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Notable events involving Alaunia include:

29 Aug 1939
The liner Alaunia is taken in hand for conversion to armed merchant cruiser at the Gibraltar Dockyard. On commencement of the conversion she is also commissioned with Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN taking command. (1)

23 Sep 1939
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) completed her conversion at the Gibraltar Dockyard. She then commenced to embark ammunition. (2)

24 Sep 1939
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Gibraltar and gunnery trials off Gibraltar. (2)

28 Sep 1939
In the afternoon HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Gibraltar during which she was escorted by HMS Douglas (Cdr. R.F.B. Swinley, RN) and HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. W.J.B. Handley, RN). (2)

5 Oct 1939

Convoy HG 2.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 5 October 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Belgravian (British, 3136 GRT, built 1937), Cyprian Prince (British, 1988 GRT, built 1937), Doryssa (British, 8078 GRT, built 1938), Etrib (British, 1943GRT, built 1919), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Marsa (British, 4405 GRT, built 1928), Medjerda (British, 4380 GRT, built 1924), Montcalm (British, 16418 GRT, built 1921), Palacio (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938), Thala (British, 4399 GRT, built 1928) and Warfield (British, 6070 GRT, built 1917).

The RFA tanker Bishopsdale (8406 GRT, built 1937) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Gibraltar around 0800A/5, the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMS Douglas (Cdr. R.F.B. Swinley, RN) and HMS Velox (Cdr.(Retd.) J.C. Colvill, RN).

Around 1800A/5, HMS Douglas and HMS Velox parted company to return to Gibraltar where they arrived around 2330A/5.

Around midnight during the night of 8/9 October, when in position 40°40'N, 14°00'W, the Medjerda parted company with the convoy as she had to heave to in the bad weather conditions. She was able to rejoin around 1100A/12 when the convoy was about 70 nautical miles south of the Scilly Isles.

Around 0845A/11, in approximate position 47°15'N, 11°20'W, the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. J.W. Josselyn, RN) and HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, RAN), HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) and minesweeper HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Price, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1830A/11, the convoy split into the west coast / Irish Sea section and the east coast / Channel section.

The west coast / Irish Sea section was made up of the Belgravian (arrived at Liverpool on 14 October), Cyprian Prince (arrived at Manchester on 15 October), Doryssa (arrived at Avonmouth on 14 October), Etrib (arrived at Liverpool on 14 October), Marsa (arrived in the Clyde on 14 October) and Montcalm (arrived at Liverpool on 14 October). They were escorted by HMS Vimy and HMS Gleaner which arrived at Liverpool on 14 October.

The east coast / Channel section was made up of the Bishopsdale (arrived in Spithead on 13 October), James J. Maguire (arrived at London on 14 October), Medjerda (arrived at Southend on 14 October), Palacio (arrived at London on 14 October), Palermo (arrived at London on 14 October), Thala (arrived at Southend on 14 October) and Warfield (arrived at London on 14 October). They were escorted by HMS Alaunia which arrived in Spithead on 13 October) and HMS Intrepid and HMS Echo which both arrived at Plymouth on 12 October. On entering harbour HMS Echo grounded sustaining damage for which she was to be docked for repairs. (3)

17 Oct 1939
After having discharged the ammunition, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) is taken in hand at the Portsmouth Dockyard for further outfitting. (4)

30 Oct 1939
Around 1400A/30, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Portsmouth for Halifax. She passed the Spithead boom defenced around 1430A/30 after which the destroyers HMS Malcolm (Capt. T.E. Halsey, RN) and HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) joined for A/S protection.

The destroyers parted company around 1915A/30. (5)

8 Nov 1939
Around 2000Q/8, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Portsmouth. (6)

16 Nov 1939
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Halifax. (6)

17 Nov 1939

Convoy HXF 9.

This convoy departed Halifax on 17 November 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Beaverbrae (British, 9956 GRT, built 1928), Beaverburn (British, 9874 GRT, built 1927), Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937), Corrientes (British, 6863 GRT, built 1920), Cuba (French, 11337 GRT, built 1923), Fordsdale (British, 11023 GRT, built 1924), Guadeloupe (French, 2815 GRT, built 1936), Lochmonar (British, 9412 GRT, built 1924), Manchester Port (British, 7071 GRT, built 1935), Martand (British, 7967 GRT, built 1939), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914) and Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyer HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).

Around 0230Q/18, HMCS St. Laurent parted company to return to Halifax.

During the night of 19/20 November 1939, the Manchester Port straggled from the convoy. She rejoined around dawn on 21 November 1939.

Around 1700OP/22, the merchant vessel San Francisco (French, 6013 GRT, built 1930) joined the convoy as arranged.

Around 1100ZA/26, the destroyers HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. H. Gartside-Tippinge, RN) and HMS Warwick (Lt.Cdr. M.A.G. Child, RN) joined.

Around 1150ZA/26, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1730Z/26, HMS Volunteer and HMS Warwick parted company taking the Irish Sea / West Coast section of the convoy with them. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Lochmonar, Manchester Port and Orduna. They arrived at Liverpool on 28 November 1939.

The other ships made up the Channel / West coast section bound for the Downs. The French ships, except the San Francisco were detached to French ports en-route. HMS Wakeful and HMS Whitehall arrived at Dover on 28 November 1939. (7)

3 Dec 1939
Around 1430Q/3, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (8)

10 Dec 1939

Convoy HXF 12.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 December 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Akaroa (British, 15130 GRT, built 1914), Bassano (British, 4843 GRT, built 1937), Cairnross (British, 5494 GRT, built 1921), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Gracia (British, 5642 GRT, built 1921), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Regent Lion (British (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1937), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937) and San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN), destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN), HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN) and the submarine Achille (Lieutenant de vaisseau (Lt.) P.A.G. Terlier).

Around 0750Q/11, HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Skeena parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1100P/13, after thick fog had cleared, it was seen that the Manchester Commerce was missing from the convoy. She rejoined around 0900P/14.

Around 1045ZN/20, in position 50°13'N, 13°35'W, the destroyers HMS Walker (Cdr. W.J.C. Robertson, RN) and HMS Whirlwind (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0910Z/21, in position 49°38'N, 08°08'W, the destroyers HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. A.R.M. Black, RN) joined.

Around 0930Z/21, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Explorer, Gracia, Manchester Commerce and Regent Lion. HMS Walker and HMS Whirlwind escorted this section. The destroyers arrived at Liverpool in the evening of 22 December 1939.

The remaining ships made up the Channel / East coast section. Around 1300Z/21, the French submarine Achille parted company to proceed to Brest escorted by the minesweeping sloop Commandant Duboc. They arrived at Brest around 0930Z/22. Around 1930Z/21, HMS Alaunia left the convoy to proceed to Southampton where she arrived in the afternoon of 22 December 1939. HMS Veteran and HMS Verity arrived at Dover in the morning of 23 December 1939. The ships of the convoy continued on to the Downs. The San Cipriano was detached to Dunkirk. (9)

22 Dec 1939
Around 1545Z/22, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Southampton from convoy escort duty. She was then taken in hand for repairs / alterations to her guns. (10)

13 Jan 1940
Around 1000Z/13, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Southampton for Halifax. (11)

21 Jan 1940
Around 1100Q/21, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Southampton. (11)

28 Jan 1940

Convoy HXF 18.

This convoy departed Halifax on 28 January 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arthur F. Corwin (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Corner Brook (British, 5767 GRT, built 1925), Craftsman (British, 7896 GRT, built 1922), Daldorch (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930), Darina (British, 8113 GRT, built 1939), Europe (Norwegian (tanker), 8371 GRT, built 1934), Indian Prince (British, 8587 GRT, built 1926) and Manchester Progress (British, 5620 GRT, built 1938).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN).

Around 0715Q/29, both Canadian destroyers were detached to return to Halifax.

Bad weather was encountered during the passage and several ships straggled from the convoy during the passage but were able to rejoin later. However at the time the local A/S escort joined (see below) the Arthur F. Corwin and Europe were not in company and did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 1200N/6, in approximate position 50°00'N, 14°00'W, the destroyer HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN) and sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax shortly afterwards.

Around 1300N/6, the merchant vessel Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had been westbound but had picked up survivors of the torpedoed merchant vessel Beaveerburn. She returned to the U.K. (Falmouth) to land the 75 survivors she had picked up.

The convoy was split up later on 6 February 1940.

The Irish Sea / West Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Corner Brook, Craftsman, Indian Prince and Manchester Progress. They were escorted by HMS Deptford which arrived at Liverpool on 8 February 1940.

The remaining ships made up of the Channel / East Coast section which was escorted by HMS Antelope which arrived at Plymouth on 8 February 1940. (12)

14 Feb 1940
Around 2300Q/14, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (13)

18 Feb 1940

Convoy HX 21.

This convoy departed Halifax on 18 February 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Bassano (British, 4843 GRT, built 1937), Beaverbrae (British, 9956 GRT, built 1928), Bradglen (British, 4741 GRT, built 1930), Chaucer (British, 5792 GRT, built 1929), Cornish City (British, 4952 GRT, built 1936), Dunaff Head (British, 5258 GRT, built 1918), El Grillo (British (tanker), 7264 GRT, built 1922), Ensis (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Loch Lomond (British, 5452 GRT, built 1934), Nailsea Meadow (British, 4962 GRT, built 1937), Rothermere (British, 5356 GRT, built 1938), San Emiliano (British (tanker), 8071 GRT, built 1939), Schuylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930), Wearpool (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936) and Wyoming (French, 8062 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN).

Around 1815PQ/19, the destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1400Z/26, during a gale, in position 48°57'N, 30°48'W, the Bassano dropped from the convoy due to engine trouble and shifting cargo.

Around 1200Z/1, in position 50°12'N, 13°57'W, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 2000Z/2, in position 49°54'N, 10°17'W, the Dunaff Head (arrived at Dublin on 5 March), El Grillo (arrived at Liverpool on 5 March) and Ensis (arrived at Liverpool on 4 March) parted company to proceed to west coast ports.

Around 2100Z/2, the destroyers HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN) and HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0600Z/4, in position 49°38'N, 05°12'W, the Wearpool was detached. She arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 5 March.

Around 0100Z/5, in position 50°20'N, 00°48'W, the Cornish City was detached. She arrived at Southampton later the same day.

The remaining ships arrived in the Downs later on the 5th.

HMS Windsor and HMS Wolverine arrived at Plymouth on 4 March and Dover on 5 March respectively. (14)

8 Mar 1940
Around 0830Q/8, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (15)

15 Mar 1940
Around 1630Q/15, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (15)

19 Mar 1940
Around 0745Q/19, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (15)

23 Mar 1940
Around 0645Q/23, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Bermuda for Halifax. (15)

26 Mar 1940
Around 0730Q/26, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Bermuda. (15)

29 Mar 1940

Convoy HX 31.

