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Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (96)

6 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0900 hours HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is recommissioned following repairs to the September 1940 bomb and fire damage. (1)

11 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) shifted from Glasgow to Greenock. (1)

15 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (1)

20 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (1)

22 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted full power trials in the Clyde area. (1)

27 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (1)

3 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises in the Clyde area upon completion of which she set course for Scapa Flow. (2)

4 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a working-up programme. (2)

9 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

10 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

15 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

17 Sep 1942
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (3)

18 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) returned to Scapa Flow after exercises. (2)

19 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted an oiling at sea exercise at Scapa Flow with the destroyer HMS Porcupine (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN). (2)

24 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 24/25 September 1942, HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (2)

29 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

1 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

7 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

9 Oct 1942
HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. [We have been unable to identify the destroyers which escorted HMS Howe.] (5)

10 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (4)

12 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

20 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

23 Oct 1942
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

These were followed by a night encounter exercise with HMS Renown (Capt. C.S. Daniel, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN). (4)

24 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

25 Oct 1942
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) shifted from Scapa Flow to North Shields (Tyne) for some repairs to her boilers and main armament at the Palmers Shipyard. (4)

4 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery trials off Newcastle upon completion of which she set course for Scapa Flow. (6)

5 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (6)

7 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovery trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery trials. (6)

8 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

11 Jan 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

13 Jan 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

14 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

15 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

16 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted speed trials on the measured miles at Scapa Flow. (6)

19 Jan 1943
HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN), HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) all conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises the battleships were escorted by the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. W.B.L. Holms, RCN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Montrose (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN). (6)

20 Jan 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted paravane streaming exercises off Scapa Flow. The exercises however had to be cancelled soon after they had started due to the bad weather conditions. (6)

22 Jan 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

23 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

25 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovery trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises. Also aircraft made practice attacks on the ships. (6)

27 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Scapa Flow. (6)

29 Jan 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

1 Feb 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (8)

3 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow with her own aircraft. (8)

4 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow with aircraft. Later on the same day gunnery exercises were carried out. (8)

8 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted damage control exercises at Scapa Flow. (8)

20 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (8)

21 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Greenock. (8)

22 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Greenock for Freetown. En-route she was to patrol in the Azores - Bay of Biscay area to intercept Axis blockade breakers. (9)

26 Feb 1943 (position 41.45, -20.58)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), aided by code-breaking and air patrols, intercepted the German tanker Hohenfriedburg (7892 GRT, built 1931, former Norwegian Herborg) north-east of the Azores in position 41°45'N, 20°58'W. The ship was scuttled when challenged. HMS Sussex also fired her main armamant on the German ship.

Duing the action HMS Sussex was missed by a spread of four torpedoes from U-264 which was accompanying the supply ship.

Transferred to the Eastern Fleet until the end of the war, covered the reoccupation of the Netherlands East Indies before returning home.

4 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Freetown. (10)

6 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Freetown for anti-blockade breaker patrol in the Mid-Atlantic. (11)

10 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) returned to Freetown from patrol. (11)

11 Mar 1943

Convoy WS 27.

Part of the convoy that proceeded from Freetown to South Africa.

This convoy departed Freetown on 11 March 1943 for South Africa.

The composition of the convoy on departure from Freetown was as follows; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), destroyers HMS Quail (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Crocus (T/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Holm, RNZNR) and HMS Petunia (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR).

At 0001/12, HMS Quail was detached to pick up the US transport James Parker (10021 GRT, built 1939). She rejoined with the American ship at 1300/12.

At 0200/14, James Parker parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi. She was being escorted by HMS Quail.

At 0530/14, HMS Crocus and HMS Petunia parted company with the convoy.

At 1730/14, the transports Duchess of Richmond (British, 22022 GRT, built 1928), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937) and Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) joined the convoy coming from Lagos. They were being escorted by the corvettes HMS Armeria (Lt. M. Todd, RNR) and HMS Bellwort (A/Lt.Cdr. N.F.R. Gill, RNR) which also joined the convoy escort.

At 1245/15, HMS Quail rejoined.

Between 0700 and 0935/16, HMS Queensborough fuelled from HMS Sussex.

