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Notable events involving Circassia include:

The page with the wartime history of HMS Circassia was created in March 2023.

This page was last updated in April 2023.

19 Dec 1939
Around 1600Z/19, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) is commissioned at Glasgow. (1)

21 Dec 1939
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. (1)

23 Dec 1939
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (1)

24 Dec 1939
Around 1600Z/24, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Portsmouth. (1)

26 Dec 1939
Around 0930Z/26, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth from Greenock. (1)

8 Jan 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Portland. (2)

10 Jan 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland. (2)

12 Jan 1940
Around 2120Z/12, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Portland for the Clyde. (2)

14 Jan 1940
Around 1030Z/14, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Portland.

She departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol around 1700Z/14. She was ordered to patrol to the south of Iceland / west of the Faeroer Islands. (2)

3 Feb 1940
Around 1415B/3, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (3)

7 Feb 1940
Around 1400Z/7, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Iceland / Faeroer gap. (3)

8 Feb 1940
Around 2150Z/8, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia sighted a light and altered course to close. It was then seen to be a merchant vessel and this was ordered to stop but refused to do so and only did so at 2240Z/8 after three warning shots had been fired.

The merchant vessel identified herself as the Norwegian Solferino (2580 GRT, built 1919). She was to be sent to Kirkwall but as an enemy submarine was reported to be in the area she could not be boarded. HMS Circassia sent a signal for a destroyer to be sent over for this duty and at 0900Z/9, the Solferino was handed over to HMS Gurkha (Cdr. A.W. Buzzard, RN).

HMS Circassia then continued her patrol. (3)

13 Feb 1940
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde to make rendez-vous with HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) off the Northern Patrol to the south of Iceland / west of the Faroer Islands. (4)

16 Feb 1940
Between 1225 and 1306 hours, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), joined the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) on the northern patrol. (3)

24 Feb 1940
HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol but they were later diverted to proceed to the south of the Faroer Islands. They were to join HMS Gurkha (Cdr. A.W. Buzzard, RN) already operating in the area.

Later this day HMS Khartoum and HMS Kingston made rendez-vous with the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN). (4)

28 Feb 1940
Around 1920A/28, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (3)

29 Feb 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Glasgow. (3)

3 Mar 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. (5)

4 Mar 1940
Around 1600A/4, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Iceland / Faeroer gap. (5)

23 Mar 1940
Around 1045A/23, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. She proceeded to Glasgow later the same day. (5)

3 Apr 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. She departed for the Northern Patrol around 2000A/3. She was ordered to patrol in the Iceland / Faeroer gap. (6)

10 Apr 1940
Around 0700A/10, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (6)

12 Apr 1940
Around 1930A/12, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south of Iceland / west of the Faeroer Islands. (6)

3 May 1940
Around 1130A/3, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (7)

7 May 1940
Around 1430A/7, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south and east of Iceland. (7)

28 May 1940
Around 1200A/28, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (7)

1 Jun 1940
Around 1415A/1, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south of Iceland. (8)

9 Jun 1940
Around 1410A/9, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Reykjavik, Iceland from patrol. (8)

10 Jun 1940
Around 0115A/10, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Reykjavik, Iceland to resume her patrol. (8)

18 Jun 1940
Around 0800A/18, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Belfast from patrol.

She was now taken in hand for refit at the Harland & Wolff shipyard. (8)

20 Jun 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) is docked in the Thompson Graving Dock at Belfast. (8)

27 Jun 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) is undocked. (8)

19 Jul 1940
Around 0900A/19, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Belfast for Greenock where she arrived around 1640A/19. (9)

20 Jul 1940
Around 2130A/20, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol well to the south of Iceland. (9)

10 Aug 1940
Around 1030A/10, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (10)

13 Aug 1940
At 1630A/13, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar. She was escorted until 1025A/14 by the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Tartar (Capt. C. Caslon, RN). On their return to Scapa Flow the destroyers were to conduct an A/S sweep. They arrived back at Scapa Flow at 0630A/15.

At 1059A/15 Vice Admiral Somerville received a signal from the Admiralty timed 1031A/15 ordering him to patrol off Iceland. It was thought German ships might be leaving Norway in that direction but this later proved to be incorrect and HMS Renown was ordered to continue her passage to Gibraltar at 0102A/16.