This convoy departed Halifax on 29 March 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelduke (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1929), Athelking (British (tanker), 9557 GRT, built 1926), Boston City (British, 2870 GRT, built 1920), British Endurance (British (tanker), 8406 GRT, built 1936), Clumberhall (British, 5198 GRT, built 1930), Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937), Culebra (British, 3044 GRT, built 1919), Dalblair (British, 4608 GRT, built 1926), Darlington Court (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Hannington Court (British, 5449 GRT, built 1939), Ile de Noirmoutier (French, 5703 GRT, built 1919), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), John Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9071 GRT, built 1934), Langleecrag (British, 4909 GRT, built 1929), Maja (British (tanker), 8181 GRT, built 1931), Makis (Greek, 3546 GRT, buily 1906), Olympos (Greek, 5216 GRT, built 1918), Rangitane (British, 16733 GRT, built 1929), Rodsley (British, 5000 GRT, built 1939), Ronin (Panamanian, 5677 GRT, built 1919), Rothley (British, 4996 GRT, built 1936), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), Sirikishna (British, 5458 GRT, built 1936), Tahchee (British (tanker), 6508 GRT, built 1914), Tremoda (British, 4736 GRT, built 1928) and Trevorian (British, 4599 GRT, built 1920).

The RFA tanker Oleander (7045 GRT, built 1922) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).

Around 1045Q/30, the merchant vessel Oakbank (British, 5154 GRT, built 1926), which had been late in sailing from Halifax, overtook and joined the convoy.

around 1800Q/30, both Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

During the night of 30/31 March 1940, the Makis straggled from the convoy as she was unable to keep up. She arrived in the Downs on 15 April having continued her passage independenly.

Around 0530N/9, in position 50°10'N, 18°05'W, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1600N/9, in position 50°10'N, 15°40'W, the destroyer HMS Warwick (Lt.Cdr. M.A.G. Child, RN) and sloop HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) joined followed around 0610 hours the following morning by the destroyers HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) and HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.E.F. Hussey, DSC, RN).

Most likely on 10 April the convoy was split into two sections, the west coast / Irish Sea section and the east coast / Channel section.

The west coast / Irish Sea section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelduke (arrived in the Clyde on 12 April), Athelking (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April), Boston City (arrived at Milford Haven on 12 April), British Endurance (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April), Clumberhall (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April), G.S. Walden (arrived in Barry Roads on 12 April), Maja (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April), Rodsley (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April), San Cipriano (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April), Sirikishna (arrived in the Clyde on 12 April) and Tremoda (arrived at Belfast on 13 April). They were escorted by HMS Warwick (arrived at Liverpool on 11 April) and HMS Rochester (arrived at Liverpool on 12 April).

The east coast / Channel section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Consuelo (arrived in the Downs on 13 April), Culebra (arrived in the Downs on 13 April), Dalblair (arrived at Portland on 12 April), Darlington Court (arrived at Portland on 12 April), Hannington Court (arrived at Portland on 12 April), Ile de Noirmoutier (destination was La Pallice), Inverilen (arrived in the Downs on 13 April), John Knudsen (arrived at Le Havre on 13 April), Langleecrag (arrived in the Downs on 13 April), Oakbank (arrived in the Downs on 13 April), Oleander (arrived at Plymouth on 12 April), Olympos (arrived at Le Havre on 13 April), Rangitane (arrived in the Downs on 13 April), Ronin (arrived at Le Havre on 13 April), Rothley (arrived at Portland on 12 April), Tahchee (arrived at Le Havre on 13 April) and Trevorian (arrived in the Downs on 13 April). They were escorted by HMS Campbell and HMS Vesper which both arrived at Dover on 12 April. (16)

15 Apr 1940
Around 1730Q/15, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (17)

22 Apr 1940

Convoy HX 37.

This convoy departed Halifax on 22 April 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelprincess (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Daldorch (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Dorington Court (British, 5281 GRT, built 1939), Embassage (British, 4954 GRT, built 1935), Fana (Norwegian, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Favorit (Norwegian, 2826 GRT, built 1920), Gallia (Norwegian (tanker), 9974 GRT, built 1939), Harlesden (British, 5483 GRT, built 1932), Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), Ile de Brehat (French, 6176 GRT, built 1919), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Loch Dee (British, 5252 GRT, built 1937), Lustrous (British (tanker), 6156 GRT, built 1927), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Monique (French (tanker) 7011 GRT, built 1922), Mont Everest (French, 5183 GRT, built 1918), Mount Helmos (Greek, 6481 GRT, built 1923), Mount Pera (Greek, 5214 GRT, built 1918), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Pacific Shipper (British, 6290 GRT, built 1924), Pelagos (Norwegian (whale factory ship), 12067 GRT, built 1902), Point Ancha (Panamanian, 5141 GRT, built 1919), Port Gisborne (British, 8001 GRT, built 1927), Queen Adelaide (British, 4933 GRT, built 1936), Reginolite (British (tanker), 9069 GRT, built 1926), San Pedro (French, 5947 GRT, built 1931), Skudd 6 (Norwegian (whaler), 320 GRT, built 1930), Sommerstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5923 GRT, built 1926), Star of Luxor (Egyptian, 5214 GRT, built 1918), Traveller (British, 3963 GRT, built 1922) and Warkworth (British, 4941 GRT, built 1924).

On assembly of the convoy off Halifax it was very bad weather and some of the ships never actually joined the convoy. These were the following; Dorington Court (arrived in the Downs on 6 May), Favorit (arrived in the Downs on 7 May), Gallia (arrived at Southamptonn on 5 May), New York City (arrived at Bristol on 8 May) and Star of Luxor (arrived at Le Havre on 7 May).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).

Around 1800Q/23, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

During the night of 23/24 April 1940, the Sommerstad straggled from the convoy. She proceeded independently to her destination and arrived at Liverpool on 7 May 1940.

Around 1600P/26, in position 41°07'N, 48°23'W, the Legarto and Point Ancha straggled from the convoy. Both proceeded independently to their destination which for both ship was Liverpool [arrival dates not known to us.]

Around 0800O/27, in position 41°21'N, 45°48'W, the Pelagos parted company to return to Halifax after a signal had been received to do so. She arrived at Halifax on 30 April 1940.

Around 0800A/4, in position 50°10'N, 13°26'W, the destroyer HMS Vivacious (Lt.Cdr. F.R.W. Parish, RN) and sloop HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined.

Around 1950A/4, in position 50°11'N, 10°51'W, the convoy split into two sections, the west coast / Irish Sea section and the east coast / Channel section.

The west coast / Irish Sea section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelprincess, Dolabella, Fana, Hopestar, Manchester Exporter, Mount Pera, Orbita, Queen Adelaide, Traveller and Warkworth. HMS Leith went with them as escort.

Around 1130A/5, in position 51°24'N, 07°10'W, the Fana and Hopestar were detached to Barry Roads (Bristol Channel). They both arrived in Barry Roads on 6 May.

Around 0300A/6, the Dolabella and Warkwortth were detached to the Clyde and Londonderry respectively. They both arrived at their destination on 7 May.

The remainder of the west coast / Irish Sea section arrived at Liverpool on 6 May. The Manchester Exporter then continued on to Manchester. The east coast / Channel section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Daldorch, Embassage, Harlesden, Ile de Brehat, Loch Dee, Lustrous, Monique, Mont Everest, Mount Helmos, Pacific Shipper, Port Gisborne, Reginolite, San Pedro and Skudd 6. They were escorted by HMS Alaunia and HMS Vivacious.

Around 1300A/5, the Lustrous, Mont Everest and San Pedro were detached to Brest where they arrived later the same day.

Around 1935A/5, the Skudd 6 was detached to proceed to Falmouth where she arrived the following day.

Around 2105A/5, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to proceed to Southampton where she arrived around 1230A/6.

On 6 May 1940, the following merchant vessels entered Portland for degaussing; Embassage, Harlesden, Loch Dee and Port Gisborne.

The Ile de Brehat and Monique arrived at Le Havre on 7 May.

The remaining ships proceeded to the Downs.

HMS Vivacious arrived at Dover on 7 May 1940. (18)

6 May 1940
Around 1230A/6, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Southampton from convoy escort duty. At the Harland & Wolff shipyard at Southampton she was taken in hand for refit and modifications which included the fitting of degaussing equipment. (19)

13 May 1940
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) is docked in No.5 graving dock at Southampton. (20)

28 May 1940
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) is undocked. (20)

11 Jun 1940
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted D/G, D/F calibration and compass adjustment trials off Southampton on completion of which course was set to proceed to Halifax. (21)

20 Jun 1940
Around 2315P/20, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Southampton. (21)

25 Jun 1940

Convoy HX 53.

This convoy departed Halifax on 25 June 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aracataca (British, 5377 GRT, built 1925), Axel Johnson (Swedish, 4896 GRT, built 1925), Bjerka (Norwegian, 1893 GRT, built 1916), Boltonhall (British, 4824 GRT, built 1935), Botavon (British, 5848 GRT, built 1912), Crown Arun (British, 2372 GRT, built 1938), Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Dimitrios Inglessis (Greek, 5275 GRT, built 1918), Dunsley (British, 3862 GRT, built 1929), Grigorios C. II (Greek, 2497 GRT, built 1919), Harlingen (British, 5415 GRT, built 1933), Humber Arm (British, 5758 GRT, built 1925), Janna (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1919), Jersey City (British, 4986 GRT, built 1936), Langleebrook (British, 4246 GRT, built 1930), Manchester Brigade (British, 6042 GRT, built 1918), Pacific Shipper (British, 6290 GRT, built 1924), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Rosenborg (Finnish, 1521 GRT, built 1919), Scoresby (British, 3843 GRT, built 1923), Silverfir (British, 4347 GRT, built 1924), Sovac (British (tanker), 6724 GRT, built 1938), Stalheim (Norwegian, 1298 GRT, built 1936), Taborfjell (Norwegian, 1339 GRT, built 1938), Taybank (British, 5627 GRT, built 1930), Thistleford (British, 4781 GRT, built 1928), Tilsington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Valparaiso (Swedish, 3762 GRT, built 1917), Venetia (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927), Wentworth (British, 5212 GRT, built 1919) and Zannes Gounaris (Greek, 4407 GRT, built 1907).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Assiniboine (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN).

Around 2130P/25, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

At dawn on 26 June the Janna was missing from the convoy. She arrived back at Halifax on 27 June.

Around 0800P/30, in position 41°30'N, 44°35'W, the Bermuda section of the convoy joined (convoy BHX 53), this was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelempress (British (tanker), 8941 GRT, built 1930), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Katy (Norwegian (tanker), 6825 GRT, built 1931), Maria Stathatos (Greek, 6303 GRT, built 1922), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Severn Leigh (British, 5242 GRT, built 1919), Sommerstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5923 GRT, built 1926), Taranaki (British, 10534 GRT, built 1928), Thistlegarth (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Thorshavn (Norwegian (tanker), 6869 GRT, built 1930) and Whitford Point (British, 5026 GRT, built 1928).