Between 1615 and 1745/16, HMS Quail fuelled from HMS Sussex.

At 1900/16, HMS Raider was detached to fuel at Porte Noire.

At 1815/18, HMS Armeria and HMS Bellwort were detached. Shortly afterwards HMS Raider rejoined the convoy.

On 23 March the following transports arrived at Capetown; Almanzora, Bergensfjord, Duchess of Richmond, Leopoldville, Orbita, Ruys and Sibajak, as did HMS Sussex, HMS Quail, HMS Queenborough and HMS Raidar of the escort.

When the destroyers detached three other destroyers joined the Durban section of the convoy, these were HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN). HMS Sussex joined from Capetown later in the day.

The Durban section of the convoy, made up of Antenor, Capetown Castle, Chistiaan Huygens, Strathaird and Strathmore, arrived there on 26 March 1943.

18 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is docked at Durban. (12)

22 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is undocked. (12)

25 Apr 1943

Convoy CM 41.

This convoy departed Durban on 25 April for Bombay where it arrived on 11 May 1943.

The convoy was made up of the transports / troopships: Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), City of Paris (British, 10902 GRT, built 1922) and Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

Between 0656 and 0800/1, HMAS Napier fuelled from HMS Sussex.

At 1440/1, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (Capt.(Retd.) H.T.M. Pawsey, RN) took over from HMS Sussex.

The destroyers parted company with the convoy on 2 May.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 11 May 1943. (13)

2 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Kilindini from convoy escort duty. (14)

4 May 1943
From 4 May to 7 May 1943 ships from the Eastern Fleet conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

In the morning of the 4th the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa.

They were followed in the afternoon by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), light cruisers HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

All ships returned to the harbour in the morning of May 7th minus HMS Mauritius which returned in the afternoon. On HMS Gambia returning to harbour Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, struck his flag and left the ship. (15)

11 May 1943
During 11 and 12 May 1943, the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and light cruisers HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) and HMS Dauntless (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. These included night exercises.

Upon completion of the exercises HMS Kenya proceeded to make rendezvous with convoy JM 1. (16)

17 May 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises

HMS Sussex parted company with HMS Mauritius 0600/18 after which HMS Sussex set course for Mauritius [the island].

HMS Mauritius returned to harbour mid-afternoon on the 19th. (17)

21 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius. She departed again later the same day for landing exercises off Mauritius. (18)

22 May 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) returned to Port Louis, Mauritius after completing the landing exercises. (18)

24 May 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Mauritius for the Mid Ocean Meeting Point where she was to make rendezvous with convoy US 19.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 19 ' for 26 May 1943.] (18)

4 Jun 1943
The troopship Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) and her escort, the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), arrived at Colombo. (19)

5 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The troopship Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) and her escort, the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), departed Colombo for the Socotra area. (19)

9 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0700 hours, the troopship Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) was released by her escort, the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) north-east of Socotra in approximate position 14°15'N, 56°00'E.

The troopship continued on unescorted to Aden. HMS Sussex set course for Kilindini. (19)

13 Jun 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived Kilindini. (19)

18 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini upon completion of which she set course to proceed to Addu Atoll. (19)

23 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll. (19)

24 Jun 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Addu Atoll to rendez-vous with HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) which was escorting the troopships Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) and Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939).

Around 1600FG/24, the ships met and one hour later they split up again. HMS Sussex took Nieuw Amsterdam with her towards Fremantle while HMS Kenya proceeded with the Dominion Monarch towards Colombo. (20)

3 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius. (21)

4 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Port Louis, Mauritius for Kilindini. (21)

7 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (21)

20 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini for a few days of exercises. (22)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) returned to Kilindini from exercises.

HMS Newcastle departed Kilindini for Colombo, via Port Victoria, Seychelles, later the same day. (22)

24 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN) departed Kilindini for Colombo. (21)

30 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo. (21)

5 Aug 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. (23)

7 Aug 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN) arrived at Bombay. (23)

20 Aug 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN) departed Bombay for Kilindini. (23)

25 Aug 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (23)

31 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Kilindini for Durban. (23)

31 Aug 1943
At Kilindini, Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) to either HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) or to a shore base.

