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Destroyer HMAS Voyager (D 31)

3 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) and the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Sydney for patrol.

They parted company the following day but both ships patrolled the shipping lanes near Cape Howe. (1)

6 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) and the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) both arrived at Williamstown, Melbourne from patrol. (1)

7 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is docked in the Duke and Orr's Dry Dock at Melbourne. She was undocked the next day. (2)

18 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) conducted a searchlight exercises off Fremantle with the local defences. (2)

26 Sep 1939
HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. HMAS Sydney was just returning from patrol. On completion of the gunnery exercises the cruiser also conducted torpedo firing and height finding exercises and then entered harbour. (3)

25 Nov 1939
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Nancowry to search isolated anchorages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. She was also to pay a visit to Port Blair.

HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) remained at Nancowry as Guard Ship. (4)

26 Nov 1939
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Port Blair from patrol. (2)

27 Nov 1939
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Port Blair to return to Nancowry and search isolated anchorages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for enemy activity en-route. (2)

1 Jan 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Malta. Off Malta she took over the escort of the transport Ettrick (British, 11229 GRT, built 1938) from HMS Bideford (Cdr. R.F. Elkins, RN). (2)

4 Jan 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the transport Ettrick (British, 11229 GRT, built 1938) arrived at Marseilles.

HMAS Voyager departed Marseilles later the same day to return to Malta. (2)

6 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta from Marseilles. (2)

9 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Malta. On completion of the exercises course was set for Alexandria. (2)

11 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta. (2)

30 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is docked at Malta. (2)

12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the transport Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912) arrived off Port Said. HMAS Voyager then parted company with the transport and proceeded to Alexandria where she arrived later the same day. (2)

13 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria for Malta. (2)

14 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (2)

19 Feb 1940
Off Malta, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN), conducted range and inclination and A/S exercises with HMS Oswald (?) serving as target.

HMAS Voyager departed Malta later the same day to escort the transport Duchess of Athol (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928) to Alexandria. (2)

21 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the Duchess of Athol (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928) arrived at Alexandria. (2)

23 Feb 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the Duchess of Athol (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928) departed Alexandria to return to Malta. (2)

25 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the Duchess of Athol (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (2)

28 Feb 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) conducted exercises off Malta with the local defences. She also conducted gunnery exercises.

She then took over the escort of the transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) from HMAS Vendetta (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN) course was then set for Marseilles.

HMAS Vendetta then entered Valetta harbour, Malta. (5)

2 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the transports Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917 and Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Marseilles. (2)

4 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Marseilles escorting the transports Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926) and Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926) towards the vicinity of Malta after which they were to continue on unescorted to Haifa. (6)

7 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta from escort duty. (2)

8 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Malta. They also conducted A/S exercises with HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Fraser, RN). (2)

9 Mar 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Malta to take over escort of the transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) from HMAS Vendetta (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN). The Nevasa was en-route from Marseilles to Port Said. HMAS Vendetta then entered Valetta harbour, Malta. (6)

12 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Port Said. (2)

14 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. She was escorting the transport Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923). (6)

15 Mar 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and the transport Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923) arrived at Alexandria from Port Said.

They departed Alexandria for Marseilles later the same day. (2)

18 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta after the escort of the transport Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923) had been taken over by the French destroyer L'Alcyon (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bosvieux).

The L'Alcyon and Talma arrived at Marseilles on the 20th. (6)

20 Mar 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Malta to take over escort of the transports Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917) and Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924) from HMAS Vendetta (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN). HMAS Vendetta then proceeded to Malta arriving there later the same day. (7)

21 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is ordered to return to Malta so she parted company with the transports Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917) and Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924) which then continued their passage to Port Said unescorted. (2)

22 Mar 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta from escort duty. She departed for Gibraltar later the same day. (2)

24 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (2)

25 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Gibraltar to join the escort of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN). [See the event for 22 March]. (2)

2 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria escorting the transport Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936) to the vicinity of Malta. (8)

5 Apr 1940
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta after she had been relieved near Malta of escorting the transport Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936).

