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Notable events involving Ranchi include:

The page dealing with the wartime history of HMS Ranchi was last created in February 2023.

This page was last updated in August 2023.

23 Oct 1939
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) is commissioned at Bombay and successfully conducted her gunnery trials. She then commenced a training period. Her outfitting was fully completed on 8 November 1939.

[No log is available for the period of 23 October to 9 December 1939 so some details for this period might be missing.] (1)

13 Nov 1939
Having completed her work-up programme at / off Bombay HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed that place for Colombo where she was to arrive on 16 November.

While on passage she was ordered to patrol in position 06°00'N, 77°00'E.

On the 16th, she was ordered to patrol the Kardiva Channel, Maledives and to proceed to Colombo afterwards.

She eventually arrived at Trincomalee on 19 November 1939. (2)

28 Nov 1939
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the French troop transport Cap Tourane (French, 8009 GRT, built 1923, 1000 troops) arrived at Colombo.

[Unknown when HMS Ranchi had left Trincomalee, she had joined the French troopship, which came from Saigon via Singapore, near Sabang.] (3)

4 Dec 1939
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo escorting the French troop transports Cap Tourane (French, 8009 GRT, built 1923, 1000 troops) and D'Artagnan (French, 15105 GRT, built 1925, 850 troops) to Bombay. (4)

7 Dec 1939
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the French troop transports Cap Tourane (French, 8009 GRT, built 1923, 1000 troops) and D'Artagnan (French, 15105 GRT, built 1925, 850 troops) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (2)

10 Dec 1939

Convoy K 6.

This convoy departed Bombay on 10 December 1939.

It was made up of the transports; Cap Tourane (French, 8009 GRT, built 1923), D'Artagnan (French, 15105 GRT, built 1925), Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917), Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926), Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926), Tairea (British, 7934 GRT, built 1924) and Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924).

These ships were carrying Indian and French troops and mules.

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) and the armed merchant cruisers HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and HMS Maloja (Capt.(Retd.) C.R. Dane, RN).

Cover for he convoy was proviced by the heavy cruisers HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN) and Suffren (Capt. R.J.M. Dillard) which had departed Colombo on 9 December. They turned back at midnight during the night of 11/12 December 1939.

On 15 December 1939, on entering the Gulf of Aden the escorts parted company with the convoy which then proceeded unescorted to Suez where it arrived on 20 December.

After passing the Suez Canal the convoy departed Port Said on 21 December escorted by the destroyers HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN).

The destroyers were relieved on 24 December by their sister ships HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Cant, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN).

The convoy arrived at Marseilles on 26 December.

20 Dec 1939
Around 0730D/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from escort duty and patrol. (5)

22 Dec 1939
Around 1800D/22, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Aden to take a Political Officer to Socotra with the intention to establish an airbase there. She was also to transport petrol and bombs to Mukalla and Salalah where air bases had already been established.

She returned to Aden around 0730D/31. (5)

2 Jan 1940
Around 1900D/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Bombay. She is escorting the (troop) transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913). (6)

8 Jan 1940
Around 0500EF/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Bombay from Aden. (7)

10 Jan 1940
Around 1015EF/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) departed Bombay for Colombo. (7)

14 Jan 1940
Around 0730EF/14, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Colombo from Bombay.

They departed again around 1345EF/14. The (troop) transport was to proceed to Singapore. HMS Ranchi was to escort her towards the northern end of Sumatra. (6)

18 Jan 1940
Around 0800F/18, the (troop) transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) was turned over near Sabang in approximate position 06°00N, 95°30'E, by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) to the light cruiser HMS Durban (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN). (8)

20 Jan 1940
Around 1830F/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from escort duty. (6)

26 Jan 1940
Around 0630F/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. (6)

31 Jan 1940
Around 1130D/31, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Colombo. (6)

1 Feb 1940
Around 1000D/1, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Aden to take a Political Officer to Socotra. She was also to transport petrol and bombs to Mukalla and Salalah air bases.

She returned to Aden around 2030D/7. (9)

8 Feb 1940
Around 0130D/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Aden to join the (troop) transport Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917) to Bombay. (9)

13 Feb 1940
Around 0130EF/13, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transport Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917) arrived at Bombay from Aden. (9)

17 Feb 1940
Around 0700EF/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (9)

20 Feb 1940
Around 0900EF/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (9)

24 Feb 1940
Around 1530EF/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. On leaving harbour she first conducted gunnery exercises. (9)

3 Mar 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Colombo.

[No logs are available for the months of March, April and May 1940, so some details for these months might be missing.] (10)

6 Mar 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Port Victoria, Seychelles where petrol and bombs were to be landed for the Air Force. (10)

11 Mar 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Aden. (10)

12 Mar 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Durban. (10)

19 Mar 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Port Victoria. At Durban she commenced boiler cleaning. (10)

30 Mar 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Mozambique Channel area. (10)

7 Apr 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) returned to Durban from patrol. (10)

10 Apr 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is to search for Danish and Norwegian merchant vessels. (10)

16 Apr 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) returned to Durban from patrol.

She departed Durban again later the same day escorting the (troop) transport Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) part of her way to Suez. (10)

22 Apr 1940
Around 0845D/22, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) turned over the escort of the (troop) transport Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN). (11)

23 Apr 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from escort duty. (10)

26 Apr 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Seychelles / Madagascar area. (10)

10 May 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol. (10)

11 May 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa escorting the (troop) transport Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) northwards.

While en-route she was ordered to patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland until she was relieved. (10)

16 May 1940
Around 1515C/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) was relieved on patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland by HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN).

HMS Ranchi then proceeded to Kilindini / Mombasa to boiler clean [arrival date unknown but most likely on the 17th.] (12)

25 May 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland. (10)

3 Jun 1940
Around 0730B/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol.

She departed again around 1700B/3, escorting the (troop) transports Inchanga (British, 7069 GRT, built 1934) and Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930) part of their way to Kilindini / Mombasa. (13)

4 Jun 1940
HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) departed Mombasa to make rendezvous with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transports Inchanga (British, 7069 GRT, built 1934) and Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930) coming from Durban.

