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Career information

Transferred to the Emergency List on 24 February 1962.

Destroyer HMAS Norman (G 49)

15 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1105A/15, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) was commissioned for trials at Southampton (1)

18 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 18 and 19 September 1941, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted trials in the Solent. (1)

22 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) commenced a three day 'rapid work-up programme' in Spithead. This was done due to the fact that she had to proceed through the English Channel and enemy air and motor torpedo boat attacks in this area were still frequent. She returned to her builders yard at Southampton on 25 September 1941. (1)

27 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted trials in the English Channel. (1)

29 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed her builders yard at Southampton for passage to Plymouth where she arrived later the same day. En-rout acceptance trials were conducted and on arrival at Plymouth the ship was accepted for naval service from her builders. (1)

6 Oct 1941
Around 2200A/6, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) her work-up programme is interrupted as she is needed for a special mission.

She departed Scapa Flow for Seidisfjord, Iceland on this day. (2)

7 Oct 1941
Around 2000A/7, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Seidisfjord from Scapa Flow.

At Seidisfjord a six men delegation from the Trade Union Council joined the ship for transportation to Archangelsk, Northern Russia.

This duty had first been assigned to HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) but this destroyer had developed defects so HMAS Norman was sent to take over. (2)

8 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800A/8, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Seidisfjord for Archangelsk, Northern Russia. (2)

12 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500C/12, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived off the North Dvina Light Vessel where a pilot was embarked. She then proceeded up river to Archangelsk where the delegation left the ship. (2)

15 Oct 1941
Around 0600C/15, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) departed Archangelsk to proceed down river. There they secured alongside HMS Suffolk (Capt. R.M. Ellis, DSO, RN). It was the intention these ships were to conduct an anti-shipping sweep of the northern coast of Norway and then to proceed to Scapa Flow but the idea was abandoned.

Around 1100C/15, HMAS Norman departed to conducted an A/S patrol off the North Dvina Light Vessel. (2)

16 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Aropund 0330C/16, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) is ordered to abandon her A/S patrol and to proceed to Scapa Flow via Seidisfjord, Iceland. (2)

18 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While on passage from North Russia to Iceland, and when near Bear Island, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) is ordered to return to Archangelsk. (2)

19 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500C/19, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived off the North Dvina Light Vessel where she embarked a pilot. She then proceeded up river to Archangelsk. (2)

20 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 20/21 October 1941, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted an A/S patrol near Gorodetski Light in the White Sea. (2)

22 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1740C/22, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) returned to Archangelsk. (2)

27 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700C/27, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Archangelsk. On board was the delegation from the Trade Union Council. She was to proceed to Scrabster via Seidisfjord, Iceland. (2)

31 Oct 1941
Around 1400A/31, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Seidisfjord, Iceland from Archangelsk. (2)

1 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0645A/1, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Seidisfjord for Scrabster.

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900A/2, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived in Scrabster roads from Seidisfjord. Here the delegation from the Trade Union Council was disembarked.

Around 0945A/2, HMAS Norman departed for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1050A/2. (2)

3 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

4 Nov 1941
Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) conducted acceptance trials in the Pentland Firth. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN).

Early in the afternoon HMS Onslow was relieved by HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN).

On completion of these trials HMS Duke of York was accepted from the shipyard. (4)

5 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

6 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

8 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises and night torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

9 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (2)

13 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

14 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted torpedo firing and day and night gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

18 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having conducted A/S exerices, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted radar and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

20 Nov 1941
Around 1500A/20, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow to make rendezvous with HMS Nelson (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) coming from Gibraltar.

[See the event for 16 November 1941 for more info.] (5)

22 Nov 1941
Around 1030A/22, HMS Nelson (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, DSO, RN) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) had been detached shortly before arrival. She was to proceed to the Clyde.

Around 1830A/22, HMS Nelson departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. She was escorted by HMS Faulknor and HMS Icarus. A third destroyer was to join off Duncansby Head but HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) failed to do so in the bad weather. (5)

23 Nov 1941
Around 0930A/23, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Greenock. She was now taken in hand for post-work up repairs. (3)

8 Dec 1941
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Greenock for her builders yard at Southampton. It had been decided to sent her there due to problems with her boilers. While at Southampton the four barreled .05 machine guns were to be replaced by Oerlikons. Also two additional Oerlikons would be fitted and the Type 286 radar outfit was to be upgraded from Type 286M to Type 286P. (6)

9 Dec 1941
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Southampton from Greenock. She was then taken in hand for repairs / alterations. (6)

4 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) completed her repairs / modifications at Southampton. (7)

5 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted D/G trials off Southampton and then proceeded to Spithead. (7)

6 Jan 1942
Around 0820A/6, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania (A/Capt. A.G. Davidson, RN) departed Portsmouth for the Clyde. She was escorted until 1300A/7, by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN). The destroyer then parted company to proceed to Milford Haven. (7)

7 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530A/7, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Milford Haven from Southampton. (7)

12 Jan 1942
Around 1600A/12, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.E.C. Tait, CB, MVO, RN) departed Milford Haven to join convoy WS 15 at sea.

