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CO HMS Harrier 5/35-4/37

HMS Ramillies 4/37-7/37

XO defiance T school Devonport 7/37-7/39

Torps & Mining 12/41-10/44

CSO-VAC 3BS 1/45-1/46

Light cruiser HMS Ceres (D 59)

7 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland. (1)

2 Oct 1939

Convoy OG 1.

This convoy was formed at sea out of convoy's OA 12G and OB 12G.

On assembly the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships; Alcora (British, 1381 GRT, built 1919), Baltistan (British, 6083 GRT, built 1937), Bantria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Barbara Marie (British, 4223 GRT, built 1928), Baron Cochrane (British, 3385 GRT, built 1927), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Beaconstreet (British, 7467 GRT, built 1927), British Ambassador (British (tanker), 6940 GRT, built 1924), British Architect (British (tanker), 7388 GRT, built 1922), British Colony (British (tanker), 6917 GRT, built 1927), British Courage (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1928), British Intigrity (British (tanker), 8412 GRT, built 1927), Castalia (British, 6601 GRT, built 1906), Castilian (British, 3067 GRT, built 1919), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), City of Marseilles (British, 8317 GRT, built 1913), Courland (British, 1325 GRT, built 1932), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Fair Head (British, 1719 GRT, built 1906), Fintra (British, 2089 GRT, built 1918), Glenshiel (British, 9415 GRT, built 1924), Gretafield (British (tanker), 10191 GRT, built 1928), Gullpool (British, 4868 GRT, built 1928), Heminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919), Inverlane (British (tanker), 9141 GRT, built 1938), King Alfred (British, 5272 GRT, built 1919), Lesbian (British, 2370 GRT, built 1923), Menin Ridge (British, 2474 GRT, built 1924), Montauban (French, 4191 GRT, built 1920), P.L.M. 26 (French, 5391 GRT, built 1922), Palmella (British, 1578 GRT, built 1920), Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925), Pozarica (British, 1893 GRT, built 1938), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Samir (Egyptian, 3702 GRT, built 1909), Shetland (British, 1846 GRT, built 1921) and Ulea (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the destroyers HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, RN), HMS Imogen (Cdr. E.B.K. Stevens, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN).

The destroyers parted company with the convoy either late on the 2nd or early on the 3rd.

At 0530Z/8, the convoy was joined by the destroyer HMS Velox (Cdr.(Retd.) J.C. Colvill, RN).

The convoy arrived at Gibraltar later in the morning of 8 October 1939.

10 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Gibraltar for Plymouth. She was to join the Northen Patrol as soon as possible but she first had to proceed to the Devonport Dockyard for repairs as she is suffering from defects to her turbines. (2)

13 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth. (3)

18 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is docked in No.9 Dock at the Devonport Dockyard. (3)

27 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked. (3)

29 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Plymouth for Kirkwall. (3)

31 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Kirkwall from Plymouth.

She departed Kirkwall for Sullom Voe later the same day. (3)

1 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Sullom Voe from Kirkwall. (4)

2 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Sullom Voe for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Iceland-Faeroer gap. (4)

9 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Sullom Voe from patrol. (4)

12 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Sullom Voe for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol to the south-west of the Faeroer Islands. (4)

18 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Loch Ewe from the Northern Patrol. (4)

21 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Loch Ewe for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Iceland-Faeroer gap. (4)

26 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Sullom Voe from patrol. After fuelling she departed again for patrol in the Norwegian Sea to the west of Stadtlandet, Norway. (4)

2 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Greenock from patrol. (5)

4 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) proceeded from Greenock to the Stephen Shipyard at Glasgow for repairs to weather damage she had sustained in northern waters. (6)

9 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. She departed Greenock for the Northern patrol later the same day. She is ordered to patrol to the south-west of the Faeroer Islands. (5)

15 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Northern Patrol. (5)

18 Dec 1939
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol to the south-west of the Faeroer Islands. (5)

25 Dec 1939
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Northern Patrol. (5)

27 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol to the south-west of the Faeroer Islands. (5)

3 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Northern Patrol. (7)

5 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol to the south-west of the Faeroer Islands. (7)

13 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Belfast from the Northern Patrol. (7)