They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Comorin (Capt.(Retd.) J.I. Hallett, DSO, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax where she arrived on 2 July 1940.

Around 0925N/7, in position 50°20'N, 13°33'W, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax. She had just turned over the escort of the convoy to the destroyers HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN), HMS Sabre (Cdr.(Retd.) B. Dean, RN), HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN), sloop HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN) and the corvette HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR).

At 0653A/8, the convoy was attacked by an enemy submarine in position 50°37'W, 09°38'W [another source gives 50°36'N, 09°24'W] during which the Humber Arm was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-99. The entire crew was picked up by HMS Scimitar and HMS Vanquisher.

On 9 July 1940 the following merchant vessels arrived in Barry Roads;
Jersey City, Katy, Maria Stathatos, Mataroa and Zannes Gounaris.

On 9 July 1940 the Rosenborg arrived at Dublin.

On 10 July 1940 the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool;
Aracataca, Axel Johnson, Dalcross, Dimitrios Inglessis, Empire Gannet, Pacific Shipper, Silverfir, Sovac, Stalheim, Taborfjell, Taranaki, Taybank and Tilsington Court.

On 10 July 1940, the Manchester Brigade arrived at Manchester.

On 10 July 1940, the Bjerka and Crown Arun and arrived at Preston.

On 10 July 1940, the Grigorios C. II arrived at Barrow in Furness.

On 10 July 1940, the Sommerstad arrived at Belfast.

On 10 July 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde;
Athelempress, Boltonhall, Botavon, Dunsley, Harlingen, Langleebrook, Penrose, Scoresby, Severn Leigh, Thistleford, Thistlegarth, Thorshavn, Valparaiso, Venetia, Wentworth and Whitford Point.

The escorts arrived as follows;
HMS Scimitar and HMS Clarkia arrived at Milford haven on 9 July.
HMS Hurrican, HMS Vanquisher and HMS Winchelsea arrived at Liverpool on 10 July.
HMS Sabre and HMS Leith arrived in the Clyde on 10 July. (22)

14 Jul 1940
Around 0600P/14, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (23)

17 Jul 1940
Around 1000P/17, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (23)

19 Jul 1940
Around 1515Q/19, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (23)

22 Jul 1940

Convoy BHX 60.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 22 July 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Anglo Peruvian (British, 5457 GRT, built 1926), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Boka (Panamanian, 5399 GRT, built 1920), Catrine (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Clea (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1938), Custodian (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Dalfonn (British (tanker), 9860 GRT, built 1928), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Indora (British, 6622 GRT, built 1938), Rosewood (British (tanker), 5989 GRT, built 1931), Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928) and Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

HMS Penzance was only with the convoy briefly and soon returned to Bermuda presumably arriving on 23 July.

Around 1000P/27, in position 40°53'N, 46°17'W, the convoy merged with convoy HX 60 coming from Halifax. HMS Alaunia then parted company to return to Bermuda where she arrived around 0900Q/30. (24)

30 Jul 1940
Around 0900Q/30, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from convoy escort duty. (23)

3 Aug 1940

Convoy BHX 63.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 3 August 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Conch (British (tanker), 8376 GRT (tanker), built 1931), Egba (British, 4989 GRT, built 1914), Elax (British (tanker), 7403 GRT, built 1927), Graiglas (British, 4312 GRT, built 1940), Helder (Dutch, 3629 GRT, built 1920), Inventor (British, 6210 GRT, built 1935), Katendrecht (Dutch (tanker), 5099 GRT, built 1925), Llanover (British, 4959 GRT, built 1928), Loreto (British, 6682 GRT, built 191), Megara (British (tanker), 7981 GRT, built 1929), Mirza (Dutch (tanker), 7991 GRT, built 1929), Nicolaou Virginia (Greek, 6869 GRT, built 1920), Oporto (British, 2352 GRT, built 1928), Rapana (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), San Roberto (British (tanker), 5890 GRT, built 1922), Scottish Standard (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1921), Sithonia (British, 6723 GRT, built 1919), Standella (British (tanker), 6197 GRT, built 1936), Surrey (British, 8581 GRT, built 1919) and Tasso (British, 1586 GRT, built 1938).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN). A/S escort on the day of departure was provided by an aircraft.

Around 0845Q/8, in position 40°57'N, 46°27'W, the convoy merged with convoy HX 63 coming from Halifax. HMS Alaunia then parted company to return to Bermuda where she arrived around 0730Q/11. (25)

11 Aug 1940
Around 0730Q/11, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from convoy escort duty. (26)

15 Aug 1940

Convoy BHX 66.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 15 August 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arinia (British (tanker), 8024 GRT, built 1936), Cordelia (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933)), Empire Puma (British, 7777 GRT, built 1920), Helgoy (Norwegian, 7116 GRT, built 1920), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Karamea (British, 10530 GRT, built 1928), Merchant Royal (British, 5008 GRT, built 1928), Norne (Norwegian, 3971 GRT, built 1930), Nyland (Norwegian, 1374 GRT, built 1940), Oakworth (British, 4968 GRT, built 1925), Otina (British (tanker), 6217 GRT, built 1938), Port Townsville (British, 8661 GRT, built 1935), Queen Maud (British, 4976 GRT, built 1936), Rothley (British, 4996 GRT, built 1936), Sabor (British, 5212 GRT, built 1920), San Alvaro (British (tanker), 7385 GRT, built 1935) and Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

Around 1600Q/17, the Merchant Royal, which had been lagging behind the convoy all day being unable to keep up, was lost from sight. She never rejoined and proceeded to the U.K. independently.

Around 1000Q/20, in position 42°20'N, 48°49'W, the convoy merged with convoy HX 66 coming from Halifax. HMS Alaunia then parted company to proceed to Halifax where she arrived around 0930P/22. (24)

22 Aug 1940
Around 0930P/22, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (23)

28 Aug 1940

Convoy HX 69.

This convoy departed Halifax on 28 August 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Austvard (Norwegian, 3677 GRT, built 1925), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925), Botlea (British, 5119 GRT, built 1917), Charles F. Meyer (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Dalfram (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Haakon Hauan (Norwegian (tanker), 6582 GRT, built 1935), Iddesleigh (British, 5205 GRT, built 1927), Inger (Norwegian, 1409 GRT, built 1930), Kelbergen (Dutch, 4823 GRT, built 1914), Lapland (British, 1330 GRT, built 1936), Lylepark (British, 5186 GRT, built 1929), Martand (British, 7967 GRT, built 1939), Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940), Rowanbank (British, 5159 GRT, built 1919), Siris (British, 5242 GRT, built 1919), Tapanoeli (British, 7031 GRT, built 1924), Tornus (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936), Ulysses (Dutch, 2655 GRT, built 1918), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925), W.B. Walker (British (tanker), 10468 GRT, built 1935) and Yselhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyer HMCS Assiniboine (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and the auxiliary patrol vessel HMCS French (A/Skr. W. Philpott, RCNR).

Around 2100P/28, HMCS French parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 2010P/29, in position 43°03'N, 59°15'W, HMCS Assiniboine parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1300P/30, in position 42°49'N, 56°44'W, the Sydney section (Convoy SHX 69) of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Beaverdale (British, 9957 GRT, built 1928), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Lord Byron (British, 4118 GRT, built 1934), Parracombe (British, 4702 GRT, built 1928), Roxby (British, 4252 GRT, built 1923), Stad Maastricht (Dutch, 6907 GRT, built 1924) and Vestvard (Norwegian, 4319 GRT, built 1925). It's escort from Sydney, the destroyer HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) had been detached around 0800P/30 when HMS Alaunia had temporarily joined the Sydney section (SHX 69) to guide it to the rendezvous with the Halifax section (HX 69).

Around 1000/1, in position 43°20'N, 48°20'W, the Bermuda section (Convoy BHX 69) of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alhama (British, 1352 GRT, built 1938), Amakura (British, 1987 GRT, built 1924), Buesten (Norwegian, 5187 GRT, built 1927), Cape St. Andrew (British, 5094 GRT, built 1928), Condor (British, 4748 GRT, built 1920), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Dosinia (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, buil 1938), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Olympos (Greek, 5216 GRT, built 1918), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), San Casimiro (British (tanker), 8046 GRT, built 1936), Taron (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936), Traveller (British, 3963 GRT, built 1922, 3963 GRT, built 1922), Tricula (British (tanker), 3963 GRT, built 1922, 6221 GRT, built 1936) and Winamac (British (tanker), 8621 GRT, built 1926). It's escort from Bermuda, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania (Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Ringrose-Wharton, RN) had been detached around 0715P/30 when HMS Alaunia had temporarily joined the Bermuda section (BHX 69) to guide it to the rendezvous with the main convoy (HX 69).

Around 2015N/8, in position 58°28'N, 19°05'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to return to Halifax.

Between 0700Z/9 - 0800Z/9, in position 58°47'N, 16°22'W, the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Ambuscade (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN), sloop Fowey (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), corvettes HMS Camellia (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) and HMS Heartsease (Lt.Cdr. E.J.R. North, RNR) joined.

Around 1900Z/9, in position 56°34'N, 18°42'W, the east coast section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alhama, Barrdale, Botlea, Cape St. Andrew, Dalfram, Kelbergen, Lord Byron, Martand, Parracombe, Roxby, Traveller, Tricula, Voco and Yselhaven. They took HMS Fowey and HMS Camellia with them as escorts. This section arrived in Methil Roads on 13 September. The two escorts then proceeded to Rosyth where they arrived later on 13 September.

Around 1000A/11, in position 55°09'N, 05°48'W, the Clyde section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Austvard, Buesten, Delilian, Dolabella, Narraganset, Pontfield, Rowanbank, San Casimiro, Tornus and Winamac. HMS Arrow and HMS Ambuscade also parted company and proceeded to Greenock.

Around 1315A/11, in position 54°48'N, 05°26'W, the Olympos parted company to proceed to Belfast Lough.

Around 2015A/11, in position 53°45'N, 05°08'W, the Liverpool section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Asbjorn, Condor, Dosinia, Haakon Hauan, Iddesleigh, Oropesa, Penrose, Siris, Tapanoeli, Taron and Vestvard and W.B. Walker. They took HMS Winchelsea, HMS Clarkia and HMS Heartsease with them as escorts.

Around 1200A/12, in position 50°35'N, 05°30'W, the Inger, and Lylepark parted company to proceed to Milford Haven.