The Dilwara then continued on to Marseilles but now escorted by HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) which had departed Malta earlier on the 5th. (8)

6 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is taken in hand for a short refit at Malta. (9)

8 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is docked at Malta. (9)

29 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is undocked. (9)

3 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The repair ship HMS Resource (Capt.(Retd.) D.B. O’Connell, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN). (10)

6 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) returned to Malta from escort duty. (11)

7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Malta to make rendezvous with HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, OBE, RN) and her escort coming from the direction of Gibraltar. (11)

8 May 1940
The destroyers HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN), took over the escort of the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, OBE, RN) from HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN), HMS Velox (Cdr.(Retd.) J.C. Colvill, RN) and HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Howlett, RN) which then set course to return to Gibraltar. (12)

10 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (11)

11 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 11/12, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN), patrolled off Alexandria. (9)

16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 16/17, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN), patrolled off Alexandria. (9)

27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the morning and afternoon the battleship Lorraine (Capt. L.M.L. Rey) conducted exercises off Alexandria. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN). (13)

6 Jun 1940
HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN), HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (14)

12 Jun 1940
HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN), HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for an A/S sweep of the approaches to Alexandria. HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) was already out on patrol since the 11th.

Early on the 13th, HMAS Waterhen returned to Alexandria to fuel but she later rejoined.

Later on the 13th a recently laid minefield was discovered and some of the mines were swept. These mines had been laid be the Italian minelaying submarine Pietro Micca.

At 1910C/13, HMAS Voyager obtained an A/S contact and attacked with depth charges.

At 2000C/13, HMAS Voyager reported that the submarine broke surface and that she then opened fire on the submarine which then disappeared. Two more patterns of depth charges were then dropped and the submarine was claimed to be sunk.

At 0100C/14, HMAS Voyager again obtained an A/S contact and dropped her last pattern of depth charges. The contact was lost at 0150C/14 but regained at 0200C/14. HMAS Stuart and HMS Decoy meanwhile had joined and started dropping depth charges.

Around 1130C/14, out of depth charges, HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria. She departed around 1510C/14 to reinforce the screen of the battlefleet which was approaching Alexandria and she entered Alexandria with the battlefleet around 2000C/14.

HMAS Stuart and HMS Decoy also returned to Alexandria on the 14th. (15)

15 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245C/15, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria for A/S patrol. (16)

18 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 18 to 22 June 1940, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) was cleaning boilers at Alexandria. (16)

22 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600C/22, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria for A/S patrol near Alexandria. (16)

25 Jun 1940
Around 1130C/25, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) returned to Alexandria from patrol. (16)

26 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745C/26, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria for local patrol. She returned to harbour around 1915C/26. (16)

30 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930C/30, HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Alexandria. (16)

19 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) served as target off Alexandria during torpedo firing exercises by FAA aircraft. (17)

25 Jul 1940
Late in the afternoon, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria escorting the merchant vessels Eastlea (British, 4267 GRT, built 1924), Hopecastle (British, 5178 GRT, built 1937), Masirah (British, 6578 GRT, built 1919), Ovula (Dutch (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938) and Volo (British, 1587 GRT, built 1938) to Port Said.

They all arrived at Port Said late the following afternoon. (18)

28 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Port Said escorting the merchant vessel Verbania (British, 6558 GRT, built 1907, former Italian, later renamed Empire Tamar)

They arrived at Haifa late the following afternoon. (18)

29 Jul 1940
In the evening, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Haifa escorting the merchant vessels Duffield (British (tanker), 8516 GRT, built 1938), Kirkland (British, 1361 GRT, built 1934) and Tynefield (British (tanker), 5856 GRT, built 1926).

They arrived off Port Said the following day where the Tynefield was detached and another merchant vessel, the Lateef (Egyptian, 503 GRT, built 1903) joined.

They all arrived at Alexandria early in the evening of the 31st. (18)

7 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1300C/7, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is evacuated and closed off for fumigation. The ships company re-boarded the ship at 0715C/9. (19)

10 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Alexandria. (20)

14 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600C/14, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Alexandria to escort a local convoy to Port Said where they arrived around 2350C/14.

[No details available on which ships were in the local convoy.] (21)

15 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1410C/15, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Port Said to escort a local convoy to Alexandria where they arrived around 0730C/16.

HMAS Voyager did not enter harbour. She set course to return Port Said.

