Donald Thorn Dowler DSC, RN
| Born | 28 Aug 1902 |
| Ranks
Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Donald Thorn Dowler, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Khartoum (F 45) | Cdr. | Destroyer | 15 Sep 1939 | 23 Jun 1940 |
| HMS Musketeer (G 86) | Cdr. | Destroyer | 16 Jun 1942 | Dec 1942 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Destroyer HMS Khartoum (F 45)
7 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed the Tyne for Portland where she was to work up. (1)
15 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Portland where she was to conduct work up exercises. (1)
27 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her work up programme completed HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) shifted from Portland to Plymouth. (1)
30 Nov 1939
After some repairs at the Devonport Dockyard HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Plymouth for Belfast. (1)
1 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Belfast. (1)
2 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) shifted from Belfast to the Clyde. (1)
2 Dec 1939
Early in the evening, HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), departed the Clyde to patrol north of the Faroer Islands to provide cover for ships of the Northern Patrol and convoy operations to and from Norway. She is escorted by HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN).
HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) later joined at sea, probably on the 4th or the 5th. She had sailed from Scapa Flow on 3 December.
In the afternoon of the 5th HMS Kashmir and HMS Khartoum parted company to refuel at Scapa Flow. They arrived there on the 6th and departed again the same day. They rejoined HMS Hood in the morning of the 7th after which HMS Kandahar and HMS Kingston parted company to refuel at Sullom Voe. They rejoined in the afternoon of the 8th. (2)
11 Dec 1939
Around mid-morning HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) arrived in the Clyde. (2)
12 Dec 1939
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed the Clyde for operations.
[see the event ' convoy TC 1 ' for 10 December 1939 for more info on these operations.] (1)
17 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) returned to the Clyde from operations.
[see the event ' convoy TC 1 ' for 10 December 1939 for more info on these operations.] (1)
29 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Liverpool. (3)
30 Dec 1939
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Liverpool for the Clyde where she arrived early the next day.
31 Dec 1939
HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) departed the Clyde for Plymouth. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. P.V. McLaughlin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN). (4)
1 Jan 1940
HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) and her escorts, the destroyers, HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. P.V. McLaughlin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN), arrived at Plymouth.
Rear-Admiral Holland then struck his flag and left HMS Revenge. (5)
3 Jan 1940
HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth for the Clyde.
4 Jan 1940
HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived in the Clyde for Plymouth.
5 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow.
6 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.
7 Jan 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Scapa Flow for convoy escort duty.
See the event ' Convoy ON 7 for 6 January 1940 '.
13 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived in the Clyde from convoy escort duty.
[See the events ' Convoy ON 7 for 6 January 1940 ' and ' Convoy HN 7 for 9 January 1940 ' for more information on these convoy's.]
14 Jan 1940
Operation to intercept the disabled German merchant vessel Trautenfels.
On 14 January the German merchant vessel Trautenfels (6418 GRT, built 1921) was reported to be off the coast of Norway with her rudder lost and unable to steer.
The light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. G.B. Middleton, RN) departed Scapa Flow almost immediately the same day to try to intercept this vessel.
On the 15th the light cruiser HMS Manchester (Capt. H.H. Bousfield, RN) was also sailed from Scapa Flow for this purpose.
Also on the 15th the destroyers HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Tartar (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) sailed from Rosyth and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN), HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) departed the Clyde.
On the 16th (around 0915Z/16) yet another light cruiser was sailed from Scapa Flow, this was HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN).
Shortly before 0200/16 the destroyers HMS Kelvin and HMS Kimberley collided with each other. Kimberely sustained no serious damage and proceeded to Scapa Flow. Kelvin was damaged and returned to the Clyde for repairs.
The operation was cancelled on the 17th when it was reported that the Trautenfels had arrived at Narvik being towed there by the German merchant vessel Rauenfels (8460 GRT, built 1928).
HMS Aurora and HMS Manchester then proceeded to patrol to the south-east of Iceland.
HMS Maori, HMS Tartar and HMS Inglefield were ordered on the 17th to patrol off the Norwegian coast to intercept German ore ships coming from the north.
HMS Newcastle returned to Scapa Flow around 2215Z/17.
18 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Invergordon from operations. [See the event ' Operation to intercept the disabled German merchant vessel Trautenfels for 14 January 1940 ' for more information on these operations.]
She proceeded from Invergordon to Scapa Flow later the same day after which she departed again for convoy duty. [see the event ' Convoy HN 8 ' for 19 January 1940 for more information.] (6)
19 Jan 1940
Convoy HN 8
This convoy was assembled in Norwegian waters near Bergen on 19 January 1940 and arrived at Methil on 22 January 1940.
