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Notable events involving Caradoc include:

The page for HMS Caradoc was last updated in December 2021.

7 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland. (1)

11 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) both departed Portland to provide cover for convoy operations to and from France. (2)

14 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (2)

16 Sep 1939
The light cruisers HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Plymouth for a patrol in the Western Approaches. (3)

17 Sep 1939

The sinking of HMS Courageous.

HMS Courageous sinking as seen from one of the escorting destroyers.

HMS Courageous (Capt. W.T. Makeig-Jones, RN) was on anti-submarine patrol about 350 nautical miles west of Lands End, still escorted by HMS Inglefield (Capt. A.G. Talbot, RN), HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. B. Jones, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. J.W. Josselyn, RN).

At 1445 hours, the group picked up a distress call from the British merchant Kafiristan that was being attacked by the German submarine U-53 about 350 miles west of Cape Clear. The destroyers HMS Inglefield and HMS Intrepid were detached and the carrier launched four Swordfish aircraft, one of them forced the U-boat to dive without damaging it at 1700 hours.

At about 1800 hours, another U-boat, U-29, spotted the carrier group and began chasing it, but had no chance to get into a favorable attack position until the carrier turned into the wind to recover the four Swordfish returning from the search for U-53. She was now heading on a straight course at 18 knots towards the U-boat which attacked only five minutes after the last aircraft landed. At 1950 hours, U-29 fired a spread of three G7e torpedoes at HMS Courageous and hit her with two of them on the port side abaft the bridge. She almost immediately took a heavy list to port and sank after 17 minutes about 190 miles southwest of Dursey Head, Ireland.

The Commanding Officer, 17 other officers and 501 ratings were lost, including 36 RAF service crewmen. All Swordfish aircraft of 811 and 822 Sqdn FAA were lost with the ship.

While HMS Ivanhoe attacked U-29 with depth charges, HMS Impulsive began to rescue the survivors and was soon joined by the American merchant Collingsworth, the British merchant Dido and the Dutch passenger ship Veendam, which launched 14 lifeboats and also saved the ships log. The rescue work proved difficult due to the heavily oiled sea. Further help arrived when HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. C. Caslon, RN) and HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, RAN) joined HMS Ivanhoe in the submarine hunt together with the by now returned HMS Intrepid, but the U-boat escaped during the night. Also two light cruisers, HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at the scene together with the destroyer HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), but the cruisers were soon ordered away.

The merchant Dido had picked up 23 officers and 195 ratings and was escorted to Liverpool by HMS Intrepid. The survivors rescued by the neutral merchants were transferred to HMS Inglefield and HMS Kelly and arrived at Devonport (Plymouth) on the afternoon of 19 September.

After this loss and the unsuccessful attack of U-39 on HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN) only three days earlier, carriers were withdrawn from such patrols as they were considered to be to valuable.

20 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol. (2)

21 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) both departed Plymouth to provide cover for convoy operations to and from France. (2)

23 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) both retuned to Plymouth. (2)

25 Sep 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) is docked in No.9 Dock at the Devonport Dockyard. (1)

6 Oct 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) is undocked. (4)

7 Oct 1939
Around 1100A/7, the battleships HMS Resolution (Capt. C.H. Knox-Little, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN), HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) and the destroyers HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Fryer, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. H. Gartside-Tippinge, RN) and HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. A.R.M. Black, RN) departed Portland for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Both battleships had silver on board for safe storage in Canada.

Around 1645A/7, the light cruisers HMS Emerald (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN), HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. A.G. Talbot, RN) and HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. B. Jones, RN), departed Plymouth. Both E-class cruiser had gold bullion on board for safe storage in Canada.

Around 1900A/7 both forces made rendezvous.

The destroyers parted company around 1930A/8.

They arrived at Halifax on the 16th and were escorted into port by the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN) which had joined around 0630Q/16. (4)

18 Oct 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (4)

20 Oct 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Bermuda. After fuelling she departed for Kingston, Jamaica together with HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. A. Poland, DSO, RN). (5)

25 Oct 1939
The German tanker Emmy Friedrich (4372 GRT, built 1904) departed Tampico, Mexico to try to break out into the Atlantic.

Light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, RN) and the destroyer HMCS Saguenay (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) were ordered to patrol in the Yukatan Strait.