[No details available on which ships were in the local convoys.] (21)

16 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600C/16, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Port Said. (19)

17 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1520C/17, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Port Said to escort a local convoy to Alexandria where they arrived around 0830C/18.

[No details available on which ships were in the local convoy.] (19)

22 Aug 1940
A/S trawler HMS Loch Melfort (T/Lt. F. Graham-Brown, RNR), which was on local A/S patrol reported a submarine contact 13 miles 320° from Ras el Tin.

To assist in the A/S hunt the destroyers HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Alexandria to assist, but no further contact was made.

[File ADM 199/386, gives that the destroyer HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN) was also involved but from several ships logs which were present at Alexandria it is obvious that it was HMAS Waterhen which sailed in company with HMS Juno. HMAS Voyager had departed a little earlier to escort a local convoy to Port Said but most likely the sailing of this convoy was then postponed and she joined the A/S hunt.]

After the A/S hunt had been completed / cancelled, HMAS Voyager proceeded towards Port Said with the local convoy. [No details available on which ships were in this convoy.] (22)

23 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1510C/23, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived off Port Said with a local convoy from Alexandria. The convoy was then detached into Port Said.

At 1600C/23, HMAS Voyager set off for Haifa escorting another local convoy from Port Said to Haifa. [No details available on which ships were in this local convoy, though the merchant vessel Peshawur (British, 7934 GRT, built 1919) appeared to have been in this convoy.]

HMAS Voyager and the convoy arrived at Haifa around 0730C/24. (19)

24 Aug 1940
Around 1100C/24, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Haifa to escort a local convoy to Port Said / Alexandria.

The convoy arrived off Port Said around 1230C/25 where the Port Said section of the convoy proceeded into Port Said and one ship joined the remainder of the convoy for Alexandria.

HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria with the convoy around 0915C/26. [No details available on which ships were in the local convoy, although the merchant vessel British Architect (British (tanker), 7388 GRT, built 1922) appeared to have been part of the convoy from Haifa to Port Said.] (23)

2 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2110C/2, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta from operations. She had been detached to Malta as she was to undergo a refit there. (24)

3 Sep 1940
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is taken in hand for refit at Malta. (24)

10 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) is docked in No.5 Dock at the Malta Dockyard. (24)

11 Sep 1940
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is undocked. (24)

27 Sep 1940
With her refit completed, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), conducted compass swing trials at Malta.

She departed Malta around 1740B/27 to search for enemy submarines which had been reported by aircraft. She returned to harbour around 0715B/28. Also participating in this A/S hunt were the A/S trawlers HMS Beryl and HMS Jade. (25)

20 Oct 1940
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for Haifa. (26)

21 Oct 1940
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Haifa from Alexandria.

She departed again later the same day escorting a local convoy to Port Said and Alexandria.

On the 22nd the convoy was detached to enter Port Said.

[No details available on which ships were in this local convoy.] (26)

22 Oct 1940
Around 1410C/22, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Alexandria from Haifa and escort duty. (26)

23 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915B/23, the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for exercises.

They returned around 2115B/23 except for HMAS Voyager which had already returned around 1430B/23. (27)

14 Nov 1940
From 14 to 19 November 1940, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) cleaned boilers at Alexandria.

On the 16th a captured Italian Breda gun was fitted forward of the after binnacle. (28)

21 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 21/22 November 1940, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.L.St.G. Lyster, CVO, DSO, RN) conducted flying exercises off Alexandria. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Havock (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC, RN). (29)

2 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy AN 8.

This convoy departed Port Said on 2 December 1940.

It was made up of the merchant vessels Efthalia Mari (Greek, 4195 GRT, built 1919), Kehrea (Greek, 1968 GRT, built 1912), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938), Petroil (Greek (tanker), 4434 GRT, built 1902) and Runo (British, 1858 GRT, built 1920).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades RAN).

Around 0910B/5, the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) joined the escort. She had departed Alexandria on 2 December.

Around 1730B/5, the convoy commenced passing the Kaso Strait northbound.

