Arthur Duncan Read, RN
| Born | 23 Apr 1889 |
| Ranks
Retired: 1 Jun 1945 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Arthur Duncan Read, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Liverpool (11) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 5 May 1938 | 27 Oct 1940 |
| HMS Ramillies (07) | Capt. | Battleship | 27 Oct 1940 | 23 Sep 1941 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Light cruiser HMS Liverpool (11)
3 Sep 1939
At 1815 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Masirah Island in the Arabian Sea for patrol in the Arabian Sea. This was to provide cover for the movements of warships from the Royal Indian Navy; HMIS Hindustan (Cdr. G.V.G. Beamish, RIN), HMIS Indus (Cdr. E.G.G. Hunt, RIN) and HMIS Clive (Cdr. H.P. Hughes-Hallet, RIN); as well as the depot ship HMS Lucia (Cdr. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) (1)
3 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily position of HMS Liverpool during the period of 3 to 8 September 1939 see the map below.
8 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800 hours (zone -3.5) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Aden. (1)
10 Sep 1939
Around 1100 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Aden to patrol in the Gulf of Aden.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 10 to 13 September 1939 see the map below.
(1)
12 Sep 1939
At 1410 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) dropped anchor in Perim harbour. She departed again to continue her patrol at 1800 hours. (1)
13 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Aden. (1)
15 Sep 1939
Shortly before 0930 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Aden for a short patrol in the Gulf of Aden. (1)
16 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Aden from patrol. (1)
17 Sep 1939
Around 1830 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Aden for a short patrol in the Gulf of Aden. (1)
18 Sep 1939
Around 1000 hours (zone -3) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Aden from patrol.
She departed again for patrol and escort duties in the Red Sea shortly before 1900 hours.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 18 to 22 September 1939 see the map below.
(1)
20 Sep 1939
Around 1445 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), made rendez-vous with a troop convoy made up of the liners Brittanic (26943 GRT, built 1930), Duchess of Bedford (20123 GRT, built 1928), Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931) and Strathaird (22281 GRT, built 1932) that at that moment were escorted by HMS Egret (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN). (2)
22 Sep 1939
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), HMS Egret (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) and the troop ships they are escorting, Brittanic (26943 GRT, built 1930), Duchess of Bedford (20123 GRT, built 1928), Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931) and Strathaird (22281 GRT, built 1932) arrive at Aden.
Later this day, Brittanic, Duchess of Bedford and Reina del Pacifico departed Aden eastwards. They were escorted by HMS Liverpool. (1)
22 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 22 to 27 September 1939 see the map below.
25 Sep 1939
Around 1630DE/25, HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), and the troopships she was escorting ('Convoy Red'); Brittanic (26943 GRT, built 1930), Duchess of Bedford (20123 GRT, built 1928) and Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931); made rendezvous with HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN). They soon parted company, HMS Liverpool and the first two troopships were to proceed to Bombay. HMS Eagle was to proceed to Ceylon with Reina del Pacifico. (2)
27 Sep 1939
Around 1000 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), and the troopships she was escorting; Brittanic (26943 GRT, built 1930) and Duchess of Bedford (20123 GRT, built 1928) arrived at Bombay. (2)
29 Sep 1939
Around 0830 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Bombay for patrol which was to end at Colombo.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period from 29 September 1939 to 3 October 1939 see the map below.
(1)
3 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly after 0600 hours (zone -5.5) HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Colombo. (3)
5 Oct 1939
Around 0930 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Colombo for patrol in the Seychelles area where an enemy supply vessel was thought to be around.
It had originally been intended to employ Liverpool on convoy escort duty but this deployment was now cancelled.
However, shortly after departure the patrol was also cancelled and HMS Liverpool was ordered to proceed to Bombay.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period from 5 to 9 October 1939 see the map below.
(4)
9 Oct 1939
Shortly before 1000 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Bombay. (3)
11 Oct 1939
Around 0630 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Bombay for a patrol in the Seychelles area.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 11 October 1939 to 17 October 1939 see the map below.
(3)
17 Oct 1939
Around 1730 hours (zone -3.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Diego Suarez from patrol in the Seychelles. (3)
18 Oct 1939
Around 1500 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Diego Suarez for another patrol in the Seychelles area.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 18 to 22 October 1939 see the map below.
(3)
22 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Mahé, Seychelles. (3)
24 Oct 1939
Around 0900 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Mahé, Seychelles for patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 24 to 27 October 1939 see the map below.
(3)
27 Oct 1939
Around 0600 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Diego Suarez from patrol. (3)
29 Oct 1939
Around 1330 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Diego Suarez for yet another patrol in the Seychelles area.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool from 29 October 1939 to 1 November 1939 see the map below.
(3)
1 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Mahé, Seychelles. (5)
3 Nov 1939
Around 0730 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Mahé, Seychelles for patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 3 to 6 November 1939 see the map below.
(5)
6 Nov 1939
Around 1730 hours (zone -3.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Diego Suarez from patrol in the Seychelles. (5)
7 Nov 1939
Around 0700 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Diego Suarez for yet another patrol in the Seychelles area.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool from 7 to 9 November 1939 see the map below.
9 Nov 1939
Around 0630 hours (zone -4), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Mahé, Seychelles.
She departed again shortly after 1700 hours. Destination was Colombo.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 9 to 13 November 1939 see the map below.
(5)
13 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Colombo. (5)
15 Nov 1939
Around 1330 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), departed Colombo for Singapore. She was to replace HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN) on the China Station.
That evening HMS Liverpool was ordered to patrol in position 05°N, 80°E as HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN) had reported star shell in position 09°N, 68°E. HMS Liverpool was ordered to continue her passage to Singapore the following afternoon. (6)
15 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 15 to 19 November 1939 see the map below.
19 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000 hours (zone -7.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), arrived at Singapore. (5)
21 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is docked in AFD 9 at Singapore. (5)
23 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is undocked. (5)
24 Nov 1939
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Singapore to patrol the Padang area (west coast of Sumatra).
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 24 November 1939 to 4 December 1939 see the map below.
(7)
4 Dec 1939
Around 0700 hours (zone -7.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), returned to Singapore from patrol.
She departed for Hong Kong via Saigon, French Indo China around 1700 hours. Shortly before departure, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) hoisted his flag in HMS Liverpool.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 4 to 10 December 1939 see the map below.
(8)
6 Dec 1939
Around 1300 hours (zone -7), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)), arrived at Saigon, French Indo China. (8)
7 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345 hours (zone -7), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)), departed Saigon, French Indo China for Hong Kong. (8)
10 Dec 1939
Around 0945 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)), arrived at Hong Kong. (8)
21 Dec 1939
At 1115 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Hong Kong to patrol off Japan.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 21 December 1939 to 12 January 1940 see the map below.
(7)
30 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived off the (Side) Saddle Islands off the Chinese coast where she fuelled from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Francol (2607 GRT, built 1917) (Master F.G. Drake). She departed again to resume her patrol off Japan in the afternoon. (8)
12 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1230 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) returned to Hong Kong from a patrol off Japan. (9)
16 Jan 1940
Around 0830 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Hong Kong for another patrol off Japan.
She was also to intercept the Japanese liner Asama Maru (16975 GRT, built 1929) (offsite link) which had German nationals on board coming from the U.S.A. and that were trying to return to German via Japan and the U.S.S.R..
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 16 to 28 January 1940 see the map below.
(10)
21 Jan 1940 (position 34.35, 140.32)
Around 1230 hours (zone -9), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), intercepts the Japanese passenger/cargo vessel Asama Maru (16975 GRT, built 1929) off Yokusaka, Japan (near position 34°35'N, 140°32'E). One blank round had to be fired as the ship initially refused to stop when ordered to do so. Twenty-one German nationals were removed from the ship which was then allowed to continue. (10)
28 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) returned to Hong Kong from a patrol off Japan.
