John Charles Young Roxburgh DSO, DSC, RN

Born  29 Jun 1919Mysore, Karnataka, India
Died  13 Apr 2004(84)Hindhead, Surrey, England, U.K.

Ranks

1 Jan 1937 Mid.
16 Apr 1939 S.Lt.
16 Mar 1941 Lt.
16 Mar 1949 Lt.Cdr.
31 Dec 1952 Cdr.
31 Dec 1958 Capt.
7 Jul 1967 Rear-Admiral
15 Jul 1970 Vice-Admiral

Retired: 3 Oct 1972


Decorations

19 May 1942 DSC
12 Oct 1943 DSO
19 Jun 1945 Bar to DSC
1 Jan 1967 CBE
14 Jun 1969 CB
1 Jan 1972 KCB

Warship Commands listed for John Charles Young Roxburgh, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS H 43 (N 43)Lt.Submarine10 Aug 194216 Sep 1942
HMS United (P 44)Lt.Submarine7 Dec 194230 Dec 1943
HMS P 555 (P 555)Lt.Submarine14 Jan 194417 Jan 1944
HMS Tapir (P 335)Lt.Submarine4 Oct 194412 Feb 1946

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS H 43 (N 43)


11 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Ardrishaig where she participated in A/S exercises with ML's. (1)

12 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with ML's. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Rothesay. (1)

13 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. She was escorted by HMS Monkshood. (1)

14 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) arrived at Londonderry. (1)

15 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HNoMS Montbretia and HNoMS Potentilla. (1)

16 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Hartland (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Billot, RNR). (1)

18 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft, HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR), USS Gleaves, USS Mayo, USS Niblack and USS Benson. (1)

19 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Niblack, USS Benson, USS Gleaves and USS Mayo. (1)

20 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Plunkett, USS Hilary P. Jones, USS Charles F. Hughes and USS Madison. (1)

21 Aug 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Plunkett, USS Hilary P. Jones, USS Charles F. Hughes and USS Lansdale. (1)

22 Aug 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Yestor (Lt. R.C. Holt, RNVR), HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN). (1)

23 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN), HMS Hurricane (Cdr. E.C. Bayldon, DSC, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN). (1)

27 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Trillium (T/Lt. P.C. Evans, RCNR), HMCS Collingwood (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W. Woods, RCNR), HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) and HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. G.H.D. Williams, RN). (1)

28 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Babbitt, HMCS Bittersweet (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Woods, RCNR) and aircraft. (1)

29 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.V. Gladstone, RN), HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN), HMS Narcissus (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, RNR), HMS Heather (T/Lt. W.L. Turner, RNR) and FFS Renoncule. (1)

30 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.V. Gladstone, RN) and HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN). (1)

31 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Harvester (Cdr. A.A. Tait, DSO, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski), HMS Fowey (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) and HMS Black Swan (Cdr. T.A.C. Pakenham, RN). (1)

4 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Nicholson, USS Ludlow and USS Cole. (2)

5 Sep 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Nicholson and HMS Bredon (T/Lt. J.R. Fradgeley, RNVR). (2)

6 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN) and HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN). (2)

7 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bredon (T/Lt. J.R. Fradgeley, RNVR) and HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR). (2)

11 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) and HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (2)

12 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR), HMS Clover (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Shaw, RNR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RD, RNR), HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR) and HMS Dunkery (T/Lt. S.M. Booker, RNVR). (2)

13 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dunkery (T/Lt. S.M. Booker, RNVR) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN). (2)

14 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dunkery (T/Lt. S.M. Booker, RNVR), HMS Fame (Cdr. R. Heathcote, RN) and HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR). (2)

15 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dunkery (T/Lt. S.M. Booker, RNVR) and HMS Fame (Cdr. R. Heathcote, RN). (2)


Submarine HMS United (P 44)


11 Dec 1942
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (also 10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Skerki Bank.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 44 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

16 Dec 1942 (position 37.46, 11.05)
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) attacked a convoy made up of the Italian Campania (5247 GRT, built 1918) and the German Rhea (1388 GRT, built 1922). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Groppo and Giuseppe Sirtori. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. Rhea observed one torpedo missing her on the starboard side.