The light cruisers HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. A. Poland, DSO, RN) and HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) which had been en-route from Bermuda to Kingston, Jamaica were diverted to patrol north of Cuba to try to intercept.

At 2120R/24, HMS Despatch sighted an unknown ship and altered course to close to investigate.

At 2215R/24, HMS Despatch stopped to sent over a boarding party and armed guard to inspect the suspicious vessel which claimed to be the Belgian Ostende (4528 GRT, built 1903).

At 2251R/24, the boarding officer reported that the ship was the German Emmy Friederich and four minutes later the German ship started to sink having been scuttled by her crew which then started to abandon ship.

In the meantime HMS Caradoc, which had been nearby, had sighted the suspicious vessel at 2130R/24 and had also altered course to investigate. She now took the cutter with the boarding party and armed guard in tow while also rescuing the German crew.

At 0030R/25, HMS Caradoc sent over her own boarding party to try to salvage the German ship. They returned at 0115R/25 having been unable to stop the inflow of water.

At 0500R/25, the Emmy Friederich sank.

HMS Caradoc remained in the area to sink the German lifeboats while HMS Despatch left the area for Kingston followed later by HMS Caradoc. (6)

27 Oct 1939
HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. A. Poland, DSO, RN) and HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) both arrived at Kingston from patrol. (5)

3 Nov 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Kingston for Colon. (7)

6 Nov 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Colon.

She then entered the Panama Canal and arrived at Balboa later the same day. (7)

7 Nov 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Balboa for patrol towards Cocos Island. (7)

9 Nov 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Orangeleaf (5927 GRT, built 1917) off Cocos Island.

Meanwhile HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. A. Poland, DSO, RN) also arrived at the rendezvous. She fuelled after HMS Caradoc had completed doing so.

Both cruisers then resumed patrol. HMS Caradoc proceeded to the north-east towards San Diego. HMS Despatch proceeded to the south-west towards the coast of Equador. (8)

16 Nov 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at San Diego to fuel. She departed for Esquimalt later the same day. (7)

19 Nov 1939
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Esquimalt where she is to undergo major turbine repairs as well as a regular refit. (7)

2 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) is docked at Esquimalt. (9)

4 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) is undocked. (9)

11 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) conducted full power trials off Esquimalt. (9)

15 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) conducted compass swing and D/F trials off Esquimalt followed by exercises during the night of 15/16 April. (9)

17 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) conducted exercises off Esquimalt. (9)

19 Apr 1940
During 19/20 April 1940, HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Esquimalt. These included night exercises. (9)

26 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Esquimalt.

She departed for San Pedro, California, USA later the same day. (9)

29 Apr 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at San Pedro to fuel. 700 tons had been requisted but she was only allowed to take in 100 tons due to the Neutrality Law. HMS Caradoc departed later the same day.

The next fuelling rendezvous would have been in the Gulf of Panama with the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937) but this could not be made. The tanker was therefore sent to the Gulf of Fonseca. (9)

7 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937) off the Gulf of Fonseca.

HMS Caradoc set course for Balboa on completion of fuelling. (10)

9 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) transited the Panama Canal eastbound and then set course for Kingston, Jamaica. (10)

10 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica. (10)

11 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands West Indies. They had on board troops and equipment for the Dutch Island. (10)

12 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) and HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN) arrived at Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands West Indies. (10)

17 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Curacao to patrol near the island. (10)

20 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) returned to Willemstad, Curacao. She departed for Kingston, Jamaica later the same day. (10)

22 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Kingston. (10)

23 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for Willemstad, Curacao. (10)

25 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Willemstad, Curacao. (10)

27 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Willemstad, Curacao for Kingston, Jamaica but shortly after departure she was ordered to proceed to Bermuda instead. (10)

31 May 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Bermuda. (10)

5 Jun 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) departed Bermuda for Halifax. (11)

7 Jun 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN) arrived at Halifax. (11)

11 Jun 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Halifax to patrol off Nantucket. (12)

17 Jun 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Halifax. (11)

3 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Halifax for Sydney, Cape Brenton Island. (13)

4 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Sydney, Cape Brenton Island. (13)

9 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Sydney, Cape Brenton Island for Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. (13)

10 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. (13)

11 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for Halifax. (13)

12 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Halifax. (13)

