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Notable events involving Acasta include:

4 Sep 1939
HMS Courageous (Capt. W.T. Makeig-Jones, RN) departed Plymouth for an anti-submarine patrol. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. P.J. Oliver, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN).

At sea they were joined by HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Woodhall, RN) which attacked a submarine contact around 1915 hours near Plymouth. The contact appears to have been bogus.

The force returned to Plymouth later the same day.

4 Sep 1939
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) conducted flying operations off Portland. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. P.J. Oliver, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN). (1)

16 Sep 1939

Convoy HX 1.

This convoy departed Halifax on 16 September 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following ships; Beaverford (British, 10042 GRT, built 1928), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Capulet (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), Carimare (French, 4459 GRT, built 1920), City of Eastbourne (British, 5563 GRT, built 1923), Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Egton (British, 4363 GRT, built 1938), Gloucester City (British, 3071 GRT, built 1919), Hartismere (British, 5498 GRT, built 1933), Henri Desprez (French, 9805 GRT, built 1932), Kirnwood (British, 3829 GRT, built 1928), Mansepool (British, 4894 GRT, built 1928), Maplewood (British, 4566 GRT, built 1930), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926), Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924), Springdale (British, 1579 GRT, built 1937) and Vermont (French, 5186 GRT, built 1932).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruisers HMS Berwick (Capt. I.M. Palmer, DSC, RN), HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Hope, RCN).

The Kirnwood had to return to Halifax where she arrived back on 17 September.

At 1530P/17 HMCS St. Laurent parted company with the convoy.

At 0545P/18, the destroyer HMCS Skeena (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) joined the convoy.

At 1845P/18, HMS Berwick, HMS York, HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Skeena parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax where all four arrived on 20 September.

Around 1530A/29, to the southwest of Ireland, the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. P.J. Oliver, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1045A/30, the convoy split into the Channel / East coast section and Irish Sea / West coast section.

HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent escorted the Channel / East coast section towards the Downs and then proceeded to Dover where they arrived around 1700A/2.

HMS Winchelsea and HMS Walpole escorted the Irish Sea / West coast section and arrived at Liverpool around 0500A/2. (2)

30 Sep 1939

Convoy HX 3.

This convoy departed Halifax on 30 September 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following ships; Bassano (British, 4843 GRT, built 1937), Beaverbrae (British, 9956 GRT, built 1928), Cairnross (British, 5494 GRT, built 1921), Daleby (British, 4640 GRT, built 1929), Dorelian (British, 6431 GRT, built 1923), Esmond (British, 4976 GRT, built 1930), Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924), Germanic (British, 5352 GRT, built 1936), Gitano (British, 3956 GRT, built 1921), Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925), Manchester Citizen (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Mathura (British, 8890 GRT, built 1920), Newfoundland (British, 6791 GRT, built 1925), North Cornwall (British, 4303 GRT, built 1924), Ontariolite (British (tanker), 8932 GRT, built 1925), Rushpool (British, 5125 GRT, built 1928), Sandsend (British, 3612 GRT, built 1925), Torr Head (British, 5021 GRT, built 1937) and Trevarrack (British, 5270 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. I.M. Palmer, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Hope, RCN).

Around 1720Q/1, HMCS Fraser and HMCS St. Laurent parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 0610Q/2, HMCS Berwick parted company to proceed on patrol and to return to Halifax afterwards.

Around 0900A/13, to the south-west of Ireland, in approximate position 50°23'N, 13°15'W, the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. P.J. Oliver, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1300A/14, the convoy split up into the Channel and East coast section and the Irish Sea section for west coast ports.

Before the convoy split up, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy; Brookwood (British, 5100 GRT, built 1929), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), Langleeford (British, 4622 GRT, built 1925) and Larpool (British, 3872 GRT, built 1924). These ships had departed Halifax on 29 September 1939 as convoy HXS 3. They had not been escorted.

