Gilbert George Pearse Hewett, RN
| Born | 10 Mar 1880 |
| Ranks
Retired: 17 Aug 1922 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Gilbert George Pearse Hewett, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Laconia (F 42) | Capt.(Retd.) | Armed Merchant Cruiser | 15 Nov 1939 | 30 Sep 1941 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Laconia (F 42)
12 Feb 1940
Convoy HXF 20.
This convoy departed Halifax on 12 February 1940.
The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Hallaren (Swedish, 2749 GRT, built 1929), Italia (Norwegian (tanker), 9973 GRT, built 1939), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Salacia (British, 5495 GRT, built 1937), San Adolfo (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1935) and Tudor Star (British, 7199 GRT, built 1919).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).
Around 1200Q/13, the merchant vessels Beignon (British, 5218 GRT, built 1939) and Emma Bakke (Norwegian, 4721 GRT, built 1929), which had sailed late from Halifax, overtook and joined the convoy.
Also on the 13th, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.
At daybreak on 20 February 1940, after having encountered heavy weather during the night, it was seen that the Beignon and Emma Bakke as well as HMS Laconia were no longer with the convoy. Both merchant vessels never rejoined the convoy and HMS Laconia turned back to return to Halifax around 1950Z/21. Shortly afterwards she sighted the remaining ships of the convoy which were apparently astern of the stragglers.
Around 0730Z/22, the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Venetia (Lt. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN) joined.
Around 1610Z/22, the convoy split into two sections.
The Irish Sea / West Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Manchester Commerce, Manchester Exporter, Salacia, San Adolfo and Tudor Star. They were escorted by HMS Venetia which arrived at Liverpool on 24 February 1940.
The remaining ships of the convoy made up the Channel / East Coast section which was escorted by HMS Acasta which arrived at Plymouth on 26 February 1940 after having doubled back from the vicinity of Portsmouth. (1)
5 Mar 1940
Convoy HX 25.
This convoy departed Halifax on 6 March 1940.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelregent (British (tanker), 8881 GRT, built 1930), Barn Hill (British, 5439 GRT, built 1921), Benedick (British (tanker), 6978 GRT, built 1928), Bradfyne (British, 4740 GRT, built 1928), Cairnvalona (British, 4929 GRT, built 1918), Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936), Cygnet (Panamanian, 3530 GRT, built 1917), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Drupa (British (tanker), 8102 GRT, built 1939), Edwy R. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), Fernbank (Norwegian, 4333 GRT, built 1924), H.M. Flagler (Panamanian (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1918), Helmspey (British, 4764 GRT, built 1931), Hoperange (British, 5177 GRT, built 1939), Inverarder (British (tanker), 5578 GRT, built 1919), Kaipara (British, 5882 GRT, built 1938), Margarita Chandris (Greek, 5401 GRT, built 1920), Michigan (French, 6419 GRT, built 1920), Mount Kassion (Greek, 7914 GRT, built 1918), Nevada (French, 5693 GRT, built 1918), Pacific Pioneer (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Robert F. Hand (British (tanker), 12197 GRT, built 1933), Saintonge (British (tanker), 9386 GRT, built 1936), San Eliseo (British (tanker), 8042 GRT, built 1939) and Tornus (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).
The Canadian destroyers parted company on the 6th to return to Halifax where they arrived on the 7th.
The Helmsprey (arrived in the Downs on 21 March), Hoperange (arrived in the Downs on 19 March) and Mount Kassion (arrived at Liverpool on 20 March) apparently never joined the convoy.
During the night of 6/7 March the Bradfyne (arrived at Sharpness on 22 March) straggled from the convoy.
During the night of 7/8 March the Barn Hill (bombed and sunk by a German HE 111 aircraft off Beachy Head in the evening of 20 March) and Cairnvalona (arrived at Portland on 20 March) straggled from the convoy.
During the night of 14/15 March the Cygnet (arrived at Liverpool on 21 March) straggled from the convoy.
Around 1345Z/18, in position 50°28'N, 13°13'W, the destroyers HMS Mackay (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Vanessa (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Stocker, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN) joined. [according to the log of HMS Laconia only three destroyers joined so possibly the fourth, unknown which one, joined later that day.] HMS Laconia then parted company to return to Halifax.
Around 1830Z/18, the convoy was split into two sections.
The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelregent (arrived at Liverpool on 21 March), Benedick (arrived at Glasgow on 22 March), Comanchee (arrived at Avonmouth on 20 March), Delilian (arrived in the Clyde on 21 March), Fernbank (arrived at Swansea on 21 March), Inverarder (arrived in the Clyde on 22 March), Margarita Chandris (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 March), Robert F. Hand (arrived at Avonmouth on 21 March) and Tornus (arrived at Liverpool on 21 March). They were escorted by HMS Mackay and HMS Volunteer which arrived at Liverpool on 21 March.
