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Allies in WWII

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Career information

Sources

The Telegraph (27 Oct 2011). Lieutenant-Commander Tony Spender.

Submarine HMS H 44 (N 44)

10 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Sheerness for Falmouth. She was escorted by HMS Pytchley (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC, RN) until 2145 hours. (1)

Submarine HMS H 33 (N 33)

20 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. Here Lt. Spender took over command of HMS H 33 from Lt. Jupp. (2)

21 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted independent exercises off Campbeltown. (2)

22 Mar 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). (2)

23 Mar 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). (2)

24 Mar 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR). (2)

25 Mar 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR). (2)

26 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (2)

30 Mar 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). (2)

31 Mar 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR). (2)

1 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (3)

2 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (3)

3 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (3)

4 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Ardrishaig. (3)

5 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with ML's. (3)

6 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with ML's. Upon completion of these exercises HMS H 33 returned to Campbeltown. (3)

7 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) and HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR). (3)

8 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR).

9 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) and HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN). (3)

10 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (3)

11 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Campbeltown for Londonderry. She was escorted by HMS Cotillion (A/Skr.Lt. F.C. Butler, RNR). (3)

12 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Londonderry. (3)

13 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wear (Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR), HMS Aubretia (Lt. G.D. Fowler, RNR), HMS Sunflower (A/Lt.Cdr. J. Plomer, RCNVR) and HMCS Kenogami (T/Lt. J.L. Percy, RCNVR). (3)

14 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wear (Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR), HMS Sunflower (A/Lt.Cdr. J. Plomer, RCNVR), HMCS Kenogami (T/Lt. J.L. Percy, RCNVR), HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Thornton, DSC, RNR), HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN) and HMS Spey (Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, DSC, RD, RNR). (3)

15 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO, RD, RNR), HMCS Algoma (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Harding, RCNR), HMCS Calgary (T/Lt. H.K. Hill, RCNVR) and HMS Sunflower (A/Lt.Cdr. J. Plomer, RCNVR). (3)

21 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Hollins, RN), HMCS Kenogami (T/Lt. J.L. Percy, RCNVR), HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR), HMS Snowflake (Lt. H.G. Chesterman, RNR), HMS Loosestrife (Lt. H.A. Stonehouse, RNR), HMS Pink (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Tay (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR). (3)

22 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with ships of Escort Group B 7, HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Hollins, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and another vessel [unable to read the name of this vessel in the log of HMS H 33]. (3)

23 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Hollins, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR). (3)

24 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) (3)

28 Apr 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wild Goose (A/Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN) and HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN). (3)

4 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Spiraea (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR). (4)

5 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Balsam (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNVR), HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR), HMS Parrsboro (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Raven, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Wedgeport (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh, RNR). (4)

6 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (4)

7 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (4)

10 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN). (4)

11 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN), USS Belknap and USS Badger. (4)

12 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Belknap and USS Badger, USS Lea, USS Osmond Ingram and USS Greene. (4)

18 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR). (4)

19 May 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR), HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(retired) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Clematis (T/Lt. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) and another vessel [unable to read the name in the log of HMS H 33]. (4)

20 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. K.L. Dyer, DSC, RCN). (4)

21 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). (4)

22 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). (4)

24 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR), HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR), HMS Primrose (T/Lt. P.E. Kitto, RNR), HMCS Chambly (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.F. Pickard, RCNR) and HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR). (4)

25 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR) and HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN). (4)

26 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR), HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR), HMS Moyola (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lawson, RD, RNR) and HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN). (4)

28 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN). (4)

29 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN). (4)

31 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Northern Sky (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR) and HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR). (4)

1 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS La Malbaie (T/Lt. J.S. Davis, RCNVR), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR) and HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR). (5)

5 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN), HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and HMS Mansfield (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Hill, OBE, RNR). (5)

6 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN), HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN). (5)

7 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with and HMS Mansfield (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Hill, OBE, RNR) and HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN). (5)

8 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN), HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN). (5)

9 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. K.L. Dyer, DSC, RCN), HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. H.F. Pullen, OBE, RCN), HMS Dianthus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.F. Israel, RNR), HMCS Arvida (T/Lt. D.G. King, RCNVR), HMCS Rosthern (T/Lt. R.J.G. Johnson, RCNVR) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Kidston, RCNVR). (5)

10 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. K.L. Dyer, DSC, RCN), HMCS Rosthern (T/Lt. R.J.G. Johnson, RCNVR) and USS Broome. (5)