In the early evening of 6 June 1940, rendezvous was effected in approximate position 16°42'S, 40°46'E.

HMS Durban and the ships she was escorting arrived at Mombasa in the morning of 9 June 1940. (14)

9 Jun 1940
Around 1415BC/9, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from escort duty. (13)

10 Jun 1940
Around 1530B/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol the western part of the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (13)

14 Jun 1940
Around 0030B/14, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) returned to Durban from patrol. (13)

17 Jun 1940
Around 0930B/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol the western part of the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (13)

24 Jun 1940
Around 1430C/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Tamatave, Madagascar, from patrol. (13)

27 Jun 1940
Around 1100C/27, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Tamatave to resume her patrol off the Mozambique Channel and to proceed to Durban afterwards. (13)

1 Jul 1940
Around 0830B/1, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. At Durban she commenced boiler cleaning. (15)

17 Jul 1940
Around 1600B/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. She is escorting the (troop) transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936) and Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926). (15)

24 Jul 1940
Around 0630C/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936) and Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (15)

28 Jul 1940
In the evening, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Bombay. She is escorting the (troop) transport Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926). (16)

5 Aug 1940
Around 1430EF/5, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transport Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926) arrived at Bombay from Kilindini / Mombasa. (17)

10 Aug 1940

Convoy BN 3.

This convoy departed Bombay on 10 August 1940.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Acadia (Norwegian, 5002 GRT, built 1938), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Ethiopia (British, 5574 GRT, built 1922), Khandalla (British, 7018 GRT, built 1923), Khedive Ismael (Egyptian, 7290 GRT, built 1922), Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917), Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926), Rhona (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926), Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924) and Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN).

Around 1245D/15, the light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN) joined the convoy. Both armed merchant cruisers then parted company with the convoy.

On 16 August 1940, the sloop HMIS Hindustan (Cdr. G.V.G. Beamish, RIN) joined the convoy, she parted company on the 17th.

Off Aden the transports Ethiopia and Khandalla were detached to the port.

Off Aden, on the 17th, seven more transports / tankers joined the convoy, these were the following; British Fusilier (British (tanker), 6943 GRT, built 1923), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911), Jessmore (British, 4099 GRT, built 1921), Malayan Prince (British, 8953 GRT, built 1926) and Raby Castle (British, 4996 GRT, built 1925).

The destroyers HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) coming from Aden. The sloop HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) also joined the convoy, she had already been at sea.

On the 19th, a patrolling Wellesley aircraft crashed into the sea near the convoy. The entire crew of the aircraft was rescued by HMS Kingston.

On 21 August 1940 the sloops HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN) and HMIS Clive (Cdr. H.R. Inigo-Jones, RIN) joined. HMS Leander, HMS Kimberley, HMS Kingston and HMAS Parramatta then parted company.

The convoy arrived at Suez on 23 August 1940. (18)

18 Aug 1940
Around 1815EF/18, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Bombay from convoy escort duty. (17)

23 Aug 1940

Convoy BN 4.

The Karachi section of this convoy departed Karachi on 23 August 1940.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; Khosrou (British, 4043 GRT, built 1924), Nizam (British, 5322 GRT, built 1914), Rajput (British, 5521 GRT, built 1925) and Rizwani (British, 5448 GRT, built 1930)).

It was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) R.W.M. Lloyd, DSO, RN).

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The Bombay section of the convoy departed Bombay on 25 August 1940.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; Amra (British, 8314 GRT, built 1938), Bankura (British, 3185 GRT, built 1912), Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), El Madina (British, 3962 GRT, built 1937), Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911), Islami (British, 5879 GRT, built 1934), Jaladuta (British, 4966 GRT, built 1927), Jalakrishna (British, 4991 GRT, built 1937), Jalamohan (British, 5100 GRT, built 1925), Jalavihar (British, 5330 GRT, built 1911), Karagola ((British, 7053 GRT, built 1917), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913), Nurmahal (British, 5419 GRT, built 1923), Subadar (British, 5424 GRT, built 1929), Varela (British, 4651 GRT, built 1914) and Varsova (British, 4701 GRT, built 1914).

It was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN).

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The two sections joined company around 1230E/27 in approximate position 19°00'N, 69°52'E.

Around 1200D/1, the light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN) joined the convoy in position 14.46'N, 53.02'E. Both armed merchant cruisers then parted company to return independently to Bombay patrolling en-route.

On 4 September 1940 the convoy arrived off Aden where the Khosrou, Nizam and Rajput were detached as planned. Also the Bankura had to be detached due to engine defects.

From Aden 18 more vessels joined the convoy. These were the; Atlas (Greek (tanker), 4008 GRT, built 1909), Ayamonte (British (tanker), 845 GRT, built 1899), Bahadur (British, 5424 GRT, built 1929), Baron Erskine (British, 3657 GRT, built 1930), Brattdal (Norwegian, 4968 GRT, built 1935), Daronia (British (tanker), 8139 GRT, built 193), Dramatist (British, 5443 GRT, built 1920), El Amin (British, 746 GRT, built 1926), El Hak (British, 1022 GRT, built 1929), Jalapadma (British, 3935 GRT, built 1929), Northmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928), Polyktor (Greek, 4077 GRT, built 1914), Star of Cairo (Egyptian, 4555 GRT, built 1924), Trevarrack (British, 5270 GRT, built 1919), Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930), Velho (British (tanker), 1100 GRT, built 1905), Warlaby (British, 4875 GRT, built 1927) and Westbury (British, 4712 GRT, built 1928).

On 6 September 1940, the convoy was attacked three times by Italian aircraft but no damage was done.

Also on 6 September 1940, the small Greek tanker Atlas, which had straggled from the convoy due to her slow speed, was torpedoed and sunk in position 15°50'N, 41°50'E by the Italian submarine Guglielmotti.

On 8 September 1940, the following ships were detached to Port Sudan. Amra, Erinpura, Jaladuta, Jalakrishna, Jalavihar, Karagola, Nevasa, Subadar, Varela and Varsova. They were escorted by the sloop HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) which had joined the convoy earlier [furher research is required to find out exactly when].

