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Light cruiser HMS Kenya (14)

11 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed her builders yard for trials in the Clyde area. On completion she ran over the DG range. Also D/F calibration trials were carried out. (1)

12 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted full power and gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (1)

17 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Glasgow where she was docked at Elderslie. (1)

18 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) is undocked and proceeded to Greenock. (1)

20 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (1)

27 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted full power trials in the Clyde area following which she was accepted from the builders yard.

She also conducted exercises for the 4" AA guns. (1)

28 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (1)

29 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (1)

1 Oct 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) and HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. They then left Scapa Flow for RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercises in the Pentland Firth. (2)

2 Oct 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.

HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted 4" AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

They then left Scapa Flow for more exercises during which they took each other in tow. In the evening a NEX (night encounter) exercise in the Pentland Firth. (2)

3 Oct 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) and HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

They then left Scapa Flow for a RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercise with each other following which they returned to Scapa Flow and both conducted more gunnery exercises. (2)

7 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Scapa Flow to make rendezvous with convoy WS 3 (Fast) which she was to escort to Freetown.

[For more information on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 3 (Fast) ' for 7 October 1940.] (3)

7 Oct 1940

Convoy WS 3 (Fast).

This convoy departed Liverpool and the Clyde on 7 October 1940. The convoy arrived at Suez on 16 November 1940.

The Liverpool section was made up of the troop transports; Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929).

It was escorted by the destroyers HMS Douglas (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Crossley, RN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN). HMCS St. Laurent however collided with a small merchant vessel very early on the 8th and had to return to Liverpool for repairs.

The Clyde section was made up of the transports; Capetown Castle (British, 27000 GRT, built 1938), Georgic (British, 27759 GRT, built 1932), Oronsay (British, 20043 GRT, built 1925) and Winchester Castle (British, 20012 GRT, built 1930).

It was escorted by the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN).

At 0700/8, the Clyde section was joined by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) which came from Londonderry.

At 1012/8, a large enemy bomber was seen to approach the Capetown Castle off the Clyde section and dropped a bomb which missed.

At 1050/8, HMCS Ottawa and HMS Active were ordered to close the Oronsay which had been damaged by air attack and needed assistance. HMS Active however misunderstood the order and remained with the convoy. Meanwhile the Oronsay had dropped out of the convoy.

At 1152/8, HMS Arrow joined the damaged Oronsay as well.

Around 1400/8, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Cheshire (Capt.(Retd.) M.R. Bernard, RN) and HMS Salopian (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) also arrived on the scene. HMS Salopian later departed to continue her patrol. HMS Cheshire remained with Oronsay and the two destroyers.

At 1440/8, Oronsay got underway at slow speed and was able to increase speed to 9 knots.

At 1520/8, the ships that were with the Oronsay sighted the Liverpool section of the convoy which apparently had been delayed by bad weather conditions and therefore unable to have joined up with the Clyde section as had been intended. HMS Douglas, one of the escorting destroyers of the Liverpool section had been unable to keep up with it due to the weather conditions now joined the Oronsay group.

At 1900/8, the destroyers HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Sabre (Cdr.(Retd.) B. Dean, RN) joined.

The destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) also joined but it is unknown when.

At 2115/8, the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) joined.

At 0205/9, HMS Arrow and HMCS Ottawa parted company with Oromsay and the other escorts to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 1030/9, the damaged Oronsay escorted by HMS Cairo, HMS Cheshire, HMS Douglas, HMS Verity, HMS Viscount and HMS Sabre arrived at Greenock.

Meanwhile the Clyde section had continued on escorted by HMS Whitehall, HMS Achates and HMS Active. As did the Liverpool section but apparently unescorted. They had failed to make rendezvous with each other in the heavy weather.

Around 1215/9, the Clyde section was joined by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN). It seems that at this time the destroyers were no longer present.

At noon on the 12th the Clyde section, with HMS Kenya was finally joined by the Liverpool section of the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of October 18th.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 20 October 1940 and was made up of the Capetown Castle, Duchess of York, Georgic, Monarch of Bermuda, Orontes and Winchester Castle.

The convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN).

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 28 October 1940. HMS Dorsetshire then proceeded to Simonstown where she arrived also on the same day.

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On 30 October the convoy, now made up of the Duchess of York, Georgic, Monarch of Bermuda and Orontes departed Capetown for Suez. They were escorted by HMS Dorsetshire.

In the morning of 3 November the convoy overtook and then merged with the slow section of convoy WS 3 which was made up of the transports Dorset (British, 10624 GRT, built 1934), Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Perthshire (British, 10496 GRT, built 1936) and Port Chalmers (British, 8535 GRT, built 1933) and their escort the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN).

Shortly before noon the Erinpura and Khedive Ismael split off from the convoy and set course for Mombasa escorted by HMS Carthage. HMS Dorsetshire continued on with the remainder of the convoy towards Suez.

In the morning of November 11th, the light cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) joined the convoy at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden.

The transport City of Lille (British, 6588 GRT, built 1928) and several more escort vessels, the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN), sloops HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined on 12 November 1940 for the passage through the Red Sea in which the Italian Navy was still active at this time.

The troopships Duchess of York and Georgic also re-joined the convoy after a brief visit to Aden. HMS Caledon also briefly left the convoy to oil at Aden before re-joining it.

Around 2130/12, the convoy entered the Perim Strait.

HMS Dorsetshire parted company with the convoy at 0915/14.

The convoy arrived at Suez on 16 November 1940. (4)

23 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Freetown. (5)

24 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Freetown. (5)

27 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Freetown for Scapa Flow. She was to escort the troopships Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937) and Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) to the U.K.

