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Notable events involving Woodruff include:

16 May 1941

Convoy OG 62.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 16 May 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 14 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Atle Jarl (Norwegian, 1173 GRT, built 1919), British Chancellor (British (tanker), 7085 GRT, built 1921), Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Emmy (Greek, 3895 GRT, built 1914), Leerdam (Dutch, 8815 GRT, built 1921), Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935), Rolf Jarl (Norwegian, 1917 GRT, built 1920), Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918) and Storanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9223 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Milford Haven this section was escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Wolsey (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC, RN), A/S trawler HMS Viviana (Skr. G.L. Olesen, RNR) and the armed yacht HMS Troubadour (Cdr.(ret) D.H. Milward, DSC, RNR). These ships arrived at Belfast on the 16th after having been detached from the convoy.

The Liverpool section (sailed 15 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Avra (Greek, 4652 GRT, built 1912), Dordrecht (Dutch, 4402 GRT, built 1928) and Panaghis (Greek, 5187 GRT, built 1920). This section was escorted by the sloop HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, RNR).

The Clyde section (sailed 16 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baltara (British, 3099 GRT, built 1918), Henry Stanley (British, 5026 GRT, built 1929), Horn Shell (British (tanker), 8272 GRT, built 1931), Kingston Hill (British, 7628 GRT, built 1940), Loch Ranza (British, 4958 GRT, built 1934), Mobeka (Belgian, 6111 GRT, built 1937), Pinto (British, 1346 GRT, built 1928), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937) and Wrotham (British, 1884 GRT, built 1927). The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) was also with this section.

The Oban section (sailed 16 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alex (British, 3932 GRT, built 1914), Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Baron Pentland (British, 3410 GRT, built 1927), Chr. Knudsen (Norwegian, 4904 GRT, built 1925), Drakepool (British, 4838 GRT, built 1924), Empire Surf (British, 6641 GRT, built 1941), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Solstad (Swedish, 1379 GRT, built 1924) and Ulea (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936). This section was escorted by the A/S trawler HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR).

On final assembly to the west of the North Channel on the 16th the convoy was joined by additional escorts which were the destroyers HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN), HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN), sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN), corvettes HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR), HMCS Arrowhead (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR), HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR), HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Arab (T/Lt. C.A. Shillan, RNVR) and A/S trawler HMS Stella Carina (Lt. R. Lockwood, RANVR). HMS Bideford and HMS Ayrshire were also still with the convoy. The destroyer HMCS Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN) was unable to join due to defects.

The Dordrecht arrived in the Clyde on 17 May. She had returned to the U.K. with defects.

Around 0600B/17, in position 55°35'N, 07°50'W, the corvette HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) joined.

Around 0800B/17, in position 55°33'N, 08°15'W, HMCS Hepatica was detached to go to the assistance of the merchant vessel Statesman (British, 7939 GRT, built 1923), that had been bombed by enemy aircraft in position 56°44'N, 13°45'W. The damaged ship sank later that morning. HMCS Hepatica reported at 0005B/18, that she had onboard 60 survivors. She was then ordered to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 0950B/19, HMS Arab carried out a depth charge attack on a doubtful contact and due to the firing of the depth charges she suffered an engine defect. HMCS St. Francis was ordered to go to her assistance but this order was soon cancelled and HMCS Spikenard was sent instead. HMS Arab later signalled she needed a tow.

At 1505B/19, a report was received of an enemy submarine in position 51°30'N, 23°30'W. It was noticed that this submarine would endanger northbound convoy SL 73.

Around 1645B/19, HMS Boadicea, HMCS St. Francis were detached to reinforce convoy SL 73 early.

Around 2330B/19, HMS Egret, HMCS Arrowhead, HMCS Snowberry, HMS Ayrshire and the Zamalek were detached to also join convoy SL 73.