The remainder of the convoy continued on towards Suez arriving there on 11 September 1940.

On 8 September 1940, HMS Leander parted company after the sloop HMIS Clive (Cdr. H.R. Inigo-Jones, RIN) had joined.

[It is possible the destroyer HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) and sloop HMS Shoreham (Cdr. G.P. Claridge, RN) had also been with the convoy at times but further research is required.] (18)

4 Sep 1940
Around 1630EF/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Bombay from convoy escort duty. (19)

6 Sep 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) is docked in the Hughes dry dock and taken in hand for refit at the Bombay Dockyard. (19)

10 Sep 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) is undocked. (19)

7 Oct 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) completed her refit at the Bombay Dockyard. (20)

10 Oct 1940

Convoy BN 7.

This convoy departed Bombay on 10 October 1940.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Ethiopia (British, 5574 GRT, built 1922), Felix Roussel (British, 17083 GRT, built 1930), Karagola (British, 7053 GRT, built 1917), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913), Nurmahal (British, 5419 GRT, built 1923), Subadar (British, 5424 GRT, built 1929) and Varsova (British, 4701 GRT, built 1914).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN).

Around 1330D/16, the light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN) joined the convoy. The armed merchant cruisers then parted company.

On the 18th, the sloops HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HMAS Yarra (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) joined.

On 19 October the Varsova was detached from the convoy and proceeded to Aden.

Also on the 19th, 24 more transports / tankers joined the convoy off Aden, these were the following; Arundo (Dutch, 5163 GRT, built 1930), Askot (Norwegian, 1323 GRT, built 1938), Australind (British, 5020 GRT, built 1929), British Colonel (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1921), Cranfield (British, 5332 GRT, built 1919), Egero (Norwegian (tanker), 7590 GRT, built 1929), Erica (South African, 5112 GRT, built 1926), Hannah Moller (British, 2931 GRT, built 1911), Hatarana (British, 7522 GRT, built 1917), Inviken (Norwegian, 4131 GRT, built 1925), Jalakrishna (British, 4991 GRT, built 1937), King Arthur (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kingswood (British, 5080 GRT, built 1929), Mandalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911), Marcella (British, 4592 GRT, built 1928), Margot (British, 4545 GRT, built 1926), Marion Moller (British, 3287 GRT, built 1909), Myrtlebank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Nyco (Norwegian, 1345 GRT, built 1938), Nyholm (Norwegian (tanker), 5843 GRT, built 1927), Odysseus (British, 4577 GRT, built 1913), Serbino (British, 4099 GRT, built 1919) and Tyndareus (British, 11361 GRT, built 1916).

The Turkish minelayer Sivrihisar that had been built in the U.K. and was on passage to Turkey for delivery was also part of the convoy.

Also the destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and the minesweepers HMS Derby (Lt.Cdr. F.C.V. Brightman, RN) and HMS Huntley (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. King, RNR) joined the convoy.

On 19 October 1940 and also on 20 October 1940 the convoy was attacked by Italian aircraft but no damage was done.

During the night of 20/21 October 1940, the Italian destroyers Pantera, Leone, Nazario Sauro and Francisco Nullo. No damage was done and the destroyers were driven off by the escort.

At dawn on 21 October one of the Italian destroyers, Francisco Nullo, was seen to be aground on Harmil island. She had been in battle with HMS Kimberley which then closed to finish off the damaged and grounded Italian destroyer. However HMS Kimberley was taken under fire by Italian shore batteries and sustained damage in her engine room. She was towed clear by HMS Leander during which both ships were unsuccessfully bombed. Later the destroyer HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) took over the tow and she towed her damaged sistership to Port Sudan.

HMS Derby and HMS Huntley arrived at Port Sudan on 22 October 1940.

On 23 October 1940, HMS Auckland, Cranfield, Erica, Felix Roussel, Hatarana, Nevasa and Nurmahal arrived at Port Sudan. After taking on board water the Felix Roussel sailed again to rejoin the convoy.

Also on 23 October 1940, the remaining escorts parted company and the sloops HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN) and HMIS Clive (Cdr. H.R. Inigo-Jones, RIN) had joined.

On 24 October 1940, HMAS Yarra arrived at Port Sudan.

The convoy arrived at Suez on 26 October 1940. (18)

21 Oct 1940
Around 0900EF/21, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from convoy escort duty. (20)

25 Oct 1940
Around 1715EF/25, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for patrol. On leaving harbour she conducted gunnery exercises. She was ordered to patrol off the Maledives. (20)

29 Oct 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) made a short stop at Diego Garcia before resuming her patrol. (20)

4 Nov 1940
Around 0945EF/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo for patrol. (21)

7 Nov 1940
Around 1100EF/7, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. (21)

10 Nov 1940
Around 1100EF/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (21)

12 Nov 1940

Convoy BN 8½.

[This convoy is sometimes known as convoy BN 8A, official documents however give the name as BN 8½.]

This convoy departed Bombay on 12 November 1940.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913), President Doumer (British, 11898 GRT, built 1934), Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926), Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926), Slamat (Dutch, 11636 GRT, built 1924) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN).

Around 1100D/15, HMS Ranchi parted company.

Around 1130D/16, the convoy was joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN).

Around 0930C/17, HMS Hector parted company to 'patrol' towards Colombo.

Around 0700C/18, the sloop HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 0845C/18, the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 1100C/18, three more (troop) transports joined coming from Aden, these were the following;
Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Khedive Ismael (Egyptian, 7290 GRT, built 1922) and Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911). They were escorted out of Aden by the sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) which then also joined the convoy.

Around 1800C/20, HMS Carlisle and HMAS Parramatta parted company to proceed to Port Sudan. At the same time HMS Flamingo also parted company to patrol off Jeddah.

Around 1530C/21, the sloop HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN) joined. HMS Shropshire then parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Suez on 23 November 1940. (18)

21 Nov 1940
Around 0945EF/21, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from convoy escort duty and patrol. (21)

29 Nov 1940
Around 0900EF/29, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo to make rendezvous with the transport Alipore (British, 5273 GRT, built 1920).