The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Almora (Norwegian, 2433 GRT, built 1905), Baltanglia (British, 1523 GRT, built 1921), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), Brott (Norwegian, 1583 GRT, built 1937), Bruse (Norwegian, 2205 GRT, built 1933), Canopus (Finnish, 1592 GRT, built 1911), Castor (Finnish, 1225 GRT, built 1906), Cygnus (Norwegian, 1333 GRT, built 1921), Delfinus (Norwegian, 1293 GRT, built 1912), Erica (Norwegian, 1592 GRT, built 1919), Folda (British, 1165 GRT, built 1920), Galatea (Norwegian, GRT, 1151 built 1912), Granfoss (Norwegian, 1461 GRT, built 1913), Graziella (Norwegian, 2137 GRT, built 1917), Havborg (Norwegian, 1234 GRT, built 1924), Helfrid (Swedish, 719 GRT, built 1922), Komet (Norwegian, 1147 GRT, built 1912), Kongshaug (Norwegian, 1156 GRT, built 1898), Libra (Norwegian, 1536 GRT, built 1917), Nina (Norwegian, 1371 GRT, built 1917), Nydalen (Norwegian, 625 GRT, built 1920), Oinaas (Finnish, 1423 GRT, built 1910), Parma (Finnish, 2010 GRT, built 1898), Pluto (Norwegian, 1598 GRT, built 1918), Rosenborg (Finnish, 1512 GRT, built 1919), Rym (Norwegian, 1369 GRT, built 1919), Saxen (Swedish, 1135 GRT, built 1921), Sitona (Norwegian, 1143 GRT, built 1920), Skum (Norwegian, 1304 GRT, built 1916), Snyg (Norwegian, 1326 GRT, built 1918), Solhavn (Norwegian, 1630 GRT, built 1918), Spes (Norwegian, 1142 GRT, built 1918), Svanholm (British, 1321 GRT, built 1922), Sverre Nergaard (Swedish, 1030 GRT, built 1900), Thyra (Norwegian, 1655 GRT, built 1918), Torbrand (Norwegian, 308 GRT, built 1918), Veni (Norwegian, 2982 GRT, built 1901), Vespasian (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1935), Vesta (Norwegian, 1310 GRT, built 1930) and Vestra (Norwegian, 1422 GRT, built 1904).
Escort was provided by the following destroyers; HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN), HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) which all joined at sea.
Cover was provided by the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN) and HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN).
22 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Rosyth from convoy escort duty. [See the event ' Convoy HN 8 ' of 19 Janaury 1940 for more information on this convoy.] (7)
1 Feb 1940
HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Rosyth escorting the transport Sardis (970 GRT, built 1928) to Scapa Flow. The destroyers were then to continue to the Clyde.
HMS Khartoum picked up survivors from the Swedish merchant vessel Fram (2491 GRT, built 1897) that had been torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-13 off Rosehearty Buoy in Aberdour Bay, Scotland. (8)
3 Feb 1940
HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived in the Clyde from Rosyth. (8)
5 Feb 1940
HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde for Plymouth (Devonport Dockyard). She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN).
At sea they were joined by HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN).
The next day they were joined by HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) which apparently took the place of HMS Forester in the screen as this destroyer returned to the Clyde that day (6 February 1940). HMS Kandahar had departed Rosyth on 4 February, having completed her repairs there. (9)
7 Feb 1940
HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) arrived at Plymouth.
HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN) had been detached off Falmouth where she was to refit.
HMS Repulse then commenced a short refit at Plymouth. (9)
9 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) departed Plymouth for the Clyde.
10 Feb 1940
HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) arrived in the Clyde from Plymouth.
They departed again later the same day with HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) to take over the escort of the west coast section (12 ships) of convoy HN 10 [see the event: ' Convoy HN 10 ' for 8 February 1940 for the details of this convoy.] coming from Norway from HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) the next day.
HMS Kingston was detached on the 11th to hunt a submarine off Dubh Artach. (8)
12 Feb 1940
HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) returned to the Clyde from escort duty. (8)
13 Feb 1940
HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow. (1)
18 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations with the Northern Patrol. (8)
19 Feb 1940
A group of German warships departed Wilhelmshaven to attack allied shipping between the Shetland Isands and Bergen (Operation 'Nordmark'). This force was made up of the battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst, heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and the destroyers Z 9 / Wolfgang Zenker, Z 20 / Karl Galster and Z 21 / Wilhelm Heidkamp. Wolfgang Zenker however had to return shortly after sailing due to ice damage.
In response the Admiralty sailed the battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Fury (Cdr. G.F. Burghard, RN) from the Clyde. HMS Hardy (Capt. B.A. Warburton-Lee, RN) departed from the Clyde later the same day to overtake while HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) sailed from Scapa Flow. On the 20th two more destroyers sailed from Scapa Flow to join the force at sea, these were; HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN).
The German C-in-C was forced to abandon his mission as his seaplanes were unable to be operated in the bad weather and course was set to return to Germany where they arrived back on the 20th. (8)
23 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations. (1)
24 Feb 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol but they were later diverted to proceed to the south of the Faroer Islands. They were to join HMS Gurkha (Cdr. A.W. Buzzard, RN) already operating in the area.