[As there is no mention in the logbook of HMS Canton of the Admiral boarding it seems more likely that her transferred his flag to a shore base.] (24)

5 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Durban where she was to be taken in hand for repairs and a short refit. (25)

11 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is docked at Durban. (26)

2 Oct 1943
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is undocked. (27)

31 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini. (27)

1 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) developed engine trouble and therefore turned round to return to Durban. (28)

2 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived back at Durban. (28)

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (57)

23 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow. (29)

24 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth. (29)

30 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (29)

31 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (29)

3 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises. (30)

4 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises. (30)

6 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted 4" HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)

8 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (31)

12 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)

13 Jan 1944
The battleship HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and the destroyer HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN) and HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN) (and possibly others) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (32)

17 Jan 1944
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by underway refuelling exercises with the destroyer HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN). (30)

18 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and the light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN) and HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. Later in the day they were joined by the destroyers HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN) and HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN). (33)

20 Jan 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

HMS Cumberland returned to Scapa Flow late in the afternoon.

HMS Nigeria remained out for exercises and was joined by HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) which had carried out HA gunnery exercises earlier in the afternoon. (33)

24 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Scapa Flow for exercises however she had to return due to problems with a propeller shaft. (30)

25 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Scapa Flow for gunnery exercises however these had to be abandoned due to unfavourable weather conditions. (30)

29 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Scapa Flow for exercises however she returned soon after. (30)

1 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted a bombardment exercise at Scapa Flow. (34)

2 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Scapa Flow. (34)

3 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow but these had to be broken off due to the weather conditions. (34)

11 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted an underway refuelling exercise at Scapa Flow with (a) destroyer(s). These were followed by gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (34)

11 Apr 1944
During 11 to 12 April 1944, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. In the afternoon of the 11th they joined HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) which were also out on exercises. (35)

15 Apr 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Trincomalee to make rendezvous with the US troopships Mariposa (18017 GRT, built 1931) and USS Mount Vernon (24289 GRT, built 1932) which had departed Bombay on 13 April 1944 for Australia escorted by the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN).

Rendezvous was affected around 1100FG(-6.5)/17.

At 1900FG/17, the destroyers were detached.

Around 1130H/22, HMS Cumberland parted company with the troopships. (36)

23 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia after escort duty. (37)

28 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Fremantle for Colombo. (36)

6 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Colombo from Fremantle. (38)

12 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is docked at Colombo. (39)

23 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) is undocked. (39)

26 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (39)

27 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (39)

31 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 31 May to 2 June 1944, HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (40)

3 Jun 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Trincomalee to make rendezvous with the US troopship USS General H.W. Butner (17806 GRT, built 1944) which had departed Bombay on 2 June 1944 for Australia escorted by the destroyers HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, DSO, DSC, RN). The escort carrier HMS Ameer (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN) had also been in company until 4 June when she was detached off Cochin.

Around 1900FG/4, HMS Penn was detached due to engine trouble. She had just been relieved by HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN).

Around 1800FG/5, the destroyers were detached to proceed to Trincomalee.

Around 2030H/11, HMS Cumberland parted company with the troopship. (41)

12 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia after escort duty. (41)

24 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Fremantle escorting the US troopship USS General George M. Randall (17811 GRT, built 1944).

At 1010EF(-5.5)/1, HMS Cumberland parted company after the destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN) had joined shortly before coming from Diego Garcia.

HMS Cumberland set course for Addu Atoll.

The troopship and the two destroyers arrived at Bombay on 5 July. (41)

2 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll after escort duty. After fuelling she departed for Trincomalee later the same day. (42)

5 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Addu Atoll. (42)

20 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Trincomalee. (43)

3 Aug 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle. (44)

11 Aug 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Trincomalee.

En-route HMS Cumberland had fuelled HMAS Nepal several times. (45)

16 Aug 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the US troopship USS General H.W. Butner (17806 GRT, built 1944) which had departed Melbourne on 13 August 1944 for Bombay.

Rendezvous was affected around 0615H/17.

Around 1600FG(-6.5)/22, the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) joined and HMS Cumberland parted company to proceed to Trincomalee.

The troopship and the destroyers arrived at Bombay on 26 August 1944. (44)

24 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Trincomalee after escort duty. (45)

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