At 2235A/16, HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), HMS Hotspur (Cdr. H.F.H. Layman, DSO, RN), HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN), HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with HMS Renown.

At 1615A/18, rendezvous was effected.

At 0215A/19, a shore broadcast was received stating that the merchant vessel Rowallan Castle (British, 7801 GRT, built 1939) was being shelled by a raider. The destroyer screen was ordered to return to Gibraltar whilst HMS Renown and HMS Ark Royal proceeded to go the aid of the Rowallan Castle. HMS Enterprise proceeded independently.

The raidar report later proved to be false as it had been the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) who had been shelling Rowallan Castle thinking it was an enemy ship. HMS Renown and HMS Ark Royal shaped course for Gibraltar at 1150A/19, earlier had not been possible as aircraft operating from Ark Royal first had to be recalled and landed on.

The destroyers meanwhile had arrived at Gibraltar to fuel and they departed from there again at 0215A/20 although it were not all the same destroyers that had been sent out earlier (see below), rejoining HMS Renown and HMS Ark Royal around 1100A/20.

HMS Renown, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hotspur, HMS Greyhound, HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Gallant, HMS Encounter and HMS Velox (Cdr.(Retd.) J.C. Colvill, RN) arrived at Gibraltar at 2000A/20. HMS Enterprise had already arrived in the morning.

Upon return to Gibraltar Vice-Admiral Wells struck his flag in HMS Ark Royal. (11)

14 Aug 1940
Around 1530A/14, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for patrol. She was ordered to patrol near Madeira / Canary Islands. (10)

18 Aug 1940
At 1908A/18, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN), in position 39°23'N, 21°33'W [position according to Italian sources], sighted a periscope and fired one round of 6" and two rounds of 3" at it causing some minor damage to the submarine which was the Italian Alessandro Malaspina. Also HMS Circassia dropped three depth charges. At 2004A/18, the submarine was seen on the surface and HMS Circassia turned towards and fired a round at it at 2009A/18 after which the submarine submerged. (10)

19 Aug 1940
At 0145A/19, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) sighted a darkened ship proceeding northwards. Circassia altered course towards and went to action stations. The ship was ordered to identify itself but no reply was received. Two warning shots were then fired which resulted in the unknown ship opening fire. At 0203A/19, Circassia opened fire and fired 36 rounds before fire was ceased and the unknown ship was again challenged and ordered to identify herself. The ship now replied and identified herself as the Rowallan Castle (British, 7801 GRT, built 1939). The transport had sustained some damage in the action but was able to continue to the U.K. (10)

4 Sep 1940
Around 1100A/4, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol.

She proceeded up river to Glasgow later the same day. (12)

6 Sep 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. (12)

11 Sep 1940
Around 1235A/11, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south-west of Iceland and in the Denmark Strait. (12)

4 Oct 1940
Around 1115A/4, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) returned to Greenock from patrol. (13)

9 Oct 1940
Around 1530A/9, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Atlantic. (13)

31 Oct 1940
Around 1230A/31, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) returned to Greenock from patrol. (13)

2 Nov 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Glasgow where she was taken in hand for repairs / piston cleaning. (14)

14 Nov 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. (13)

24 Nov 1940
Around 0300A/24, the armed merchant cruisers HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN), HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN), HMS Derbyshire (Capt.(Retd.) E.A.B. Stanley, DSO, RN) and HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt. J. Creswell, RN) departed Greenock for patrol. They first joined a convoy [possibly OB 248, to be researched further] for the first part of their passage to their patrol areas in the North Atlantic. (15)

20 Dec 1940
Around 0830A/20, HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibralter from patrol. She had been mainly patrolling near the Azores. on berthing at Gibraltar she struck the jetty with her starboard propellor damaging it. (16)

23 Dec 1940
HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN) enters a graving dock at Gibraltar. She was docked down the following day. (16)

28 Dec 1940
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN) is undocked.

Around 1800A/28, she departed Gibraltar for patrol the North Atlantic near Madeira. She was escorted out until 2359A/28 by the destroyer HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) which then returned to Gibraltar. (16)

22 Jan 1941
Around 1715A/22, HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (17)

26 Jan 1941
Around 1445A/26, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and HMS Wolfe (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.G.A. Shuttleworth, RN) departed Greenock for the Northern Patrol. They proceeded up the Minches and were joined near Cape Wrath by the destroyers HMS Charlestown (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN) and HMS St. Albans (Lt.Cdr. (Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN) around 1345A/27.