She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski, ORP) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN).

Around 1730N/15, HMS Anthony was detached to proceed to the assistance of the damaged (by submarine attack), troop transport Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929).

Around 1225N/16, ORP Garland was also detached to proceed to the assistance of the Llangibby Castle.

Around 0900N/17, HMS Ramillies and HMAS Norman finally joined convoy WS 15.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 15 ' for 12 January 1942.] (8)

26 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800Z/26, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Freetown for Pointe Noire. (7)

30 Jan 1942
Around 0700B/30, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Pointe Noire from Freetown.

After fuelling she departed for Simonstown around 1130B/30. (7)

3 Feb 1942
Around 0900B/3, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Simonstown from Pointe Noire.

At Simonstown she was taken in hand for some minor repairs by the Royal Dockyard. (9)

7 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Simonstown for Port Louis, Mauritius.

On the 11th, orders were changed and she was ordered to proceed to Durban instead. (9)

13 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830C/13, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Durban almost simultaneously with the Durban section of convoy WS 15. (9)

21 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) received 82 tons of fuel from HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN).

The following day at 0800C/22, HMAS Norman was ordered to part company with convoy WS 15 and proceed to the Seychelles. (9)

22 Feb 1942

Convoy DM 3.

This convoy was split off at sea from convoy WS 15 on 22 February 1942.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports;
Aagtekerk (Dutch, 6811 GRT, built 1934), Autolycus (British, 7621 GRT, built 1922), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), Pardo (British, 5400 GRT, built 1940), Port Chalmers (British, 8535 GRT, built 1933), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) and Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931).

The submarine depot ship HrMs Colombia (Capt. J.L.K. Hoeke, RNN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. D.N.C. Tufnell, DSC, RN).

Around 0700E/28, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) joined.

Around 2359E/28, HMS Ramillies and HMAS Norman parted company to proceed to Addu Atoll to fuel.

HMS Ramillies and HMAS Norman arrived at Addu Atoll around 1145F/1 and departed again to rejoin the convoy around 1800F/1. Meanwhile at 1200F/1, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) had joined the convoy.

HMS Ramillies and HMAS Norman rejoined the convoy around 2330F/1.

On 2 March 1942, ordered were changed and the Autolycus, Pardo, Staffordshire and HrMs Colombia were ordered to proceed to Colombo escorted by HMS Ramillies and HMAS Norman.

Around 1030F/4, the first part of the convoy arrived at Colombo.

The other ships of the convoy proceeded to Bombay where they arrived on 6 March 1942 escorted by HMS Corfu. (10)

24 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845D/24, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Cedardale (8132 GRT, built 1939).

Fuelling was completed at 1100D/24, when HMAS Norman departed for Colombo via Addu Atoll. (9)

26 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230F/26, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Addu Atoll where she completed with fuel. (9)

27 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400F/27, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Addu Atoll to make rendezvous with convoy DM 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy DM 3 ' for 22 February 1942.] (9)

4 Mar 1942
Around 1030F/4, HMS Ramillies (Capt. D.N.C. Tufnell, DSC, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Colombo with the Colombo section of convoy DM 3. (11)

10 Mar 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Colombo escorting the controlled minelayer depot ship HMS Atreus (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Campbell, OBE, DSC, RN) and the controlled minelayer HMS Alsey (T/Lt. H.A. Inglis, RNR) to Trincomalee.

The convoy arrived at Trincomalee on 12 March 1942. (12)

23 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the damaged tanker San Cirilo (British, 8012 GRT, built 1937) arrived at Colombo. (12)

9 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The transports Princess Marguerite (Canadian, 5875 GRT, built 1925) and Bhutan (British, 6104 GRT, built 1929) departed Alexandria for Port Said where they arrived at following day.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the escort destroyer HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN). (13)

11 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The transports Princess Marguerite (Canadian, 5875 GRT, built 1925) departed Port Said for Haifa where she arrived the following day.

She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN). (13)

25 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Suez for Aden. (14)

28 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Aden from Suez.

After fuelling they departed for Kilindini later the same day. (14)

22 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Majunga.

[No further details available.] (15)

24 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Majunga for Durban. She is escorting the transport Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913). (16)

29 Sep 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the transport Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Durban from Majunga.

HMAS Norman then went to the Durban Dockyard for repairs to her boilers. (16)

16 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0941C/16, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (16)

18 Oct 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. She apparently departed for patrol in the Cape area after fuelling. (17)

20 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1750C/20, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Capetown. (17)

21 Oct 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) picks up 14 survivors near Capetown. They were from the British merchant vessel Empire Nomad that was torpedoed and sunk eight days earlier by German U-boat U-159 about 230 nautical miles south of Cape Point, Cape Colony.

