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. She transits the Suez Canal and departed from for Aden later the same day. (17)

1 Jan 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. She departed from for Colombo later the same day. (17)

9 Jan 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (17)

12 Jan 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for Singapore.

On the 15th Trusty receives at signal from Rear Admiral Malaya that ordered her to sink any surface craft sighted in the Malacca Straits North of 02°00'N. Especially any proceeding from Malaya to Sumatra by night. (17)

20 Jan 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Singapore. (17)

30 Jan 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) was damaged by splinters from near misses from Japanese bombing in Keppel Harbour, Singapore. (14)

2 Feb 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Singapore for her 4th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam.

Upon completion of her patrol she was ordered to proceed to Batavia, Dutch East Indies (It appears this was later changed to Surabaya).

[No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed.] (18)

8 Feb 1942
(date uncertain)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) attacked a small Japanese tanker with gunfire but the enemy returned fire and narrowly missed ramming the submarine. Attack was broken off when a submarine gunner was wounded by splinters. The target was probably Se Go of 51 tons which reported attack off Pulo Condore on that date. Another medium-sized merchantman is claimed to have been sunk by gunfire at about this time but the submarines patrol report has not survived so we have no details regarding these attacks.

11 Feb 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) was ordered to patrol off the Anambas Islands. (18)

19 Feb 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (14)

23 Feb 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Surabaya after it was discovered she was leaking oil.

This was most likely due to damage by grounding off Alexandria in December 1941 (don't know the actual date) made worse by near misses during a bombardment by Japanese aircraft at Singapore on 30/31 January 1942.

As the dock is urgently required for Dutch ships there is no time for repairs. (14)

26 Feb 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Surabaya for Colombo. She was deemed unfit of offensive patrol but passage to Colombo for repairs was possible.

[No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed.] (14)

28 Feb 1942 (position -5.45, 106.44)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is detected by a Japanese aircraft North of Batavia, Netherlands East Indies in position 05°45'S, 106°44'E. While diving she is machine gunned. (14)

7 Mar 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. At Colombo she was docked for repairs [date of docking is not known to us]. (14)

4 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (19)

13 Apr 1942
Around 0600F/13, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Northern entrance to the Malacca Straits.

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

(14)

23 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal from the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, timed 1247Z/23, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is ordered to leave patrol that night and return to Colombo. (14)

30 Apr 1942
Around 1015F/30, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Colombo. (14)

Submarine HMS Telemachus (P 321)

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. (20)

24 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (20)

25 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (20)

28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (20)

29 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (20)

30 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (20)

1 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conducted her torpedo discharge trials. (21)

3 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (21)

5 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (21)

7 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (21)

9 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (21)

10 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (21)

13 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (21)

15 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted radar exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Carina (Lt. R.A.H. Lord, RNR). (21)

15 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted radar exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Carina (Lt. R.A.H. Lord, RNR). (21)

16 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). HMS Telemachus proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (21)

18 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials trials in Loch Goil. (21)

19 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (21)

20 Nov 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN). These included night exercises. (21)

21 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her night exercises. (21)

23 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (21)

24 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (21)

25 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. HMS Telemachus proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (21)

29 Nov 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (21)

1 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (22)

2 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Williams, RD, RNR) and HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN). (22)

3 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN). (22)

4 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Brontes (Skr. A.E. Wood, RNR) and HMS Istria (Skr. A.E. Larner, RNR). (22)

6 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) and HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Williams, RD, RNR). (22)

7 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN). (22)

8 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Celia (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR) and another trawler. (22)

9 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow together with HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMS Golden Thyme (T/Lt. J.S. Bowes, RNVR).

On completion of these exercises the cruisers conducted towing and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (22)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Hardy (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN). (22)

11 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN). (22)

13 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC and Bar, RN). (22)

14 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN) and HMS Venus (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson DSO, RN). (22)

15 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Regal (A/Skr.Lt. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (22)

16 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN). (22)

17 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (22)

18 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She made the passage south together with HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN), HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) and HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (22)

21 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (22)

23 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the Scott's shipyard in Greenock for some repairs. (22)

23 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials trials in Loch Goil. (22)

25 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed her repairs at the Scott's shipyard at Greenock, HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN), returned to Holy Loch. (22)

31 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (22)

2 Jan 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked and proceeded to Loch Striven. (23)

3 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. HMS Telemachus proceeded to Rothesay on completion. (23)

4 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (23)

5 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. HMS Telemachus proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (23)

6 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (23)

7 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (23)

11 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. (23)

13 Jan 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed from Lerwick for her 1st war patrol later the same day. This was a work-up patrol in the Norwegian Sea to the West-North-West of Trondheim, Norway.