She joined the transport around 0830F/1 in approximate position 06°45'N, 89°27'E. (21)

4 Dec 1940
Around 0550EF/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) parted company with the transport Alipore (British, 5273 GRT, built 1920) which arrived at Colombo later the same day.

HMS Ranchi did not enter harbour but went on patrol. She was ordered to patrol from position 01°30'S, 73°30'E to position 01°30'N, 81°00'E and arrive at Colombo on 8 December.

On 6 December 1940, she was ordered to patrol from position 02°00'N, 78°00'E to 04°00'N, 82°00'E and arrive at Colombo on 10 December. (22)

10 Dec 1940
Around 0915EF/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from patrol. (22)

12 Dec 1940
Around 1000EF/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Durban via the Seychelles.

On the 14th, her destination was changed to Kilindini / Mombasa. (22)

17 Dec 1940
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) made a short stop at Port Victoria, Seychelles before continuing her passage to Kilindini / Mombasa conducting a short patrol en-route. (22)

23 Dec 1940
Around 1100C/23, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol. (22)

23 Dec 1940

Convoy KD 2.

This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 23 December 1940.

It was made up of the troop transports; Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927, 226 troops) and Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918, 799 troops).

The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN).

The convoy arrived at Durban on 29 December 1940. (18)

31 Dec 1940
Around 1630B/31, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She was ordered to patrol in / off the Mozambique Channel. (23)

11 Jan 1941
Around 0800B/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (24)

15 Jan 1941
Around noon (B), first the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and then heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Durban for patrol.

They parted company around 1745C/16.

HMS Ranchi then patrolled in the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel.

HMS Shropshire patrolled in an area from the east of Durban to the south of Port Elizabeth. On 21 January she joined convoy WS 5A, having departed her patrol area on 18 January to do so.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 5A and the attack by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper ' for 18 December 1940 (on the page of HMS Shropshire).] (25)

17 Jan 1941
Around 0910C/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) joined the (troop) transport Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938, 211 military personnel) which she was to escort northwards.

They parted company around 0515C/19. HMS Ranchi resumed patrol and the Selandia arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 22 January 1941. (24)

25 Jan 1941
Around 1430BC/25, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at East London from patrol. She then commenced boiler cleaning. It had been intended to boiler clean at Durban but this was not possible due to congestion in the harbour there. (24)

2 Feb 1941
Around 1415B/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed East London for Durban. (26)

3 Feb 1941
Around 1415B/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from East London. (26)

4 Feb 1941
Around 1600B/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel.

She also provided cover for the (troop) transport Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938) during her passage from Durban to Kilindini / Mombasa from 8 to 13 February 1941. (26)

15 Feb 1941
Around 1730C/15, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (26)

19 Feb 1941
Around 1630B/19, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Mozambique Channel. (26)

27 Feb 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) made a very short stop at Durban and the departed again to resume her patrol. (26)

2 Mar 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol.

[No log is available of HMS Ranchi for the month of March 1941 so some details might be missing.] (26)

2 Mar 1941
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) intercepted the Vichy French transport Ville de Strasbourg (7007 GRT, built 1920) south of Madagascar in position 26°30'S, 47°00'E.

Due to the heavy weather conditions the Vichy ship could not be boarded and she at first refused to get underway to Durban and she hove too. Eventually the following day she could be boarded and the ship got underway to Durban escorted by HMS Shropshire until HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) took over [date and time not known but most likely on 5 March].

The Vichy ship arrived at Durban on 7 March still escorted by HMS Ranchi. (27)

4 Mar 1941
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban to make rendezvous with the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and the captured Vichy French merchant vessel Ville de Strasbourg (7007 GRT, built 1920). She was to take over the escort of the Vichy vessel to Durban. (27)

7 Mar 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the captured Vichy French merchant vessel Ville de Strasbourg (7007 GRT, built 1920) arrived at Durban.

HMS Ranchi departed Durban for patrol later the same day. She was ordered to patrol off the Mozambique Channel. She also provided cover for the (troop) transport Dalia (South African, 5188 GRT, built 1931) during her passage from Durban to Kilindini / Mombasa from 15 to 23 February 1941. (27)

20 Mar 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (10)

21 Mar 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for East London. (10)

22 Mar 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at East London from Durban. She then commenced boiler cleaning. (10)

31 Mar 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed East London for patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (10)

8 Apr 1941
Around 1345C/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (28)

9 Apr 1941
Around 1430B/9, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban escorting the (troop) transport Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938, 307 military personnel) part of the way to Kilindini / Mombasa.

They parted company around 1050B/11 on reaching latitude 22'S. (28)

13 Apr 1941
Around 1130B/13, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from escort duty. (28)

16 Apr 1941
Around 0915B/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (28)

24 Apr 1941
Around 0700B/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (28)

27 Apr 1941
Around 1100B/27, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (28)

1 May 1941

Convoy SW 6.

This convoy departed Suez on 1 May 1941 for Durban where it arrived on 16 May 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built ), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926), Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920) and Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924).

Three ships of the convoy carried about 3900 POW's to South Africa.

On departure from Suez the convoy was not escorted.

At 0925C/6, the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) joined coming from Aden.

Off Aden the Nova Scotia parted company and proceeded to that port.

Around 0830C/11, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) joined and HMS Ceres parted company with the convoy to proceed to Mombasa where she arrived later the same day. She took the transport Cameronia with her.

Around 0735B/13, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) took over the convoy from HMS Hector which then set course for Mombasa.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 16 May 1941. (27)

6 May 1941
Around 1515C/6, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (29)

9 May 1941
Around 0730C/9, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban to makerendezvous with convoy SW 6.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SW 6 ' for 1 May 1941.] (29)

16 May 1941
Around 1330C/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban with convoy SW 6.

HMS Ranchi is then taken in hand for a docking and for repairs to her boilers. (29)

17 May 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) is docked at Durban. (29)

19 May 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) is undocked. (29)

3 Jun 1941
Around 0930C/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (30)

17 Jun 1941
Around 0730B/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (30)

22 Jun 1941
Around 1545B/22, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol to the east of Durban. (30)

28 Jun 1941
Around 1400B/22, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban van patrol. (30)

1 Jul 1941
Around 1030B/1, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel and to the east of Durban. (31)

13 Jul 1941
Around 1230B/13, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (31)

22 Jul 1941
Around 1530B/22, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel and to the east of Durban. (31)

31 Jul 1941
Around 0715B/31, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (31)

8 Aug 1941
Around 0900B/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Mozambique Channel. On the 11th she is to join the troop transport Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938) and take over from that ships current escort. (32)

16 Aug 1941
Around 1600BC/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) and the troop transport Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938) arrived at Durban.