While en-route HMS Kenya was ordered to proceed to the Clyde with the troopships. (5)

5 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) and the troopships Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937) and Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) arrived at Greenock. (6)

8 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Greenock for Plymouth. (6)

9 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived at Belfast.

While en-route to Plymouth, HMS Kenya had been ordered to proceed to Belfast instead as Plymouth was closed due to enemy minelaying. (6)

16 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Belfast for Scapa Flow. (6)

17 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (6)

18 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (6)

19 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (6)

21 Nov 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

These were followed by RIX (range and inclination) exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN).

And finally, HMS Kenya conducted more gunnery exercises. (6)

22 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (6)

26 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted 4" AA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

27 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted 4" AA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. These were followed by a ranging exercise during which HMS Southdown (Cdr. E.R. Condor, DSO, DSC, RN) served as the target. (6)

9 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted 4" AA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. These were followed by a night encounter exercise with HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN). (7)

10 Dec 1940
Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and then hoisted it in HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN). HMS Kenya then departed Scapa Flow for Plymouth. (7)

12 Dec 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Plymouth where she is taken in hand for repairs at the Devonport Dockyard. (7)

15 Dec 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) is docked at the Devonport Dockyard. (7)

24 Dec 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) is undocked. (7)

25 Dec 1940
Following the attack by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper on convoy WS 5A, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), departed Plymouth to join convoys SL 59 and SLS 59. (7)

26 Dec 1940
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) is ordered to search for the damaged troopship (from convoy WS 5A) Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and then escort her to Ponta Delgada. (7)

28 Dec 1940
Around 1800Z/28, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) makes rendezvous with the damaged troopship Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR). (7)

29 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800Z/29, the damaged troopship Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) entered Ponta Delgada for repairs. HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) kept patrolling of the Azores. (8)

30 Dec 1940
The corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) departed Ponta Delgada, P.M. on 30 December followed by the damaged troopship Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) around 2300Z/30. At sea they joined the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN). In the meantime the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR) and HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR) had also arrived to escort the damaged troopship. Course was then set for Gibraltar. (8)

4 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0920A/4, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) parted company with the damaged troopship Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR), HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR) and HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR).

HMS Kenya arrived at Gibraltar around 1645A/4. (9)

5 Jan 1941
Around 1500A/5, the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. G.L. Warren, RN), light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. En-route the destroyers were to be detached to return to Gibraltar.

At 0700A/6, HMS Foxhound, HMS Forester and HMS Fury parted company to return to Gibraltar.

At 1730/7, HMS Berwick and HMS Wishart parted company.

Around 0815N/12, HMS Kenya proceeded independently to proceed to Plymouth. HMS Argus joined up with other warships. (10)

14 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (11)

15 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) proceeded to the Devonport Dockyard for some repairs. (11)

23 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) completed her repairs at the Devonport Dockyard. (11)

31 Jan 1941
Around 0800A/31, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived in the Clyde. (11)

31 Jan 1941
Around 2330A/31, ' Z Force ' departed Lamlash for Freetown. ' Z Force ' was made up of the infantery landing ships HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) L.B. Hill, OBE, RN), HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) and HMS Glenroy (Capt.(Retd.) Sir J.F. Paget, RN). On passing the boom at Lamlash they were joined by the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN).

Around 0830A/1, they were joined by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) which had departed Greenock at 0001A/1.

Around 0900A/1, the troopship Georgic (British, 27759 GRT, built 1932) joined.

At 0530Z/3, the Georgic and the destroyers parted company.

At 0955N/7, the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) joined.

At 0655N/9, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN) joined.

At 1030N/10, ' Z Force ', HMS Kenya and HMS Dorsetshire arrived at Freetown.

(12)

9 Feb 1941

Convoy SL 65.

The bulk of this convoy departed Freetown on 10 February 1941 and arrived in U.K. waters on 8 March 1941.

Part of this convoy departed Freetown on day earlier, on 9 February 1941 and joined up with the main part of the convoy on 14 February 1941. This part of the convoy was known as convoy SLS [SL Slow] 65.

Convoy SLS 65 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agios Vlasios (Greek, 2974 GRT, built 1918), Batna (British, 4399 GRT, built 1928), Baxtergate (British, 5531 GRT, built 1925), Camerata (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931), Deido (British, 3894 GRT, built 1928), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Harmonic (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Hollinside (British, 4172 GRT, built 1930), Michael L. Embiricos (Greek, 5202 GRT, built 1918), Nevada II (British, 5693 GRT, built 1918), Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935), Senta (Norwegian, 3785 GRT, built 1917), Trongate (British, 3979 GRT, built 1924), Wearpool (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936) and Zeeland (Dutch, 2776 GRT, built 1930).

SLS 65 had no escort.

