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Notable events involving Viscount include:

23 Oct 1939
HMS H 33 (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Caldwell, RN) departed Plymouth for Dover. She was escorted by HMS Viscount (Lt. M.S. Townsend, RN). (1)

31 Oct 1939

Convoy HXF 7.

This convoy departed Halifax on 31 October 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Bradford City (British, 4953 GRT, built 1936), Craftsman (British, 7896 GRT, built 1922), Fort Richepanse (French, 3485 GRT, built 1935), Gregalia (British, 5802 GRT, built 1929), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), J.H. Senior (Panamanian (tanker), 12185 GRT, built 1931), Matra (British, 7911 GRT, built 1926), Pacific Pioneer (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Rangitane (British, 16733 GRT, built 1929) (ship of the convoy Commodore), Remuera (British, 11445 GRT, built 1911), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Antonio (French, 6013 GRT, built 1930) and San Pedro (French, 5947 GRT, built 1931).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Asturias (Capt. Retd. C.F. Allsup, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).

The convoy departed Halifax in thick fog which continued until daylight the next morning. It was then found that only three merchant vessels and HMCS St. Laurent were in sight of the Commodore's ship.

At 1100Z/1, HMCS St. Laurent parted company with the convoy in position 44°42'N, 59°40'W to return to Halifax. HMCS Fraser was no longer in company with the convoy having probably lost contact in the thick for earlier.

By 1300Z/1, for had lifted and a total of 9 merchant vessels were now in company (out of the total of 13 merchant vessels). HMS Asturias was not in sight though.

By 1100Z/2, the whole convoy had now formed up.

During the night of 4/5 November 1939 the convoy Commodore's ship, the Rangitane lost touch with the convoy in the heavy weather. During her absence more ships had lost tough with the convoy.

Around 1800Z/10, the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt. M.S. Townsend, RN) joined the convoy in approximate position 50°18'N, 17°05'W.

Around 0030Z/11, the destroyer HMS Winchelsea (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, RN) joined the convoy Commodore's ship Rangitane. Around 0630Z/11, the destroyer HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Fryer, RN) also joined these ships.

Around 0730Z/11, the convoy Commodore's ship, the Rangitane and her two escorting destroyers rejoined the convoy in position 49°51'N, 13°23'W. It was found that at that moment the following ships were not in company with the convoy; Bradford City, Craftsman and Gregalia.

Around 1000Z/11, HMS Winchelsea was detached to proceed to Liverpool taking the San Ambrosio with her.

Around 1200Z/11, HMS Witherington left the convoy to proceed to Liverpool.

Around 1740Z/12, HMS Asturias left the convoy to proceed to Greenock.

Around 1600Z/12, HMS Antelope and HMS Viscount were relieved to the south of the Lizard by the destroyers HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN).

These destroyers remained with the convoy until 1520Z/13 when they parted company upon its arrival in the Downs. (2)

27 Dec 1939

Convoy SLF 14.

This convoy departed Freetown on 27 December 1939.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Accra (British, 9337 GRT, built 1926), Cambridge (British, 11373 GRT, built 1914), City of Brisbane (British, 8006 GRT, built 1920), Clan Mackinlay (British, 6365 GRT, built 1918), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Port Caroline (British, 8263 GRT, built 1919), Port Wellington (British, 10065 GRT, built 1924) and Seaforth (British, 5459 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN).

Around 1615N/1, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/8, the destroyers HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0900Z/8, in position 48°08'N, 10°17'W, HMS Carnarvon Castle parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

Around 1530Z/8, in position 48°35'N, 08°35'W, the convoy split into two sections (Channel and Irish Sea sections) and shortly afterwards HMS Hermes parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth escorted by HMS Windsor and HMS Acasta.

The Channel section was made up of the , and which all arrived at London on 10 January 1940. They were escorted by HMS Vesper and HMS Viscount. HMS Viscount parted company around 1030Z/9 after having been relieved by HMS Acasta and HMS Windsor. HMS Viscount then proceeded to Plymouth where she arrived later the same day. HMS Vesper, HMS Windsor and HMS Acasta arrived at Dover on 10 January 1940.

The remaining ships made up the Irish Sea section which all arrived at Liverpool on 10 January with the exception of the Corinaldo which arrived in the Clyde on 10 January 1940. They appeared not to have been escorted but it seems the convoy was proceeding in close proximity with the Irish Sea section of convoy HG 13.

6 Jan 1940

Convoy HX 15.

This convoy departed Halifax on 6 January 1940.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Amakura (British, 1987 GRT, built 1924), Argos Hill (British, 7178 GRT, built 1922), Athelcrown (British (tanker), 11999 GRT, built 1929), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Auditor (British, 5444 GRT, built 1924), Barn Hill (British, 5439 GRT, built 1921), Bonnington Court (British, 4909 GRT, built 1929), Boulderpool (British, 4805 GRT, built 1928), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Geo W. McKnight (British (tanker), 12502 GRT, built 1933), Houston City (British, 4935 GRT, built 1934), I.C. White (Panamanian (tanker), 7052 GRT, built 1920), Inverarder (British (tanker), 5578 GRT, built 1919), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1935), Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Oiltrader (British (tanker), 5550 GRT, built 1927), Panaghis (Greek, 5187 GRT, built 1920), San Roberto (British (tanker), 5890 GRT, built 1922), Sinfra (French, 4470 GRT, built 1929), Syrian Prince (British, 1990 GRT, built 1936), Trevalgan (British, 5299 GRT, built 1937), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and Wanderer (British, 5079 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN).

The Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax on 7 January 1940.

On 18 January 1940, the destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Vanessa (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Plumer, RN) and HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN) joined the convoy to escort the bulk of it towards Liverpool.

Also on the 18th, the destroyers HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN) joined to escort HMS Resolution to Plymouth where they arrived on the 19th, minus HMS Viscount which did not enter harbour.

13 Jan 1940
HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. B.W. Taylor, RN) departed Freetown for Portsmouth. She was part of the ocean escort of convoy SL 16F together with Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Cheshire (Capt. (Retd.) M.R. Bernard, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hardy (Capt. B.A. Warburton-Lee, RN) and HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN).

Besides the escort the convoy was made up of 12 British merchant ships; Adda (7816 GRT, built 1922), Anselm (5954 GRT, built 1935), Baronesa (8663 GRT, built 1918), City of Nagpur (10146 GRT, built 1922), Cordillera (6865 GRT, built 1920), Cumberland (10939 GRT, built 1919), Mahia (10014 GRT, built 1917), Mary Slessor (5027 GRT, built 1930), Orari (10350 GRT, built 1931), Port Sydney (9129 GRT, built 1914), Raranga (10043 GRT, built 1916) and Scientist (6198 GRT, built 1938).

The destroyers departed the convoy on the 20th and then proceeded to Gibraltar. On the 24th the destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN) and sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) took over the escort from the HMS Cheshire and HMS Severn which then proceeded to Plymouth and Portsmouth respectively where they both arrived on the 26th. (3)

14 Jan 1940
Around noon, HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CVO, DSO, RN), departed Portsmouth for Halifax, Nova Scotia. She had on board £ 5 million of gold bullion.

