Brian Betham Schofield, RN

Born  11 Oct 1895
Died  8 Nov 1984(89)


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Ranks

15 May 1913 Mid.
15 Sep 1915 A/S.Lt.
15 Mar 1916 S.Lt.
15 Jun 1917 Lt.
15 Jun 1925 Lt.Cdr.
30 Jun 1931 Cdr.
30 Jun 1938 Capt.
8 Jun 1947 Rear-Admiral
1 Dec 1950 Vice-Admiral (retired)

Retired: 1 Dec 1950


Decorations

2 Jun 1943 CBE
9 Jun 1949 CB

Warship Commands listed for Brian Betham Schofield, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Galatea (71)Capt.Light cruiser27 Feb 19402 Mar 1941
HMS Duke of York (17)Capt.Battleship6 Aug 19439 Dec 1943
HMS King George V (41)Capt.Battleship7 Jun 1945Sep 1946

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Light cruiser HMS Galatea (71)


2 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (1)

4 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (1)

7 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (1)

8 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) served as target for the submarine HMS Narwhal (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Burch, RN) during attack exercises. (1)

9 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (1)

10 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth wher she arrived the following day. On departure from Scapa Flow gunnery exercises were carried out. (1)

11 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN). (1)

16 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400A/16, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN), departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1300A/17. (2)

2 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400A/2, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), arrived at Rosyth. (3)

9 Apr 1940
Around 1800A/9, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), Emile Bertin (Capt. R.M.J. Battet, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.L.H. Derrien) and the large destroyers Tartu (Capt. J.M. Chomel) and Maille Breze (Cdr. H.M.E.A. Glotin) parted company with the Home Fleet. They arrived at Scapa Flow around 1900A/10. (3)

13 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345A/13, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where they arrived around 2300A/13. (3)

17 Apr 1940
Around 0830A/17, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), AA cruisers HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Curacoa (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) departed Rosyth with troops for Åndalsnes and Molde, Norway.

Troops and equipment were landed during the night of 18/19 April. HMS Galatea and HMS Carlisle landed their troops directly at Åndalsnes while HMS Arethusa and HMS Curacoa landed theirs at Molde. The destroyers, after having landed their troops at Åndalsnes then ferried the troops landed at Molde to Åndalsnes.

HMS Galatea, HMS Aurora, HMS Arrow and HMS Acheron returned to Rosyth on the 20th. HMS Curacoa arrived at Scapa Flow also on the 20th. HMS Carlisle also on passage to Scapa Flow was ordered to return to Åndalsnes. (4)

22 Apr 1940
Around 0700A/22, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN), HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN) and the destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN), HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), which had embarked around 2200 troops from the 15th Brigade, stores and three trucks on the 21st, departed Rosyth for Norway. They arrived at Åndalsnes and Molde during the night of 23/24 April 1940.

HMS Sheffield, HMS Campbell and HMS Vansittart landed their troops at Molde and the remainder at Åndalsnes.

HMS Galatea embarked around 200 cases of gold at Åndalsnes to take with her to Rosyth where she arrived late in the morning of the 25th. She proceeded part of the way with the destroyers HMS Icarus, HMS Impulsive and HMS Ivanhoe which were to proceed to Immingham where they also arrived on the 25th.

HMS Sheffield, HMS Glasgow, HMS Campbell, HMS Vansittart and HMS Witch proceeded to Scapa Flow but they were diverted en-route to proceed to the aid of the damaged AA cruiser HMS Curacoa (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN). The destroyers however proved to be short of fuel and they had to be detached to proceed to Scapa Flow directly where they arrived on the 25th.

HMS Sheffield and HMS Glasgow arrived at Scapa Flow in the morning of the 26th. (5)

28 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400A/28, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0115A/29. At sea they were joined by the escort destroyers HMS Valorous (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, RN) and HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN). (3)

29 Apr 1940

Evacuation of troops from the Åndalsnes area during the night of 30 April / 1 May 1940.

Around 1230A/29, the troopships Ulster Monarch (3791 GRT, built 1929) and Ulster Prince (3791 GRT, built 1930) departed Scapa Flow for for the evacuation of troops from Åndalsnes and Molde. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN). The destroyer HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 1540A/29 to join them at sea.