Around 2300A/12, following ships arrived in Barry Roads; Amakura, Beaverdale, Bridgepool, Charles F. Meyer, Lapland, Gold Shell, Stad Maastricht and Ulysses. (27)

14 Sep 1940
Around 2315P/14, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (28)

20 Sep 1940
Around 2100P/20, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (28)

23 Sep 1940
Around 0730Q/23, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (28)

24 Sep 1940

Convoy BHX 76.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 24 September 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Adula (British (tanker), 8040 GRT, built 1937), Confield (British, 4956 GRT, built 1940), Horn Shell (British (tanker), 8272 GRT, built 1931), Mosli (Norwegian (tanker), 8291 GRT, built 1935), Nailsea Meadow (British, 4962 GRT, built 1937), Port Hardy (British, 8897 GRT, built 1923), Queen Adelaide (British, 4933 GRT, built 1936), Rancher (British, 5882 GRT, built 1927), Standella (British (tanker), 6197 GRT, built 1936) and Sutlej (British, 5189 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

Around 0900Q/27, in position 39°10'N, 57°40'W, the Standella hove to and signalled that she was making good a defect. At 1145Q/27, she was seen attempting to rejoin but then dropped astern and never rejoined. She arrived at Halifax on 29 September to effect repairs.

Around 1000Q/29, in position 44°21'N, 51°37'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to return to Bermuda after having turned over the convoy to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ausonia (Capt.(Retd.) G.H. Freyberg, OBE, RN).

Around 1215Q/29, convoy BHX 76 merged with the main convoy HX 76. (29)

2 Oct 1940
Around 1130Q/2, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from convoy escort duty. (30)

6 Oct 1940

Convoy BHX 79.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 6 October 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelmonarch (British (tanker), 8995 GRT, built 1928), Baron Minto (British, 4637 GRT, built 1937), Empire Trader (British, 9957 GRT, built 1908), Hoyanger (Norwegian, 4624 GRT, built 1926), La Estancia (British, 5185 GRT, built 1940), Shirak (British (tanker), 6023 GRT, built 1926), Sitala (British (tanker), 6218 GRT, built 1937), Tribesman (British, 6242 GRT, 1937), Triton (Norwegian, 6607 GRT, built 1930) and Wandby (British, 4947 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) which also conducted HA gunnery exercises on departure.

At 0815Q/9, the Baron Minto had straggled from the convoy and was just in sight. At 1030Q/9, she was no longer seen and had set course for Sydney, Cape Brenton Island where she arrived on 11 October.

Around 0945Q/11, in position 44°23'N, 50°45'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to proceed to Halifax after the armed merchant cruiser HMS Montclare (Capt.(Retd.) H.M. Spreckley, RN) had joined to guide the convoy to the main convoy HX 79.

Around 1130Q/11, convoy BHX 79 merged with convoy HX 79. (31)

13 Oct 1940
Around 0930Q/13, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (30)

20 Oct 1940

Convoy HX 82.

This convoy departed Halifax on 20 October 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstel (Dutch, 2115 GRT, built 1925), Caledonia (Norwegian (tanker), 9892 GRT, built 1936), City of Barcelona (British, 5787 GRT, built 1930), Empire Bison (British, 5972 GRT, built 1919), Erviken (Norwegian, 5019 GRT, built 1921), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Murena (Dutch (tanker), 8252 GRT, built 1931) and Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS St Croix (Lt.Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN) and HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN).

Around 1100Q/21, the Amstel and Erviken were detached from the convoy due to their slow speed. They proceeded to Sydney, Cape Brenton Island from where they were to be sailed in the slow SC convoy series. They both arrived at Sydney on 22 October.

Around 1800Q/21, HMCS St Croix and HMCS St.Francis were detached to return to Halifax.

Around 1100Q/22, the Sydney section of the convoy, SHX 82, joined. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Bodegraven (Dutch, 5541 GRT, 1929), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Chr. J. Kampmann (Canadian, 2281 GRT, built 1924), Dorelian (British, 6431 GRT, built 1923), Eskdalegate (British, 4250 GRT, built 1930), Esmond (British, 4976 GRT, built 1930), Gregalia (British, 5802 GRT, built 1929), Malaya (British, 8654 GRT, built 1921), Manchester Progress (British, 5620 GRT, built 1938), Maplewood (British, 4566 GRT, built 1930), Myson (British (former French, 4601 GRT, built 1927), Olaf Bergh (Norwegian, 5811 GRT, built 1921), Prins Frederik Hendrik (Dutch, 1288 GRT, built 1936), Ruckinge (British, 2869 GRT, built 1939), Scottish Monarch (British, 4719 GRT, built 1938), Tacoma City (British, 4738 GRT, built 1929) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

HMS Alaunia had made rendezvous with convoy SHX 82 around 0900Q/22 in position 45°08'N, 56°02'W, and then guided it to the main convoy. On HMS Alaunia joining the escort of convoy SHX 82, the armed yachts HMCS Reindeer (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR) and HMCS Husky (Lt. H. Freeland, RCNR), parted company.

During the night of 22/23 October the Empire Bison straggled from the convoy in approximate position 44°40'N, 54°07'W. She never rejoined the convoy and continued her passage to the U.K. independently. She was however torpedoed and sunk on 1 November 1940 by the German submarine U-124.

On 23 October the convoy encountered heavy weather and around 1515Q/23, in position 44°10'N, 52°00'W, the Bodegraven and Scotish Morach were detached. The Bodegraven, with damage to her forecastle, returned to Halifax arriving on 26 October. The Scottish Monarch, with defects to her steering gear, also arrived at Halifax on 26 October.

Around 1500Q/24, in position 45°50'N, 49°15'W, the Olaf Berg broke down and parted company with the convoy. She was able to proceed to St. John's, Newfouldland for repairs where she arrived on 26 October.

Around 1600Q/24, convoy BHX 82, merged with convoy HX 82. The following merchant vessels then joined the convoy; Afrika (British, 8597 GRT, built 1920), Cape Horn (British, 5643 GRT, built 1929), City of Oxford (British, 2759 GRT, built 1926), Egba (British, 4989 GRT, built 1914), El Ciervo (British (tanker), 5841 GRT, built 1923), Elax (British (tanker), 7403 GRT, built 1927), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Governor (British, 5571 GRT, built 1918), Inverlee (British (tanker), 9158 GRT, built 1938), Onoba (British (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938), Opalia (British (tanker), 6195 GRT, built 1938), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Patella (British (tanker), 7468 GRT, built 1927), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927) and Toulouse (Norwegian, 7027 GRT, built 1934).

During the night of 28/29 October, in approximate position 56°00'N, 33°00'W, the Prins Frederik Hendrik straggled from the convoy. She arrived at Liverpool on 4 November 1941.

During the night of 30/31 October, in approximate position 59°00'N, 24°00'W, the Empire Gannet straggled from the convoy. She arrived at Greenock on 7 November 1941.

Around 0630O/31, in position 59°25'N, 23°09'W, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1100A/1, in approximate position 57°00'N, 15°00'W, the A/S escort joined, it was made up of the destroyers HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and the corvettes HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR), HMS Camellia (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) and HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR).

On 3 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban; Cairnesk, Maplewood, Opalia, Ruckinge and Tacoma City.

On 3 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban; Cairnesk, Maplewood, Opalia, Ruckinge and Tacoma City.

On 4 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; Afrika, Caledonia, Chr. J. Kampmann, Dorelian, Elax, Inverlee, Myson, Patella, Toorak and Wearwood.

On 4 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived in Belfast Lough; Eskdalegate, Esmond, Malaya and Orduna.

On 4 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Cape Horn, City of Barcelona, City of Oxford, Egba, El Ciervo, Governor, Gregalia, Manchester Exporter, Manchester Progress, Murena, Nova Scotia, Onoba and Toulouse.

Of the escort HMS Camellia arrived at Oban on 3 November 1940 having escorted the Oban section of the convoy there.

On 3 November 1940, HMS Broke, HMS Sardonyx, HMS Arabis and HMS Heliotrope arrived at Londonderry.

On 3 November 1940, HMS Verity arrived at Greenock.

On 4 November 1940, HMS Veteran, HMS Witherington and HMS Chelsea arrived at Liverpool. (32)

5 Nov 1940
Around 1700Q/5, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (33)

14 Nov 1940

Convoy HX 87.

This convoy departed Halifax on 14 November 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Acavus (British (tanker), 8010 GRT, built 1935), Barrington Court (British, 4910 GRT, built 1924), Charles F. Meyer (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Corner Brook (British, 5767 GRT, built 1925), Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Edwy R. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936), Gitano (British, 3956 GRT, built 1921), John A. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), Kelso (British, 3956 GRT, built 1924), Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Nemea (Greek, 5101 GRT, built 1919), Nicolaou Virginia (Greek, 6869 GRT, built 1920), Ostende (Belgian, 4528 GRT, built 1903), Rapana (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935) and Rockpool (British, 4892 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN) and HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN).

Around 1700Q/15, both Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

The Sydney section of the convoy (SHX 87) was to join around 1200Q/16 but it would take about a day before all ships had joined due to the thick fog encountered around this time. The Sydney section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Augvald (Norwegian, 4811 GRT, built 1920), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925), Bradburn (British, 4736 GRT, built 1930), Brant County (Norwegian, 5001 GRT, built 1915), Hel (Polish, 1066 GRT, buil 1935), Hercules (Dutch, 2317 GRT, built 1914), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Montreal City (British, 3066 GRT, built 1920), Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928), Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920), Thirlby (British, 4888 GRT, built 1928) and Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925).

At dawn on 22 November 1940, some ships were missing from the convoy but all except the Rockpool managed to rejoin the convoy. The Rockpool arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland with weather damage on 26 November 1940.

Around 1030O/22, the merchant vessels Helle (Norwegian, 2467 GRT, built 1918) and Michalis (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1919) joined after they had become separated from convoy HX 88 in fog.

At dawn on the 24th, the Brant County (arrived in the Clyde on 28 November 1940), Helle (arrived in the Clyde on 28 November 1940) and Nemea (arrived at Liverpool on 29 November 1940) were seen to be missing from the convoy.

At dawn on the 25th, the Barrington Court and Selvik were seen to be missing from the convoy. They both arrived independently at Oban [exact date not known but possibly 2 December 1940].

Around 1100N/25, in position 55°02'N, 21°41'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1315Z/26, in position 55°50'N, 18°18'W, the Charles F. Meyer straggled from the convoy due to engine trouble. At 1220A/26, she reported having been attacked and damaged by a U-boat in position 56°00'N, 13°52'W. The destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN) and HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) reported at 1244A/26 being in position 55°31'N, 15°11'W. HMS Verity was then detached to go to the aid of the damaged tanker but eventually could not find her [HMS Verity's signal timed 1931A/27]. At 1206A/28, the Charles F. Meyer reported that she was still being chased by the enemy submarine in position 55°33'N, 08°47'W but that the enemy was now dropping astern. Another submarine report was made by the Charles F. Meyer at 2145A/28 but this was false and soon cancelled. On 2 December 1940, it was reported that the damaged Charles F. Meyer had meanwhile arrived safely at Rothesay Bay. The attacker of the Charles F. Meyer must have been the German submarine U-104 which failed to return from patrol and is thought to have been mined in minefield SN 44 in approximate position 55°30'N, 08°00'W shortly afterwards. [This minefield had been laid by the 1st Minelaying Squadron on 8 November 1940.]

Around 1600Z/26, in approximate position 56°00'N, 17°00'W, the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) joined the convoy as A/S escort.

