Allied Warships

HMS Knaresborough Castle (K 389)

Corvette of the Castle class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeCorvette
ClassCastle 
PennantK 389 
Built byBlyth Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Ltd. (Blyth, U.K.) : White 
Ordered19 Jan 1943 
Laid down22 Apr 1943 
Launched28 Sep 1943 
Commissioned5 Apr 1944 
End service 
History

Scrapped at Port Glasgow on 16 March 1956.

 

Commands listed for HMS Knaresborough Castle (K 389)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. James Robert Freeman, RNR5 Nov 19439 Oct 1944
2T/A/Lt.Cdr. John Frederick Marchant, RNR9 Oct 1944early 1946

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Notable events involving Knaresborough Castle include:


7 Apr 1944
Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) departed Blyth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by the brand new corvette HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR). (1)

19 Apr 1944
HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Lapwing (Cdr.(Retd.) E.C. Hulton, RN), HMS Monnow (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, DSC, RD, RCNR) and HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR). (2)

20 Apr 1944
HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Monnow (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, DSC, RD, RCNR), HMCS Teme (T/Lt.Cdr. D.G. Jeffrey, DSO, RCNR) and HMS Lapwing (Cdr.(Retd.) E.C. Hulton, RN). (2)

14 May 1944

Combined convoy OS 77 / KMS 51.

This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 14 May 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), City of Khios (British, 5574 GRT, built 1925), Cragpool (British 5133 GRT, built 1928), Defender (British, 8078 GRT, built 1915), Drakepool (British, 4838 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Empire Caxton (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941), Empire Mariott (British, 5970 GRT, built 1941), Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), King Frederick (British, 5106 GRT, built 1920), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Menelaus (British, 10307 GRT, built 1923), Mount Rhodope (Greek, 5182 GRT, built 1919), Nairnbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Nordeflinge (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Pendeen (British, 4174 GRT, built 1923), Port Darwin (British, 8063 GRT, built 1918), Stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920), Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938) and Tjimanoek (Dutch, 5628 GRT, built 1911).

The rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929) was also part of the convoy.

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN), frigates HMS Towy (Cdr. H.V. King, DSO, OBE, RN), anguilla, HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Smilax (Lt. A. Branson, RNR). Additional escorts were the frigates HMCS Matane (A/Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, DSO, RN), HMCS Stormont (T/Skr.Lt. G.A. Myra, RCNR) and HMCS Swansea (A/Cdr. C.A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR). These additional escorts remained with the convoy until 19 May.

The Stanhope was detached to return to the U.K. on the 16th being unable to keep up with the convoy.

On 15 May 1944, the frigate HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy.

On 17 May 1944, the corvette HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy.

The escort oiler Esturia (ritish (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914) later joined the convoy at sea. She came from the combined convoy SL 157 / MKS 48.

On 24 May 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 77 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 51 bound for the Mediterranean.

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Convoy OS 77 towards Freetown was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstelkerk, Dunelmia, Marquesa, Menelaus, Mount Rhodope, Nairnbank, New Brooklyn and Port Darwin.

On 23 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy when it split up; Domby (British, 5582 GRT, built 1932), Empire Glen (British, 6316 GRT, built 1941), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), Fort Paskoyac (British, 7134 GRT, built 1934), Harmattan (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942) and Zypenberg (Dutch, 4973 GRT, built 1920). They were escorted by the sloops HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Sandwich (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) which joined the convoy and took over from the original escorts.

On 23 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy when it split up; Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942) Empire Duchess (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935). They were escorted by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez, minesweeping sloops La Gracieuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR). These escorts did not join the convoy but set course to return to Casablanca. The six transports joined convoy OS 77 while the two tankers joined convoy KMS 51.

On 24 May 1944, the patrol vessel HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR) departed Casablanca to join the convoy.

On 30 May 1944, the following transports departed Dakar to join the convoy; Tynemouth (British, 3168 GRT, built 1940), Vendome (French, 4192 GRT, built 1920) and Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917). They were escorted by the corvette Commandant Drogou and the minesweeping sloops Annamite and Chevreul. These escorts did not join the convoy but proceeded to Dakar taking the transports Empire Southey, Finistere, Medie II and Nairnbank with them.

