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Notable events involving Kilmarnock include:

26 Apr 1944
Around noon, three submarines made rendez-vous, these were, HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN) and HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN). They were joined by there escort towards Gibraltar, HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR). (1)

8 May 1944
HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN) left patrol around 1400 hours. Later that day, at 1910 hours, she made rendez-vous with her escort towards Gibraltar, HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR). (2)

14 May 1944
HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kingston Agate (T/Lt. R.J. Langley, RANVR), HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR) and HMS Totland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Tourtel, RNR). (3)

15 May 1944
The German U-boat U-731 was sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar north of Tangier, in position 35°54'N, 05°45'W, by depth charges from the British patrol vessel HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR), the British A/S trawler HMS Blackfly (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.P. Hughes, DSC, RNR) and 2 US Catalina aircraft (VP-63 USN/P-1 & P-14). The British corvette HMS Aubretia (Lt. G.D. Fowler, RNR) had also been ordered to participate in the hunt [her role needs to be investigated further.]

23 Jun 1944

Combined convoy OS 81 / KMS 55.

This combined convoy assembled off Oversay on 23 June 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arosa (Norwegian, 5043 GRT, built 1924), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Belgian Veteran (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Berwickshire (British, 7464 GRT, built 1912), Bosphorus (Norwegian, 2111 GRT, built 1934), Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927), City of Delhi (British, 7443 GRT, built 1925), Cochrane (British, 7203 GRT, built 1923), Condesa (British, 10367 GRT, built 1944), Elizabeth Massey (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Empire Chamois (British, 5684 GRT, built 1918), Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943), Empire Planet (British, 4290 GRT, built 1923), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), Fairwater (British, 4108 GRT, built 1928), Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Colville (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943), Fort Dauphin (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Fort Jasper (British, 7125 GRT, built 1943), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Katanga (Belgian, 5183 GRT, built 1917), Kindat (British, 4358 GRT, built 1938), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Lieutenant de la Tour (French, 5844 GRT, built 1917), Lorca (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931), Nijkerk (Dutch, 5843 GRT, built 1915), Oksywie (Polish, 766 GRT, built 1938), Pilar de Larrinaga (British, 7352 GRT, built 1918), Taxiarchis (Greek, 4221 GRT, built 1913), Teucer (British, 9079 GRT, built 1906), Van Ruysdael (Dutch, 7862 GRT, built 1938) and Westbank Park (Canadian 7161 GRT, built 1944).

The French armed merchant cruiser Quercy, submarine HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) and the rescue vessel Dundee (British, 1541 GRT, built 1934) were also part of the convoy.

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Activity (Capt. C. Wauchope, DSC, RN), destroyer RHN Salamis, frigates HMS Towy (Cdr. H.V. King, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR).

On 24 June 1944, the Arosa arrived at Belfast after having been forced to return to the U.K.

On 26 June 1944, the escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) joined the convoy coming from the combined convoy SL 161 / MKS 51.

On 1 July 1944, the Empire Chamois arrived at Fayal, Azores. She was escorted there by the A/S trawler HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR).

Around 2345A/1, HMS Activity parted company with the convoy to join the northbound combined convoy SL 162 / MKS 53 which she joined around 0730A/2. She was escorted by HMS Antigua and HMS Knaresborough Castle which returned to convoy OS 81 / KMS 55 after HMS Activity had made rendezvous.

Around 0900A/3, the convoy split in position 35°11'N, 08°44'W.

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Convoy OS 81, towards Freetown, was made up of the following merchant vessels; Belgian Veteran, Berwickshire, Bosphorus, Condesa, Katanga, Oksywie, Pilar de Larrinaga, Taxiarchis and Westbank Park.

On the convoys splitting the Gibraltar section of convoy OS 81 joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Empire Mariott (British, 5970 GRT, built 1941), Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 1941), Finisterre (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909), Fort de Troyon (French, 5131 GRT, built 1919), Fort Panmure (French, 7155 GRT, built 1943), Hilversum (Dutch, 3717 GRT, built 1920) and Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922).

They had left Gibraltar on 2 July 1944 and were escorted by the sloop HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and the patrol vessels HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR) and HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR) which now formed the escort of convoy OS 81.

Around the same time the Casablanca section also joined. It was made up of the merchant vessels Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and Sandown Castle (British, 7607 GRT, built 1921).

The escort carrier HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN) (in an aircraft ferry role) was also part of the Casablanca section.

They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the mineweeeping sloop La Gracieuse, Commandant Delage and the patrol vessel L'Indiscret and Le Resolve. These French escorts did not join the convoy but returned to Casablanca taking the Taxiarchis with them.

Around 1400Z/9, the Dakar section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Bosphorus, Medie II, Oksywie, Sandown Castle and Westbank Park.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 12 July 1944. Som ships did not enter harbour but proceeded direct to their respective destinations.