The convoy arrived at Piraeus shortly after noon on the 7th. (30)

8 Dec 1940
Around 1600B/8, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Piraeus for Alexandria. They had been standing by to escort convoy AS 8, but as the convoy's sailing was postponed the destroyers were ordered to return to Alexandria. (30)

9 Dec 1940
Around 1500B/9, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Alexandria from Piraeus. (30)

17 Dec 1940
Late in the afternoon, the monitor HMS Terror (Cdr. H.J. Haynes, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) bombarded enemy troop movements along a coastal road west of Bardia.

The destroyer HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) joined them during the day coming from Alexandria.

Gunboat HMS Ladybird (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.F. Blackburn, RN) was also operating in the area.

At 2100B/17, HMAS Voyager was ordered to return to Alexandria. (31)

18 Dec 1940
Around 1730B/18, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Alexandria from operations in the Gulf of Bardia.

She departed for Bardia around 2245B/18. She had embarked some troops. (32)

19 Dec 1940
Around 0650B/19, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Mersa Matruh where more troops and equipment were taken on board. She departed for Sollum around 0940B/19.

Around 1420B/19, she anchored of Sollum and the troops and their equipment were disembarked.

She left around 1815B/19 to return to Mersa Matruh. Around 1900B/19, an A/S contact was obtained and a hunt was started. Between 1934B/19 and 2037B/19 a total of three patterns of depth charges were dropped. A/S contact was lost at 2220B/19.

At 0050B/20, the A/S search was left to HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades RAN).

Around 1715B/20, HMAS Vendetta left the area to return to Alexandria. (32)

20 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845B/20, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Mersa Matruh.

Around 1005B/20, HMAS Voyager attempted to tow off a grounded vessel but the tow line parted and the attempt was abandoned.

Around 1230B/20, HMAS Voyager departed Mersa Matruh for Sollum but before arriving there she took over the escort of the water tanker Myriel (3560 GRT, built 1913) to Alexandria around 2030B/20.

She left the Myriel around 1100B/21 and then set course to the Gulf of Sollum. (32)

22 Dec 1940
Around 1040B/22, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed the Sollum area to return to Alexandria where she arrived around 1610B/22. (32)

23 Dec 1940
Around 0430B/23, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria to escort the water tanker Myriel (3560 GRT, built 1913) to Sollum.

Around 0800B/24, HMAS Voyager commenced an A/S patrol off Sollum.

Around 0400B/26, HMAS Voyager discontinued her patrol and set course for Alexandria where she arrived around 1510B/26. (32)

27 Dec 1940
Around 0010B/27, HMAS Voyager (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria escorting a local convoy to Sollum.

Around 2100B/27, Capt. Waller was temporary transferred to HMS Terror (Cdr. H.J. Haynes, DSC, RN).

HMAS Voyager then proceeded on A/S patrol off Sollum with Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN again in command.

Around 0410B/28, Capt. Waller transferred from HMS Terror to HMAS Voyager and HMS Terror then proceeded for a bombardment of Bardia screened by HMAS Voyager.

Around 1100B/28, Capt. Waller was again transferred to HMS Terror after their return to Sollum from the bombardment.

Around 1900B/28, HMAS Voyager proceeded on a patrol between Bardia and Tobruk to search for enemy shipping. (33)

13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730B/13, HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E. de F. Renouf, CVO, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A’Deane, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN), HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Alexandria from operations.

15 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria to operate with the Inshore Squadron. (11)

27 Jan 1941
Around 1800B/27, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for duty with the Inshore Squadron to relieve HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN).

[See the event ' Further operations with the Inshore Squadron by ships of the 10th Destroyer Flottila ' for 23 January 1941 for more information.] (11)

31 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Tobruk to effect repairs to her condensors. (11)

1 Feb 1941
Around 1450B/1, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Tobruk for a patrol off the Cyrenaican coast between Derna and Tobruk. A small lighter was sunk with gunfire.

Early on the 2nd, HMAS Voyager was detached to return to Tobruk where she arrived around 0910B/2.

HMAS Stuart proceeded to Bardia sinking another lighter with gunfire en-route. At Bardia two captured Italian Breda guns and ammunition were embarked. HMAS Stuart then departed Bardia P.M. on the 2nd. She arrived at Alexandria around 0805C/3. (34)

2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1020B/2, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), with the Senior Officer of the Inshore Squadron (Capt. H. Hickling, RN) on board, departed Tobruk for Derna where she arrived around 1345B/2.