(All times are zone -1)
1634 hours - Sighted two merchant vessels escorted by a older type torpedo-boat and an escort what was thought to be a sloop like Eritrea but then smaller. The convoy was northbound and the merchant vessels were of 3500 and 2500 tons and were fairly light. Started attack.

1717 hours - In position 37°46'N, 11°05'E fired four torpedoes from 2000 yards at the two merchant vessels that were overlapping. No hits were obtained. P 44 had gone to 120 feet on firing and had moved off the tracks, keeping stern on to the nearest escort vessel. 5 minutes after firing a hunt started which lasted for about an hour. Only 5 depth charges were dropped but they were not near. (3)

21 Dec 1942 (position 38.25, 12.04)
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) attacked an enemy destroyer or torpedo-boat with two torpedoes about 25 nautical miles north of Marettimo Island. Both torpedoes missed. This was probably the Italian torpedo boat Cigno on A/S search. The attack was not observed.

(All times are zone -1)
0334 hours - In position 38°25'N, 12°04'E sighted an Italian fleet destroyer, thought to be a Maestrale-class. Enemy speed was thought to be 19 knots. Started attack.

0338 hours - Fired the only two available torpedoes from 1500 yards. (P 44 had four torpedoes left, two Mk. II and two Mk. IV. The depth settings of these torpedoes could not be changed while they were in the tubes and as P 44 had received a signal shortly before to attack Italian destroyers the depth setting had to be changed and she was in the middle of doing so). Both torpedoes missed. P 44 had gone to 120 feet on firing. The destroyer turned to port and started a hunt. She was in contact one or twice and hunted P 44 for 4 hours, during which time not a single depth charge was dropped. It was decided she was probably a Partenope-class destroyer bound for Trapani.

0652 hours - No more HE was heard. Returned to periscope depth. Saw the destroyer still hunting about 4 nautical miles astern. (3)

22 Dec 1942 (position 38.19, 11.49)
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) attacked an escorted enemy merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 20 nautical miles north-west of Marettimo Island. No hits were obtained. This was the Italian Etruria (2633 GRT, built 1933) with the German lighters F 478, F 482, F 483 and F 484 and escorted by the torpedo boats Ardito and Angelo Bassini. Two hours later, she was sunk by air attack.

(All times are zone -1)
21 December 1942
2326 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 080°.

2353 hours - Identified one merchant vessel escorted by one destroyer 240°.

2357 hours - Dived in position 38°19'N, 11°49'E. This was about 6 nautical miles ahead of the convoy. After diving the enemy's smoke could still be seen through the periscope.

22 December 1942
0015 hours - The merchant vessel was seen to be a medium-seized one of about 4000 tons. One destroyer was 1500 yards ahead and another destroyer was now seen to be astern. Also four E-boats were part of the screen. Enemy course was 240°, speed 7 knots.

0038 hours - When about to fire the last two remaining torpedoes in position from a range of 2000 yards the destroyer that was ahead of the merchant vessel suddenly turned towards and speeded up. She had detected P 44 on her Asdics. P 44 went deep and prepared to fire by asdics. When the order fire was given this was not heard as the destroyer dropped one depth charge right overhead at the same time. The depth charge exploded very close. The two torpedoes were then fired but 14 seconds too late so they missed. Both destroyers then hunted P 44. They dropped 14 depth charges but these were not close. (3)

24 Dec 1942
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (also 10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

4 Jan 1943
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (also 11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Sicilian Channel to the south of the Skerki Bank.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 44 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

6 Jan 1943
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) is ordered, by signal, to patrol to the north of Marettimo Island. (3)

7 Jan 1943 (position 37.57, 11.24)
At 0015 hours, in position 37°57'N, 11°24'E (about 30 nautical miles were of Marettimo Island), HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted two torpedo tracks coming towards. The first torpedo passed was ahead but the second torpedo passed underneath the fore hatch after P 44 had begun to altering away. P 44 then dived and shortly afterwards heard HE of an E-boat approaching. The E-boat was heard to start and stop to listen for half an hour before it disappeared. The identity of this boat has not yet been identified and the attack may be bogus. (3)