She was being escorted by the destroyers HMS Achates (Cdr. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) until around 1630/15 when HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN) and HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) took over until around 1200/16. HMS Royal Sovereign then proceeded unescorted. (4)

16 Jan 1940

Convoy SL 17.

This convoy departed Freetown on 16 January 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Clumberhall (British, 5198 GRT, built 1930), Harpasa (British, 5082 GRT, built 1932), Hawnby (British, 5380 GRT, built 1936), King Edgar (British, 4536 GRT, built 1927), Loch Ranza (British, 4958 GRT, built 1934), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Oswerty Grange (British, 4684 GRT, built 1935), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Salvus (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Stonepool (British, 4803 GRT, built 1928) and Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929).

Escort was provided on leaving Freetown by the destroyer HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN).

Around 0800Z/18, near Dakar, in position 11°24'N, 17°58'W, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) joined. HMS Dainty then left the convoy.

Also on the 18th, the merchant vessel Northmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928) overtook and joined the convoy. She had arrived at Freetown as the convoy was forming up sailing later to overtake and join at sea.

Around 1730N/22, in position 25°31'N, 19°53'W, the Hawnby parted company with the convoy due to engine defects. She arrived at Gibraltar on 30 January 1940.

Around 1530N/31, in position 46°18'N, 13°04'W, the convoy merged with convoy SLF 17. HMS Carnarvon Castle then parted company to proceed to Belfast independently.

Convoy SLF 17 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afric Star (British, 11900 GRT, built 1926), Anchises (British, 10000 GRT, built 1911), Apapa (British, 9332 GRT, built 1927), City of Canberra (British, 7484 GRT, built 1927), Duquesa (British, 8651 GRT, built 1918) and Sangara (British, 4174 GRT, built 1939).

It was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Harris, RN) which now became the only escort of the combined convoy after HMS Carnarvon Castle had left.

Around 2200N/1, HMS Jervis Bay parted company to return to Freetown.

On 2 February the convoy was split into the Irish Sea and Channel sections.

Around 1430N/2, in position 49°48'N, 07°00'W, the sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) joined the Irish Sea section of the convoy.

Around 1530N/2, the destroyer HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) also joined the Irish Sea section of the convoy but at 1730N/2 she was detached to proceed to Liverpool.

The destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN) joined the Channel section.

HMS Viscount arrived at Plymouth from this escort duty on 3 February. On 4 February HMS Wren arrived at Dover.

Most ships of the convoy arrived at their destinations on 4 February 1940. (5)

10 Feb 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) flew on her aircraft off Plymouth. During the flying on operations she was escorted by HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN). (6)

25 Mar 1940

Convoy HX 30.

This convoy departed Halifax on 25 March 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agia Marina (Greek, 4151 GRT, built 1912), Anadara (British (tanker), 8009 GRT, built 1935), Appalachee (British (tanker), 8826 GRT, built 1930), Araby (British, 4936 GRT, built 1912), Athelchief (British, 10000 GRT, built 1939), Athelmonarch (British, 8995 GRT, built 1928), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925), Cairnglen (British, 5019 GRT, built 1926), Conus (British (tanker), 8132 GRT, built 1931), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Dean Emery (British (tanker), 6664 GRT, built 1919), Derry More (British, 4799 GRT, built 1938), Dimitrios Inglessis (British, 5275 GRT, built 1918), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Ethel Radcliffe (British, 5673 GRT, built 1920), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Governor (British, 5571 GRT, built 1918), King Edward (British, 5224 GRT, built 1919), Lochkatrine (British, 9419 GRT, built 1922), Losada (British, 6520 GRT, built 1921), Lowther Castle (British, 5171 GRT, built 1937), Luculus (British (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1929), Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927), New Westminster City (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Nolisement (British, 5084 GRT, built 1928), Northleigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Port Hardy (British, 8897 GRT, built 1923), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), Remuera (British, 11445 GRT, built 1911), Rowanbank (British, 5159 GRT, built 1919), San Gerardo (British (tanker), 12915 GRT, built 1929), Sandsend (British, 3612 GRT, built 1925), South Gate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926), Taxiarchis (Greek, 4221 GRT, built 1913), Testbank (British, 5083 GRT, built 1937), Victor Ross (British, 12247 GRT, built 1933) and Welcombe (British, 5122 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN), HMCS Skeena (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN) and HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN).

At 1850P/26, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

In the morning of 30 March 1940, the Dimitrios Inglessis and the King Edward collided. The King Edward was undable to continue and was towed to St. Johns. The Port Hardy stood by her for a while [might have been the ship towing ???].

HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy at 1325N/3 to return to Halifax.

On 6 April 1940 the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN).

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 9 April 1940.

5 May 1940
At 0900/5 the troopships Ulster Prince (3791 GRT, built 1930) and Royal Scotsman (3244 GRT, built 1936) departed the Clyde for Mosjoen and Bodo, respectively. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN) and HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN).

At 0400/6 the destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN) to make rendez-vous at 1030/6 after which HMS Viscount was to proceed to Scapa Flow where she arrived at 1400/6.

The Mosjoen and Bodo groups parted company at 1540/8. The Ulster Prince proceeded to Mosjoen escorted by HMS Veteran and HMS Juno arriving there on the 9th. At 1400/10, HMS Juno was ordered to leave the Ulster Prince and proceed to Scapa Flow at high speed. She arrived at Scapa Flow at 1130/11. HMS Veteran then took the Ulster Prince back to the Clyde arriving there at 0330/13 having made a stop to fuel at Sullom Voe on the 11th.

The Royal Ulsterman proceeded to Bodo escorted by HMS Firedrake and HMS Nubian. HMS Firedrake conducted a reconnaissance of the Ranenfjord to look for reported enemy activity. The Royal Ulsterman and HMS Nubian arrived at Bodo in the evening of the 9th. Shortly afterwards they were rejoined by HMS Firedrake. They all departed Bodo at 0200/10 and proceeded to Scapa Flow. HMS Firedrake went ahead and arrived there at 2210/11 followed later, at 0030/12, by the Royal Ulsterman and HMS Nubian. (7)

12 May 1940
Around 1030A/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) departed the Clyde for operations escorted by the destroyers HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN).

At 1300A/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) also departed the Clyde for operations. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN).

Both groups were recalled to the Clyde later the same day.

14 May 1940
Around 2100A/14, the aircraft carriers HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) and HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde for operations off Norway. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN) and HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN). HMS Witherington was however soon replaced by HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN).

Around 2000A/17, HMS Amazon and HMS Viscount parted company, presumably to fuel at Harstad after which they were to rejoin. Later, presumably on the return of the first pair, HMS Diana and HMS Veteran were also detached. They rejoined around 0915A/19.

