John William Ashley Waller, RN
| Born | 17 Jan 1892 | Kingsclere, Newbury, Hampshire, England | |
| Died | 9 Jan 1975 | (82) | Parroquia De San Cristobal, Menorca, Spain |
| Ranks
Retired: 3 May 1947 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for John William Ashley Waller, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMAS Sydney (D 48) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 9 Oct 1937 | 16 Nov 1939 |
| HMS Malaya (01) | Capt. | Battleship | 19 Apr 1942 | 21 Jul 1943 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Light cruiser HMAS Sydney (D 48)
7 Sep 1939
From 7 to 11 September 1939, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) remained at anchor off Rottnest Island near Fremantle at short notice for steam. She got underway on two occasions for gunnery exercises. On 11 September she went to Fremantle to top off with fuel. (1)
12 Sep 1939
From 12 to 19 September 1939, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) remained at anchor off Rottnest Island near Fremantle at short notice for steam. She got underway several times for gunnery, torpedo firing and height finding (for the AA armament) exercises. On 19 September 1939 she entered Fremantle to top off with fuel. (2)
24 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Fremantle for patrol so as to be able to cover the passage of the liner Oronsay (British, 20043 GRT, built 1925) which was arrived at Fremantle on the 25th. (2)
24 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 24/25 October 1939, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), conducted A/S, 4" gunnery, air aircraft exercises off Fremantle. (3)
31 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle on completion of which she anchored in Gage Roads. (3)
7 Nov 1939
HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. On completion of the gunnery exercises a depth charge and damage control exercise was carried out. (4)
14 Nov 1939
HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Fremantle. (4)
Battleship HMS Malaya (01)
24 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Capetown for Freetown. (5)
1 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530 hours HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) is joined by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) which were to escort the battleship to Freetown. (6)
3 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) arrived at Freetown. (6)
9 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Freetown for Gibraltar. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN). (6)
10 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the late afternoon / early evening, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), fuelled her escorting destroyers one by one, first HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) and then HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN). (6)
13 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0750 hours HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) was joined by the destroyers HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN) and HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSC, RN). HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) were then detached. (6)
15 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN) and HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar in the evening. (6)
25 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (6)
20 Jun 1942
Convoy WS 20.
This convoy was formed of Oversay on 20 June 1942 and arrived at Freetown on 2 July 1942.
It departed Freetown on 6 July 1942 for Capetown / Durban.
It was made up of the troopships / transports; Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936), Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, built 1923), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Esperance Bay (British, 14204 GRT, built 1922), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Palma (British, 5419 GRT, built 1941), Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).
On forming off Orsay Island the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Gretton, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Georgetown (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR), HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.W.E. Castens, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN) and HNoMS St. Albans (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill, RNorN).
On 24 June HMS Georgetown and HMS Salisbury were detached.
On 25 June HMS Boadicea and HMS Ripley were detached. At 0900/26, the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN joined the convoy. She came from Gibraltar and had been escorted by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN). The troopship Narkunda then parted company with the convoy proceeding to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Beagle, HMS Antelope, HMS Vidette, HMS Wishart and HMS Wolverine.
At 1230/26, HMS St.Albans parted company with the convoy to join northound convoy SL 113.
At 2015/26, the destroyer HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) joined the convoy.
Between 0700 and 0800/27 HMS Vansittart fuelled from HMS Malaya.
At 1620/27, HMS Vansittart parted company with the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores to fuel and to proceed to Gibraltar afterwards.
At 0600/28, the destroyer HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) joined the convoy.
Between 0946 and 1023/28, HMS Brilliant fuelled from HMS Malaya. HMS Blackmore was fuelled by HMS Malaya late in the afternoon of the 28th.
At 0800/1, the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) joined the convoy. The were to have joined the day before but were unable to find the convoy due to the bad visibility and the convoy, poor fixes and the convoy being a bit ahead of shedule. HMS Vimy parted company with the convoy shortly after these two destroyer had joined.
At 1250/1, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) joined the convoy.
The convoy arrived safely at Freetown on 2 July 1942.
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On departure from Freetown on 6 July the convoy, in the same composition as in which it had arrived, was escorted by HMS Malaya, HMS Brilliant, HMS Velox, HMS Wivern and HMS Blackmore.