Also part of the A/S escort were the destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN) and the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR) and HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR). [No further details are given in the convoy report.] HMS Broke, HMS Anemone and HMS Mallow were detached on 27 November 1940 to convoy HX 88.

On 28 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban; Augvald, Barrdale, Bradburn, Gitano, Hercules, Kelso and Nyanza.

On 28 (29 ?) November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; Generton, Hel, Nicolaou Virginia, Ostende and Rapana.

On 28 November 1940, the following Thirlby arrived in Belfast Lough.

On 29 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Corner Brook, Edward F. Johnson, El Mirlo, John A. Brown, Lekhaven, Michalis and Weirbank.

On 20 November 1940, the following merchant vessels arrived in Barry Roads; Acavus, Edwy R. Brown, Montreal City and Narragansett.

Of the escort; HMS Havelock, HMS Hesperus and HMS Hurricane arrived at Liverpool on 29 November 1940. HMS Witherington arrived there on 30 November 1940. (34)

1 Dec 1940
Around 0900Q/1, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (35)

2 Dec 1940
Around 2015Q/2, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (35)

5 Dec 1940
Around 0830Q/5, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (35)

12 Dec 1940

Convoy BHX 96.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 12 December 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Alioth (Dutch, 4583 GRT, built 1937), Amsterdam (Dutch (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1922), Athelking (British (tanker), 9557 GRT, built 1926), Catrine (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Dorcasia (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Eastgate (British, 5032 GRT, built 1940), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Kantara (British, 3237 GRT, built 1925), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Madrono (Norwegian (tanker), 5894 GRT, built 1917), Maridal (Norwegian (tanker), 6479 GRT, built 1934), Merchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Noreg (Norwegian (tanker), 7605 GRT, built 1931), Olympos (Greek, 5216 GRT, built 1918), San Conrado (British (tanker), 7982 GRT, built 1936), Sveve (Norwegian (tanker), 6313 GRT, built 1930) and Winamac (British (tanker), 8621 GRT, built 1926).

Of these the San Conrado had sailed late, having been delayed with engine defects. But she was able to overtake join the convoy a few hours after its departure.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy is escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

Around 0700Q/16, the San Conrado again developed engine trouble. Later that day, at 1700Q/16, she had to stop for repairs. She was ordered to proceed to Halifax on completion of these repairs. She arrived at Halifax on 19 December 1940.

At 1045Q/16, the Olympus developed problems with her rudder and was also ordered to proceed to Halifax where she arrived on 19 December 1940.

Around 0720Q/18, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.I. Money, RN) joined to guide the Bermuda section to the main convoy. HMS Alaunia then parted company in position 46°40'N, 48°43'W, to proceed to Halifax.

Around 1430P/18, the Bermuda section (BHX 96) had joined up with the main convoy (HX 96). (36)

20 Dec 1940
Around 0800Q/20, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (35)

26 Dec 1940

Convoy HX 99.

This convoy departed Halifax on 26 December 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; A.D. Huff (British, 5866 GRT, built 1920), Aelybryn (British, 4986 GRT, built 1938), Alderpool (British, 4313 GRT, built 1936), Cape Nelson (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929), Eastern Star (Norwegian, 5658 GRT, 1920), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), Olympos (Greek, 5216 GRT, built 1918), Penrith Castle (British, 6369 GRT, built 1929), Teneriffa (Norwegian, 5655 GRT, built 1922), Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Tower Field (British, 4241 GRT, built 1935), Warkworth (British, 4941 GRT, built 1924), West Ekonk (British, 5631 GRT, built 1918) and Yselhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN), destroyer HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN) and the armed yacht HMCS Otter (T/Lt. D.S. Mossman, RCNR).

Around 1830Q/26, the submarine HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) also joined the convoy as escort.

HMCS Otter was detached later on the 26th to return to Halifax.

Around 1645Q/27, HMCS Columbia parted company to return to Halifax.

Between 29 and 31 December 1940, the convoy encountered very thick for and during this period the Cape Nelson and Teneriffa lost contact with the convoy and never rejoined. They both continued her passage to the U.K. independently and arrived at Oban on 9 January 1941 and at Avonmouth on 10 January 1941 respectively.

Also on 29 December 1940, the Bermuda section of the convoy, convoy BHX 99, was to join. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abraham Lincoln (Norwegian, 5784 GRT, built 1929), Blankaholm (Swedish, 2845 GRT, built 1930), Cowrie (British (tanker), 8197 GRT, built 1931), Daytonian (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Duke of Athens (British, 5217 GRT, built 1940), Karabagh (British (tanker), 6427 GRT, built 1932), Kinross (British, 4956 GRT, built 1935) and Rokos Vergottis (Greek, 5202 GRT, built 1919).

They had departed Bermuda unescorted on 24 December 1940.

The Bermuda section was late at the rendezvous and were not sighted. The main convoy then retired northwards to await them. However due to the thick for then setting in which lasted until the morning of 31 December the Bermuda section was unable to join.

When the fog finally lifted, HMS Alaunia had 13 ship in sight, 2 of which were from the Bermuda section, the Blankaholm and Duke of Athens. The A.D. Huff of the Halifax section was able to rejoin on 4 January. She had suffered from engine defects during her absence.

Around 0900P/1, HMS Alaunia left the convoy to search for the missing ships of the Bermuda section. sh found five of them and by 1330P/5, the following ships had joined the main convoy; Abraham Lincoln, Cowrie, Daytonian, Kinross and Rokos Vergottis. The last ship missing, the Karabagh was able to join on 4 January 1941.

Around 1500O/5, in position 60°18'N, 25°00'W, HMS Porpoise parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 0800O/5, in position 61°17'N, 21°24'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to return to Halifax.

The first of the Western Approaches A/S escort joined on 1330Z/7 in position 60°25'N, 16°00'W. These were the corvettes HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN) and HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR). The remainder of the A/S escort, the destroyers HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN) and A/S trawler HMS Lady Elsa (T/Lt. S.G. Phillips, RNVR) joined on the 8th.

Around 1815A/9, in position 57°05'N, 08°07'W, the Oban section parted company. They arrived at Oban, unescorted, later the same day. The Oban section was made up of the following merchant vessels; A.D. Huff, Alderpool, Duke of Athens, Karabagh, Kinross, Towerfield and Warkworth.

At 1930A/10, in position 53°46'N, 05°08'W, the following merchant vessels parted company; Cowrie (arrived at Holyhead on 11 January), Ittersum (arrived at Milford Haven on 11 January) and Yselhaven (arrived at Milford Haven on 11 January). To escort them the A/S trawler HMS Derby County (Skr. W.J.P. Soloman, RNR) had joined.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Liverpool on 11 January 1941. (37)

12 Jan 1941
Around 1800Q/12, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (38)

14 Jan 1941
Around 1330Q/14, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (38)

16 Jan 1941
Around 0900Q/16, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (38)

21 Jan 1941

Convoy BHX 104.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 21 January 1941 for the U.K. It was to proceed direct from Bermuda to the U.K. unlike all the other BHX convoys which merged with HX convoys.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Athelempress (British (tanker), 8941 GRT, built 1930), Athelviking (British (tanker), 8779 GRT, built 1926), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), British Venture (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), Ceronia (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Diala (British (tanker), 8106 GRT, built 1938), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), G.C. Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 9718 GRT, built 1930), Ganymedes (Dutch, 2682 GRT, built 1917), Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934), Hilda Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9178 GRT, built 1928), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), Lochkatrine (British, 9419 GRT, built 1922), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Novelist (British, 6133 GRT, built 1940), Oakworth (British), 4968 GRT, built 1925), Peder Bogen (British (tanker), 9741 GRT, built 1925), Ranella (Norwegian (tanker), 5590 GRT, built 1912), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Sheaf Holme (British, 4814 GRT, built 1929), Socony (British (tanker), 4404 GRT, built 1936), Storaas (Norwegian (tanker), 7886 GRT, built 1929), Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927), Treworlas (British, 4692 GRT, built 1922) and Vigrid (British, 4765 GRT, built 1923).

Also part of the convoy was the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Darkdale (8145 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

At 1240Q/24, in approximate position 40°00'N, 58°00'W, the merchant vessel Oakworth was ordered to proceed to Halifax as she had developed a serious leak in no.1 hold. She arrived at Halifax on 26 January 1941.

The merchant vessel Treworlas arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland on 30 January 1941 with weather damage. She had most likely detached from the convoy on 27 or 28 January 1941 after the convoy had encountered heavy weather. The Ranella also straggled from the convoy but joined convoy SC 20 and continued her passage to the U.K.

Around 0900N/31, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1330N/3, HMS King George V parted company with the convoy.

At 1900N/3, in approximate position 61°05'N, 24°00'W, the tanker Athelempress was detached to Reykjavik, Iceland where she arrived on 5 February.

At 0815N/4, in position 61°17'N, 21°20'W, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy.

Around 1330A/4, in position 61°17'N, 20°14'W, the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) joined. The remainder of the A/S escort did not join the convoy as intended due to the poor visibility.

Around 0840A/5, in position 61°22'N, 14°50'W, the remainder of the A/S escort, made up of the destroyers HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Lincoln (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.Cdr. A. Johnson, RNVR) joined.

On 7 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Loch Ewe; Aalsum, Athelviking, Athelviscount, British Venture, Ganymedes, Moorby, San Delfino, Socony and Vigrid. HMS Havelock also arrived at Loch Ewe on 7 February obviously having escorted the Loch Ewe section of the convoy to that place.

On 7 February 1941, the Toorak arrived at Scapa Flow.

On 8 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; G.C. Brovig, Hilda Knudsen, Storaas and Suderholm. Also HMS Sabre arrived at Greenock on 8 February possibly having escorted the Clyde section.

On 8 February 1941, the Darkdale arrived in Belfast Lough.

On 9 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Atlantian, British Resource, Ceronia, Clausina, Delphinula, Explorer, Lochkatrine, Novelist, Peder Bogen, San Ambrosio, San Ernesto and Sheaf Holme. Also HMS Hesperus arrived at Liverpool on this day.

On 9 February 1941, the Inverilen arrived at Holyhead.

On 9 February 1941, the Davila arrived at Milford Haven.

On 9 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in Barry Roads; Diala, Grena, Regent Panther. They had been escorted there by the A/S trawler HMS Leeds United (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Williams, RNVR) which then returned to Milford Haven arriving on the 10th.