13 Feb 1940
HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)) conducted exercises off Hong Kong with HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN). (11)
14 Feb 1940
HMS Liverpool ((Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)) conducted gunnery exercises off Hong Kong. (11)
21 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (11)
21 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (11)
22 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong with HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN). (11)
23 Feb 1940
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (11)
27 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (11)
3 Mar 1940
Around 1030 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Hong Kong to patrol off northern Japan.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 3 to 22 March 1940 see the map below.
(12)
14 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed her patrol area off Japan to fuel in the Chusan archipelago off the coast of China. (13)
19 Mar 1940
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived in the Chusan archipelago where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917).
After fuelling she proceeded eastwards again to resume her patrol off Japan. (12)
20 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is ordered to return to Hong Kong. (13)
22 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Hong Kong from patrol. (12)
4 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Hong Kong. (14)
5 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Hong Kong. (14)
9 Apr 1940
HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong with HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN). These included night exercises. (14)
10 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) returned to Hong Kong on completion of last night's exercises. (14)
11 Apr 1940
Around 1200 hours (zone -8), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Hong Kong to patrol off Manila, Philippines.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 11 to 29 April 1940 see the map below.
(15)
12 Apr 1940
HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is ordered to proceed to Aden as the political situation with Italy was deteriorating. She was to be relieved on the Manila patrol by HMS Thracian (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) so at first she continued on the the Manila area. (16)
17 Apr 1940
Shortly before 1800 hours (zone -7.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), arrived at Singapore. (14)
18 Apr 1940
Shortly after 0800 hours (zone -7.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), departed Singapore for Colombo. (14)
21 Apr 1940
Around 1530 hours (zone -5.5), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), arrived at Colombo. (14)
25 Apr 1940
Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN) from to HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) which then departed Colombo for Aden Around 0830EF(-5.5)/25. (17)
29 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), arrived at Aden. (14)
1 May 1940
Around 1630 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), departed Aden for Port Sudan. At the same time HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) departed Aden for Djibouti.
The cruisers then first conducted exercises before going their own way. (18)
3 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), arrived at Port Sudan. (19)
6 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), departed Port Sudan for patrol in the southern Red Sea. (19)
7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0915 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), dropped anchor off Kamaran Island.
She departed later the same day, around 1800 hours, to continue her patrol. (19)
8 May 1940
Around 0615 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), dropped anchor off Perim Island.
She departed for Aden around 0930 hours.
She arrived at Aden around 1545 hours. (19)
14 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1900 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) parted company with convoy US 2. (19)
16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1000 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Aden. (19)
18 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1800 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Aden for Djibouti. (19)
19 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Djibouti.
She departed Djibouti to return to Aden shortly after 2300 hours. (19)
20 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Aden from Djibouti. (19)
21 May 1940
At 1830 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Aden for the Perim patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Liverpool during the period of 21 to 27 May 1940 see the map below.
(19)
27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1800 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Aden from the Perim patrol. (19)
3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1315 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Aden for Port Sudan. (20)
4 Jun 1940
At 1640 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Port Sudan. Here Rear-Admiral Murray transferred his flag to HMNZS Leander (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN).
HMS Liverpool then departed Port Sudan for Alexandria at 2140 hours. She was to join the Mediterranean Fleet. (21)
7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0930 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) arrived at Alexandria where she joined the Mediterranean Fleet. (20)
14 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) returned to Alexandria from operations. (20)
1 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After taking on board ammunition at the Great Bitter lakes, HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) shifted to Port Tewfik where troops came on board. These troops were destined for British Somaliland. She departed Port Tewfik for Aden shortly before 1900 hours (zone -2). (22)
3 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly before 2200 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) arrived at Aden. The troops were then immediately disembarked. (22)
4 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Aden, HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), embarked spare 6" ammunition from the East Indies station after which she sailed for the Great Bitter lakes shortly before 1700 hours (zone -3). (22)
6 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly after 2000 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), arrived at the Great Bitter lakes. (22)
7 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0430 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), departed the Great Bitter lakes for Port Said where she arrived at 1000 hours.
After fuelling she departed Port Said around 1700 hours for Alexandria where she arrived at 0200 the next morning. (22)
13 Jul 1940
Around 0630 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), returned to Alexandria from operations. (22)
20 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115 hours (zone -2), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN), returned to Alexandria from operations. (22)
21 Jul 1940
Convoy operations AN 2 and AS 2
Convoys to and from the Aegean.
On 21 July 1940 six merchant vessels departed Port Said and two departed Alexandria. The next day they merged into convoy AN 2 at sea. [we currently do not know the names of these merchant vessels.] The six merchant ships coming from Port Said had been escorted by the destroyers HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN). The two merchant ships coming from Alexandria were escorted by the light cruisers HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) (she departed Alexandria shortly after midnight, 0030C/22), HMS Capetown (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, RAN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN). After the rendez-vous the convoy proceeded northwards to the Aegean. While in the Aegean the ships were to disperse and proceed independently towards their destinations covered by the escorting warships.
Distant cover for this convoy was provided by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN) and HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.deW. Kitcat, RN). This force departed Alexandria at 0400C/23 and returned in the afternoon of the 26th.
A diversion was also created by having the light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) appear of Castellorizio island on 23 July 1940. They had sailed from Alexandria at 0001C/24. HMS Orion then proceeded to Haifa while the destroyers proceeded to Port Said.
The escorting warships from convoy AN 2 were then to escort a convoy coming from the Aegean (AS 2) southwards. This convoy was formed off the Dardanelles on 27 July 1940 and was escorted in the Aegean by HMS Capetown, HMAS Stuart and HMS Defender. The next day the convoy was joined by HMS Liverpool, HMS Dainty and HMS Diamond and passed through the Kaso Strait.
Distant cover for this convoy was provided by the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, OBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, KCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Malaya (Capt. A.F.E. Palliser, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ramillies, aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN), light cruisers HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Hyperion, HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, RN), HMS Hereward, HMS Ilex, HMS Imperial and HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) which departed Alexandria at 0330C/27.
Again a diversion was created by having the light cruiser HMS Orion escorted by the destroyers HMAS Vampire and HMAS Vendetta appear of Castellorizio island but this time the ocean boarding vessels HMS Chakla (Cdr. L.C. Bach, RD, RNR) and HMS Fiona (Cdr. A.H.H. Griffiths, RD, RNR) were added to the force so that it appeared that troops were going to be landed on the island in the evening of the 27th. The destroyers and the ocean boarding vessels departed at 0700C/27 and then made rendez-vous with HMS Orion which came from Haifa.
HMS Warspite escorted by HMS Hyperion, HMS Ilex and HMS Imperial returned to Alexandria at 2000C/29. In the approaches to Alexandria the destroyer screen was reinforced by the destroyers HMS Hostile (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN).
HMS Capetown, HMS Dainty and HMS Diamond which went with the convoy to Port Said where they arrived on 31 July 1940. The following merchant ships made up the convoy; British cargo ships Bantria (2407 GRT, built 1928) and Sardinian Price (3491 GRT, built 1922), Norwegian cargo ship Bruse Jarl (1890 GRT, built 1923) and the Greek cargo ship Perseus (5178 GRT, built 1918).
During this operation the cruisers HMS Neptune and HMAS Sydney made a anti-shipping raid in the Gulf of Athens sinking the small Greek tanker Ermioni (436 GRT, built 1902) which was transporting fuel for the Italians in the Dodecanese. They had separated from the fleet to intercept this ship on the 27th.
During 27 to 29 July 1940 the Allied ships were attacked several times by the Italian air force but no hits were obtained except a dud bomb hit on HMS Liverpool on the 29th causing one crewmember to be killed and two to be wounded.
HMS Malaya, HMS Ramillies, HMS Eagle, HMS Liverpool, HMS Jervis, HMAS Stuart, HMS Defender, HMS Hereward, Hero, HMS Juno, HMS Mohawk and HMS Nubian arrived at Alexandria P.M. on 30 July. (23)
25 Jul 1940
Between 1145 and 1405 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), fuelled from tanker Turbo (4782 GRT, built 1912) south off Spetses island (off the Argolic Gulf). (22)
30 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1550 hours, HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), berthed at Alexandria on return from operations. (22)
20 Aug 1940
Operation MD 7.