At 1130/7, the troopship Batory parted company with the convoyto proceed to Takoradi escorted by HMS Blackmore. They arrived at Takoradi on 11 July. HMS Blackmore then departed Takoradi, after fuelling, later the same day to rejoin convoy WS 20.
At 1845/8, HMS Wivern was detached to fuel at Pointe Noire to fuel, then proceed to Walvis Bay to fuel there and then rejoin convoy WS 20.
At 0650/9, HMS Brilliant was detached to fuel at Pointe Noire.
At 1815/9, HMS Boreas joined the convoy coming from Takoradi. HMS Velox was then detached to Lagos.
At 1650/12, HMS Boreas was detached to Pointe Noire.
At 1720/12, HMS Blackmore rejoined coming from Takoradi.
At 1130/13, HMS Brilliant rejoined coming from Pointe Noire.
At 1650/14, HMS Brilliant was detached to Walvis Bay.
At 0715/16, HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern joined coming from Walvis Bay.
Between 0720 to 0815/16, HMS Blackmore fuelled from HMS Malaya.
At 0705/17, HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern were detached to Simonstown.
At 0800/17, heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) joined the convoy to take care of the Durban section. The Capetown section then split off escorted by HMS Malaya and HMS Blackmore. The Capetown section arrived at Capetown later the same day. It was made up of the troopships / transports; Abosso, Adrastus, Banfora, Bergensfjord, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Empire Pride, Empress of Australia, Esperance Bay, Leopoldville and Palma.
At 0830/18 (GMT), HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern departed Simonstown to join the Durban section of the convoy that was being escorted by HMS Shropshire.
The Durban section arrived at Durban in the moning of July, 20th. HMS Shropshire parted company to proceed to Simonstown. HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern then patrolled off Durban until the last ships of the convoy had entered the harbour. The Durban section had been made up of the troopships / transports; Arundel Castle, Awatea, Durban Castle, Empress of Russia, Nigerstroom, Orion, Stratheden and Strathmore.
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In the morning of 21 July 1942 the troopships / transports Abosso, Adrastus, Bergensfjord, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Empire Pride, Empress of Australia, Leopoldville and Palma departed Capetown to the rendez-vous point near Durban. They were escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore. Around 1600/21 they were joined by the battleship HMS Malaya which had departed Simonstown at 1215/21.
Around 0930/26 the convoy arrived off Durban where it merged with the Durban section.
The Durban section was made up of the troopships / transports; Arundel Castle, Orion, Stirling Castle and Stratheden. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern.
HMS Malaya split off from the Capetown section to proceed to Capetown escorted by HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern. HMS Blackmore entered Durban.
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The convoy was now made up of the troopships / transports; Abosso, Adrastus, Arundel Castle, Bergensfjord, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Empire Pride, Empress of Australia, Leopoldville, Orion, Palma, Stirling Castle and Stratheden and was being escorted by HMS Gambia.
At 0900/30, the convoy, now to the east of Madagascar, was joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN). The troopship Stirling Castle then split off to proceed to Mauritius escorted by HMS Gambia.
At 1410/31, HMS Worcestershire parted company with the convoy. Her speed had proven to be too low and she had difficulty keeping up.
At 0900/3, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. Shortly afterwards the convoy split up in two sections, one with the destination Aden (Perim) (WS 20A) and one with the destination Bombay (WS 20B).
24 Jun 1942
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Gibraltar to join convoy WS 20 at sea. The was escorted by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN).
[See the event ' Convoy WS 20 ' for 20 July 1942 for more information on this convoy.] (7)
25 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) did an underway refuelling from HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN). (7)
26 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0900 hours, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) made rendez-vous with convoy WS 20. HMS Malaya then joined the convoy while the destroyers returned to Gibraltar with HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Gretton, OBE, DSC, RN) escorting the troopship Narkunda.
19 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted D/G trials at Capetown following which she shifted from Capetown to Simonstown. (8)
20 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), conducted gunnery exercises off Simonstown. (8)
21 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Simonstown and joined the Capetown section of convoy WS 20 at sea.
[See the event ' Convoy WS 20 ' for 20 June 1942 for more information on this convoy. (8)
26 Jul 1942
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) parted company with convoy WS 20 off Durban. Course was then set to Capetown escorted by the destroyers HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN).
[See the event ' Convoy WS 20 ' for 20 June 1942 for more information on this convoy. (8)
28 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) arrived at Capetown. (8)
4 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy RT 1.
