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Notable events involving Diana include:

The page for this destroyer was last updated in November 2020.

1 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Hong Kong together with HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Diana. (1)

4 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Hong Kong to patrol in the Luzon Strait with the purpose to intercept German merchant vessels. (2)

8 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) returned to Hong Kong from patrol. (2)

21 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. HMS Diana is to join the Mediterranean Fleet. (2)

24 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Singapore. (2)

25 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo. (2)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Colombo. (2)

29 Sep 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. (2)

7 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Aden. (3)

8 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Aden for Suez. (3)

11 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Suez. She then entered the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said later the same day. (3)

12 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) shifted from Port Said to Alexandria. (3)

16 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. On departure she carried out gunnery exercises. (3)

17 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Port Said. She departed again later the same day to patrol in the Aegean (contraband control). (3)

22 Oct 1939
Around 1600 hours, HMS Duchess (Lt.Cdr. R.C.M. White, RN) arrived in the Kithera Channel for contraband patrol where she took over from HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) following which HMS Diana set course for Alexandria. (4)

23 Oct 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (3)

24 Oct 1939
HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral A.B. Cunningham, KCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.R. Moore, CB, DSO, CVO, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN), HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Alexandria. HMS Warspite and the destroyers returned to harbour in the evening. The cruisers remained at sea for night exercises. (5)

25 Oct 1939
HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.R. Moore, CB, DSO, CVO, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN), HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (6)

27 Oct 1939
HMS Barham (Capt. H.T.C. Walker, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN), HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

29 Oct 1939
HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta. She was escorted by HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). (6)

31 Oct 1939
HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (6)

4 Nov 1939
HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She was escorted by HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). (7)

6 Nov 1939
HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

After fuelling HMS Warspite departed Gibraltar for Halifax escorted by HMS Dainty, HMS Diana, HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, RN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN). (7)

7 Nov 1939
At 0815 hours, HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) parted company with HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, RN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN).

HMS Dainty and HMS Diana then returned to Gibraltar where they arrived around 1700 hours. (7)

8 Nov 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Gibraltar for Marseilles, France escorting the liner Devonshire (11275 GRT, built 1939). (8)

10 Nov 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and the liner Devonshire (11275 GRT, built 1939) arrived at Marseilles, France. (8)

11 Nov 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Marseilles for Malta. (8)

13 Nov 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Malta where she was taken in hand for a short refit. (8)

1 Dec 1939
HMS Otway (Cdr. H.R. Conway, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). On completion of these exercises HMS Diana set course for the Dardanelles. (9)

8 Dec 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) returned to Malta from patrol off the Dardanelles. She had been relieved by HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN). (5)

11 Dec 1939
HMS Otway (Cdr. H.R. Conway, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN). On completion of these exercises HMS Diana proceeded on patrol off the Thermaic Gulf (south of Thessaloniki, Greece) while HMS Decoy proceeded to patrol off the Otranto Strait. (9)

16 Dec 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) returned to Malta from patrol. (10)

21 Dec 1939
HMS Malaya (Capt. I.B.B. Tower, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She was escorted by HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliot, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). (11)

24 Dec 1939
HMS Malaya (Capt. I.B.B. Tower, DSC, RN) and her escorts, the destroyers, HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. HMS Malaya departed Gibraltar later the same day for Halifax. She was still being escorted by HMS Delight and HMS Diana but also by HMS Watchman (Cdr.(Retd.) V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN).

HMS Watchman parted company at 1730/26 and returned to Gibraltar.

HMS Delight and HMS Diana parted company at 1100/27 and set course to proceed to the U.K. (11)

30 Dec 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Dover. (10)

31 Dec 1939
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) shifted from Dover to Sheerness. She was to be taken in hand for repairs by the Chatham Dockyard. (10)

16 Jan 1940
With her short refit completed HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Sheerness to proceed to the Clyde. (12)

20 Jan 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived in the Clyde. (12)

30 Jan 1940

Convoy TC 3.

