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Light cruiser HMS Capetown (D 88)

30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Durban for East London. (1)

1 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at East London from Durban. (2)

8 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed East London for Durban. (2)

9 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban from East London. (2)

21 Dec 1942
The light cruiser HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), minesweeper HMAS Cessnock (A/Lt.Cdr. T.S. Marchington, RANR(S)) and the transport Ekma (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa. (2)

26 Dec 1942
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Kilindini / Mombasa to Manza Bay. (2)

1 Jan 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Bombay via the Seychelles. (3)

3 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) made a call at Port Victoria to fuel. She departed to continue her passage to Bombay later the same day. (3)

7 Jan 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bombay from Kilindini / Mombasa via the Seychelles. (3)

9 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bombay for the Persian Gulf. (3)

12 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Bombay. (3)

13 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for Shatt Al-Arab. (3)

14 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Shatt Al-Arab from Bahrein. (3)

17 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Shatt Al-Arab for Bahrein. (4)

18 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Shatt Al-Arab. (3)

20 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for Clarence Strait. (3)

24 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Clarence Strait for Masirah Island as disturbances had occured between British forces and local tribesmen. (4)

25 Jan 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived off Masirah Island. She reported that the situation was under control. She departed for Bandar Abbas later the same day. (4)

26 Jan 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bandar Abbas. (3)

27 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for Bahrein. (3)

28 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Bandar Abbas. (3)

29 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for patrol in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. (3)

31 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) anchored off Kharg Island. (3)

1 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceed from Kharg Island to Bushehr. She departed for patrol which was to end at Khor Kuwai later the same day. (5)

3 Feb 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai. She departed for Bahrein later the same day. (5)

4 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Khor Kuwai. (5)

11 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for Bushehr. (5)

12 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) made a short call at Bushehr before departing for Khor Kuwai. (5)

13 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai. She proceeded to Bandar Abbas later the same day. (5)

15 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. While en-route exercises were carried out. (5)

16 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Khor Kuwai. (5)

20 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Sharjah. (5)

22 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded Sharjah to Bandar Abbas. (5)

23 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. (5)

24 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Bahrein. (5)

25 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Khor Kuwai. (5)

1 Mar 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for Khor Kuwai via Henjam Island. (6)

2 Mar 1943
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai. (6)

3 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Bandar Abbas. (6)

4 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. (6)

5 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Sharjah. En-route exercises were carried out. (6)

6 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) proceeded from Sharjah to Bandar Abbas. (6)

8 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for patrol which was to end at Bahrein. (6)

10 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein. (6)

17 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for Bombay. (6)

20 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Bombay from the Persian Gulf. (6)

21 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) is docked in the Merewether Dry Dock at Bombay. (6)

24 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) is undocked. (6)

26 Mar 1943

Convoy BA 40.

This 'convoy' departed Bombay on 26 March 1943.

It was made up of only one transport, the Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926).

Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Capetown ((Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN).

The convoy arrived at Aden on 1 April 1943. (7)

Battleship HMS Malaya (01)

22 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) and the aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow.

They were escorted by HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN).

They arrived at Scapa Flow on 23 July 1943. (8)

25 Jul 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) shifted from Scapa Flow to Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) where she was to participate in special trials.

During the passage she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN).

The destroyers returned to Scapa Flow later the same day. (8)

9 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) shifted from Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) to Scapa Flow.

She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN).

Before entering Scapa Flow tactical exercises were carried out with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (9)

19 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) participated in exercises at Scapa Flow. (10)

20 Aug 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) and HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) participated in exercises off Scapa Flow. They appeared to have been escorted by the destroyers HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN), HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN). (11)

30 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) participated in exercises at Scapa Flow. (10)

31 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) conducted towing exercises with HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN).

Later exercises were carried out with HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN). These included night exercises during the night of 31 August / 1 September. (12)

1 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde.

[It appears she was not escorted.] (13)

2 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock. (13)

4 Oct 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Plymouth. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Skate (Lt. J.C. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN) and the frigate HMS Bentinck (Cdr. E.H. Chavasse, DSO, DSC, RN) until 1530/4 when the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN) took over.

At 0645/5, the escort destoyer HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN) joined.

HMS Malaya and her escorts arrived at Plymouth around 1000/5. (14)

15 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While at Plymouth, the battleships HMS Malaya and HMS Valiant exchanged crews. (14)

Battleship HMS Valiant (02)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) is undocked. (15)

1 Dec 1943
With her refit completed HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth for the Clyde. She is being escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, RN) and HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN). They arrived at Lamlash the following day. (16)

8 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (16)

9 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (16)

10 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area on completion of these she departed for Scapa Flow (unescorted). (16)

11 Dec 1943
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. Before arrival exercises were carried out with HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN). (17)

14 Dec 1943
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted D/F trials at Scapa Flow. (16)

16 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. On completion of these she ran over the D/G range several times. (16)