The destroyers remained in company until around 1225Z/28 when they set course to proceed to Port ZA (Loch Alsh) where they arrived on the 29th. (18)

5 Feb 1941
Around 1300N/5, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Reykjavik from patrol in the Denmark Strait. (19)

6 Feb 1941
Around 0900N/6, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Reykjavik for Liverpool. She was to pass trough the Minches southwards. (19)

10 Feb 1941
Around 0850A/10, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Liverpool where she was to refit. (19)

26 Feb 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is docked in the Brocklebank Graving Dock at Liverpool. (19)

10 Mar 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is undocked. (20)

18 Mar 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) conducted D/G trials off Liverpool. (20)

20 Mar 1941
Around 1515A/20, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Liverpool for Greenock where she arrived around 1015A/21. (20)

25 Mar 1941
Around 1530A/25, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Greenock with troops for Reykjavik. Before departure D/F calibration trials were carried out. (20)

26 Mar 1941
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) departed Scapa Flow for torpedo firing exercises.

On completion of the exercises HMAS Nestor proceeded eastwards to make rendezvous off Cape Wrath with HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) coming from Port ZA (Loch Alsh) and HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) coming from the Clyde.

Rendezvous was affected around 1500A/26 and course was set for Reykjavik, Iceland. The two destroyers escorting the armed merchant cruiser. (21)

28 Mar 1941
Around 1130N/28, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) arrived at Reykjavik.

The destroyers then fuelled at Hvalfjord before they departed again to join convoy HX 115 at sea which they did the following day.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 115 ' for 17 March 1941. Note, this event is not visible on the page of HMS Circassia.] (21)

29 Mar 1941
Around 0615N/29, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Reykjavik for patrol. She was to patrol in the Denmark Strait. (20)

11 Apr 1941
Around 1230Z/11, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol. (22)

12 Apr 1941
Around 1820Z/11, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Halifax. (22)

19 Apr 1941
Around 0900Q/19, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Halifax from Hvalfjord. (22)

30 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 124.

This convoy departed Halifax on 30 April 1941 for Liverpool where it arrived on 20 May 1941.

Upon departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships: Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Alchiba (British, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), Auditor (British, 5444 GRT, built 1924), Baron Ogilvy (British, 3391 GRT, built 1926), Barrington Court (British, 4910 GRT, built 1924), Beaconstreet (British (tanker), 7467 GRT, built 1927), Botavon (British, 5848 GRT, built 1912), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), British Fortune (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), British Industry (British (tanker), 4297 GRT, built 1927), British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940), Daytonian (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Echodale (British (tanker), 8150 GRT, built 1941), Empire Hawk (British, 5033 GRT, built 1919), Empire Steel (British (tanker), 8138 GRT, built 1941), Gitano (British, 3956 GRT, built 1921), Harmala (British, 5730 GRT, built 1935), King Lud (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kingswood (British, 5080 GRT, built 1929), Korsholm (Swedish, 2647 GRT, built 1925), Madrono (Norwegian (tanker), 5894 GRT, built 1917), Morska Wola (Polish, 3208 GRT, built 1924), Pacific Enterprise (British, 6736 GRT, built 1927), Pomella (British (tanker), 6766 GRT, built 1937), Queen City (British, 4814 GRT, built 1924), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917), Varand (British (tanker), 6023 GRT, built 1927), Vera Radcliffe (British, 5587 GRT, built 1925), Vivi (Norwegian (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1932) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR). The corvettes were detached later the same day.

On 2 May the convoy was joined by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN). She detached from the convoy on 9 May.

On 11 May the destroyer HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) and corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR) joined the convoy

On 12 May the destroyers HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), corvettes HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR), and A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR), HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR), HMS Notts County (T/S.Lt. R.H. Hampton, RNR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) joined the convoy.

Around 0600Z/13, the destroyers HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1715Z/14 the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr. (retired) D.F. White, RNR) joined the convoy.

The destroyers HMS Scimitar, HMS Malcolm, corvettes HMS Aubretia, HMS Heliotrope, HMS Hollyhock, HMS Mallow, HMS Nigella, HMS Verbena, HMS Veronica and all the A/S trawlers were detached on 14 May.