Around 1700A/29, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Wanderer (Cdr. R.F. Morice, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the evacuation of troops from Åndalsnes and Molde.

They were joined around 1530A/30 by the light cruisers HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN) which had already been at sea.

All forces arrived in the area in the late evening of April 30th.

During the night of 30 April / 1 May, the Ulster Prince with HMS Tartar evacuated troops at Molde. While the light cruisers HMS Galatea, HMS Arethusa and HMS Sheffield evacuated troops at Åndalsnes. The Ulster Monarch was with this force but she did not take on board troops as there was no more time available. The destroyers HMS Sikh and HMS Wanderer evacuated troops from Åfarnes and ferried them to HMS Southampton. While doing so HMS Wanderer grounded and was damaged. She had to be towed off by HMS Sikh.

The destroyers HMS Mashona, HMS Walker and HMS Westcott picked up troops from Veblungsnes just to the south-west of Åndalsnes.

On leaving the Fjords, the ships came under attack from German aircraft but no ship sustained damage.

In the afternoon of May 1st, HMS Southampton, HMS Walker and HMS Westcott arrived at Sollom Voe.

HMS Sheffield arrived at Scapa Flow around 0615A/2.

HMS Galatea arrived at Scapa Flow around 0200A/2.

HMS Arethusa arrived at Scapa Flow around 0230A/2.

HMS Wanderder arrived at Sullom Voe around 0635A/2 after having been delayed by a u-boat hunt.

Around 1235A/2, the Ulster Monarch and Ulster Prince arrived at Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Sikh.

HMS Tartar arrived at Scapa Flow around 2100B/2.

HMS Somali and HMS Mashona apparently remained at sea and took part in the evacuation during the following night. (6)

2 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100A/2, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where they arrived around 0800A/3. (7)

7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945A/7, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed the Firth of Forth for Sheerness. Before departure HMS Arethusa conducted D/G trials.

They arrived at Sheerness around 0800A/3. (7)

10 May 1940
Around 1415A/10, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Keith (Capt. D.J.R. Simson, RN) and HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) departed Sheerness for operations off the Dutch coast.

During the night of 10/11 May 1940, HMS Galatea embarked a few Dutch army officers. She was also supposed to evacuate members of the Dutch Royal family but they had delayed their departure.

HMS Arethusa and HMS Boreas escorted the Dutch merchant vessel Iris (905 GRT, built 1920) to Southend. The Iris had on board some of the gold reserve from the Dutch National Bank. Following this escort duty, HMS Arethusa and HMS Boreas, arrived at Sheerness around 0630A/3.

HMS Keith escorted the Dutch merchant vessel Titus (1712 GRT, built 1930). The uncompleted Dutch light cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Lt.Cdr. A. van Foreest, RNN) is also with them. HMS Keith arrived at Sheerness either late on the 11th or early on the 12th. (8)

11 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1545A/11, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), departed Sheerness to operate of the Dutch coast to possibly evacuate members of the Dutch Royal family.

She returned to Sheerness around 1030A/12. The evacuees having delayed their departure with another day. (9)

16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245A/16, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth where they arrived around 2030A/16. (7)

16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Portsmouth. (9)

24 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Portsmouth to be in the Calais area to provide support for other naval units or for the army on land if required.

They arrived at Sheerness around 0700A/25. They were instructed to be at half an hour notice for steam. (8)

26 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0436A/26, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) departed Sheerness to bombard German batteries in the Calais area. She is joined by the destroyer HMS Grafton (Cdr. C.E.C. Robinson, RN).

HMS Galatea arrived off Calais at 0730A/26 and commenced a bombardment of enemy batteries to the westward of the town at 0759A/26. All High Explosive shells were expanded by 1003A/26. 197 rounds had been fired. Aircraft had been providing spotting duties.

At 1100A/26, HMS Grafton was ordered to proceed to Dover.

