Harold Bruce Farncomb DSO, RAN
| Born | 28 Feb 1899 | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Died | 12 Feb 1971 | (71) | Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia |
| Ranks
Retired: 6 Apr 1951 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Harold Bruce Farncomb, RAN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMAS Perth (D 29) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 29 Jun 1939 | 6 Jun 1940 |
| HMAS Canberra (D 33) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 6 Jun 1940 | 24 Dec 1941 |
| HMAS Australia (D 84) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 24 Dec 1941 | 8 Mar 1944 |
| HMS Attacker (D 02) | Capt. | Escort Carrier | 12 May 1944 | 13 Nov 1944 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Light cruiser HMAS Perth (D 29)
1 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad to patrol off Aruba, Dutch West Indies. (1)
2 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) closed La Guaira, Venezuala to ascertain of any German merchant vessels were present but none were observed. (1)
3 Sep 1939
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) showed herself of Willemstad, Curacao, Dutch West Indies.
Later she commenced a patrol off the Gulf of Venezuela. (1)
4 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) showed herself of Aruba, Dutch West Indies. Four German merchant ships were observed to be at anchor off San Nicolas. (1)
5 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) showed herself of Puerto Cabello, Venzuela and Bonaire, Dutch West Indies. No German ships were observed. (1)
6 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000Q/6, HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN) made rendezvous to the north of Curacao.
They parted company again about two hours later to continue their patrols.
HMAS Perth then proceeded to patrol off Curacao and Bonaire. (1)
7 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800Q/7, HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) left patrol and set course to proceed to Kingston, Jamaica. (1)
9 Sep 1939
Around 0700Q/9, HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
11 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Kingston, Jamaica to patrol in the Eastern Carribean. (1)
18 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
19 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Kingston, Jamaica to patrol in the Eastern Carribean. (1)
21 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) proceeded to the western end of Haiti. (1)
24 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) patrolled off the Mona Passage. (1)
28 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
4 Oct 1939
Convoy KJ 3
Convoy from Kingston, Jamaica to the U.K. Departure date: 4 October 1939. Arrival date: 28 October 1939.
The following merchant ships were part of this convoy; Acavus (British (tanker), 8010 GRT, built 1935), Amakura (British, 1987 GRT, built 1924), Appalachee (British (tanker), 8826 GRT, built 1930), Athelbeach (British (tanker), 6568 GRT, built 1931), British General (British (tanker), 6989 GRT, built 1922), Calgarolite (British (tanker), 11941 GRT, built 1929), Canadolite (British (tanker), 11309 GRT, built 1926), Caprella (British (tanker), 8230 GRT, built 1931), Champagne (French (tanker), 9946 GRT, built 1938), Chaucer (British, 5792 GRT, built 1929), Conus (British (tanker), 8132 GRT, built 1931), Drupa (British (tanker), 8102 GRT, built 1939), East Wales (British, 4358 GRT, built 1925), Erodona (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Fresno City (British, 4955 GRT, built 1929), Frimaire (French (tanker), 9242 GRT, built 1930), Gryfevale (British, 4434 GRT, built 1929), Iddesleigh (British, 5205 GRT, built 1927), Imperial Valley (British, 4573 GRT, built 1924), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Laristan (British (tanker), 6401 GRT, built 1927), Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927), Michigan (French, 6419 GRT, built 1920), Montrolite (British (tanker), 11309 GRT, built 1926), Pellicula (British (tanker), 6254 GRT, built 1936), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Ridley (British, 4993 GRT, built 1937), Roussillon (French (tanker), 9967 GRT, built 1936), Royal Crown (British, 4367 GRT, built 1927), Sacramento Valley (British, 4573 GRT, built 1924), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935), San Demetrio (British (tanker), 8073 GRT, built 1938), San Eliseo (British (tanker), 8042 GRT, built 1939), San Emiliano (British (tanker), 8071 GRT, built 1939), San Roberto (British (tanker), 5890 GRT, built 1922), Schluylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Sheaf Holme (British, 4814 GRT, built 1929), Somme (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919), Sovac (British (tanker), 6724 GRT, built 1938), Star of Alexandria (British, 4329 GRT, built 1928), Telena (British (tanker), 7406 GRT, built 1927), Uffington Court (British, 4976 GRT, built 1929), Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927).