Sweep in the Aegean for enemy shipping and the passing of two merchant ships from the Aegean to Port Said.
20 August 1940.
At 0800 hours Force A and Force B departed Alexandria for this operation. Force A was made up of the destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN) and HMS Hostile (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN). Force B was made up of the light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN).
Course and speed of these forces was adjusted to pass through the Kaso Strait around 0200/21. After passing through the straits both forces were to sweep through the southern Aegean towards the Gulf of Athens and to provide cover for the two merchant tankers mentioned below. On completion of the sweep through the southern Aegean Force A was to be detached and to proceed to Malta.
The British tanker Myriel (3560 GRT, built 1913) and the French tanker Phenix (5920 GRT, built 1920) both sailed independently from Chanak (Canakkale, Turkey) passing through the Doro Channel on the night of 20/21 August, then through the Zea and Elaphonisos Channel passing the latter during the night of 21/22 August, keeping as much as possible in territorial waters.
21 August 1940.
The operation was proceeding as planned except for enemy reports indicated the Forces A and B had been detected by enemy aircraft at 1030 hours.
22 August 1940.
The operation was still proceeding as planned. At 2200 hours Force B was about 40 miles south of Gavdo Island.
The four destroyers which made up force A arrived at Malta on this day.
23 August 1940.
HMS Orion and HMS Liverpool arrived at Alexandria around 1330 hours (zone -3). HMS Janus was ordered to leave the convoy and to proceed to Alexandria where she arrived the next day while HMS Jervis continued with the two merchant tankers towards Port Said where they arrived on the 25th. HMS Jervis then also proceeded to Alexandria where she arrived later the same day. (23)
Battleship HMS Ramillies (07)
6 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar during which she was escorted by HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN). HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) acted independently to assist in D/F calibration trials which were also carried out by HMS Ramillies. (24)
14 Dec 1940
The troopship Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN), AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN) all arrived in the Clyde. (24)
15 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0640A/15, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Greenock for Plymouth.
On leaving the Clyde around 1100A/15, she was joined by the escort destroyers HMS Cattistock (Lt.Cdr R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fernie (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) and HMS Holderness (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN). (24)
17 Dec 1940
Around 1130A/17, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), HMS Cattistock (Lt.Cdr R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fernie (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) and HMS Holderness (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth from the Clyde. Passage had took langer then anticipated due to the heavy weather conditions encountered.
HMS Ramillies was then taken in hand for a short refit at the Devonport Dockyard. (24)
22 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230Q/22, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the troop transport Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929) arrived at Halifax from the U.K. (25)
30 Jan 1941
Convoy HX 106.
This convoy departed Halifax on 30 January 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abercos (American, 6076 GRT, built 1920), Botavon (British, 5848 GRT, built 1912), Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940), Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931), Evanger (Norwegian, 3869 GRT, built 1920), Harpagus (British, 5173 GRT, built 1940), Horda (Norwegian, 4301 GRT, built 1920), Nurtureton (British, 6272 GRT, built 1929), R.J. Cullen (Canadian, 6589 GRT, built 1919), San Fabian (British (tanker), 13031 GRT, built 1922) and Topdalsfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the corvette HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).
At 1735Q/31, HMCS Collingwood parted company to return to Halifax.
Around 1400Q/2, in position 41°05'N, 52°22'W, convoy BHX 106, coming from Bermuda merged with convoy HX 106. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arthur F. Corwin (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Athelbeach (British (tanker), 6568 GRT, built 1931), British Fortune (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), Capsa (British (tanker), 8229 GRT, built 1931), Cardium (British (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1931), Chama (British (tanker), 8077 GRT, built 1938), Clea (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1938), Contractor (British, 6004 GRT, built 1930), Dover Hill (British, 5815 GRT, built 1918), Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Esturia (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914), Ganges (British, 6246 GRT, built 1930), Garonne (Norwegian (tanker), 7113 GRT, built 1931), Geo W. McKnight (British (tanker), 12502 GRT, built 1933), Hopemount (British (tanker), 7434 GRT, built 1929), Kheti (British, 2734 GRT, built 1927), Laguna (British, 6466 GRT, built 1923), Leiesten (Norwegian (tanker), 6118 GRT, built 1930), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Malmanger (Norwegian (tanker), 7078 GRT, built 1920), Miralda (British (tanker), 8013 GRT, built 1936), Mirza (Dutch (tanker), 7991 GRT, built 1929), Oilfield (British (tanker), 8516 GRT, built 1938), Opalia (British (tanker), 6195 GRT, built 1938), San Eliseo (British (tanker), 8042 GRT, built 1939), Silveray (British, 4535 GRT, built 1925), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Torborg (Norwegian (tanker), 6042 GRT, built 1921) and Trelissick (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919).
Convoy BHX 106 had been escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Maloja (A/Capt. V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax.
Around 1200P/3, in position 41°41'N, 49°16'W, the Hopemount straggled from the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy and arrived indepentently at Holyhead on 14 February 1941.
Around 1620P/4, in position 43°07'N, 43°51'W, the Abercos straggled from the convoy due to engine trouble. She managed to rejoin the convoy around 1010P/6.
At 0855P/8, in position 53°14'N, 34°12'W, an unknown ship was sighted by HMS Ramillies bearing 330° at a range of about 20 nautical miles. This ship was thought to be the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper. This was however incorrect as the ship in question was the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst which together with her sister ship Gneisenau was trying to attack the convoy. Scharnhorst tried to lure HMS Ramillies away from the convoy so that the Gneisenau could attack from a different direction. HMS Ramillies remained close to the convoy though and the German battlecruisers did not press their attack in accordance with their instructions not to do so in case an enemy battleship was present.
Around 0830N/10, in position 57°45'N, 28°29'W, the Leiesten straggled from the convoy with engine trouble.
Around 1715N/10, in position 58°41'N, 27°53'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.
On 11 February 1941, around noon, the following ships all straggled from the convoy in bad visibility and bad weather conditions; Abercos, Arthur F. Corwin, Botavon, Charlton Hall, Clea, Edward F. Johnson, Esturia, Horda, Laguna, Lodeston, Temple Arch, Torborg and Trelissick. Off these only the Trelissick managed to rejoin the convoy around 1500Z/15 in position 60°04'N, 11°36'W.
On 12 February 1941, the local A/S escort was to join. This local A/S escort was was made up of the destroyers HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN), HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN) and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.A. Campbell, RNR), HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR). They were however unable to find the convoy in the bad weather conditions with reduced visibility.
At 1246Z/12, when in position 60°50'N, 18°47'W, HMS Malcolm signalled that she had not met the convoy. At that time HMS Saladin, HMS Sardonyx and HMS Skate were in company with HMS Malcolm.
At 1410Z/12, when in position 60°50'N, 18°25'W, HMS Burnham signalled that she had not met the convoy.
At 1557Z/12, HMS Malcolm signalled that HMS Saladin and HMS Skate had to return to Lough Foyle to fuel. At 2219Z/12, the C-in-C, Western Approaches however ordered these two destroyers to fuel at Loch Ewe and then rejoin the convoy.
At 1308Z/13, the Clea, a straggler, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-96. There were no survivors.
At 1429Z/13, the Arthur F. Corwin, a straggler, signalled she had been torpedoed and damaged in position 60°20'N, 17°11'W. At 1603Z/13, HMS Malcolm was ordered to sent one of the escorts to assist the damaged tanker. At 1715Z/13, HMS Burnham signalled she was proceeding to do so. The Arthur F. Corwin had been torpedoed and damaged by the German submarine U-103.
