| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | V |
| Pennant | P 96 |
| Built by | Vickers Armstrong (Newcastle-on-Tyne, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 21 May 1942 |
| Laid down | 30 Mar 1943 |
| Launched | 20 Jun 1944 |
| Commissioned | 4 Nov 1944 |
| End service | |
| History | Lent to the Greek Navy as Triaina from May 1946 until returned on 3 October 1958. Scrapped at Dunston on Tyne on 23 December 1958. |
Commands listed for HMS Volatile (P 96)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt. Frank Ronald Lawrence, RN | 15 Aug 1944 | May 1945 |
| 2 | Lt. Peter Angus Fickling, RN | May 1945 | 25 May 1945 |
| 3 | T/Lt. Walter Alan Burley, RNVR | 25 May 1945 | 27 Jun 1945 |
| 4 | Lt. Peter Tremayne Miles, RN | 27 Jun 1945 | 24 Sep 1945 |
| 5 | Lt. Denis Woolnough Mills, DSC, RN | 24 Sep 1945 |
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Notable events involving Volatile include:
The history of HMS Volatile as compiled on this page is extracted from the logbooks of this submarine.
This page was last updated in November 2019.
19 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from the Tyne area to Blyth. En-route some tials were carried out. (1)
20 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (1)
20 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) departed Blyth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Castlenau (T/Skr. G. Wood, RNR). (1)
21 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (1)
23 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (1)
24 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (1)
29 Oct 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (1)
1 Nov 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. At sea she joined HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN), HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) and their escort HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (2)
2 Nov 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (2)
4 Nov 1944
Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted acceptance trials in the Clyde area following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (2)
6 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
7 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
8 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
11 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (2)
12 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)
13 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)
14 Nov 1944
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (2)
15 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)
16 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted radar exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these she proceeded to Campbeltown. (2)
17 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these she proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)
18 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (2)
19 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (2)
21 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted S.T.U. trials in the Clyde area. (2)
23 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
24 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx. (2)
25 Nov 1944
HMS Solent (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She was made the passage North through the Miches together with HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN). They were escorted by escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (3)
26 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (2)
27 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (2)
28 Nov 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN).
During these exercises HMS Volatile collided with HMS Orwell. Volatile sustained damage to her conning tower. The port side of the bridge was caved in. These was also heavy damage to both periscopes. One of which was completely carried away. (4)
5 Dec 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. (5)
5 Dec 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. (5)
8 Dec 1944
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Blyth to the Tyne. The damage to her conning tower was to be repaired at her builders yard. (5)
28 Feb 1945
With the repairs to her conning tower completed, HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN), shifted from the Tyne to Blyth. (5)
2 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)
3 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)
4 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)
6 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) all departed Blyth for Scapa Flow / Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR) until 0900/27 when HMS Hamlet (A/Skr.Lt. J.A. MacTean, RNR) took over. (7)
7 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both arrived at Scapa Flow. (7)
9 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (6)
10 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (7)
11 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both arrived at Holy Loch. (7)
13 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (6)
14 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)
15 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)
16 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)
17 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (6)
19 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (6)
21 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)
22 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of yesterday's exercises. (6)
23 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (6)
24 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (6)
25 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Tobermory. (6)
27 Mar 1945
HMS Ultor (Lt. J.P. Harvey, RN) and HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Tobermory where both submarines were to assist in A/S training. They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Cdr.(Retd.) E.S. Felton, RN).
