William Edward Parry, RN

Born  8 Apr 1893London, England
Died  21 Aug 1972(79)London, England


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Ranks

15 May 1910 Mid.
15 Sep 1912 A/S.Lt.
15 May 1913 S.Lt.
15 Jun 1914 Lt.
15 Jun 1922 Lt.Cdr.
30 Jun 1927 Cdr.
31 Dec 1934 Capt.
8 Jan 1944 Rear-Admiral
1 Jan 1948 Vice-Admiral
1 May 1951 Admiral

Retired: 26 Jan 1952


Decorations

23 Dec 1939 CB
2 Jan 1950 KCB

Warship Commands listed for William Edward Parry, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMNZS Achilles (70)Capt.Light cruiser27 Jan 193915 Oct 1940
HMS Renown (72)Capt.Battlecruiser5 Jan 19438 Dec 1943

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Battlecruiser HMS Renown (72)


28 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While at Gibraltar, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), is visited by the First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet, Sir A.D.P.R. Pound, GCB, GCVO, RN. (1)

31 Jan 1943
The battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) and aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN) departed Gibraltar for the UK. On departure they were escorted by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. John Henry Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN).

At 1230A/31, they were joined by the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) which was en-route from the Far East to the UK. She was at that moment escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN) and HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN).

These two escort destroyers were detached to Gibraltar at 1930A/31 after Illustrious original destroyer screen, HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN), returned at 1900A/31 from fuelling in Casablanca.

At 1900A/2, HMS Velox, HMS Wishart and HMS Wivern were detached to Plymouth.

At 1500A/3, HMS Brilliant was detached to Plymouth.

At 1615A/3, the destroyer HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Peake, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN) joined from Falmouth.

Around 1930A/3, HMS Boreas and HMS Anthony parted company for Plymouth.

In the afternoon of 4 February 1943, HMS Renown, HMS Furious, HMS Illustrious, HMS Pathfinder, HMS Panther, HMS Penn, HMS Escapade, HMS Melbreak and HMS Tanatside, arrived in the Clyde after which they proceeded to Greenock. (2)

5 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730/5, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), departed the Clyde for Rosyth. She is escorted by the destroyer HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Lauderdale (Lt. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN).

They arrived at Rosyth around 1000/7.

At Rosyth HMS Renown was taken in hand for refit. HMS Lauderdale proceded to Hull to be taken in hand for refit there. (3)

2 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During her refit at Rosyth, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) is docked in No.2 Dock. (4)

29 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) left the dock and continued her refit at Rosyth. (5)

20 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed her refit at Rosyth, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), conducted D/G trials in the Firth of Forth. On completion of these she set course for Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN) and HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN). (6)

21 Jun 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN) and HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (6)

28 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN). (7)

5 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at and off Scapa Flow. (8)

8 Jul 1943
During 8/9 July 1943, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) and HMS Diomede (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN), conducted exerciss off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. Several destroyers were also present but their identity is currently not known to us except that one of them was HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN). HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) might have been one of the other ones. (9)

13 Jul 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (8)

14 Jul 1943
During 14/15 July 1943, USS South Dakota (Capt. L.D. McCormick, USN), HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMS Diomede (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN), HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

On completion of these exercises HMS Diomede proceeded to Rosyth. (10)

17 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) and HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN). (11)

21 Jul 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises the destroyers HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) might have been escorting HMS Renown. (12)

23 Jul 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

HMS Sheffield remained out for night exercises and only returned to Scapa Flow the following morning. (13)

6 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow including an exercise with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (14)

11 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 11/12 August 1943, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (14)

14 Aug 1943
The battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet and with H.M. the King on board), HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), light cruisers HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN), HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. They had been led out of the harbour by HMIS Godavari (Capt. J.W. Jefford, OBE, RIN). (15)

24 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245/24, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), departed Scapa Flow for Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN).

On the 26th the destroyers dropped astern in the heavy weather and they were later ordered to proceed to St. Johns where they arrived on the 29th.

HMS Renown arrived at Halifax also on the 29th (around 1000/29). (16)

14 Sep 1943
Around 1530/14 HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) departed Halifax for the UK. On board were the Prime Minister (Churchill) and his entourage. At sea HMS Renown wass joined by an escort made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN).

At 0730/16, the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) joined coming from Hvalfiord, Iceland which she had departed on 13 September.

Around 1430/16, the destroyers HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) joined coming from St. Johns. HMS Obdurate and HMS Obedient were then detached to Argentia.

Around 0300/18, the destroyers HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) joined coming from Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Around 1100/18, the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (Capt. G. Rowe, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN) joined coming from Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN), USS Hobson (T/Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN) and USS Corry (T/Cdr. L.B. Ensey, USN).

At 1405/18, HMS Kent parted company to proceed to Scapa Flow.

At 1900/18, USS Ranger and her escorting destroyers parted company to proceed to Scapa Flow.

At 0050/19, HMS Norfolk parted company to proceed to Scapa Flow.

Around 0900/19, HMS Renown, HMS Matchless, HMS Orwell, HMS Scorpion and HMS Scourge arrived in the Clyde.