Around 1250A/20, HMS Amazon and HMS Viscount parted company, presumably to fuel again at Harstad after which they were to rejoin which they did around 1320A/21.

23 May 1940
Around 2200A/23, the aircraft carriers HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) and HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and their destroyer escort made up of HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations off Norway.

On board HMS Glorious were still RAF Hurricanes she had been unable to fly off to a shore airfield in Norway.

25 May 1940
Around 1615A/25, the aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) departed Scapa Flow to replenish at Greenock. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN) and

They arrived in the Clyde around 1700A/26. (8)

4 Jun 1940
Around 1400A/4, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN)

Around 1235A/5, the destroyers were detached in approximate position 57°00'N, 12°50'W to return to Scapa Flow.

Around 1435A/8, the destroyer HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar.

Around 1556A/8, the destroyer HMS Velox (Cdr.(Retd.) J.C. Colvill, RN) joined having parted company with convoy HG 33F previously. (9)

6 Jun 1940

Evacuation of the 'Narvik / Harstad / Tromso area'.

1st troop evacuation convoy from Harstad.

From 4 to 6 June 1940 the troopships Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Georgic (British, 27759 GRT, built 1932), Lancastria (British, 16243 GRT, built 1922), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) embarked almost 15000 troops in the Andfiord, near Harstad, Norway. They did this one by one and they were then escorted out to sea by the destroyer HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) and sloop HMS Stork (Cdr. A.C. Behague, RN).

On completion of the embarkation of the troops of the last ships they departed on 6 June 1940 from the assembly point escorted by the repair ship HMS Vindictive (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, RN).

They were joined shortly after midnight on the 8th by the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN). These additional escorts parted company with the convoy late in the evening of the 8th after the destroyers HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Atherstone (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) had joined the convoy coming from Scapa Flow which they had departed around 2300/7.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on 10 June 1940. (10)

12 Jul 1940
At 1519A/12, the light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) and the destroyers HMS Mackay (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol off the south coast of Ireland. The Admiralty had reported that a German auxiliary vessel, disguised as Russian, had been sighted in position 51°42'N, 07°15'W.

They returned to Plymouth around 1200A/14. (11)

23 Jul 1940

Convoy TC 6.

This convoy of troopships departed Halifax on 23 July 1940 for the U.K.

The convoy was made up of the following troopships; Antonia (British, 13867 GRT, built 1921, carrying 881 troops), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936, carrying 1198 troops), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929, carrying 982 troops), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931, carrying 1328 troops), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921, carrying 1016 troops) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939, carrying 1061 troops).

The troopship Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914, carrying 1611 troops) was also with the convoy on departure from Halifax. She was to proceed to Iceland and parted company with the convoy en-route.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted the battleships HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN), light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Assiniboine (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN).

Both Canadian destroyers returned to Halifax later on 23 July.

In the afternoon and early evening of July 30th, the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN), HMS Wanderer (Cdr. J.H. Ruck-Keene, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on 1 August 1940.

3 Oct 1940

Convoy WS 3A (Slow).

This convoy departed Liverpool on 3 October 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following transport vessels; Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Dorset (British, 10624 GRT, built 1934), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Perthshire (British, 10496 GRT, built 1936) and Port Chalmers (British, 8535 GRT, built 1933).

Also the destroyer tender HMS Woolwich (Capt.(Retd.) J. Fawcett, RN) was with the convoy.

On departure from Liverpool the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Thornton, RN), HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

At 1315A/3, the destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Versatile (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) joined coming from the Clyde.

Cover for the convoy was provided by the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) which had also departed the Clyde on the 3rd.

[For the moment we have no details regarding the exact movements of the destroyers. HMS Witherington, HMS Viscount and HMS Versatile arrived at Londonderry on 6 October. HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Highlander arrived at Plymouth on 8 October. HMS Hurricane arrived at Greenock on the same day].

Around 1645N/9, HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy to patrol off the Azores due to fear of a German invasion. She parted company after having been relieved by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN).

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 16 October 1940.

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The convoy departed Freetown for South Africa on 17 October 1940.

Composition of the convoy was the same. Escort was still HMS Cumberland.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 27 October 1940. HMS Cumberland then went on to Simonstown but she returned to Capetown the following day.

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The convoy departed Capetown on 29 October 1940 still made up of the same transports with two additions; Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911) and Khedive Ismail (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922).

HMS Woolwich did not sail with the convoy.

Escort was still provided by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland until she was relieved around 0700C/1 by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN).

The convoy merged in the morning of 3 November 1940 with convoy WS 3B (Fast). (12)

7 Oct 1940

Convoy WS 3 (Fast).

This convoy departed Liverpool and the Clyde on 7 October 1940. The convoy arrived at Suez on 16 November 1940.

The Liverpool section was made up of the troop transports; Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929).

It was escorted by the destroyers HMS Douglas (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Crossley, RN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN). HMCS St. Laurent however collided with a small merchant vessel very early on the 8th and had to return to Liverpool for repairs.

The Clyde section was made up of the transports; Capetown Castle (British, 27000 GRT, built 1938), Georgic (British, 27759 GRT, built 1932), Oronsay (British, 20043 GRT, built 1925) and Winchester Castle (British, 20012 GRT, built 1930).

It was escorted by the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN).

At 0700/8, the Clyde section was joined by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) which came from Londonderry.

At 1012/8, a large enemy bomber was seen to approach the Capetown Castle off the Clyde section and dropped a bomb which missed.

At 1050/8, HMCS Ottawa and HMS Active were ordered to close the Oronsay which had been damaged by air attack and needed assistance. HMS Active however misunderstood the order and remained with the convoy. Meanwhile the Oronsay had dropped out of the convoy.

At 1152/8, HMS Arrow joined the damaged Oronsay as well.

Around 1400/8, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Cheshire (Capt.(Retd.) M.R. Bernard, RN) and HMS Salopian (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) also arrived on the scene. HMS Salopian later departed to continue her patrol. HMS Cheshire remained with Oronsay and the two destroyers.

At 1440/8, Oronsay got underway at slow speed and was able to increase speed to 9 knots.

At 1520/8, the ships that were with the Oronsay sighted the Liverpool section of the convoy which apparently had been delayed by bad weather conditions and therefore unable to have joined up with the Clyde section as had been intended. HMS Douglas, one of the escorting destroyers of the Liverpool section had been unable to keep up with it due to the weather conditions now joined the Oronsay group.

At 1900/8, the destroyers HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Sabre (Cdr.(Retd.) B. Dean, RN) joined.

The destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) also joined but it is unknown when.

At 2115/8, the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) joined.

At 0205/9, HMS Arrow and HMCS Ottawa parted company with Oromsay and the other escorts to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 1030/9, the damaged Oronsay escorted by HMS Cairo, HMS Cheshire, HMS Douglas, HMS Verity, HMS Viscount and HMS Sabre arrived at Greenock.