Around 2330B/20, in position 49°31'N, 19°14'W, some ships were detached to destinations in North America and the Caribbean. This were the following;
Alex (arrived at Montreal on 2 June 1941), Ashby (arrived at Montreal on 31 May 1941), Avra (arrived at Quebec on 31 May 1941), Baltara (arrived at Montreal on 2 June 1941), Baron Pentland (arrived at Sydney, Nova Scotia on 29 May 1941), British Chancellor (arrived at Curacao on 6 June 1941), Chr. Knudsen (arrived at Three Rivers on 31 May 1941), Drakepool (arrived at Montreal on 3 June 1941), Edward F. Johnson (arrived at Aruba on 4 June 1941), Empire Surf (arrived at Aruba on 4 June 1941), Horn Shell (arrived at New York on 2 June 1941), Leerdam (arrived at New York on 29 May 1941), Lekhaven (arrived at Three Rivers on 31 May 1941), Loch Ranza (arrived at Montreal on 31 May 1941), Panaghis (arrived at Sorel on 31 May 1941) and Storanger (arrived at Aruba on 5 June 1941).

Around 1430B/23, in position 42°44'N, 21°34'W, the Dutch submarine HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) joined the convoy. HMS Aster had been detached the previous day to make contact with convoy HG 62 and then escort the submarine from that convoy over to convoy OG 62.

Around 2300B/23, in position 41°44'N, 21°20'W, some ships were detached to destinations in the South Atlantic area.
This were the following;
Atle Jarl (arrived at Bathurst on 2 June 1941), Baron Napier (arrived at Freetown on 6 June 1941), Emmy (arrived at Freetown on 5 June 1941), Henry Stanley (arrived at Freetown on 2 June 1941), Kingston Hill (arrived at St. Vincent on 30 May 1941), River Lugar (arrived at Freetown on 5 June 1941), Rolf Jarl (arrived at Bathurst on 31 May 1941) and .

Around 1000B/29, to the south of Cape Trafalgar, some ships were detached to destinations in south-west Spain and Portugal. This were the following;
Serula (arrived at Huelva on 29 May 1941), Solstad (arrived at Lisbon on 31 May 1941), Uela (arrived at Huelva on 29 May 1941) and Wrotham (arrived at Setubal on 31 May 1941).

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar in the afteroon of 29 May 1941. (1)

4 Jun 1941

Convoy HG 64.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 4 June 1941.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Algerian (British, 2315 GRT, built 1924), Ardeola (British, 2609 GRT, built 1912), Ariosto (British, 2176 GRT, built 1940), Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924), Blairatholl (British, 3319 GRT, built 1925), British Coast (British, 889 GRT, built 1934), Caledonia (British, 1268 GRT, built 1913), Cara (British, 1760 GRT, built 1929), Empire Bay (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Empire Snipe (British, 2497 GRT, built 1919), Indra (Panamanian, 2026 GRT, built 1900), Kellwyn (British, 1464 GRT, built 1920), Lapland (British, 1330 GRT, built 1936), Leadgate (British, 2125 GRT, built 1925), Leka (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1922), Leonardia (Swedish, 1583 GRT, built 1906), Lissa (British, 1511 GRT, built 1927), Magne (Swedish, 3103 GRT, built 1912), Mount Helikon (Greek, 5525 GRT, built 1918), Philipp M. (British, 2085 GRT, built 1924), Polo (British, 1950 GRT, built 1919), Selene (Swedish, 1347 GRT, built 1894) and Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929).

The Thursobank (British, 5575 GRT, built 1940) was also to have sailed with the convoy but was unable to do so. She sailed later to overtake and join the convoy escorted by the corvette HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) which also joined the convoy.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, RNR), corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR), A/S trawler HMS Stella Carina (Lt. R. Lockwood, RANVR) and the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN).

Around 1130A/4, the motor launches ML 129 (?) and ML 134 (?) joined the convoy escort.

In the afternoon the Indra straggled from the convoy being unable to keep up.

Around 2200A/4, in position 35°20'N, 07°08'W, both motor launches were detached to return to Gibraltar.

Around 1300A/5, in position 37°42'N, 09°08'W, HMS Woodruff and the Thursobank joined the convoy.