At 1845Z/13, the corvette HMS La Malouine, with HMS Kingcup, HMS Northern Pride and HMS Vizalma in company reported that she was searching for the Edward F. Johnson which had been with the Arthur F. Corwin when she was attacked, but that she had been unable to find this second tanker.
At 1913Z/13, HMS Malcolm asked HMS Burnham for her position.
At 2216Z/13, HMS Burnham signalled that the Arthur F. Corwin was on fire and sinking. She had been attacked again around 1750Z/13, but now by the German submarine U-96. There were no survivors from the crew of the tanker.
At 2320Z/13, HMS Burnham replied to the signal (1913Z/13) from HMS Malcolm that she was in position 60°32'N, 16°10'W and that she was proceeding at 12 knots to Loch Ewe to refuel.
At 1051Z/14, HMS Malcolm ordered HMS Saladin to take over as Senior Officer as HMS Malcolm now also was proceeding to Loch Ewe to refuel. So far no escort vessel had joined convoy HX 106.
At 1051Z/14, HMS La Malouine reported that no survivors had been seen from the Arthur F. Corwin and that she was searching from stragglers from the convoy.
At 1554Z/14, HMS Kingcup signalled that she, and the three A/S trawlers which were in her company, were to join the convoy which position had been reported by the A/S air escort.
At 1633Z/14, the C-in-C Western Approaches ordered one A/S trawler to remain with the Edward F. Johnson. HMS Saladin and another trawler were ordered to search along the route of the convoy.
Around 1020A/15, HMS Malcolm arrived at Loch Ewe to refuel. HMS Burnham had arrived a little over an hour earlier. After fuelling they proceeded to sea again to join the convoy.
At 1523A/15, HMS Saladin signalled that she had joined the convoy and that HMS Kingcup was also in company.
At 1545A/15, the destroyer HMS Mistral (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) departed Loch Ewe to join the convoy. At 0021A/16, she signalled that she had encountered trawlers and tankers of the convoy near the Butt of Lewis.
At 1230A/16, HMS St. Elstan signalled that she was escorting the Edward F. Johnson and that they expected to arrive off Liverpool around 1500A/17.
At 1907A/16, HMS Malcolm that 12 ships of the convoy were missing at the rendezvous.
The following ships arrived at Loch Ewe on 17 February 1941; Abercos, Botavon, British Fortune, Cardium, Dover Hill, Esturia, Garonne, Harpagus, Kheti, Lodestone, Mactra, Nurtureton, Oilfield, Opalia, R.J. Cullen, Temple Arch and Trelissick.
The following ships arrived at Greenock on 18 February 1941; Athelbeach, Capsa, Chama, Cliona, Geo W. McKnight and Mirza.
The following ships arrived at Liverpool on 18 February 1941; Contractor, Evanger, Ganges, Horda, Leiesten, Malmanger, Miralda, San Eliseo, San Fabian, Silveray and Topdalsfjord.
On 18 February 1941, the Torborg arrived at Milford Haven.
On 19 February 1941, the Charlton Hall, Edward F. Johnson and Laguna arrived at Barry.
The escort vessels arrived in U.K. ports as follows; HMS Burnham arrived at Londonderry on 19 February, HMS Kingcup arrived at Londonderry on 18 February, HMS La Malouine arrived at Londonderry on 17 February, HMS Malcolm arrived at Londonderry on 17 February, HMS Northern Pride arrived at Londonderry on 19 February, HMS St. Elstan arrived at Londonderry on 19 February, HMS Saladin arrived at Londonderry on 19 February, HMS Sardonyx arrived at Londonderry on 17 February, HMS Skate arrived at Belfast on 21 February and HMS Vizalma arrived at Londonderry on 18 February. (26)
17 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1040Q/17, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (27)
19 Feb 1941
Convoy HX 110.
This convoy departed Halifax on 19 February 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alchiba (Dutch, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Almaha (British, 1352 GRT, built 1938), Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Barnby (British, 4813 GRT, built 1940), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), Brockley Hill (British, 5287 GRT, built 1918), Cetus (Norwegian, 2614 GRT, built 1920), Charles Racine (Norwegian (tanker), 9957 GRT, built 1937), Drammensfjord (Norwegian, 5339 GRT, built 1920), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936), Grayburn (British, 6342 GRT, built 1938), Hektoria (British, (whale factory ship / tanker), 13834 GRT, built 1899), Kirkpool (British, 4840 GRT, built 1928), Leiv Eiriksson (Norwegian (tanker), 9952 GRT, built 1936), Montreal City (British, 3066 GRT, built 1920), Nailsea Meadow (British, 4962 GRT, built 1937), Prince de Liege (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Scorton (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Skiensfjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1922), Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929), Stigstad (British, 5964 GRT, built 1927), Tacoma City (British, 4738 GRT, built 1929) and Wentworth (British, 5212 GRT, built 1919).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was not escorted.
Shortly after departure the Empire Meteor returned to Halifax arriving there on 20 February.
In the evening of the 19th, the Stad Haarlem had to hove to due to damaged boats that needed to be secured. She was not seen again and she returned to Halifax for repair arriving there on 20 February.
Around 1300P/21, in position 42°51'N, 55°46'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1730P/23, in position 43°31'N, 48°03'W, convoy BHX 110, coming from Bermuda merged with convoy HX 110. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelcrown (British (tanker), 11999 GRT, built 1929), Athelnight (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1930), Baron Elphinstone (British, 4635 GRT, built 1937), Bente Maersk (British (tanker), 5772 GRT, built 1928), Brasil (Norwegian (tanker), 8130 GRT, built 1935), British Fusilier (British (tanker), 6943 GRT, built 1923), Clavella (British (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), El Grillo (British (tanker), 7264 GRT, built 1922), Elusa (Dutch (tanker), 6235 GRT, built 1936), F.J. Wolfe (British (tanker), 12190 GRT, built 1932), Ferncourt (British (tanker), 9918 GRT, built 1938), Hindustan (British, 5245 GRT, built 1940), Holmside (British, 3433 GRT, built 1930), Juno (Dutch, 1753 GRT, built 1908), Koenjit (Dutch, 4551 GRT, built 1929), Lavington Court (British, 5372 GRT, built 1940), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920), Trader (British, 6087 GRT, built 1940) and Vimeira (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927).
Convoy BHX 110 had been escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax.
During the night of 26 February 1941 the Clavella dropped out of the convoy due to unknown reasons. She subsequently proceeded to Halifax arriving there on 2 March 1941. She reported having dropped out of the convoy due to engine trouble.
Around 1515O/3, in position 59°15'N, 33°50'W, HMS Ramillies parted company to join a westbound special convoy.
At 1230Z/7, in position 61°53'N, 12°45'W, the merchant vesssel Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924) joined the convoy coming from Reykjavik. with her were the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) which now joined the convoy as A/S escorts.
The destroyer HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) joined on the 8th. She came from the Clyde but had been diverted en-route to pick up survivors from the whale factory ship Terje Viken (British, 20638 GRT, built 1936) and was thus late in joining.
The Brockley Hill arrived at Stornoway on 9 March 1941.
The following ships arrived at Loch Ewe on 9 March 1941; Athelcrown, Athelknight, Atlantic, Barnby, Baron Elphinstone, British Fusilier, Cetus, Hindustan, Kirkpool, Nailsea Meadow, Prince de Liege, Scorton, Vimeira and Wentworh.
The following ships arrived in the Clyde on 11 March 1941; F.J. Wolfe, Generton, Grayburn, Juno and Leiv Eiriksson.
The Brasil arrived at Belfast on 10 March 1941.
The Alhama arrived at Larne on 10 March 1941.
The following ships arrived at Liverpool on 11 March 1941; Asbjorn, Bente Maersk, British Faith, Charles Racine, El Grillo, Elusa, Hektoria, Holmside, Koenjit, Lavington Court, Silverlarch, Stigstad, Tacoma City, Torvanger and Trader. The Tacoma City was mined in the Mersey River on 13 March 1941.
The following ships arrived in Barry Roads on 12 March 1941; Alchiba, Drammensfjord, Montreal City and Skiensfjord.