Departed Capetown on 4 August 1942 and arrived at Freetown on 13 August 1942.
This convoy was made up of the troopships Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913)
They were escorted by the battleships HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Queen Elizabeth (A/Capt. R. Gotto, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN).
At 2045/6, HMS Duncan and HMS Hotspur parted company and set course to Simonstown.
At 1135/9, the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) joined the convoy coming from Freetown.
At 0945/11, the destroyer HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) joined the convoy coming from Freetown.
The convoy arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of the 13th. (9)
23 Aug 1942
Around 1630Z/23, the battleships HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and HMS Ramillies (Cdr. L.N. Brownfield, RN) departed Freetown for Gibraltar. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN).
HMS Velox was detached on the 24th and returned to Freetown.
Around 0900Z/25, they were joined by the destroyer HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN).
Around 1620Z/26, the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) joined. Shortly afterwards HMS Brilliant, HMS Vansittart and HMS Wivern parted company.
At 1350Z/27, the destroyers HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) joined.
At 0245A/28, HMS Laforey was detached.
At 1600A/28, the destroyer HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN) joined.
Around 2030B/29, the force arrived at Gibraltar. (10)
29 Sep 1942
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and the destroyers HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) conducted exercises to the east of Gibraltar. (11)
30 Sep 1942
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Gibraltar for the Clyde. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN).
They were joined by the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) around 1030 hours on October, 5th.
The force arrived in the Clyde around 1800 hours on October, 5th. (11)
6 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Greenock for the Rosyth. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN). (12)
8 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) arrived at Rosyth.
HMS Malaya was to refit at Rosyth. (12)
21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While undergoing a refit, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), is docked at Rosyth. (13)
21 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) is undocked. (14)
14 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), conducted D/G trials in the Firth of Forth.
On completion of these she departed the Firth of Forth for Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Onslow (Capt. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Goathland (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Pumphrey, RN, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN).
The arrived at Scapa Flow on the 15th. (15)
1 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted 4" HA and 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)
4 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted 15" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)
6 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN) conducted tactical exercises off Scapa Flow. (17)
7 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)
14 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)
27 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)
28 Jan 1943
HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE, RN) and HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) conducted tactical exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises HMS Howe was escorted by HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN). (17)
3 Feb 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN) and HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN) conducted tactical exercises off Scapa Flow. (18)
4 Feb 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) and HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) conducted rangefinding and inclination exercises off Scapa Flow. (18)
22 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. She was escorted by HMCS Athabascan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and FFS La Combattante (Lt.Cdr. A. Patou).
They arrived at Greenock on 23 February 1943. (18)
25 Feb 1943
Convoy WS 27 / KMF 10A
This combined convoy was formed off Orsay Island on 25 February 1943.
It was made up of the following troopships / transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914). Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Circassia (British, 11136 GRT, built 1937), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Letitia (British, 13475 GRT, built 1925), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).
The convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, 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), HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RNR), sloops HMS Egret (Cdr. C.R.S. Farquhar, RN), HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and the frigate HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RN).
At 1300/1, HMS Queensborough and HMS Wolverine were detached from the combined convoy to fuel at Casablanca.
At 1900/1, the destroyer HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) joined the combined convoy.
At 1100/2, the convoy split up; Convoy WS 27 continued to Freetown and Convoy KMF 10A set course to enter the Mediterranean and proceed to Oran / Algiers.
Convoy KMF 10A.
Convoy KMF 10A was made up of the troopships / transports; Batory, Boissevain, Circassia, Franconia, Nieuw Holland and Letitia, escorted by HMS Egret, HMS Erne, HMS Fishguard, HMS Test and HMS Clare.
On 3 March, while transiting the Gibraltar Strait, HMS Clare was detached to Gibraltar and the convoy was joined by the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) and HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) coming from Gibraltar.
The troopships Franconia and Letitia were detached and arrived at Oran on 4 March escorted by HMS Farndale, HMS Haydon, HMS Oakley and HMS Puckeridge. The escort destroyers departed Oran again later the same day to form an separate A/S force that was to operate near the remainder of the convoy during it's passage to Algiers.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Algiers on March, 5th escorted by HMS Egret, HMS Erne, HMS Fishguard, HMS Test and HMS Zetland.
Convoy WS 27.