Around 0015A/6, the Italian submarine Veniero twice fired a torpedo on ships of the convoy. The Ariosto reported being missed.

Around 0130A/6, in position 34°18'N, 10°47'W, HMS Stella Carina frustrated the attack of an enemy submarine on the convoy. She had sighted the submarine on the surface up moon after the convoy had altered course. This must have been Veniero. HMS Bideford and HMS Coreopsis joined the trawler to hunt this submarine. The escorts resumed their stations in the convoy screen around 0330A/6.

Later that morning, in position 34°18'N, 12°00'W, HMS Woodruff was detached to proceed to Bathurst. Shortly afterwards she was however ordered to remain with the convoy until it reached 15°00'W. She did not rejoin the convoy though.

At 1153A/6, in position 34°17'N, 13°20'W, HMS Stella Carina attacked a contact with depth charges. A good contact could not be established afterwards due to problems with the Asdic. HMS Bideford and HMS Fleur the Lys joined the hunt while HMS Coreopsis remained with the convoy.

By 1405A/6, they all rejoined the convoy after HMS Bideford and HMS Fleur the Lys had established a contact they had identified as 'fish'.

Around 0200Z/10, HrMs O 21 lost contact with the convoy in dense fog. She rejoined around 1115Z/10. During her absence she had sighted the straggler Indra which did not want to rejoin the convoy and preferred to make the passage independently.

Around 2200Z/10, in position 40°22'N, 22°10'W, HMS Stella Carina parted company to return to Gibraltar.

Around 1800Z/11, HMS Coreopsis, HMS Fleur de Lys and HrMs O 21 parted company to join convoy OG 64 coming from the U.K.

Around 1300Z/14, in position 50°30'N, 22°06'W, the armed boarding vessel HMS Malvernian (Cdr. J.W.B. Robertson, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/14, in position 55°40'N, 20°21'W, the destroyer HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN) and corvettes HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) and HMS Wallflower (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Tyson, RN) joined the convoy followed at 1300Z/14 by the destroyer HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and the armed boarding vessel HMS Lady Somers (Cdr. G.L. Dunbar, RD, RNR) joined.

Around 2345A/17, in position 55°40'N, 08°37'W, the Oban section of the convoy split off. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Kellwyn, Lapland, Leka, Magne, Sheaf Crown and Thursobank. They took HMS Skate with them as escort. These merchant vessels arrived at Oban later on the 18th. Around the same time HMS Walker parted company to proceed to Londonderry to fuel and then rejoin the convoy which she did around 0930A/18.

Around 0630A/18, in position 55°37'N, 06°57'W, HMS Hydrangea parted company to join the Oban section as HMS Skate had been ordered to proceed to the assistance of the of the torpedoed merchant vessel Norfolk. HMS Skate picked up the survivors and arrived at Londonderry on 19 June 1941.

On 18 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Belfast Lough;
Algerian, Baron Kelvin, British Coast and Mount Helikon.

On 18 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde;
Blairatholl, Leadgate and Leonardia. Also HMS Malverian, HMS Lady Somers and HMS Wallflower arrived in the Clyde.

On 19 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Workington;
Empire Bay and Philipp M..

On 19 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Barrow in Furness;
Caledonia, Cara and Lissa.

On 19 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool;
Ardeola, Ariosto, Empire Snipe, Polo and Selene. HMS Walker and HMS Bideford also arrived at Liverpool on the 19th. (2)

15 Aug 1941

Convoy WS 10X

This convoy departed U.K. ports on 14/15 August 1941 for Suez where the ships arrived between 1 to 4 October 1941.

The convoy assembled in the Clyde area on 15 August 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following troop transports; Brisbane Star (12791 GRT, built 1937), Orion (23371 GRT, built 1935), Strathmore (23428 GRT, built 1935), Strathnaver (22283 GRT, built 1931), And the transports Palma (5419 GRT, built 1941) and Port Jackson (9687 GRT, built 1937).