11 Jan 1943
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) was ordered to patrol off the west Calabrian coast and if possible do some train wrecking. Bad weather prevented this order to be carried out. Besides that, few trains were in fact seen on the two days P 44 was off the coast. (3)

17 Jan 1943 (position 38.15, 11.43)
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian destroyer Bombardiere (1654 tons, built 1942) about 20 nautical miles north-west of Isola Marettimo, Sicily, Italy in position 38°04'N 11°49'E. She was escorting the transport Mario Roselli (6835 GRT, built 1942) with the destroyer Legionario. Legionario could not stop to pick up the survivors from fear she would become also a victim of the submarine and could only jettison eight life rafts. The corvettes Antelope, Artemide and Gabbiano sailed from Trapani to search for survivors and found only three officers and forty ratings, all wounded. The cold water must have accounted for a large part of the 174 victims.

(All times are zone -1)
1705 hours - Heard fast diesel HE bearing 257°.

1715 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted a modern 7000 ton merchant vessel escorted by two fleet destroyers on a course of 048°. Enemy speed 13 knots. Started attack.

1727 hours - In position 38°04'N, 11°49'E fired four torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 3000 yards. Went deep on firing and went off the tracks.

1729 hours - Heard one torpedo explosion. All HE of the merchant ship ceased and was not heard again.

1733 hours - A counter attack started. 30 Depth charges were dropped in the next 30 minutes. P 44 meanwhile withdrew to the west keeping stern on to the transmitting destroyer.

1807 hour - HE of the destroyers disappeared. More HE was later heard to the southward forcing P 44 to return to the area of the attack.

1948 hours - HE faded out.

2224 hours - Surfaced in position 38°07'N, 11°41'E. Sighted a stopped E-boat about 3/4 mile away to the north-west. Dived immediately. The hatch was open a bare minute.

2240 hours - The E-boat got underway and started transmitting on Asdic.

2309 hours - Two destroyers and a second E-boat now arrived on the scene from the south-west. P 44 was hunted all through the night preventing her from surfacing to charge the battery and fresh air.

It was not until 1826 hours the next day that P 44 was able to surface after being submerged for 36.5 hours. (3)

20 Jan 1943
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (also 11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

1 Feb 1943
HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (also 12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Tunisia between 35'N and 36'N.

For the daily positions of HMS P 44 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

8 Feb 1943
While off Sousse, Tunisia, HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) was taken under fire while at periscope depth by a shore battery. The periscope must have been sighted. The gunfire was very accurate and caused some minor defects to her Asdic training gear and log. (3)

12 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0924 in 38°58’ N, 10°40’ E, HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted in poor visibility a 1500 ton merchant vessel escorted by a Partenope class torpedo boat. An attack was attempted but was thwarted by the enemy making an alteration of course which brought it in near collision with the submarine. This was the German Skotfoss (1465 GRT, ex Norwegian built 1917) escorted by the torpedo boat Pallade. They had been in company with the German Jaedjoer but the latter had lost contact with them and was sunk by P 43 the previous evening.

15 Feb 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (also 12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

27 Feb 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (also 13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation.

A party of four officers and one army private from COPP III was embarked. They were to conduct beach reconnaissance for Operation Husky, the upcoming invasion of Sicily.

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

(3)

28 Feb 1943
During the evening HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) landed a folbot with two of COPP III's party (Lt. P.R.G. Smith of the Royal Engineers and Lt. D. Brand, RNVR) off Gela, Sicily for an inspection of the beach. They successfully did so and returned later the same evening. (3)

1 Mar 1943
During the evening HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) landed a folbot with two of COPP III's party off Gela (again Smith and Brand), Sicily for an inspection of the beach. They failed to return early the next morning.