The escort vessels arrived in U.K. ports as follows; HMS Hurricane arrived at Greenock on 10 March 1941 and HMS Havelock, HMS Harvester and HMS Hesperus arrived at Liverpool on 11 March 1941. (28)
20 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915Q/20, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Halifax to overtake and join convoy HX 110.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 110 ' for 19 February 1941.] (27)
16 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900Q/16, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Halifax for Saint John, New Brunswick. (29)
17 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000Q/17, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived Saint John, New Brunswick from Halifax. She was docked in the graving dock later the same day. (29)
30 Mar 1941
HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is undocked. She subsequently left Saint John, New Brunswick for Halifax around 1300Q/30. (29)
31 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000Q/31, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from Saint John, New Brunswick. (29)
31 Mar 1941
Convoy HX 118.
This convoy departed Halifax late in the morning of 31 March 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Bretwalda (British, 4906 GRT, built 1939), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), Dalhousie (British, 7072 GRT, built 1940), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), Empire Comet (British, 6914 GRT, built 1941), Empire Gold (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1941), Erviken (Norwegian, 5019 GRT, built 1921), Geo W. McKnight (British (tanker), 12502 GRT, built 1933), Gyda (British, 1695 GRT, built 1934), Hopetarn (British, 5231 GRT, built 1940), Horn Shell (British (tanker), 8272 GRT, built 1931), Hoyanger (Norwegian, 4624 GRT, built 1926), Jean Jadot (Belgian, 5859 GRT, built 1929), Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937), Llanashe (British, 4836 GRT, built 1936), Lulworth Hill (British, 7628 GRT, built 1940), Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Norvinn (Panamanian, 6322 GRT, built 1930), Ottinge (British, 2818 GRT, built 1940), Patella (British (tanker), 7468 GRT, built 1927), Sandanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9432 GRT, built 1938), Sydhav (Norwegian (tanker), 7587 GRT, built 1929), Teakwood (British (tanker), 6014 GRT, built 1927), Tower Field (British, 4241 GRT, built 1935), Tredinnick (British, 4589 GRT, built 1921), Vav (Norwegian (tanker), 6415 GRT, built 1931), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and White Crest (British, 4365 GRT, built 1928).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by a local escort [identity not known to us] until 1840Q/31.
Around 1800Q/31, the convoy was joined by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Wolfe (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.G.A. Shuttleworth, RN).
Around 1830Q/2, the Narragansett dropped out of the convoy with engine trouble. She managed to rejoin the convoy around 1330N/12 in position 57°05'N, 31°03'W.
Around 1245P/3, in position 42°13'N, 52°12'W, the HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and submarine FFS Surcouf (Cdr. P.A.P. Ortolí) joined the convoy.
Around 0230O/7, the Lulworth Hill straggled from the convoy. She did not rejoin and arrived independently at Loch Ewe on 16 April 1941.
Around 0130O/10, in position 42°13'N, 35°00'W, the Surcouf parted company to proceed independently to the U.K.
Around 0530O/10, in position 58°10'N, 34°57'W, HMS Ramillies parted company to return to Halifax.
Around 0700Z/13, in position 61°42'N, 28°16'W, the corvettes HMS Tulip (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0730Z/13, the corvette HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0900Z/13, the destroyer HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1130Z/13, the destroyers HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1400Z/13, the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined the convoy.
Also on the 13th, the destroyer HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN) joined the convoy. [We have been unable to find out the time.]
Around 1430Z/13, in position 61°50'N, 26°55'W, HMS Wolfe parted company to proceed to Reykjavik.
Around 1810Z/13, in position 61°48'N, 26°21'W, the Teakwood was detached to Reykjavik. She took HMS Tulip and HMS Hydrangea with her as escorts. These corvettes subsequently made for the U.K. (possibly rejoining the convoy.)
On 17 April 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Loch Ewe; Bretwalda, British Resource, Caduceus, Dalhousie, Dan-Y-Bryn, Erviken, Ottinge, Patella, Tower Field, Tredinnic, Voco and White Crest. Off the escort vessels the following arrived at Loch Ewe on the same day; HMS Ripley, HMS Volunteer and HMS Kingcup. All three departed Loch Ewe again later the same day.
On 18 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived at Belfast; Dolabella, Horn Shell and Vav.
Also on 18 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived at Greenock; Geo W. McKnight and Sydhav.
Off the escort HMS Volunteer arrived at Belfast on 18 April 1941. She had collided with the destroyer HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. R.H.W. Atkins, RN) off Rathling Island in the North Channel. Both destroyers sustained serious damage.
HMS Ripley arrived at Liverpool on 18 April 1941.
On 19 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Amastra, City of Keelung, Eclipse, Empire Comet, Gyda, Hopetarn, Hoyanger, Jean Jadot, Johilla and Sandanger. Off the escort vessels the following arrived at Liverpool on the same day; HMS Caldwell, HMS Ramsay, HMS Walker, HMS Hydrangea and HMS Tulip.
HMS Kingcup arrived at Londonderry on 19 April 1941.
The Norvinn arrived at Milford Haven on 20 April 1941.
On 20 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived in Barry Roads on 20 April 1941 to proceed from their to their respective ports of destination in the Bristol Channel area; Empire Gold, Llanashe and Narragansett. (30)
1 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830Q/1, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and submarine FFS Surcouf (Cdr. P.A.P. Ortolí) departed Halifax to overtake and join convoy HX 118 at sea.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 118 ' for 31 March 1941.] (31)
15 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100Q/15, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (31)
20 Apr 1941
Convoy HX 122.
This convoy departed Halifax on 20 April 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antigone (British, 4545 GRT, built 1928), Athelregent (British (tanker), 8881 GRT, built 1930), Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930), Brant County (Norwegian, 5001 GRT, built 1915), Capira (Panamanian, 5625 GRT, built 1920), Empire Cheetah (British, 5673 GRT, built 1918), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Empire Hail (British, 7005 GRT, built 1941), Empire Silver (British, 8602 GRT, built 1941), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), Inversuir (British, 9456 GRT, built 1938), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Michalis (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1919), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Saganaga (British, 5454 GRT, built 1935), Saint Gobain (Swedish (tanker), 9959 GRT, built 1936), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Sama (Norwegian, 1799 GRT, built 1937), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), Stiklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938), Strinda (Norwegian (tanker), 10973 GRT, built 1937), Strix (Norwegian (tanker), 6219 GRT, built 1930), Sveve (Norwegian (tanker), 6313 GRT, built 1930), Tortuguero (British, 5285 GRT, built 1921), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920) and Yselhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR).
On departure from Halifax thick fog was encountered and it is not (currently) known to us when the two Canadian corvettes were detached to return to Halifax but most likely this was the next day.
Around 1030Q/22, in position 42°48'N, 56°30'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1930Q/23, in position 42°19'N, 50°38'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.
Around 1700P/25, in position 45°20'N, 44°45'W, the Empire Hail parted company with the convoy to proceed to St. John's, Newfoundland due to engine trouble.
Around 1315O/30, The battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) was sighted. They were sighted again several times on 1 and 2 May 1941. These ships were to provide additional cover in this area for convoys SC 29 and HX 122. On 3 May 1941, these ships returned to Iceland (Reykjavik / Hvalfjord).
Around 0700O/1, in approximate position 58°48'N, 34°11'W, the destroyer HMS Bulldog (Cdr. A.J.B. Cresswell, RN), corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Daneman (Lt. A.H. Ballard, RNR) and HMS St. Apollo (T/Lt. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).
Around 0850O/1, additional escorts had joined, these were the destroyer HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and corvettes HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR).
Around 0735O/2, in approximate position 60°48'N, 30°36'W, the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 0730N/3, in approximate position 62°30'N, 25°22'W, HMS Chesterfield parted company.
Around 1830N/3, in approximate position 62°27'N, 22°10'W, the merchant vessels Diana (British (former Danish), 942 GRT, built 1911) and Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938) joined the convoy coming from Iceland.