Convoy OS 77 arrived at Freetown 2 June 1944. Some ships from the convoy did not enter Freetown but continued on to their destinations independently and some ships of the convoy had already been detached before reaching Freetown.

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Convoy KMS 51 towards the Mediterranean was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afghanistan, Bajestan, Beckenham, Belgian Trader, Biafra, City of Khios, Cragpool, Defender, Drakepool, Dunelmia, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Mariott, Esturia, Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, King Frederick, Madras City, Melrose Abbey, Norbryn, Nordeflinge, Pendeen, Stad Arnhem, Tiba and Tjimanoek. The tankers Empire Dickens and President de Vogue had joined from Casablanca [see above].

The convoy was escorted by HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter, HMS Stalker, HMS Tovy, HMS Anguilla, HMS Antigua, HMS Knaresborough Castle, HMS Leeds Castle, HMS Tintagel Castle and HMS Smilax.

The entire convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 25 May 1944.

The convoy continued its passage on 28 May 1944. It was now made up of the following ships; Afghanistan, Bajestan, Beckenham, Belgian Trader, Charles A. Wickliffe (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), City of Khios, Cragpool, Defender, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Mariott, Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), King Frederick, Madras City, Norbryn, Nordeflinge, President de Vogue, Robert Howe (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Stad Arnhem, Tiba and Tjimanoek.

The submarines HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN), Junon and Atalante were also tanking passage eastwards in this convoy.

The convoy was now escorted by the frigate HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Hyderabad (Lt. G.H. Taylor, RNR), KB Nada [Yugoslavian corvette] and the auxiliary A/S whalers HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) and HMSAS Southern Sea (Lt.Cdr. M.R.J. Terry-Lloyd, SANF). The destroyer L'Alcyon was also with the convoy.

On 29 May 1944, the following ships were detached to Oran; Empire Gareth, Norbryn, Stad Arnhem and the submarine Atalante while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Albert A. Michelson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Askeladden (Norwegian, 2496 GRT, built 1920), Dwight W. Morrow (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Edward H. Crockett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), George W. McCrary (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Casement (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Pillsbury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sergeant (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938) and William Blount (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 30 May 1944, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Belgian Trader, Cragpool, Edward H. Crockett, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Strenght, Palermo, Mount Blount and the submarine Junon while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Andrew Pickens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Campidoglio (Italian, 3702 GRT, built 1910), Chiswick (British, 6006 GRT, built 1943), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943), John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marathon (Norwegian, 7208 GRT, built 1930), Monte Grappa (Italian, 834 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Samoa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930).

On 31 May 1944, the convoy was attacked by 41 German Ju-88 aircraft from II./KG.76 I. and III./KG 77 operating from Southern France. The Nordeflinge was hit by bombs and sank in position 37°02'N, 03°47'E.

On 31 May 1944, the Montegrappa arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.

On 1 June 1944, the Askeladden arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Abel Stearns (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Traveller (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Sampan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).

On 1 June 1944, the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Badjestan, John S. Casement, John Sergeant, Titus and the destroyer L'Alcyon while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Facto (Norwegian, 1522 GRT, 1921), George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), George Handley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John B. Hood (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John Cropper (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Laurent Meeus (Belgian (tanker), 6429 GRT, built 1930), Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marion McKinley Bovard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Samuel Griffin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

Early on 2 June 1944, the convoy merged with convoy UGS 42.

Convoy KMS 51 was at that moment made up of the following ships; Abel Stearns, Afghanistan, Albert A. Michelson, Andrew Pickens, Beckenham, Campidoglio, Charles A. Wickliffe, Chiswick, City of Khios, Defender, Dwight W. Morrow, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Clarion, Empire Mariott, Facto, Fort Gaspereau, Fort Marin, Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, George Davis, George Handley, George W. McCrary, Hopestar, Iceland, James Jackson, John B. Hood, John Cropper, John Murray Forbes, John S. Pillsbury, Kemp P. Battle, King Frederic, King S. Woolsey, Laurent Meeus, Lincoln Steffens, Louis McLane, Madras City, Marathon, Marion McKinley Bovard, Ocean Gallant, Ocean Rider, Ocean Traveller, President de Vogue, Robert Howe, Samoa, Sampan, Samphire, Samsteel, Samuel Griffin, Stancleeve, Star, Tiba and Tjimanoek.