HMS Ranchi is then taken in hand for refit. (32)

28 Sep 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Durban. (33)

29 Sep 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (33)

16 Oct 1941
With her refit completed, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), departed Durban around 0730B/2 for Kilindini / Mombasa. (34)

21 Oct 1941
Around 1400C/21, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (34)

25 Oct 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (34)

5 Nov 1941

Convoy MA 2.

This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 5 November 1941.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Burma (British, 7821 GRT, built 1914, 1424 troops), Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937, 1540 troops) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928, 1696 troops).

The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).

The convoy arrived at Aden on 12 November 1941. (27)

12 Nov 1941
Around 0830C/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden with convoy MA 2.

Around 1215C/12, after having fuelled, she departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa. (35)

16 Nov 1941
Around 1630C/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (35)

18 Nov 1941
Around 2200C/18, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Addu Atoll (Port T) via Port Victoria, Seychelles. (35)

21 Nov 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) made a short stop at Port Victoria, Seychelles. She left after about one hour for Addu Atoll (Port T). (35)

24 Nov 1941
Around 1240E/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll (Port T).

At Addu Atoll she was to serve as temporary base ship. (35)

10 Jan 1942
Around 0800F/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll (Port T) for Mahé. (36)

11 Jan 1942
Around 0930F/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mahé from Addu Atoll.

Around 1730F/11, she departed Mahé to return to Addu Atoll. (36)

12 Jan 1942
Around 1800F/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll. (36)

19 Jan 1942

Convoy DM 2.

This convoy was formed at sea on 19 January 1942 when the ships in the convoy split off from convoy WS 14. The ships in the convoy were the following; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (British, 8049 GRT, built 1937), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).

They were escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN).

Around 1100F/16, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) joined off Addu Atoll. HMS Royal Sovereign then parted company and entered Addu Atoll.

Around 1320F/28, the convoy merged with convoy BM 12 coming from Bombay.

Around 1500F/28, HMS Ranchi parted company with the now combined convoy and set course for Addu Atoll. (37)

23 Jan 1942

Convoy BM 12.

Convoy from Bombay to Singapore.
Departure date: 23 January 1942.
Arrival date: 4 February 1942.

This convoy was made up of the following ships;
British troop ships; Devonshire (11275 GRT, built 1939), Empress of Asia (16909 GRT, built 1913).

French troop ship (under British control) Felix Roussel (17083 GRT, built 1930)

and the Dutch transport Plancius (5955 GRT, built 1923).

The convoy initially proceeded unescorted.

On 26 January, the British sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) joined the convoy in position 07°53'N, 76°23'E.

On 27 January, the British light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) joined the convoy in position 04°30'N, 78°15'E. HMS Falmouth parted company with the convoy at dusk.

On 28 January, the convoy made rendez-vous with convoy DM 2 which was made up of the following ships;
British troopships Dunera (11162 GRT, built 1937), Empress of Australia (21833 GRT, built 1914) and Warwick Castle (20107 GRT, built 1930) and the British transports City of Canterbury (8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (8049 GRT, built 1937), Malancha (8124 GRT, built 1937) and Troilus (7422 GRT, built 1921). This convoy was escorted by the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) which then parted company.

On 31 January, the British light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN) joined the convoy in position 05°05'S, 94°00'E after which HMS Emerald parted company with the convoy.

On 1 February, the Indian sloop HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and the Australian sloop HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) joined the convoy.

On 2 February, the British heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (Capt. O.L. Gordon, MVO, RN) joined around 0800 hours and a little over two hours later the British destroyer HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and the Australian destroyer HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) also joined the convoy.

On the morning of 3 February the British destroyer HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) joined. Later the same day HMAS Vampire split off from the convoy with the part of the convoy that was to proceed to Batavia. These were all the ships that had been in convoy DM 2 except the City of Canterbury which went to Singapore. The Batavia section arrived there shortly after noon on 3 February.

Around 0200 hours on 4 February 1942, HrMs Java parted company with the convoy. Shortly before noon the convoy was attacked by Japanese aircraft and the Empress of Asia was straddled. Around 2130/4, HMS Exeter, HMS Jupiter and HMS Encounter parted company to intercept Japanese warships that were reported to the north of Banka Strait. HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) was ordered to join them there. They did not find any Japanese ships and proceeded to Batavia where they arrived on 6 February.

The convoy arrived at Singapore shortly after noon on 5 February 1942 but not before a heavy enemy air attack was carried out. The Empress of Asia was set on fire, the Felix Roussel was also hit and the City of Canterbury had her steering gear damaged. (38)

26 Jan 1942
Around 0900F/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll to join convoy DM 2.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy DM 2 ' for 19 January 1942. (36)

30 Jan 1942
Around 0800F/30, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from convoy escort duty.

[No log is available for HMS Ranchi for the month of February 1942 so some details for this month might be missing. (36)

17 Feb 1942
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll. She returned there on 21 February 1942. [No further details available.] (39)

24 Feb 1942
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll. [We have been unable to find out when she returned. No further details available.] (39)

2 Mar 1942
Around 1700F/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Colombo. (40)

4 Mar 1942
Around 1815F/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Addu Atoll. (40)

7 Mar 1942
Around 1630F/7, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. She was escorting the (troop) transports Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) and Willard A. Holbrook (American (Army transport), 14812 GRT, built 1921). (40)

11 Mar 1942
Around 1610F/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transports Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) and Willard A. Holbrook (American (Army transport), 14812 GRT, built 1921) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (40)