The Channel and East coast section was made up of the following ships Bassano, Cairnross, Esmond, Framlington Court, Gitano, Grelhead, Larpool, North Cornwall and Ontariolite. On the convoy parting company this part of the convoy was escorted by HMS Acasta.

The other ships made up the Irish Sea section of the convoy and were escorted until 1400A/14 by HMS Ardent which was then relieved from escorting this section when the destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Fryer, RN) and HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. H. Gartside-Tippinge, RN) joined. HMS Ardent then joined the Channel / East coast section.

HMS Witherington and HMS Volunteer arrived at Liverpool on 16 October 1939.

Around 0200A/15, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent parted company with the Channel / East coast section to proceed to Plymouth arriving there later the same day. By now (around 2300A/14) the Channel / East coast section had been joined by the destroyers HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. M. Culme-Seymour, RN) and HMS Wivern (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN).

HMS Vansittart and HMS Wivern escorted the Channel / East coast section to the Downs and then set course for Dover arriving there on 16 October. (3)

8 Nov 1939

Convoy HXF 8.

This convoy departed Halifax on 8 November 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arthur F. Corwin (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Beaverford (British, 10042 GRT, built 1928), Clea (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1938), Cymbula (British (tanker), 8082 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Devon City (British, 4928 GRT, built 1933), Fort Royal (French, 3485 GRT, built 1935), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), Inanda (British, 5985 GRT, built 1925), Maurienne (French, 3259 GRT, built 1938), Torinia (British (tanker), 10364 GRT, built 1939) and Tornus (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936).

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

The Canadian destroyers parted company around 1500Q/9 to return to Halifax.

Around 0945Z/19, in position 50°09'N, 08°50'W, the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. P.J. Oliver, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) joined the convoy.

The convoy was then split up into two sections and shortly afterwards HMS Ascania parted company to proceed to return to Halifax.

The Irish Sea / West Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arthur F. Corwin, Devon City and Tornus. They were escorted by HMS Winchelsea and HMS Walpole. They arrived at Liverpool in the evening of 20 November 1939.

The remaining ships made up the Channel / East Coast section. The Clea and the two French ships were detached to French ports. The remainder of the merchant vessels proceeded to the Downs. HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent arrived at Dover in the morning of 21 November 1939. (4)

11 Dec 1939
Around 0830Z/11, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) departed Plymouth for trials. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Lt.Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN).

Due to suspected enemy submarine in the area HMS Valiant could not return to Plymouth as had been intended. She went to Portland instead arriving there around 0830Z/12. The destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) and HMS Grenade (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, RN) had meanwhile reinforced the screen. (5)

13 Dec 1939
The battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Lt.Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN). (5)

14 Dec 1939
Around 0830Z/14, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) departed Portland for Bermuda where she is to work-up as this is though not possible in the U.K. due to the submarine threat. On departure from Portland she is escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Lt.Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) and HMS Grenade (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, RN).

Around 1600Z/14, the destroyer HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN) joined the escort and HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent parted company.

At 1730Z/15, the destroyer escort parted company and HMS Valiant continued her passage unescorted.

(5)

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.

9 Jan 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (6)

27 Jan 1940
The battleship, HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN), with £10,000,000 sterling of gold, art treasures and some passengers on board, departed Plymouth around 1300Z/27 for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

She was escorted from 1700Z/27 until shortly before noon on the 28th by the destroyers HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN). (7)

6 Feb 1940
HMS Exeter (Capt. F.S. Bell, CB, RN), and her escorts, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN), HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN) departed Freetown for Plymouth.

HMS Ark Royal and the destroyers parted company around 1800/9. Ark Royal was to proceed direct to the U.K. while the destroyers were to arrive at Dakar at 0900 (GMT) on the 11th.

Around dawn at 13 February 1940, HMS Renown and HMS Exeter were joined by HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. C.F. Tower, MVO, RN).

In the morning of the 14th the destroyers HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN), HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined. This was before the other destroyers (see below) joined.