18 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Halifax for St. John's, Newfoundland. (13)

19 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland. (13)

21 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from St. John's, Newfoundland to Trinity, Newfoundland. (13)

22 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from Trinity, Newfoundland to Lewisporte, Newfoundland. (13)

24 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from Lewisporte, Newfoundland to Botwood, Newfoundland. (13)

26 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from Botwood, Newfoundland to Canada Bay, Newfoundland. (13)

27 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at / off Canada Bay, Newfoundland. (13)

28 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from Canada Bay, Newfoundland to Ariège Bay, Newfoundland. (13)

29 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded Ariège Bay, Newfoundland to St. John's, Newfoundland. (13)

30 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed St. John's, Newfoundland for Halifax, Nova Scotia. (13)

31 Jul 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia. (13)

1 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Halifax to patrol along the HX convoy route. She is to arrive at Bermuda on 5 August 1940. (14)

5 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from patrol. (14)

7 Aug 1940

Convoy BHX 64.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 7 August 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Algerian (British, 2315 GRT, built 1924), Athelchief (British (tanker), 10000 GRT, built 1939), Athelfoam (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1931), Athelmonarch (British (tanker), 8995 GRT, built 1928), Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Darlington Court (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), Eumila (British, 6207 GRT, built 1937), Fresno City (British, 4955 GRT, built 1929), Holmside (British, 3433 GRT, built 1930), Hopemount (British, 7434 GRT, built 1929), Inanda (British, 5985 GRT, built 1925), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Magician (British, 5105 GRT, built 1925), Mathilda (Norwegian, 3650 GRT, built 1920), Oilreliance (British (tanker), 5666 GRT, built 1929), Socony (British (tanker), 4404 GRT, built 1936), Stad Alkmaar (Dutch, 5750 GRT, built 1940), Tacoma City (British, 4738 GRT, built 1929) and West Cohas (British, 5647 GRT, built 1929).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN).

Convoy BHX 64 sighted convoy HX 64 coming from Halifax around 0900P/12 in position 43°24'N, 48°43'W. HMS Caradoc then parted company. The convoy joined up with HX 64 around 1630P/12. (14)

14 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (14)

16 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (14)

18 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda. (14)

20 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda to patrol along the Caribbean - Bermuda and Caribbean - U.K. shipping lanes passing through approximately 25°N, 66°W and 28°N, 62°W. (15)

23 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Bermuda from patrol. (14)

27 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda to escort the (troop)transports Lady Drake (Canadian, 7985 GRT, built 1928) and New Northland (Canadian, 3445 GRT, built 1926) to Kingston, Jamaica. (14)

31 Aug 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) and the (troop)transports Lady Drake (Canadian, 7985 GRT, built 1928) and New Northland (Canadian, 3445 GRT, built 1926) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica. (14)

1 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for Bermuda. She is to patrol along the Carribean - U.K. shipping lanes up to the 4th of September. (16)

5 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda. (16)

12 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda to patrol along the U.K. - Sombrero Passage shipping lane, also to pass through 30°N, 51°W and arrive at Tortola on 17 September. (17)

17 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Tortola. Before entering the harbour she fuelled from the chartered tanker San Adolfo (7365 GRT, 1935). (16)

19 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Tortola for patrol. She was to arrive at Bermuda on the 23th. (16)

23 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived on Bermuda from patrol. (16)

25 Sep 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda for St. Lucia via the Sombrero passage. (16)

27 Sep 1940
In the evening, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN), fuelled from the chartered tanker San Adolfo (7365 GRT, 1935) off Castries, St. Lucia.

HMS Caradoc then departed to patrol 100 miles to the east of Martinique with the Dutch sloop HrMs Van Kinsbergen (Cdr. J.L.K. Hoeke, RNN) to intercept the Vichy-French transport Mont Agel (4572 GRT, built 1920).

The Vichy-French ship was however not sighted as it first had proceeded to Guadaloupe and then to the east into the Atlantic. (17)

2 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Antigua.

She departed for St.Lucia later the same day. (18)

3 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) fuelled from the chartered tanker San Adolfo (7365 GRT, 1935) off Castries, St. Lucia.

She departed to patrol off Cayenne, French Guyana to try to intercept the Vichy-French armed merchant cruiser Quercy which was en-route there from Martinique.