15 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After de-ammunitioning, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is taken in hand for repairs and a short refit at Belfast. (8)

17 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is docked at Belfast. (9)

25 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked. (9)

7 Feb 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) completed her refit at Belfast (10)

11 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Belfast for Plymouth where she is to embark stores before proceeding to Australia. (10)

12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at the Devonport Dockyard. (10)

15 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. (10)

19 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Plymouth. She departed for Malta later the same day. (10)

22 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (10)

1 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (11)

4 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (12)

7 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Malta for contraband patrol off the west coast of Greece. (11)

14 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Malta from patrol. (11)

16 Mar 1940
Around 0815B/16, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. On departure from Malta they carried out gunnery exercises. (13)

18 Mar 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Port Said from Malta. They then transited the Suez Canal southbound and set course for Aden. (13)

21 Mar 1940
Around 1815C/21, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Aden. (13)

22 Mar 1940
Around 1140C/22, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (13)

26 Mar 1940
Around 1800EF/26, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (13)

27 Mar 1940
Around 0615EF/27, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Colombo for Singapore. Their originally intended deployment to Australian waters being cancelled. They had now been ordered to join the China Station. (13)

31 Mar 1940
Around 0730GH/31, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Singapore from Colombo.

During the passage from the U.K. HMS Colombo had developed leaks in her fuel oil tanks for which she was to be taken in hand for repairs. (13)

5 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Singapore to patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (14)

7 Apr 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) relieved HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) on patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (15)

15 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). On completion of which she continued her patrol off Surabaya. (16)

20 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is relieved on patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies, by HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN). (17)

22 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (16)

29 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Singapore to patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (16)

1 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) relieved HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) on patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (18)

8 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). On completion of which she continued her patrol off Surabaya. (19)

10 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is relieved on patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies, by HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN).

HMS Ceres then set course to return to Singapore. As the Germans invaded the Netherlands on this day she was divered to patrol in the Sunda Straits. Later she was ordered to return to patrol off Surabaya with HMS Colombo. (18)

15 May 1940
Around 0830GH/15, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived back at Singapore from patrol. (20)

28 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (21)

30 May 1940
Around 1700GH/30, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo. They were to join the East Indies Station.

They parted company in the afternoon of June, 1st. (20)

4 Jun 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Colombo from Singapore. (22)

6 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Colombo to make rendezvous with the troopship Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) which was en-route from Fremantle to Colombo.

Rendezvous was effected in the morning of the 7th. They arrived at Colombo on the 8th. (23)

9 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Colombo escorting the troopship Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) which was to proceed from Colombo to Capetown.

HMS Ceres parted company with the troopship at 1830EF(-5.5)/10. (23)

12 Jun 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Colombo after escort duty. She is immediately docked upon arrival. (23)

15 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked. (23)

19 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. (23)

21 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (23)

5 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. She departed for the Perim patrol later the same day. (24)

6 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Aden from patrol. (24)

9 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Aden for the Perim patrol. (24)

13 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Aden from patrol. (24)

20 Jul 1940
At 2013C/20, the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) departed Aden for an operation in the Red Sea to destroy the stranded Italian submarine Perla.

Around 0500C/21, the destroyer HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) joined company in position 148° Perim Light, 8 miles.

HMAS Hobart and HMS Ceres, screened by HMS Kingston and HMS Kimberley then proceeded up the Red Sea keeping close to the Yemen coast until south-west of Mocha (Mokka), when course was altered to the westward to pass between Harbi and Sayal Islands and thence up the Eritrean Coast.

At 1555C/21, when in position 14°23'N, 41°32'5"E with cruiser in line ahead screened by the two destroyers and steering 295°, sighted what appeared to be two destroyers ahead. Speed was increased to close when these 'destroyers' were identified as object inshore of Ras Cesar.

At 1605C/21, sighted a Dhow close inshore southward of the reported position of Perla and a dark object, which had all the appearanc of a submarine hull. This object was fist seen and pointed out to Captain Howden by the Navigating Officer. Captain Howden looked at it through binoculars and no doubt was raised in his mind tat it was other then the 'wreck' of the grounded Perla, The Observer Officer similarly examined it and also considered it to be the submarine, except that the size of the conning tower appeared reduced. Captain Howden later asked HMS Kingston if the conning tower had been hit during the gun action on 27 June. HMS Kingston replied that it had twice been hit but had not been demolished.