The remaining escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows; HMS Clarkia (arrived at Londonderry on 7 February 1941), HMS Lincoln (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941), HMS Shikari (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941), HMS Northern Wave (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941), HMS Wellard (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941) and HMS Gladiolus (arrived at Londonderry on 10 February 1941). (39)

11 Feb 1941
Around 1130Q/11, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (40)

13 Feb 1941
Around 1130Q/13, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (40)

16 Feb 1941
Around 0800Q/16, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (40)

17 Feb 1941

Convoy BHX 110.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 17 Febraury 1941.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelcrown (British (tanker), 11999 GRT, built 1929), Athelnight (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1930), Baron Elphinstone (British, 4635 GRT, built 1937), Bente Maersk (British (tanker), 5772 GRT, built 1928), Brasil (Norwegian (tanker), 8130 GRT, built 1935), British Fusilier (British (tanker), 6943 GRT, built 1923), City of Oxford (British, 2759 GRT, built 1926), Clavella (British (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), El Grillo (British (tanker), 7264 GRT, built 1922), Elusa (Dutch (tanker), 6235 GRT, built 1936), F.J. Wolfe (British (tanker), 12190 GRT, built 1932), Ferncourt (British (tanker), 9918 GRT, built 1938), Hindustan (British, 5245 GRT, built 1940), Holmside (British, 3433 GRT, built 1930), Juno (Dutch, 1753 GRT, built 1908), Koenjit (Dutch, 4551 GRT, built 1929), Lavington Court (British, 5372 GRT, built 1940), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920), Trader (British, 6087 GRT, built 1940) and Vimeira (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

During the night of 17/18 February 1941, the City of Oxford straggled from the convoy. She arrived at Halifax on 24 February 1941.

During the night of 18/19 February 1941, the Holmside became separated from the convoy in bad weather. This ship arrived at Liverpool on 11 March 1941.

Around 1730P/23, in position 43°31'N, 48°03'W, convoy BHX 110, coming merged with convoy HX 110 coming from Halifax.

HMS Alaunia did not join convoy HX 110 but set course to proceed to Halifax. (41)

25 Feb 1941
Around 1615Q/25, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (40)

5 Mar 1941

Convoy HX 113.

[Our info on this convoy is incomplete due to a blurred photograph of the Commodore's convoy form. We hope to take a new photograph of this form in early 2025 during a trip to the National Archives at Kew, London.]

This convoy departed Halifax on 5 March 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), () and ().

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Bittersweet (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Woods, RCNR) and HMCS Fennel (Lt. J.N. Smith, RCNR).

(42)

17 Mar 1941
Around 0830Z/17, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from convoy escort duty. (43)

18 Mar 1941
Around 1630Z/18, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Hvalfjord for the Northern Patrol. She was to patrol in the Denmark Strait. (43)

29 Mar 1941
Around 1100Z/29, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol.

Around 1800Z/29, after having fuelled from the tanker Athelempress (British, 8941 GRT, built 1930) she departed Hvalfjord for Halifax. (43)

5 Apr 1941
Around 0715Q/5, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Hvalfjord. (44)

7 Apr 1941
Around 0845Q/7, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (44)

10 Apr 1941
Around 1000Q/10, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (44)

16 Apr 1941
Around 1015Q/16, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Bermuda for Halifax. (44)

18 Apr 1941
Around 1615Q/18, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Bermuda. (44)

20 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 122.

This convoy departed Halifax on 20 April 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antigone (British, 4545 GRT, built 1928), Athelregent (British (tanker), 8881 GRT, built 1930), Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930), Brant County (Norwegian, 5001 GRT, built 1915), Capira (Panamanian, 5625 GRT, built 1920), Empire Cheetah (British, 5673 GRT, built 1918), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Empire Hail (British, 7005 GRT, built 1941), Empire Silver (British, 8602 GRT, built 1941), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), Inversuir (British, 9456 GRT, built 1938), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Michalis (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1919), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Saganaga (British, 5454 GRT, built 1935), Saint Gobain (Swedish (tanker), 9959 GRT, built 1936), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Sama (Norwegian, 1799 GRT, built 1937), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), Stiklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938), Strinda (Norwegian (tanker), 10973 GRT, built 1937), Strix (Norwegian (tanker), 6219 GRT, built 1930), Sveve (Norwegian (tanker), 6313 GRT, built 1930), Tortuguero (British, 5285 GRT, built 1921), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920) and Yselhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR).

On departure from Halifax thick fog was encountered and it is not (currently) known to us when the two Canadian corvettes were detached to return to Halifax but most likely this was the next day.

Around 1030Q/22, in position 42°48'N, 56°30'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1930Q/23, in position 42°19'N, 50°38'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1700P/25, in position 45°20'N, 44°45'W, the Empire Hail parted company with the convoy to proceed to St. John's, Newfoundland due to engine trouble.

Around 1315O/30, The battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) was sighted. They were sighted again several times on 1 and 2 May 1941. These ships were to provide additional cover in this area for convoys SC 29 and HX 122. On 3 May 1941, these ships returned to Iceland (Reykjavik / Hvalfjord).

Around 0700O/1, in approximate position 58°48'N, 34°11'W, the destroyer HMS Bulldog (Cdr. A.J.B. Cresswell, RN), corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Daneman (Lt. A.H. Ballard, RNR) and HMS St. Apollo (T/Lt. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).

Around 0850O/1, additional escorts had joined, these were the destroyer HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and corvettes HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR).

Around 0735O/2, in approximate position 60°48'N, 30°36'W, the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0730N/3, in approximate position 62°30'N, 25°22'W, HMS Chesterfield parted company.

Around 1830N/3, in approximate position 62°27'N, 22°10'W, the merchant vessels Diana (British (former Danish), 942 GRT, built 1911) and Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938) joined the convoy coming from Iceland.

Around 0500Z/4, in aproximate position 62°25'N, 19°36'W, the Sveve parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland. She took HMS St. Apollo and HMS Daneman with her as escorts.

Around 0600Z/4, in aproximate position 62°27'N, 19°00'W, the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1045Z/4, in aproximate position 62°29'N, 17°48'W, the destroyer Walker joined the convoy.

Around 1130Z/4, in position 62°28'N, 17°50'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to proceed to Iceland (Hvalfjord) escorted by HMS Amazon and HMS Broadway.

By 1330Z/4, more escort vessels had joined the convoy at intervals, these were the destroyers HMS Chesterfield (which had returned after having fuelled at Hvalfjord), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR).

HMS Bulldog, HMS Aubretia, HMS Hollyhock and HMS Nigella then parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord.

Around 2100Z/5, in approximate position 59°45'N, 10°00'W, the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1430B/6, in approximate position 58°38'N, 06°22'W, the Diana parted company for Scrabster. She took HMS Picotee with her as escort.

Around the same time also HMS Electra and HMS Escapade parted company to join convoy SC 29.

Around 1830B/6, in approximate position 58°03'N, 05°59'W, the Loch Ewe section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the Antigone, Bornholm, Empire Silver, Saganaga and Tortuguero. HMS Walker went with them as escort.

Around 1430B/7, in approximate position 55°35'N, 07°00'W, Candytuft, Honeysuckle and Hydrangea parted company to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 1945B/7, in approximate position 55°09'N, 05°49'W, the Athelregent, Ronan and Strinda parted company to proceed to the Clyde. They took HMS Chesterfield with them as escort.

Around 2020B/7, in approximate position 55°05'N, 05°44'W, the Michalis parted company to proceed to Belfast.

Around 0515B/8, the Bristol Channel section parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Brant County, Empire Cheetah, G.S. Walden, James J. Maguire, Moorby, Saint Gobain, Sama, Sticklestad, Strix and Torvanger.

The remaining ships made up the Liverpool section which proceeded to Moelfre Bay where they anchored for the night before proceeding to their destination.

HMS Ramsey subsequently proceeded to Greenock. (45)

5 May 1941
Around 0630Z/5, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from convoy escort duty.

Around 2330Z/5, after having fuelled from the tanker Athelempress (British, 8941 GRT, built 1930), HMS Alaunia departed Hvalfjord for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the north of Iceland just east of the Denmark Strait. (46)

14 May 1941
Around 0545Z/14, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol.

She then left Hvalfjord around 1800Z/14 for Halifax. (46)

22 May 1941
Around 0800P/22, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Hvalfjord. (46)

24 May 1941
Around 2345P/24, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (46)

27 May 1941
Around 0645Q/27, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (46)

30 May 1941

Convoy BHX 130.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 30 May 1941.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), British Courage (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1928), British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Donax (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Laurits Swenson (Norwegian, 5725 GRT, built 1930), Narragansett (British (tanker) 10389 GRT, built 1936), Nyholt (Norwegian (tanker), 8087 GRT, built 1931), Refast (British (tanker) 5189 GRT, built 1914), Samuel Bakke (Norwegian, 4719 GRT, built 1929), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939) and Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

Around 2135Q/30, when in position 32.50'N, 64.00'W, HMS Alaunia sighted a darkened tanker which subsequently collided with the D.L. Harper. Due to the damage sustained the D.L. Harper was ordered to proceed to Halifax where she arrived on 3 June 1941.

Around 1050P/4, the San Ernesto was detached to Halifax due to a broken piston. She arrived at Halifax on 7 June 1941.

Around 0900P/5, convoy BHX 130 merged with the convoy HX 130 coming from Halifax. HMS Alaunia then parted company to proceed to Halifax. (47)

7 Jun 1941
Around 0900P/7, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (48)

8 Jun 1941
Around 1700P/8, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Halifax for Boston, USA, where she is to be taken in hand for refit. (48)

9 Jun 1941
Around 2240Q/9, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at the Boston Navy Yard from Halifax.

She completed de-ammunitioning at the Navy Yard the following day after which she proceeded to the Bethlehem Atlantic Works shipsyard at East Boston where she was taken in hand for refit. (48)

19 Jul 1941
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Boston Navy Yard. (49)

4 Aug 1941
HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) is undocked. (50)

19 Aug 1941
With the first part of her refit completed, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Boston around 2030Q/19 for Halifax.

HMS Alaunia was to complete her refit in the U.K. which would also include work to make her fit for operations in tropical waters as it was the intention to send her to the East Indies Station on completion of the refit. (50)

21 Aug 1941
Around 0715P/21, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Halifax from Boston. (50)

4 Sep 1941

Convoy HX 148.

This convoy departed Halifax on 4 September 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Acavus (British (tanker), 8010 GRT, built 1935), Anglo-Indian (British, 5609 GRT, built 1938), Ardenvohr (British, 5025 GRT, built 1940), Argos Hill (British, 7178 GRT, built 1939), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), () and ().

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes

16 Feb 1942

Convoy WS 16.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 16 February 1942.

The convoy was made up of the troopships / transports; Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936), Bergensfjord (British, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Brisbane Star (British, 12791 GRT, built 1937), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, built 1923), Delftdijk (Dutch, 10220 GRT, built 1929), Denbighshire (British, 8983 GRT, built 1938), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Port Jackson (British, 9687 GRT, built 1937), Potaro (British, 5410 GRT, built 1940), Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

The Straithaid was unable to sail with the convoy and joined at sea on 21 February 1942.

On departure from the Clyde the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. C. Coppinger, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, CB, RN), aircraft carriers HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), HMS Eagle (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walters, DSC, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt. R. Horncastle, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSC, RN) and HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Hayes, DSO, RN).