Around 0500Z/4, in aproximate position 62°25'N, 19°36'W, the Sveve parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland. She took HMS St. Apollo and HMS Daneman with her as escorts.
Around 0600Z/4, in aproximate position 62°27'N, 19°00'W, the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1045Z/4, in aproximate position 62°29'N, 17°48'W, the destroyer Walker joined the convoy.
Around 1130Z/4, in position 62°28'N, 17°50'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to proceed to Iceland (Hvalfjord) escorted by HMS Amazon and HMS Broadway.
By 1330Z/4, more escort vessels had joined the convoy at intervals, these were the destroyers HMS Chesterfield (which had returned after having fuelled at Hvalfjord), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR).
HMS Bulldog, HMS Aubretia, HMS Hollyhock and HMS Nigella then parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord.
Around 2100Z/5, in approximate position 59°45'N, 10°00'W, the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1430B/6, in approximate position 58°38'N, 06°22'W, the Diana parted company for Scrabster. She took HMS Picotee with her as escort.
Around the same time also HMS Electra and HMS Escapade parted company to join convoy SC 29.
Around 1830B/6, in approximate position 58°03'N, 05°59'W, the Loch Ewe section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the Antigone, Bornholm, Empire Silver, Saganaga and Tortuguero. HMS Walker went with them as escort.
Around 1430B/7, in approximate position 55°35'N, 07°00'W, Candytuft, Honeysuckle and Hydrangea parted company to proceed to Londonderry.
Around 1945B/7, in approximate position 55°09'N, 05°49'W, the Athelregent, Ronan and Strinda parted company to proceed to the Clyde. They took HMS Chesterfield with them as escort.
Around 2020B/7, in approximate position 55°05'N, 05°44'W, the Michalis parted company to proceed to Belfast.
Around 0515B/8, the Bristol Channel section parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Brant County, Empire Cheetah, G.S. Walden, James J. Maguire, Moorby, Saint Gobain, Sama, Sticklestad, Strix and Torvanger.
The remaining ships made up the Liverpool section which proceeded to Moelfre Bay where they anchored for the night before proceeding to their destination.
HMS Ramsey subsequently proceeded to Greenock. (32)
21 Apr 1941
Around 0900Q/21, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Halifax to join convoy HX 122 at sea.
On departure from Halifax she was escorted by the destroyer HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN) which parted company around 1800Q/21.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 122 ' for 20 April 1941.] (31)
25 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615Q/25, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (31)
25 Apr 1941
Convoy HX 123.
This convoy departed Halifax on 25 April 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928), Athelvictor (British (tanker), 8320 GRT, built 1941), Barbro (Norwegian (tanker), 6325 GRT, built 1934), British Ardour (British (tanker), 7124 GRT, built 1928), British Power (British (tanker), 8451 GRT, built 1936), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Cocle (Panamanian, 5630 GRT, built 1920), Corner Brook (British, 5767 GRT, built 1925), Dalmore (British, 4096 GRT, built 1920), Donacilla (British (tanker), 8113 GRT, built 1939), Dromore (British, 4096 GRT, built 1920), Empire Oryx (British, 5756 GRT, built 1919), Empire Penguin (British, 6318 GRT, built 1919), Empire Swan (British, 7899 GRT, built 1922), Gdynia (Swedish, 1636 GRT, built 1934), Heina (Norwegian, 4028 GRT, built 1925), Hektoria (British, (whale factory ship / tanker), 13834 GRT, built 1899), Helgoy (Norwegian, 7116 GRT, built 1920), Imperial Monarch (British, 5831 GRT, built 1926), Jaarstroom (Dutch, 2480 GRT, built 1922), Kinross (British, 4956 GRT, built 1935), Kirkpool (British, 4840 GRT, built 1928), Kolsnaren (Swedish, 2465 GRT, built 1923), Kongsgaard (Norwegian (tanker), 9467 GRT, built 1937), Kristianiafjord (Norwegian, 6759 GRT, built 1921), Lechistan (Polish, 1937 GRT, built 1929), Loch Don (British, 5249 GRT, built 1937), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Manaqui (British, 2802 GRT, built 1921), Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941), Ostende (Belgian, 4528 GRT, built 1903), Pachesham (British, 6085 GRT, built 1920), Socony (British (tanker), 4404 GRT, built 1936), Southern Princess (British (whale factory ship / tanker), 12156 GRT, built 1915), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938), Valldemosa (British, 7222 GRT, built 1935), Virgilia (British (tanker), 5723 GRT, built 1927), Wellpark (British, 4649 GRT, 1938), Welsh Prince (British, 5148 GRT, built 1940) and Winona County (British, 6049 GRT, built 1919).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Derbyshire (Capt.(Retd.) E.A.B. Stanley, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).
Around 2100Q/25, both Canadian corvettes parted company.
Between 1700Q/26 and 1930Q/26 three merchant vessels which were unable to keep up with the convoy were detached from the convoy to return to Halifax. These were the following; Cocle, Imperial Monarch and Ostende.
At dawn on 27 April 1941 it was seen that the Amberton was no longer in company with the convoy. She had returned to Halifax as she had insufficient speed to keep up with the convoy.
At dawn on 28 April 1941 it was seen that the Winona County was no longer in company with the convoy. She had returned to Halifax as she had insufficient speed to keep up with the convoy.
Around 0800P/30, in position 42°54'N, 46°17'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.
During the night of 30 April 1941 / 1 May 1941 and during the whole of 1 May 1941 the convoy had to hove to due to a heavy gale.
During the morning of 2 May 1941 the convoy was re-formed. It was seen that the Stad Vlaardingen was no longer in company. She eventually returned to Halifax.
Around 0430P/4, in position 49°37'N, 43°07'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy.
At dawn on 4 May 1941 it was seen that the Welsh Prince was no longer in company with the convoy. She arrived back at Halifax on 10 May 1941.
Around 0830P/5, the Empire Swan dropped astern and straggled from the convoy. She rejoined around 1730O/7.
Around 1630O/6, in position 58°00'N, 37°50'W, the destroyer HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN) and the corvette HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 2000O/8, in position 60°32'N, 27°48'W, the destroyer HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 0100O/9, in position 60°16'N, 26°30'W, the destroyers Chelsea and Mansfield joined the convoy.
Around 0515O/9, in position 60°26'N, 25°30'W, the sloop HMS Rochester (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Allen, RN) and corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR), HMS Marigold (T/Lt. J. Renwick, RNR), HMS Nasturtium (Lt.Cdr. J.F.C. Bartley, DSC, RNR) and HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A. Ayre, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0845O/9, HMS Begonia parted company.
Around 1710O/9, the rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy. She had been escorted from Iceland to the rendezvous by the HMS Wastwater (T/Lt. R. Edwards, RNVR) which did not join the convoy.
Around 1815O/9, in position 60°05'N, 22°00'W, the destroyers HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, RN), HrMs Campbeltown (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN)and HMS Newmarket (Lt.Cdr. G.B.O'B. Harding, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Derbyshire then parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord taking HMS Verity, HMS Wolverine, HMS Chelsea and HMS Mansfield with her.
Ships of the convoy arrived in the U.K. as follows;
On 12 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban; Athelvictor, British Ardour, British Power, Cairnesk, Dalmore, Donacilla, Empire Oryx, Jaarstroom, Kinross, Kirkpool, Kristianiafjord, Loch Don, Mactra, Manaqui and Virgilia.
On 12 May 1941 the following ships arrived in the Clyde; Empire Pinguin, Empire Swan, Kongsgaard and Southern Princess.
Also the Copeland arrived in the Clyde on 12 May 1941.
On 12 May 1941 the following ships arrived in Belfast Lough; Socony and Tiba.