Around 1030/14 four more destroyers joined, HMS Hearty (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN).

Around 1645/14, HMS Whitshed, HMS Vesper and HMS Acasta parted company when the merchant vessel Sultan Star was torpedoed and sunk on the horizon.

HMS Hero was detached, most likely on the 15th to Portsmouth where she was to refit.

HMS Renown, HMS Exeter, HMS Hasty, HMS Ardent, HMS Hearty, HMS Wren and HMS Wolverine arrived at Plymouth on the 15th. (8)

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). (9)

12 Feb 1940

Convoy HXF 20.

This convoy departed Halifax on 12 February 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Hallaren (Swedish, 2749 GRT, built 1929), Italia (Norwegian (tanker), 9973 GRT, built 1939), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Salacia (British, 5495 GRT, built 1937), San Adolfo (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1935) and Tudor Star (British, 7199 GRT, built 1919).

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

Around 1200Q/13, the merchant vessels Beignon (British, 5218 GRT, built 1939) and Emma Bakke (Norwegian, 4721 GRT, built 1929), which had sailed late from Halifax, overtook and joined the convoy.

Also on the 13th, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

At daybreak on 20 February 1940, after having encountered heavy weather during the night, it was seen that the Beignon and Emma Bakke as well as HMS Laconia were no longer with the convoy. Both merchant vessels never rejoined the convoy and HMS Laconia turned back to return to Halifax around 1950Z/21. Shortly afterwards she sighted the remaining ships of the convoy which were apparently astern of the stragglers.

Around 0730Z/22, the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Venetia (Lt. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN) joined.

Around 1610Z/22, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Manchester Commerce, Manchester Exporter, Salacia, San Adolfo and Tudor Star. They were escorted by HMS Venetia which arrived at Liverpool on 24 February 1940.

The remaining ships of the convoy made up the Channel / East Coast section which was escorted by HMS Acasta which arrived at Plymouth on 26 February 1940 after having doubled back from the vicinity of Portsmouth. (10)

26 Feb 1940

Convoy HX 23.

This convoy departed Halifax on 26 February 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Benvenue (British, 5920 GRT, built 1927), Bolton Castle (British, 5203 GRT, built 1939), Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931), Dover Hill (British, 5815 GRT, built 1918), Eleni (British, 5655 GRT, built 1918), Ferncourt (British (tanker), 9918 GRT, built 1938), Gregalia (British, 5802 GRT, built 1929), Hartlebury (British, 5082 GRT, built 1934), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Karabagh (British (tanker), 6427 GRT, built 1932), King Robert (British, 5880 GRT, built 1920), Langleetarn (British, 4908 GRT, built 1929), Loch Dee (British, 5252 GRT, built 1937), Manchester Brigade (British, 6042 GRT, built 1918), Manchester Division (British, 6048 GRT, built 1918), Niceto de Larrinaga (British, 5591 GRT, built 1916), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Oilfield (British (tanker), 8516 GRT, built 1938), Pacific Enterprise (British, 6736 GRT, built 1927), Pacific Grove (British, 7117 GRT, built 1928), Port Fairy (British, 10243 GRT, built 1928), Prince Rupert City (British, 4749 GRT, built 1929), Ruperra (British, 4548 GRT, built 1925), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935), San Casimiro (British (tanker), 8046 GRT, built 1936), Silverelm (British, 4351 GRT, built 1924), Tekoa (British, 8695 GRT, built 1922) and Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928).

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

Around 1800Q/27, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1945 hours (timezone +3 hours and 20 minutes), in position 42°24'N, 54°32'W, the Loch Dee and Port Fairy collided. Both were ordered to return to Halifax the following morning and arrived on 3 and 4 March respectively.

The Ruperra which was unable to keep up with the convoy returned to Halifax arriving on 4 March.

Around 2100 hours on 1 March (timezone +2 hours and 40 minutes) the destroyer HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN), which was on passage from Halifax to the U.K., joined the convoy.