Around 1200Z/15, the tanker British Industry and the transport Trolla (Norwegian, 1598 GRT, built 1923) [from convoy SC-30] were detached to Reykjavik escorted by HMS Mallow and HMS Verbena.

HMS Circassia, HMS Watchman and HMS Burwell were detached around 1810Z/15 while on the same day the destroyers HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), escort destroyer HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN), minesweepers HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), HMS Niger (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bayley, DSC, RN), and catapult ship Ariguani joined the escort.

On 18 May the destroyer HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) joined the convoy. Also on this day HMS Leamington and HMS Anemone were detached.

On 19 May the destroyer HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) joined the escort.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 20 May 1941.

16 May 1941
Around 1230Z/16, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from convoy escort duty. She arrived with engine defects. (23)

19 May 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) proceeded from Hvalfjord to Reykjavik. (23)

20 May 1941
Around 0630Z/20, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Reykjavik for Halifax. (23)

27 May 1941
Around 1000P/27, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Halifax from Reykjavik. She had been damaged on 22 May by thick pack ice she had encountered in bad visibility. Repairs were estimated to take at least three weeks and she also required to be docked but no dock was available. (23)

19 Jun 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is docked at Halifax for repairs of the ice damage. (24)

1 Jul 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is undocked. (25)

6 Jul 1941

Convoy HX 137.

This convoy departed Halifax on 6 July 1941 for the U.K.

On departure from Halifax it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alchiba (Dutch, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Beaverhill (British, 10041 GRT, built 1928), Beechwood (British, 4987 GRT, built 1940), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), British Integrity (British (tanker), 8412 GRT, built 1927), Clairton (British, 6080 GRT, built 1919), Empire Guillemot (British, 5720 GRT, built 1919), Empire Summer (British, 6949 GRT, built 1941), Empire Woodcock (British, 5572 GRT, built 1918), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Heina (Norwegian, 4028 GRT, built 1925), Hjalmar Wessel (Norwegian, 1742 GRT, built 1935), King Arthur (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Lechistan (Polish, 1937 GRT, built 1929), Manchester Spinner (British, 4767 GRT, built 1918), Margartia Chandris (Greek, 5401 GRT, built 1920), Matiana (British, 9045 GRT, built 1922), Michalis (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1919), Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Mount Rhodope (Greek, 5182 GRT, built 1919), Nellie (Greek, 4826 GRT, built 1913), New Westminster City (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Nicoya (British, 5364 GRT, built 1929), Olympos (Greek, 5216 GRT, built 1918), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Pentridge Hill (British, 7579 GRT, built 1941), Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940), Port Caroline (British, 8263 GRT, built 1919), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Saint Gobain (Swedish (tanker), 9959 GRT, built 1936), Sandar (Norwegian (tanker), 7624 GRT, built 1928), Sourabaya (British (tanker / whale factory ship), 10107 GRT, built 1915), Taron (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936), Torfinjarl (Norwegian, 1481 GRT, built 1922), Tower Field (British, 4241 GRT, built 1935), Trehata (British, 4817 GRT, built 1928), Tyndareus (British, 11361 GRT, built 1916), Varand (British (tanker), 6023 GRT, built 1927) and Virgilia (British (tanker), 5723 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the corvettes HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR) and HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR).

During 7/8 July 1941, the corvettes HMCS Barrie (T/Lt. R.M. Mosher, RCNR) and HMCS Matapedia (T/Lt. R.J. Herman, RCNVR) were also with the convoy.

At 0617P/9, in thick fog, HMS Circassia struck the fishing schooner Andavaka in position 44°37'N, 52°31'W. The schooner quickly sank and 15 survivors were picked up, there were no casualties and no one was injured also HMS Circassia sustained no damage.

On 9 July 1941, the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN), HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN) and corvette HMS Honeysuckle (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RNR) joined the convoy coming from St. John's, Newfoundland.

On 10 July 1941, Convoy BHX 137 joined, which had departed Bermuda on 4 July 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelvictor (British (tanker), 8320 GRT, built 1941), Baron Dechmont (British, 3675 GRT, built 1929), Baron Douglas (British, 3899 GRT, built 1932), British Fortitude (British (tanker), 8482 GRT, built 1937), British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), City of Leicester (British, 3351 GRT, built 1926), City of Marseilles (British, 8317 GRT, built 1913), Collegian (British, 7886 GRT, built 1923), Diloma (British (tanker), 8146 GRT, built 1939), Empire Hawk (British, 5033 GRT, built 1919), Gorjistan (British, 5888 GRT, built 1929), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Hammaren (Swedish, 3220 GRT, built 1930), Prins Willem III (Dutch, 1524 GRT, built 1939), Recorder (British, 5981 GRT, built 1930) and Siris (British, 5242 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Bermuda convoy BHX 137 had been escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cheshire (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Begg, RN) which was detached to Halifax after the convoys had joined company.