The Channel / east coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Drupa (arrived at Southampton on 20 March), Edwy R. Brown (arrived in the Downs on 21 March), H.M. Flagler (arrived at Le Havre on 23(?) March), Kaipara (arrived in the Downs on 21 March), Michigan (arrived at Le Havre on 20 March), Nevada (arrived at Le Verdon on 22 March), Pacific Pioneer (arrived in the downs on 21 March), Saintonge (arrived at Le Havre on 20 March) and San Eliseo (arrived in the Downs on 21 March). They were escorted by HMS Antelope (arrived at Dover on 21 March) and HMS Vanessa (arrived at Plymouth on 21 March, most likely having escorted the ships destined to Le Havre first). (2)
14 Apr 1940
Convoy HX 35.
This convoy departed Halifax on 14 April 1940.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelfoam (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1931), Athelqueen (British (tanker), 8780 GRT, built 1928), British General (British (tanker), 6989 GRT, built 1922), Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Cowrie (British (tanker), 8197 GRT, built 193), Craftsman (British, 7896 GRT, built 1922), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933), Danby (British, 4281 GRT, built 1937), Dunaff Head (British, 5258 GRT, built 1918), Elax (British (tanker), 7403 GRT, built 1927), Eli Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9026 GRT, built 1925), Elmdene (British, 4853 GRT, built 1939), Ferm (Norwegian (tanker), 6593 GRT, built 1933), Fresno City (British, 4955 GRT, built 1929), General Gassouin (French (tanker), 5011 GRT, built 1926), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), I.C. White (Panamanian (tanker), 7052 GRT, built 1920), Ile d'Ouessant (French, 6187 GRT, built 1919), John A. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), Kongsgaard (Norwegian (tanker), 9467 GRT, built 1937), Leiesten (Norwegian (tanker), 6118 GRT, built 1930), Polar Chief (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1897), Queen Anne (British, 4937 GRT, built 1937), Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923), Rio Dorado (British, 4507 GRT, built 1924), Scottish Minstrel (British (tanker), 6998 GRT, built 1922), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), Saint-Malo (French, 5875 GRT, built 1917), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Texas Trader (British, 2674 GRT, built 1919), Thyra (Norwegian, 1655 GRT, built 1920), Torinia (British (tanker), 10364 GRT, built 1939) and Valldemosa (British (tanker), 7222 GRT, built 1935).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).
Around 1700Q/15, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.
Around 0700Q/16, the merchant vessel Rhea (French (tanker), 7813 GRT, built 1928) overtook and joined the convoy. She had departed late from Halifax on the day the convoy sailed.
On 19 April, in approximate position 42°20'N, 43°00'W, the Texas Trader straggled from the convoy being finally unable to keep up with it after struggling to do so since 15 April. She arrived independently at Portland on 29 April.
During the night of 22/23 April, the Athelqueen (arrived at Liverpool, ahead of the convoy, on 28 April) and Thyra straggled from the convoy in approximate position 47°00'N, 30°00'W. The Thyra was able to rejoin the convoy around 2115A/26 in position 50°22'N, 13°09'W.
Around 0945A/26, in position 50°24'N, 15°48'W, HMS Laconia parted company to return to Halifax. The sloop HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN) joined the convoy shortly before.
Later the convoy split into two sections.
The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels. Athelduchess (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April), Athelfoam (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April), British General (arrived in the Clyde on 29 April), Cowrie (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April), Craftsman (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April), Dunaff Head (arrived at Belfast on 28 April), Eli Knudsen (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April), Glaisdale (arrived in the Clyde on 29 April), John A. Brown (arrived at Milford Haven on 28 April), Leiesten (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April), Rio Dorado (arrived at Belfast on 29 April), Temple Arch (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April) and Thyra (arrived at Liverpool on 29 April). They were, most likely [unable to confirm this from the available records on this convoy], escorted by the sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) which arrived at Liverpool on 29 April. The destroyer HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN) also arrived at Liverpool on 29 April and may also have been escorting this section of the convoy [again we are unable to confirm this from the available records on this convoy].
The Channel / east coast section of the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Caduceus (arrived in the Downs on 29 April), Cairnesk (arrived in the Downs on 29 April), D.L. Harper (arrived at Southampton on 29 April), Danby (arrived in the Downs on 29 April), Elax (arrived at Le Havre on 29 April), Elmdene (arrived in the Downs on 29 April), Ferm (arrived at Le Havre on 29 April), Fresno City (arrived at Portland on 28 April), General Gassouin (destination was La Pallice, France, arrival date not known), I.C. White (arrived at Le Havre on 30 April), Ile d'Ouessant (destination was La Havre, France, arrival date not known), Kongsgaard (arrived at Dunkirk on 1 May), Polar Chief (arrived in the Downs on 29 April), Queen Anne (arrived at Portland on 28 April), Rhea (arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 29 April), Rimutaka (arrived in the Downs on 29 April), Scottish Minstrel (arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 29 April), South Wales (arrived at Portland on 28 April), Saint-Malo (destination was Bordeaux, France, arrival date not known), Torinia (arrived in the Downs on 29 April) and Valldemosa (arrived in the Downs on 29 April). They were escorted by HMS Enchantress which arrived at Dover on 29 April. (3)
12 May 1940
Convoy HX 42.