This convoy of troopships departed Halifax on 30 January 1940 for the Clyde where it arrived on 7 February 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following troopships / liners; Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914, carrying 2733 troops), Chobry (Polish, 11442 GRT, built 1939, number of troops unknown), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914, carrying 1577 troops), Empress of Britain (British, 42348 GRT, built 1931, carrying 1588 troops) and Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931, carrying 1334 troops),

Close escort was provided on leaving Halifax by the battleships HMS Malaya (Capt. I.B.B. Tower, DSC, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hunter (Lt.Cdr. L. de Villiers, RN), HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.N. Creery, RCN), HMCS Ottawa (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN). These Canadian destroyers remained with the convoy until the afternoon of February 1st when they set course to return to Halifax. HMS Enterprise remained with the convoy until about 25°W when she parted company with the convoy in the afternoon 4 February to return to Halifax.

When the convoy approached the British isles, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN), HMS Fury (Cdr. G.F. Burghard, RN), HMS Daring (Cdr. S.A. Cooper, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed the Clyde on 2 February. HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliot, RN) departed Portsmouth on the 3rd also to join the convoy. They joined the convoy in the morning of the 5th with the exception of HMS Delight which had been detached as she was unable to join on time. She was replaced by the destroyers HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN).

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on the 7th. (13)

2 Feb 1940
HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN), HMS Fury (Cdr. G.F. Burghard, RN), HMS Daring (Cdr. S.A. Cooper, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed the Clyde for convoy escort duty.

Later the same day the destroyers HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) also sailed.

[See the event ' Convoy TC 3 ' for 30 January 1940 for more information on this convoy.]

8 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed the Clyde to proceed northwards towards the Shetlands. (14)

10 Feb 1940
HMS Daring (Cdr. S.A. Cooper, RN), the tanker British Governor (6840 GRT, built 1926) and the former German merchant vessel Ilsenstein (8216 GRT, built 1904) arrived at Scapa Flow.

HMS Daring, with British Governor departed Scapa Flow later the same day for Rosyth. They were joined on the 10th by the destroyer HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and the tanker Housatonic (5559 GRT, built 1919) which came from Muckle Flugga. (15)

11 Feb 1940
HMS Daring (Cdr. S.A. Cooper, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and the tankers British Governor (6840 GRT, built 1926) and Housatonic (5559 GRT, built 1919) arrived at Rosyth. (15)

12 Feb 1940

Convoy HN 11.

This convoy was formed near Bergen, Norway on 12 February 1940. It arrived at Methil on 15 February 1940

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Balder (Norwegian, 1129 GRT, built 1901), Bjornvik (Norwegian, 812 GRT, built 1918), Convallaria (Swedish, 1996 GRT, built 1921), Dahlia (Swedish, 1057 GRT, built 1907), Drabant (Swedish, 1767 GRT, built 1897), Eros (Norwegian, 974 GRT, built 1922), Frisco (Norwegian, 1582 GRT, built 1939), Gol (Norwegian, 985 GRT, built 1920), Jacob Christensen (Norwegian, 3594 GRT, built 1920), Jaederen (Norwegian, 902 GRT, built 1918), La France (Norwegian, 617 GRT, built 1909), Listo (Norwegian, 1998 GRT, built 1918), Lyng (Norwegian, 953 GRT, built 1920), Lysland (Norwegian, 1335 GRT, built 1907), Majorca (British, 1126 GRT, built 1921), Mari (Norwegian, 563 GRT, built 1920), Maria Gorthon (Swedish, 1572 GRT, built 1930), Northumbria (Swedish, 1396 GRT, built 1898), Omberg (Swedish, 1284 GRT, built 1920), Orania (Norwegian, 1182 GRT, built 1919), Orland (Norwegian, 1899 GRT, built 1917), Oscar (Swedish, 1394 GRT, built 1914), Otto (Finnish, 1343 GRT, built 1907), Sando (Swedish, 1334 GRT, built 1902), Sigrid (Norwegian, 965 GRT, built 1920), Sixten (Norwegian, 2171 GRT, built 1912), Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919), Storfors (Norwegian, 545 GRT, built 1918) and Vestland (Norwegian, 1934 GRT, built 1916).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN). The AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) also joined the convoy on the 12th.

Cover for the convoy was provided by the light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN).

HMS Cairo parted company with the convoy on the 13th and arrived at Scapa Flow later the same day.

Destroyer HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) sailed from Rosyth on the 13th and joined the close convoy escort. The movements of each induvial escort is not clear to us at the moment but it appears all escorts were back in harbour before the convoy arrived at Methil.