28 Mar 1942
Around 1415F/28, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Port Victoria, Seychelles. On board were relief troops for the garrison based there. (41)

2 Apr 1942
Around 1545DE/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Bombay. (42)

3 Apr 1942
Around 1300D/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Mauritius. (42)

6 Apr 1942
Around 1630D/6, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (42)

7 Apr 1942
Around 1230D/7, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mauritius for Rodrigues Island and Diego Garcia. On board were garrison reliefs for both islands. (42)

8 Apr 1942
Around 1615D/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rodrigues Island from Mauritius. (42)

9 Apr 1942
Around 1345D/9, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Rodrigues Island for Diego Garcia. (42)

12 Apr 1942
Around 1445E/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Garcia from Rodrigues Island. (42)

17 Apr 1942
Around 0745D/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Diego Garcia. (42)

18 Apr 1942
Around 1025D/18, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mauritius for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (42)

21 Apr 1942
Around 1200D/21, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Mauritius. (42)

27 Apr 1942

Convoy WS 17.

Convoy from South Africa to several destinations in the Far East.

On 27 April 1942 the Capetown section departed. It was made up the following transports / troop transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Dunedin Star (British, 11168 GRT, built 1936), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) and Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921).

On departure the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) which first had conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay before joining the convoy.

Off Port Elizabeth the convoy was joined by the transports; Brazil (American, 18298 GRT, built 1928), Monterey (American, 18017 GRT, built 1932) and Mormactide (American, 7773 GRT, built 1941).

Off Durban the convoy was joined by the transports / troop transports; Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922), Mendoza (British (former French), 8199 GRT, built 1920), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

The submarine depot ship HMS Adamant (Capt. R.S. Warne, RN) also joined the convoy off Durban.

The battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) also joined off Durban to escort the convoy.

On 8 May 1942 the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) departed Mombasa to take over the escort of the convoy. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN).

They joined the convoy at 1600/8 after which HMS Revenge proceeded to Mombasa escorted by the two destroyers. They arrived at Mombasa around 1300/9.

At 1900/8, HMS Dauntless was detached for Mombasa taking Almanzora, Cameronia, Khedive Ismael, Mendoza, Nova Scotia and Samaria with her. They also arrived at Mombasa around 1300/9.

HMS Adamant had already arrived at Mombasa on 8 May. She had parted company in the early afternoon of 7 May and proceeded ahead of the convoy.

HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Corfu then proceeded further north with the remainder of the convoy.

On 10 May the following vessels departed Mombasa for Bombay (this was known as Convoy WS 17B2); Almanzora, Cameronia, Chantilly (British (former French), 9986 GRT, built 1923), Khedive Ismael, Mendoza, Nova Scotia and Samaria. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).

Aound 0900/11, HMS Corfu parted company with the convoy taking with her the City of Edinburgh, City of Lincoln, Elizabethville and Glaucus. These ships were to proceed to Aden.

HMS Royal Sovereign meanwhile continued on to Bombay with the Dunedin Star, Johan van Oldebarnvelt, Kina II, Nieuw Holland and Windsor Castle.

HMS Royal Sovereign with her part of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 16 May 1942.

HMS Ranchi with her part of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 19 May 1942. (37)

3 May 1942
Around 0645D/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Kilindini / Mombasa. (43)

6 May 1942
Around 1145C/6, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (43)

8 May 1942
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (44)

10 May 1942
Around 0845C/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa escorting convoy WS 17B2 to Bombay.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 17 ' for 27 April 1942.] (45)

19 May 1942
Around 0930EF/19, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy WS 17B2. (45)

20 May 1942
Around 1330EF/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (46)

23 May 1942
Around 1230F/23, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (45)

25 May 1942
Around 1430F/25, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Suez. (45)

3 Jun 1942
Around 1800CD/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Suez from Colombo. (47)

4 Jun 1942
Around 1520C/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (47)

8 Jun 1942
Around 1520C/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez.

She departed Aden for Colombo around 1600D/8. (47)

15 Jun 1942
Around 0800F/15, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (47)

22 Jun 1942
Around 1800F/22, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Kilindini / Mombasa. The destroyer HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) was in company until 1230E/24 and then set course to return to Colombo. (47)

30 Jun 1942
Around 1800C/30, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilidini / Mombasa from Colombo. (47)

11 Jul 1942
Around 1700C/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (48)

17 Jul 1942
Around 0800B/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (48)

20 Jul 1942

Convoy CM 30.

This convoy departed Durban on 20 July 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Charles L.D. (British (former French), 5267 GRT, built 1934), Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), James McKay (American, 6762 GRT, built 1941), Sontay (British, 8917 GRT, built 1921) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928).

The RFA supplyship (used as distilling ship) Bacchus (3154 GRT, built 1936) and RFA tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).

On 21 July 1942, the Sontay was detached with defects and returned to Durban.

Around 1600D/26, HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Mauritius.

Around 1600D/27, the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) joined company coming from Diego Suarez.

Around 0700D/27, HMS Caledon parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez taking the Empire Woodlark and RFA Bacchus and RFA Easedale with her. They arrived at Diego Suarez on 29 July 1942.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 8 August 1942, escorted by HMS Ranchi.

9 Aug 1942
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She was escorting the landing ships HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931, Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930, T/A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, RN) and the troop transport Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939). (49)

13 Aug 1942
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), landing ships HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931, Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930, T/A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, RN) and the troop transport Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (49)

24 Aug 1942
Around 1200F/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Addu Atoll. (49)

26 Aug 1942
Around 1415F/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Colombo. (49)

27 Aug 1942
Around 1030F/27, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Mauritius via Diego Garcia and Rodrigues Island. (49)

28 Aug 1942
Around 1845F/28, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Garcia from Addu Atoll. (49)

29 Aug 1942
Around 1835F/29, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Diego Garcia for Rodrigues Island. (49)

29 Aug 1942

Convoy WS 22.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 29 August 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), California (British, 16792 GRT, built 1923), Canara (British, 7024 GRT, built 1942), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Highland Chieftain (British, 14135 GRT, built 1929), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Leinster (British, 4303 GRT, built 1937), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937) and Suffolk (British, 11145 GRT, built 1939).