It was when the position of the suspected Perla was abaft the beam that the Navigating Officer raised some doubts as to the certainty of the object sighted being the Perla. By that time the distane away was considerable and as two enemy aircraft were in sight Captain Howden had not the opportunity for further observation. Later HMS Ceres was asked if she had sighted Perla and the response was 'No'. [Indeed the Italian submarine had arrived back at Massawa on 20 July after having been towed off the reef.]

At 1609C/21, HMS Kingston reported two aircraft to the northward and a few minutes later these was also seen onboard HMAS Hobart

At 1617C/21, course was altered to starboard to place them on the port beam and so gain sea room. By this time the ships were within 7.5 miles of the position of the suspected wreck of the Perla. At this stage the enemy aircraft were some nine or ten miles away and could only be recognised as large bombers in close formation.

At 1620C/21, the aircraft altered course towards and closes on the port beam, their height being about 8000 feet.

At 1623C/21, HMS Kingston opened fire rather prematurely as the bombers were well out of range and bursts were well short.

At 1625C/21, HMAS Hobart opened fire but the initial rounds were wide of the bombers, which however, opened up to about five spans. The bursts were getting closer and when one burst came below and between the bombers they altered course to starboard and the rear bomber jettisoned two large bombs while on a banked turn. These fell harmlessly into the sea 2-3 miles inshore of the port wing destroyer.

The rear aircraft, which appeared to be very nervous broke formation and banked steeply to port withdrawing to the north-west. The leader continued on an opposite course to the ships and withdrew out of range astern.

At 1637C/21, HMS Kimberley was detached to indentify the wreck of the Perla. In the meantime HMAS Hobart opened fire on the aircraft which was making up the coast towards Massawa, but her angle of sight was below the limit for which the control system was designed and shots burst wide and the aircraft withdrew outside gun range and disappeared to the north.

At 1650C/21, HMS Kimberley was closing the shore and was attacked by the leaders aircraft at 6000 feet. One bomb was dropped which fell some 1500 yards astern of HMS Kimberley which was then recalled. She reported seeing a dark shape on the beach near the dhow, but was not certain that it was the Perla.

The aircraft, which came under accurate fire from HMS Ceres, retired to the southward until out of range and then made off in a westerly direction, jettisoning a large bomb on the foreshore. The aircraft appeared to be attempting to attain a position right astern before attacking, but as they kept at long range there was no difficulty in keeping them on the beam.

The aircraft were identified as being SM 81's and the four bombs dropped by them were thought to be of 1250lbs in weight. Neither aircraft showed any desire to press home an attack and the rear aircraft appeared particularly uneasy. It is thought they had been sent out as a reconnaissance force and not a dedicated bombing force sent out for us.

When it became evident that no further air attacks were launched against us course was set to retire to the south-east.

At 1800C/21, HMS Kimberley was detached for the Perim patrol. HMAS Hobart and HMS Ceres set course to return to Aden screened by HMS Kingston. They arrived at Aden around 1200C/22. (25)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruisers HMNZS Leander (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Aden for escort duty with convoy BN 2.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BN 2 ' for 17 July 1940.] (24)

30 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (24)

2 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Aden from patrol. (26)

6 Aug 1940

Convoy BN 2½ or BN 2A.

This convoy departed Aden on 6 August 1940 and arrived at Suez on 12 August 1940. [The convoy is in some sources called BN 2½ and in other BN 2A].

The convoy is made up of the following transports;
Athelstane (British (tanker), 5571 GRT, built 1918), British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), Palestinian Prince (British, 1960 GRT, built 1936), Planter (British, 5887 GRT, built 1927) and Rahmani (British, 5463 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN). The sloop HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) joined later at sea.

At 1900N/9, the convoy was dispersed. Both escorts proceeded to Port Sudan as did the tanker Athelstane. They arrived the following day.

The transport Rahmani proceeded to Jeddah, arriving on the 12th (?).

The other ships proceeded to Suez, arriving on 12/13 August. (27)

10 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMAS Parramatta (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Walker, MVO, RAN) arrived at Port Sudan after convoy escort duty. (26)

13 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2200B/13, the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Port Sudan.