13 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Rosyth to join the escort of convoy HN 11 en-route from Norway to Methil.

[for more info on this convoy see the event 'Convoy HN 11' for 12 February 1940.]

14 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) returned to Rosyth.

She departed later the same day for Invergordon together with HMS Brazen (Lt.Cdr. Sir M. Culme-Seymour, RN). At sea they were joined by HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN).

15 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Brazen (Lt.Cdr. M. Culme-Seymour, RN) and HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) arrive at Invergordon. They departed again later the same day escorting the destroyer HMS Duncan (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN) that was being towed from Invergordon to Rosyth by the tugs St. Mellons and Norman.

16 Feb 1940
HMS Duncan (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN), under tow by the tugs St. Mellons and Norman and their escorting destroyers; HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Brazen (Lt.Cdr. M. Culme-Seymour, RN) and HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) arrive at Rosyth from Invergordon.

17 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Brazen (Lt.Cdr. M. Culme-Seymour, RN) departed Rosyth escorting two merchant vessels to Aberdeen after which they escorted the merchant vessels Hirondelle (British, 893 GRT, built 1925) and Rutland (1437 GRT, built 1935) to Lerwick and Scapa Flow respectively.

21 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) picks up 35 men from the British merchant Loch Maddy that was torpedoed and damaged by the German U-boat U-57 about 20 nautical miles south-south-east of Copinsay, Orkney Islands. HMS Diana landed the survivors at Scapa Flow later on the same day.

The damaged merchant vessel was finished off early the next day by German U-boat U-23.

22 Feb 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Rosyth for repairs to a burst steam pipe.

23 Feb 1940

Convoy ON 15.

This convoy was formed off Methil on 23 February 1940. It arrived in Norwegian waters near Bergen on 27 February 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Annfin (Norwegian, 729 GRT, built 1919), Bjerka (Norwegian, 1893 GRT, built 1916), Bjorkhaug (Norwegian, 2094 GRT, built 1919), Bjornvik (Norwegian, 812 GRT, built 1918), Bollsta (Norwegian, 1832 GRT, built 1934), Burgos (Norwegian, 3220 GRT, built 1920), Colombia (Norwegian, 794 GRT, built 1893), Delaware (Finnish, 2441 GRT, built 1902), Einvik (Norwegian, 2000 GRT, built 1918), Elgo (Swedish, 1888 GRT, built 1918), Frost (Swedish, 1573 GRT, built 1922), Gol (Norwegian, 985 GRT, built 1920), Gun (Norwegian, 670 GRT, built 1918), Gundborg Segrell (Swedish, 1435 GRT, built 1914), Inari (Finnish, 2116 GRT, built 1900), Inger Toft (British (former German), 2190 GRT, built 1920), Jaederen (Norwegian, 902 GRT, built 1918), Kadri (Estonian, 2775 GRT, built 1897), Kemi (Finnish, 2462 GRT, built 1900), Keri (Finnish, 1172 GRT, built 1913), Kis (Norwegian, 1249 GRT, built 1915), Lab (Norwegian, 1118 GRT, built 1912), Log (Norwegian, 1560 GRT, built 1931), Lotte (Danish, 1420 GRT, built 1906), Mertainen (Swedish, 4531 GRT, built 1907), Meteor (Norwegian, 3717 GRT, built 1904), Mira (Norwegian, 1152 GRT, built 1891), Nordia (Swedish, 1316 GRT, built 1921), North Devon (British, 3658 GRT, built 1924), Oddevold (Swedish, 1186 GRT, built 1883), Oscar Midling (Finnish, 2237 GRT, built 1889), Pollux (Estonian, 931 GRT, built 1890), Sarp (Norwegian, 1113 GRT, built 1916), Sitona (Norwegian, 1143 GRT, built 1920), Spes (Norwegian, 1142 GRT, built 1918), Thyra (Danish, 1023 GRT, built 1923), Vestland (Norwegian, 1934 GRT, built 1916), Wirpi (Finnish, 1227 GRT, built 1899) and Zilos (Finnish, 1711 GRT, built 1884).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). On the 25th the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) joined the escort having sailed from Sullom Voe on that day.