21 Oct 1942
Around 1914C/21, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Capetown for a patrol near position 33°30'N, 17°00'E. (17)

23 Oct 1942
Around 0946C/23, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) returned to Capetown. (17)

25 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0814C/25, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Capetown.

She arrived at Simonstown later the same day. (17)

27 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Simonstown for Walvis Bay. (17)

29 Oct 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Walvis Bay from Simonstown.

After fuelling she departed later the same day to join convoy WS 23.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 23 ' for 5 October 1942.] (17)

5 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the afternoon, HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO and Bar, OBE, RN), HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN), HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) and RHS Kanaris arrived at Durban with convoy WS 23. (16)

15 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0515C/15, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (16)

17 Nov 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (15)

18 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Capetown from Simonstown. (15)

23 Nov 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Capetown (presumably from patrol).

[We have been unable to find out when she had left Capetown.] (17)

23 Nov 1942

Convoy CF 8.

This convoy departed Capetown on 23 November 1942.

It was made up of the troop transports;
Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923) and Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Capetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN).

Around 0730C/24, HMAS Norman parted company with the convoy to proceed to Simonstown.

Around 1600B/24, HMS Alcantara parted company with the convoy to make rendezvous with convoy WS 24 on the 28th. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' convoy WS 24 ' for 29 October 1942.]

The convoy continued on unescorted and arrived at Freetown on 3 December 1942. In the approaches to Freetown the corvette HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR) had joined for A/S protection. (17)

28 Nov 1942
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Simonstown to join convoy WS 24.

[For more info on this convoy see the event 'Convoy WS 24 ' for 29 October 1942.]

[We have been unable to find out when HMAS Norman had arrived at Simonstown.] (18)

4 Dec 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN), HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) arrived at Durban with convoy WS 24. (16)

6 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy WS 24B.

This convoy departed Durban on 6 December 1942.

It was made up of the troop transports Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936) and Striling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

Around 1200C/7, HMAS Norman and HMAS Nepal parted company to return to Durban.

Around 1200E/12, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) took over the escort duties from HMS Frobisher which then proceeded to Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 17 December 1942. (19)

8 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0955C/8, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) arrived at Durban from convoy escort duty. (16)

20 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Diego Suarez from convoy escort duty. (15)

1 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Diego Suarez for Kilindini. (20)

3 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Kilindini from Diego Suarez. (20)

13 Jan 1943
Around 0850C/13, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) departed Kilindini for Freetown.

On departure from Kilindini she was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN). (21)

17 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145C/17, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) arrived at Durban.

They had parted company with HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) around 0505C/17. (16)

23 Jan 1943

Convoy DN 12.

This convoy departed Durban in the early evening of 23 Janaury 1943.

It was made up of the following ships;
British Diligence (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Cape Sable (British, 4398 GRT, built 1936) and Warfield (British, 6070 GRT, built 1917).

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Victualing Store Issuing Ship Hong Siang (British, 3854 GRT, built 1912) is also part of the convoy.

The convoy is escorted by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN).

On 25 January the convoy is dispersed and the Cape Sable and Warfield then proceeded to Lourenço Marques.

HMAS Norman continued on escorting the Hong Siang to Kilindini.

[Possibly the British Diligence also remained in company until the vicinity of Kilindini as this ship arrived at Aden on 6 February 1943.] (22)

31 Jan 1943
Around 0820C/31, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the Victualing Store Issuing Ship Hong Siang (British, 3854 GRT, built 1912) arrived at Kilindini from Durban. (22)

23 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Kilindini for Durban. (20)

27 Feb 1943
Around 0850C/27, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini. After fuelling she departed later the same day for Simonstown via East London together with HMS Hero (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN). (20)

28 Feb 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMS Hero (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at East London from Durban.

[We have been unable to find out when they departed.] (15)

3 Mar 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) arrived Simonstown where she was then taken in hand for refit by the Dockyard.

During this refit she was docked at Capetown for 10 days around late March / early April. [No further details available.] (23)

16 May 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) is docked at Simonstown. (24)

17 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) is undocked. (24)

18 May 1943
Around 0815B/18, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown to join the Durban Section of convoy WS 29.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy WS 29 / KMS 13 ' for 16 April 1943.]

21 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2120C/21, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban with the Durban Section of convoy WS 29. (16)

25 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) departed Durban escorting the Durban Section of convoy WS 29.

The Durban Section then merged with the Capetown Section the following day.

[For more info see the event ' Combined convoy WS 29 / KMS 13 ' for 16 April 1943.] (22)

31 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) returned to Durban from convoy escort duty. (25)

1 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (26)

4 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) all arrived at Simonstown from Durban on this day. (26)

5 Jun 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown for Pointe Noire. (26)

9 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire from Simonstown.

After fuelling they departed to join convoy WS 30 at sea.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15 ' for 19 May 1943.] (26)

15 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown with convoy WS 30.

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