Between 1300Z/18 and 1500Z/18 the transports City of Edinburgh, City of Lincoln and Potaro reported that their cargo had shifted. The Potaro was able to continue but was ordered to proceed to Freetown independently. The other two ships had to return to the U.K.

At 0920Z/20 the destroyer HMS Anthony left the convoy to proceed to the Azores with condensor trouble.

At 1800Z/20 HMS Panther was detached to fuel at the Azores and then rejoin the convoy.

At 1300Z/21 the light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) and destroyer HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.D. Pugsley, RN) joined the convoy. They had the troopship Strathaird with them. They had departed from the Clyde on 18 February 1942.

At 0800Z/21 HMS Croome was detached to Gibraltar.

At 1530Z/21 HMS Malaya, HMS Eagle, HMS Hermione, HMS Laforey, HMS Lightning, HMS Duncan, HMS Active and HMS Blankney were detached to Gibraltar.

At 1600Z/21 HMS Paladin was detached to the Azores to refuel after which she was to rejoin the convoy.

At 1800Z/21 HMS Firedrake was detached. She was to return to the U.K independently.

At 1800Z/22 HMS Verity, HMS Walker and HMS Witherington were detached to the Azores where they were to fuel after which they were to proceed to Halifax.

At 1600Z/23 HMS Paladin rejoined the convoy. HMS Panther had sailed from the Azores before her but apparently she was unable to find the convoy. Eventually she joined in the evening.

At 0905Z/26 the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) joined the convoy coming from Bathurst.

The convoy arrived safely at Freetown in the morning of 1 March 1942 escorted by HMS Formidable, HMS Newcastle, HMS Paladin, HMS Panther, HMS Boreas, HMS Brilliant and HMS Wild Swan.

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The same ships departed Freetown on 6 March 1942 for South Africa.

Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Newcastle, destroyers Brilliant, Wild Swan, sloop HMS Bridgewater (A/Cdr.(Retd.) H.F.G. Leftwich, RN) and the corvettes HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. L.J. Simpson, RNR).

Before deparure of the convoy HMS Newcastle conducted gunnery exercises and the A/S escorts conducted an A/S sweep off Freetown returning to meet the convoy off the boom.

At 2100Z/6, HMS Nigella was detached due to engine trouble. After repairs she was to proceed to St. Helena to fuel.

In the morning of 8 March 1942 HMS Newcastle attempted to fuel HMS Bridgewater but owning to the swell this was not possible.

At 0930Z/8, in position 01°46'N, 17°52'W, HMS Brilliant and HMS Wild Swan were detached to return to Freetown.

On 9 March 1942 further attempts were made to fuel HMS Bridgewater and some fuel was transferred.

In the afternoon of 12 March 1942 HMS Newcastle was able to fully fuel HMS Bridgewater. After dark, at 1930Z/12, HMS Jasmine was detached in position 15°44'S, 04°27'W to fuel at St. Helena.

At 1600Z/17, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunnottar Castle (Capt.(Retd.) C.T.A. Bunbury, RN) and the sloop HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN) joined the convoy in position 33°13'S, 16°06'E. These ships had departed Capetown at 0520Z/17. Shortly afterwards, the Capetown section, made up of; Bergensfjord, Brisbane Star, Delftdijk, Denbighshire, Nea Hellas, Port Jackson, Potaro, Sibajak, escorted by HMS Newcastle and HMS Milford splít off. The Capetown section arrived there around 0900Z/18. HMS Milford split off shortly before the convoy arrived and proceeded to Simonstown arriving there at 1410Z/18.

The Durban section, made up of the Awatea, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Dutchess of York, Empire Pride, Monarch of Bermuda, Mooltan, Ormonde, Strathaird, Stratheden and Volendam continued on now escorted by HMS Dunnotar Castle and HMS Bridgewater.

At 0400Z/18, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cheshire (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Begg, RN) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (T/Lt. R.A. Cherry, RNR) and HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) joined the Durban section of the convoy in position 34°55'S, 18°08'E. They had departed Capetown at 1715Z/17.

At 0630Z/18, in position 35°19'S, 18°55'E, HMS Bridgewater parted company to proceed to Simonstown where she arrived at 1156Z/18.

At 1300A/18, in position 35°57'S, 19°36'E, HMS Freesia and HMS Fritillary parted company. They arrived at Capetown at 0620Z/19.

The Durban section of the convoy arrived off Durban at 0800Z/21. The transports then entered harbour. HMS Cheshire and HMS Dunnotar Castle did not enter the harbour but set course to return to Capetown.

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The sloop HMS Milford departed Simonstown at 0500Z on 22 March 1942 to make rendezvous with the Capetown position of the convoy in Table Bay at 1000Z/22.

On departure the convoy was also briefly escorted by HMS Jasmine and HMS Fritillary. These corvettes returned to Capetown at 1150Z/22.

At 0800Z/22, HMS Newcastle departed from Simonstown to make rendezvous with the Capetown section of the convoy.

At 1330Z/25, the Capetown section made rendezvous in position 33°30'S, 31°22'E with the Durban section of the convoy, now made up of the Awatea, Duchess of Richmond, Duchess of York, Empire Pride, Stratheden and Volendam, which had departed Durban at 1000Z/25 escorted by the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. J.W. Cuthbert, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN). HMS Milford by that time was no longer with the convoy as she arrived at Simonstown at 1300Z/26. HMS Newcastle parted company with the convoy at 2200Z/25 in position 30°03'S, 33°08'E and proceeded to Durban for repairs arriving there at 0548Z/26.

At 0245Z on 1 April 1942 the light cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) and armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) E.N. Kershaw, RN) joined in position 01°38'S, 44°52'E.

At 1800Z/2, HMS Colombo split off in position 04°49'N, 50°00'E with the Aden section of the convoy which was made up of the Bergensfjord, Nea Hellas and Volendam. This section of the convoy was dispersed off Aden on 6 April 1942.

The remainder of the convoy continued on to Bombay escorted by HMS Alaunia and HMS HMS Worcestershire. It arrived at Bombay on 8 April 1942. (51)

10 Mar 1942

Convoy KR 1.

This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 10 March 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transport; Elisabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Empire Egret (British, 7169 GRT, built 1939), Empire Fulmar (British, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922), Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926), Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920), Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) and Shirala (British, 7841 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Kilindini / Mombasa the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) E.N. Kershaw, RN).

Around 0210D/17, the Narkunda parted company to proceed independently to Bombay where she arrived on the 19th. She had been joined on the 18th by the sloop Falmouth.

Around 0730EF/18, rendezvous was made with the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and the (troop) transport Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929).

HMS Alaunia then took over the escort of the Staffordshire and thus parted company with the convoy. HMS Caladon, HMS Marguerite and HMS Verbena then joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Colombo on 20 March 1942. (52)

15 Mar 1942
Around 1330F/15, HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for escort duty.

The following evening she joined the (troop) transport Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) and the corvettes HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR) and HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) which had departed Colombo earlier on the 16th.

Around 0730EF/18, rendezvous was made with convoy KR 1. HMS Colombo, HMS Marguerite and HMS Verbena then took over the escort of this convoy while the original escort of the convoy, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) E.N. Kershaw, RN) took over the escort of the Staffordshire.

[For more info on convoy KR 1 see the event ' Convoy KR 1 ' for 10 March 1942.] (53)

31 Mar 1942
Around 0600C/31, the light cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) and armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) E.N. Kershaw, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to join convoy WS 16.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 16 ' for 16 February 1942.] (54)

24 Apr 1942
Around 0800F/24, Force A departed Colombo. Force A was made up of; the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), aircraft carriers HMS Indomitable (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN), light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C.A. Annesley, DSO, RN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Cdr. E.J. van Holte, RNN) and the destroyers HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.D. Pugsley, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN). The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) E.N. Kershaw, RN) also sailed with 'Force A'. She had on board many staff personnel that she was to take to Kilindini where the HQ of the Eastern Fleet was going to be based for the moment.

Aircraft of the carriers had to be flown on during the day but bad weather conditions prevented this and it had to be postponed. HMS Alaunia was therefore sent ahead escorted by HMS Emerald. They rejoined 'Force A' on 27 April.

At 1810F/26 HMS Indomitable escorted by HMS Paladin and HMS Panther were detached to fuel in the Seychelles and then proceed on other duties. (52)

16 Apr 1943

Combined convoy WS 29 / KMS 13.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 16 April 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 29 and KMS 13 at sea on 20 April 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936), Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938), Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, built 1923), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Dunnottar Castle (British, 15007 GRT, built 1936), Empire Kamal (British, 7862 GRT, built 1938), Empire Prime (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Gloucester (British, 8532 GRT, built 1941), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Índrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Pardo (British, 5400 GRT, built 1940), Silverwalnut (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929), Straat Malakka (Dutch, 6439 GRT, built 1939) and Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921).

When the convoy was formed up off Oversay the escort for the combined convoy was made up of the light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Venomous (Lt. H.D. Durell, RN), escort destroyer HMS Lauderdale (Lt. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), sloops HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), cutters HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and the frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN) and HMS Ness (A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, DSC, RN).

Around 1530B/18, the light (AA) cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) joined the convoy having sailed from Plymouth around 1415B/17. She parted company with the convoy after dark on the 20th.

Around 1600A/20, HMS Rapid parted company with the convoy to fuel at Casablanca.

Around 2100A/20, the Nea Hellas parted company to proceed to New York unescorted. Also around the same time HMS Charybdis parted company to proceed to Gibraltar where she arrived the following day.

Around 1030A/21, the destroyer HMS Malcolm (Cdr. J.M. Money, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) joined coming from Casablanca. The combined convoy then split up.

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Convoy KMF 13, made up of the Banfora, Boissevai, Cuba, Duchess of York, Dunnottar Castle, Empire Pride, Franconia, Indrapoera, Nieuw Holland, Ormonde and Staffordshire escorted by HMS Weston, HMS Wellington, HMS Gorleston, HMS Totland, HMS Exe and HMS Ness set course to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar. All the merchant vessels were to proceed to Algiers, except the Dunnottar Castle which was to proceed to Gibraltar and the Boissevain and Nieuw Holland which were to proceed to Oran.

On 22 April the escort destroyer HMS Atherstone (Lt. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Holcombe (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN) joined the convoy off Gibraltar.

Also the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Algiers on 23 April 1943.

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Convoy WS 29, made up of the Athlone Castle, City of Edinburgh, Empire Kamal, Gloucester, Highland Brigade, Highland Monarch, Highland Princess, Orion, Pardo, Silverwalnut, Straat Malakka and Troilus escorted by HMS Newcastle, HMS Venomous, HMS Malcolm, HMS Witch, HMS Wolverine and HMS Lauderdale.

At 2020A/21, HMS Rapid rejoined from fuelling at Casablanca. HMS Venomous and HMS Lauderdale were then detached to proceed to Gibraltar.

On 24 April the Gloucester was detached.

On 26 April the transport China Mail (American, 8616 GRT, built 1942) joined coming from Dakar.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 28 April 1943.