Meanwhile the Clyde section had continued on escorted by HMS Whitehall, HMS Achates and HMS Active. As did the Liverpool section but apparently unescorted. They had failed to make rendezvous with each other in the heavy weather.

Around 1215/9, the Clyde section was joined by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN). It seems that at this time the destroyers were no longer present.

At noon on the 12th the Clyde section, with HMS Kenya was finally joined by the Liverpool section of the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of October 18th.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 20 October 1940 and was made up of the Capetown Castle, Duchess of York, Georgic, Monarch of Bermuda, Orontes and Winchester Castle.

The convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN).

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 28 October 1940. HMS Dorsetshire then proceeded to Simonstown where she arrived also on the same day.

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On 30 October the convoy, now made up of the Duchess of York, Georgic, Monarch of Bermuda and Orontes departed Capetown for Suez. They were escorted by HMS Dorsetshire.

In the morning of 3 November the convoy overtook and then merged with the slow section of convoy WS 3 which was made up of the transports Dorset (British, 10624 GRT, built 1934), Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Perthshire (British, 10496 GRT, built 1936) and Port Chalmers (British, 8535 GRT, built 1933) and their escort the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN).

Shortly before noon the Erinpura and Khedive Ismael split off from the convoy and set course for Mombasa escorted by HMS Carthage. HMS Dorsetshire continued on with the remainder of the convoy towards Suez.

In the morning of November 11th, the light cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) joined the convoy at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden.

The transport City of Lille (British, 6588 GRT, built 1928) and several more escort vessels, the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN), sloops HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined on 12 November 1940 for the passage through the Red Sea in which the Italian Navy was still active at this time.

The troopships Duchess of York and Georgic also re-joined the convoy after a brief visit to Aden. HMS Caledon also briefly left the convoy to oil at Aden before re-joining it.

Around 2130/12, the convoy entered the Perim Strait.

HMS Dorsetshire parted company with the convoy at 0915/14.

The convoy arrived at Suez on 16 November 1940. (13)

28 Nov 1940

Convoy SL 57.

This convoy departed Freetown on 28 November 1940.

The convoy was made up the following merchant vessels; Baron Ardrossan (British, 3896 grt, built 1932), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Benvannoch (British, 6427 GRT, built 1921), Boskoop (Dutch, 5620 GRT, built 1927), British Fortitude (British (tanker0, 8482 GRT, built 1937), Burma (British, 7821 GRT, built 1914), Danmark (British (former Danish), 8391 GRT, built 1925), Defoe (British, 6245 GRT, built 1940), Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929), Jessmore (British, 4099 GRT, built 1921), Kerma (British, 4333 GRT, built 1928), Lalande (British, 7453 GRT, built 1920)), Laplace (British, 7327 GRT, built 1919), Lombardy (British, 3379 GRT, built 1921), Mahanada (British, 7196 GRT, built 1914), Mobeka (Belgian, 6111 GRT, built 1937), Mulbera (British, 9100 GRT, built 1922), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914), Streefkerk (Dutch, 6185 GRT, built 1921), Sylvia de Larrinaga (British, 5218 GRT, built 192) and William Wilberforce (British, 4013 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Bridgewater (A/Cdr. (Retd.) H.F.G. Leftwich, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Bengali (Lt. F.R. Pike, RCNVR.

Around 2000N/29, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, RN) joined.

Around 1820N/30, HMS Bridgewater and HMS Bengali parted company with the convoy.

Around 1720Z/15, HMS Canton parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

Either late on 15 December or early on 16 December the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Lt. Adrian Paul Northey, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR) and HMS Hibiscus (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, RNR) joined.

Around 1430Z/16, the catapult ship HMS Pegasus (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, DSO, RN) and the corvette HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) joined.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 19 December 1940.

2 Dec 1940
HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) picks up survivors from the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Forfar that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-99 about 500 nautical miles west of Ireland in position 54°35'N, 18°18'W.

HMS Viscount also picks up 36 survivors from the British merchant Goodleigh that is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-52 367 nautical miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 55°02'N, 18°45'W.

HMS Viscount also picks up 16 survivors from the British merchant Kavak that is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-100 about 340 nautical miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 55°00'N, 19°30'W.

HMS Viscount also picks up 27 survivors from the British merchant Tasso that is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-52 sink about 360 miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 55°03'N, 18°04'W.

15 Jan 1941

Convoy HX 103.

This convoy departed Halifax on 15 January 1941 for Liverpool where it arrived on 1 February 1941.

Upon departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships: Botusk (British, 3091 GRT, built 1919), Emmaplein (Dutch, 5436 GRT, built 1926), Gandia (Belgian, 9629 GRT, built 1907), Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938), Jean Jadot (Belgian, 5859 GRT, built 1929), King William (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928) and Trehata (British, 4817 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN), the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN) and the corvette HMCS Arrowhead (T/Lt. V.H. Torraville, RCNR).

The destroyer and the corvette parted company with the convoy on the 16th and returned to Halifax.

On 18 January convoy BHX 103 coming from Bermuda merged with convoy HX 103. Convoy BHX 103 had been made up of the merchant vessels Athelfoam (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1931), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), Mamura (Dutch (tanker), 8245 GRT, built 1932) and Mijdrecht (Dutch (tanker), 7493 GRT, built 1931). It had departed Bermuda on 13 January 1941 and had been escorted to the rendez-vous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Montclare (Capt.(Retd.) H.M. Spreckley, RN) which was then detached.

The battleship parted company with the convoy on 26 January and then returned to Halifax.

On 27 January 1941 the destroyer HMS Vanquisher (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) and corvettes HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR) and HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) joined the convoy but they were detached later the same day. On 28 January 1941 the destroyers HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. They were detached on 31 January 1941.

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 1 February 1941, apparently unescorted.

Two merchant vessels were lost when the convoy ran into the British minefield SN 2 (north-west of Rona Island, in approximate position 59°08'N, 05°52'W) on 31 January 1941. These were the Botusk and Emmaplein.

6 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 119

This convoy departed Halifax on 6 April 1941 in two sections, convoy HX 119A and convoy HX 119B. They merged in the morning of April 13th.

Convoy HX 119A was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Argos Hill (British, 7178 GRT, built 1922), Bendoran (British, 5567 GRT, built 1910), Bra-Kar (Norwegian, 3778 GRT, built 1928), British Consul (British (tanker), 6940 GRT, built 1924), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Brittany (British, 4772 GRT, built 1928), Ceronia (British (tanker), 4955 GRT, built 1929), Clan MacIlwraith (British, 4839 GRT, built 1924), Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931), Curacao (British, 8269 GRT, built 1930), Cymbula (British (tanker), 8082 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Dolius (British, 5507 GRT, built 1924), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Goolistan (British, 5851 GRT, built 1929), Induna (British, 5086 GRT, built 1925), Kentar (British, 5878 GRT, built 1920), Lista (British, 3671 GRT, built 1920), Lobos (British, 6479 GRT, built 1921), Mangkalihat (Dutch, 8457 GRT, built 1928), Mount Helmos (Greek, 6481 GRT, built 1923), Oscilla (Dutch (tanker), 6341 GRT, built 1939), Port Auckland (British, 8789 GRT, built 1922), Port Sydney (British, 9129 GRT, built 1914), Radmanso (Swedish, 4280 GRT, built 1914), Reaveley (British, 4998 GRT, built 1940), Robert Maersk (British, 2290 GRT, built 1937), San Eliseo (British (tanker), 8042 GRT, built 1939), Schuylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Spondilus (British (tanker), 7402 GRT, built 1927), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927), Trevalgan (British, 5299 GRT, built 1937), Tucurinca (British, 5412 GRT, built 1926) and West Totant (British, 5628 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 119A was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Aurania (A/Capt. I.W. Whitehorn, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR). The corvettes were detached to return to Halifax the next day.