Around 0905Z/9, the local A/S escort joined. HMS Ausonia then parted company to return to Halifax.

The identity of the local A/S escorts is not given in the convoy documents and also not in the logbook of HMS Ausonia.

Analying A/S escorts movements, the A/S escort was most likely made up of the destroyers HMS Mackay (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) and HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN) for the Irish Sea / west coast section. The destroyers had departed Liverpool on 5 March escorting outward convoy OB 104. They arrived back at Liverpool on 11 March which would fit exactly with convoy HX 23.

The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Gregalia (arrived at Avonmouth on 12 March), Hartlebury (arrived at Bristol on 12 March), Iroquois (arrived at Liverpool on 11 March), King Robert (arrived at Liverpool on 11 March), Manchester Brigade (arrived at Liverpool on 11 March), Manchester Division (arrived at Liverpool on 11 March), Niceto de Larrinaga (arrived in the Clyde on 12 March), Norwegian (arrived at Avonmouth on 11 March), Price Rupert City (arrived in the Clyde on 12 March), Silverelm (arrived at Liverpool on 11 March) and Tekoa (arrived at Avonmouth on 12 March).

The Channel / east coast section may have been escorted by the destroyer HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) which had departed Portsmouth on 6 March and arrived at Dover on 12 March which is the same day the remaining merchant ships of this section arrived in the Downs. Also the destroyer HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) may have escorted the Channel / east coast section for part of the way. She had departed Plymouth on 7 March and arrived back there on 11 March. HMS Hereward also arrived at Plymouth on 11 March, most likely after having remained with the Channel / east coast section until that day.

The Channel / east coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Benvenue (arrived in the Downs on 12 March), Bolton Castle (arrived at Weymouth on 12 March), Cliona (arrived in the Downs on 12 March), Dover Hill (arrived in the Downs on 12 March), Eleni (arrived at Le Havre on 12 March), Ferncourt (arrived at Boulogne, France on 12 March), Karabagh (arrived in the Downs on 12 March), Langleetarn (arrived at Weymouth on 12 March), Oilfield (arrived at Weymouth on 12 March), Pacific Enterprise (arrived in the Downs on 12 March), Pacific Grove (arrived in the Downs on 12 March), San Arcadio (arrived at Boulogne, France on 12 March), San Casimiro (arrived in the Downs on 12 March) and Vancouver (arrived in the Downs on 12 March). (11)

3 Mar 1940
Early in the evening, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN), departed Plymouth for Greenock. She is being escorted by HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN). (12)

4 Mar 1940
Early in the afternoon, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) arrived at Greenock (12)

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).

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

In the morning of 30 March 1940, in position 43°29'N, 43°15'W, the Dimitrios Inglessis and the King Edward collided. The King Edward was unable to continue and was towed to St. Johns where she arrived on 16 April. The Port Hardy stood by her for a while but subsequently continued her passage to the U.K. and she arrived in the Downs on 9 April. The Dimitrios Inglessis had only some minor damage and rejoined the convoy.

Around 1325N/3, in position 48°57'N, 22°45'W, HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 0545Z/6, in position 49°53'N, 12°30'W, 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).

Around 1700Z/6, in position 49°55'N, 10°30'W, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Agia Marina (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Araby (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Conus (arrived at Scapa Flow on 10 April), Davila (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), El Aleto (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Ethel Radcliffe (arrived at Avonmouth on 8 April), Governor (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Lochkatrine (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Losada (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Lowther Castle (arrived at Avonmouth on 8 April), Modavia (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), New Westminster City (arrived at Port Talbot on 8 April), Nolisement (arrived at Belfast on 9 April), Northleigh (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), Rowanbank (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April), San Gerardo (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April) and Southgate (arrived at Liverpool on 8 April). They were escorted by HMS Viscount and HMS Witch but later [not known exactly when] the destroyers HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN) and HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN) took over as these destroyers arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on 8 April. HMS Viscount arrived at Dover on 11 April. HMS Witch arrived at Plymouth on 9 April.