17 Dec 1943
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (16)

20 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

21 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) and HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery and rangefinding and inclination (RIX) exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises they were escorted by HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN). (18)

22 Dec 1943
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (16)

17 Feb 1944
During 17/18 August 1944, the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (19)

12 Mar 1944
The battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She is escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN). (20)

13 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Colombo. (20)

6 Jul 1944
During 6/7 July 1944, HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. They were escorted by HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) and HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN). These exercises included night exercises. (21)

8 Aug 1944
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) is put into AFD 23 at Trincomalee. In the evening, while being lifted the dock collapsed and HMS Valiant was damaged but by efforts from her crew she did not go down with the dock. By early the next morning HMS Valiant was free from the wreckage of the dock and could be towed away. (22)

26 Sep 1944
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) condcuted trials off Trincomalee. Escort might have been HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN). (23)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted trials off Trincomalee during which she was escorted by HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN) and possibly HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN). (23)

3 Oct 1944
The damaged battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Trincomalee for Aden. She is to proceed to the U.K. for full repairs. She is being escorted by the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN), sloop HMIS Jumna ( A/Cdr. K.R.U. Todd, RIN) and the frigate HMS Awe (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR). The RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) is also with them to refuel the escorts as is the tug HMS Aimwell in case HMS Valiant breaks down or need assistance in steering as she is not able to steer a steady course due to the damage she had sustained. (24)

13 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN), HMS Aimwell.

The tanker Arndale had been detached on the 8th after having fuelled the escorts. (24)

13 Oct 1944
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN), HMIS Jumna ( A/Cdr. K.R.U. Todd, RIN), HMS Awe (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Aimwell arrived at Aden.

The tanker Arndale had been detached on the 8th after having fuelled the escorts. (24)

14 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Aden for Suez. On departed from Aden she was being escorted by the destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN) until 0615C/15. The tugs HMS Aimwell and HMS Bolt were also in company until 1545C/15. (24)

19 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived off Port Tewfik at the southern end off the Suez Canal where she anchored. (24)

20 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), being assisted by tugs entered the Suez Canal for the northbound passage of it. She however soon grounded.

She She was able to get underway later the same day but the Suez Canal authorities dinied her passage in her current condition.

She went back to Port Tewfik and attempts were made to make her more seaworthy but the end result was that she still was not allowed to pass the Suez Canal so she had to go to the U.K. via the Cape of Good Hope. (24)

9 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted turning trials off Port Tewfik. (25)

17 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted trials with tugs off Port Tewfik. (25)

18 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted trials with tugs off Port Tewfik. (25)

4 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 4/5 December HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Suez. (26)

7 Dec 1944
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Suez for Aden.

Though more repairs had been made it was decided that HMS Valiant was not permitted to pass the Suez Canal. There was too great a risk of the Canal being blocked. So it was, reluctantly, decided that she would take the route round the Cape to the U.K. (26)

13 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden. (26)

14 Dec 1944

Convoy MC 14.

This convoy departed Aden on 14 December 1944 and arrived at Kilindini on 21 December 1944. On 24 December 1944 it departed Kilindini and arrived at Durban on 30 December 1944.

It was made up of the following transports Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).

The damaged battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMS Honesty (T/Lt. M.J. Rowlands, RNVR) and HMS Genista (Lt. T.G. Radford, RNR).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The convoy, minus the Elizabethville departed Kilindini for Durban. HMS Valiant was still with the convoy.

The convoy was now escorted by the sloop HMS Falmouth (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodhead, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (T/Lt.Cdr. G.M. Berlyn, SANF(V)) and HMS Genista.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 30 December 1944.

HMS Valiant did not enter Durban. She remained at sea to continue on to Capetown with a new escort.

30 Dec 1944
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) arrived off Durban with convoy MC 14. The convoy and its escort went into Durban.

HMS Valiant was joined by the frigates HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, DSC, RNR) and HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR) which were to escort her to Capetown. However a few hours after joining HMS Test was relieved by the frigate HMS Dovey (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.W.F. Bolland, RNR). (26)

2 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), HMS Dovey (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.W.F. Bolland, RNR) and HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR) arrived at Capetown. (27)

8 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Capetown for Freetown. She is escorted by the frigates HMS Dovey (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.W.F. Bolland, RNR) and HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR). (27)

19 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), HMS Dovey (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.W.F. Bolland, RNR) and HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR) arrived at Freetown. (27)

21 Jan 1945
The battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for Plymouth. She is still escorted by the frigates HMS Dovey (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.W.F. Bolland, RNR) and HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR).

Around 1350A/27 they were joined by the sloop HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and the corvettes HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. R.A. Baker, RNVR) and HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR).

At 0930A/31, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. Douglas Eric Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HrMs Van Galen (Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNN) joined as additional escorts.

HMS Valiant and her escorts arrived at Plymouth on 1 February 1945. (27)

7 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) is docked and taken in hand for refit and repairs at the Devonport Dockyard.

HMS Valiant was still in the Dockyard when the Second World War ended. (28)

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