The convoy was joined by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) around 0900Q/8.

Around 1400P/11, HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

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Convoy HX 119B was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alphacca (British, 5759 GRT, built 1928), Barberrys (British, 5170 GRT, built 1920), Braddock (British, 6619 GRT, built 1919), Edward Blyden (British, 5003 GRT, built 1930), Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938), Glaiglas (British, 4312 GRT, built 1940), Hermiston (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Idefjord (Norwegian, 4287 GRT, built 1921), Kars (British (tanker), 8888 GRT, built 1939), Leerdam (Dutch, 8815 GRT, built 1921), Maasdam (Dutch, 8812 GRT, built 1921), Maihar (British, 7563 GRT, built 1917), Merchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Mercier (Belgian, 7556 GRT, built 1915), Peder Bogen (British (tanker), 9741 GRT, built 1925), Rio Azul (British, 4088 GRT, built 1921), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Soekaboemi (Dutch, 7051 GRT, built 1923), Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926) and Tureby (British, 4372 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 119B was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Montclare (Capt.(Retd.) H.M. Spreckley, 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 to return to Halifax the next day.

Around 0900P/13, Convoy HX 119B merged with convoy HX 119A.

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At 1215Z/14, the convoy was joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN).

At 1210Z/15, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Aurania and HMS Montclare parted company with convoy HX 119 (now combined).

At 1815Z/15, the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) joined the convoy. Followed during the night of 15/16 April by the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN) and HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN).

At 2130Z/16, HMS Norfolk parted company with the convoy to proceed to Hvalfjord.

On the 17th, destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), sloop HMS Scarborough (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) and corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Campanula (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) joined the convoy.

On the 18th, destroyer HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN) and corvette HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) joined the convoy.

On the 19th, corvette HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) joined the convoy

On the 20th, HMS Havelock, HMS Hurricane, HMS Restigouche and HMS Saguenay parted company with the convoy.

On the 21st, HMS Viscount and corvette HMS Freesia parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 22 April.

8 Apr 1941

Convoy SL 71.

This convoy departed Freetown on 8 April 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Adda (British, 7816 GRT, built 1922), Afrika (British, 8597 GRT, built 1920), Baron Erskine (British, 3657 GRT, built 1930), Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925), Bhima (British, 5280 GRT, built 1939), British Hussar (British (tanker), 6944 GRT, built 1923), City of Auckland (British, 8336 GRT, built 1914), City of Christchurch (British, 6009 GRT, built 1915), City of Yokohama (British, 7341 GRT, built 1922), Clan MacTaggart (British, 7622 GRT, built 1920), Dagfred (Norwegian, 4434 GRT, built 1930), Egton (British, 4363 GRT, built 1938), Empire Governor (British, 8657 GRT, built 1925), Empire Progress (British, 5249 GRT, built 1918), Evinos (Greek, 5627 GRT, built 1919), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Gudvin (Norwegian, 1824 GRT, built 1918), Janeta (British, 4312 GRT, built 1929), Jedmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928), Kurdistan (British, 5844 GRT, built 1928), Leonidas N. Condylis (Greek, 3923 GRT, built 1912), Lisbeth (Norwegian, 2732 GRT, built 1922), Lise (Norwegian (tanker), 6826 GRT, built 1931), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), MacGregor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Margalau (British, 4541 GRT, built 1926), Meerkerk (Dutch, 7995 GRT, built 1916), Mount Mycale (British, 3556 GRT, built 1907), Myrtlebank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Nagpore (British, 5283 GRT, built 1920), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), New Westminster City (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Newton Ash (British, 4625 GRT, built 1925), Nigerian (British, 5423 GRT, built 1936), Peribonk (British, 5673 GRT, built 1937), Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918), Ravnefjell (British, 1339 GRT, built 1938), Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Ross (British, 4878 GRT, built 1936), Sandown Castle (British, 7607 GRT, built 1921), Santiago (Panamanian, 3864 GRT, built 1908), St. Lindsay (British, 5370 GRT, built 1921), Stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920), Thorshov (Norwegian (tanker), 9955 GRT, built 1935), Tysa (Dutch, 5327 GRT, built 1938) and Veerhaven (Dutch, 5291 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR).

Around 1515N/10, in approximate position 07°38'N, 18°30'W, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 0630N/17, in approximate position 20°40'N, 28°00'W, the four corvettes parted company with the convoy. They were to proceed to Bathurst to fuel.

Around 1000NZ(+0.5)/23, in position 36°20'N, 23°00'W, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) joined the convoy escort and shortly afterwards HMS Mauritius parted company with the convoy.

Around 0530N/29, the destroyers HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HMS Sherwood (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) joined the convoy in position 49°48'N, 23°03'W and shortly afterwards the armed boarding vessel HMS Malvernian (Cdr. J.W.B. Robertson, RNR) also joined the convoy.

Around 0810A/29, HMS London parted company with the convoy and set course for Scapa Flow.

Around 0430A/30, the destroyer HMS Beagle, (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0645A/30, the corvette HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0715A/30, the corvette HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR) joined the convoy.

Around 0930A/30, HMS Cilicia parted company with the convoy in position 52°42'N, 20°32'W.

After the departure of HMS Cilicia more local A/S escorts arrived early in the afternoon, these were the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN), sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN), corvette HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) and the A/S yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN).

The convoy was then split up into a fast and slow section.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 May 1941.

9 Apr 1941
Around 0830A/9, the aircraft carriers HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN), HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), troopship Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920) and their escort, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN), were joined by the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN), HMS Beagle, (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Wolsey (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC, RN).

Around 1200A/9, the destroyer HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN) was sighted which apparently joined company.

Around 2000A/10, HMS Furious, HMCS Restigouche and HMS Beagle parted company to proceed to Belfast. After escorting the aircraft carrier there the destroyers continued on the the Clyde.

Around 0300A/11, HMS Wolsey was detached to Londonderry.