It later became apparent that it was not possible to intercept the Vichy-Fench ship in time and HMS Caradoc was ordered to return to St.Lucia. (18)

4 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Castries, St. Lucia. She then topped off with fuel from the chartered tanker San Adolfo (7365 GRT, 1935). (19)

5 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed St. Lucia for Tobago. (18)

6 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Tobago. She went on to Port of Spain, Trinidad later the same day. (18)

17 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for St. Lucia. (19)

18 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at St. Lucia. She departed for Antigua later the same day. (19)

19 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Antigua.

She departed for patrol later the same day. She was to patrol to the east of Martinique to intercept the Vichy French merchant vessel Charles L.D. (5267 GRT, built 1934). However the Vichy-French vessel was not sighted and course was set at 1830Q/22 to Tortola to fuel and then to proceed to Bermuda where she was to arrive on 26 October. (19)

23 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) fuelled from the chartered tanker San Adolfo (7365 GRT, 1935) off Tortola. On completion she departed for Bermuda. (19)

26 Oct 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from patrol. At Bermuda she is taken in hand for a short refit including a docking. (19)

9 Nov 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) is docked at Bermuda. (20)

14 Nov 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) is undocked. (20)

1 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda to patrol in the Florida Strait. The German merchant vessels Idarwald (5033 GRT, built 1923) and Rhein (6031 GRT, built 1926) had departed Tampico, Mexico on 29 November, and Allied warships were positioned to intercept them. (21)

8 Dec 1940
In the late afternoon / early evening, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN), fuelled from the RFA tanker War Brahmin (5545 GRT, built 1921) off Nassau, Bahama's. (22)

11 Dec 1940
HrMs Van Kinsbergen (Cdr. J.L.K. Hoeke, RNN) intercepts the German merchant vessel Rhein (6031 GRT, built 1926) west of the Florida Strait in position 24°55'N, 83°15'W. Unfortunately before the German ship can be captured it is set on fire by her own crew. The wreck is sunk later that day by the HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN).

13 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (22)

15 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for patrol and fuelling off Nassau, Bahamas. (21)

17 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Nassau, Bahamas where she fuelled from the RFA tanker War Brahmin (5545 GRT, built 1921). (22)

19 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Nassau, Bahamas for Bermuda. (22)

21 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda.

She quickly fuelled and immediately departed on patrol as a German surface vessel had roughly located by D/F to be about 900 nautical miles north-east of Bermuda. HMS Caradoc was to proceed at 18 knots along the track of convoy BHX 98 which had departed Bermuda the previous day and was now diverted to the westward of the intended route. (21)

27 Dec 1940
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from patrol. (22)

2 Jan 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Bermuda. (23)

5 Jan 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda for patrol. She was to provide cover for the shipping lanes to the north of the Mona and Sombrero Passages. (24)

11 Jan 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from patrol. (23)

18 Jan 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for patrol. She was ordered to patrol the shipping lanes to the south-east of Trinidad so as to cover shipping between North America and South and West Africa. (24)

22 Jan 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Port of Spain, Trinidad from patrol. (24)

26 Jan 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad to make rendezvous with the transport Tamerlane (Norwegian, 6778 GRT, built 1936) which was en-route from North America to Takoradi and had on board 120 aircraft. HMS Caradoc was to escort her as far as fuel permitted.

Rendezvous was effected around 1736Q/27.

HMS Caradoc parted company with the Tamerlane around 1800P/31. (24)

4 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Port of Spain, Trinidad from escort duty. (25)

8 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Castries, St. Lucia. (25)

9 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. She departed for Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands West Indies later the same day. (25)

11 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands West Indies. (25)

14 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from Willemstad, Curacao to Oranjestad, Aruba. (25)

16 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Oranjestad, Aruba to make rendezvous with HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) and to proceed to Kingston, Jamaica on completion of these. (25)

17 Feb 1941
Around 0845R/17, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) and HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 15°48'N, 73°54'E. Exercises were then commenced and continued on until the cruisers arrived at Kingston, Jamaica around 0800R/19. (26)

24 Feb 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) and HMCS Prince Henry (A/Capt. R.I. Agnew, OBE, RCN) conducted exercises off Kingston, Jamaica. (25)

1 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for Puerto Barrios, Guatemala for a port visit. (27)

3 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at for Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. (28)

4 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) proceeded from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala to Tela, Hunduras. (28)

5 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Tela, Hunduras for Kingston, Jamaica. (28)

7 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Kingston, Jamaica. (28)

11 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica to patrol between the Mona Passage and Bermuda. (27)

14 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) is ordered to return to Kingston. (29)

17 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (27)

18 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica to relieve HrMs Van Kinsbergen (Cdr. J.L.K. Hoeke, RNN) on patrol off Cartagena, Colombia.