On the 24th HMS Nubian attacked an A/S contact north-east of Kinnaird Head in position 58°00'N, 01°19'W. This appeared to be a non-sub contact.

On the 26th HMS Imperial collided with the Swedish merchant Nordia in position 61°12'N, 03°08'E. The merchant vessel sank while HMS Imperial proceeded with HMS Calcutta to Lerwick for emergency repairs.

28 Feb 1940

Convoy HN 15.

This convoy was formed off Bergen, Norway on 28 February 1940. The bulk of the convoy arrived at Methil on 1 March 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Anna (Finnish, 1043 GRT, built 1897), Ask (Norwegian, 1541 GRT, built 1917), Bessheim (Norwegian, 1774 GRT, built 1912), Bothnia (Swedish, 1343 GRT, built 1918), Bruse (Norwegian, 2205 GRT, built 1933), Cetus (Norwegian, 2614 GRT, built 1920), Cygnus (Norwegian, 1333 GRT, built 1921), Diana (Norwegian, 1154 GRT, built 1904), Edna (Norwegian, 915 GRT, built 1905), Finse (Norwegian, 1618 GRT, built 1916), Fulton (Norwegian, 1109 GRT, built 1905), Grana (Norwegian, 1297 GRT, built 1920), Grenaa (British, 1261 GRT, built 1917), Gudrid (Norwegian, 1305 GRT, built 1922), Gudrun (Norwegian, 1128 GRT, built 1919), Hardingham (British, 5415 GRT, built 1933), Havnia (Norwegian, 1571 GRT, built 1888), Helder (British, 979 GRT, built 1920), Helmond (British, 983 GRT, built 1921), Iris (Norwegian, 1171 GRT, built 1901), Island (Norwegian, 638 GRT, built 1918), Jarl (Norwegian, 437 GRT, built 1889), Kronprins Olaf (Norwegian, 1137 GRT, built 1908), Lysaker IV (Norwegian, 1551 GRT, built 1924), Ophir (Norwegian, 1005 GRT, built 1906), Otterpool (British, 4876 GRT, built 1926), Pan (Norwegian, 1309 GRT, built 1922), Porsanger (Norwegian, 4267 GRT, built 1918), Ringhorn (Norwegian, 1298 GRT, built 1919), Romanby (British, 4887 GRT, built 1927), Rona (Norwegian, 1376 GRT, built 1894), Salerno (British, 870 GRT, built 1924), Salmonpool (British, 4803 GRT, built 1924), Standard (Norwegian, 1264 GRT, built 1930), Stensaas (Norwegian, 1359 GRT, built 1918), Svanefjell (Norwegian, 1371 GRT, built 1936), Teano (British, 762 GRT, built 1925), Tordenskjold I (Norwegian, 576 GRT, built 1889), Ulf (Norwegian, 938 GRT, built 1920), Ursa (Norwegian, 958 GRT, built 1911) and Vang (Norwegian, 678 GRT, built 1901).

Escort was provided by the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) and the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN).

The destroyer HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) joined on the 29th, coming from Lerwick after her emergency repairs there had been completed.

Also on the 29th, eight of the merchant vessels split off from the convoy to proceed to the west coast of the U.K. escorted by HMS Sikh and HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) which joined from Scapa Flow.

1 Mar 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Rosyth from convoy escort duties. (8)

3 Mar 1940

Convoy ON 17.