Around 1300B/13, she joined the transport Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911) and took over escort from the sloop HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN). These ships had departed Suez on 11 August.

HMS Ceres was to escort the Ellenga southwards towards Aden. She parted company with the Ellenga at 1900B/15 and then proceeded towards Berbera to participate in operations there [see the event for 16 August.] (26)

19 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Aden from operations off Berbera, Italian Somaliland. (26)

22 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Aden escorting the transport Khandalla (British, 7018 GRT, built 1923) to Mombasa. (28)

30 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the transport Khandalla (British, 7018 GRT, built 1923) arrived at Mombasa from Aden. (26)

1 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa to patrol off the Seychelles. (29)

4 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles, where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918). On completion she departed again to resume her patrol. (29)

8 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived Mombasa with the transport Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929) which had parted company with convoy WS 2 on 7 September 1940 after HMS Ceres had made rendesvous with that convoy on the return trip from her patrol off the Seychelles.

[For more info on convoy WS 2, see the event ' Convoy WS 2 ' for 6 August 1940.] (29)

11 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa to patrol off Mogadishu. (29)

15 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa from patrol. (29)

17 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for a patrol along the east coast of southern Africa. The patrol was to end at Durban. (29)

22 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (29)

24 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 24/25 September 1940, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN), conducted a patrol off Durban. (29)

27 Sep 1940

Convoy CM 3.

This convoy departed Durban on 27 September 1940 for Mombasa where it arrived on 3 October 1940.

The convoy was made up of the transports; Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929) and Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN). (30)

6 Oct 1940

Convoy KD 1.

This convoy departed Mombasa on 6 October 1940 for Durban where it arrived on 11 October 1940.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929) and Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN). (31)

15 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy CM 4.

This convoy departed Durban on 15 October 1940 for Mombasa where it arrived on 21 October 1940.

The convoy was made up of the transports; Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914) and Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN). (31)

24 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for a patrol along the east coast of southern Africa. The patrol was to end at Durban. (32)

31 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol. (32)

2 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is docked at the Durban Dockyard. (33)

8 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked. (33)

9 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Durban for Capetown. (33)

11 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Capetown from Durban. (33)

12 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Capetown to escort the troopship Westernland (Dutch, 16313 GRT, built 1918) to Durban. (33)

15 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the troopship Westernland (Dutch, 16313 GRT, built 1918) arrived at Durban from Capetown. (33)

21 Nov 1940

Convoy CM 6.

This convoy departed Durban on 21 November 1940 for Mombasa where it arrived on 27 November 1940.

The convoy was made up of the troop transports; Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914), Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938) and Westernland (Dutch, 16313 GRT, built 1918).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN).

[Note: File ADM 199/383 does not list the Selandia as being part of this convoy but the sailing and arrival dates match according to file BT-389-26-183.] (34)

28 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa to patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland. (34)

2 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa from patrol. (35)

3 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa to patrol off the Seychelles. (36)

9 Dec 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel. After doing so she departed again later the same day to patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland. (36)

17 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa from patrol. (35)

22 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa to patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland. (35)

29 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa from patrol. (35)

2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for Dar es Salaam where she arrived the following day. (37)

3 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Dar es Salaam for Lindi where she arrived the following day. (37)

5 Jan 1941
At Lindi, the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) fuelled and stored four M/S whalers of the 142nd Minesweeping Group. These were the Sarna, Soika, Sotra and Svana.

All ships then departed Lindi later the same day. (37)

6 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa from Lindi. (37)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa to patrol off Kismayu, Italian Somaliland. (37)

16 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa from patrol. (37)

19 Jan 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for escort duty with convoy SW 4B.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SW 4B ' for 12 January 1941. (37)

25 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Durban with convoy SW 4B. (37)

29 Jan 1941
Around 0615B/29, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Durban for escort duty with convoy WS 5A.