HMS Caradoc took over the patrol duties in the afternoon of the following day. (27)

25 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica from patrol. (27)

31 Mar 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for patrol which is to end at Bermuda. She is to pass through position 25°N, 65°W. (27)

4 Apr 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from patrol. (30)

11 Apr 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda for Port of Spain, Trinidad. En-route she was to pass through position 20°N, 60°W. (30)

15 Apr 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from Bermuda.

She departed for Barbedos later the same day. (30)

16 Apr 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Barbedos.

She departed to patrol east of Martinue later the same day to relieve HMCS Prince David (Cdr. K.F. Adams, RCN) which she did around 0545Q/17. (30)

24 Apr 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from patrol. (31)

29 Apr 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad to make rendezvous in the Mid-Atlantic with the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Cdr. G.S. Tuck, RN) and her current escort HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN). (30)

4 May 1941
Around 1100P/4, in approximate position 05°04'N, 45°10'W, HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN), turned over the escort of HMS Illustrious (Cdr. G.S. Tuck, RN) over to HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN).

HMS Caradoc and HMS Illustrious then continued on to Trinidad. HMS Dorsetshire set course for Freetown. (32)

7 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) and HMS Illustrious (Cdr. G.S. Tuck, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad. (33)

11 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) and HMCS Prince David (Cdr. K.F. Adams, RCN) both departed Port of Spain, Trinidad to establish a patrol about 200 nautical miles to the east of Martinique. The object of the patrol was to intercept an enemy raider or a laden Vichy-French merchant vessel proceeding from the French West Indies to France of French North Africa. (34)

18 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Tortola where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937).

On completion of fuelling, HMS Caradoc, departed again to patrol within 200 nautical miles from the Lesser Antilles and east of 65°W. Object of the patrol was to intercept Vichy-French ships outside territorial waters. (34)

22 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad to refuel. Having completed doing so she immediately departed again to resume her patrol. (35)

24 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad to refuel. Having completed doing so she immediately departed again to resume her patrol. (35)

27 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from patrol. (35)

28 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Castries, St. Lucia. (35)

29 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. (35)

30 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia to patrol off Martinique. (35)

31 May 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia from a patrol off Martinique during last night. (35)

2 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia to patrol to the east of Martinique to intercept laden Vichy-French merchant vessels proceeding from the Lesser Antilles to North Africa or France. (36)

4 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Castries, St. Lucia from patrol. (37)

10 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia for Port of Spain, Trinidad. (37)

11 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad. (37)

13 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Castries, St. Lucia. (36)

14 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. (37)

15 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia to patrol to the east of Martinique to try to intercept the Vichy-French merchant vessel Duc d'Aumale (4452 GRT, built 1913) which was due to leave Martinique for France. (36)

16 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Portsmouth, Dominica from patrol. (37)

17 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Portsmouth, Dominica to resume her patrol off Martinique. (37)

18 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia from patrol. (37)

24 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia for Bermuda. (37)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda for a short refit. (36)

25 Jul 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda for Kingston, Jamaica. (38)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica. (39)

31 Jul 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for the Grand Cayman Islands. (38)

2 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Georgetown, Cayman Islands. (40)

3 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Georgetown, Cayman Islands for Port of Spain, Trinidad. (41)

7 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad. (40)

8 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Castries, St. Lucia. (40)

9 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. (40)

10 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia for St. Thomas. (41)

11 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at St. Thomas. (40)

12 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed St. Thomas to escort the transport Fort Lamy (British, 5242 GRT, built 1919) to the Virgin passage and then to proceed to Castries, St. Lucia. (41)

13 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. (41)

14 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia for Port of Spain, Trinidad. (41)

15 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad. (41)

18 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Castries, St. Lucia. (41)

19 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. (41)

24 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia for Bermuda. (41)

27 Aug 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Castries, St. Lucia.

[No logs are available for the period September 1941 to March 1942 so some datails might be missing.] (41)

4 Sep 1941
During the night of 4/5 September 1941, HMS Diomede (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) and HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) conducted exercises off Bermuda. The exercises continued until the afternoon of the 5th. (42)

15 Sep 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda to make rendezvous the following day with the transport Lady Drake (Canadian, 7985 GRT, built 1928) in position 32°N, 70°W.