On departure from Kingston, the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN).
Around 1400P/7, seven ships split off from the convoy to proceed towards the Mediterranean.
Around 1215P/8, HMS Berwick (Capt. I.M. Palmer, DSC, RN) joined coming from Bermuda.
Around 1140P/9, two ships of the convoy parted company to proceed to New York.
Around 0800P/10, two ships of the convoy parted company to proceed to Halifax and Montreal.
Around 1030P/15, HMS Effingham (Capt. J.M. Howson, RN) joined the convoy coming from Plymouth and HMS Berwick and HMAS Perth were detached to Bermuda.
From 22 October to 24 October 1939, the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) were near the convoy to provide additional cover.
On 23 October and 24 October 1939, a French force made up of the battleship Dunkerque (Capt. M.J.M. Seguin), light cruisers Georges Leygues (Capt. R.L. Perot), Montcalm (Capt. P.J. Ronarc’h), large destroyers Le Malin (Cdr. G.E. Graziani), Le Triomphant (Cdr. M.M.P.L. Pothuau) and L'Indomptable (Capt. P.T.J. Barnaud) was also near the convoy to provide additional cover.
Around 0800A/24, the destroyers HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. A.R.M. Black, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, RN) joined.
Around 0730A/25, the destroyers HMS Versatile (Cdr.(Retd.) T.A. Hussey, RN) and HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. H. Gartside-Tippinge, RN) joined.
Around 1800A/25, the convoy was split. HMS Verity and HMS Wolverine proceeded with the southern section towards the English Channel. Around the same time the convoy had split the destroyers HMS Glowworm (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Roope, RN) and HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall A'Deane, RN) joined. Around 2200A/26, the destroyers HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, RN) and HMS Wanderer (Cdr. R.F. Morice, RN) relieved HMS Verity and HMS Wolverine. HMS Effingham, HMS Glowworm and HMS Greyhound parted company around the same time. The southern part of the convoy arrived in the Downs on 28 October 1939.
Meanwhile the northern part of the convoy had proceeded up the Irish Sea escorted by HMS Versatile and HMS Volunteer, with the bulk of it, including the destroyers arriving at Liverpool late on the 27th.
18 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900P/18, HMS Berwick (Capt. I.M. Palmer, DSC, RN) and HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Bermuda after convoy escort duty. (2)
22 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Bermuda to patrol in the North Atlantic. (1)
28 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Halifax from patrol. (1)
4 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Bermuda from patrol. (1)
6 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Bermuda for Kingston, Jamaica. (1)
9 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston from Bermuda. (1)
13 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Orion (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, RN) and HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kingston. (1)
17 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Kingston, Jamaica to patrol in the Eastern Carribean. (1)
19 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) is ordered to return to Kingston. (1)
20 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston. After fuelling she departed for Colon as she was ordered to proceed to the Pacific. (1)
22 Nov 1939
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Colon. She then passed the Panama Canal westbound and proceeded to patrol in the Pacific. (1)
25 Nov 1939
The light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Chatham Bay, Cocos Island (Costa Rica).
About an hour after she had arrived the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. W.B.L. Holms, RCN) arrived and were then fuelled by HMAS Perth
On completion of fuelling the destroyers departed for Balboa.
HMAS Perth then sailed for Punta Arenas. (1)
26 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) entered the Gulf of Nicoya staying outside the three mile limit.
Two German merchant vessels were sighted at anchor of Punta Arenas.
She then proceeded to sea again. (1)
27 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) entered the Gulf of Dulce staying outside the three mile limit.
No enemy ships were sighted and HMAS Perth set course for Solano Bay, Colombia. (1)
28 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) inspected Solano Bay, Colombia from outside territorial waters.
Later the same day Penas Bay was also inspected. (1)
29 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) transited the Panama Canal eastbound and then set course to return to Kingston. (1)
1 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
4 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and HMS Hotspur (Cdr. H.F.H. Layman, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for exercises.
