Allied Warships

HMS Kingfisher (L 70 / K 70)

Patrol vessel of the Kingfisher class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypePatrol vessel
ClassKingfisher 
PennantL 70 / K 70 
ModFirst group 
Built byFairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. (Govan, Scotland) 
Ordered15 Dec 1923 
Laid down1 Jun 1934 
Launched14 Feb 1935 
Commissioned18 Jun 1935 
End service 
HistorySold 21 April 1947.

 

Commands listed for HMS Kingfisher (L 70 / K 70)

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.Cdr. George Anthony Mayhew Vaughan Harrison, RN7 Jun 19391 Sep 1940
2Lt. Frank Maclear Graves, RN1 Sep 194025 Apr 1941
3Cdr. (Retd.) William Vesey Hamilton Harris, DSC, RN25 Apr 194122 Jun 1942
4Lt.Cdr. (retired) Gerard Horace Gandy, RN22 Jun 1942Jan 1944
5T/Lt. Frank Douglas Betts, RNRJan 1944early 1945
6T/Lt. William Picton Evans, RNVRearly 194527 May 1945
7T/Lt. Roger Leslie Carter, RNVR27 May 19453 Dec 1945

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Notable events involving Kingfisher include:


5 Apr 1940
HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.M.V. Harrison, RN). (1)

31 Dec 1940
HMS H 32 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Kingfisher (Lt. F.M. Graves, RN). (2)

1 Jan 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Kingfisher (Lt. F.M. Graves, RN). (3)

2 Jan 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Kingfisher (Lt. F.M. Graves, RN). (3)

20 Jan 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt. F.M. Graves, RN). (4)

21 Jan 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt. F.M. Graves, RN). (4)

4 May 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (5)

15 May 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (6)

26 May 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (5)

14 Jun 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (7)

28 Jun 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (8)

7 Jul 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for special A/S trials in very deep water. She was escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (9)

20 Sep 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (10)

21 Sep 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (10)

2 Nov 1941
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. She was escorted by HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (11)

4 Nov 1941
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted practice atacks off Lough Folye on the brand new merchant vessel Nottingham (8592 GRT, built 1941) which was escorted by HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN).

Upon completion of these exercises HMS Otway proceeded to Campbeltown escorted by HMS Kingfisher. (12)

14 Nov 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (13)

18 Nov 1941
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) departed Campbeltown for special trials with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN) and HMS Spaniel to the west of the Hebrides. (11)

10 Jan 1942
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area on HMS Largs (Cdr. E.A. Divers, RNR) and HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). Upon completion of these exercises HMS H 33 proceeded to Campbeltown. (14)

26 Jan 1942
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (15)

6 Feb 1942
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (16)

18 Feb 1942
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (16)

4 Mar 1942
HMS Graph (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (17)

5 Mar 1942
HMS Graph (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN) and HMS ML 199. (17)

7 Mar 1942
HMS Graph (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) conducted special trials and exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR). (17)

26 Mar 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (18)

2 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted special A/S exercises off St. Kilda with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). Upon completion of these exercises she set course to return to the Clyde area together with HMS Kingfisher. (19)

1 Jun 1942
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises on the Clyde together with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (20)

9 Jun 1942
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises in Inchmarnock Water together with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (20)

8 Sep 1942
HMS Otway (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). These included night exercises. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Otway proceeded to Rothesay. (21)

25 Oct 1942
HMS Otway (Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (22)

12 Nov 1942
HMS Otway (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN) and HMS ML 472. (23)

15 Jan 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (24)

7 Feb 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (25)

11 Feb 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (25)

14 Feb 1943
HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (26)

22 Feb 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN) and HMS ML 472. (25)

23 Feb 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN) and HMS ML 472. (25)

25 Feb 1943
HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) was conducting exercises on Inmarnock Water when she was ordered to search in the Clyde area for her missing sister ship HMS Vandal (Lt. J.S. Bridger, RN).