(8)
30 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with aircraft. (6)
2 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
3 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
4 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
5 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
6 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
9 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
10 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
11 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
12 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
13 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
16 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Maenad (Cdr. C.E. Duggan, RD, RNR) and HMS Serene (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Ritchie, RNVR). (9)
17 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Maenad (Cdr. C.E. Duggan, RD, RNR) and HMS Serene (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Ritchie, RNVR). (9)
18 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, DSC, RCN), HMS Black Swan (Lt.Cdr. A.D.C. Inglis, RN), HMS Stork (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, DSC, RN) and another vessel [unable to read the name in the logbook of Volatile]. (9)
19 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with aircraft. (9)
20 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
21 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Oban where she was to fuel. She was escorted HMS Clorinde (T/Lt. C.E.C. Martin, DSC, RNVR). (9)
22 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory. She was escorted HMS Clorinde (T/Lt. C.E.C. Martin, DSC, RNVR). (9)
24 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, DSC, RCN) and HMS Black Swan (Lt.Cdr. A.D.C. Inglis, RN). (9)
25 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, DSC, RCN) and HMS Black Swan (Lt.Cdr. A.D.C. Inglis, RN). (9)
26 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Cape Comorin (T/Lt. M.E.F. Corley, RNVR), HMS Bridport (T/Lt. P.H. Bech, RNR), HMS Rother (T/A/Lt.Cdr. B.H.C. Rodgers, RNVR) and HMCS Matane (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J. Jones, RCNVR). (9)
27 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Rother (T/A/Lt.Cdr. B.H.C. Rodgers, RNVR) and HMCS Matane (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J. Jones, RCNVR). (9)
28 Apr 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (9)
1 May 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN), HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, DSC, RCN), HMCS Saskatchewan (A/Lt.Cdr. T.C. Pullen, RCN) and HMCS Gatineau (A/Lt.Cdr. G.H. Davidson, RCN). (10)
2 May 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with aircraft. (10)
3 May 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Alacrity (Lt.Cdr. J. Clutton-Baker, DSC, RN), HMS Rother (T/A/Lt.Cdr. B.H.C. Rodgers, RNVR), HMS Widemouth Bay (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Macalister, RNVR) and HMCS Matane (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J. Jones, RCNVR). (10)
4 May 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Alacrity (Lt.Cdr. J. Clutton-Baker, DSC, RN), HMS Rother (T/A/Lt.Cdr. B.H.C. Rodgers, RNVR) and HMCS Matane (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J. Jones, RCNVR). (10)
7 May 1945
HMS Ultor (Lt. J.P. Harvey, RN) and HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R . Lawrence, RN) both departed Tobermory for Rothesay. They joined HMS Sceptre (Lt. R.F. Park, RN) and her escort HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN) which came from Loch Alsh. (11)
10 May 1945
HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN) serving as targets. These included night exercises during the night of 10/11 May. (12)
24 Jun 1945
HMS Volatile conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (13)
24 Jun 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (13)
30 Jun 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) departed Rothesay for Douglas, Isle of Man. (13)
1 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) arrived at Douglas, Isle of Man. (14)
2 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Douglas with aircraft. (14)
3 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) returned to Douglas on completion of last night's exercises. (14)
6 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Douglas with aircraft. (14)
7 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) returned to Douglas on completion of last night's exercises.
She departed Douglas for Rothesay later the same day. (14)
8 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (14)
15 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (14)
16 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
17 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
18 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
19 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
20 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
21 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
22 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
23 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
24 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (14)
26 Jul 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (14)
7 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
8 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
10 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
12 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Douglas, Isle of Man. (15)
13 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Douglas with aircraft. (15)
17 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Douglas with aircraft. These included night exercises during the night of 17/18 August. (15)
18 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) departed Douglas, Isle of Man for Rothesay. (15)
19 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (15)
21 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
22 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
23 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
24 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
31 Aug 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)
6 Sep 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) is docked in AFD 8 at Rothesay. (16)
8 Sep 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) is undocked. (16)
Sources
- ADM 173/19428
- ADM 173/19429
- ADM 173/18769
- ADM 53/119268 + ADM 173/19429
- ADM 173/19430
- ADM 173/20330
- ADM 173/20330 + ADM 199/1444
- ADM 173/20095 + ADM 173/20330 + ADM 199/1444
- ADM 173/20331
- ADM 173/20332
- ADM 173/19563 + ADM 173/20097 + ADM 173/20332 + ADM 199/1444
- ADM 173/20058
- ADM 173/20333
- ADM 173/20334
- ADM 173/20335
- ADM 173/20336
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.