HMS Galatea returned to Sheerness at 1412A/26. (10)

27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0345A/27, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) departed Sheerness to patrol. Around 0600A/27, she made rendezvous with the destroyers ORP Blyscawica (Cdr. S.M. Nahorski), HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN) and HMS Vivacious (Lt.Cdr. F.R.W. Parish, RN).

HMS Galatea returned to Sheerness around 2030A/27. The destroyer must have been detached during the course of the day. (10)

30 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN struck his flag in HMS Galatea(Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN).

Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, then hoisted his flag having taken command of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. (11)

5 Jun 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted D/G trials off Sheerness. (12)

16 Jun 1940
Around 1720A/16, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth (Spithead).

They were joined off Dover by the destroyer HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN).

They arrived at Spithead around 0700A/17. (13)

18 Jun 1940
Around 0315A/18, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) and HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN) departed Spithead for Plymouth where they arrived around 0945A/18. (13)

19 Jun 1940
At 1725A/19, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off Arcachon, France to give cover during the evacuations going on in the area. (13)

22 Jun 1940
In the morning, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) embarked 68 refugees near Arcachon, France. (13)

23 Jun 1940
At 1343A/23, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) anchored in the Bay of St.Jean de Luz. She had been joined by HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN).

At St.Jean de Luz she embarked the British Ambassador in France and his staff.

Around 2300A/23, Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, transferred his flag to HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN). (13)

24 Jun 1940
At 0130A/24, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) departed St.Jean de Luz for Plymouth where she arrived around 2050A/24. (13)

27 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and rehoisted it in HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN). (14)

1 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) landed her catapult at the Devonport Dockyard.

She then conducted gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (15)

3 Jul 1940
At 0400A/3, boarding parties from HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) departed to take control of the French destroyers Mistral (Lt.Cdr. G.P.C.M.J.M. de Tolouse-Latrec Montfa) and Le Triomphant (Cdr. E.E.R. Archambeaud). (16)

3 Jul 1940
At 1900A/3, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) departed Plymouth for Immingham where she arrived around 1845A/4. (15)

7 Jul 1940
During the night of 7/8 July 1940, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), reinforced the destroyers on patrol 'U'. These were HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN).

HMS Galatea departed Immingham around 1930A/7 and returned around 0645A/8. (17)

11 Jul 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) again reinforced the destroyers on patrol 'U' during the night.

The destroyers on patrol were HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) which had departed Immingham this day.

HMS Galatea departed Immingham around 2015A/11 and returned there around 0700A/12. (17)

22 Jul 1940
Around 1750A/22, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) departed Immingham for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1400A/23. (15)

24 Jul 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (18)

25 Jul 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (18)

26 Jul 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow on completion of which she set course to Immingham. (18)

27 Jul 1940
Around 1130A/27, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), arrived at Immingham from Scapa Flow. (18)

9 Aug 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted D/G trials off Immingham. (19)

20 Aug 1940
Around 1800A/20, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), departed Immingham for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1415A/21. (19)

22 Aug 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (19)

24 Aug 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (19)

26 Aug 1940
Around 0215A/26, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Cardiff (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Immingham where they arrived around 1915A/26. (20)

30 Aug 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Immingham. (21)

31 Aug 1940
On 31 August 1940, a group of destroyers sailed from Immingham on a mine laying mission to the north of the Dutch island of Vlieland.

The minelaying destroyers were from the 20th Destroyer Flotilla, these were; HMS Express (Capt. J.G. Bickford, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Esk (Lt.Cdr. R.J.H. Couch, DSC, RN), HMS Icarus (Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, RN) and HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN). The minelayers were escorted by three destroyers of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla, these were; HMS Jupiter (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, RN, with Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN = Capt.(D.5) on board), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Howlett, RN).

At 2250/31, aerial reconnaissance reported a large number of German ships to the north of the Dutch island of Terschelling proceeding westwards. The destroyers of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla were ordered to jettison their mines and intercept, believing wrongly that the German ships were part of an invasion force.

At 2307/31, HMS Express struck a mine in position 53°25'N, 03°48'E. She was badly damaged but did not sink. HMS Esk went to her assistance and hit mine at 2325/31, she sank immediately. HMS Ivanhoe also went to her assistance and hit a mine at 0051/1. She was badly damaged, but she was able to proceed for a while.