She was then to escort the transport to position 43°N, 62°W. (29)

18 Sep 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Halifax from escort duty. (43)

23 Sep 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Halifax for Bermuda. (44)

26 Sep 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Halifax. (44)

8 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda for Port of Spain, Trinidad. (44)

13 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad from Bermuda. (44)

15 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Castries, St. Lucia. (44)

16 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia. (44)

19 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia for Bermuda. (43)

23 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Castries, St. Lucia. (44)

26 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Bermuda for New York where she is to refit at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. (44)

28 Oct 1941
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at New York. She went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard the following day for refit and turbine repairs. (43)

14 Mar 1942
With her refit completed HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed New York for Norfolk and a few days of working up in Chespeake Bay.

[As no log is available for March 1942 no further details can be given.] (43)

15 Mar 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Norfolk / Chespeake Bay. (43)

21 Mar 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Norfolk / Chespeake Bay for Halifax, Nova Scotia. (43)

23 Mar 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia. (43)

25 Mar 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Halifax, Nova Scotia for Plymouth. (43)

1 Apr 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth where she went to the Devonport Dockyard to complete her refit. (45)

1 May 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), departed Plymouth for the Clyde. (46)

2 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock. (46)

3 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Lamlash. (46)

4 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Lamlash, Isle of Arran. (46)

7 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Lamlash, Isle of Arran. (46)

8 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Lamlash, Isle of Arran to Greenock. (46)

10 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (46)

11 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a work-up period with the Home Fleet. (46)

20 May 1942
HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) and HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

During the exercises HMS Nelson might have been escorted by the escorted destroyers HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN), HMS Bleasdale (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, RN) (47)

22 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (46)

25 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (46)

27 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (46)

28 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock. (46)

30 May 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar. HMS Caradoc is to proceed to the Far East to join the Eastern Fleet. (48)

3 Jun 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (48)

5 Jun 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (48)

6 Jun 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) developed an engine defect and is forced to return to Gibraltar. (48)

7 Jun 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived back at Gibraltar for repairs. (48)

1 Jul 1942
With her engine repairs completed, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (49)

7 Jul 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (49)

9 Jul 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for Pointe Noire. (49)

13 Jul 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire. (49)

14 Jul 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Pointe Noire for Simonstown. (49)

19 Jul 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (49)

3 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (50)

4 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and take over the escort of the cable laying ship John W. MacKay (British, 4049 GRT, built 1922).

Rendezvous was effected around 1000B/5.

HMS Caradoc and the John W. MacKay arrived at Capetown on August 7th. (50)

8 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown. (50)

11 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown where she joined the cable laying ship John W. MacKay (British, 4049 GRT, built 1922) to escort her to Durban where they arrived on August 15th. (50)

16 Aug 1942

Convoy CM 31.

This convoy departed Durban on 16 August 1942 and arrived at Aden on 31 August 1942.

The convoy was made up of the following transports / troopships; Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926) and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN).

At 2200C/23, HMS Caradoc parted company with the convoy to proceed to Diego Suarez.

Around 0815C/25, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) joined in position 06.40'S, 49.02'E and shortly afterwards the convoy split up into the ' Aden section ' made up of the Ascanius, Kosciuszko and Salween and was escorted by HMS Chital and the ' Bombay section ' made up of the Indrapoera and Nova Scotia and was escorted by HMS Worcestershire.

The ' Aden section ' arrived at Aden on 31 August and the ' Bombay section ' arrived at Bombay on 1 September. (51)

24 Aug 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (50)

22 Sep 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Kilindini. (52)

24 Sep 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (52)

28 Sep 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Kilindini. (52)

29 Sep 1942
During 29/30 September 1942, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. These included night exercises. HMS Valiant was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN). (53)

30 Sep 1942

Convoy CM 32B

This convoy departed Kilindini on 30 September 1942 for Bombay where it arrived on 9 October 1942.