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Convoy SL 65 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Belinda (Norwegian (tanker), 8325 GRT, built 1939), Belita (Norwegian (tanker), 6323 GRT, built 1933), Bencruachan (British, 5920 GRT, built 1928), Benvrackie (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Blairclova (British, 5083 GRT, built 1938), British Confidence (British (tanker), 8494 GRT, built 1936), British Endurance (British (tanker), 8406 GRT, built 1936), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), British Renown (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1928), British Workman (British (tanker), 6994 GRT, built 1922), Bur (Norwegian, 4343 GRT, built 1917), Chile (British, 6956 GRT, built 1915), City of Adelaide (British, 6528 GRT, built 1920), City of Canton (British, 6692 GRT, built 1916), City of Evansville (British, 6528 GRT, built 1922), City of Exeter (British, 9654 GRT, built 1914), City of Khios (British, 5574 GRT, built 1925), City of Ripon (British, 6368 GRT, built 1915), City of Winchester (British, 7120 GRT, built 1917), City of Worcester (British, 5469 GRT, built 1927), Cliftonhall (British, 5063 GRT, built 1938), Cordillera (British, 6865 GRT, built 1920), David Livingstone (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Dunstan (British, 5149 GRT, built 1925), Eskbank (British, 5137 GRT, built 1937), Fernlane (Norwegian, 4310 GRT, built 1927), Glenfinlas (British, 7479 GRT, built 1917), John Holt (British, 4975 GRT, built 1938), Kalewa (British, 4389 GRT, built 1940), Kana (British, 2783 GRT, built 1929), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Matadian (British, 4275 GRT, built 1936), Medon (British, 5444 GRT, built 1923), Morgenen (Norwegian (tanker), 7093 GRT, built 1930), Nariva (British, 8714 GRT, built 1920), Nela (British, 7220 GRT, built 1916), Polartank (Norwegian (tanker), 6356 GRT, built 1930), Port Adelaide (British, 8422 GRT, built 1919), Southern Princess (British (tanker), 12156 GRT, built 1915), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937), Tacoma Star (British, 7924 GRT, built 1919), Tactician (British, 5996 GRT, built 1928), Thistlegorm (British, 4898 GRT, built 1940), Thornliebank (British, 5569 GRT, built 1939), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938), Ville d'Amiens (British, 6975 GRT, built 1924), Wayfarer (British, 5068 GRT, built 1925) and Zamalek (British (rescue ship), 1567 GRT, built 1921).]

[It is possible some of these ships did not sail from Freetown but joined the convoy at sea.]

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) and the sloop HMS Milford (Capt.(Retd.) S.K. Smyth, RN).

At 0900N/11, the corvettes HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR).

On 13 February 1941, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) joined SLS 65 having departed Freetown on 11 February 1941.

Around 0900N/14, convoy SLS 65 merged with convoy SL 65.

At 1820N/14, HMS Milford, HMS Asphodel and HMS Calendula parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

At 1100D/20, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) joined the convoy escort. HMS Kenya then parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.

HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy in the afternoon of 1 March 1941 and returned to Gibraltar.

At 1300D/2, the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) joined the convoy escort. HMS Bulolo then parted company with the convoy to proceed to the Clyde.

Ships from the local A/S escort commenced to join on 4 March, these were the destroyers HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Brighton (Cdr. (Retd.) C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN), HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR), HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN), sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR), HMS Tulip (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR), A/S yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN) and the catapult ship HMS Pegasus (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, DSO, RN). The destroyers HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN) and HMS Woolston (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN) joined on 5 March.

11 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Freetown for convoy escort duty. She was to join convoy SLS 65 / SL 65.

[For more information on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 65 ' for 10 February 1941.] (13)

18 Feb 1941

Convoy SL 66.

This convoy departed Freetown on 18 February 1941 and arrived in U.K. waters on 14 March 1941.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928), Ardenvohr (British, 5025 GRT, built 1940), Benlomond (British, 6630 GRT, built 1922), Benvenue (British, 5920 GRT, built 1927), Berbery (British, 5248 GRT, built 1919), Berhala (Dutch, 6622 GRT, built 1927), Bothnia (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Bradglen (British, 4741 GRT, built 1930), British Colony (British (tanker), 6917 GRT, built 1927), British Desteny (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), British Power (British (tanker), 8451 GRT, built 1936), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Darlington Court (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), Egba (British, 4989 GRT, built 1914), Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Etrib (British, 1943GRT, built 1919), Glendene (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929), Glenpark (British, 5136 GRT, built 1939), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Harpasa (British, 5082 GRT, built 1934), Hjalmar Wessel (British, 1742 GRT, built 1935), Hoogkerk (British, 5132 GRT, built 1911), Kerma (British, 4333 GRT, built 1928), Kingbury (British, 4898 GRT, built 1937), Lord Cochrane (British, 4157 GRT, built 1934), Lynton Grange (British, 5029 GRT, built 1937), Marita (Norwegian, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Meropi (Greek, 4181 GRT, built 1911), Norman Monarch (British, 4718 GRT, built 1937), O.A. Kundsen (Norwegian (tanker), 11007 GRT, built 1938), Ornefjell (British, 1334 GRT, built 1937), Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), River Afton (British, 5479 GRT, built 1935), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Salvus (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Serbino (British, 4099 GRT, built 1919), Sir Ernest Cassel (British, 7739 GRT, built 1910), Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937), Somme (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), Temple Yard (British, 5205 GRT, built 1937), Toward (British (rescue ship), 1571 GRT, built 1923), Trevorian (British, 4599 GRT, built 1920), Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930) and Warfield (British, 6070 GRT, built 1917).

[It is possible some of these ships did not sail from Freetown but joined the convoy at sea.]

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Comorin (Capt.(Retd.) J.I. Hallett, DSO, RN).

Around 1345N/3, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.

Around 0700N/8, the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski) joined.

Around 1800N/9, the destroyers HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), escort destroyer HMS Vivien (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Beattie, RN) and the corvettes HMS Nasturtium (Lt.Cdr. J.F.C. Bartley, DSC, RNR), HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) and HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A. Ayre, RNR).

At 1915Z/9, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy but she rejoined it at 2000A/10 after having been ordered to do so. While absent from the convoy HMS Kenya sighted and engaged a German Focke Wulf aircraft but it was not damaged and disappeared to the east.

At 2000A/11, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 14 March 1941.