The submarines HMS Traveller and HMS Vivid were also part of the convoy.

They were escorted by the frigates HMS Jed, HMS Usk, corvettes HMS Delphinium, HMS Hyderabad, HMS Smilax and the auxiliary A/S whalers HMSAS Protea and HMSAS Southern Sea.

19 May 1944

Convoy MKS 50.

This convoy departed Port Said on 19 May 1944.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers; Bengkalis (Dutch, 6548 GRT, built 1918), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), City of Capetown (British, 8046 GRT, built 1937), City of Exeter (British, 9654 GRT, built 1914), City of Sydney (British, 6986 GRT, built 1930), Empire Harry (British (tug), 479 GRT, built 1943), Empire Sandy (British (tug), 479 GRT, built 1943), Empire Voice (British, 6828 GRT, built 1940), Frans van Mieris (Dutch, 7170 GRT, built 1942), Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927), Peter Trimble Rowe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Prometheus (British, 6095 GRT, built 1925), Sambalt (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Skagerak (Norwegian, 4244 GRT, built 1936), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937) and Turkistan (British, 6935 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR).

On 20 May 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Alexandria to join the convoy; Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Kalarand (British, 1496 GRT, built 1906), Kepong (British, 1874 GRT, built 1916), Marit Maersk (Greek (former Danish), 1894 GRT, built 1938), Sofala (British, 1031 GRT, built 1937) and Trajanus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930).

The submarines RHS Papanikolis, Galatea and the minesweepers RHS Palaros, RHS Kassos, RHS Kos and RHS Patmos also departed Alexandria and joined the convoy for passage westwards.

They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Gloxinia (Lt. D. Perry, DSC, RNR), HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR) and auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR) which also joined the convoy.

on 23 May 1944, the Sofala arrived at Benghazi after having been detached from the convoy.

On 24 May 1944, the following transport / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Antonia (Dutch (tanker), 3357 GRT, built 1938), Archbishop Lamy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Astra (Norwegian, 2164 GRT, built 1919), Cape Howe (British, 6999 GRT, built 1943), Charles Brantley Aycock (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910), Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929), Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenlyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Michipicoten (British, 7152 GRT, 1943), Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), James W. Nesmith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John A. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), Joseph H. Nicholson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), La Drome (French, 1055 GRT, built 1910), Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Samur (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942), Thistlemuir (British, 7237 GRT, built 1942) and Ugo Fiorelli (Italian, 1600 GRT, built 1943).

On 25 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy; Carelia, Fort Meductic, Kalarand, Kepong, Luminetta, Marit Maersk, Peter Trimble Rowe, Stagerak, Strategist and Trajanus.

On 25 May 1944, the transport Chateau Latour (French, 1912 GRT, built 1914) departed Malta to join the convoy.

On 26 May 1944, the transport Djebel Aures arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Tunis; Lucia C. (Italian, 6123 GRT, built 1922) and William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 26 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy; Empire Harry, Empire Sandy, Frans van Mieris, George Davis, Joseph H. Nicholson, La Drome, Lincoln Steffens and Ugo Fiorelli. The four Greek minesweepers (YMS) were also detached to Bizerta. The following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Tore Jarl (Norwegian, 1514 GRT, built 1920) and Vigsnes (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1930). Also the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy.

On 27 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy; Astra, Sinnington Court and Vigsnes while the P.L.M. 17 (British (former French), 4008 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy coming from Bone. Also joining from Bone was the rescue tug HMRT Nimble.

On 27 May 1944, the transport Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942) departed Philippeville to join the convoy while the Tore Jarl arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.

On 28 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy; Antonia, Archbishop Lamy, Cape Howe, Charles Brantley Aycock, Chateau Latour, Empire Gain, Esek Hopkins, Fort Michipicoten, James W. Nesmith, John A. Brown, Lucia C., Prometheus, Samur, Thistledale and Thistlemuir while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Appledore (British, 5218 GRT, built 1929), Cap-Pinede (French, 1320 GRT, built 1938), Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Spinney (British, 871 GRT, built 1941), Fort Hudson's Hope (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), James Rumsey (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925). The destroyer HMS Tigre also joined the convoy.