This convoy was formed off Methil on 3 March 1940. It arrived in Norwegian waters near Bergen on 7 March 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aina (British, 1698 GRT, built 1904), Aspen (Swedish, 1305 GRT, built 1908), Becheville (British, 4228 GRT, built 1924), Borgund (Norwegian, 303 GRT, built 1917), Brita (Swedish, 1252 GRT, built 1908), Carbonia (Swedish, 1918 GRT, built 1916), Drabant (Swedish, 1767 GRT, built 1897), Edle (Norwegian, 654 GRT, built 1916), Falken (Swedish, 1308 GRT, built 1893), Finlandia (Finnish, 1464 GRT, built 1920), Flimston (British, 4674 GRT, built 1925), Frans (Swedish, 1169 GRT, built 1924), Frode (Norwegian, 697 GRT, built 1917), Greenawn (British, 784 GRT, built 1924), Helfrid (Swedish, 719 GRT, built 1922), Iron Baron (Norwegian, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Jacob Christensen (Norwegian, 3594 GRT, built 1920), Karen (Danish, 1194 GRT, built 1917), Knud Villemoes (Danish, 1582 GRT, built 1905), Kongshavn (Norwegian, 751 GRT, built 1906), Kul (Norwegian, 1310 GRT, built 1907), Lily (Danish, 1281 GRT, built 1920), Marianne (Danish, 1239 GRT, built 1924), Marita (Finnish, 1869 GRT, built 1923), Merkur (Estonian, 1291 GRT, built 1913), Minona (Norwegian, 1147 GRT, built 1919), Nicke (Swedish, 1170 GRT, built 1918), Nurgis (Norwegian, 700 GRT, built 1919), Regin (Norwegian, 1386 GRT, built 1917), Rolf (Swedish, 1120 GRT, built 1919), Roy (Norwegian, 1768 GRT, built 1921), Sirius (Swedish, 1832 GRT, built 1889), Sixten (Swedish, 2171 GRT, built 1912), Skarv (Norwegian, 852 GRT, built 1923), Sophie (Danish, 945 GRT, built 1920), Svanholm (Norwegian, 696 GRT, built 1917), Thore Hafte (Norwegian, 626 GRT, built 1896), Torafire (Norwegian, 823 GRT, built 1920), Trewellard (British, 5201 GRT, built 1936), Varanges (Norwegian, 2214 GRT, built 1908) and Vim (Norwegian, 1114 GRT, built 1913).

Escort was provided by the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN), the destroyers HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. A.W. Buzzard, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and the submarine HMS Narwhal (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Burch, RN).

The light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Rosyth on the 4th to provide cover.

On the 4th the merchant vessel Greenawn was detached to Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Diana. HMS Narwhal was also detached with orders to proceed to Scapa Flow.

7 Mar 1940

Convoy HN 17.

This convoy was formed off Bergen, Norway on 7 March 1940. The bulk of the convoy arrived at Methil on 10 March 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Albuera (British, 3477 GRT, built 1921), Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Effie Maersk (Danish, 1308 GRT, built 1925), Einvik (Norwegian, 2000 GRT, built 1918), Ek (Norwegian, 995 GRT, built 1911), Fairwater (British, 4108 GRT, built 1928), Gol (Norwegian, 985 GRT, built 1920), Hafnia (Norwegian, 1315 GRT, built 1920), Havborg (Norwegian, 1234 GRT, built 1924), Jaederen (Norwegian, 902 GRT, built 1918), Janna (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1919), Kirnwood (British, 3829 GRT, built 1928), Lysaker (Norwegian, 910 GRT, built 1919), Margareta (Finnish, 1860 GRT, built 1919), Maurita (Norwegian, 1569 GRT, built 1925), Nesstun (Norwegian, 1271 GRT, built 1917), Notos (Norwegian, 2712 GRT, built 1898), Orland (Norwegian, 1899 GRT, built 1917), Ovington Court (British, 6095 GRT, built 1924), Reias (Norwegian, 1128 GRT, built 1918), Royal (Norwegian, 759 GRT, built 1918), Spica (Norwegian, 500 GRT, built 1915), Stanja (Norwegian, 1845 GRT, built 1915), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922), Varegg (Norwegian, 943 GRT, built 1910), Vesta (Norwegian, 1310 GRT, built 1930) and Warlaby (British, 4875 GRT, built 1927).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Gurkha (Cdr. A.W. Buzzard, RN).

Close cover was provided by the light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN).

On the 9th the convoy split and the west coast section was then escorted by HMS Delight and HMS Diana. They were reinforced by HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) which came from Scapa Flow. Also HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) joined having sailed late in the afternoon of the 8th.

In the moring of the 9th, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) joined the escort but she collided with HMS Gurkha in bad weather and soon had to be detached to Lerwick for emergency repairs.

At 1412/9, HMS Gurkha obtained an A/S contact and attacked with several pattern of depth charges in position 59.07’N, 00.44’W. HMS Ilex then took over the hunt and HMS Gurkha rejoined the east coast section of the convoy. HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) joined from Scapa Flow in the early hours of the 10th to replace HMS Ilex which was still hunting Gurkha’s A/S contact. She eventually rejoined the convoy before it arrived at Methil. The A/S contact was later determined to be a wreck.