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Convoy KMS 55 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baron Napier, Caduceus, City of Delhi, Cochrane, Elizabeth Massey, Empire Copperfield, Empire Planet, Empire Trent, Fairwater, Fort Bourbon, Fort Colville, Fort Dauphin, Fort Frederick, Fort Jasper, Glaisdale, Kindat, Lagarto, Lieutenant de la Tour, Lorca, Nijkerk, Teucer and Van Ruisdael.

Also part of convoy KMS 55 were the; Quercy, HMS Truant, Scottish American and Dundee.

The original escort of the combined convoy OS 81 / KMS 55 went with it to Gibraltar.

On the combined convoy splitting the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Casablanca; Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Samconon (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Smith Thompson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 4 July 1944, off Gibraltar, the following merchant vessels parted company and entered Gibraltar; Baron Napier, Clausina, Fairwater and Teucer.

Also HMS Truant and the Scottish American and Dundee entered Gibraltar.

The original escort also entered Gibraltar.

The following merchant vessels Lorraine (French (tanker), 9512 GRT, built 1937) and Samcrest (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy off Gibraltar.

Also a new escort joined the convoy which was made up of the sloops HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), HMS Amethyst (?), frigate HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau (Cdr. A. de Booy, RNethN) and the corvettes HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNethN) and Nada.

On 5 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Oran; Fort Frederick, Smith Thompson and the Quercy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Betty Zane (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Cape Brenton (British, 6044 GRT, built 1940), Cartago (American, 4732 GRT, built 1908), Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), George E. Hale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry L. Benning (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), John B. Gordon (American, 7201 GRT, built 1943), John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John S. Casement (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Alston (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Lawrence J. Brengle (American, 7209 GRT, built 1944), Sarah Orne Jewett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Simon Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Solomon Juneau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943) and William M. Eastland (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944).

On 6 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Fort Colville, Glaisdale, Lieutenant de la Tour, Lorraine, Samshire and Van Honthorst while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Empire Damsel (British (tanker), 784 GRT, built 1942), Fort Michipicoten (British, 7152 GRT, 1943), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Glory (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Thistlemuir (British, 7237 GRT, built 1942) and Thomas F. Cunningham (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943).

On 7 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Bone; Empire Damsel and Empire Trent while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Abbazia (Italian, 3706 GRT, built 1912), Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Empire Candida (British, 2908 GRT, built 1943), Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943), Empire Titania (British (tug), 258 GRT, built 1943) and Kola (British, 1538 GRT, built 1924).

On 8 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Cartago, Empire Harbour and Empire Planet while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Furnifold M. Simmons (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943) and Josiah Bartlett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 9 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Malta; Cape Brenton, Cochrane, Thomas F. Cunningham and the Empire Titania. The Nada also parted company with the convoy.

On 10 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Augusta; Abbazia, Beaconsfield, Betty Zane, Clausina, Daniel H. Hill, Elizabeth Massey, Empire Candia, Empire Copperfied, Fort Bourbon, Fort Dauphin, Fort Jasper, Fort Michipicoten, Furnifold M. Simmons, George E. Hale, Henry L. Benning, John B. Gordon, John Murray Forbes, John S. Casement, Joseph Alston, Josiah Bartlett, Kola, Lawrence J. Brengle, Norman Monarch, Ocean Glory, Samconon, Samcrest, Sarah Orne Jewett, Simon Willard, Solomon Juneau, Thistlemuir and William M. Eastland while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Augusta; British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Empire Lionel (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Empire Lord (British, 7359 GRT, built 1944), Fort Astoria (British, 7189 GRT, built 1943), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Kepong (British, 1874 GRT, built 1916), Lech (Polish, 1568 GRT, built 1934), Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927), Meline (Norwegian (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1918), Ocean Liberty (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Samfeugh (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), San Cirilo (British (tanker), 8012 GRT, built 1937) and William E. Pendleton (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943).

On 13 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Alexandria; Caduceus, Empire Lionel, Fort Astoria, Fort Meductic, Kepong, Kindat, Lagarto and Lech. Ocean Liberty

All escorts except HrMs Friso also proceeded to Alexandria.

The remaining ships of the convoy arrived at Port Said on the 14th escorted by HrMs Friso.

20 Jul 1944

Convoy SL 165.

This convoy departed Freetown on 20 July 1944.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Auretta (British, 4564 GRT, built 1935), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), Bradburn (British, 4736 GRT, built 1930), Brighton (British, 5359 GRT, built 1928), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), David Livingstone (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Empire Bardolph (British, 7063 GRT, built 1943), Empire Geraint (British, 6991 GRT, built 194), Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 1941), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), Fort Sakisdac (British, 7160 GRT, built 1943), Gabon (Norwegian, 4651 GRT, built 1931), John Laurance (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) Langleetarn (British, 4908 GRT, built 1929), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939), Stuyvesant (Dutch, 4249 GRT, built 1918) and Taranaki (British, 10534 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and the patrol vessels HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR) and HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR). Around 0700Z/23, in position 14°29'N, 18°05'W, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Dakar; Cap Cantin (British (former French), 3317 GRT, built 1933), Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and Stal (British (former Danish), 2242 GRT, built 1921). They were escorted to the rendezvous by the motor launch HMML 244 which then returned to Dakar at 0745Z/23 taking the merchant vessels Biafra and John Laurance with her.