On 13 May 1941 the following ships arrived at Liverpool; Barbro (for Manchester), Corner Brook (for Manchester), Dromore (for Manchester), Gdynia, Heina, Hektoria, Helgoy, Kolsnaren, Lechistan (for Manchester), Newbrough, Pachesham (for Manchester), Valldemosa (for Manchester) and Wellpark (for Manchester).
The escorts arrived in the U.K. as follows;
HMS Newmarket, HMS Dianthus and HMS Nasturtium arrived at Londonderry on 12 May 1941. HMS Dianthus and HMS Nasturtium later departed again for Liverpool.
HMS Westcott, HrMs Campbeltown and HMS Marigold arrived at Greenock on 12 May 1941.
HMS Primrose arrived at Londonderry on 13 May 1941.
HMS Rochester arrived at Greenock on 13 May 1941.
HMS Auricula, HMS Dianthus and HMS Nasturtium arrived at Liverpool on 13 May 1941.
8 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130P/8, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. She arrived off the harbour earlier in the day but was unable to enter immediately due to thick fog. (33)
16 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises off Halifax. Also a 'throw off shoot' was carried out during which the destroyer HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN) acted as target. (34)
16 May 1941
Convoy HX 127.
This convoy departed Halifax on 16 May 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Acavus (British (tanker), 8010 GRT, built 1935), Aircrest (British, 5237 GRT, built 1940), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925), Boreas (Norwegian, 2801 GRT, built 1920), Brasil (Norwegian (tanker), 8130 GRT, built 1935), British Integrity (British (tanker), 8412 GRT, built 1927), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), Coimbra (British (tanker), 6768 GRT, built 1937), Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936), Cristales (British, 5389 GRT, built 1926), Dalcroy (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Dramatist (British, 5443 GRT, built 1920), Elmdale (British, 4872 GRT, built 1941), Empire Flamingo (British, 4994 GRT, built 1920), Empire Hartebeeste (British, 5579 GRT, built 1918), Empire Hawksbill (British, 5652 GRT, built 1920), Empire Seal (British, 7899 GRT, built 1922), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), F.J. Wolfe (British (tanker), 12190 GRT, built 1932), Ganymedes (Dutch, 2682 GRT, built 1917), Gravelines (British (former French), 2477 GRT, built 1925), Harmonic (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Inverness (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), Kheti (British, 2734 GRT, built 1927), Laurelwood (British (tanker), 7347 GRT, built 1929), Leiesten (Norwegian (tanker), 6118 GRT, built 1930), Leiv Eiriksson (Norwegian (tanker), 9952 GRT, built 1936), Lord Byron (British, 4118 GRT, built 1934), Mosli (Norwegian (tanker), 8291 GRT, built 1935), Norefjord (Norwegian, 3082 GRT, built 1920), Ondina (Dutch, 6341 GRT, built 1939), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), Regent Lion (British (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1937), Rotterdam (Dutch, 8968 GRT, built 1925), Seapool (British, 4820 GRT, built 1940), Skiensfjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1922), Spind (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1917), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Standella (British (tanker), 6197 GRT, built 1936), Stigstad (British, 5964 GRT, built 1927), Teddington (British, 4762 GRT, built 1941), Temple Yard (British, 5205 GRT, built 1937), Tilsington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Trefusis (British, 5299 GRT, built 1918), Trelissick (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919), Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930), Winona County (British, 6049 GRT, built 191),
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN) and HMCS Agassiz (Lt. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR).
Around 2110P/16, both Canadian corvettes parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.
Around 0500P/17, the Leiv Eiriksson dropped out of the convoy. She subsequently returned to Halifax.
Thick fog was encountered on the 18th and not all ships were in company at dawn on the 19th but all rejoined rather quickly.
Around 1940P/19, in approximate position 43°27'N, 50°05'W, the Trefusis parted company due to condenser trouble. She returned to Halifax where she arrived on 22 May 1941. On the same day the Spind also returned to Halifax with defects. [It is currently not know to us when she parted company with the convoy].
Around 2000P/20, in approximate position 45°21'N, 46°48'W, the Bermuda section of the convoy (BHX 127) joined. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adula (British (tanker), 8040 GRT, built 1937), Athelqueen (British (tanker), 8780 GRT, built 1928), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), Chr. Th. Boe (Norwegian (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1930), Laristan (British (tanker), 6401 GRT, built 1927), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Ranja (Norwegian (tanker), 6355 GRT, built 1928), Sepia (British (tanker), 6214 GRT, built 1936), Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939) and Vardefjell (Norwegian (tanker), GRT, built 1940).
Convoy BHX 127 was escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous by the the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (Capt.(Retd.) G. Hamilton, RN) which did not join the convoy but set course for Halifax.
Around 1100N/24, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to join the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck and Prinz Eugen.
Around 1800N/26, the corvettes HMS Larkspur (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RNR) and HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1645N/28, the destroyer HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN) joined the convoy. Later (times / dates unknown) more A/S escorts joined the convoy, these were the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN), A/S yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN), minesweeper HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR) also joined [date and times of joining not known].
The escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and sloops HMS Stork (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN) and HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) departed Scapa Flow around 0700/26 to reinforce the escort of the convoy [date and times of joining not known].
On 31 May 1941, the Mosli arrived at Reykjavik after having been detached from the convoy earlier.
On 31 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban for onward routing to East Coast ports; Acavus, Adula, Aircrest, Barrdale, British Commodore, Coimbra, Cristales, Elmdale, Empire Flamingo, Empire Hartebeeste, Empire Hawksbill, Ganimedes, Harmonic, Ittersum, Laristan, Leiesten, Norefjord, Ondina, President de Vogue, Seapool, Standella, Tilsington Court, Trelissick and Winosa County.
On 1 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Scapa Flow; Laurelwood and Sepia.
On 1 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; Dalcroy, Empire Seal, Empire Shearwater, F.J. Wolfe, Kheti, Petter, Regent Lion, Solfonn, Stad Vlaardingen, Teddington and Temple Yard.
On 1 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Athelqueen, British Integrity, British Pride, Carelia, Chr. Th. Boe, Comanchee, Dramatist, Inverness, Ranja, Stigstad, Vardefjell and Wellington Court.
On 2 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Milford Haven; Boreas, Brasil, Lord Byron, Rotterdam and Skiensfjord.
Local A/S escort vessels involved in escorting HX 127 arrived in port as follows; HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Restigouche and HMS Farndale arrived at Greenock on 1 June 1941.
HMS Hambledon, HMS Stork and HMIS Sutlej arrived at Scapa Flow on 1 June 1941. HMS Hambledon had made a short fuel stop at Loch Ewe on 31 May though before rejoining the two sloops.
HMS Hussar arrived at Stornoway on 1 June 1941.
HMS Skate arrived at Londonderry on 1 June 1941.
HMS Salisbury arrived at Londonderry on 2 June 1941.
HMS St Kenan arrived at Ardrossan on 3 June 1941. She had been involved in the salvage of the forepart of the torpedoed Gravelines which at some point had straggled from the convoy.
The exact movements of HMS Philante are not clear to us at the moment. According to some documents she arrvived at Halifax on 23 June 1941 after being at sea since 23 May 1941, the day she left Londonderry. This is however incorrect and she has been at Iceland in between as well according to other documents. (35)
27 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230N/27, when in approximate position 44°29'N, 41°12'W, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) left patrol to return to Halifax. (33)
30 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1915P/30, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty and patrol in the North Atlantic. (33)
1 Jun 1941
Convoy HX 130.
This convoy departed Halifax on 1 June 1941.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ary Lensen (British, 3214 GRT, built 1930), Ashworth (British, 5227 GRT, built 1920), Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930), Brabant (Belgian, 2483 GRT, buil 1938), British Valour (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1927), City of Johannesburg (British, 5669 GRT, built 1920), Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Danae II (British, 2660 GRT, built 1936), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Empire Elk (British, 4748 GRT, built 1920), Empire Leopard (British, 5781 GRT, built 1917), Gyda (British, 1695 GRT, built 1934), Hallanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1928), Kaipara (British, 5882 GRT, built 1938), Marit (Norwegian (tanker), 5563 GRT, built 1918), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Peterton (British, 5221 GRT, built 1919), Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929), San Florentino (British (tanker), 12842 GRT, built 1919), San Gerardo (British (tanker), 12915 GRT, built 1929), Sommerstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5923 GRT, built 1926), Spind (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1917), Thornliebank (British, 5569 GRT, built 1939) and Willesden (British, 4653 GRT, built 1925).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Pictou (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Driver, RCNR) and HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. J.W. Bonner, RCNR).