10 Mar 1940
HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. They had parted company with the west coast section of convoy HN 17 off Cape Wrath.

19 Mar 1940
Ships from the Home Fleet departed Scapa Flow in the afternoon in two groups to cover (convoy) operations.

These groups were;
Battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN). These were escorted by the destroyers HMS Hardy (Capt. B.A. Warburton-Lee, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hotspur (Cdr. H.F.H. Layman, RN), HMS Hunter (Lt.Cdr. L. de Villiers, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicholson, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN).

Battlecruisers HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN). These were escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliot, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN) and HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, RN).

27 Mar 1940
The two groups of the Home Fleet that had been covering operations returned to Scapa Flow around 1100 hours. These were;

Battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN). Escorted by the destroyers HMS Hardy (Capt. B.A. Warburton-Lee, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hotspur (Cdr. H.F.H. Layman, RN), HMS Hunter (Lt.Cdr. L. de Villiers, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicholson, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN).

Battlecruisers HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN). Escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliot, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN) and HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, RN).

31 Mar 1940
Shortly before midnight, HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. They were escorting the merchant vessel Devon City (4928 GRT, built 1933).

1 Apr 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and the merchant vessel Devon City (4928 GRT, built 1933) arrived at Rosyth.

3 Apr 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Rosyth to participate in an exercises with aircraft. On completion of these exercises she set course for Hull where she was to dock for repairs to her Asdic intallation. (8)

5 Apr 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Hull for repairs. (8)

14 Apr 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) and HMS Grafton (Cdr. C.E.C. Robinson, RN) departed the Humber for Rosyth where they arrived around 1500/15.

15 Apr 1940

Convoy NM 1.

This convoy departed Leith at noon on 15 April 1940 for Scapa Flow.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Cedarbank (British, 5159 GRT, built 1924), Charlbury (British, 4836 GRT, built 1940), Cyclops (British, 9076 GRT, built 1906),

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) and HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN). Later they were joined by HMS Grafton (Cdr. C.E.C. Robinson, RN). The convoy arrived at Scapa Flow on the 16th.

17 Apr 1940

Convoy NSM 1.

This convoy departed Scapa Flow for Norway at 0800 on 17 April 1940 for Namsos.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Balmaha (collier, British, 1428 GRT, built 1924), Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Charlbury (British, 4836 GRT, built 1940), Cyclops (British, 9076 GRT, built 1906), Inverarder (tanker, British, 5578 GRT, built 1919) and Macgregor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN).

One additional destroyer, HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), departed Scapa Flow at 1345/17 to join the convoy escort at sea.

On 22 April, Cdr. Fogg-Elliot (SO), was ordered to proceed with the convoy to Vaagsfjord (Harstad).

25 Apr 1940
Around 1000A/25, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) departed Harstad, Norway for the Clyde. She had to return to the U.K. as she had only six serviceable aircraft left on board and also had sustained some underwater damage limiting her speed. She was being escorted by the destroyers HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN), HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN).

HMS Delight, HMS Diana and HMS Imperial were detached to Scapa Flow at 1800A/27.

28 Apr 1940
Around 1900A/28, HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

They had been diverted to assist the damaged tanker Scottish American (6999 GRT, built 1920), that had been torpedoed and damaged by the German submarine U-13 west of the Pentland Firth and was being towed to Loch Eribol.

30 Apr 1940
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 together for Aandalsnes where they were to evacuate troops. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN). (16)

1 May 1940
In the evening, HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN) arrived off Aandalsnes to evacuate troops. At Aandalsnes they joined the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and the sloop HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN). (17)

2 May 1940
After having taken on board troops, HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN) and HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN) set course to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0015/3. HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) was detached to transport the Norwegian General Ruga and his staff to Tromsö, where she arrived at 1100/3. HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN) had gone ahead and arrived at Scapa Flow at 1630/2. HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow at 0730/3 and finally HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN) arrived there at 1015/3. (17)

4 May 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Skjelfiord for the Clyde. She was escorting the RFA tanker Aldersdale (8402 GRT, built 1937).

9 May 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and the RFA tanker Aldersdale (8402 GRT, built 1937) arrived in the Clyde.