HMS Jupiter, HMS Kelvin and HMS Vortiger were behind the minelaying destroyers providing cover for the operation. HMS Jupiter and HMS Kelvin went to the aid of the damaged destroyers while HMS Vortigern remained behind to mark the gap in the minefield for their return.

The escort destroyers, HMS Garth (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Dyke, RN) and HMS Hambledon (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN), which were on patrol off the coast near Harwich were also ordered to assist.

The minesweepers HMS Leda (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC, RN) and HMS Saltash (Lt.Cdr. T.R. Fowke, RN), motor torpedo boats HMS MTB 14, HMS MTB 15, HMS MTB 16, HMS MTB 17, HMS MTB 29, HMS MTB 30, HMS MTB 31 and the tugs HMS St. Cyrus, Irishman, Norman, Wheeldon were also ordered to go the assistance of the crippled ships.

Around 0800/1, most of the crew of HMS Ivanhoe abandoned ship and boarded MTB 14, MTB 16, MTB 17. Thirty of the crew remained onboard trying to save the ship.

At 0941/1, HMS Express was taken in tow by HMS Kelvin, but when the towing line fouled HMS Kelvin'spropeller the tow was taken over by HMS Jupiter until it was passed over to the tug HMS St. Cyrus. Close cover for the towing group was provided by HMS Vortigern and HMS Hambledon. HMS Jupiter and HMS Kelvin formed a strike group in case German warships would arrive on the scene. HMS Express was towed to Hull where she arrived on 2 September 1940 and was out of action for around a year.

At 1415/1, the remaining crew of HMS Ivanhoe had to board MTB 15 as HMS Ivanhoe was rapidly sinking.

Later that afternoon a British aircraft reported that HMS Ivanhoe was still afloat. HMS Kelvin, HMS Garth and MTB 30 were ordered to search for her. At 1619/1, HMS Garth spotted HMS Ivanhoe while it was being attacked by a German aircraft. HMS Kelvin also arrived on the scene and she sank the wreck of HMS Ivanhoe at 1700/1 with a torpedo.

Meanwhile the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN) and HMS Cardiff (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) had departed the Humber around 0130/1, to make rendez-vous with HMS Jupiter, HMS Kelvin and HMS Vortigern after the minelaying mission. As the minelaying mission was cancelled they returned to Immingham and while doing so HMS Galatea struck a mine off the Cleaner Shoal Buoy near the Humber light vessel. Damage was however only minor. The cruiser arrived at Immingham around 0800/1.

3 Sep 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) is docked at the Humber Graving Dock Company for repairs. (22)

5 Sep 1940
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) is undocked. (22)

5 Sep 1940
Around 2130A/5, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN) and HMS Cardiff (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) departed Immingham for Sheerness where they arrived around 0845A/6. They had been escorted by the destroyers HMS Venomous (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN). These destroyers then returned to the Humber. (23)

8 Sep 1940
Around 2130A/8, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Campbell (Capt. C.R.L. Parry, RN), HMS Venetia (Lt.Cdr. D.L.C. Craig, RN), HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.E.F. Hussey, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Garth (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Dyke, RN), HMS Hambledon (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN) and HMS Holderness (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) departed Sheerness to bombard enemy shipping concentrations at Calais and Boulogne.

HMS Galatea with HMS Campbell, HMS Vesper and HMS Garth were to bombard Calais while HMS Aurora, HMS Venetia, HMS Hambledon and HMS Holderness bombarded Boulogne.

Between 0225A/9 and 0245A/9, British aircraft dropped flares over both ports. No shipping was however found to be present in Calais Roads so HMS Galatea and her escorts did not conduct a bombardment. HMS Aurora and her escorts however did bombarded the Boulogne harbour area.

They returned to Sheerness around 0700A/9. HMS Galatea had detonated a mine around 0525A/9 and was again damaged [see 1 September] damage was again minor. As Galatea was due for refit it was decided not to undertake repairs. HMS Galatea was to commence refit and repairs at the Chatham Dockyard upon completion of the refit of HMS Arethusa. For the moment HMS Galatea remained at Sheerness.

