Sir Geoffrey John Audley Miles, RN
| Born | 2 May 1890 | Chelsea, London, England | |
| Died | 31 Dec 1986 | (96) | Holyport, Windsor and Maidenhead, England |
| Ranks
Retired: 15 Apr 1948 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Geoffrey John Audley Miles, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Nelson (28) | Capt. | Battleship | 19 Jul 1939 | 14 Jun 1941 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Battleship HMS Nelson (28)
15 Sep 1939
Around 1900A/15, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN) departed Loch Ewe for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0730A/16. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Mashona (Cdr. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN).
Before entering Scapa Flow HMS Mashona was detached around 0300A/16 to proceed to the Shetlands area. She arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol in the morning of the 17th.
HMS Matabele had entered Scapa Flow with HMS Nelson. (1)
16 Sep 1939
Around 1320A/16, the destroyer HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN) departed Scapa Flow to proceed to Scrabster where she picked up the First Sea Lord (Mr. W. Churchill) and his entourage. HMS Matabele then returned to Scapa Flow around 1645A/16. The First Sea Lord and his entourage then boarded the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN).
Around 2330A/16, HMS Nelson departed Scapa Flow for Loch Ewe where she arrived around 0645A/17. She was escorted by HMS Matabele until 0615A/17 when the destroyer was detached to search for a reported enemy submarine in Loch Broom but nothing was seen of the supposed enemy submarine and HMS Matabele arrived at Loch Ewe around 1145A/17. (2)
4 Dec 1939
At 0754A/4, off Loch Ewe, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN) is heavily damaged when she detonated a mine laid by the German submarine U-31. She entered Loch Ewe shortly afterwards.
The battleship was about to enter the Loch on returning from operations. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) and HMS Fury (Cdr. G.F. Burghard, RN). As it was first thought the battleship had been torpedoed the destroyers remained out, with the exception of HMS Firedrake to hunt for the supposed submarine. No enemy contact was obtained though and the destroyer entered Loch Ewe later that morning. (3)
6 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, the C-in-C Home Fleet, Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN, struck his flag at Loch Ewe on board the damaged battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN). (4)
4 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430Z/4, the damaged battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Loch Ewe for Portsmouth where she arrived around 1045Z/8. At Porstmouth she is then taken in hand for repairs and refit.
During the passage from Loch Ewe to Portsmouth she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN).
15 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Most likely, on this day, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) was docked for repairs at the Portsmouth Dockyard.
[The date she was undocked is currently not known to us as no logs for this period are available.]
2 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs and refit completed, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted D/G trials in Spithead. (5)
6 Jun 1940
Around 1300A/6, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Portsmouth for Greenock. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), HMS Warwick (Lt.Cdr. M.A.G. Child, RN) and HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN).
On leaving Portsmouth auxiliary minesweepers (trawlers) exploded two mines near the Nab Tower.
HMS Nelson, HMS Amazon, HMS Warwick and HMS Witch arrived at Greenock around 1130A/8.
At Greenock HMS Nelson was taken in hand to complete the fitting of new radar equipment. (5)
29 Jun 1940
Around 0715A/29, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Greenock. Before leaving the Clyde 6" gunnery exercises were carried out on completion of which course was set for Gibraltar and the destroyers HMS Fury (Cdr. E.W.B. Sim, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN) joined as escorts.
Early on 1 July 1940, HMS Nelson is ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow instead of Gibraltar. Course was set accordingly.
In the morning of 2 July 1940, HMCS St. Laurent was detached to proceed towards the position where the transport Arandora Star (British, 15501 GRT, built 1927) had been torpedoed.