Around 1825B/2, she departed Derna for patrol. She returned to Derna around 0830B/3. (35)

3 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1625B/3, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), departed Derna for Tobruk where she arrived around 0845B/4. (35)

4 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1035B/4, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), departed Tobruk for Alexandria where she arrived around 0735B/5. (35)

9 Feb 1941
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria to escort the armed boarding vessels HMS Chakla (Cdr. L.C. Bach, RD, RNR) and HMS Rosaura (Capt. R. Spencer, RD, RNR) to Tobruk.

They arrived at Tobruk around 1545B/10. (35)

21 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1450B/21, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Tobruk to escort the transport Cingalese Prince (British, 8474 GRT, built 1929) to Alexandria. They arrived at Alexandria around 1545B/22. HMAS Voyager then commenced boiler cleaning. (36)

25 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is docked at Alexandria. (35)

26 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is undocked. (35)

3 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/3, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk but at 1154B/3 a signal was received to return to Alexandria where she arrived around 1410B/3. (37)

5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (38)

16 Mar 1941
Around 1830B/16, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria to overtake and join a convoy from Alexandria to Tobruk.

This convoy was apparently made up of the transport troopship Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930) and the armed boarding vessel HMS Rosaura (Capt. R. Spencer, RD, RNR). (37)

17 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1535B/17, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Tobruk with the convoy from Alexandria having joined it around 0700B/17. En-route a drifting mine, which had been sighted on the port side of the convoy, had been sunk around 1005B/17.

Around 1735B/17, HMAS Voyager departed Tobruk for an A/S patrol near the harbour. (37)

18 Mar 1941
Around 0730B/18, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) returned to Tobruk from patrol.

In the afternoon, the armed boarding vessel HMS Rosaura (Capt. R. Spencer, RD, RNR) hit a mine shortly after leaving Tobruk. She had on board personnel that were to proceed to Alexandria but also Italian POW's. There were 78 casualties of which 59 were enemy POW's. HMAS Voyager left the harbour to aid in the rescue operations following which she returned to harbour. (37)

19 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630B/19, the transport Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930) departed Tobruk to join convoy AG 7 from Alexandria to Piraeus. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN).

They joined the convoy around 1600B/19.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy AG 7 ' for 18 March 1941.] (37)

9 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is docked in the Gabbari Dry Dock. (39)

12 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is undocked. She then proceeded to berth near the gun shop for a change to the ships rangefinders. (39)

19 Apr 1941
The infantery landing ship HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) departed Alexandria around 0245C/19 for a raid against Bardia. She was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN). This last destroyer joined at sea as she had been on other duties before.

The submarine HMS Triumph (Lt.Cdr. W.J.W. Woods, RN) acted as beacon to guide the landing force in to the beach.

Commandoes were landed near Bardia during the night of 19/20 March 1941. Operations commenced around 2205C/19 and were completed around 0500C/20 when course was set to return to Alexandria where they arrived around 2200C/20. (40)

22 Apr 1941

Convoy AG 13.

This convoy departed Alexandria on 22 April 1941.

It was made up of the infantery landing ships HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) L.B. Hill, OBE, RN), HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN), HMS Glenroy (Capt.(Retd.) Sir J.F. Paget, RN) and the transport Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930).

They were escorted by the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN).

On leaving harbour at Alexandria HMS Glenroy grounded and was unable to proceed with the convoy and had to be left behind.

The convoy arrived at Suda Bay shortly after midnight on 24 April 1941. (41)

24 Apr 1941

Operation Demon

Evacuation of Allied troops from mainland Greece.

Around 0915C/24, the infantery landing ships HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) L.B. Hill, OBE, RN), HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) and the transport Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930) departed Suda Bay to embark troops from mainland Greece.

They were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN), destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and the corvettes HMS Hyacinth (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.C. Hopkins, DSC, RNR) and HMS Salvia (Lt.Cdr. J.I. Miller, DSO, RD, RNR).

At 1445C/24, HMAS Voyager obtained an A/S contact in position 36°32'N, 24°02'5"E. One depth charge was dropped followed by three depth charge patterns, at 1455C/24, 1503C/24, 1526C/24 for no definite result. HMAS Voyager rejoined the convoy around 1615C/24. [No italian submarine reported an attack though, so the A/S contact must have been bogus.]