22 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Gibraltar after convoy escort duty. (13)

28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Gibraltar to join convoy SL 66 and escort it part of the way on its passage to the U.K. (13)

13 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Plymouth after convoy escort duty. (14)

15 Mar 1941

Convoy HG 56.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 15 March 1941 and arrived in U.K. waters on 1 April 1941.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ary Lensen (British, 3214 GRT, built 1930), Aymeric (British, 5196 GRT, built 1919), Baron Haig (British, 3391 GRT, built 1926), Baron Nairn (British, 3164 GRT, built 1925), Baron Pentland (British, 3410 GRT, built 1927), Bruce M. (British, 1887 GRT, built 1927), Crane (British, 785 GRT, built 1937), Cressado (British, 1228 GRT, built 1913), Dayrose (British, 4113 GRT, built 1928), Fanefjeld (Norwegian, 1354 GRT, built 1920), Fendris (British, 1018 GRT, built 1925), Lech (Polish, 1568 GRT, built 19341927), Lissa (British, 1511 GRT, built 1927), Magne (Swedish, 3103 GRT, built 1912), Margareta (British, 1173 GRT, built 1904), Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935), Philipp M. (British, 2085 GRT, built 1924), Procris (British, 1033 GRT, built 1924), Rhineland (British, 1381 GRT, built 1922), Rimfakse (Norwegian, 1334 GRT, built 1921), Thurso (British, 2436 GRT, built 1919), Treminnard (British, 4964 GRT, built 1922), Ulea (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936), Uskside (British, 2708 GRT, built 1937) and Wallonia (Swedish, 1435 GRT, built 1919).

[It is possible some of these ships did not sail from Freetown but joined the convoy at sea.]

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN), corvettes HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and the submarine HMS Olympus (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dymott, RN).

HMS Velox, HMS Geranium and HMS Verbena parted company on 16 March to return to Gibraltar.

The light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) joined the convoy around 0900Z/23.

At 1600Z/24, HMS Olympus parted company with the convoy and proceeded to join convoy OG 56.

Around 1130Z/25, the armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/27, the destroyer HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), Léopard (Lt.Cdr. J. Evenou) and Piorun (Cdr. E.J.S. Plawski) joined the convoy.

Around 1000Z/27, the corvettes HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR) and HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1700Z/27, the destroyers HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN), HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR), HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR) and rescue ship Zaafaran (1559 GRT, built 1921) joined.

Around 0930A/29, the destroyer HMS Broadwater (Lt.Cdr. W.M.L. Astwood, RN) joined the convoy.

17 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Plymouth for escort duty with convoy SL 67.

[For more information on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 67 ' for 1 March 1941.] (14)

31 Mar 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Greenock from convoy escort duty with convoy HG 56.

[For more info on this convoy see the event convoy ' HG 56 ' for 15 March 1941.]

[No log of HMS Kenya is available for April 1941, therefore some details might be missing.] (14)

6 Apr 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Greenock to join HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) on patrol. (15)

18 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN, struck his flag on board HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN). (16)

23 Apr 1941

Minelaying operation SN 71.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

At 0935/23, the auxiliary minelayers Southern Prince (A/Capt. E.M.C. Barraclough, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN), HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN, RN), HMS Port Quebec (Capt. (Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN), HMS Brighton (Cdr. (Retd.) C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN) and HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) departed Loch Alsh (Port Z.A.) for minelaying mission SN 71.

The operation was covered by the light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) from the Iceland - Faroer Islands patrol.

The destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN) departed from Hvalfjord at 0100/25 to carry out an anti-submarine sweep in the line of advance of the minelayers. On completion of the A/S sweep, they relieved destroyers HMS Achates and HMS Anthony in the screen of the minelayers which then proceeded to Reykjavik.

Minefield SN 71 was laid on the 26th. It was made up as follows;
SN 71A;
between 66°44'9"N, 24°13'7"W and 66°47'5"N, 24°52'0'W

SN 71B;
between 66°56'5"N, 24°01'9"W and 67°14'0"N, 24°01'9"W

SN 71C;
between 67°09'6"N, 23°46'0"W and 67°08'5"N, 23°44'2"W.

The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Southern Prince 562 mines, HMS Menestheus 410 mines and HMS Port Quebec 548 mines.

HMS Edinburgh, HMS Kenya, after the minelay, proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 29th.

HMS Cossack and HMS Zulu arrived at Scapa Flow at 2130/29.

HMS Southern Prince, HMS Menetheus, HMS Port Quebec, HMS Brighton and HMS St.Marys arrived at Loch Alsh (Port Z.A.) at 1957/29. (17)

5 May 1941

Minelaying operation SN 9A.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

At 0925B/5, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN), HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN), and HMS Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN) of the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Loch Alsh to lay minefield SN 9A. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) and HMS Brighton (Cdr. (Retd.) C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN).

Around 1310B/5, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) joined the force off the Butt of Lewis to provide close cover. She had departed Scapa Flow at 0750B/5.

The light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN), HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) of the 18th Cruiser Squadron which had departed Scapa Flow around 1445B/5 to cover the minelaying operation. On completion of this they proceeded on operation EB.

Minefield SN 9A was laid between 1812B/6 and 2058B/6. It was laid along a line between positions 63°20'0"N, 11°36'0"W and 63°57'5"N, 12°02'0"W.

The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Agamemnon 532 mines, HMS Menestheus 410 mines and HMS Port Quebec 548 mines.

At 0952B/8, HMS Kenya parted company with the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

HMS Agamemnon, HMS Menestheus, HMS Port Quebec, HMS St. Marys and HMS Brighton returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 1331B/8.

HMS Kenya arrived at Scapa Flow around 1500B/8.