The Prime Minister and his entourage then disembarked from HMS Renown. (17)

21 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400 hours HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN). (18)

22 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030 hours HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Clyde. (18)

28 Sep 1943
During 28/29 September the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), aircraft carrier USS Ranger (Capt. G. Rowe, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), heavy cruiser USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. J.B.W. Waller, USN), light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN), USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN), USS Hobson (T/Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN), USS Fitch (T/Cdr. K.C. Walpole, USN), USS Corry (T/Cdr. L.B. Ensey, USN) and USS Capps (T/Cdr. B.E.S. Trippensee, USN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night encounter exercises. (19)

12 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 12/13 October 1943, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN) and USS Fitch (T/Cdr. K.C. Walpole, USN). (20)

21 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (21)

27 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) and the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill), USS Capps (T/Cdr. B.E.S. Trippensee, USN) and USS Hobson (T/Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN). (22)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (23)

8 Nov 1943
Around 1230/8, HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) and HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), departed Scapa Flow for Portland and Plymouth respectively. On departure from Scapa Flow they were escorted by the destroyers HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN).

At 1730/8, HMS Urchin parted company to return to Scapa Flow.

On 9 November, HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) joined. [time unknown to us for the moment.]

At 0845/10, HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) joined.

At 1225/10, HMS Renown and HMS Rocket parted company with HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Oribi and HMS Melbreak.

Around 1330/10, HMS Renown and HMS Rocket arrived at Plymouth.

Around 1715/10, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Oribi and HMS Melbreak arrived at Portland. (24)

12 Nov 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. On board were the Prime Minister and his entourage. Mr. Churchill was to proceed to Cairo for the Sextant conference with President Roosevelt from the USA and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek from China.

On departure from Plymouth HMS Renown was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN).

They arrived in Gibraltar Bay around 1900/15 where HMS Renown picked up some passengers. HMS Renown and HMS London departed Gibraltar Bay again around 1930/15 with their destroyer escort. Around 2130/15 the destroyers HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN), HMS Antelope (Cdr. J.G. Gould, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) took over the escort.

Around 1230/16, HMS Renown, HMS London, HMS Douglas, HMS Antelope, HMS Anthony and HMS Grenville arrived at Algiers. While at Algiers most of Mr. Churchills entourage left HMS Renown and embarked on HMS London.

Around 1930/16, HMS Renown, HMS London, HMS Grenville departed Algiers for Malta. They were joined (later) at sea by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN) and Rocket which came from Gibraltar.

Around 1730/17, HMS Renown, HMS London, HMS Grenville, HMS Rocket and HMS Inglefield arrived at Malta.

As Mr. Churchill was sick, HMS Renown remained at Malta for the moment but HMS London left for Alexandria at 2200/17 escorted by HMS Rocket and HMS Ulster.

At 1830/18, HMS Rocket parted company to return to Malta where she arrived at 1115/19.

At 0615/19, HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Taylor, RN) joined.

At 1300/19, HMS London, HMS Ulster and HMS Fury arrived at Alexandria.

At 2345/19, HMS Renown slipped her buoy at Malta to proceed to Alexandria. She was escorted by HMS Grenville, HMS Rocket and HMS Inglefield. They arrived at Alexandria at 1200/21. The Prime Minister and a small staff disembarked at 1315/21. (23)

23 Nov 1943
Around 1645/23, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), departed Alexandria to return to the UK. On departure from Alexandria she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN), HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) and HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. R.H.C. Wyld, RN).

On the 25th HMS Echo was detached to Malta.

Around 1100/26, HMS Renown, HMS Grenville, HMS Ulster and HMS Rocket, arrived at Algiers.

Around 0030/27, HMS Renown departed Algiers for Gibraltar. She was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Grenville, HMS Ulster and HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN). They arrived at Gibraltar around 2100/27.

HMS Renown departed Gibraltar for Rosyth around 2245/27 now escorted by HMS Rocket, HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Ulster.

Around 1445/29, HMS Rocket, HMS Tumult and HMS Ulster parted company after HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and HMCS Athabascan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) had joined.

Around 1115/1, HMS Janus and HMCS Athabascan parted company.

Around 2000/2, HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) joined.

HMS Renown, HMS Meteor and HMS Opportune arrived at Rosyth around 1200/3. (23)

6 Dec 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) is docked in No.2 Dock at Rosyth and taken in hand for a short refit. (25)

Sources

  1. ADM 53/118426
  2. ADM 53/117549 + ADM 53/117550 + ADM 53/117652 + ADM 53/117653 + ADM 53/118426 + ADM 53/118427 + ADM 199/767
  3. ADM 53/118427
  4. ADM 53/118428
  5. ADM 53/118430
  6. ADM 53/118431
  7. ADM 199/632
  8. ADM 53/118432
  9. ADM 53/117389 + ADM 53/118432 + ADM 53/118527
  10. ADM 53/117389 + ADM 53/118432 + log of USS South Dakota for July 1943
  11. ADM 53/118432 + log of USS South Dakota for July 1943
  12. ADM 53/117015 + ADM 53/118432
  13. ADM 53/118432 + ADM 53/118527
  14. ADM 53/118433
  15. ADM 53/116903 + ADM 53/117016 + ADM 53/117401 + ADM 53/118367 + ADM 53/118433 + ADM 199/632
  16. ADM 53/118433 + ADM 199/632
  17. ADM 53/117697 + ADM 53/118304 + ADM 53/118434 + ADM 199/766
  18. ADM 53/118434
  19. Report COMTASFOR 22 (USN) September 1943
  20. ADM 53/118435
  21. ADM53/118435
  22. ADM 53/117638 + ADM 53/118435
  23. ADM 53/118436
  24. ADM 53/118389 + ADM 53/118436
  25. ADM 53/118437

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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