The convoy was actually only made up of one transport the Khandalla (British, 7018 GRT, built 1923).

Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN). Local escort was provided until 1900C/30 by the corvette HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR).

The 'convoy' arrived at Bombay on 9 October 1942. (52)

10 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Duncan Drydock at the Bombay Dockyard. (54)

12 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (54)

13 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Bahrein. (54)

16 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahrein where she joined the Persian Gulf Division. (54)

18 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bahrein for Shatt Al-Arab. (55)

19 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Shatt Al-Arab. (54)

20 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Shatt Al-Arab for Bandar Abbas. (54)

21 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Shatt Al-Arab for Bandar Abbas. (54)

24 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. (54)

26 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Sharjah. (54)

28 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Sharjah to Henjam Island. (54)

29 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Khasab Bay. (54)

31 Oct 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Khor Kuwai. (54)

2 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Bandar Abbas. (56)

4 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas to patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (56)

5 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Khassab Bay from patrol. She departed for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz later the same day. (56)

6 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) returned to Khassab Bay from patrol. She departed for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz later the same day. (56)

7 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khassab Bay to Henjam Island. (56)

8 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Khor Kuwai. She departed Khor Kuwai to patrol in the Strait of Hormuz later the same day. (56)

9 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bandar Abbas from patrol. (56)

10 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for patrol. (56)

11 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Henjam Island from patrol. (56)

12 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Sharjah. (56)

13 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Sharjah to Khor Kuwai. She proceeded from Khor Kuwai to Bandar Abbas later the same day. (56)

28 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. (56)

29 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Bahrein. (56)

30 Nov 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahrein. (57)

3 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bahrein for Bandar Lengeh. (58)

4 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bandar Lengeh. (59)

6 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Lengeh to Khor Kuwai. (59)

7 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (59)

8 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bandar Abbas from patrol. (59)

9 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for patrol. (59)

10 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Sharjah from patrol. She proceeded from Sharjah to Henjam Island later the same day. (59)

11 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Henjam Island to Khor Kuwai. (59)

12 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed from Khor Kuwai to Khasab Bay. (59)

17 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted 3" gunnery exercises off Umm al Fayarin Island. She returned to Khasab Bay later in the day. (59)

21 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Bandar Abbas. (59)

23 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. She went on to Khasab Bay later the same bay. (59)

27 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Khow Kuwai. She went on to Bandar Abbas later the same day. (59)

29 Dec 1942
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khow Kuwai. She went on to Henjam Island later the same day. (59)

1 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Henjan Island for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (60)

2 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai. She proceeded to Khassab Bay later the same day. (60)

3 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khassab Bay to Bandar Abbas. (60)

4 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Bandar Abbas to Khor Kuwai. She proceeded to Khassab Bay later the same day. (60)

7 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed from Khassab Bay to Khor Kuwai and returned to Khassab Bay later the same day. (60)

8 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) proceeded from Khassab Bay to Bandar Abbas. (60)

10 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for Bahrein. (60)

11 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahrein. (60)

12 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Bahrein for Bombay. (60)

16 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Bombay. (60)

22 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is docked in the Hughes Drydock at Bombay. (60)

29 Jan 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) is undocked. (60)

17 Feb 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Bombay. (60)

21 Feb 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Bombay. (60)

22 Feb 1943
During 22/23 February 1943, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Bombay. (60)

24 Feb 1943

Convoy BA 38.

This convoy departed Bombay on 24 February 1943 and arrived at Aden on 3 March 1943.

This convoy was made up of the transports; Jehangir (British, 3566 GRT, built 1924) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN).

3 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (61)

4 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini. (61)

9 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (61)

10 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for Diego Suarez. (61)

12 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez and departed for Tamatave later the same day. (61)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Tamatave. (61)

14 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Tamatave for Diego Suarez. (61)

15 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. She departed for Kilindini later the same day, escorting the transport Kutsang (British, 5847 GRT, built 1922). (61)

18 Mar 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Kutsang (British, 5847 GRT, built 1922) arrived at Kilindini. (61)

22 Mar 1943

Convoy CM 40.