The Channel / east coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Anadara (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Appalachee (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Athelchief (arrived at Le Havre on 9 April), Athelmonarch (arrived at Weymouth on 8 April), Barrdale (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Cairnglenn (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Dean Emery (arrived at Le Havre on 9 April), Derrymore (arrived at Weymouth on 8 April), Dimitrios Inglessis (arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 8 April), Filleigh (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Luculus (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Penrose (arrived at Weymouth on 8 April), Regent Panther (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Remuera (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Sandsend (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Taxiarchis (arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 9 April), Testbank (arrived in the Downs on 9 April), Victor Ross (arrived in Spithead (for Southampton) on 8 April) and Welcombe (arrived in the Downs on 9 April). They were escorted by HMS Whitehall (arrived at Dover on 9 April) and HMS Acasta (arrived at Plymouth on 8 April). (13)

11 Apr 1940

Convoy NP 1.

This troop convoy departed the Clyde on 11 April 1940 for Harstad, Norway. In the end the convoy was split up and one part arrived at Harstad on 15 April. The other part arrived off Namsos on 16 April.

It was made up of the troopships Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931).

They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN).

Early in the afternoon of 12 April the troopships Batory (Polish, 14387 GRT, built 1936) and Chrobry (Polish, 11442 GRT, built 1939) departed Scapa Flow to join convoy NP 1 at sea.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Whirlwind (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN) and HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN). The netlayer HMS Protector (Capt. W.Y la L. Beverley, RN) also departed Scapa Flow with these ships.

Around 1600/12, the light cruisers HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy at sea which they did around 1945/12.

Shortly afterwards the convoy was also joined by the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Brazen (Lt.Cdr. M. Culme-Seymour, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN) which had sailed from Sullom Voe around 1130/12.

Late in the evening of 12 April repair ship HMS Vindictive (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Codrington (Capt. G.E. Creasy, MVO, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy which they did late in the afternoon of the 13th.

Coming south from a patrol off the Vestfjord area were the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN). These ships made rendez-vous with the convoy in the afternoon of the 13th after which HMS Repulse with the three J-class destroyers continued on towards Scapa Flow while HMS Valiant joined the convoy.

On April 14th it was decided that some of the troops were to be sent to Namsos and the convoy split up;

Troopships Chrobry and Empress of Australia escorted by the light cruisers HMS Manchester and HMS Birmingham, AA cruiser HMS Cairo and the destroyers HMS Highlander, HMS Vanoc and HMS Whirlwind split off late in the afternoon. This convoy arrived off Namsos early in the morning of the 16th.

The remainder of the ships; troopships Batory, Monarch of Bermuda, Reina del Pacifico, repair ship HMS Vindictive and netlayer HMS Protector with their escort made up of the battleship HMS Valiant and the destroyers HMS Codrington, HMS Amazon, HMS Acasta, HMS Ardent, HMS Brazen, HMS Fearless, HMS Griffin, HMS Volunteer and HMS Witherington arrived at Vaagsfjord late in the morning of the 15th. They had been escorted in by the light cruisers HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN).

2 May 1940
The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) fuelled the following destroyers while anchored in the 'Narvik area'; HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Havant (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) and HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN).

In the evening HMS Resolution fired some 6" shells against German troop concentrations. (14)

11 May 1940
Around 2330/10, a convoy of ships departed Skjelfiord for the UK. The convoy was made up of the damaged light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN) that was being towed by the tug HMS Brigand, the damaged destroyer HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN) that was being towed by the tug HMS Buccaneer, the transport Lochee (964 GRT, built 1937) and the tanker British Valour (6952 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from the Skjelfiord the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Loman (T/Lt. R.C. Warwick, RNR).

The convoy was assembled off the Skjelfiord shortly after midnight during the night of 10/11 May.