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), destroyers HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Beverley (Lt. R.A. Price, RN), HMS Chesterfield (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN), HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), ORP Blyskawica (Lt.Cdr. L. Lichodziejewski, ORP) and the escort destroyers HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) and HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN).

Around 1800Z/31, ORP Blyskawica was detached to Londonderry due to abnormal high fuel consumption.

Around 0600Z/1, HMS Bulldog, HMS Keppel and HMS Zetland were detached to return to the U.K.

Around 1315Z/1, HMS Bicester was detached to Plymouth.

Around 1520Z/1, HMS Partridge and HMAS Quiberon were detached to fuel at the Azores. They arrived there around 1600Z/2.

Around 1540Z/2, the Leinster parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar. The destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) had come from Gibraltar to escort her.

Around 0930Z/3, HMS Partridge and HMAS Quiberon rejoined from fuelling having departed Ponta Delgada around 0200Z/3. HMS Beverley and HMS Chesterfield were then detached to fuel at the Azores.

Around 1400Z/6, the destroyer HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair) joined.

Around 1300Z/7, the escort destroyer RHS Pindos joined.

The convoy arrived at Freetown shortly after noon on 9 September 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown in the same composition around 0700Z/13. One additional vessel had joined the convoy, this was the transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927). The convoy was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora, armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), destroyers HMAS Quiberon, HMS Partridge, HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Antelope and the escort destroyers HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) and RHS Pindos.

Around 1800Z/15, the Highland Princess was detached to Takoradi escorted by HMS Boreas. HMS Antelope was also detached to return to Freetown.

Around 1800A/16, HMS Alcantara, HMS Derwent and RHS Pindos were detached to Pointe Noire to fuel. They rejoined the convoy around 1800A/19 after which HMS Aurora, HMAS Quiberon and HMS Partidge parted company with the convoy to fuel at Pointe Noire. They did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 1015BC/24, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) joined the convoy coming from Simonstown.

Around 1200BC/24, the convoy split into the Capetown section and the Durban section.

The Capetown section was made up of the Almanzora, Andes, California, Canara, Dominion Monarch, Franconia, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nea Hellas, Nieuw Holland, Orduna and Ruys. The arrived at Capetown on 25 September escorted by HMS Alcantara, HMS Derwent and RHS Pindos.

The Durban section was made up of the Boissevain, Highland Brigade, Highland Chieftain, Mataroa, Orcades, Rangitata, Sibajak and Suffolk. They were escorted by HMS Shropshire.

The Durban section arrived at Durban on 29 September 1942.

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On 29 September 1942, the Capetown section, now made up of the following ships; Almanzora, Dominion Monarch, Franconia, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nieuw Holland and Orduna departed. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Alcantara and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).

On 3 October 1942, HMS Alcantara parted company with the convoy and entered Durban. The Durban section of the convoy then joined. It was now made up of the following ships; Boissevain, California, Canera, Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Felix Roussel (British, 17083 GRT, built 1930), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Rangitata and Ruys. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN).

Around 0600D/8, HMS Ranchi parted company with the convoy to fuel at Diego Suarez. She arrived there around 1730D/9. Having completed fuelling she departed again around 2330D/9 to rejoined the convoy which she did around 0600D/11.

Around 1130E/10, the 'heavy' cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Devonshire then parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa taking the Almanzora and Rangitata with her. They arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on the 12th.

Around 0710D/11, HMS Hawkins parted company taking the Bombay section of the convoy with her. The Bombay section was made up of the Boissevain, California, Canara, Dominion Monarch, Franconia, Indrapoera, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nieuw Holland and Ruys. They arrived at Bombay on 17 October 1942 minus the Canera which had been detached around 1920EF/15 to Karachi where she arrived on 18 October 1942.

HMS Ranchi escorting the Aden section, made up of the Ekma, Felix Roussel and Orduna , had meanwhile arrived at Aden on 16 October 1942. (50)

1 Sep 1942
Around 1100DE/1, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rodrigues Island from Diego Garcia.

She departed for Mauritius around 1245DE/1. (51)

2 Sep 1942
Around 1245DE/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Rodrigues Island. (51)

3 Sep 1942
Around 0930D/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mauritius for Durban. (51)

8 Sep 1942
Around 0800C/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Mauritius. (51)

19 Sep 1942

Convoy CM 32.

This convoy departed Durban on 19 September 1942.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Demodocus (British, 6689 GRT, built 1912), Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN).

Around 1707C/21, ,HMS Ranchi parted company with the convoy as she had been ordered to search for the Vichy French transport Amiral Pierre (4388 GRT, built 1905) which was thought to be bound for Laurenco Marques.

Around 0740C/28, the armed merchant cruiser Chitral and the minesweepers HMS Cromarty (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Palmer, DSC, RNZNVR), HMS Cromer (Cdr. R.H. Stephenson, DSO, RN) and HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR) joined the convoy coming from Kilindini / Mombasa.

Around 1200C/28, HMS Express and the Demodocus were detached to Kilindini / Mombasa where they arrived on the 29th.

Around 2359C/1, HMS Chitral parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Aden on 5 October 1942.

26 Sep 1942
Around 2115C/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Capetown from convoy escort duty and patrol. (51)

29 Sep 1942
HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Capetown with the Capetown section of convoy WS 22.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 22 ' for 29 August 1942.] (52)

8 Oct 1942
Around 0600D/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) parted company with convoy WS 22 to fuel at Diego Suarez. She arrived there around 1730D/9. Having completed fuelling she departed again around 2330D/9 to rejoined the convoy which she did around 0600D/11. (53)

16 Oct 1942
Around 0815C/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (53)

25 Oct 1942

Convoy AP 4.

This convoy departed Aden on 25 October 1942.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), El Madina (British, 3962 GRT, built 1937), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. S.O’G Roche, RN).