This convoy departed Durban on 22 March 1943.

On departure from Durban the convoy was made up of the following transports; Cap Tourane (British, 8009 GRT, built 1923), City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).

The auxiliary fleet repair ship HMS Wayland (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.S. Carson, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN), HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN), destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN).

Around 1200C/26, HMAS Napier left the convoy. She returned to Durban around 1000B/28.

Around 1630C/26, HMS Chitral, HMS Quality and HMS Catterick parted company with the convoy. They returned to Durban around 1400B/28.

Around 1200C/30, The ' Aden section ' (CM 40A) of the convoy parted company. HMS Canton continued on with the ' Bombay section ' (CM 40B) which was made up of the City of Canterbury, City of London, Dilwara and Empire Trooper. They arrived at Bombay on 8 April 1943.

Meanwhile the ' Aden section ', which was made up of the Cap Tourane, Devonshire, Empire Woodlark, Khedive Ismael and Pulaski, was joined around 0840/1 by their escort, the light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) which had departed Kilindini around 0615C/1. They arrived at Aden on 8 April 1943.

30 Mar 1943
During 30/31 March 1943, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. These included night exercises.

On completion of the exercises HMS Resolution, HMAS Nizam and HMAS Quickmatch proceeded to Manza Bay. (62)

1 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for escort duty with convoy CM 40(A).

[For more info this convoy see the event ' Convoy CM 40 ' for 22 March 1943.] (63)

8 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from escort duty with convoy CM 40A. (63)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Kilindi. (63)

13 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini from Aden. (63)

21 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises followed shortly afterwards by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

Excercises were carried out during the afternoon and the evening. Shortly after midnight HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez.

HMS Mauritius arrived at Manza Bay on the 22nd, while HMS Caradoc retuned to Kilindini / Mombasa. (64)

28 Apr 1943
From 28 to 30 April 1943, HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (65)

7 May 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini escorting the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) to Diego Suarez. (66)

10 May 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) arrived at Diego Suarez.

The both departed for Tulear later the same day. (66)

14 May 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) arrived at Tulear.

HMS Caradoc departed for Diego Suarez later the same day. (66)

17 May 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. She departed for Kilindini later the same day. (66)

19 May 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (66)

25 May 1943
From 25 to 28 May exercises were carried out by ships from the Eastern Fleet off Kilindini. The following ships participated in these exercises; battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

HMS Chitral returned to Kilindini early, on May 27th. (67)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (68)

7 Jun 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived in the Seychelles to conduct landing exercises near Port Victoria. (68)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Diego Suarez, Madagascar. (68)

12 Jun 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. She departed for Durban later the same day. (68)

17 Jun 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban where she is taken in hand to be outfitted to serve as gunnery training ship. (68)

7 Jul 1943
During 7/8 July 1943, HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (69)

16 Aug 1943
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) is fumigated at Durban. The crew returned on board the following morning. (70)

18 Aug 1943
During 18/19 August 1943, HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (70)

7 Sep 1943
During 7/8 September 1943, HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (71)

12 Oct 1943
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (72)

14 Oct 1943
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (72)

24 Oct 1943
During 24/25 October 1943, HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN), conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (72)

9 Nov 1943
During 9/10 November 1943, HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN), conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (73)

25 Jan 1944
During 25/26 January 1944, HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN), conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (73)

22 Feb 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) conducted gunnery training exercises off Durban. (74)

28 Feb 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) departed Durban for Colombo via Diego Suarez, Madagascar and Port Victoria, Seychelles. At Colombo she is to serve as accomodation ship. (74)

4 Mar 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (75)

5 Mar 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Port Victoria. (75)

6 Mar 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) arrived at Port Victoria. (75)

7 Mar 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) departed Port Victoria for Colombo. (75)

12 Mar 1944
HMS Caradoc (A/Capt. E.F. Fitzgerald, RN) arrived at Colombo where she commenced service as accomodation ship in which role she still served when the war (with Japan) ended. (75)

22 Nov 1944
At 0800 on 22 November 1944, the flag of Admiral Sir A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, C-in-C, East Indies, was hoisted in HMS Caradoc.

When Japanese annouced her surrender on 14 August 1945 HMS Caradoc was still at Colombo. She returned to the U.K. in late 1945. (76)