The following submarines / ships were also ordered to search for HMS Vandal (which was not found until 1994); HMS Graph (Lt. P.B. Marriott, DSO, RN), HMS L 27 (Lt. W.N. Eade, RNR), HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN), HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN), HMS Whitehall (Cdr. C.L.de H. Bell, RD, RNR), HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN), HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN), HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR), HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Proudfoot, RN), HMS Tedworth (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Warren, RN) and HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (27)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Simoom (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) conducted special torpedo trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). These were followed by gunnery exercises which included a dusk bombardment off Arran. (28)

1 May 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted special A/S trials in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (29)

21 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a practice attack on HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (30)

23 Jun 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for exercises with aircraft off the west coast of Scotland. She was escorted by HMS Ambuscade (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (31)

10 Jul 1943
HMS Ursula (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (32)

16 Aug 1943
HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN) serving as target. Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (33)

11 Sep 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted special A/S exercises / trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (34)

31 Dec 1943
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (35)

1 Mar 1944
HMS Sealion (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (36)

2 Mar 1944
HMS Sealion (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted night attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS Proteus (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN). These night attack exercises were follewed by attack exercises during which HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR) served as the targets. (36)

6 Jun 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (37)

14 Jun 1944
HMS H 28 (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (38)

15 Jun 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted gunnery exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (37)

22 Jun 1944
HMS H 28 (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (38)

22 Jun 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted night attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Slade, RN), HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR), HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR), HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR), HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Safari proceeded to Rothesay. (37)

10 Jul 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR) served as targets. (39)

12 Jul 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Slade, RN), HMS Alecto (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN), HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR), HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR) and HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) served as targets. (39)

22 Aug 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR), HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR) served as targets. (40)

23 Aug 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR), HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR) served as targets. (40)

29 Sep 1944
HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (41)

3 Oct 1944
HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (42)

4 Oct 1944
HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (42)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (42)

6 Oct 1944
HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (42)

20 Oct 1944
HMS Una (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) conducted special trials off Campbeltown with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (43)

2 Nov 1944
HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) conducted special A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). These included night exercises. (44)

3 Nov 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (45)

26 Nov 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (45)

20 Dec 1944
HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (46)

5 Jan 1945
HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR). (47)

27 Feb 1945
HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. W.P. Evans, RNVR). (48)

23 Mar 1945
HMS Virulent (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) conducted special A/S trials / exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. W.P. Evans, RNVR). (49)

25 Mar 1945
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted special A/S trials in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. W.P. Evans, RNVR). (50)

26 Mar 1945
HMS Virulent (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) conducted special A/S trials / exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. W.P. Evans, RNVR). (49)

11 Apr 1945
HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. W.P. Evans, RNVR). HMS Unruly proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of these exercises. (51)

13 Apr 1945
HMS Upshot (Lt. A.J. Boyall, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. W.P. Evans, RNVR). Upon completion of these HMS Upshot proceeded to Campbeltown. (52)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/16286
  2. ADM 173/16291
  3. ADM 173/16735
  4. ADM 173/16814
  5. ADM 173/16818
  6. ADM 173/16739
  7. ADM 173/16740
  8. ADM 173/16782
  9. ADM 173/16820
  10. ADM 173/16822
  11. ADM 173/16864
  12. ADM 173/16863
  13. ADM 173/16824
  14. ADM 173/17221
  15. ADM 173/17332
  16. ADM 173/17333
  17. ADM 173/17191
  18. ADM 173/17211
  19. ADM 173/17521
  20. File 2.12.03.6370 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  21. ADM 173/17340
  22. ADM 173/17341
  23. ADM 173/17342
  24. ADM 173/17864
  25. ADM 173/17865
  26. ADM 173/17846
  27. ADM 173/18388
  28. ADM 173/18082
  29. ADM 173/17868
  30. ADM 173/18027
  31. ADM 199/627
  32. ADM 173/18382
  33. ADM 173/18319
  34. ADM 173/18270
  35. ADM 173/18387
  36. ADM 173/18661
  37. ADM 173/18622
  38. ADM 173/18474
  39. ADM 173/18623
  40. ADM 173/18624
  41. ADM 173/18701
  42. ADM 173/18702
  43. ADM 173/19196
  44. ADM 173/18652
  45. ADM 173/18627
  46. ADM 173/19243
  47. ADM 173/20179
  48. ADM 173/20180
  49. ADM 173/20300
  50. ADM 173/19530
  51. ADM 173/20144
  52. ADM 173/20190

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


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