Around 0600N/17, the corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR) and the rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy.

Around 1920N/17, the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Cdr. A.J.B. Cresswell, RN) joined the convoy.

Also joining on the 17th was the destroyer HMS Georgetown (Lt. A.J.R. White, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Apollo (T/Lt. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).

Around 1955N/17, HMS Circassia, HMCS Saguenay, HMS Reading, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Dianthus, HMCS Snowberry and HMCS Spikenard parted company with the convoy to proceed to Iceland.

Later the destroyer ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) Z.I. Wojewodzki) and A/S trawler HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR) also joined. These ships had departed Scapa Flow on the 17 July and Stornoway on 15 July respectively.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 21 July 1941.

18 Jul 1941
Around 1035Z/18, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Reykjavick from convoy escort duty. (25)

20 Jul 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) proceeded from Reykjavik to Hvalfjord. (25)

21 Jul 1941

Convoy OB 349.

This convoy departed the U.K. on 21 July 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Anadara (British (tanker), 8009 GRT, built 1935), Athelsultan (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Baron Cawdor (British, 3638 GRT, built 1935), Benwood (Norwegian, 3931 GRT, built 1910), British Industry (British (tanker), 4297 GRT, built 1927), British Progress (British (tanker), 4581 GRT, built 1927), Bruarfoss (Icelandic, 1580 GRT, built 1927), Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910), Colytto (Dutch, 4408 GRT, built 1926), Cymbula (British (tanker), 8082 GRT, built 1938), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Eknaren (Swedish, 5243 GRT, built 1922), Empire Bronze (British, 8142 GRT, built 1940), Empire Lynx (British, 6379 GRT, 1917), Empire Plover (British, 6109 GRT, built 1920), Everleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930), Finlande (British, 1343 GRT, built 1937), G.S. Walden (American (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Gallia (Norwegian (tanker), 9974 GRT, built 1939), Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938), Glenpark (British, 5136 GRT, built 1939), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Hektoria (British, (whale factory ship / tanker), 13834 GRT, built 1899), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Kronprinsessan Margareta (Swedish, 3739 GRT, built 1914), La Pampa (British, 4149 GRT, built 1938), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Leda (British, 4115 GRT, built 1910), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Lerwick (British, 5626 GRT, built 1938), Leto (Dutch, 4712 GRT, built 1929), Lise (Norwegian (tanker), 6826 GRT, built 1931), Nailsea Meadow (British, 4962 GRT, built 1937), Oakworth (British, 4968 GRT, built 1925), Otina (British (tanker), 6217 GRT, built 1938), Salando (Dutch, 5272 GRT, built 1920), Scottish Trader (British, 4016 GRT, built 1938), Thode Fagelund (Norwegian, 5757 GRT, built 1920), Tore Jarl (Norwegian, 1514 GRT, built 1920), Ulysses (Dutch, 2655 GRT, built 1918), Vav (Norwegian (tanker), 6415 GRT, built 1931), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and Vulcanus (British, 1819 GRT, built 1907).

On departure from the U.K. the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), FFS Alysse, HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR), and the A/S trawlers HMS Lady Elsa (T/Lt. S.G. Phillips, RNVR), HMS Northern Dawn (Lt. J.O. Williams, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt. S.F. Fell, RANVR). Destroyer HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.W. Falcon-Steward, RN) joined later [23th ?] coming from Aultbea / Loch Ewe.

On the 26/27th almost the entire original escort was detached to Iceland as were the merchant vessels Bruarfoss, Finlande and Leda. FFS Alysse remained with the convoy.

On the 26th/27th, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN), destroyers HMS Broadwater (Lt.Cdr. W.M.L. Astwood, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, RCN) and the corvettes HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. J.W. Bonner, RCNR) and HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR) joined.

The convoy was dispersed around dawn on 1 August 1941.