Around 1700C/24, HMS Glenearn, Ulster Queen, HMAS Stuart, HMAS Voyager, HMS Hyacinth parted company with the other ships and set course to Nauplia.

Around 1730C/24, the ships that were proceeding to Nauplia were attacked by dive bombers and one of the JU-88's obtained a bomb hit on the forecastle of HMS Glenearn which caused a fire.

Shortly after the attack the light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) joined as additional escort.

Around 1800C/24, HMS Glenearn briefly stopped to fight the fire. She later rejoined the attempt to fight the fire had been succesful.

The ships arrived off Nauplia around 2115C/24 and the embarkation of about 7000 troops in all ship commenced.

Around 0350C/25, all ships left the embarkation area however the Ulster Prince grounded and had to be left behind.

Around 1300C/25, HMAS Voyager was detached from the convoy to proceed to Suda Bay at 25 knots. She arrived there around 1450C/25. The troops which had been embarked by HMAS Voyager were disembarked in one hour. The other ships arrived at Suda Bay a little later.

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Meanwhile HMS Glengyle, HMS Calcutta and HMS Salvia proceeded to Raphtis to embark troops there. They arrived there around 2130C/24. Also at Raphtis the light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) arrived around midnight to provide cover (she did not embark troops). Around 0345C/25 they departed to return to Suda Bay having embarked about 6500 troops. They arrived at Suda Bay around 1630C/25 but not before they had been attacked by enemy aircraft but no hits had been obtained. HMAS Perth also arrived at Suda Bay arriving there around 1745B/25.

25 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800C/25, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Suda Bay for Alexandria escorting a convoy of nine ships [identity currently not known to us].

Around 0400C/26, five ships parted company to return to Suda Bay.

Around 0730C/26, HMAS Voyager increased speed. Two ships were unable to keep up and left behind to proceed independently.

Around 1800C/26, HMAS Voyager again increased speed. One of the two remaining ships in company was now also unable to keep up and was ordered to proceed independently.

Around 1650C/27, HMAS Voyager and the sole remaining transport in company arrived at Alexandria. (39)

5 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115C/5, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk loaded with troops and ammunition.

They arrived at Tobruk around 0230C/6 and departed again around 0430C/6 after disembarking the fresh troop and the ammunition. They now had on board troops and wounded to take back to Alexandria. Visibility was however bad and they had to anchor until 0545C/6 when they finally left for Alexandria arriving there around 1930C/6. (42)

18 May 1941
Around 0130C/18, the infantery landing ship HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) departed Alexandria with troops for Crete which were to be landed near Tympaki on the south coast. She was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN).

Around 2330C/18, they arrived off the disembarkation beach.

Around 0400C/19, disembarkation had been completion and course was set to return to Alexandria where they arrived around 0800C/20 but not before being attacked, unsuccesfully from the air, around 1020C/19. (43)

21 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2230C/21, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria to join the battlefleet at sea.

[For more info and subsequent movements see the event ' Battle for Crete ' for 20 May 1941.] (44)

27 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Between 27 May and 4 June 1941, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) cleaned boilers at Alexandria. (11)

5 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700C/5, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk loaded with troops and ammunition.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2330C/5 and commenced disembarking the troops and ammunition. Wounded men and troops that were being relieved were then embarked and around 0115C/6, the destroyers departed Tobruk for Mersa Matruh where they arrived around 0930C/6. (45)

6 Jun 1941
Around 1815C/6, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) departed Mersa Matruh to search for the crew of an RAF bomber that had been shot down over the sea.

The destroyers returned around 0745C/7 not having found the missing aircrew. (45)

8 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300C/8, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) departed Mersa Matruh for Tobruk loaded with some troops and stores.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2315C/8 and commenced disembarking. On completion of which wounded men and troops that were to be relieved were embarked.

The destroyers departed Tobruk around 0030C/9 for Alexandria.

En-route HMAS Vendetta had to reduce speed due to a failure in the oil supply to the starboard engine.

HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria around 1545C/9 followed by HMAS Vendetta around 1800C/9. (45)

10 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100C/10, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Alexandria for Mersa Matruh where they arrived around 0630C/11.