Escort was initially provided by the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN) (joined at sea on 17 August 1941 until 28 August when the convoy arrived at Freetown), the AA (light) cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Cdr. E.J. van Holte, RNN) (15 – 17 August) and the destroyers HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) (15-17 August), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) (15-17 August), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN) (17-19 August), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) (17-19 August), HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) (17-19 August) and ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) (17-19 August).

When approaching Freetown the convoy was joined on 26 August by a local escort made up of the destroyers HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) (left the convoy before noon on 27 August), HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR). The convoy arrived at Freetown on 28 August 1941.

The convoy departed Freetown for Capetown on 1 September 1941. Escort was now provided by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR), HMS Armeria (T/Lt. H.N. Russell, DSC, RNR), HMS Mignonette (Lt. H.H. Brown, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR).

HMS Amaranthus parted company with the convoy around 1445Z/2 to return to Freetown due to defects.

Around 2133Z/2, HMS Revenge was rammed by the transport Orion. Damage to HMS Revenge was only minor but damage to the bow of the Orion was more serious. She dropped out of the convoy for a while but was later able to catch up again and was able of a speed of 15 knots.

At 1237Z/3, HMS Armeria, HMS Mignonette and HMS Woodruff parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 11 September 1941.

The convoy departed Capetown for Suez on 14 September 1941. Escort was still provided by HMS Revenge until 22 September 1941 when the light cruiser, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) took over until the dispersal of the convoy on 27 September 1941 when it was near Aden. The ships of the convoy then continued independently towards Suez where they arrived between 1 and 4 October 1941.

21 Aug 1941

Convoy CF 2.

This convoy departed Durban on 21 August 1941.

It was made up of the following troop transports; Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Durban, around 1830B/21, the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN).

The convoy arrived at Capetown around 0830B/24.

At Capetown, the Greek Royal family boarded the Durban Castle.

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Around 1600B/26, the convoy departed Capetown in the same composition.

Around 0700Z/29, rendezvous was made in position 23°40'S, 04°30'E, with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) which joined as second escort.

Around 0715Z/31, the Durban Castle parted company with the convoy to the north-east of St. Helena in position 15°20'S, 05°10'W. She was to proceed to Trididad escorted by HMS Queen of Bermuda.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Lagos around 1200A on 4 September 1941.

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Around 1700A/8, the convoy, now made up of the Duchess of Bedford, Nieuw Zeeland and Sobieski departed Lagos for Freetown. The convoy was now escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia and the corvettes HMS Armeria (T/Lt. H.N. Russell, DSC, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR).

The convoy arrived at Freetown around 0900N/13.

1 Sep 1941
The battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR), HMS Armeria (T/Lt. H.N. Russell, DSC, RNR), HMS Mignonette (Lt. H.H. Brown, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) departed Freetown escorting convoy WS 10X.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 10X ' for 15 August 1941.] (3)

8 Oct 1941
HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN) and HMS Albatross (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN) departed Freetown to patrol in the mid-Atlantic between 06°N and 10°N and 28°W and 31°W. Two corvettes were sent along as escorts, these were HMS Mignonette (Lt. H.H. Brown, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR). (4)

31 Oct 1941

Convoy CF 3.

This convoy departed Durban on 31 October 1941.

It was made up of only one ship, the troop transport Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

On leaving Durban the convoy was joined by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) as escort.

Around 0600B/3, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) joined and took over escort duties from HMS Alcantara which then parted company to proceed to Simonstown.

Around 0700A/12, the corvette HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) joined. HMS Hawkins then parted company to proceed to Freetown.

The convoy arrived at Takoradi on 16 November 1941.

30 Nov 1941
HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown together with HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR), HMS Nigella (T/Lt. L.J. Simpson, RNR) and HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN). (5)

21 May 1942
HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) scuttles the British tanker Montenol with gunfire. The Montenol was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-159 about 140 nautical miles east-south-east of Santa Maria, Azores in position 36°41'N, 22°45'W.

HMS Woodruff also picks up 5 survivors from the British merchant New Brunswick that was also torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-159 about 140 nautical miles east-south-east of Santa Maria, Azores in position 36°53'N, 22°55'W.