This convoy departed Halifax on 12 May 1940.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928), Beaverdale (British, 9957 GRT, built 1928), Bencleugh (British, 5755 GRT, built 1919), Brant County (Norwegian, 5001 GRT, built 1915), City of Christiania (British, 4940 GRT, built 1921), Cygnet (Panamanian, 3530 GRT, built 1917), Demeterton (British, 5251 GRT, built 192), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Eleni (British, 5655 GRT, built 1918), Empire Unity (British (tanker), 6369 GRT, built 1927), Gemstone (British, 4986 GRT, built 1938), Lindenhall (British, 5248 GRT, built 1937), Niceto de Larrinaga (British, 5591 GRT, built 1916), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Peterton (British, 5221 GRT, built 1919), San Felix (British (tanker), 13037 GRT, built 1921), Scottish Star (British, 7224 GRT, built 1917), Scottish Trader (British, 4016 GRT, built 1938), Silverelm (British, 4351 GRT, built 1924), Stylianos Chandris (Greek, 6059 GRT, built 1919), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925), Windsorwood (British, 5395 GRT, built 1936) and Yearby (British, 5666 GRT, built 1929).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN).
Around 1745Q/13, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.
Around 0800P/14, the merchant vessel Uganda (British, 4966 GRT, built 1927) overtook and joined the convoy. She had sailed from Halifax late. [The position given in the Commodore's report can not be correct.]
On 18 May, in position 42°57'N, 39°30'W, the Bermuda section of the convoy (Convoy BHX 42) joined. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adellen (British (tanker), 7984 GRT, built 1930), Atheltemplar (British (tanker), 8992 GRT, built 1930), Brandanger (Norwegian, 4624 GRT, built 1924), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Davisian (British, 6433 GRT, built 1925), Inversuir (British, 9456 GRT, built 1938), King Arthur (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kumasian (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Llanover (British, 4959 GRT, built 1928), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Pacific Ranger (British, 6865 GRT, built 1929), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), Pomella (British (tanker), 6766 GRT, built 1937), Rapana (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Roberto (British (tanker), 5890 GRT, built 1922), Scherazade (French (tanker), 13467 GRT, built 1935), Solstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5952 GRT, built 1927), Sticklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937) and Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928).
Around 1845Z/24, in position 50°15'N, 13°11'W, HMS Laconia parted company. The local A/S escort had not yet joined.
Around 2100A/24, in position 50°14'N, 13°00'W, the corvette HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, RNR) joined.
Around 2400A/24, in position 50°12'N, 12°23'W, the sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) joined.
Around 1030A/25, in position 50°04'N, 10°09'W, the convoy was split into two sections.
The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adellen (arrived at Scapa Flow on 30 May), British Resource (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Cygnet (arrived at Sharpness on ?? May), Demeterton (arrived in the Clyde on 28 May), El Mirlo (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Kumasian (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Llanover (arrived in the Clyde on 28 May), Norwegian (arrived at Avonmouth on 27 May), Pacific Exporter (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), San Roberto (arrived in the Clyde on 28 May), Scottish Star (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Silverelm (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Solstad (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Strategist (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Stylianos Chandris (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May), Uganda (arrived at Avonmouth on 27 May), Vancouver (arrived at Avonmouth on 27 May) and Yearby (arrived at Liverpool on 27 May). They were escorted by HMS Rochester which arrived at Liverpool on 27 May.
The Channel / east coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amberton (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Atheltemplar (arrived at Southampton on 27 May), Beaverdale (arrived in the Downs on 28 May), Bencleuch (arrived in the Downs on 28 May), Brandanger (arrived at Falmouth on 26 May), Brant County (arrived at Brest on 27 May), Calgarolite (arrived at Brest on 26 May), City of Christiania (arrived in the Downs on 28 May), Davila (arrived at Pauillac on 28 May), Davisian (arrived in the Downs on 28 May), Eleni (arrived at Bordeaux on 28 May), Empire Unity (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Gemstone (arrived in the Downs on 28 May), Inversuir (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), King Arthur (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Lindenhall (arrived in the Downs on 28 May), Niceto de Larrinaga (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Pacific Ranger (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Peterton (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Petter (arrived at Brest on 27 May), Pomella (arrived at Le Verdon on 28 May), Rapana (arrived at Le Verdon on 27 May), San Ambrosio (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), San Roberto (arrived at Brest on 27 May), Scherazade (arrived at Brest on 27 May), Scottish Trader (arrived at Weymouth on 27 May), Stiklestad (arrived at Pauillac on 28 May), Voco (arrived in the Downs on 28 May) and Windsorwood (arrived in the Downs on 28 May). They were escorted by HMS Gladiolus which arrived at Dover on 28 May. (4)
Sources
- ADM 53/112556 + ADM 199/48 + ADM 199/53
- ADM 53/112557 + ADM 199/48 + ADM 199/53
- ADM 53/112558 + ADM 199/48 + ADM 199/53
- ADM 53/112559 + ADM 199/49 + ADM 199/53
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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