The Narkunda with HMS Argus, HMS London, HMCS Sauguenay, HMS Viscount and HMS Lincoln arrived in the Clyde in the morning of the 11th. (14)

27 Apr 1941

Convoy OG 60.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 27 April 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 25 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), Caledonia (British, 1268 GRT, built 1913), East Wales (British, 4358 GRT, built 1925), Nueva Granada (Norwegian (tanker), 9968 GRT, built 1937), Palacio (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927), Queen Anne (British, 4937 GRT, built 1937) and Selene (Swedish, 1347 GRT, built 1894). They were escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Vanity ( Lt. I.W.T. Beloe, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Sphene ( Ch.Skr. W.J.J. Tucker, RNR).

The Liverpool section (sailed 26 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Ardeola (British, 2609 GRT, built 1912), Baltallinn (British, 1303 GRT, built 1920), Cressado (British, 1228 GRT, built 1913), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), Polo (British, 1950 GRT, built 1919), Spinanger (Norwegian (tanker), 7429 GRT, built 1927), Waldinge (British, 2462 GRT, built 1925) and Zurichmoor (British, 4455 GRT, built 1925). With the Liverpool section the following escorts also sailed; destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.J. Johns, RN), sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN), HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR). The corvette HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) was also with them but she was only with the convoy briefly as she arrived at Tobermory on the 27th for A/S exercises after a repair period.

On 27 April 1941, HMS Vanity and HMS Sphene arrived at Belfast.

The Clyde section (sailed 27 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aldergrove (British, 1974 GRT, built 1918), Fano (British (former Danish), 1889 GRT, built 1922), Fendris (British, 1018 GRT, built 1925), Inga I (Norwegian, 1304 GRT, built 1921), Leonardia (Swedish, 1583 GRT, built 1906), Marit (Norwegian (tanker), 5563 GRT, built 1918), Nava (Swedish, 1456 GRT, buil 1928), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Procris (British, 1033 GRT, built 1924), Snar (Norwegian, 3176 GRT, built 1920) and Wallonia (Swedish, 1435 GRT, built 1919).

The Oban section (sailed 27 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Blairatholl (British, 3319 GRT, built 1925), Cara (British, 1760 GRT, built 1929), Empire Snipe (British, 2497 GRT, built 1919), Fanefjeld (Norwegian, 1354 GRT, built 1920), Hampton Lodge (British, 3645 GRT, built 1911), Henrik Ibsen (Norwegian, 4671 GRT, built 1906), Lily (Greek, 5735 GRT, built 1920), Magne (Swedish, 3103 GRT, built 1912), Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929) and Varangberg (Norwegian, 2842 GRT, built 1915).

Two further escorts joined coming from Londonderry on its final assembly, these were the sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN) and the armed yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN).

All escorts, except HMS Deptford parted company with the convoy on 30 April.

At 1845Z/1, in position 49°48'N, 19°50'W, the Lily left the convoy without orders to do so. She ignored signals to clarify her movements. She arrived at Halifax on 11 May 1941.

The ships with destinations in North America / Carribean parted company with the convoy at an unknown date, time and position [this is not listed in the convoy report]. The ships in question were the following;
British Dominion (arrived at Trinidad on 17 May), Fano (arrived at Sydney, Cape Brenton Island on 14 May), Grelhead (arrived in a Cuban port on 19 May), Marit (arrived at Curacao on 16 May), Norwegian (arrived at Quebec on 11 May), Nueva Granada (arrived at Curacao on 18 May), Snar (arrived at Tampa on 22 May), Spinager (arrived at New York on 15 May) and Zurichmoor (arrived at Halifax on 11 May).

The ships with destinations in the South Atlantic area parted company with the convoy at an unknown date, time and position [this is not listed in the convoy report]. The ships in question were the following;
East Wales (arrived at Durban on 7 June), Hampton Lodge (arrived at Freetown on 19 May) and Queen Anne (arrived at Capetown on 2 June).

Around 1607Z/3, in position 45°25'N, 20°44'W, the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) sighted the convoy which she then joined shortly afterwards.

The ships with destinations in Portugal and south-west Spain parted company with the convoy at an unknown date [most likely on 10 May], time and position [this is not listed in the convoy report]. The ships in question were the following;
Aldergrove (arrived at Leixoes on 13 May), Baltallinn (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Caledonia (arrived at Leixoes on 12 May), Cara (arrived at Huelva on 11 May), Cressado (arrived at Oporto on 12 May), Empire Snipe (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Fanefjeld (arrived at Seville on 11 May), Fendris (arrived at Oporto on 12 May), Inga I (arrived at Seville on 11 May), Leonardia (arrived at Seville on 11 May), Magne (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Procris (arrived at Oporto on 12 May), Selene (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Sheaf Crown (arrived at Huelva on 11 May), Varangberg (arrived at Huelva on 11 May) and Wallonia (arrived at Seville on 11 May).

The remainder of the convoy continued on to Gibraltar where they arrived on 10 May escorted by HMS Deptford and HrMs O 23.

The Henrik Ibsen continued on past Gibraltar to Melilla where she arrived on 11 May. (15)

27 Mar 1942
HMS H 50 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN), HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN) and HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN). (16)

28 Mar 1942
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr. (retired) A. Ayre, RNR), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN) and HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR). (17)

12 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Holy Loch for Londonderry (Moville). She was escorted by HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN). (18)

13 Apr 1942
En-route, HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN), carried out A/S exercises with HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN). (18)

30 Aug 1942

Convoy HX 205.

This convoy departed Halifax on 30 August 1942.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alcoa Master (American, 5114 GRT, built 1919), Alcoa Rambler (American, 5500 GRT, built 1919), Antilochus (British, 9082 GRT, built 1906), Audacious (Panamanian, 7166 GRT, built 1913), Beaverhill (British, 10041 GRT, built 1928), Bello (Norwegian (tanker), 6125 GRT, built 1930), Brilliant (American (tanker), 9132 GRT, built 1930), Brimanger (Norwegian, 4883 GRT, built 1929), British Character (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941), British Glory (British (tanker), 6995 GRT, built 1928), Cefalu (Honduran, 5221 GRT, built 1930), City of Bombay (British, 7140 GRT, built 1937), Clan MacPherson (British, 6940 GRT, built 1929), Emma Bakke (Norwegian, 4721 GRT, built 1929), Empire Airman (British (tanker), 9813 GRT, built 1942), Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941), Empire Gold (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1941), Empire Kamal (British, 7862 GRT, built 1938), Exchester (American, 4999 GRT, built 1919), Ferncourt (British (tanker), 9918 GRT, built 1938), Fort Amherst (British, 3489 GRT, built 1936), Gdynia (Swedish, 1636 GRT, built 1934), Grey County (Norwegian, 5194 GRT, built 1918), Hoegh Scout (Norwegian (tanker), 9924 GRT, built 1939), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Katy (Norwegian (tanker), 6825 GRT, built 1931), Kosmos II (Norwegian (whale factory ship serving as tanker), 16966 GRT, built 1931), Lady Rodney (Canadian, 8194 GRT, built 1929), Lancastrian Prince (British, 1914 GRT, built 1940), Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927), Lynghaug (Norwegian, 2829 GRT, built 1919), Magdala (Dutch (tanker), 8248 GRT, built 1931), Mark Twain (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Minerva (Norwegian, 5883 GRT, built 1930), Molda (Norwegian, 5137 GRT, built 1937), Nicania (British (tanker), 8179 GRT, built 1942)), Norheim (Norwegian (tanker), 9816 GRT, built 1941), Nortun (Panamanian, 3663 GRT, built 1940), Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Verity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Pacific Grove (British, 7117 GRT, built 1928), Port Alma (British, 8400 GRT, built 1928), Rapana (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), Reverdy Johnson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Richard Henry Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Robin Goodfellow (American, 6885 GRT, built 1920), Saint Bertrand (British, 5522 GRT, built 1929), Sandanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9432 GRT, built 1938), Thorshov (Norwegian (tanker), 9955 GRT, built 1935), Thorshovdi (Norwegian (tanker), 9944 GRT, built 1937), Turrialba (British, 4961 GRT, built 1909), Ulysses (Dutch, 2655 GRT, built 1918), Walt Whitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Waroonga (British, 11243 GRT, built 1914), Westland (Dutch, 5888 GRT, built 1931), William Wirt (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Zacapa (American, 5013 GRT, built 1909) and Zebulon B. Vance (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role), HMS Dasher (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, DSO, RN) and the rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Vanoc (A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN), HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Tyson, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMCS Camrose (T/Lt L.R. Pavillard, RCNVR), HMCS Midland (T/Lt. A.B. Taylor, RCNR) and HMCS Sorel (T/Lt. M.H. Wallace, RCNR).