HMS Intrepid and HMS Impulsive arrived at Scapa Flow around 1030B/9 hiving been diverted for an A/S hunt on the 8th while en-route from Port Z.A. to Scapa Flow. (18)

9 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 9/10 May 1941, HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. It appears that the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) were also present for escort duty. (19)

10 May 1941
Around 1800B/10, HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), departed Scapa Flow to patrol between Iceland and the Faeroer Island. (20)

14 May 1941

Minelaying operation SN 9B.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

At 1035B/14, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN), HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN), and HMS Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN) of the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Loch Alsh to lay minefield SN 9A. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) and HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN). HMS Electra, HMS Antelope, HMS Anthony had arrived at Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 0600B/14 having departed Scapa Flow at 2215B/13.

Around 1730B/14, they were joined at sea by the light cruiser HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 2345B/13 to provide close cover for the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

Two light cruisers, which were on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap, HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), provided distant cover for the operation. On completion of the operation they resumed their patrol.

Minefield SN 9B was laid on the 15th. It was laid along a line between positions 64°34'0"N, 12°42'0"W, 64°08'5"N, 12°16'0"W and 64°02'2"N, 12°06'0"W.

The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Agamemnon 532 mines, HMS Menestheus 410 mines and HMS Port Quebec 548 mines.

HMS Hermione returned to Scapa Flow at 2000B/17.

At 2344B/17, HMS Agamemnon, HMS Menestheus, HMS Port Quebec and HMS St. Marys returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh).

HMS Electra, HMS Antelope and HMS Anthony returned to Scapa Flow at 0730B/18. (21)

19 May 1941
Around 0700B/19, HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol.

HMS Nigeria departed for Rosyth later the same day. (20)

22 May 1941
Around 2300B/22, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN), light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. E.W.B. Sim, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral K.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. J.M.G. Waldegrave, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operations in the North Atlantic.

HMS Lance however quickly returned to Scapa Flow with defects.

[for more information on these operations see the event ' Chase and sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, 18 to 27 May 1941, Parts I and II ' for 18 May 1941.] (22)

27 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600B/27, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), arrived at Hvalfiord from operations. (19)

30 May 1941
Around 0400Z/30, HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral K.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Hvalfiord for a patrol in the North Atlantic to the south of Greenland to search for German supply vessels. (23)

31 May 1941
While on patrol, at 1122Z/31, HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral K.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), encountered an upturned lifeboat with three survivors clinging to it. They were from the British merchant vessel Marconi which had been torpedoed and sunk on 21 May 1941 by the German submarine U-98.

HMS Kenya picked them up. (19)

3 Jun 1941 (position 58.34, -47.22)
While on patrol, at 0800Z/3, HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral K.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) a ship was sighted. The cruisers split up and altered course and speed to intercept. Position was approximately 58°34'N, 47°22'W.

At 0845Z/3, a submarine was seen to pull clear from the tanker.

At 0847Z/3, HMS Kenya catapulted one of her Walrus aircraft.

At 0848Z/3, the submarine was seen to submerge.

At 0900Z/3, HMS Kenya opened fire on the tanker from a range of 6.5 nautical miles.

At 0920Z/3, HMS Aurora opened fire on the tanker.

At 0930Z/3, The tanker listing heavily to starboard and in a sinking condition.

At 0933Z/3, She was finished off by a torpedo from HMS Aurora.

At 0935Z/3, two lifeboats with survivors were spotted by HMS Kenya.

At 0957Z/3, HMS Aurora and HMS Kenya were once again in company.

The German tanker that was sunk was the Belchen (6367 GRT, built 1932, former Norwegian Sysla). The submarine that had been alongside was the U-93 which later picked up the survivors from the tanker. (24)

5 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700Z/5, HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral K.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived at Hvalfiord from patrol. (24)

8 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630Z/8, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Hvalfiord for the Denmark Strait patrol. She was however recalled early in the afternoon and arrived back at Hvalfiord around 2100Z/8. (25)

9 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700Z/9, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Hvalfiord for the Iceland - Faeroer patrol. (25)

15 Jun 1941

Minelaying operation SN 66.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

At 0520B/15, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN) and HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN) of the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) to lay minefield SN 66. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Brighton (Cdr. (Retd.) C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) and HMS Wells (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN).

They were joined around 1145B/15 by the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 0715B/15.

Distant cover was provided by the light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) which were on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer passage.

The minefield made up of 939 mines, was laid between 0655B/16 and 0850B/16, on a line joining positions, 62°22'7"N, 06°59'1"W, 62°32'0"N, 07°14'5"W and 62°40'3"N, 07°30'0"W.

The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Agamemnon 529 mines and HMS Menestheus 410 mines.

The 1st Minelaying Squadron returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 1350B/17.

HMS Aurora returned to Scapa Flow around 1045B/17. She had parted company with the 1st Minelaying Squadron at 1127B/16.

HMS Nigeria remained on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap while HMS Kenya arrived at Scapa Flow around 0030B/17. (26)

23 Jun 1941

Minelaying operation SN 70B.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

At 1900B/23, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN) and HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN) departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) to lay minefield SN 70B. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Brighton (Cdr. (Retd.) C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN) and HMS Wells (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN).

They were joined around 2300B/23 by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 1300B/23 but had first conducted gunnery exercises in the Pentland Firth.

Around 0130B/24, the light cruiser HMS Arethusa (Capt. A.C. Chapman, RN) also joined. She had departed Scapa Flow around 1940B/23.

At 0515B/24, HMS Aurora (Capt. Sir W.G. Agnew, RN) joined company.

At 0545B/24, HMS Arethusa parted company and proceeded on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap.

At 1050B/24, the visibility decrased to 150 yards.

At 1110B/24, The Squadron made an emergency turn to port.