Convoy WS 27 was made up of the troopships / transports; Almanzora, Antenor, Capetown Castle, Christiaan Huygens, Strathaird and Strathmore, escorted by HMS Malaya, HMS Quadrant, HMS Quail and HMS Raider.
At 0030/3, HMS Queensborough and HMS Wolverine rejoined the convoy.
Between 1033 and 1125/3, HMS Raidar was fuelled by HMS Malaya followed by HMS Wolverine between 1156 and 1215/3.
At 1115/4, HMS Quadrant parted company with the convoy to fuel at Bathurst.
At 1800/5, the troopship Almanzore parted company with the convoy to proceed to Dakar escorted by HMS Quail.
At 1110/7, HMS Quail rejoined the convoy.
The convoy arrived safely at Freetown in the morning of March, 8th.
11 Mar 1943
The merchant vessel City of Cape Town (British, 8046 GRT, built 1937) departed Freetown for the U.K.
She was to be escorted until latitute 28'N by the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), destroyer HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) and escort destroyer RHS Adrias that were to proceed to Gibraltar afterwards. The merchant vessel was then to proceed to the U.K. unescorted.
At 1435/12, the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) joined the escort.
At 1700/12, the destroyer HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) joined the escort coming from Bathurst. HMS Wolverine then parted company and proceeded to Dakar to fuel.
At 1925/12, HMS Quadrant picked up ten survivors from a lifeboat from the American merchant vessel City of Flint that had been torpedoed and sunk on 25 January 1943 !!!.
At 0950/13, HMS Wolverine returned. HMS Boreas was then detached to Freetown.
At 1800/15, the destroyer USS Gherardi (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Schmidt, USN) joined the escort.
At 2230/15, the City of Cape Town and HMS Quadrant parted company. HMS Malaya and her escorts then set course for Gibraltar.
Around 0900/16, HMS Quadrant rejoined.
At 0200/17, USS Gherardi parted company.
HMS Malaya, HMS Quadrant, HMS Wolverine and RHS Pindos arrived at Gibraltar shortly before noon on the 17th.
HMS Malaya arrived at Gibraltar on March, 17th. (19)
30 Mar 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Gibraltar. (20)
14 Apr 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), destroyer HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN) and HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) departed Gibraltar to patrol east of the Strait of Gibraltar. They returned to Gibraltar the following day together with ships from 'Force H' which returned to Gibraltar from the eastwards. (21)
20 Apr 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Gibraltar for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, DSC, RN).
Around 1530/22, the destroyers HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski) joined HMS Malaya.
At 1550/22, HMS Antelope, HMS Velox and HMS Wishart were detached. They arrived back at Gibraltar on April, 24th.
Around midnight during the night of 24/25 April, HMS Matchless, HMS Meteor and ORP Piorun were detached to Londonderry to fuel. They had been reliever by the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. W.B.L. Holms, RCN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN). (21)
26 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. W.B.L. Holms, RCN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (22)
3 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (23)
12 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (23)
13 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (23)
24 May 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock where she is to undergo some minor repairs and was to be used for training duties.
During the passage she is escorted by the destroyers HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Quail (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN) and HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN).
HMS Malaya arrived at Greenock on the 25th. (24)
21 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (25)
23 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (25)
24 Jun 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a RIX (range and inclination exercise) with HMS Cardiff (A/Capt. A.G. Davidson, RN) acting as target. (26)
5 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted 15" calibaration firings in the Clyde area. (27)
8 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)
9 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)
13 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)
15 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)
Sources
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Sydney for 29 August 1939 to 11 September 1939
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Sydney for 12 September 1939 to 1 October 1939
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Sydney for October 1939
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Sydney for 1 to 15 November 1939
- ADM 53/116214
- ADM 53/116215
- ADM 53/116216
- ADM 53/116217
- ADM 199/653
- ADM 53/116218 + ADM 199/647
- ADM 199/662
- ADM 199/427
- ADM 53/116220
- ADM 53/116221
- ADM 53/116222 + ADM 199/427
- ADM 53/117876
- ADM 53/117009 + ADM 53/117876
- ADM 53/117877
- ADM 53/117878 + ADM 199/635
- ADM 53/117878
- ADM 53/117879 + ADM 199/767
- ADM 53/117879 + ADM 199/632
- ADM 53/117880
- ADM 53/117880 + ADM 199/632
- ADM 53/117881
- ADM 53/117138 + ADM 53/117881
- ADM 53/117882
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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