On 29 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy; Charles Schiaffino, Chloris, Empire Spinney, James Rumsey, William F. Cody and HMS Colombo while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Capitaine Paul Lemerle (French, 4945 GRT, built 1925), Empire Beatrice (British, 7046 GRT, built 1943), Empire Conrad (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942), Empire Crown (British, 7070 GRT, built 1944), Fort Bell (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943) and William R. Davie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942).

On 30 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Gibraltar; Appledore, Cap-Pinede, Empire Thackeray, Fort Glenlyon, Fort Hudson's Hope111, Fort Thompson, Ittersum, Lornaston, William R. Davie as well as HMRT Nimble and the submarine RHS Papanikolis and Galatea. Also the current escort made up of HMS Dart, HMS Shiel, HMS Gloxinia, HMS Primula, HMS Wolborough as well as the HMS Tigre arrived at Gibraltar.

The remaining ships of the convoy; Alcinous, Bengkalis, Capitaine Paul Lemerle, City of Capetown, City of Exeter, City of Sydney, Empire Beatrice, Empire Conrad, Empire Crown, Empire Meteor, Empire Voice, Fort Bell, P.L.M. 17, Sambalt, Turkistan proceeded into the Atlantic and made rendezvous with convoy SL 159 coming from Freetown on 31 May 1944. A new escort had joined them off Gibraltar, this was made up of frigates HMS Towy (Cdr. H.V. King, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR).

15 Oct 1944

Combined convoy OS 92 / KMS 66.

This combined convoy assembled in the North Channel on 15 October 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels thoough some of these only joined later during the passage through the Irish Sea; Adviser (British, 6348 GRT, built 1939), Alder Park (Canadian, 7141 GRT, built 1944), Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Bosphorus (Norwegian, 2111 GRT, built 1934), Cape Sable (British, 4398 GRT, built 1936), City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926), Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Empire Camp (British, 7046 GRT, built 1943), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Empire Flag (British, 7024 GRT, built 1943), Empire Kangaroo (British, 6219 GRT, built 1919), Fernbank (Norwegian, 4333 GRT, built 1924), Fort Finlay (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Hardanger (Norwegian, 4000 GRT, built 1924), Hermelin (Norwegian, 1683 GRT, built 1940), Jonathan Holt (British, 4963 GRT, built 1943), King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Mantola (British, 8963 GRT, built 1921), Miguel de Larrinaga (British, 5231 GRT, built 1924), Nairnbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925), Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ottinge (British, 2818 GRT, built 1940), Pandorian (British, 4159 GRT, built 1941), Ragnhild (Norwegian, 2833 GRT, built 1942), Robert Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Rodsley (British, 5000 GRT, built 1939), Samfoyle (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944), St. Rosario (British, 4312 GRT, built 1937), Tudor Star (British, 7199 GRT, built 1919) and Umgeni (British, 8180 GRT, built 1942).

Also taking passage in the convoy were the submarines HMS Trident (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, DSO, RN), HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) as well as 9 LCT's which were towed by some of the merchant vessels; These 9 LCT's were the following; HM LCT 480 (T/S.Lt. G.R. Sample, RNVR) which was being towed by the City of Lyons, HM LCT 488 (T/S.Lt. A.P.P. Thomas, RNVR) and HM LCT 489 (?) which were being towed by the Samfoyle, HM LCT 491 (T/Lt. W.C. Gray, RNVR) and HM LCT 7015 (T/S.Lt. D.H. Condick, RNVR) which were being towed by the Fort Finlay, HM LCT 494 (T/Lt. J. DSC, Murts, RNVR) and HM LCT 7014 (T/A/S.Lt. J. Farrell, RNVR) which were being towed by the Nairnbank and the HM LCT 7022 (?) and HM LCT 7023 (?) which were being towed by the Ocean Vanity.

The convoy was escorted by and the sloop HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Allington Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. P.A. Read, RNR) and HMS Knaresborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Marchant, RNR).

The convoy encountered poor weather and by the 17th it had even worsened. Some of the landing craft were now suffering from the weather conditions. Due to the extreme weather conditions the convoy hove to A.M. on the 18th and additional escorts were requisted.

Late in the afternoon of the 18th, HM 480 had to be abandoned by her crew due to the damage she had sustained and water she had shipped from the weather, loose cargo and defective welds. The crew was picked up from Carley floats around 2200A/18 by HMS Allington Castle. She sank to the south of Ireland around 2330A/18 after having been scuttled with gunfire.