At 1115.30B/24, HMS Kenya sighted a destroyer 150 yards away coming towards.

At 1116B/24, HMS Kenya was hit by the destroyer which turned out to be HMS Brighton. HMS Kenya sustained some damage but was able to continue. This was not the case with HMS Brighton whose bow sustained major damage.

Most ships of the Squadron meanwhile lost contact with each other in the thick fog.

Later HMS Aurora and HMS Wells took the damaged Brighton to the Reyðarfiord, Iceland for inspection.

The remainder of the 1st Minelaying Squadron regrouped and proceeded on with the minelaying operation.

Between 2125B/25 and 2310B/25, minefield SN 70B was laid on a line joining positions, 65°11'0"N, 12°49'4"W and 65°34'6"N, 12°54'5"W.

At 1620B/26, the destroyer HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) joined the 1st Minelaying Squadron. She had been on patrol to the north of Iceland but had been ordered to leave patrol and join the minelayers.

HMS Agamemnon, HMS Menestheus, HMS Castleton, HMS Wells and HMS Eclipse arrived at Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 1717B/27.

HMS Kenya arrived at Scapa Flow around 1800B/27 having parted company with the 1st minelaying Squadron at 1154B/27.

The damaged destroyer HMS Brighton departed the Reyðarfiord for the Clyde on 28 June in tow of the tug Thames. The tug Marauder was standing by. They were escorted by HMS Aurora and the destroyer HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN) which had come from Hvalfiord.

The destroyer HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 1700B/29 to join which she did around 0330B/30.

In the meantime, at 2020B/29, HMS Brighton's bow broke away. The Marauder then took over the tow.

At 2105B/30, while in the North Minches, HMS Aurora, HMS Echo and HMS Lightning parted company to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0200/1.

HMS Brighton continued on with the tugs and arrived in the Clyde on 1 July 1941. (27)

28 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930B/28, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where she is to be repaired. (25)

29 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730B/29, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived at Rosyth. (25)

30 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) is docked in No.3 Dock at Rosyth for repairs to the collision damage. (25)

9 Aug 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) is undocked at Rosyth. (28)

25 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted DG trials in the Firth of Forth and then departed for Scapa Flow where she arrived shortly before midnight. (28)

27 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted engine trials, gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. On completion of these compass swing trials were carried out. (28)

28 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted full power trials and HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

These were followed by an RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercise with HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN). (28)

30 Aug 1941
In the afternoon, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

HMS Kenya returned to Scapa Flow on completion of the exercises.

HMS Euryalus remained out and conducted night encounter exercises with HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN). On completion of these exercises HMS Euryalus returned to Scapa Flow while HMS London set course for Akureyi, Iceland. (29)

2 Sep 1941

Minelaying operation EH.

Minelaying operation off Stadtlandet, Norway.

The fast minelayer HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, RN) departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 1910A/2 for Scapa flow where she arrived around 0245A/3.

She departed for the operation around 0945A/3 together with the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and the destroyer HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN).

The force passed to the west of the Orkneys and Shetlands at a speed of 24 knots until reaching position ' B ' (62°30'N, 00°30'E) at 2200A/3. HMS Manxman was then detached to proceed ahead to the laying position at 35 knots. HMS Kenya and HMS Lightning following at 28 knots.

Rendezvous was set for 0600A/4 in position ' B '.

Due to the weather conditions HMS Manxman had difficulty fixing her position.

Minelaying started at 0217A. A total of 155 mines were laid in three groups as follows:

Group 1; From position 62°18'30"N, 05°06'48"E, 124 mines along a doglegged line extending for 2.2 nautical miles in a direction 175°, then through an arc to a direction 305° and continuing for 2.6 nautical miles.

Group 2; 16 miles along a line extending for 0.4 nautical miles in a direction 305° from position 62°18'36"N, 04°58'40"E.

Group 3; 15 miles along a line exerending for 0.4 nautical miles in a direction 215° from position 62°18'40"N, 04°55'24"E.

All mines were fitted with flooders set to operate on 18 September 1941, and laid at a depth of eight feet.

On completion of the lay HMS Manxman withdrew to the north-westward at high speed, cutting an enemy mine in her paravenes in approximate position 62°32'N, 04°00'E. At dawn the wind veered suddenly and the resulting cross sea caused her to reduce speed to 15 knots. Consequently she did not reach the rendezvous until 1545A/4.

The force then returned to Scapa Flow arriving at 0030A/5.

HMS Manxman arrived back at Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 1920A/5. (30)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. Also an RDF exercise was carried out. (31)

11 Sep 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (31)

12 Sep 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Greenock where some engine repairs were to be made.

Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN, then transferred his flag from HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) to HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN).

HMS Sheffield departed Greenock later the same day for Gibraltar tansporting 300 service personnel from various services to that place. (31)

15 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. These were followed by 4" HA gunnery exercises. (31)

22 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN, re-hoisted his flag in HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN). (31)

1 Oct 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) departed Gibraltar for patrol and then on to the Clyde.

They were to search for a German supply vessel known to have sailed from Bordeaux. (32)

3 Oct 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) sinks the German supply vessel Klara (7275 GRT, built 1930, former Dutch Kota Pinang) with gunfire and torpedoes in position 43°26'N 24°30'W. The Germans also set off scuttling charges. The enemy supply vessel had been escorted by the submarine U-129.

(All times are zone A/-1)
1802 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 143°, range 12 nautical miles.

1825 hours - Our aircraft, which had been launched at 1743 hours, reported the ship is the enemy supply vessel we were looking for.

1828 hours - Opened fire.

1849 hours - The enemy was seen to be abandoning ship.

1851 hours - Ceased fire.