Around 1145C/28, in position 17°15'N, 57°21'E, the auxiliary patrol vessels HMIS Sonavati (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.F. Smith, RINR) and HMIS Hiravati (T/Lt. B.B. Simpson, RINR) joined. HMS Beaufort then parted company.

Around 0800C/29, HMS Ranchi parted company with the convoy in position 20°21'N, 59°13'E.

The convoy was disbanded off the Strait of Hormuz on 30 October 1942.

3 Nov 1942
Around 1700C/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa after convoy escort duty. (54)

9 Nov 1942
During 9/10 November 1942, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and night exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (54)

14 Nov 1942

Convoy KA 4.

This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa around 0630C on 14 November 1942.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).

On departure from Kilindini / Mombasa the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the minesweepers HMAS Cairns (T/Lt. E. MacMillan, RANR(S)) and HMAS Wollongong (T/Lt. G.A. Keith, RANR(S)).

Around 1830C/14, HMAS Cairns and HMAS Wollongong parted company.

Around 1645D/18, the destroyer RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. G. Blessas, RHN) joined the convoy to the south-west of Socotra. HMS Ranchi then parted company.

The convoy arrived at Aden on 20 November 1942.

20 Nov 1942
Around 0820C/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (54)

2 Dec 1942

Convoy AB 4.

This convoy departed Aden on 2 December 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Islami (British, 5879 GRT, built 1934), Jalagopal (British, 5284 GRT, built 1911), Karoa (British, 7009 GRT, built 1915), Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923) and Varela (British, 4651 GRT, built 1914).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the minesweeper HMIS Punjab (T/Lt. C.T. Hyde, RINVR).

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 9 December 1942.

10 Dec 1942
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at the Bombay Dockyard. (55)

17 Dec 1942
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (55)

22 Dec 1942
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted D/G and compass swing trials off Bombay. (55)

31 Dec 1942

Convoy BA 36.

This convoy departed Bombay on 31 December 1942.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; Cap. St.Jacques (British (former French), 8009 GRT, built 1922), Daltonhall (British, 7250 GRT, built 1941), Islami (British, 5879 GRT, built 1934), Jalamunda (British, 4981 GRT, built 1936), Kalarand (British, 1496 GRT, built 1906) and Store Nordiske (British (former Danish), 1456 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the M/S trawler HMIS Baroda (T/Lt. A.J. Ritchie, RINR).

Around 0625DE/2, HMIS Baroda parted company.

Around 1400D/5, the minesweeper HMS Poole (Lt. W.L.G. Dutton, RNR) joined company.

The convoy arrived at Aden on 8 January 1943. (56)

14 Jan 1943

Convoy AK 6.

This convoy departed Aden on 14 January 1943.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922) and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN).

Around 1000C/16, HMS Derwent parted company.

The convoy arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 20 January 1943. (57)

22 Jan 1943
Around 1230C/22, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. She was escorting the troop transport Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922). (57)

25 Jan 1943

Convoy CF 11.

This convoy, with troops and POW's, departed Durban, South Africa on 25 January 1943 and arrived in the Clyde, via Freetown, on 25 February 1943.

On departure from Durban the convoy was made up of the following (troop)transports; Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925) and Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Durban it was escorted by the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN).

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 27 December 1941. HMS Hotspur went to Simonstown for a quick docking.

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On 30 January the convoy left Capetown in the same composition with the addition of an additional destroyer, HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN).

At 0500B/5, HMS Express and HMS Hotspur were detached to fuel at Pointe Noire. They rejoined at 1600B/5 after which HMS Fortune and HMS Inconstant were detached to fuel at Pointe Noire. They rejoined the convoy around 0930B/6.

The convoy arrived at Freetown around noon on 11 February 1943.

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Two (troop)transports joined the convoy, which otherwise remained in the same composition, at Freetown. These were the Esperance Bay (British, 13837 GRT, built 1922) and the Troilus (British 7422 GRT, built 1921). Also the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) joined the convoy for passage to the Clyde. The convoy departed from Freetown in the afternoon of February 14th.

Around 1800Z/16, the destroyers HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) joined the escort coming from Bathurst.

At 0745Z/17, the Esperance Bay parted company with the convoy to proceed to New York.

At 1815Z/17, the Troilus parted company with the convoy.

On 19 February HMS Valiant fuelled HMS Hotspur in the morning, HMS Fortune and HMS Inconstant in the afternoon and HMS Express in the evening.

At 1150Z/22, HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt were detached to Gibraltar and Casablanca respectively.

At 1615A/24, the frigate HMS Moyola (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lawson, RD, RNR) joined.

At 1620Z/24, HMS Valiant, HMS Hotspur, HMS Fortune and HMS Inconstant parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth where they arrived in the morning of the following day.

At 1930/25, the Britannic and Indrapoera parted company with the convoy to proceed to Liverpool escorted by HMS Express. They arrived at Liverpool on the 26th.

The remainder of the convoy arrived in the Clyde on the 26th. (58)

26 Jan 1943
Around 1110C/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the troop transport Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922) were joined by the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) in approximate position 23°15'S, 39°35'E. (57)

28 Jan 1943
Around 1415C/28, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) and the troop transport Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922) arrived at Durban. (57)

29 Jan 1943
Around 1900C/29, the armed merhant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) departed Durban for Capetown and Simonstown respectively. (57)

1 Feb 1943
The armed merhant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) arrived at Capetown and Simonstown respectively coming from Durban. (59)

3 Feb 1943
The armed merhant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Capetown for Freetown. Off the entrance to the swept channel she was joined by the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) which had departed Simonstown earlier that day.

They parted company around 1700BC/4. (59)

13 Feb 1943
Around 1630Z/13, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown from Capetown. (60)

14 Feb 1943
Around 1330Z/14, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K. with convoy CF 11.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 11 ' for 25 January 1943.] (60)

26 Feb 1943
Around 0915A/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived in the Clyde with convoy CF 11. (60)

27 Feb 1943
Around 1700A/27, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde for Southampton. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN). (60)

1 Mar 1943
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Southampton while HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (61)

16 Mar 1943
At 1000A/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is paid off at Southampton to be returned to the trade. She was to be refitted for use as troopship. (62)