During the same night the destroyers HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Atherstone (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN), HMS Berkeley (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Walters, RN) and HMS Fernie (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed Portsmouth to conducted a sweep along the French coast just south of Boulogne up to Cape Antifer (near Le Havre). On completion of the sweep they returned to Portsmouth. (24)

10 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) and hoisted it in HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN). (25)

17 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she is to be taken in hand for refit and repairs. (26)

21 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) is docked in No.9 Dock at the Chatham Dockyard. (26)

21 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) is undocked. (27)

13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit and the repairs completed, HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN), proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (28)

17 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises off Sheerness. (28)

18 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) conducted DG trials off Sheerness. (28)

19 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow. (28)

20 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (28)

23 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) and hoisted it in HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN). (29)

24 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (28)

3 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)

6 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)

7 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Scapa Flow. (30)

14 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (30)

17 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)

18 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (30)

21 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)

24 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery and night exercises off Scapa Flow. (30)


Battleship HMS Duke of York (17)


13 Aug 1943
His Majesty, King George VI, boarded HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet). His Majesty left the ship on the 15th. (31)

6 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2015A/6, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where she arrived around 0930A/7. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN). HMS Opportune then continued on towards the Humber area where she was to refit. HMS Teazer returned to Scapa Flow arriving around 1745A/7. (32)

11 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) is docked in No.1 Graving Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (33)

18 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) is undocked. (33)

19 Oct 1943
Around 1745A/19, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow. Earlier that afternoon she had conducted D/G trials in the Firth of Forth. She was escorted by the destroyers USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN) and USS Capps (T/Cdr. B.E.S. Trippensee, USN).

They all arrived at Scapa Flow around 0725A/20. (33)

25 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises, including gunnery, at Scapa Flow. (33)

26 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted full power trials off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN) and HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN). (34)

8 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. Also an underway refuelling exercise was conducted during which the destroyer HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN) fuelled. (35)


Battleship HMS King George V (41)


26 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 26/27 June 1945, HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN, 2nd in command British Pacific Fleet), conducted exercises off Sydney. These included night exercises.

[No details available on escorting destroyers.] (36)

Sources

  1. ADM 53/112279
  2. ADM 53/111495 + ADM 53/112279
  3. ADM 53/111410 + ADM 53/112280
  4. ADM 53/111410 + ADM 53/ + ADM 53/ + ADM 53/112280 + ADM 199/361 + ADM 199/376
  5. ADM 53/112280 + ADM 53/112294 + ADM 53/113210 + ADM 199/361 + ADM 199/376 + ADM 199/379
  6. ADM 53/111410 + ADM 53/112280 + ADM 199/361 + ADM 199/376 + ADM 199/379
  7. ADM 53/111411 + ADM 53/112281
  8. ADM 53/111411 + ADM 53/112281 + ADM 199/379
  9. ADM 53/112281
  10. ADM 53/112281 + ADM 199/375 + ADM 199/379
  11. ADM 53/112281 + ADM 199/379
  12. ADM 53/112282
  13. ADM 53/112282 + ADM 199/379
  14. ADM 53/111636 + ADM 53/112282
  15. ADM 53/112283 + ADM 199/379
  16. ADM 53/112283 + ADM 112886 + ADM 199/379
  17. ADM 53/112283 + ADM 199/375 + ADM 199/379
  18. ADM 53/112283
  19. ADM 53/112284
  20. ADM 53/111721 + ADM 53/112284
  21. ADM 53/111500 + ADM 53/112284
  22. ADM 53/112285
  23. ADM 199/379
  24. ADM 53/112284 + ADM 199/375 + ADM 199/379
  25. ADM 53/111416 + ADM 53/112286
  26. ADM 53/112286
  27. ADM 53/112287
  28. ADM 53/114300
  29. ADM 53/113601 + ADM 53/114300 + ADM 199/409
  30. ADM 53/114301
  31. ADM 53/117401
  32. ADM 53/117403 + ADM 53/118633
  33. ADM 53/117403
  34. ADM 53/117404
  35. ADM 53/117405
  36. ADM 53/121604

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


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