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

(24)

26 Jan 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. Nothing of interest was sighted during this work-up patrol. (24)

27 Jan 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch / Rothesay. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (23)

29 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (23)

31 Jan 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Portsmouth where her battery was to be replaced. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (23)

2 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (25)

4 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Portsmouth. (25)

5 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (25)

30 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Plymouth. (17)

1 Apr 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for the Clyde area. She was escorted by HMS La Nantaise (Skr. S.G. Cory, RNR) until 1500/1 when HMS Rushen Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Warwick, DSC, RNR) took over the escort. (26)

3 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kames Bay. (26)

4 Apr 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kames Bay for Port HHZ. She was escorted by HMS Alecto (A/Capt. (Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN). (26)

5 Apr 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port HHZ for trials with 'special craft'. (26)

7 Apr 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Port HHZ. Later the same day she departed Port HHZ for Holy Loch. Passage south was made together with HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) and HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (26)

9 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (26)

11 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. THese included night exercises. (27)

12 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her night exercises. (27)

14 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)

17 Apr 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the Far East. The first leg of the trip is to Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN). They were escorted by HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. N. Harrison, RNVR).

(No positions are mentioned in the log of Telemachus nor have we found a passage report, therefore no map can be made.) (26)

29 Apr 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (26)

11 May 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (27)

13 May 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta bound for Port Said. (27)

18 May 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (27)

25 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Port Said. (27)

26 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (27)

27 May 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) transited the Suez Canal southbound. (27)

29 May 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Suez bound for Aden. (27)

3 Jun 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (28)

8 Jun 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Colombo. While on passage she was ordered to proceed to Trincomalee instead of Colombo. (28)

19 Jun 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (28)

28 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (28)

30 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials off Trincomalee. (28)

5 Jul 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in Far Eastern waters). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

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

(24)

17 Jul 1944 (position 1.10, 103.45)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese submarine I-166 (1635 tons, built 1932, offsite link) in the Strait of Malacca in position 01°10'N, 103°45'E. (24)

29 Jul 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in Far Eastern waters) at Trincomalee. (24)

15 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Trincomalee. (29)

19 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (29)

20 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials off Trincomalee. (29)

21 Aug 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for passage to Fremantle, Australia.

For HMS Telemachus daily positions during this passage see the map below.

(29)

6 Sep 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia. (30)

13 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (30)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. (2nd in Far Eastern waters). She was ordered to perform a special operation in the Singapore area (we don't have the details of this special operation at this moment but a large party of SOE agents (Force 136) had to be landed on the Malayan coast).

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

(24)

17 Sep 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel and some days training for her special mission. (24)

21 Sep 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Exmouth Gulf. (24)

26 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait. (24)

17 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait. (24)

27 Oct 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol. (2nd in Far Eastern waters) at Fremantle. (24)

15 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (31)

17 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is put back in the water. (31)

26 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (31)

1 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 1/2 December 1944, HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises. (32)

4 Dec 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. (3rd in Far Eastern waters). She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

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

(24)

8 Dec 1944
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel and some repairs to one of the engines. She departed from for patrol the next day. Telemachus is not routed through Lombok Strait due to increased Japanese activity there. (24)

20 Jan 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol. (3rd in Far Eastern waters) at Fremantle. (24)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (33)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is put back in the water. (33)

20 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (34)

21 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials off Fremantle. (34)

24 Feb 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle for her 5th war patrol. (4th in Far Eastern waters). She was ordered to patrol in the Java and South China Seas.

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

(24)

28 Feb 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel. She departed from the next day. (24)

5 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait. (24)

23 Mar 1945
The Engineer Officer of HMS Telemachus is badly injured. His hand was nearly severed at the wrist. The next day a signal was sent to request a rendezvous with an aircraft in the Flores sea to enable the Engineer Officer to return to Australia for medical treatment. (24)

27 Mar 1945 (position -9.40, 123.08)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at the rendezvous position (09°40'S, 123°08'E). The Engineer Officer was transferred to a Catalina flying boat. Later this day Telemachus was ordered to abandon the patrol due to the continues mechanical problems. Telemachus was ordered to proceed to Port Darwin. (24)

30 Mar 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Darwin. Before she could proceed to Trincomalee engine repairs must be made. Also a new Engineer Officer was flown in. (24)

3 Apr 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Port Darwin bound for Trincomalee. She is to proceed to the U.K. for refit. The deployment of Telemachus in the Far East was cut short due to continuous engine problems. (24)

16 Apr 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol. (4th in Far Eastern waters) at Trincomalee. (24)

8 May 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee bound for Aden.

For HMS Telemachus daily positions during the passage from the far east to the U.K. see the map below.

(35)

17 May 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (35)

18 May 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Port Said. (35)

23 May 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (35)

31 May 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said bound for Malta. (35)

4 Jun 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (36)

9 Jun 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Malta bound for Gibraltar. (36)

13 Jun 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (36)

15 Jun 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound Plymouth. (36)

21 Jun 1945
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth. She is to undergo a refit at Devonport Dockyard. She was still ungoing this refit when the war ended. (36)

You can help improve officers William Donald Aelian King's page
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this officer.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve his page.

• Front page
• About
• Contact us
• FAQ
• Glossary
• What's new

 © 1995 - 2024 Guðmundur Helgason