After embarking stores they departed for Tobruk around 1300C/11.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2300C/11 and commenced to disembark their stores.

They departed again around 0015C/12 with evacuees which included members of the Senussi tribe [this tribe was pro allies].

The destroyers arrived at Mersa Matruh around 0930C/12. (46)

13 Jun 1941
Around 1300C/13, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Mersa Matruh for Tobruk loaded with stores.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2345C/13 and disembarkation commenced which took a little over an hour.

Around 0050C/14, the destroyers departed for Alexandria / Mersa Matruh.

HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria around 1450C/14. HMS Watherhen had been detached of Mersa Matruh earlier. (46)

16 Jun 1941
Around 0600C/16, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk loaded with troops and stores.

At 1937C/16, HMAS Stuart was attacked by a lone Italian S.79 aircraft. The attack was made from low level but AA fire was effective and the aircraft dropped its bombs early and no damage was done.

They arrived at Tobruk around 0005C/17. After disembarking the troops and stores about 200 Senussi troops were embarked by each destroyer.

Around 0115C/17, the destroyers departed Tobruk for Mersa Matruh where they arrived around 1015C/17. (47)

18 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly after 1300C/18, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Mersa Matruh for Tobruk loaded with stores.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2320C/18. After unloading the stores they departed again around 0100C/19 with wounded and personnel. Course was set for Alexandria where they arrived around 1600C/19. (47)

20 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2000C/20, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for Mersa Matruh where they arrived around 0600C/21. (47)

21 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300C/21, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Mersa Matruh loaded with troops and stores for Tobruk.

They arrived around 2330C/21 and commenced unloading. They departed again around 0115C/22 with wounded and other personnel.

They arrived at Mersa Matruh around 1000C/22 to disembark the wounded and other personnel. (47)

23 Jun 1941
Around 1245C/23, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Mersa Matruh loaded with troops and stores for Tobruk.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2330C/23 and disembarking the troops and stores was commenced. They departed again around 0045C/23 with wounded and other personnel.

En-route to Alexandria they were ordered to go to the assistance of the minesweeper HMS Derby (Lt.Cdr. F.C.V. Brightman, RN) which had been attacked but missed by an enemy submarine. The submarine in question was the Italian Axum which had fired a torpedo at a darkened vessel at 2325C/23 in position 32°18'N, 25°10'E. The torpedo however missed.

HMAS Stuart and HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria around 1600C/24. (47)

26 Jun 1941
Around 0600C/26, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria loaded with troops and stores for Tobruk.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2330C/26 and unloading commenced.

Around 0145C/27, they departed for Mersa Matruh with wounded and other personnel.

During the passage HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) reported that she was attacking a submarine contact north-east of Mersa Matruh. HMAS Stuart and HMAS Voyager were ordered to go to her assistance but as HMAS Voyager had one air pump out of action she was ordered to proceed to Mersa Matruh for repairs so only HMAS Stuart at first proceeded to join HMAS Parramatta in the submarine hunt.

HMAS Parramatta had been missed by a torpedo at 0652C/27 in position 31°27'N, 27°44'E. In fact the torpedo ran underneath. HMAS Parramatta turned at once and dropped a depth charge to keep the submarine submerged. Contact on the submarine was obtained immediately and three depth charge attacks were delivered. Contact was lost after the third depth charge pattern and a long search commenced. Prior to the third depth charge attack the enemy was moving very slowly and much oil had come to the surface so she was most likely damaged by the first two depth charge attacks. HMAS Stuart then arrived and took over the hunt while HMAS Parramatta set course for Mersa Matruh.

Around 1025C/27, HMAS Voyager arrived at Mersa Matruh where she landed the wounded and other passengers and made repairs. She departed again around 1405C/27 to rejoin HMAS Stuart. HMAS Parramatta meanwhile had arrived at Mersa Matruh around 1135C/27 and had transferred twelve depth charges to HMAS Voyager which apparently had only a limited supply herself.

Meanwhile, HMAS Stuart had obtained an A/S contact at 1345C/27 and had carried out four depth charge attacks. After the fourth attack HMAS Voyager rejoined but neither one of the destroyers were able to obtain contact again. HMAS Voyager then searched the area all night but no contact was obtained and it is considered that the submarine was destroyed. The submarine in question was the Italian Jantina which managed to escape damaged. She had to abandon her patrol and arrived at Leros on 30 June.