Around 0930Z/2, the destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN) and corvette HNoMS Potentilla joined in position 46°23'N, 51°37'W. HMS Vanoc and HMS Buxton then parted company.

Around 1100Z/2, the corvettes HNoMS Acanthus, HNoMS Eglantine, HNoMS Montbretia and HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR) joined the convoy in position 46°33'N, 51°24'W. HMCS Camrose, HMCS Midland and HMCS Sorel then parted company.

Also on 2 September the Fort Amherst and Lady Rodney left the convoy for St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Around 1310Z/2, HMS Viscount left the convoy due to a machinery defect having developed. She returned to St. Johns, Newfoundland to effect repairs.

Around 1940Z/2, the destroyer HMS Broke (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, RN) joined as temporary replacement of HMS Viscount.

Around 2000Z/4, HMS Viscount rejoined the convoy in position 50°27'N, 39°41'W. HMS Broke then parted company.

Around 2000Z/8, in position 56°17'N, 18°17'W, the merchant vessel Beaverhill was detached. She took HMS Borage with her as escort. The corvette was to escort her until 07°00'W after which she was to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 0300Z/10, HMS Dasher parted company to proceed independently to the Clyde.

Around 0530Z/10, the Loch Ewe portion of the convoy was detached to proceed there unescorted. At the same time HNoMS Potentilla was detached to proceed to Greenock.

The main portion of the convoy arrived in U.K. water later on the 10th. (19)

15 Oct 1942
German U-boat U-661 was sunk in the North Atlantic, in position 53°42'N, 35°56'W, after being rammed by the British destroyer HMS Viscount.

22 Jan 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RNR) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN). (20)

23 Jan 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN). (20)

24 Jan 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN) and HMCS Assiniboine (A/Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN). (20)

17 Feb 1943
German U-boat U-201 was sunk in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland, in position 50°50'N, 40°50'W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN).

23 Jul 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN). (21)

24 Sep 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and ORP Burza (Cdr. F. Pitulko, ORP). (22)

28 Sep 1943

Operation Alacrity.

The object of this operation was to land at the Azores (Portugese territory) and establish air bases there.

Negotiations with the Portugese were still ongoing to effect this through diplomatic ways and eventually this succeeded and the airbases were established with Portugese consent.

For this operations three convoys left the U.K., these were the following;
Convoy UA 1.
This convoy departed the Clyde on 28 September 1943 and was made up of the following transports / tankers Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934) and Empire Garden (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1920) which were to proceed to Horta and the Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934) and Crane (British, 785 GRT, built 1937) as well as the landing ship HMS LST 13 (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Crozier, RD, RNR) which were to proceed to Angra. The Corfith and HMS LST 13 were however unable to sail with the convoy and remained behind.

Escort for this convoy was made up of the destroyer HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), corvette HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Cape Portland (T/Lt. K.F. Rasmussen, RNR), HMS Saon (T/Lt. J.C. Payne, RNVR), HMS Vascama (T/Lt. H.A.R. Twomey, RNR) and the M/S trawlers HMS Bruray (T/Lt. G.H. Clark, DSC, RNVR), HMS Hayling (T/Lt. G.F. Bryant, RNVR), HMS Mangrove (T/Lt. J.K.M. Warde, RNVR) and HMS Whalsay (T/Lt. F.J.S. Crawford, RNVR).

Convoy UA 2.
This convoy departed the Clyde on 30 September 1943 and was made up of the following transports Empire Outpost (British, 6978 GRT, built 1943) and Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943). The landing ships HMS Bachaquero (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Britten, RD, RNR) and (RFA) Dewdale (8265 GRT, built 1941) were also part of this convoy.

Convoy UA 2 was escorted by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR), HMS Godetia (T/Lt. M.A.F. Larose, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Kingston Agate (Lt. J. Simms, RNR), HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR), HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. B. James, RNVR).

Convoy UA 3.
This convoy departed Liverpool on 2 October 1943 and was made up of the troop transport Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923). She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Inconstant (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) S. Biskupski). These ships were fist to proceed to Belfast Lough were the destroyers were to be fuelled and then on 3 October 1943 they were to rendezvous with the escort carrier HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) and the destroyers ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko) and HMS Whitehall (Cdr. C.L.de H. Bell, RD, RNR) coming from the Clyde which they had departed also on 3 October 1943. The destroyers HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) joined coming from Londonderry which they had departed also on 3 October 1943.

The convoys arrived near the Azores on or around 8 October 1943. [Further research is required regarding the exact movements of the convoys and the ships in it.]

18 Oct 1943

Convoy KMS 30.

This convoy was assembled near Oversay on 18 October 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstel (Dutch, 2115 GRT, built 1925), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929), Begum (British, 5843 GRT, built 1922), Belgian Seaman (Belgian, 7023 GRT, built 1941), Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Carlton (British, 7210 GRT, built 1942), Celtic Monarch (British, 5824 GRT, built 1929), Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934), Coulmore (British, 3670 GRT, built 1936), Cydonia (British, 3517 GRT, built 1927), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Empire Ballad (British, 6700 GRT, built 1942), Empire Cameron (British, 7015 GRT, built 1941), Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943), Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928), Errington Court (British, 4913 GRT, built 1925), Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Fort Fairford (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Liard (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Livingstone (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941), Greathope (British, 2297 GRT, built 1926), Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930), Lech (Polish, 1568 GRT, built 1934), Ledaal (Norwegian, 3076 GRT, built 1899), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Marwarri (British, 8067 GRT, built 1935), Nolisement (British, 5084 GRT, built 1928), Olga E. Embiricos (Greek, 4677 GRT, built 1922), Riverton (British, 7307 GRT, built 1943), Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942), Topdalsfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (Lt. R.I. Floris, RNZNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Pennywort (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR). The corvette HMS Clover (Lt. T.E. Fanshawe, RNR) was unable to join them due to defects but sailed later to overtake and join the convoy at sea which she did on 20 October.