On completion of the exercises HMS Hotspur set course for the Windward passage to relieve HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN) on patrol there.
HMAS Perth set course for the Yucatan Channel. (1)
12 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed the Yucatan area to return to Kingston. (1)
14 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston. After fuelling she immediately departed to resume patrol in the Yucatan Channel. (1)
15 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) made rendezvous with HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN). Arrengements for patrol were made to endeavour to intercept the German passenger liner Columbus (32581 GRT, built 1924) which had departed Veracruz, Mexico the day before. (1)
17 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) fuelled HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN) on completion of which both ships resumed patrol in the Yucatan Channel. (1)
19 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) is ordered to proceed to the coast of Florida but later this is cancelled and she is ordered to return to Kingston instead. (1)
21 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
22 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) attempted to tow off the merchant vessel Houston City (British, 4935 GRT, built 1934) which is grounded off Plum Point lighthouse. The tow however later parted and the attempt was abandoned. (1)
28 Dec 1939
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN) conducted exercises off Kingston.
On completion of the exercises HMAS Perth set off to patrol off Aruba, Dutch West Indies. (1)
30 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived off Aruba. Four German merchant vessels were seen to be at anchor off North Point.
Later in the day, HMAS Perth was ordered to return to Kingston. (1)
1 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived off Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
2 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Kingston for patrol. (1)
3 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) is ordered to proceed to the Windward passage to patrol and possibly intercept German merchant vessel if they were to escape from Aruba and Curacao. (1)
9 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed her patrol to return to Kingston. (1)
10 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. After fuelling she departed again to resume patrol in the Windward Passage. (1)
15 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed patrol for Kingston, Jamaica. (1)
16 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
20 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) left Kingston to patrol off Aruba, Dutch West Indies. (1)
21 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived off Aruba where three German merchant vessels were observed at anchor.
Later HMAS Perth made rendezvous with the French light cruiser Jeanne d'Arc (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and intelligence was exchanged. (1)
22 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Aruba and shifted patrol to north-west of Curacao. (1)
24 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) returned to Aruba and noticed that the German merchant vessel Heidelberg (6530 GRT, built 1925) was no longer anchored off North Point.
The following day information was received that she had not left but had entered Oranjestad harbour for water and the ship was then indeed observed to be at Oranjestad. (1)
27 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed the Aruba area for the North coast of Haiti. She had been relieved off Aruba by HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN). (1)
28 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted speed and consumption trials over a measured distance near Baie des Cayes, Haiti on completion of which course was set to return to Kingston, Jamaica. (1)
29 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out. (1)
31 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) left Kingston to patrol off Aruba, Dutch West Indies. (1)
2 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived off Aruba and took over patrol from HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN). (1)
4 Feb 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Aruba and shifted patrol to the Curacao area where rendezvous was made with HMS Dundee (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) and information was exchanged.
Later on the day, HMAS Perth set course to return to Aruba. (1)
6 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) checked out the Gulf of Venezuela before returning to Aruba.
In the afternoon she was relieved on patrol by HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN).
HMAS Perth then set course to patrol off Curacao. (1)
8 Feb 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and HMS Dundee (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) are order to remain on patrol near Curacao as information had been received that the German merchant vessels Seattle (7369 GRT, built 1928) and Vancouver (8269 GRT, built 1930) were expected to leave within the next week.
HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN) was also ordered to the Curacao area as was the French armed merchant cruiser Barfleur. The RFA tanker War Brahmin (5545 GRT, built 1921) was ordered to proceed to the Bonaire area so as to be in position to fuel the ships on patrol if needed. (1)
16 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) left patrol to return to Kingston, Jamaica. (1)
17 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
22 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) left Kingston to patrol off Aruba, Dutch West Indies. (1)
25 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed the Aruba area to return to Kingston. (1)
27 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) returned to Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (1)
17 Mar 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Papeete, French-Polynesia from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. (1)
20 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Papeete, French-Polynesia for Suva, Fiji. (1)
25 Mar 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Suva, Fiji from Papeete, French-Polynesia. (1)
27 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Suva, Fiji for Sydney. On departure from the harbour torpedo firing exercises were carried out. (1)
31 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Suva, Fiji. (1)
1 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 1 to 28 April 1940, HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) underwent a short refit and docking period at Sydney. (3)
29 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted engine trials off Port Jackson. (3)
6 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0330K/6, HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) returned to Sydney from escort duty.