Around 1500P/1, the Daphnella returned to Halifax due to engine trouble.
Around 1955P/1, HMCS Pictou parted company to return to Halifax.
Around 2115P/1, HMCS Rimouski parted company to return to Halifax.
At dawn on 4 June 1941 it was seen that some ships were missing of which the Empire Elk was not seen again.
Around 0900P/5, in approximate position 43°05'N, 49°30'W, convoy BHX 130, coming from Bermuda, merged with the convoy. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), British Courage (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1928), British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Donax (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Laurits Swenson (Norwegian, 5725 GRT, built 1930), Narragansett (British (tanker) 10389 GRT, built 1936), Nyholt (Norwegian (tanker), 8087 GRT, built 1931), Refast (British (tanker) 5189 GRT, built 1914), Samuel Bakke (Norwegian, 4719 GRT, built 1929), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935) and Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928).
Convoy BHX 130 had been escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax.
Around 0800P/6, in position 44°42'N, 46°24'W, convoy SHX 130 merged with the convoy. This convoy had departed Sydney, Nova Scotia on 1 June 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alioth (British, 4583 GRT, built 1937), Chepo (Panamanian, 5707 GRT, built 1919), King Frederick (British, 5106 GRT, built 1920), Kronprinsessan Margareta (Swedish, 3739 GRT, built 1914), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Taborfjell (Norwegian, 1339 GRT, built 1938), Tetela (British, 5389 GRT, built 1926) and Tucurinca (British, 5412 GRT, built 1926).
On departure from Sydney, convoy SHX 130, had been briefly escorted by the auxiliary M/S trawler HMCS Rayon d'Or (?).
Another merchant vessel, the Tureby (British, 4372 GRT, built 1936) had straggled from convoy SHX 130 on 6 June 1941 and thus did not join convoy HX 130. She arrived at Reykjavik on 12 June 1941.
Around 1730P/7, in position 48°19'N, 45°49'W, the destroyers HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Agassiz (Lt. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR), HMCS Alberni (Lt. G.O. Baugh, RCNR) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN) joined coming from St. Johns, Newfoundland.
Around 1900P/7, HMS Burnham and HMCS Alberni were detached to join convoy SC 33. This convoy was later ordered to proceed in close convoy HX 130 and proceed in very close proximity astern of convoy HX 130. The A/S escorts, HMS Churchill, HMS Burnham, HMCS Agassiz, HMCS Alberni and HMCS Wetaskiwin then protected both convoys.
On 8 June 1941, the New York City straggled from the convoy. She proceeded to St. Johns, Newfoundland where she arrived on 15 June 1941.
Around 1830P/9, in position 53°41'N, 46°45'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.
Around 0500O/15, the current A/S escort of HMCS Agassiz, HMCS Alberni and HMCS Wetaskiwin was relieved in approximate position 60°36'N, 25°58'W, by a new group of A/S escorts. It seems that HMS Churchill and HMS Burnham had already been detached at that time as they arrived at Hvalfjord on 15 and 14 June respectively. The three Canadian corvettes arrived at Hvalfjord on 16 June.
The new group of A/S escorts was was made up of the following ships; cutters HMS Banff (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Evans, RN), HMS Culver (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN), HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR), HMS Hartland (A/Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN), destroyers HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), corvettes HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), HMS Petunia (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) minesweepers HMS Niger (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bayley, DSC, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR) and HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.A. Campbell, RNR). [It is possible / likely these did not all join at the same time.] The armed boarding vessel / fighter catapult ship HMS Ariguani (Cdr.(Retd.) R.A. Thorburn, RD, RNR) also joined the convoy.
On 15 June 1941, the Norbryn parted company with the convoy and joined convoy SC 33 instead.
Ships of the convoy arrived in U.K ports as follows;
Loch Ewe, 18 June 1941; Amastra, Ary Lensen, Athelprince, British Engineer, British Valour, Cape Wrath, Dalross, Danae II, Donax, Empire Leopard, Peterton, Scottish Heather, Tetela and Willesden.
Clyde, 19 June 1941; Athelduchess, City of Johannesburg, Hallanger, Iroquois, Kronprinsessan Margareta, Nyholt, San Arcadio, San Florentino and Thornliebank.
Liverpool, 20 June 1941; Alioth, Benedict, British Courage, British Tenacity, Chepo, Gyda, Kaipara, King Frederick, Laurits Swenson, Refast, Romney, Samuel Bakke, San Gerardo, Sommerstad, Taborfjell and Tucurinca.
Barry Roads, 21 June 1941; Ashworth, Brabant, British Dominion, Marit, Narragansett and Spind.
The escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows;
Londonderry, 19 June 1941; HMS Watchman, HMS Sardonyx, HMS Banff, HMS Culver, HMS Fishguard, HMS Hartland and HMS Violet.
Clyde, 19 June 1941; HMS Ariguani.
Londonderry, 20 June 1941; HMS Heliotrope, HMS Petunia, HMS Verbena, HMS Northern Gem and HMS Northern Pride. (36)
14 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845P/14, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (37)
28 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0500Z/28, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Hvalfjord from convoy escort duty. (37)
19 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600A/19, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Liverpool.
She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN), HMS Charlestown (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN).
Around 0130A/19, HMS Hesperus parted company to proceed to the Humber where she was to refit. She arrived in the Humber on 22 August 1941.
Around 0835A/22, HMS Castleton and HMS Charlestown parted company to proceed to Port ZA (Loch Alsh) where they arrived on 23 August 1941.
HMS Ramillies arrived at Liverpool later that morning. At Liverpool she was to refit at the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead. (38)
29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is docked in the Gladstone graving dock at Liverpool. (38)
29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is docked in the Gladstone graving dock at Liverpool. (38)
5 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) is undocked. She then moved to the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead. (38)
Sources
- ADM 53/109582
- ADM 53/109582 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/109583
- ADM 53/109583 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/109584
- ADM 53/109584 + ADM 199/382
- ADM 53/109584 + ADM 199/374
- ADM 53/109585
- ADM 53/112605
- ADM 53/112605 + ADM 199/374
- ADM 53/112606
- ADM 53/112607
- ADM 53/112607 + ADM 199/374
- ADM 53/112608
- ADM 53/112608 + ADM 199/374
- ADM 199/374
- ADM 53/112524 + ADM 53/112608
- ADM 53/112609 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Hobart for May 1940
- ADM 53/112609
- ADM 53/112610
- ADM 53/112610 + ADM 199/383
- ADM 53/112611
- ADM 199/386
- ADM 53/113049
- ADM 53/114928
- ADM 53/114928 + ADM 53/114929 + ADM 199/718 + ADM 199/1144 + ADM 199/1215 + ADM 199/2099
- ADM 53/114929
- ADM 53/114929 + ADM 53/114929 + ADM 199/718 + ADM 199/1144 + ADM 199/1215 + ADM 199/2099
- ADM 53/114930
- ADM 53/114931 + ADM 53/115198 + ADM 53/115199 + ADM 199/718 + ADM 199/1144
- ADM 53/114931
- ADM 53/113540 + ADM 53/113541 + ADM 53/114931 + ADM 199/718 + ADM 199/1144
- ADM 53/114932
- ADM 199/1144
- ADM 53/114932 + ADM 199/718 + ADM 199/1444
- ADM 53/114933 + ADM 199/718 + ADM 199/1444
- ADM 53/114933
- ADM 53/114935
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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