In fact, they had made it back to Malta when they could not find the submarine. (3)

2 Mar 1943
In the evening, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN), received a signal from Capt. S.10 that the folbot had safely returned to Malta. (3)

8 Mar 1943
During the evening HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) landed a folbot with two of COPP III's party (Lieutenant Hart and Sub Lieutenant Folder) off Cava d'Aliga, Sicily for an inspection of the beach. (3)

9 Mar 1943
At 0204 hours, while waiting for the return of the folbot party, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) missed an opportunity to sink the Italian submarine Filippo Corridoni transferring from Augusta to Trapani. The enemy submarine passed only 500 yards ahead but United had orders not to attack the enemy while recovering the COPP party. Unfortunately, the folbot failed to return.

10 Mar 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (also 13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

21 Mar 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (also 14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of Sicily.

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

(3)

31 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0345 hours in 37°54' N, 11°42' E, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted a convoy of three merchant ships and two destroyers but was thwarted in her attack when a destroyer turned toward her and she was forced under. These were most likely Belluno (4279 GRT, built 1935, ex French Fort de France) and Pierre Claude (1794 GRT, built 1934, ex French) escorted by the torpedo boats Fortunale, Antares, Enrico Cosenz and Sagittario on passage from Trapani to Tunis.

2 Apr 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (also 14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

15 Apr 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (also 15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the south coast of Italy.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Pakenham (Cdr. B. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, RN).

No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed. (3)

22 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0815 hours in position 38°00’N, 16°13’E, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted what was at first believed to be a convoy but was then seen to be two Climene class and one Generale class torpedo boats moving slowly to the northeast. The submarine believed they were carrying an A/S sweep and desisted from attack. These were the torpedo boats Tifone and Giuseppe Dezza escorting the damaged torpedo boat Aretusa being towed by the tug Tifeo from Messina to Taranto.

27 Apr 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (also 15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

9 May 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (also 16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation. A party of 10 SAS troops was to be landed on Pantelleria. After they had completed their objective they were to be taken off again (Operation Snapdragon).

No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed. (4)

13 May 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (also 16th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. Bad weather had prevented from landing the SAS troops on Pantelleria. (4)

14 May 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (also 17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of Sicily.

No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed. (3)

19 May 1943 (position 38.13, 13.05)
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) attacked an Italian tug with two torpedoes off Raisi Point, Sicily. Both torpedoes missed. This was probably the tug Tifeo proceeding from Trapani to Palermo.

(All times are zone -2)
1620 hours - Sighted a tug towing a lighter bearing 226°. Started attack. The tug was a modern looking vessel of about 350 tons. Enemy course was 077°, speed 7 knots.

1639 hours - In position 38°13'N, 13°05'E fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. Both torpedoes missed. (3)

26 May 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (also 17th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

9 Jun 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (also 18th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Cape Spartivento.

No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed. (3)

14 Jun 1943 (position 37.54, 15.42)
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German Ringulv (5155 GRT, built 1902, former French Sainte Marthe, former Norwegian Ringulv, offsite link) one nautical mile south of Capo del Armi in position 37°54'N, 15°42'E. She was escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe Cesare Abba who dropped twelve depth charges on the submarine and picked forty survivors, another seven reached the coast in a lifeboat and twenty-five were killed or missing.

(All times are zone -2)
1145 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 5000 tons escorted by a torpedo boat [this was Giuseppe Cesare Abba] and with two aircraft overhead. Started attack.

1236 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 900 yards. 2 hits were obtained and the merchant sank within 5 minutes. After firing the torpedoes Lt. Roxburgh took United down to 120 feet.

From 1242 hours to 1318 hours United was counter attacked by the escorting torpedo boat. In all 20 depth charges were dropped. Close enough to break some 20 lights aboard United.

1416 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing was in sight except for an aircraft that was circling at the place of the attack. United retreated to the south-west. (3)

16 Jun 1943 (position 37.52, 15.44)
At 0752 hours (zone -2), HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted a German U-boat in position 37.52'N, 15.44'E. the U-boat was going very fast and a good attack position could not be obtained. Torpedoes were therefore not fired. Shortly afterwards the U-boat made rendezvous with a small Italian patrol vessel and proceeded north to pass through the Straits of Messina. The U-boat in question was U-593 en-route to her patrol area of the North-African coast. She had departed Pola in the Adriatic on the 13th but a defect had forced her to proceed to Messina for repairs. (3)

20 Jun 1943 (position 37.40, 16.02)
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian armed merchant cruiser D 7 / Olbia (3514 GRT, built 1929) about 20 nautical miles south of Cape Spartivento, Italy in position 37°40'N, 16°02'E. She was on a trip from Naples to Brindisi and was hit by two torpedoes. The corvette Gabbiano was sailed to recover survivors.