Around 0930K/6, she departed to patrol off the coast of New South Wales. (3)
7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises while on patrol. (3)
8 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises while on patrol. (3)
9 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted 4" AA gunnery exercises while on patrol. On completion of these exercises she returned to Port Jackson. (3)
15 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Port Jackson to patrol off the coast of New South Wales. Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (3)
16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) gunnery exercises while on patrol.
She returned to Port Jackson from patrol in the evening. (3)
17 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Port Jackson to patrol off Cape Moreton, Queensland, so as to be ready to intercept the Italian passenger / cargo ship Romolo (9780 GRT, built 1926) if she sailed from Brisbane. (3)
22 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) is ordered to return to Sydney. (3)
23 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Port Jackson from patrol. (3)
25 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) is docked in the Sutherland Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard for repairs to leaking rivets and her Asdic dome which had been damaged by a paravane. (3)
26 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) is undocked. (3)
27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Sydney for Western Port Bay and then on to Melbourne. (3)
28 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) enterend Western Port Bay where she anchored for the night. (3)
29 May 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Western Port Bay and proceeded to Port Phillip (this is the bay south of Melbourne).
4" AA gunnery exercises were then carried out on a sleeve target towed by an aircraft followed by torpedo firing exercises during which HMAS Swan (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Travis, RAN) served as target.
HMAS Perth then anchored off Point Cook. (3)
30 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted 4" AA and .5" AA gunnery exercises firing on a sleeve target towed by an aircraft followed by torpedo firing exercises during which HMAS Swan (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Travis, RAN) again served as target.
(3)
4 Jun 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) conducted 4" AA and .5" AA gunnery exercises firing on a sleeve target towed by an aircraft.
On completion of the exercises she departed Port Phillip for Sydney together with HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN). (3)
5 Jun 1940
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) and HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) both arrived at Sydney from Melbourne. En-route exercises had been carried out. (3)
Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (D 33)
19 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy US 8.
This convoy departed Wellington, New Zealand on 19 December 1940.
It was made up of the troop transports; Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939) and Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913).
The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN).
The convoy arrived at Sydney, Australia on 22 December 1940.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 28 December 1940, the convoy departed Sydney.
It was now made up of the troop transports; Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936), Dominion Monarch and Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936).
They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN).
On 30 December the troopship Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939) joined west of Bass Strait in position 39°45'N, 142°20'E. She was coming from Melbourne.
The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 3 January 1941.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The convoy departed Fremantle for Colombo on 5 January in the same composition and with the same escort.
On 11 January 1941, the Queen Mary parted company with the convoy to proceed to Trincomalee.
The convoy arrived at Colombo on 12 January 1941.
In Ceylon most of the troops were disembarked and then embarked on other (smaller) troop transports for onward passage to the Middle East.
4 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy US 9.
This convoy departed Sydney on 4 February 1941 and arrived at Bombay on 22 February 1941.
The convoy was made up of the troopships; Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914), Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) and Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936).
On departure from Sydney the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN).
Off Melbourne the convoy was joined by the troopship Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939).
The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 10 February 1941 and departed again on 12 February 1941 but now escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN).
In the afternoon of the 16th the convoy made rendezvous with the light cruiser HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) which took the Queen Mary with her to Singapore where they arrived on the 18th.
On the 20th, HMAS Canberra was relieved by the light cruiser HMNZS Leander (Capt. R.H. Bevan, RN).
The convoy arrived at Bombay on 22 February 1941.
Sources
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Perth from September 1939 to March 1940
- ADM 53/107742 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Perth from September 1939 to March 1940
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Perth from 1 April to 6 June 1940
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
You can help improve officers Harold Bruce Farncomb's page
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this officer.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve his page.