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.

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

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

2nd troop evacuation convoy from Harstad.

From 7 to 8 June 1940 the troopships Arandora Star (15501 GRT, built 1927), Duchess of York (20021 GRT, built 1929), Ormonde (14982 GRT, built 1917), Oronsay (20043 GRT, built 1925), Royal Ulsterman (3244 GRT, built 1936), Ulster Monarch (3791 GRT, built 1929) and Ulster Prince (3791 GRT, built 1930) embarked almost 10000 troops in the Andfiord, near Harstad, Norway. They did this one by one.

They then departed the Harstad area for the U.K. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN), AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN) and HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN).

The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) and her escort, the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) initially operated near the convoy but they acted independently to enable flying operations which continued throught the entire day. A/S and most of all fighter patrols were flown.

They were joined in the evening of the 9th 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).

Around 0930/10, HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN) joined.

Around 2115/10, the destroyers HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) joined.

On the 11th, HMS Valiant, HMS Repulse, HMS Tartar, HMS Bedouin, HMS Maori, HMS Forester, HMS Diana and HMS Acheron were detached to proceed to Scapa Flow.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde very late in the evening of the 12th.

9 Jun 1940
At 1245A/9, the battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for convoys coming down from Norway and to search for the reported German capital ships. A sixth destroyer, HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), which had been en-route from the Clyde to Scapa Flow, apparently joined at sea.

At 1345A/10, HMS Amazon was detached to fuel at Sullom Voe.

On June, 10th the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) was ordered to join this force which she did at 1525A/10. She had the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) with her. At 1140A/10, the destroyers HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) had been exchanged for HMS Ashanti and HMS Mashona.

At 1925A/10, HMS Mashona was detached to join the destroyer HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) and escort this destroyer, which had to proceed at the most economical speed due to fuel shortage, to Sullom Voe where they arrived at 0745A/12.

At 1020A/11, HMS Ashanti and HMS Highlander were detached to Scapa Flow. They were ordered to proceed through positions 64'N, 05'W and 61'N, 05'W.

The destroyers HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN), and HMS Amazon departed Sullom Voe at 2230A/11th to join the Home Fleet at sea which they did at 0830A/12. [HMS Amazon did not join the Home Fleet so either she did not sail or returned.] At 2100A/12, the destroyer HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) sailed from Scapa Flow to make rendez-vous with the Home Fleet in position 63'N, 04'W at 1300A/13. The destroyers HMS Mashona, HMS Campbell and HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) departed Sullom Voe at 0400A/13 to do the same. They joined the Home Fleet at 1725A/14 with the exception of HMS Campbell which joined HMS Ark Royal's screen at 2230A/13.

Between 0007A/13and 0015A/13, HMS Ark Royal flew off fifteen Skuas to attack German warships at Trondheim. Seven of them returned around 0330A/13, eight had been lost.

Around 0430A13, HMS Electra collided with HMS Antelope in thick fog which the Fleet had just entered. HMS Inglefiel stood by HMS Antelope while HMS Zulu took HMS Electra in tow. All set course for Scapa Flow.

At 0600A/13, HMS Ark Royal was detached to proceed to Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Escort and HMS Kelvin. HMS Campbell joined them at 2230A/13. They arrived at Scapa Flow wit at 1545A/14.

At 1130A/13, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN) departed Scapa Flow to make rendez-vous with the Home Fleet in position 65'N, 04'W. They joined at 0840A/14.

At 0950A/14, HMS Escapade was detached from the screen of the Home Fleet to join HMS Electra that was being towed by HMS Zulu..

At 0100A/15, HMS Forester and HMS Veteran were detatched from the Home Fleet to proceed to the Faroes for escort duty.

At 0330A/15, HMS Antelope, escorted by HMS Inglefield arrived at Scapa Flow.

At 1715A/15, HMS Rodney, HMS Renown, HMS Tartar, HMS Mashona, HMS Maori, HMS Bedouin, HMS Ashanti and HMS Fearless arrived at Scapa Flow.