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Convoy WS 29 departed Freetown for South Africa on 5 May 1943, it was now made up of the transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924), Athlone Castle, City of Edinburgh, Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1935), Empire Kamal, Highland Brigade, Highland Monarch, Highland Princess, Orion, Pardo, Silverwalnut, Straat Malakka and Troilus.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Newcastle, destroyers HMS Rapid, HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Malcolm, HMS Witch, HMS Wolverine and HMS Lewes (Lt.Cdr. M.V. Thorburn, DSC, RNVR) and the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza.

At 0930Z/6, Savorgnan de Brazza was detached.

At 1800Z/7, the City of Edinburgh, Highland Princess and Troilus split off from the convoy to proceed to Takoradi. The destroyers HMS Boreas and HMS Witch were their escorts.

At 2359B/11, HMS Rapid, HMS Malcolm and HMS Wolverine, were detached at 2359B/11 to Pointe Noire.

At 0700B/12, the destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) and HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN) joined coming from Pointe Noire.

In the afternoon of the 12th HMS Lewes fuelled from HMS Newcastle.

HMS Lewes was again fuelled by HMS Newcastle in the afternoon of the 14th.

In the afternoon of the 15th, HMS Relentless fuelled from HMS Newcastle.

On the 16th the Capetown section of the convoy split off, it was made up of the Almanzora, Athlone Castle, Empire Kamal, Pardo and Silverwalnut. They were escorted by HMS Newcastle, HMS Rotherham and HMS Lewes. They arrived at Capetown on the 17th. HMS Lewes then proceeded to Simonstown arriving there on the 18th.

The remaining ships, Aorangi, Clan Lamont, Highland Brigade, Highland Monarch, Orion and Straat Malakka made up the Durban section. They were escorted by HMS Racehorse, HMS Relentless and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN). This last destroyer having joined on the 16th coming from Salanha Bay. HMS Racehorse and HMS Relentless were relieved on the 18th by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) which had departed Simonstown at 0815B/18. HMS Racehorse and HMS Relentless then proceeded to Capetown arriving later on the 18th. The Durban section of the convoy arrived there on 21 May 1943.

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On 22 May 1943, the Capetown section of convoy WS 29 departed there, it was now made up of the following transports; Alcoa Pioneer, (American, 6761 GRT, built 1941), Almanzora, Athlone Castle, Empire Kamal, Llanstephan Castle (British, 11348 GRT, built 1914), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Pardo and Silverwalnut. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Racehorse, HMS Relentless and HMS Rotherham.

On 25 May 1943, HMS Racehorse arrived at Durban to fuel.

On 25 May 1943, the Durban section of the convoy departed there, it was now made up of the following transports; Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Clan Lamont, Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937), Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938), Straat Malakka, Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935). They were escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman, HMS Quadrant, HMS Racehorse and HMS Redoubt. The Silverwalnut had to return to Durban due to defects.

The Capetown and the Durban section made rendezvous on 26 May and then merged minus the transports Empire Kamal and Llanstephan Castle which proceeded to Durban escorted by HMS Relentless and HMS Rotherham. They arrived at Durban on 26 May 1943. HMS Racehorse joined the three destroyers that came with the Durban section.

Around 1700C/27, the convoy was joined by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) which had departed Durban at 1645C/26 to overtake the convoy.

At 1650C/28, HMAS Norman parted company with the convoy.

At 2359C/28, HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt parted company.

At 1100C/29, HMS Racehorse parted company.

At 0810D/2, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) joined the convoy.

At 1300D/2, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini where she arrived around 1700C/4.

At 0800D/3, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR) joined the convoy.

At 1230D/5, the convoy was split up in the Aden section and the Bombay section.

The Aden section was made up of; Alcoa Pioneer, Bergensfjord, Clan Lamond, Leopoldville, Pardo, Ruys and Selandia. It was escorted by HMS Chitral and arrived at Aden on 8 June 1943.

The Bombay section was made up of; Almanzora, Athlone Castle, Orbita, Straat Malakka, Strathaird and Strathmore. It was escorted by HMS Alaunia and arrived at Bombay on 10 June 1943, minus the Straat Malakka which had been detached on 9 June 1943 for Karachi where she also arrived on 10 June 1943.

19 May 1943

Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 19 May 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 30 and KMS 15 at sea on 25 May 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), Brisbane Star (British, 12791 GRT, built 1937), Deseado (British, 9641 GRT, built 1942), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), H.F. Alexander (American, 8357 GRT, built 1915), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Siboney (American, 6938 GRT, built 1918), Sloterdijk (Dutch, 9230 GRT, built 1940), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) and Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936).

The landing ships HMS Royal Scotsman (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Armstrong, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Royal Ulsterman (Lt.Cdr. W.R.K. Clark, DSC, RD RNR) were also part of the convoy.

On formation off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), escort destroyers HMS Cleveland (Lt. J.K. Hamilton, RN), ORP Slazak (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) R. Nalecz-Tyminski), sloops HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), Cutters HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and the frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN) and HMS Ness (A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, DSC, RN).

The destroyer HMS Sardonyx apparently parted company on 20 May.

HMS Cleveland fuelled from HMS Suffolk during the morning of 21 May.

At 1130Z/23, HMS Active sighted a surfaced submarine in position 42°16'N, 15°40'W at a range of about 6000 yards. Shortly afterwards HMS Ness also sighted this submarine. Both ships rushed towards to attack and the submarine was seen to crash dive. When the range was down to 2900 yards HMS Active obtained contact on the target with her Asdic. At 1143Z/23, HMS Active dropped a pattern of ten depth charges set at 150 and 300 feet. At 1150Z/23, HMS Ness dropped ten depth charges (150 and 300 feet). At 1158Z/23, HMS Active came back for another pattern of ten depth charges (350 and 550 feet). At 1212Z/23, HMS Ness dropped ten depth charges (350 and 550 feet). A double explosion was then heard by the two escorts. At 1223Z/23, HMS Active dropped ten depth charges (350 and 550 feet). At 1240Z/23, a small amount of wood and cork wreckage came to the surface as well as life-jackets, coffee tins marked 'Napoli' and a pair of fresh human lungs. At 1305Z/23, HMS Ness dropped a final pattern of ten depth charges (500, 550 and 700 feet). It is believed that the Italian submarine Leonardo Da Vinci was sunk in this attack. The most succesful Italian submarine of the Second World War disappeared with all hands. Nine officers and fifty-four ratings perished.

At 0630Z/24, the transports Brisbane Star and Deseado were detached from the convoy.

Around 1530Z/24 a German Focke Wulf aircraft attacked and dropped some bombs near HMS Unicorn but no damage was done.

At 1040Z/25 the convoy split up. All escorts proceeded with convoy KMF 15 except for HMS Suffolk, HMS Corfu which went along with WS 30. Convoy KMF 15 was made up of the transports Arawa, Boissevain, Duchess of York, Franconia, Indrapoera, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Letitia, Ormonde, Samaria, Staffordshire and Stirling Castle. HMS Royal Scotsman and HMS Royal Ulsterman were also part of this convoy.

On the 26th, the transport Letitia proceeded to Gibraltar as did HMS Unicorn which had on board Beaufighter aircraft and aircraft spares besides two operational squadrons which she had been able to operate during the passage. The escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN) had come out to escort them in although HMS Haydon was later detached to proceed to the assistance of an aircraft that had crashed into the sea. HMS Active, HMS Cleveland and ORP Slazak also put into Gibraltar.

The transports Staffordshire and Stirling Castle were detached and arrived at Oran on 26 May.

The remainder of convoy KMF 15 arrived at Algiers on 27 May.

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Convoy WS 30 continued on to Freetown and was made up of Argentina, Brisbane Star, Deseado, H.F. Alexander, Mataroa, Siboney and Sloterdijk. Their escort of HMS Suffolk and HMS Corfu was joined by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN) which all came from Gibraltar. HMS Boadicea also rejoined after fuelling at Casablanca.

In the morning of May 27th, HMS Antelope fuelled from HMS Suffolk.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 31 May 1943.

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On 3 June 1943 the convoy departed Freetown now made up of the transports Argentina, H.F. Alexander, Mataroa, Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Siboney and Sloterdijk.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk, armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Corfu, destroyers HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN), HMS Boardicea, HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick.

At 1500Z/6, the transport Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, 1923) and the destroyer HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) joined the convoy coming from Takoradi.

At 1950Z/6, HMS Corfu and HMS Boadicea parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi.

At 1445Z/9, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) joined the convoy coming from Pointe Noire.

At 1517Z/9, HMS Witch, HMS Wolverine and HMS Rapid parted company with the convoy to proceed to Pointe Noire.

Around 0730A/13, the transports Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941) and Santa Barbara (American, 6507 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy as did the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza which had been escorting them.

On 15 June 1943 the convoy arrived at Capetown. HMS Suffolk and HMS Carnarvon Castle then went on to Simonstown. In the approaches to Capetown the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) joined the escort as an enemy submarine had been reported to be operating in the area.

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On 16 June 1943, the convoy departed Capetown for Durban. It was now made up of the transports Argentina, Cuba, Exceller, Exiria (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), H.F. Alexander, Mataroa, Nieuw Holland, Santa Barbara, Siboney and Sloterdijk.

The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nizam, HMAS Norman, HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt.

On 18 June, the transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) joined the convoy presumebly coming from Port Elizabeth or East London.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 20 June.

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On 25 June 1943, the convoy departed Durban for Aden / Bombay, now made up of the transports Cuba, General Fleischer (Norwegian, 5138 GRT, built 1943), Karagola (British, 7053 GRT, built 1917), Nieuw Holland, Sagoland (American, 5334 GRT, built 1913), Santa Barbara and Sibajak.

The convoy was now escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (now commanded by Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) and HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN).

The armed mercant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) joined the convoy around 0900C/28 having departed Kilindini around 1745C/25.

Around 2000C/29, HMAS Norman parted company with the convoy to return to Durban via Tulear, Madagascar. HMS Rotherham and HMAS Quickmatch remained with the convoy for another 150 miles and then parted company to rejoin HMAS Norman and then proceed to Tulear.

Around 0900C/1, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR) joined the convoy having departed Kilindini around 1730C/29. HMS Canton then parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindi taking the transports Karagola and Sagoland with her. They arrived at Kilindini around 1200C/2.

At 0310C/3, the transport Santa Barbara was detached to proceed independently to Colombo.

At 1115C/4, the transports General Fleischer and Sibajak were detached to proceed independently to Aden.

The transports Cuba and Nieuw Holland arrived at Bombay and their escort, HMS Alaunia, around 1000FG/9.

23 Jun 1943
The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR), HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for exercises. They returned Kilindini on 25 June 1943. HMS Frobisher proceeded to Manza Bay instead. (55)

19 Feb 1944

Convoy JA 1.

This convoy departed Colombo on 19 January 1944.

It was made up of the troop transport Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN).

The convoy arrived at Aden on 26 February 1944.