HMS Nelson, HMS Fury, HMS Fame and HMCS Skeena arrived at Scapa Flow around 0530A/3. (6)
4 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
5 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (7)
6 Jul 1940
In the afternoon, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
7 Jul 1940
In the afternoon, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Scapa Flow. (7)
8 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
10 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early hours of the day, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted 6" night gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. These were followed after daylight by AA gunnery exercises. (7)
11 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
15 Jul 1940
Around 2030A/15, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Scapa Flow for gunnery exercises off the Orkneys. She returned to Scapa Flow around 1635A/16. During these exercises she was most likely escorted by HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN). (8)
20 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1715A/20, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Scapa Flow for gunnery exercises. She returned to Scapa Flow around 2230A/20. During these exercises she was most likely escorted by HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) which had already departed Scapa Flow around 1415A/20. (8)
22 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted D/G trials and 4.7" AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
23 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early hours of the day, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) conducted 6" night gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
5 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, GCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery, torpedo firing and AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (9)
15 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, GCB, DSO, RN) conducted 6" and 4.7" AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (9)
23 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, GCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available on any escorting destroyers.] (9)
21 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, GCB, DSO, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (10)
28 Nov 1940
Around 2300A/28, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, GCB, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where she arrived around 1410A/29. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN). (11)
2 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While at Rosyth, the C-in-C Home Fleet, Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, GCB, DSO, RN, hauled down his flag in HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN). The new C-in-C Home Fleet, A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN, then hoisted his flag. (12)
3 Dec 1940
Around 1505A/3, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0610A/4. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Keppel (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN). (12)
12 Dec 1940
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) conducted 4.7" AA and close range AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. These were followed by 6" gunnery exercises. (13)
28 Dec 1940
Around 1415A/28 the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) and HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN) departed Scapa Flow to patrol to the east of the Iceland - Faroes passage.
They were to be joined the next day, around 1230A/29, by the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) which was already on patrol. (14)
31 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230A/31, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) and HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol.
HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) arrived a little earlier, around 1100A/31. (14)
9 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) conducted 6", 4.7" AA gunnery and torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (15)
17 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) conducted 16" and AA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She was most likely escorted by the destroyers HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN), OF Ouragan (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) Tadeusz Gorazdowski) and the escort destroyer HMS Cottesmore (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, RN). (15)
14 Feb 1941
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted 6" gunnery exercises and D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (16)
28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo firing and 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)
2 Mar 1941
Around 1430A/2, the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, DSC, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for operation Claymore.
[For more info on this operation see the event ' Operation Claymore ' 4 March 1941.] (17)
12 Mar 1941
In the afternoon and evening, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), conducted 6" gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. One of the destroyers which escorted her was HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN). Another escort was possibly the escort destroyer HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN). (18)
24 Mar 1941
Around 1150A/24, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Scapa Flow for escort / cover duty with convoy WS 7.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 7 ' for 25 April 1941.] (19)
16 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) arrived at Capetown from convoy escort duty. (20)
19 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1950B/19, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Capetown for Durban where she is to be docked for repairs to her leaking hull. (20)
22 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330B/22, HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) arrived at Durban where she was immediately docked in the graving dock. (20)
4 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) is undocked. (21)
10 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400B/10, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) departed Durban for Capetown. (22)
12 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800B/12, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) arrived at Capetown from Durban. (22)
13 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/13, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) left Capetown for flying operaions. Around 1300B/13, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) also left Capetown and joined the carrier. They then set course to proceed to Freetown. On the 16th they were ordered to call at St. Helena where HMS Eagle was to refuel. (23)
17 May 1941
Convoy SL 75.
This convoy departed Freetown on 17 May 1941 for the U.K.
The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arabistan (British, 5874 GRT, built 1929), Baarn (Dutch, 5621 GRT, built 1927), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Benwood (Norwegian, 3931 GRT, built 1910), Blitar (Dutch, 7065 GRT, built 1923), Charlbury (British, 4836 GRT, built 1940, the convoy Vice-Commodore was on board this ship), City of Dundee (British, 5273 GRT, built 1921), Clan MacNaughton (British, 6087 GRT, built 1921), Devon (British, 9036 GRT, built 1915), Empire Voice (British, 6828 GRT, built 1940), Gemstone (British, 4986 GRT, built 1938), Idomeneus (British, 7792 GRT, built 1926), Larchbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Madura (British, 8975 GRT, built 1921), Matadian (British, 4275 GRT, built 1936), Mentor (British, 7383 GRT, built 1914), Nikoklis (Greek, 3576 GRT, built 1921), Prince de Liege (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Raranga (British, 10043 GRT, built 1916), Reggestroom (Dutch, 2836 GRT, built 1923), Ruahine (British, 10832 GRT, built 1909, the convoy Commodore was on board this ship) and Tordene (British, 4271 GRT, built 1936).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cathay (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.M. Merewether, RN) and the corvettes HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR), HMS Gardenia (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR).