The merchant vessel Norman Star (British, 6817 GRT, built 1919) was also to have joined with the Dakar section but she was delayed and joined later at sea, around 1600Z/23 in position 15°27'N, 18°00'W.

Around 0800Z/23, the Bathurst section of the convoy joined in position 14°36'N, 18°05'W. This was made up of the fleet tenders HM FT 1 and HM FT 10. HM FT 9 was also to have joined but she was unable to leave Bathust while HM FT 4 did leave but had to return with engine defects. HM FT 1 and HM FT 10 were escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessel HMS Kilchatten (T/Lt. D.M. Edwards, DSC, RNR) which did not join the convoy but set course to proceed to Freetown.

On the 25th, HM FT 10 straggled from the convoy and was unable to rejoin. She arrived at Casablanca on 1 August 1944.

On the 28th, HM FT 1 straggled from the convoy and was unable to rejoin. She was ordered to proceed to Casablanca. She arrived at Casablanca on 1 August 1944.

At 1015Z/30, in position 31°41'N, 12°03'W, the Cap Cantin was detached to proceed unescorted to Casablanca due to a medical problem on board. She arrived at Casablanca the following day.

Around 0900Z/31, in position 34°24'N, 11°09'W, the Medie II was detached to Casablanca where she arrived on 1 August escorted by the the minesweeping sloop Commandant Delage and the patrol vessel Le Ruse. These escorts had brought out the merchant vessel Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930) with them which joined the convoy at the same time the Medie II had been detached.

At 1401Z/31, in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W, HMS Kilmartin was detached to Casablanca where they arrived on 1 August 1944.

At 1418Z/31, in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W, HMS Kilmarnock parted company to proceed to Gibraltar taking the Brigthon with her. They arrived at Gibraltar on 1 August 1944.

Also around this time (1400Z/31), convoy MKS 56 joined in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W coming from the Mediterranean. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algonquin Park (Canadian, 7130 GRT, 1942), Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), Empire Wycliff (British, 6966 GRT, built 1941), Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916), Samana (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sambur (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samcleve (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Wanderer (British, 5079 GRT, built 1925).

The auxiliary minelayer HMS Teviotbank (Cdr.(Retd.) R.D. King-Harman, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), submarine HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN), escort oiler San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913) and rescue vessel Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932) were also part of convoy MKS 56 and joined the convoy.

The escort of convoy MKS 56 was made up of the destroyer HMS Hesperus (Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR), frigates HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN), HMS Gardiner (A/Lt.Cdr. W.G.H. Bolton, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. S.G. Wright, RNVR), HMS Oxford Castle (T/Lt. H.E. Holden, DSC, RNR), HMS Rushen Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Warwick, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HNoMS Tunsberg Castle (?) they all joined the now combined convoy SL 165 / MKS 56.

At 1420Z/31, after the convoys had merged HMS Leith parted company in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W, to proceed to Gibraltar independently. She arrived at Gibraltar around 1630Z/1.

Around 1900Z/31, in position 35°13'N, 11°34'W, the escort carrier HMS Biter (Capt. A.N.C. Bingley, OBE, RN) having detached earlier that day from the southbound combined convoy OS 84 / KMS 58. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the frigates HMS Bayntun (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Bourke, RNZNR) and HMS Foley (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Bird, RNVR). On joining convoy SL 165 / MKS 56, HMS Biter then fuelled both frigates before they parted company to rejoin the combined convoy OS 84 / KMS 58.

During 2/3 August 1944, all escorts except HMS Gardiner fuelled from the San Tirso.

Around 2130Z/5, in position 48°14'N, 18°32'W, the San Triso was detached to join the southbound combined convoy OS 85 / KMS 59. The frigate HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvette HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR) had come from that convoy to escort the oiler.

Around 0535Z/3, in position 39°50'N, 18°28'W, two merchant ships joined coming from the Azores, these were the; Crane (British, 785 GRT, built 1937) and Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936). They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Stafnes (T/Lt. A.T. Motion, RNVR) which did not join the convoy but returned to the Azores.

Also on the 6th, HMS Gardiner was fuelled by HMS Biter.

Around 1700Z/6, a fast section was formed and parted company with the convoy in position 50°40'N, 17°40'W to proceed ahead of the main convoy to the U.K. The fast section was made up of six merchant vessels which were the following; Amstelkerk, David Livingstone, Nigerstroom, Stuyvesant, Taranaki and Troubadour. They were escorted by HMS Biter, HMS Cotton, HMS Flint Castle and HMS Rushen Castle.

The fast section of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 8 August 1944.

The remainder of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 9 August 1944. (4)

18 Jan 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR). (5)

22 Jan 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. V.J. Andersen, RNZNVR) and HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR). (5)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. V.J. Andersen, RNZNVR) and HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR). (5)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR). (5)

12 Mar 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. V.J. Andersen, RNZNVR), HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR) and aircraft. (6)

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). (7)

5 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR) and aircraft. (8)