At 1430A/16, HMS Electra, in tow of the tug HMS Brigand and escorted by HMS Zulu and HMS Escapade arrived at Scapa Flow. (18)

11 Jun 1940
The battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations off Norway.

13 Jun 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 1800/13 to search for a reported (1515/13) enemy submarine in position 59°07'N, 01°30'W. At 1904/13 another enemy submarine contact was reported in position 59°54'N, 00°10'E which they were also ordered to investigate.

15 Jun 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) returned to Scapa Flow after a fruitless A/S hunt at 0115/15.

17 Jun 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 0130A/17 for the Clyde. They were however recalled.

At 1545A/17 the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN). They were joined At 2115A/17 by HMS Foxhound. HMS Diana returned to Scapa Flow.

21 Jun 1940
Heavy cruiser HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) departed Rosyth escorted by the destroyer HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN) to rendez-vous with the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) at sea (These two cruisers had departed Scapa Flow early in the morning) and then to join the battlecruisers HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow at 1220/21.

The German battlecruiser Scharnhorst had been sighted leaving Trondheim southwards escorted by four destroyers and four torpedo-boats. The Germans however retreated inside the fjords and the British ships were recalled arriving back in port on 22 June. (19)

22 Jun 1940
The battlecruisers HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Repulse (Capt. Sir W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) returned to Scapa Flow at 1120/22.

22 Jun 1940
HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) returned to Scapa Flow.

24 Jun 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Scapa Flow in the evening for Aberdeen where she joined the transports Lochnagar (1523 GRT, built 1906) and store carrier Kylebrook (870 GRT, built 1927) and their escorts the Auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Stoke City (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and the M/S trawler HMS Whitethorn (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, RNR).

The next day Kylebrook and HMS Whitethorn were detached off Scapa Flow and entered that place.

The remaining ships continued on to Lerwick where they arrived in the afternoon of the 25th.

HMS Diana then departed for Scapa Flow where she arrived at 2130/25.

28 Jun 1940
HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of Fleet J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was (most likely) escorted by HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). (20)

8 Jul 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 2230/8 to make rendez-vous with the Finnish mechant vessel Lahti (519 GRT, built 1905) at 0400/9th off Rattray Head and escort her to Rosyth. She could however not find the Finnish vessel and at 1234/9 she was ordered to search for a Blenheim aircraft that had crashed in the sea in position 58°14'N, 01°04'W.

After an unsuccessful search HMS Diana returned to Scapa Flow at 0200/10.

18 Jul 1940
The destroyer HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Berkeley (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Walters, RN) and HMS Garth (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Dyke, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 0645/18 to assist in an A/S hunt off Cape Wrath. HMS Berkeley and HMS Garth returned to Scapa Flow at 0045/19 while HMS Diana remained on patrol in the area.

19 Jul 1940
The damaged cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Liverpool at 1800A/19. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN) and HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN). Near Cape Wrath the destroyer HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), which had been patrolling in that area, joined around 2152A/19. Around 0045A/20, HMS Ashanti and HMS Mashona parted company and set course to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived at 0500A/20.

21 Jul 1940
HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Liverpool around 1200A/21.

The cruiser immediately entered the Canada graving dock and commenced de-ammunitioning on completion of which she was then taken in hand for repairs by the Harland & Wolff shipyard.

HMS Inglefield, HMS Diana and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN) departed Liverpool around 1400A/21 for escort duty.

22 Jul 1940
Around 1700 hours HMS Illustrious (Capt. D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN) and HMS Fiji (Capt. W.G. Benn, RN) met their destroyer screen that was to escort them for the final part of the voyage to the Clyde. This destroyer screen was made up of HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN).

Around 2100 hours that evening HMS Diana hit a whale and had her Asdic dome damaged and out of action. Also she was taking on water forward and had her speed reduced to 22 knots. (21)

23 Jul 1940
Shortly before 2000 hours HMS Illustrious (Capt. D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN) and HMS Fiji (Capt. W.G. Benn, RN) and their destroyer screen made up of HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN) arrived off Greenock. (21)

24 Jul 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Liverpool at 2200 hours for Sheerness. (8)

26 Jul 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (8)

27 Jul 1940
HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) shifted from Sheerness to London where she is to refit at the R & H Green and Silley Weir Ltd. shipyard.

[In early August 1940 it was decided to transfer HMS Diana to the Royal Canadian Navy as a replacement for HMCS Fraser.] (8)

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