27 Oct 1942
The British merchant Stentor is torpedoed and sunk north-west of the Canary Islands in position 29°13'N, 20°53'W by German U-boat U-509. 207 survivors were picked up by HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR).

18 Dec 1942

Convoy WS 25.

The convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 December 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930, 4955 troops), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Esperance Bay (British, 14204 GRT, built 1922, 1805 troops), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929, 1882 troops), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930, 1930 troops), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922, 1897 troops), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935, 5335 troops), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928, 2598 troops) and Tarifa (Norwegian, 7229 GRT, built 1936).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Cheshire (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.D. King-Harman, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN), escort destroyer HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Rockwood (Lt. S.R. Le H. Lombard-Hobson, RN).

Around 1700Z/24, HMS Wolverine, HMS Badsworth and HMS Haydon parted company with the convoy to fuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores. They were not to rejoin the convoy. HMS Quilliam and HMS Rockwood had returned from fuelling at Ponta Delgada in the afternoon of the 24th, These two ships were to continue with the convoy to Freetown.

At 1225Z/26, the destroyer HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 2005Z/28, HMS Rockwood parted company to fuel at Bathurst. She rejoined the convoy around 1100Z/30.

At 0900Z/29, HMS Ilex parted company with the convoy to proceed to Freetown. She rejoined around around 0900Z/31.

At 0545Z/30, the corvettes HMS Crocus (T/Lt. J.F. Holm, RNZNR) and HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of 31 December 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown in the same composition on 3 January 1943.

The convoy was now escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), HMS Cheshire destroyer HMS Quilliam, escort destroyer HMS Rockwood, corvette HMS Crocus and the minesweeper HMIS Baluchistan (Lt. D.A. McDonald, RIN).

Around 0715A/6, the corvette Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves joined the convoy coming from Takoradi.

Around 1900A/6, the Highland Brigade was detached to Takoradi escorted by the Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves and HMIS Baluchistan. they arrived at Takoradi on the 7th.

Between 0850A/9 and 1300A/9, HMS Quilliam was fuelled by HMS Alcantara.

At 1000A/9, HMS Crocus was detached to Pointe Noire.

Between 1330A/9 and 1915A/9, HMS Rockwood was fuelled by HMS Alcantara.

Around 1920A/9, HMS Alcantara parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

Around 1830C/14, the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Quilliam then parted company to proceed to Simonstown.

Around 1600C/14, HMS Quilliam rejoined the convoy after having fuelled at Simonstown. By now HMS Rockwood had also parted company with the convoy to proceed to Simonstown after having been relieved by the corvette HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR). On HMS Quilliam rejoining the convoy HMS Genista was detached.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 18 January 1943. (6)

19 Dec 1942

Convoy CF 10.

This convoy departed Capetown on 19 December 1942.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 1921) and Straat Soenda (Dutch, 6439 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Capetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the destroyer HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN).

Around 0655B/21, HMS Fortune parted company with the convoy to proceed to Simonstown.

Around 1400A/27, the corvette HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1615Z/28, the escort destroyer HMS Holcombe (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN) and corvette Commandant Drogou joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 29 December 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 1 January 1943 but now escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN), destroyer HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), escort destroyer HMS Holcombe and corvette HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR).

Around 1940Z/1, HMS Ilex was detached to participate in an A/S hunt off Dakar.

Around 1120Z/2, the corvette HMS Bellwort (A/Lt.Cdr. N.F.R. Gill, RNR) joined, having departed Bathurst on 1 January.

Around 1930Z/3, HMS Ilex rejoined the convoy having first fuelled at Bathurst. At the same time the Largs Bay escorted by HMS Woodruff parted company. The Largs Bay was to proceed to New York escorted part of the way by the corvette. HMS Woodruff arrived at Bathurst on 10 January.

Around 1800Z/4, HMS Holcombe parted company to proceed to Bathurst where she arrived on 6 January.

Around 0800Z/5, the sloops HMS Sandwich (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR), HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Hulton, RN) and HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, RN) joined.