(All times are zone -2)
1442 hours - Sighted an unescorted merchant vessel. Started attack.

1513 hours - In position 37°40'N, 16°02'E fired four torpedoes from 900 yards. Three hits were claimed. (3)

22 Jun 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (also 18th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

7 Jul 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (also 19th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.

No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed. (3)

15 Jul 1943 (position 39.19, 17.30)
The Italian (transport) submarine Remo was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Taranto in position 39°19'N, 17°30'E by the British submarine HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN). She was on a trip from Taranto to Naples and this was her first operational sortie. Fitfty-five were killed, her commanding officer, T.V. Salvatore Vassalo, the navigating officer and two ratings were rescued by HMS United.

(All times are zone -2)
1809 hours - Sighted a very small object about 4 nautical miles away.

1814 hours - The object was identified as a submarine. Started attack.

1825 hours - The submarine was identified as being Italian.

1831 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 500 yards. Two hits were obtained. Shortly after the second torpedo hit the stern of the submarine rose out of the water at a 60-degree angle and she sank in four seconds.

1836 hours - Four survivors were seen swimming in the water. At 1849 hours United surfaced and picked them up. The survivors turned out to be the Commanding Officer, a midshipman (who was the Navigating Officer) and two seamen. (3)

16 Jul 1943
At 2217 hours in position 39°19’N, 17°40’E, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted a submarine making a lot of smoke. As it was inside the area supposedly occupied by HMS Trooper or HMS Tactician, the submarine refrained from attack. In fact, this was the Italian Beilul proceeding from Leros to Taranto. Her diesels were making excessive smoke and upon spotting the British submarine, T.V. Pasquale Beltrame prudently ordered to switch to electric motors. He was uncertain if it was friend of foe and decided to move away. (3)

17 Jul 1943
At 0705 hours in position 39°28’N, 17°24’E, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted a light cruiser of the Regolo-class, on course 355° at 30-32 knots. It passed at about 8,000 yards from the submarine, too far for any attack. This was Scipione Africano on her way to Taranto after running the gauntlet of the Straits of Messina. (3)

24 Jul 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (also 19th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

15 Aug 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (also 20th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.

No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed. (3)

30 Aug 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (also 20th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. It had been uneventful. (3)

8 Sep 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for passage to the U.K. where she was to refit. Off Malta she joined convoy KMS 24.

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

(3)

10 Sep 1943
At 1050 hours, HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted the Italian Battlefleet on her way to surrender at Malta. (3)

13 Sep 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (3)

16 Sep 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 21th war patrol. She was ordered to proceed to the U.K. En-route she was to patrol in the Bay of Biscay for a short anti-U-boat patrol. Nothing was sighted.

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

(3)

1 Oct 1943
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth. She was escorted in by HMS Olvina (A/Skr.Lt. J. Howson, RNR). (3)

4 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) was taken in hand for refit at the Devonport Dockyard.


Submarine HMS Tapir (P 335)


28 Dec 1944
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (5)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (5)

30 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (5)

1 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

2 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

3 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

5 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (6)

6 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (6)

7 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

8 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

9 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

10 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

11 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

12 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

12 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (7)

13 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

14 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

14 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (7)

15 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

16 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

17 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

18 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

19 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

20 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (6)

21 Jan 1945
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (6)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (6)

25 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) left dock. (6)

27 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as target. (6)

28 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

29 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (6)

31 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

2 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

4 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

5 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (7)

6 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN). (7)

7 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target. These included night exercises. (7)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage north through the Minches together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) and the French submarine Morse (Lt. O. Chauveau). They were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (8)

9 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (8)