HM 488 had sustained damage during the night of the 17th/18th. Around 1000A/18, she slipped her tow and got underway under her own power to try to make for Milford Haven. More and more water entered the landing craft and when a pump failed it became apparent that she most likely would go down. HMS Knaresborough Castle then closed and it was attempted to abandon the landing craft. Some of the crew was taken off but ten men remained on board during the night of 18/19 and tried to keep the ship afloat. By 0415A/19 the ship had to be abandoned as it was about to sink. Red flares were fired and HMS Knaresborough Castle closed. While doing so the landing craft sank and only one of the ten men on board could be picked up. The other nine, including the landing craft's Commanding Officer drowned.

HM LCT 491 got into trouble during the early afternoon of the 18th and as a result she slipped her tow as did HM LCT 7015. By mid afternoon of the 18th she had shipped a very heavy sea which damaged the welding around the door in the bow. More big seas followed and the ship was shipping a lot of water. Around 0100A/19, HMS Allington Castle closed. Around 0330A/19, HM LCT 491 started to sink. HMS Allington Castle went alongside and managed to take off the entire crew.

HM LCT 494 parted her tow around 0845A/18. She was last seen during the afternoon of that day while under her own power. She must have sunk in the evening with the loss of the entire crew.

HM LCT 7014 also slipped her tow in the morning of the 18th and got underway under her own power. By noon power had been lost and she sank not long afterwards. Part of her crew were picked up by the rescue ship, from convoy ON 260, Dundee (British, 1541 GRT, built 1934) but nine men, including the Commanding Officer lost their lives.

HM LCT 7015 also slipped her tow around 1500A/18. She was not seen afterwards and disappeared with her entire crew.

Meanwhile the frigates HMS Tobago (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.H.L. May, OBE, RNVR) and HMS Zanzibar (T/Lt. F.F. Parker, RNVR) were ordered to detach from convoy HX 312 and join convoy OS 92 / KMS 66.

Three more escorts were also ordered to join, these were the escort destroyer HMS Blankney (Lt. B.H. Brown, RN) corvettes HMCS Huntsville (T/Lt. C.B. Hermann, RCNVR) and HMS Kingcup (T/Lt. T. Cooper, DSC, RNR).

Also on the 19th the City of Lyons parted company with the convoy due to damage sustained. She arrived at Milford Haven the following day.

P.M. on the 19th, HMS Kingcup reported proceeding to Falmouth with HM LCT 7022 and HM LCT 7023. Later the two landing craft were abandoned. HMS Kingcup took on board their crews and proceeded at best possible speed to Falmouth to land an injured men. The frigate HMS Drury (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Parker, RN) was ordered to stand by the two landing craft. Later HMS Kingcup returned with their crews and the landing craft were reboarded.

A.M. on the 20th found the convoy badly scattered.

P.M. on the 20th the Lagarto reported being in distress with weather damage and also having lost a men overboard. HMS Knaresborough Castle was also not in contact with the convoy. A signal was sent to requist more additional escorts. HMS Drury was then ordered to relieve HMS Allington Castle. Lagarto put into Falmouth.

A.M. on the 21st HMS Trident reported that a wire had fouled one of her propellers. HMS Knaresborough Castle was able to rejoin the convoy.

By P.M. on the 22nd, all ships had rejoined the convoy except four.

A.M. on the 23rd a signal was received from FOCNA (Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic) that the Lisbon / Huelva section of the convoy was to part company on passing 39°N and proceed independently. They did so A.M. on the 24th.

A.M. on the 25th, the Empire Confidence and Nairnbank arrived independently at Gibraltar. P.M. on the 25th the Rodsley also arrived at Gibraltar.

On 25 October the convoy split into convoy OS 92 which continued on towards Freetown and KMS 66 which set course for the Mediterranean.

The three original escorts and the three submarines arrived at Gibraltar P.M. on the 26th.

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Convoy OS 92 was made up of the merchant vessels; Conakrian, Empire Camp, Empire Flag, Jonathan Holt and Tudor Star.

They were joined by the following merchant vessels coming from Gibraltar which they had departed on the 24th; Cromarty (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), Empire Austen (British, 7057 GRT, built 1942), Empire Stour (British, 4678 GRT, built 1930) and Euryades (British, 5801 GRT, built 1913). They were escorted by the frigates HMS Ballinderry (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Aikman, RNR) and HMS Inver (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RD, RNR) which now took over the escort of convoy OS 92.