Around 0840Z/5, HMS Ilex and HMS Bellwort parted company to proceed to Bathurst where HMS Ilex arrived on the 6th and HMS Bellwort on the 7th.

Around 1200A/8, the convoy merged with convoy MKF 6. The three sloops did not join convoy MKF 6 but proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived later on the 8th. (7)

1 Jan 1943
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Holcombe (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN) and HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) departed Freetown escorting convoy CF 10.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 10 ' for 19 December 1942.] (8)

21 Jan 1943
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) departed Freetown for Kingston, Jamaica. They were to proceed there to escort the newly constructed floating dock AFD 24 from New Orleans to Freetown.

While en-route they were ordered to proceed to Trinidad instead. (9)

28 Jan 1943
HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) was fuelled at sea by HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN). (10)

31 Jan 1943
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) arrived at Trinidad from Freetown.

By now it became apparent that the sailing of AFD 24 from New Orleans had been delayed. It was decided to employ both ships for anti blockade runner patrols in the meantime. (10)

12 Feb 1943
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) arrived at Recife from anti blockade runner patrol in the area between Trinidad and Natal. (11)

14 Feb 1943
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) departed Recife for Trinidad conducting an anti blockade runner patrol en-route.

On 18 February and 25 February and 3 March, HMS Woodruff was fuelled at sea by HMS Alcantara.

While on patrol they had been ordered to remain on patrol as long as endurance allowed and to arrive at Trinidad not later then March 9th. (12)

7 Mar 1943
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) arrived at Trinidadfrom anti blockade runner patrol. (13)

25 Mar 1943

Passage of floating dock AFD 24 from Trinidad to Freetown.

On 25 March 1943, the dock in tow of the tugs HMS Frisky and HMS Zwarte Zee departed Trinidad. Escort was provided by the sloop HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, RN), corvettes HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR), HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) and the ASW trawlers HMS Morris Dance (T/Lt. S.A. MacKechnie, RNVR) and HMS Yestor (Lt. R.C. Holt, RNVR). A third tug was also present as stand by tug, this was HMS Oriana.

On 1 April 1943, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR) departed Trinidad to overtake and join the 'convoy'. HMS Alcantara was to fuel the oil firing sloop and corvettes at sea during the passage to Freetown. The coal firing trawlers were to coal in Brazilian ports.

On 24 April 1943, the corvette HMS Snowdrop (Lt. P.A. Tinne, RNVR) and the motor launches HMS ML 296 (T/Lt. R.C. Breckenridge, RCNVR), HMS ML 289 (?), HMS ML 287 (T/Lt. J.B. Bramwell, RNVR), HMS ML 281 (T/Lt. P.S. Castle, RNVR), HMS ML 266 (T/Lt. D.R. Beverley, RCNVR) and HMS ML 209 (T/Lt. A.M.C. Scott, RNVR) departed freetown to make rendezvous with the convoy which did at 1130Z/26. ML 281 had however returned to Freetown on the 26th after having been detached due to a defective Asdic installation.

On 27 April 1943, the A/S yacht HMS Virginia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Dobson, RNR) and corvettes HMS Armeria (Lt. M. Todd, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) departed Freetown to join the convoy which they did early in the evening of the same day.

The dock and it's escorts arrived at Freetown on 28 April 1943.

7 May 1943
Le Centaure conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, RN), HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR), HMS Woodruff (Lt. F.H. Gray, RNR) and HMS Yestor (Lt. R.C. Holt, RNVR). (14)

24 Jun 1943
Argo conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, RN), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. S. Darling, RANVR), HMS Cowslip (Lt.Cdr. F. Granger, RNR), HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) and HMS Buttermere (Lt. J.D.E. Lewis, RNR). (14)

3 Apr 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR) and HMS Woodruff (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR). (15)

9 Apr 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Enchantress (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR). (15)

12 Apr 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Eggesford (Lt. G.H. Evans, RN) and HMS Woodruff (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR). (15)

25 Apr 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Woodruff (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR) and HMS Coltsfoot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.W. Rayner, RNVR). (15)