11 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Madison, USS Lansdale, HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN). (5)

12 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN). (5)

14 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN) and HMS Mansfield (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Hill, OBE, RNR). (5)

15 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN) and HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN). (5)

16 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Londonderry to Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (5)

Submarine HMS Sirdar (P 226)

18 Sep 1943
Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Barrow for Holy Loch.

Her final outfitting had been completed by the Vickers Armstrong shipyard located there. (6)

19 Sep 1943
Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (6)

20 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (7)

23 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

24 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. On completion of these exercises she proceeded to Rothesay. (7)

25 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Holy Loch. (7)

2 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (8)

3 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted RDF (radar) exercises off Campbeltown. On completion she put into Campbeltown for evaluation. (8)

4 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (8)

5 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (8)

6 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (8)

8 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (8)

9 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. On completion of these trials HMS Sirdar proceeded to Holy Loch. (8)

10 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted gunnery and S.T.U. (mine detection) trials in the Clyde area. (8)

12 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted log and D/G trials in the Clyde area. (8)

14 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted RDF (radar) exercises off Campbeltown. On completion she put into Campbeltown for evaluation. (8)

15 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. On completion of these exercises HMS Sirdar proceeded to Holy Loch. (8)

19 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target. These included night exercises. (8)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted night exercises in the Clyde area. On completion of these exercises she proceeded to Holy Loch. (8)

21 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (8)

22 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted S.T.U. (mine detection) trials in the Clyde area. (8)

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target. These included night shadowing exercises. (8)

24 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR) served as target. These were followed by day attack exercises. On completion of these day exercises HMS Sirdar proceeded to Rothesay. (8)

25 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) served as target. (8)

27 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR) and HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) served as targets. (8)

28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). These were followed by night radar exercises. (8)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) proceeded to Rothesay on completion of last night's exercises. (8)

31 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR) and HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) served as targets. (8)

1 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Rothesay with members of the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) for exercises in the Clyde area. The exercises however had to be cancelled due to bad visibility. (9)

2 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR), HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) served as targets. (9)

3 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target. (9)

4 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted night radar exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Scimitar (Lt. G.C. Potter, DSC, RN) served as target. (9)

5 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Scimitar (Lt. G.C. Potter, DSC, RN) served as target. (9)

6 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as target. (9)

7 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Carradale Bay to Larne. (9)

8 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Calder (Lt.Cdr. A.D. White, RD, RNR). (9)

11 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (9)

12 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (9)

16 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Chelmer (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Cherry, RNR) and HMS Loosestrife (Lt. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR). (9)

17 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HNoMS Rose (Lt. L.R. Lund, RNorN) and HMS Vervain (T/Lt. R.A. Howell, RNVR). (9)

18 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HNoMS Rose (Lt. L.R. Lund, RNorN). (9)

19 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HNoMS Potentilla (Lt. T. Jacobsen, RNorN) and HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). (9)

21 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (9)

22 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises off Larne during which they served as targets for each other. (9)

23 Nov 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) both shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. They were escorted by an ML. (9)

25 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) served as target. (9)

27 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as target. These included night exercises. (9)

28 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (9)

8 Dec 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (10)

9 Dec 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was undocked. (10)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN), HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (10)

12 Dec 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (10)

13 Dec 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway to provide cover during convoy operations to Northern Russia.

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

(11)

1 Jan 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. Later this day she departed for Holy Loch escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (11)

3 Jan 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (12)

4 Jan 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Holy Loch for Plymouth. She is to proceed to the Devonport Dockyard to have another battery fitted.

Passage was made (until Bishops Rock) together with the Greek submarine Pipinos. The submarines were escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (12)

6 Jan 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Plymouth to have a new battery fitted at the Devonport Dockyard. (12)

4 Feb 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted trials off Plymouth. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Yarmouth. (13)

5 Feb 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. (13)

10 Feb 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was docked at Portsmouth. (13)

5 Mar 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was undocked. (14)

8 Mar 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) carried out trials off Portsmouth. (14)

10 Mar 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Portsmouth for Plymouth where she arrived later the same day. (14)

14 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted D/G trials at Plymouth. (15)

15 Mar 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. This was the fist leg of her passage to the Far East. En-route she was divered to make a short patrol in the Bay of Biscay making this passage her 2nd war patrol.