HMAS Stuart arrived at Mersa Matruh around 1700C/27 and then unloaded her wounded and other passengers.

HMAS Voyager returned to Mersa Matruh after the A/S hunt around 0540C/28.

(48)

28 Jun 1941
Around 1300C/28, HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Mersa Matruh loaded with troops and stores for Tobruk.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2330C/28 and disembarking the troops and stores was commenced. They departed again around 0100C/29 with wounded and other personnel.

They arrived at Alexandria around 1545C/29.

On arrival HMAS Voyager commenced boiler cleaning and urgent engine room repairs. (47)

9 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is docked in the Gabbari Dry Dock at Alexandria. (49)

10 Jul 1941
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is undocked. (49)

12 Jul 1941
Around 0715C/12, HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria with troops and stores for Tobruk.

They arrived at Tobruk around 2345C/12 and commenced unloading. They departed again around 0100C/13 after having embarked wounded.

At 0558C/13, an enemy submarine was sighted on the surface by HMAS Voyager north of Sidi Barrani in position 32°02'N, 25°51'E. The submarine submerged two minutes later and HMS Hero started an attack. HMAS Voyager's starboard engine stopped working and her speed was reduced and she did not join the hunt. HMS Hero rejoined HMAS Voyager at 0615C/13.

The submarine in question was the Italian Luigi Settembrini which had actually fired a torpedo at one of the destroyers at 0536C/13 but it had missed.

HMS Hero and HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria around 1900C/13.

HMAS Voyager was again suffering from defects and it was decided that she was to leave the Mediterranean Station to refit. (49)

24 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (49)

25 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Port Said. She then entered the Suez Canal and proceeded southwards to the Great Bitter Lakes. (49)

26 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) proceed from the Great Bitter Lakes to Port Tewfik. (49)

28 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Port Tewfik roads for Aden. (49)

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Aden.

She remained at Aden for days while waiting for orders where to proceed to for refit. (49)

16 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and RHS Spetsai departed Aden for Bombay. (50)

22 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and RHS Spetsai arrived at Bombay from Aden. (50)

23 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (50)

26 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (50)

27 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Colombo for Singapore. (50)

1 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Singapore from Colombo. (51)

2 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Singapore for Darwin. (51)

11 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Darwin from Singapore. (51)

12 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Darwin for Townsville. (51)

18 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Townsville from Darwin. (51)

19 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Townsville for Brisbane. (51)

21 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Townsville. (51)

24 Sep 1941
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Brisbane for Sydney. (51)

25 Sep 1941
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Brisbane. (51)

26 Sep 1941
HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) is taken in hand for refit at Sydney at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (51)

Destroyer HMAS Arunta (I 30)

15 Nov 1942

Convoy O.

This convoy departed Townsville around 1800K/15.

It was made up of the following transports; Balikpapan (Dutch, 1279 GRT, built 1938), Bantam (Dutch, 3322 GRT, built 1930), Bontekoe (Dutch, 4668 GRT, built 1923), Both (Dutch, 2608 GRT, built 1931), Cremer (Dutch, 4608 GRT, built 1926), Japara (Dutch, 3323 GRT, built 1930), Jesse Applegate (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John B. Ashe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Maetsuycker (Dutch, 4131 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Townsville the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and the minesweepers HMAS Ballarat (T/Lt.Cdr. A.D. Barling, RANR(S)) and HMAS Katoomba (Cdr. A.P. Cousin, RANR(S)).

Around 1930K/17, the convoy split up in two sections.

The ' Port Moresby ' section was made up of the Bontekoe, Both, Cremer, Maetsuycker and Jesse Applegate. It was escorted by HMAS Arunta. Around 1500K/18, the minesweeper HMAS Broome (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Denovan, RANVR) joined coming from Port Moresby. This section of the convoy arrived at Port Moresby around 1915K/18.

The ' Milne Bay ' section was made up of the Balikpapan, Bantam, Japara and John B. Ashe. This section was escorted by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Katoomba. This section of the convoy arrived at Fall River around 1300K/19.

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