Around 1015/11, the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and destroyer HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) joined the escort of the convoy.

Around 1040/11, enemy aircraft attacked the convoy but no damage was sustained. Shortly afterwards the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) also joined the escort of the convoy.

Around 1900/11, HMS Zulu obtained an A/S contact and attacked with depth charges.

Around 0815/12, HMS Witch obtained an A/S contact and attacked with depth charges.

Around 0900/12, HMS Coventry parted company with the convoy.

Around 1230/12, HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 1300/12, HMS Zulu obtained an A/S contact and attacked with depth charges followed by HMS Witch at 1320/12.

Around 2000/13, HMS Campbell parted company with the convoy to proceed to Sullum Voe to refuel. She arrived there around 0600/14.

Around 1600/14, HMS Campbell rejoined, having departed from Sullom Voe after refuelling there around 1030/14.

Around 2000/14, HMS Calcutta and HMS St. Loman parted company with the convoy.

Around 0430/15, HMS Witch arrived at Scapa Flow to refuel. [Unknown when she left the convoy]. She departed Scapa Flow around 0730/15 to rejoin the convoy. [Unkown when she rejoined the convoy.]

Around 0515/15, HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined the convoy escort. HMS Zulu was then detached.

Around 2230/15, HMS Penelope still being towed by HMS Brigand and the British Valour and escorted by HMS Acasta and HMS Escort parted company with the other ships to proceed ahead of them to the Clyde.

They arrived in the Clyde area around 2200/15. The other ships arrived in the Clyde area later during the night of 15/16 May. (15)

12 May 1940

Convoy TC 4.

This convoy of troopships departed Halifax on 12 May 1940 for Liverpool where it arrived on 21 May 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following troopships; Antonia (British, 13867 GRT, built 1921, carrying 932 troops) and Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928, carrying 1559 troops).

Escort on departure from Halifax was provided by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN).

On passing the gate entrance HMS Revenge struck and sank the gate vessel, trawler HMCS Ypres (T/Lt. A.H. Cassivi, RCNR).

The Canadian destroyers parted company with the convoy on the 14th.

At 0555A/20, the destroyers HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN), HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN) and HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN) joined the convoy.

At 2340A/20, HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy to proceed to the Clyde escorted by HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent.

The convoy and the remaining three destroyers continued on the Liverpool.

21 May 1940
HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN) arrived in the Clyde after convoy escort duty. (16)

30 May 1940
Around 0545A/30, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN).

They arrived at Scapa Flow around 0530A/31. (17)

31 May 1940
Around 0845A/31, 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 Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operations of northern Norway. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN).

The aircraft carriers were to provide cover for the Allied withdrawal from Norway (HMS Ark Royal) and to evacuate RAF fighters (HMS Glorious, which carried therefore a reduced aircraft complement)

On 31 May, HMS Ark Royal kept up an A/S patrol throughout the day.

On 1 June, no flying operations were carried out due to the foggy weather conditions.

At 1741A/2, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent were detached to fuel at Harstad.

On 2 June, A/S patrols were flown, in the morning by HMS Ark Royal and in the afternoon by HMS Glorious.

At 0723A/3, HMS Glorious and HMS Highlander were detached to operate independently to the north-west so as to conserve fuel until HMS Glorious was required to embark the RAF aircraft she was to evacuate.

At 1704A/3, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent rejoined HMS Ark Royal. HMS Diana and HMS Acheron were then detached to fuel at Harstad.

On the 3rd, some Swordfish were flown off by HMS Ark Royal in the late afternoon / early evening for patrol. Also a Swordfish was flown off for a reconnaissance and weather reporting mission of the Narvik area.

Around 1200A/4, HMS Diana and HMS Acheron rejoined.

On 4th, HMS Ark Royal maintained A/S and fighter patrols throughout the day. A/S patrol was also provided for evacuation convoys.