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

(11)

27 Mar 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Gibraltar. (11)

30 Mar 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta to continue her passage to the Far East.

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

(14)

4 Apr 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Malta. (16)

10 Apr 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (16)

15 Apr 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Port Said. (16)

22 Apr 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Port Said for Aden. She transited the Suez Canal this day. (16)

28 Apr 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Aden. (16)

1 May 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises off Aden. (17)

2 May 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. (17)

15 May 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (17)

24 May 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (17)

28 May 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR).

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

(11)

3 Jun 1944 (position -0.23, 99.49)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) attacked a tug towing two barges with three torpedoes about 60 nautical miles North-West of Padang, Sumatra. No hits were obtained. Two depth charges were dropped by the tug but Sirdar was not damaged.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1538 hours - Sighted a tug bearing 314° steering 129° at 7 knots. This tug was of about 500 tons and was towing two barges of about 50 feet long.

1559 hours - In position 00°23'S, 99°49'E fired three torpedoes from 800 yards. All torpedoes missed.

1602 hours - The target turned towards so went deep. One small depth charge was dropped fairly close. Proceeded to seaward at slow speed.

1616 hours - Another depth charge was dropped but not close.

1708 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (11)

8 Jun 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) bombarded two warehourses at Sibolga, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. Sirdar also damaged a sailing vessel with gunfire.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1359 hours - Surfaced to bombard two warehouses. Fired 17 rounds for several hits and they were soon on fire.

1402 hours - Shore batteries opened up. Dived and retired at speed.

1418 hours - Passed close ahead of a large junk of about 50 tons. Decided to retire on the surface and engage the junk at the same time.

1437 hours - Surfaced at continued to retire to the Westward. In the meantime fired 16 rounds at the junk from 4000 yards. The mainmast was hit and it appeared she beached herself. Sirdar was fired on again by shore batteries and two shells landed extremely close so dived again and continues to retired to the westward. (11)

11 Jun 1944 (position 1.27, 98.41)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) damaged a Japanese coaster with gunfire about 20 nautical miles South-West of Sibolga, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0757 hours - Sighted a coaster of about 800 tons in position 01°27'N, 98°41'E steering South-East. She was extremely difficult to see against the land. Surfaced for gun action and closed the shore. Fire was opened from 5000 yards. Shore batteries soon opened fire so decided not to close the range. 25 Rounds were fired and the target was hit aft and was soon enveloped in a cloud of smoke. The target could no longer be seen through the smoke so spotting became difficult. Shortly afterwards a spent round jammed in the gun and the cartridge cage could not be extracted. The action therefore had to be broken off.

0830 hours - Dived in position 01°26'N, 98°40'E. (11)

18 Jun 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (11)

20 Jun 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (18)

22 Jun 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was undocked. (18)

3 Jul 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Stoic (Lt. P.B. Marriott, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee during which they made practice attack on each other. (19)

6 Jul 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted gunnery exercises and engine trials off Trincomalee. Also a deep dive was carried out. (19)

7 Jul 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Siam, near Phuket. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR).

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

(11)

16 Jul 1944 (position 7.01, 97.18)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) attacked but missed the German submarine U-1062 with six torpedoes in the Northern end of the Malacca Strait in position 07°01'N, 97°18'E. Sirdar broke surface upon firing and was lightly damaged by machine gun fire from the enemy submarine.

U-1062 was attacked again a few hours later by HMS Templar (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN). Eight torpedoes were fired in this attack but they also missed.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0836 hours - Heard HE bearing 110°. Sighted a Japanese submarine of the RO-60 class bearing 104°, course 270°, speed 13 knots. Started attack.

0852 hours - In position 07°01'N, 97°18'E fired six torpedoes from 500 yards. All missed. Sirdar broke surface on firing and sustained slight damage to her Radar and W/T aerials from enemy machine gun fire.

0903 hours - Heard five explosions, most likely the torpedoes exploding at the end of their run.

Note: The patrol report stated that it was a Japanese sunbmarine of the RO-60 class, these however did not operate in this area, submarines of the RO-100 class hovever did but none was in the area at that given time. The target must have been the German submarine U-1062 that had departed Penang for Europe the previous day. (11)

18 Jul 1944 (position 7.50, 98.35)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire off the west coast of Siam near Phuket.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1814 hours - Surfaced in position 07°50'N, 98°35'E and opened fire from 1000 yards on a junk of about 100 tons. The third round hit. The crew meanwhile abandoned ship in their sampan. After 30 rounds had been fired the junk sank. Two more survivors were seen to be floating in the wreckage. These were picked up as well as a pig that was swimming towards the submarine. [the patrol report does not state what happened to the pig but most likely it made a good meal Commander Spender mentions this incident, see more info] (11)

21 Jul 1944 (position 7.48, 98.46)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) sank two coasters with gunfire off the west coast of Siam near Phuket.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0723 hours - Sighted a 350 tons coaster to the Southwards. Closed to attack.