The Blairdevon and Fort Livingstone collided in position 55°39'N, 07°21'W, not long after assembly of the convoy. Both ships being heavily damaged and the Blairdevon was even in a sinking conditiom but both ships were successfully towed to Moville where they arrived on 19 October. HMS Pennywort remained behind with the damaged ships but later rejoined the convoy.

The convoy encountered heavy weather conditions and several ships were forced to turn back, these were; Amstel, Baron Forbes, Begum, Empire Ballad and Nolisement. The Begum had to be towed back as she had lost her propeller.

On 23 October 1943, the merchant vessels Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943) departed Ponta Delgada, Azores to join the convoy around 1200Z/26 in position 41°53'N, 18°30'W. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) which was not to join the convoy.

From 26 to 28 October 1943, HMS Warwick and HMS Asphodel were not with the convoy as they had to fuel at Ponta Delgada and then rejoin the convoy.

During their absence the destroyer HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) were with the convoy.

Also joining the convoy were the destroyers HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN). They had departed Gibraltar on 27 October with orders to join the convoy around 1800A/28 in position 37°37'N, 18°00'W. On these destroyers the three escorts from the Azores were then to part company and return to the Azores.

The convoy arrived off Gibraltar during the night of 31 October / 1 November 1943. The Corfirth arrived at Horta on 3 November after having been detached from the convoy. [or straggled from the convoy ?.] The Cydonia arrived at Lisbon on 1 November after having been detached from the convoy.

The following ships were detached to Gibraltar; Cape Hawke, Carlton, Corfell, Dan-Y-Bryn, Empire Copperfield, Esneh, Fort Tadoussac, Greathope, Lech, Olga E. Embiricos, Scottish Monarch and Stancleeve.

The original escort also proceeded to Gibraltar and was replaced by a new escort made up of the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), escort destroyer HMS Haydon (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN), frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and the A/S trawler L'Ajacienne.

The following merchant ships joined the convoy off Gibraltar; Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), British Merit (British (tanker), 8093 GRT, built 1942), Empire Derwent (British, 4026 GRT, built 1930), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), F.T. Freylinghuysen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Bancroft (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Mary Odin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Montaigne (French, 2770 GRT, built 1920), Nemours (French, 673 GRT, built 1935), Norjerv (Norwegian, 5582 GRT, 1919), Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914), Puck (Polish, 1065 GRT, built 1935), Wearfield (British (tanker), 9795 GRT, built 1943), William B. Woods (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Coddington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On 2 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Oran; Coulmore, Empire Tern, George Bancroft, Joseph Warren and Montaigne while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran; Alexander Graham Bell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Augustus S. Merrimon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Caid (British, 255 GRT, built 1906), Fort de Douaumont (French, 5266 GRT, built 1918), Francis L. Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), George B. McClellan (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), George M. Bibb (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Grand Quevilly (French, 2844 GRT, built 1914), Joseph Hewes (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915), Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mont Viso (French, 4531 GRT, built 1921), Robert Dale Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920), William C. Endicott (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Zebulon Pike (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942). The minesweeper HMS BYMS 2186 (?) also joined the convoy.

Around 0051A/3, the merchant vessel Mont Viso was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-593. HMS Bryony went to the assistance of the torpedoed ship but it sank in two minutes. The corvette then picked up the survivors and later obtained an asdic contact on the enemy and attacked with depth charges during which the German submarine sustained damage due to which she was to return to Toulon for repairs.

Around 0900A/3, HMS Colombo was detached to return to Gibraltar. Between around 1100A/3 and 1410A/3 she was in the area where the Mont Viso had been sunk searching for survivors but none were found. She arrived at Gibraltar around 0805A/4.

On 3 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Algiers; Belgian Seaman, Caio, Empire Trent, Eridan, Fort Fairford, Fort Reliance, Lodestone, Orminster and Topsdaldjord as was HMS Haydon, while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Anna Capano (Italian, 1345 GRT, built 1938), Chateau Pavie (French, 2047 GRT, built 1930), Empire Daring (British, 7059 GRT, built 1943), George C. Childress (American, 7245 GRT, built 1943), Lars Kruse (British, 1807 GRT, built 1923), Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Pan-Delaware (American (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1918), Richmond Mumford Pearson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938). HMS Bryony also made a short stop at Oran to land the survivors of the Mont Viso before rejoining the convoy. The corvette HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) also joined the convoy off Algiers.

On 4 November 1943, the Empire Daring arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.

On 4 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Philippeville; George C. Childress, Letitia and Sinnington Court while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Philippeville; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Cap Padaran (British (former French), 8009 GRT, built 1922), Fort Fork (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Lawrence (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943) and Prometheus (British, 6095 GRT, built 1925).

On 4 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Bone; Empire Derwent, F.T. Freylinghuysen, John Mary Odin, Jonathan Trumbull, William B. Woods and William Coddington while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Bone; Yenangyaung (British, 5447 GRT, 1937).

On 5 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Anna Capano, George M. Bibb, Grand Quevilly, Kemp P. Battle and Wearfield while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919).

On 5 November 1943 the Errington Court was detached to Bizerta.

On 6 November 1943 the Fort Liard, Puck and Selvik were detached to Malta as was HMS BYMS 2186.

On 6 November 1943 the Afghanistan, Alexander Graham Bell, Augustus S. Merrimon, Baron Stranraer, Benjamin Huntington, British Merit, Cap Padaran, Celtic Monarch, Empire Cameron, Fort de Douaumont, Fort Fork, Fort Lawrence, Francis L. Lee, George B. McClellan, Harberton, Joseph Hewes, Kosciuszko, Lars Kruse, Leland Stanford, Norman Monarch, Pan-Delaware, Prometheus, Richmond Mumford Pearson, Riverton, Robert Dale Owen, Robert F. Stockton, Ronan, Wearwood, William C. Endicott, William F. Cody and Zebulon Pike were detached to Augusta while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Augusta; Brighton (British, 7345 GRT, built 1943), City of Windsor (British, 7218 GRT, built 1923), Comliebank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941), Pellicula (British (tanker), 6254 GRT, built 1936) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).

On 11 November 1943 the Brighton, City of Windsor, Comliebank, Fort la Traite, Fort Pembina, Norjerv, Talma and Yenangyaung arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. They took HMS Bergamot and HMS Bryony with them.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said also on 11 November escorted by HMS Barle and HMS La Malouine. HMS Barle then continued on toward Haifa where she arrived on the 12th.

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