25 Jul 1941
Around 1015Z/25, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Hvalfjord to join convoy OB 349.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy OB 349 ' for 21 July 1941.] (25)

3 Aug 1941
Around 1515P/3, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (26)

9 Aug 1941
Around 1415P/9, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Halifax for Freetown. (26)

14 Aug 1941
Around 1515O/14, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) sighted an unidentified merchant vessel which turned out to be the Italian Stella (4266 GRT, built 1923) which was en-route to France coming from Recife. A prize crew was put on board the Italian vessel and she was taken to Bermuda. Position was 24°55'N, 40°23'W. HMS Circassia had been ordered to try to intercept this vessel. (27)

21 Aug 1941
Around 1930N/21, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Freetown from Halifax. (26)

27 Aug 1941
Around 1815N/27, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN), corvettes HMS Gardenia (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) and the (troop) transport Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914) departed Freetown.

Around 1130N/28, HMS Circassia parted company with the other ships and set course for Halifax.

The corvettes were to part company with the (troop) transport around dark the same day and then return to Freetown.

The Almanzora proceeded to the Clyde where she arrived on 9 September 1941. (27)

7 Sep 1941
Around 1400P/7, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Halifax from Freetown. (28)

27 Sep 1941
Around 1545P/27, the troop transport Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) departed Halifax for Trinidad. On board the Stratheden were 3200 military personnel for the Middle East. On departure from Halifax she was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN).

HMS Havelock parted company around 1900P/27 to return to Halifax. (29)

3 Oct 1941
Around 0915Q/3, the troop transport Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from Halifax. (30)

5 Oct 1941
Around 0700Q/5, the troop transport Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Capetown.

Around 0950P/9, the escort of the troop transport was turned over, in position 00°11'N, 43°46'W, to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN). HMS Circassia then proceeded on patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the mid-Atlantic. (30)

22 Oct 1941
Around 0840Q/22, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from patrol. (31)

28 Oct 1941
Around 0900Q/28, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the sloop HrMs Van Kinsbergen (Cdr. C. Hellingman, RNN) departed Trinidad to patrol in the North Atlantic between latitudes 15°N and 20°N and longitudes 40°W and 50°W to search for enemy supply vessels. (32)

7 Nov 1941
Around 0700Q/7, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and HrMs Van Kinsbergen (Cdr. C. Hellingman, RNN) returned to Trinidad from patrol. They had sighted nothing of interest. (33)

9 Nov 1941
Around 0600Q/9, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Trinidad to proceed to Bermuda via the Sombrero Passage. (34)

13 Nov 1941
Around 1240Q/13, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Trinidad. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out. (35)

21 Nov 1941
During 21/22 November 1941, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) conducted exercises off Bermuda. These included gunnery and night exercises. (35)

23 Nov 1941
Around 0800Q/23, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Bermuda for patrol. She was to patrol between positions;
A) 35.00'N, 40.00'W,
B) 35.00'N, 39.00'W,
C) 33.00'N, 39.00'W and
D) 33.00'N, 38.00'W.
The object was to intercept Axis shipping working in conjunction with HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN), HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) and HMS Marsdale (A/Cdr. D.H.F. Armstrong, RD, RNR). (35)

29 Nov 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) left patrol to proceed to Halifax. (36)

3 Dec 1941
Around 1000Q/3, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Halifax from patrol. (37)

6 Dec 1941
Around 1445Q/6, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Halifax for patrol. She was ordered to patrol in an area between latitudes 05°N and 10°N and longitudes 40°W and 45°W to search for enemy supply vessels. (38)

13 Dec 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived in her patrol area. (36)

21 Dec 1941
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed her patrol area for Trinidad. (36)

24 Dec 1941
Around 0800Q/24, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Trinidad from patrol. (39)

3 Jan 1942
Around 1445Q/3, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Trinidad for Bermuda. (40)

7 Jan 1942
Around 1200Q/7, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Trinidad. (40)

15 Jan 1942
Around 0915Q/15, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) departed Bermuda to patrol in the mid-Atlantic. (40)

8 Feb 1942
Around 0830A/8, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Belfast from patrol. At Belfast she is to pay off and then refit to be returned to the trade. (41)

12 Feb 1942
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is docked in the Thompson Graving Dock at Belfast. (42)

21 Feb 1942
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is undocked. (42)

20 Mar 1942
HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) is decommissioned at Belfast. (43)