0739 hours - Surfaced for gun action from a range of 4000 yards. Closed on the surface at full speed. Fired 49 rounds until the junk was well on fire. The crew meanwhile had left in their sampan.

0803 hours - Dived in position 07°48'N, 98°42'E.

1220 hours - The target was seen to sink near position 07°48'N, 98°46'E.

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

1700 hours - Sighted a 400 tons coaster bearing 075° on a course of 290°. Closed to attack.

1821 hours - Surfaced in position 07°48'N, 98°32'E and fired 75 rounds at the coaster.

1836 hours - The target was by now well on fire so retired at speed to the Southward. It is considered that this target was at least a total loss even if she would not sink. (11)

26 Jul 1944
In the afternoon, while trying to attack a small convoy of coasters escorted by ML's off Phuket HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) is detected and depth charged. Eight depth charges were dropped, two of which were close. No damage was sustained by HMS Sirdar but the attack was spoiled. (11)

9 Aug 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (20)

12 Aug 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was undocked. (20)

14 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted noise trials at Trincomalee. (21)

16 Aug 1944
During 16 and 17 August 1944, HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Karnebeek, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee with each other. Also involved in these exercises was their escort, HMIS Pansy (Lt. R.G. Main, RINR). These included night exercises. (20)

19 Aug 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the North-West coast of Sumatra and to proceed to Fremantle, Australia upon completion of the patrol. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR).

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

(11)

2 Sep 1944 (position 3.52, 96.16)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) sank (or damaged) the Japanese guard boat Kaiyo Maru No.5 (93 GRT) and a 600 tons coaster with gunfire about 17 nautical miles south-east of Meulaboh, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies in position 03°52'N, 96°16'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1015 hours - Sighted the masts and upperworks of three small ships. Closed to attack. It was seen to be a coaster of 600 tons, an escort of 250 tons armed with a 3pdr gun and onther small ship maybee another escort.

1124 hours - Surfaced in position 03°52'N, 96°16'E and opened fire on the coaster from 4000 yards. She immediately turned away and made for the coast. The other small ship now opened fire with a 3pdr gun so fire was shifted to this ship. After she had been hit once she made off to the Northward at high speed emitting large volumes of brown smoke. Meanwhile the ship that previously had been identified as escort closed and had also opened fire. His gunnery was rather good so fire was shifted to this ship. She was fired upon with the 3" gun as well as the Oerlikon. She was hit at least six times and finally retired to the Southward. By now ammo was running low so it was decided to concentrate on the coaster that was now alone and well inshore. A few more hits were scored on her but she did not sink. After having fired 280 rounds action had to be broken off [it appeared the 2nd escort engaged later sank]. (11)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf, Australia for fuel and provisions. (11)

15 Sep 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Exmouth Gulf for Fremantle. (11)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Fremantle, Australia. She was escorted in by USS Isabel (Lt. E.G. Zacher, USNR). (11)

4 Oct 1944
During 4 and 5 October 1944, HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Tantivy (Lt. P.S. May, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises. Convoy attack exercises were carried out on USS Chanticleer (L.L. Tyndall, USN), HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt. R.H. Creasey, RANR(S)) and HMAS Warrnambool (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.J.B. Wight, RAN). (22)

7 Oct 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Fremantle for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Sunda Strait and on the way back to Fremantle to reconnoitre Christmas Island. She was escorted out by HMAS ML 826.

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

(11)

11 Oct 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf for fuel. She departed for her patrol area after a few hours. (11)

28 Oct 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) reconnoitred Christmas Island. Nothing of interest was seen. (11)

2 Nov 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf for fuel. She departed for Fremantle after a few hours. (11)

6 Nov 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area) at Fremantle. Before entering harbour noise trials were carried out. (11)

18 Nov 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (23)

20 Nov 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) is put back in the water. (23)

22 Nov 1944
During 22 and 23 November 1944, HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises. These included practice attacks on USS Coucal (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Byerly, USNR). During the night convoy attack exercises were carried out with USS Coucal, HMAS Bunbury (Lt. J.F. Bleckman, RANR(S)), HMAS Inverell (Lt. A.I. Chapman, RANR(S)) and HMAS Warrnambool (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.J.B. Wight, RAN) pretending to be a convoy. (23)

25 Nov 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Fremantle for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea and Makassar Strait.