Also joining at the rendezvous were the merchant vessels Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930) and Chelma (French, 4968 GRT, built 1920) coming from Casablanca which they had left on the 24th together with thee merchant vessels Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Sarah Orne Jewitt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) and Vancouver City (British, 7261 GRT, built 1942) which joined convoy KMS 66. They were escorted by the French patrol vessels patrol vessels L'Effronté and Le Resolu. These two French patrol vessels returned to Casablanca on the 26th with the Ragnhild.

On 1 November 1944, the Charles Schiaffino and Chelma arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy. With them was also the Empire Stour which had engine defects.

The convoy escorts and some of the merchant vessels arrived at Freetown on 4 November 1944. Some of the merchant vessels continued on independently to their destinations.

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Convoy KMS 66 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the merchant vessels Adviser, Alder Park, Belgian Trader, Bosphorus, Cape Hawke, Cape Sable, Elizabethville, Empire Confidence, Empire Kangaroo, Fernbank, Fort Finlay, Hardanger, Hermelin, King Stephen, Mantola, Miguel de Larrinaga, Nairnbank, Ocean Vanity, Ottinge, Robert Maersk, Rodsley, Samfoyle, Sarah Orne Jewitt, St. Rosario, Umgeni and Vancouver City.

The convoy passed Gibraltar on the 26th. On passing the Strait the following merchant vessels were detached; Miguel de Larrinaga, Ottinge and St. Rosario. These three merchant ships had all sustained weather damage and put into Gibraltar to effect repairs. Also the three submarines and three original escorts put into Gibraltar.

The convoy was joined by a new escort made up of the frigate HMS Usk (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Medlycott, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR) and Nada. Also the merchant vessel Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy.

On 27 October 1944, the merchant vessel Sarah Orne Jewitt was detached to Oran while the merchant vessel Jamaique (French, 10123 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy coming from Oran.

On 28 October 1944, the merchant vessel Rodsley was detached to Algiers while the merchant vessel Samaffric (British, 7210, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

On 29 October 1944, the merchant vessels Fort Grahame (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Pitt (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942) and Lyminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919) joined the convoy coming from Bone.

On 30 October 1944, the merchant vessel Belgian Trader was detached to Algiers while the tanker Liss (Norwegian (tanker), 5932 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

On 31 October 1944, the tanker British Destiny (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Malta. The corvette Nada parted company and proceeded to Malta.

On 31 October 1944, the merchant vessels / tankers Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Sambre (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samsperrin (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) departed Augusta to join the convoy.

On 1 November 1944, the merchant vessels Cape Hawke, Cape Sable, Empire Kangaroo, Fort Finlay, Fort Grahame, King Stephen, Lyminge, Ocean Vanity, Samaffric and Vancouver City arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.

On 4 November 1944, the merchant vessels Fernbank, Hardanger, Nairnbank and Sambre arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 5 November 1944.

26 Feb 1945
HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Sealyham, HMS Thirlmere (T/Lt. H.O. Olsen, RNR), HMS Knaresborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Marchant, RNR) and HMS Seychelles (A/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Baldwin-Wiseman, RD, RNR). (3)

27 Feb 1945
HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Knaresborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Marchant, RNR), HMS Seychelles (A/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Baldwin-Wiseman, RD, RNR), HMS Jasper (Lt. J.N. Kempton, RN) and HMS Sealyham. (3)

3 Mar 1945
HMS Malaya (Capt. J. Hughes-Hallett, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde area for Plymouth. She was escorted by HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. Kidston, RN), HMS Inman (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Petre, RNR) and HMS Knaresborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Marchant, RNR).

At 0215/3, the escort was reinforced by HMS Geranium (T/Lt. C. Blackshaw, RNVR).

At 1220/3, HMS Geranium was detached.

At 1315/3, 'Force 26' joined the escort, it was made up of HMS Faulknor (Cdr. Douglas Eric Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog (?), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN).

HMS Malaya arrived at Plymouth around 0830/4. (4)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/19433
  2. ADM 173/19218
  3. ADM 173/20142
  4. ADM 53/119849

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


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