At 1420A/5, HMS Glorious and HMS Highlander rejoined. HMS Highlander was then detached to Harstad to fuel shortly afterwards. The carriers then remained in close company, each screened by two of the destroyers, HMS Ark Royal was screened by HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent and HMS Glorious by HMS Diana and HMS Acheron.

On 5 June, only a Walrus landed on HMS Ark Royal coming from Harstad. It was flown off later again to return to Harstad. Other flying operations were cancelled due to fog. In the evening the weather cleared and flying operation were again possible. A/S and fighter patrols were flown off as was a reconnaissance Swordfish. Flying operation continued during the night of 5/6 June.

At 0940A/6, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent were detached to fuel at Harstad.

At 1018A/6, HMS Glorious was detached escorted by the destroyer HMS Highlander which had just returned from fuelling.

On 6 June, flying operations were conducted during the entire day these included fighter patrols, A/S patrols, reconnaissance missions as well as attack missions on land targets.

At 0028A/7, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent returned from fuelling and rejoined HMS Ark Royal. HMS Diana and HMS Acheron were then detached to fuel at Harstad.

At 1504A/7, HMS Glorious and HMS Highlander rejoined.

At 1612A/7, HMS Diana and HMS Acheron rejoinned from fuelling.

On the 7th, flying operations were conducted during the entire day these included fighter patrols, A/S patrols, reconnaissance missions as well as attack missions on land targets.

At 0103A/8, HMS Glorious acted independently to land on the RAF Gladiators and Hurricanes for transport back to the U.K. At 0253A/8, HMS Glorious parted company to return to the U.K. She took HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent with her as escorts.

8 Jun 1940

The loss off HMS Glorious, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent.

At 0253A/8, the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) parted company with the force she had been part of to return to the U.K. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN).

Around 1600A/8, ships were sighted on the horizon to the north-west and HMS Ardent was ordered to close and investigate. Also five Swordfish aircraft were ordered to be ranged on deck ready to be flown off.

Around 1620A/8, it was seen that HMS Ardent was being fired on and the two ships were identified as the German battlecruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst.

Around 1630A/8, the enemy battlecruiser opened fire on HMS Glorious. Already the third salvo hit the ship and a shell exploded in the upper hangar. This started a fire and the smoke of it effected the operation of the boiler rooms. More hits followed quickly. One hit was obtained on the bridge and the carriers Commanding Officer was killed. Also the engine room was hit and the carrier lost speed and began to list. Due to the steering engine being out of action she started to circle. After about 45 minutes the fire was out of control and the list was increasing. Order to abandon ship was given and the carrier sank around 1740A/8 in position 68°45'N, 04°30'E. On 11 June 1940, Norwegian fishing vessels picked up 43 survivors, over 1200 officers and men had lost their lives.

As for the destroyers, HMS Ardent, which had been closing the two ships, and after identifying them as enemy battlecruisers, commenced laying a smoke screen between the enemy and HMS Glorious. She opened fire on the enemy and also fired her torpedoed but these all missed. She was then hit and came to a halt. After more hits she rolled over and sank around 1730A/8. There were only two survivors of her crew of 155 officers and men. These two were picked up by a German floatplane on 11 June 1940.

HMS Acasta, which had remained with HMS Glorious also commenced laying smoke to try to cover the carrier but it was in vain. With her sister ship having been hit and come to a halt and the carrier on fire, HMS Acasta commenced to attack the enemy battlecruisers through her smokescreen. On emerging from it she fired half her torpedoes obtaining a hit on the Scharnhorst. Instead of making a run for it, Commander Glasfurd decided to make another torpedo attack but on emerging from the smokescreen the ship was hit amidships in the engine room and came to a halt. None the less her guns kept firing at the enemy and the last four torpedoes were fired but these did not hit. She finally sank around 1810A/8. Out of her compliment of 162 officers and men there were only two survivors which were picked up by a Norwegian merchant vessel, unfortunately one died soon after being picked up.

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