[For more information on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 5A ' for 18 December 1940.] (38)

5 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa after convoy escort duty. (39)

28 Feb 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Kismayu for Merca. (39)

1 Mar 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Merca. She departed for Mombasa later the same day. (40)

2 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa with 268 former Allied prisoners freed in Italian Somaliland. (40)

5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa with troops and supplies she is to land at Merca. (40)

6 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) landed troops and supplies at Merca, Somalia. She departed for Kismayu later the same day. (40)

7 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Kismayu. (40)

8 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Kismayu for Mombasa. (40)

9 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa from Kismayu. (40)

14 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for Mogadishu. (40)

16 Mar 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mogadishu from Mombasa. (40)

18 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mogadishu for Kismayo. (40)

19 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Kismayo from Mogadishu. She departed for Mombasa later the same day. (40)

20 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa from Somalia. (40)

3 Apr 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for Mogadishu. She was escorting the troopship Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927). (41)

5 Apr 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the troopship Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) arrived at Mogadishu from Mombasa. (41)

6 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the troopship Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) departed Mogadishu for Berbera. (41)

10 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745D/10, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) parted company with the troopship Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) off Berbera. HMS Ceres then set course for Aden where she arrived later the same day. (41)

11 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Aden for Mombasa. (41)

16 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa from Aden. (41)

21 Apr 1941

Convoy CM 8.

This convoy departed Mombasa on 21 April 1941. The convoy was dispersed off Aden in the morning of 28 April 1941.

The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; City of Athens (British, 6558 GRT, built 1923), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920), LLandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926) and Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN).

At 0230D/27, the LLandaff Castle was detached to Berbera.

At 0640D/28, the convoy was dispersed and the remaining ships proceeded to Suez independently.

HMS Ceres then proceeded to Aden where she arrived later the same day. (42)

28 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (41)

30 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Aden for Assab.

At 1607C/30, she saw the auxiliary patrol vessel HMIS Parvati (Lt. H.M.S. Choudry, RIN) being mined and sinking in 1.5 minutes.

HMS Ceres then set course to clear the 100 fathom line and she lowered boats to pick up survivors. After doing so course was set to return to Aden. (41)

1 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived back at Aden. (43)

1 May 1941

Convoy SW 6.

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

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

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

On departure from Suez the convoy was not escorted.

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

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

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

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

The convoy arrived at Durban on 16 May 1941. (42)

6 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Aden to join convoy SW 6 coming from Suez.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SW 6 ' for 1 May 1941.] (43)

11 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa after convoy escort duty. (43)

13 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Mombasa for patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Somalia. (43)

20 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Mombasa from patrol. (43)

24 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy CM 9.

This convoy departed Mombasa on 24 May 1941 for Berbera where it arrived on 29 May 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following transports; Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910), Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN). (42)

29 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (43)

2 Jun 1941

Convoy SW 7.

This convoy departed Aden on 2 June 1941 for Durban where it arrived on 12 June 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following troop transports; Duchess of Athol (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928), Empress of Australia (British, 21883 GRT, built 1914), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929), Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) and Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN).

Around 0900C/7, the light cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) joined. HMS Ceres then parted company taking the Mombasa section of the convoy, made up of the Orontes, Strathnaver, Strathmore and Viceroy of India with her. They arrived at Mombasa later on the 7th.

HMS Colombo then proceeded to Durban with the remaining two ships arriving there on 12 May 1941. (42)

9 Jun 1941

Convoy SW 7A.

This convoy departed Mombasa on 9 June 1941 for Durban where it arrived on 14 June 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following troop transports; Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925),Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) and Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN).

The convoy arrived at Durban on 14 June 1941.

18 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Durban for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (44)

24 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel. She departed for Colombo later the same day. (44)

2 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Colombo where she was to refit. (44)

4 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Upon completion of de-ammunitioning, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN), is docked at Colombo and taken in hand for refit. (45)

27 Jul 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked. During the procedure she damaged her port screw when it contacted the pier. She was later docked again [See 30th, July]. (45)

30 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is docked again at Colombo. (45)

4 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked. (45)

11 Aug 1941
W/ith her refit completed, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN), departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (46)

12 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (46)

14 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Trincomalee. (46)

16 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Trincomalee. (46)

18 Aug 1941
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Trincomalee on completion of which she set course for Bombay where she arrived on the 24th. (46)

29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from convoy escort duty. Before entering harbour she conducted gunnery exercises. (46)

5 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Trincomalee for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (47)

10 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Trincomalee. (47)

12 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Mombasa. (47)

15 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Mombasa from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (47)

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