15 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with destroyers. (7)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow during which they served as targets for each other. (7)

19 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (7)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow during which they served as targets for each other. (7)

21 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch via Loch Cairnbawn. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (7)

23 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (7)

25 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (7)

26 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. These included night exercises. (7)

27 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of last nights exercises. HMS Tapir proceeded from Holy Loch to Rothesay later on the same day. (7)

28 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). The target during these exercises was HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. Kidston, RN). (7)

28 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). The target during these exercises was HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. Kidston, RN). (7)

2 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

3 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (9)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (9)

5 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Loch Alsh. (9)

7 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with two frigates. (9)

9 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises off Loch Alsh. (9)

12 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises off Loch Alsh. (9)

14 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. (9)

15 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both departed Loch Alsh for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).

They anchored in Rothesay Bay later the same day. (9)

16 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both shifted from Rothesay to Holy Loch still escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (9)

17 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted log calibrating trials in Loch Long. (9)

18 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

20 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area and also performed a deep dive trial. Night exercises during the night of 20/21 March then followed. (9)

21 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her night exercises. (9)

1 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. Passage to Lerwick was made together with HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, RN) and HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN). For part of the way HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) was also present. They were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (10)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (10)

5 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol off the Norwegian West coast, just North of Bergen.

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

(11)

6 Apr 1945
At 2200 hours (time zone -2) sights were taken aboard HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN). Turpin was to be on patrol to the South of Tapir. It has not been possible to take sights for several days due to fog. Turpin was found to be badly out of place. She is more than 20 nautical miles to the North of where she was supposed to patrol.

Shortly afterwards contact was made with HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) in which patrol area Turpin now actually was.

Turpin then proceeded to her own patrol area of the Kors Fjord. (11)

12 Apr 1945 (position 60.44, 4.40)
German U-boat U-486 was sunk in the North Sea north-west of Bergen, Norway, in position 60°44'N, 04°40'E by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN).

(All times are zone -2)
0730 hours - Strange HE was picked up on Asdic. This was thought to be a snorkelling u-boat.

0749 hours - A German U-boat was seen to surface in position 60°45'N, 04°40'E.

0753 hours - In position 60°44'N, 04°40'E fired 6 torpedoes (a salvo of 8 was intended) from 3200 yards. The 6th and 8th torpedo of the salvo failed to fire.

0755 hours - One hit was observed on the enemy submarine which blew up and was seen to disintegrate. A huge column of brown smoke arose to some 500 feet in the air. Breaking up noises were heard on the Asdic and after the smoke had cleared nothing more could be seen. (11)

16 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (11)

22 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, RN). They were escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). Off Scapa Flow they were joined by HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR). (10)

24 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (10)

30 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (10)

2 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (12)

6 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This is the first leg of the trip to the Far East.

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

(12)

15 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed from for Malta after a few hours. (12)

20 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (12)

12 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Malta during which HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) served as target. The battleship herself was also conducting exercises off Malta. (13)

13 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Malta during which the Yugoslavian corvette Nada served as target. (14)

14 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (14)

19 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said. (14)

23 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Port Said. (14)

24 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Port Said, transits the Suez Canal and proceeds towards Aden. (14)

29 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden. (14)

2 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Aden for Trincomalee. (15)

13 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (15)

15 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is docked at Trincomalee in AFD 26. (15)

17 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is undocked. (15)

19 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle. (15)

1 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia. (16)

8 Aug 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (16)

9 Aug 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is put back in the water. (16)

5 Sep 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Fremantle to visit Portland. The ship will be open to visitors during this goodwill tour. (17)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/17252
  2. ADM 173/17253
  3. ADM 199/1820
  4. ADM199/1347
  5. ADM 173/18963
  6. ADM 173/19851
  7. ADM 173/19852
  8. ADM 199/1444
  9. ADM 173/19853
  10. ADM 173/19854
  11. ADM 199/1845
  12. ADM 173/19855
  13. ADM 53/121886 + ADM 173/19856
  14. ADM 173/19856
  15. ADM 173/19857
  16. ADM 173/19858
  17. ADM 173/19859

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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