Later this day HMS Khartoum and HMS Kingston made rendez-vous with the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN). (8)
25 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) sustained damage to her hull and forward gun mountings in heavy weather. She was able to proceed at 12 knots.
26 Feb 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations. (1)
29 Feb 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the westcoast section of convoy HN 15. This convoy had departed out of Norwegian waters near Bergen the day before.
Khartoum was to proceed to the Clyde where repairs were to be made to her damaged forward gun mountings. (8)
2 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) arrived in the Clyde. (1)
3 Mar 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde for Falmouth where they both had to undergo repairs and refit. (8)
4 Mar 1940
Shortly after 1900 hours, HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN), attacked a submarine contact in position off Trevose Head in 50°31'N, 05°24'W. This was later thought to be a wreck.
Later the same evening they were ordered to search for another uboat, together with HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, RN), that had been reported near the Scillies. (10)
5 Mar 1940
Shortly after noon this day, HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) and HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, RN) were ordered to search for a uboat that had been reported off St. Ives Head. Wakeful was sent ahead as both 'K'-class destroyers could only make 15 knots due to their damaged hulls. (10)
6 Mar 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (11)
9 Mar 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) shifted from Plymouth to Falmouth where both were taken in hand for repairs and refit. (1)
10 May 1940
With their refits completed, HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN), shifted from Falmouth to Plymouth. (1)
13 May 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) shifted from Plymouth to Portsmouth. (1)
16 May 1940
HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. They were to proceed to the Mediteranean to join the Mediterranean Fleet as relations were Italy were rapidly declining.
18 May 1940
HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Portsmouth.
19 May 1940
HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.
21 May 1940
HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar.
They all departed again later the same day for Alexandria except for HMS Hostile.
23 May 1940
HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta.
24 May 1940
HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) shifted from Alexandria to Suez. They were to proceed to the Red Sea.
25 May 1940
HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) transited the Suez Canal after which they set course for Aden.
28 May 1940
HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) arrived at Aden where they joined the Red Sea Force.
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) also joined the Red Sea Force but remained in the Perim area to join the Perim Patrol.
1 Jun 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden having been relieved on the Perim patrol by their sister ships HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN).
4 Jun 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Aden and returned later the same day. Most likely they went to sea for exercises. (12)
5 Jun 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, DSO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Aden for the Perim patrol. (13)
10 Jun 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden from the Perim patrol. (12)
11 Jun 1940
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Aden to conduct a raid in the Red Sea along the coast of Italian Somaliland.
12 Jun 1940
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) returned to Aden after their a raid in the Red Sea along the coast of Italian Somaliland. They had sighted no enemy shipping.
15 Jun 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Aden for the Perim patrol. (13)
20 Jun 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) put into Djibouti to refuel. She departed again later the same day to resume her patrol.
21 Jun 1940
At 0438 hours, an A/S search was commenced over Arab shoal to search for an Italian submarine reported to be in the area. The ships that participated in this search were; HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) and HMS Shoreham (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Miller, RN).
At 1115 hours, HMS Khartoum and HMS Kingston, obtained an A/S contact and a submarine hull was seen under water.
At 1130 hours HMS Khartoum fired a depth charge pattern followed 15 minutes later by a second depth charge pattern. Contact was lost after this attack.
At 1421 hours the search sheme had been completed without regaining contact. The destroyers were then ordered to seach the shallow water to the south-east of Marsha Island while the sloops were ordered to search the shallow water to the west of Ras Bir. It was believed that the depth charge attacks by HMS Khartoum had damaged the enemy submarine. The sloops were unable to conduct a search of their assigned area due to a sandstorm which reduced visibility to two cables.
At 1843 hours the destroyers lost touch with HMS Shoreham due to this sandstorm. All ships then proceeded towards the Brothers Islands keeping well clear of the coast. (14)
22 Jun 1940
Continuation of events of 21 June 1940.
At 0015 hours a search was commenced into a southerly direction from the Brothers Islands by HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) and HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN).
At 0300 hours this search was completed and a new search in a northerly direction was then commenced. After this had been completed another search to the southward was commenced a bit further to the east.
At 0825 hours this search was completed and the destroyers then proceeded to a rendez-vous position with HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN), HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) and HMS Shoreham (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Miller, RN).
At 0850 hours the destroyers were in company with Hobart and Shoreham.
At 1223 hours, HMAS Hobart catapulted her aircraft to search the area for the enemy submarine. It returned at 1428 hours having sighted nothing. (14)
Sources
- ADM 199/2558
- ADM 53/109202
- ADM 187/4
- ADM 53/110223
- ADM 53/113115
- ADM 187/5 + ADM 199/2558
- ADM 187/5
- ADM 199/362
- ADM 53/113081
- ADM 199/371
- ADM 187/6
- ADM 53/112625
- ADM 187/8
- ADM 199/136
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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