At dawn on the 22nd, the Benwood and HMS Marguerite were not in sight. At 0745Z/22, the convoy was ordered to proceed to the east of the Cape Verde Islands and course was set accordingly. HMS Gardenia was briefly detached to search for the missing ships and inform them of the course change. She quickly rejoined the convoy as did HMS Marguerite which rejoined around 1000Z/22. The Benwood rejoined around 1600Z/22.
At 2000N/24 and 0130N/25, HMS Crocus and HMS Cyclamen parted company with the convoy [not known to us for the moment which corvette parted company first]. They were to make rendezvous with the dummy battleship HMS Centurion (resembling HMS Anson, King George V-class, Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W.J. Martin, RN)
At dawn on the 25th, HMS Marguerite was not in sight and she did not rejoin the convoy.
Around 0610N/26, HMS Gardenia parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bathurst.
Around 0645N/28, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) was close to the convoy to provide cover. She left again during the night of 28/29 May.
The battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) was with the convoy from 0900A/2 to 1600A/4 when she was detached to hunt the German supply vessel Gonzenheim. After having successfully intercepted the German ship, which scuttled herself, HMS Nelson did not rejoin the convoy.
Around 1630Z/8, the corvette HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0540Z/9, the destroyers HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR), A/S trawler HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) joined the convoy. Also with them was the rescue ship Toward (British, 1571 GRT, built 1923).
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 12 June 1941 and was then split into several sections which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (24)
18 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800Z/18, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) arrived at St. Helena where HMS Eagle then fuelled from the chartered tanker Nyholm (Norwegian, 5843 GRT, built 1927). They left St. Helena around 2345Z/18 for Freetown where they were expected to arrived on 23 May. (25)
21 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1255Z/21, in approximate position 02°35'N, 10°45'W, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) were joined by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) which had departed Freetown in the morning of the 20th. (25)
22 May 1941
In a signal timed 0709Z/22, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) were ordered to proceed to the area to the south and west of the Cape Verde Islands at best speed to give cover to convoys passing through that general area as a German surface unit was reported to be within 150 miles from position 10°00'N 25°00'W.
Around 1825Z/22, the destroyers were detached to Freetown due to fuel shortage. (23)
24 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900Z/24, in approximate position 09°05'N, 10°38'W, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) were joined by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) which had departed Freetown in the afternoon of the 23rd. (23)
25 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1015Z/25, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (25)
26 May 1941
Around 0600Z/26, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) departed Freetown to proceed at best possible speed to Gibraltar as ordered by the Admiralty. It was expected she would arrive at Gibraltar around 1600Z/31. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) until these destroyers were to be detached to Bathurst to fuel. (26)
28 May 1941
Around 1800Z/28, HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) parted company with HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN). The destroyers then proceeded to Bathurst where they were to arrive on the 29th. They were however later ordered to proceed to Freetown where they arrived on the 31st.
HMS Nelson had first been ordered to join convoy SL 76, then to overtake and join convoy SL 75 and escort it towards 46°N and then proceed to Scapa Flow. (26)
1 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) joined convoy SL 75.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 75 ' for 17 May 1941.]
5 Jun 1941
Around 1830B/5, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) was joined by the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN). Course was then set to proceed to Scapa Flow.
Around 2030B/5, the destroyer HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) also joined. (17)
8 Jun 1941
Around 0030A/8, the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) and the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (17)
Sources
- ADM 53/109897 + ADM 199/393
- ADM 53/109748 + ADM 53/109897
- ADM 53/109900 + ADM 199/393
- ADM 53/109900
- ADM 53/112861
- ADM 53/112861 + ADM 53/112862
- ADM 53/112862
- ADM 53/112862 + ADM 53/113477
- ADM 53/112863
- ADM 53/112866
- ADM 53/112866 + ADM 199/361 + ADM 199/376
- ADM 53/112867 + ADM 199/361
- ADM 53/112867
- ADM 53/122130 + ADM 53/112867 + ADM 199/361 + ADM 199/376
- ADM 53/114758
- ADM 53/114759
- ADM 199/396 + ADM 199/399
- ADM 53/114760 + War diary of HMAS Nestor for March 1941
- ADM 53/114761 + ADM 199/396 + ADM 199/399
- ADM 53/114761
- ADM 53/114762
- ADM 53/114190 + ADM 53/114762
- ADM 53/114190 + ADM 53/1147621 + ADM 199/394
- ADM 199/1143
- ADM 53/114190 + ADM 53/1147621
- ADM 53/114762 + ADM 199/394
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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