Helen,

Here is an extract from my book (not about HMS Onslow) your father would probably have been part of this:-

Captain (D) Of The 17th Destroyer Flotilla

The Captain (D) of the 17th Destroyer Flotilla submitted a Report of Proceedings for the convoys to and from Kola Inlet and this fills in yet more details; this is reproduced below:-

CONVOYS JW 67 and RA 67 – REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS

From The CAPTAIN (D), 17th DESTROYER FLOTILLA, HMS ONSLOW.

DATE 29TH May, 1945 No. 4412/223

TO THE DIRECTOR, ANTI U-BOAT DIVISION, ADMIRALTY.
(Through the Commodore (D), Home Fleet)
(Copies to:- The Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron, HTM 95.

The Commodore (D), Home Fleet.
The Senior Officer, EG 4.
The Senior Officer, EG 9.
The Senior British Naval Officer, North Russia.
The Captain (D), 2nd Destroyer Flotilla.
The Captain (D), 23rd Destroyer Flotilla).

The only interesting feature of these two convoys was the remarkably high speed maintained by the merchant ships on each occasion. The average for JW 67 was 9 ½ knots, while for the return journey it rose to the hitherto unheard of speed of 10 knots.

2. The fact that “Egero” - the escort oiler - could only provide one short length of hose and one adaptor each side, greatly slowed up the oiling of escorts at Kola Inlet. It is desirable that such oilers always carry enough oil hose to refuel four ships at a time. The Master had requested the gear whilst in the Clyde, but this was not forthcoming from Naval Authorities.

3. A few hours before leaving Greenock instructions were received to embark 140 Squid projectiles onboard the escorts. Twelve projectiles were allocated to each ship, but could only be stowed with the greatest difficulty. Had rough weather been encountered, they would have undoubtedly proved an even greater menace than they were. The facilities at Kola Inlet for unloading such heavy projectiles are practically non-existent. It is considered that stores such as these should invariably be carried in merchant vessels except in the case of emergency. On this occasion the Squid projectiles were merely required to complete O.C.A.S.’s establishment list.

4. As usual the Russians laid on entertainment for us, and the three concerts that they presented were first class, and greatly enjoyed by all.

5. It is understood that Officers from HMS Queen had considerable liaison with both officers from the local Air Arm Station at Vaenga, and also with the Ward Room officers and ship’s company of the battleship ARCHANGEL (ex ROYAL SOVEREIGN).

Sgd
CAPTAIN (D)
17TH DESTROYER FLOTILLA.

Enclosures.
Section I - General Narrative, Appendix to Section I – Admiralty’s 16.1200B
Section II - Enemy Action (Blank)
Section III - Air Escort (Blank)
Section IV - Convoy Discipline
Section V - Oiling at Sea (Blank)
Section VI - Communications
Section VII - Material failures (Blank)
Section VIII - Exercises.

ALL TIMES DBST.
SECTION I - NARRATIVE.

JW 67
May 12th 2145 Convoy sailed from Clyde escorted by HMS ONSLOW (D. 17), HMS Obdurate,
4th ESCORT GROUP and 9th ESCORT GROUP.
May 13th 2240 Detached HMS Obdurate to top with fuel in Loch Ewe.
May 14th 0600 HMS Obdurate rejoined.
May 15th 1100 HMS Queen joined. Coastal Command Catalinas provided continuous A/S escort until 0400/16.
May 16th 1400 Detached 9th Escort Group to escort 15 U-boats from Vestfjord to Loch Eriboll in
accordance with Admiralty’s 16.1200B.
May 20th 0800 White Sea portion detached under Russian Escort.
1600 Convoy entered Kola Inlet.

RA 67
May 23rd 1900 Convoy sailed from Kola Inlet.
May 24th 0500 White Sea portion joined.
May 28th 1100 HMS Onslow (D.17) and HMS Obdurate parted company. EG 4 took over Senior Officer Escort.
2200 Arrived Scapa.

Appendix to Section I
Admiralty Message timed 16.1200B May:-


To:- Captain (D.17), Stord, (R) C in C Home Fleet Afloat From: Admiralty.
FO Norway, C in C W.A. C in C Rosyth Broadway.

D.17 is to detach one Escort Group forthwith to intercept convoy of 16 U-boats and 5 Merchant Ships reported in Vestfjord at 16.0819B proceeding NARVIK to TRONDJEM.
U-boats are to be escorted by Escort Group to Loch Eriboll and Merchant Ships directed to TRONDJEM.
STORD is requested to instruct BROADWAY to take charge of convoy until relieved by Escort Group.

SECTION II - ENEMY ACTION

Nil

SECTION III - AIR ESCORT.

No remarks.

SECTION IV - CONVOY DISCIPLINE.

Both JW 67 and RA 67 were model convoys and a speed of between 10½ to 11 knots was maintained for the greater part of the trip. The station keeping was consistently excellent.