1900 hours - Fired two torpedoes. Both are though to have hit.

1909 hours - The enemy ship was seen to blow up. (33)

6 Oct 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) arrived at Greenock from Gibraltar. (32)

10 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (32)

11 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (32)

14 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

15 Oct 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) conducted RD/F exercises off Scapa Flow. (34)

21 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (33)

22 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

23 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

31 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300A/31, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN), departed Scapa Flow for Seidisfiord. (35)

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300A/2, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN), arrived at Seidisfiord, Iceland. (35)

5 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345A/5, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN) departed Seidisfjord patrol west of the Iceland-Faroes minefield. (36)

7 Nov 1941
Around 0600A/7, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord from patrol. (36)

9 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy PQ 3.

This convoy departed Hvalfiord, Iceland on 9 November 1941 for Archangel, Russia where it arrived on 22 November 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), Cape Corso (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929), Cape Race (British, 3807 GRT, built 1930), Cocle (Panamanian, 5630 GRT, built 1920), El Capitan (Panamanian, 5255 GRT, built 1917), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), Trekieve (British, 5244 GRT, built 1919) and Wanstead (British, 5486 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Hvalfiord the convoy was escorted by the M/S trawlers HMS Hamlet (T/Lt. H.H. Bolton, RNVR) and HMS Macbeth (T/Lt. R.M. Thorne, RNR).

On the 14th HMS Hamlet was detached to return to Hvalfiord with the merchant vessel Briarwood which had been damaged by ice.

HMS Macbeth detached from the convoy on 15 November.

Around 0335Z/13, the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN) departed Seidisfiord, Iceland to make rendezvous with the convoy.

They were followed around 1050Z/13 by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN).

Around 1235Z/14, HMS Bedouin and HMS Intrepid were joined by HMS Kenya.

HMS Bedouin parted company at 0500Z/15.

Early in the afternoon of the 15th, HMS Kenya attempted to fuel HMS Intrepid but the weather was unsuitable and the attempt had to be broken off.

Early in the evening of the 15th, HMS Kenya and HMS Intrepid made contact with the convoy.

At 2345A/16, HMS Bedouin joined the convoy.

Between 1025A/17 and 1205A/17, HMS Kenya transferred 90 tons of fuel to HMS Intrepid.

In the moring of the 18, it had been intended to fuel HMS Bedouin by HMS Kenya but the weather conditions were unsuitable.

In the morning of the 20th, the local A/S escort joined, this was made up of the minesweepers HMS Bramble (Capt. J.H.F. Crombie, RN), HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN) and HMS Speedy (Lt. J.G. Brookes, DSC, RN).

At 1600C/20, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy which went on to Archangel where it arrived on 22 November 1941.

HMS Kenya arrived at Murmansk around 1045C/21.

HMS Bedouin and HMS Intrepid arrived at Murmansk around 0950C/22 having been detached from the convoy. HMS Bramble also arrived at Murmansk on this day.

HMS Seagull and HMS Speedy arrived at Murmansk at 1105C/24.

24 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Operation AR.

Sweep along the German convoy route and bombardment of Vardø.

During the night of 24/25 November 1941, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN), Gremyashchiy and Gromkiy conducted a sweep along the German convoy route of Northern Norway up to the North Cape. On their return they bombarded Vardø around 0530 hours. They had departed the Kola Inlet around 1500C/24 and returned around 1000C/24. (37)

27 Nov 1941

Convoy QP 3.

This convoy departed Archangel, Russia on 27 November 1941. The convoy was later dispersed with all the ships eventually proceeding to Kirkwall.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Andre Marti (Russian, 2352 GRT, built 1918), Arcos (Russian, 2343 GRT, built 1918), Empire Baffin (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Herpalion (British, 5486 GRT, built 1932), Hartlebury (British, 5082 GRT, built 1934), Kuzbass (Russian, 3109 GRT, built 1914), Orient City (British, 5095 GRT, built 1940), Queen City (British, 4814 GRT, built 1924), Revolyutsioner (Russian, 2900 GRT, built 1936) and Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Archangel the convoy was escorted. [It is a bit unclear to us which ships escorted the convoy. This might have been by several out of the following minesweepers HMS Gossamer (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Crease, RN), HMS Hussar ( Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN) and / or HMS Speedy (Lt. J.G. Brookes, DSC, RN). HMS Gossamer and HMS Hussar were definately with the convoy on its passage towards the west. HMS Seagull and HMS Speedy remained in Northern Russia.]

Two merchant ships had to return due to defects, these were the Arcos and Kuzbass.

Around 1500C/27, the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewes, DSC, RN) departed Murmansk to join the convoy which they did around 1200C/28.

Around 1515C/28, the light cuiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Murmansk to join the convoy which she did around 1230C/29.

Around 1400B/2 HMS Bedouin and HMS Intrepid parted company with the convoy in position 73°44'N, 23°20'E to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1700A/5.

At 1042B/3, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy to proceed independently to Rosyth where she arrived around 1545A/6.

HMS Gossamer and HMS Hussar also parted company with the convoy [we have been unable to find out when]. HMS Hussar arrived at Scapa Flow around 1600A/9 and HMS Gossamer at 1200A/11.

[No more information on this convoy is currently available to us, this will have to be reseached further in the future.]

6 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1545A/6, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Rosyth after convoy escort duty. At Rosyth she was to be docked for repairs. (38)

8 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), is docked in No.2 Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. The dock is pumped dry the following morning. (38)

13 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) is undocked. (38)

14 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), conducted DG trials in the firth of Clyde following which she departed for Scapa Flow. (38)

15 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (38)

17 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (38)

18 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted RD/F calibration trials at Scapa Flow. Late in the afternoon / early in the evening gunnery exercises were carried out. (38)

19 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. This included a bombardment exercise. (38)

24 Dec 1941

Operation Archery.