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

(11)

3 Dec 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Darwin for fuel, fresh water and provisions. (11)

4 Dec 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Darwin for her patrol area. (11)

25 Dec 1944 (position -6.47, 112.20)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) sank a coaster with gunfire off Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies in position 06°47S, 112°20'E. While chasing another coaster Sirdar was put down and bombed by a Japanese aircraft.

(All times are zone -8)
1310 hours - Sighted a Southbound coaster of about 350 tons. Course 190°, speed 6 knots. Closed.

1355 hours - Surfaced in position 06°47'S, 112°20'E. Opened fire from 1500 yards. 25 Rounds were fired for several hits, mostly forward. The last round hit amidships and the target went up in a sheet of flame.

1412 hours - Sighted a mast bearing 090°. Closed on the surface.

1458 hours - Sighted bomber aircraft bearing 140°. Range 2 miles. Dived.

1459 hours - Two bombs were dropped by the aircraft, one was close. (11)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived off Lombok Strait for a Southbound passage through it. The attempt to made the passage was spoiled by the heavy A/S patrol of several Japanese warships. (11)

30 Dec 1944
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) again attempted to pass Lombok Strait Southbound. A/S patrols were as heavy as yesterday and the attempt had to be abandoned. It was decided to proceed to Darwin for fuel and provisions before returning to Fremantle. (11)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Darwin for fuel, fresh water, provisions and mail. She departed for Fremantle after a few hours. (11)

12 Jan 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area) at Fremantle. Before entering harbour noise trials were carried out. (11)

29 Jan 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was put on the slipway at Fremantle. (24)

31 Jan 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was put back in the water. (24)

6 Feb 1945
During 6 and 7 February 1945 HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises. (25)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Fremantle for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Far East and 3rd in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.

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

(11)

12 Feb 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf for fuel and provisions. Due to damage by a cyclone no fuel and provisions could be taken on board. Sirdar proceeded on patrol without these. (11)

16 Feb 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) passed Lombok Strait Northbound. (11)

17 Feb 1945 (position -7.04, 115.18)
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) engaged a coaster with gunfire but before any damage could be done she was put down by an aircraft. Later the same afternoon Sirdar was bombed while at periscope depth. No damage was inflicted upon her.

(All times are zone -8)
1225 hours - Sighted a coaster of about 350 tons heading for the Kangean Islands.

1303 hours - Surfaced in position 07°04'S, 115°18'E for gun action from a range of 2500 yards. Fired three rounds before at ........

1305 hours - An aircraft was sighted closing. Dived. The target unfortunately had not been hit yet and made for the shore at high speed, belching smoke. The aircraft patrolled the area for about one hour.

1639 hours - Three depth charges exploded fairly close. It appeared that on the flat calm sea the periscope was spotted from the air by another patrolling aircraft. Sirdar went deep and retired to the South.

(11)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) passed Lombok Strait Southbound. (11)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was ordered to proceed to the North-West due to a cyclone that crossed her path to Fremantle. Sirdar was only about 100 miles from the eye of the cyclone at that time. (11)

5 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) sets course for Exmouth Gulf as she was not able to make it to Fremantle with the amount of fuel onboard. (11)

6 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) is forced to proceed on one engine as the Starboard engine crankshaft fractured. (11)

8 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf for fuel and provisions. She departed for Fremantle after a few hours. (11)

12 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Far East and 3rd in the South-West Pacific area) at Fremantle. (11)

29 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was docked at Fremantle. (26)

31 Mar 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was undocked. (26)

6 Apr 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Fremantle for Colombo (later changed to Trincomalee). She made the passage together with the British corvette HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR).

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

View MS Sirdar passage Fremantle - Portsmouth in a larger map (27)

23 Apr 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (27)

3 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Trincomalee for Aden. (28)

15 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Aden. (28)

16 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Aden for Suez. (28)

22 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Suez. (28)

23 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (28)

27 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (28)

28 May 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Alexandria where she was docked in the Gabari dock. (28)

1 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) was undocked. (29)

2 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Alexandria for Gibraltar. (29)

10 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (29)

12 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (29)

18 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (29)

19 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Portsmouth for Chatham. (29)

20 Jun 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Chatham where she was to refit. Her refit started on 26 June 1945 and lasted until early March 1946. (6)

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