Commando raid against the Norwegian island of Vågsøy.

Around 2100A/24, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN), the escort destroyer HMS Chiddingfold (Lt. L.W.L. Argles, RN), and the landing ships HMS Prince Charles (A/Cdr. W.R. Fell, DSC, OBE, RN) and HMS Prince Leopold (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Byles, RD, RNR) departed Scapa Flow for operation Archery. First they were to proceed to Sullom Voe where they arrived around 1330A/25. and Maaloy Island. The Force arrived at Sullom Voe on the 25th.

Heavy weather had been encountered on the passage to Sullom Voe and the operation was postponed 24 hours so that some weather damage to the landing ships could be made good.

The raiding force departed Sullom Voe around 1600A/26.

The arrived off the Vaagsfiord in perfect weather around 0740A/27. At 0640A/27 they had made rendezvous with the submarine HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) which acted as beacon.

Enemy positions were bombarded and troops were landed.

The enemy was caught by surprise but resistance was however stiff as an enemy unit of mountain troops was present at Måløy for a rest.

HMS Kenya engaged the enemy shore battery at Rugsundöy. She was also hit in return.

HMS Onslow and HMS Oribi sank the German patrol vessel V 5108 / Föhn (207 GRT, built 1911, former Norwegian whaler Hadarøy) in Måløy-Sund. The merchant vessels Reimar Edzard Fritzen (2936 GRT, built 1923), Norma (2258 GRT, built 1911, former Dutch Calypso) and Anita L.M. Russ (1712 GRT, built 1926) and Eismeer (1003 GRT, built 1941, former Dutch Duiveland) were either sunk or driven on the rocks.

HMS Offa and HMS Chiddinfold sank the German patrol vessel V 5102 / Donner (223 GRT, built ?) and the merchant vessel Anhalt (4621 GRT, built 1922).

The commandoes commenced to retreat back to the landing ships around 1400A/27.

The raiding force returned to Scapa Flow around 1600A/28. (39)

31 Dec 1941
Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) to HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN). (40)

2 Jan 1942
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (41)

7 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) and HMS Trinidad (Capt. L.S. Saunders, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

On completion of these exercises HMS Kenya returned to Scapa Flow while HMS Trinidad set course for Seidisfiord, Iceland. (42)

8 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (41)

11 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Scapa Flow to patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer Island gap. (43)

12 Jan 1942
HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) were ordered to return to Scapa Flow. (43)

13 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) arrived back at Scapa Flow. (43)

21 Jan 1942
Around 2100N/21, HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN), departed Hvalfiord to patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer Islands gap. The cruiser parted company with each other shortly after midnight. (44)

28 Jan 1942
Around 0930N/28, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN) returned to Hvalfiord from patrol. (44)

2 Feb 1942
Around 1000N/2, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN) departed Hvalfiord to patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap. (45)

8 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900N/8, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN) returned to Hvalfiord from patrol. (45)

15 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation SN 84.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

At 0900A/15, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Menestheus (Capt.(Retd.) R.H.F. de Salis, DSC, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN), HMS Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN) and HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN) departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) to lay minefield SN 84.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) and HMS Lancaster (A/Cdr. N.H. Whatley, RN).

The destroyer HMS Wells (Lt. L.J. Pearson, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 1000A/15 and joined at sea.

The destroyer HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN) was sailed from Liverpool on the 14th and also joined on the 15th.

The light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) departed Hvalfiord around 2200N/14 to provide cover for the operation.

The minefield made up of 1489 mines and was laid between 1630A/16 and 1850A/16, along a line joining positions, 63°08'5"N, 10°29'0"W, 63°19'2"N, 11°08'2"W and 63°32'3"N, 11°30'5"W.

The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Menestheus 410 mines, HMS Port Quebec 551 mines and HMS Agamemnon 528 mines.

HMS Kenya parted company with the 1st Minelaying Squadron at 1930A/17 and then proceeded on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer Islands gap.

HMS Somali arrived at Scapa Flow at 0815A/18 after having been detached.

HMS Menestheus, HMS Port Quebec, HMS Agamemnon, HMS Lancaster and HMS Wells arrived at Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) on the 18th.

HMS Vanquisher returned to Liverpool on the 19th. (46)

21 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915A/21, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol. (47)

27 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (47)

28 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830A/28, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Punjabi (Lt.Cdr. J.M.G. Waldegrave, DSC, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfiord, Iceland where they arrived around 1300N/2. (48)

Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious (38)

6 Jan 1944
Anti-shipping raid on the Norwegian coast with Furious. Their a/c attacked a convoy, sinking the transport Blaufuchs (ex Hans Leonhardt) and setting Sperrbrecher 181 on fire (the Sperrbrecher will sink at Stadlandet on 6/6 from accumulation of damage).

16 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) is docked at Bombay. (49)

9 May 1945
While operating off Sakishima Gunto with TF 57, at 1657 hrs she was impacted by a suicide plane, which struck alongside the island then skidded along the deck and fell overboard. Its bomb exploded in the water and caused no damage.
At 1656 hrs another suicide crashed into the deck, blowing a hole of 2.3 m? and causing a depression in the deck over an area of 13.3 m?, with ancillary damage to a bulkhead and a catapult.
At 1657 hrs a third plane crashed to port but caused no damage. There were 3 killed and 19 wounded from the 3 impacts, Victorious was able to launch planes within 1 hour and land them 12 hours later, being back in full action within 2 days. Full repairs required 1 month.

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