Allied Warships

HMS La Flore

Torpedo boat of the La Melpoméne class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeTorpedo boat
ClassLa Melpoméne 
Pennant 
Built byCh.de Bretagne (Nantes, France) 
Ordered 
Laid down26 Mar 1934 
Launched5 Mar 1935 
Commissioned6 Jul 1940 
End service 1944 
HistoryCaptured by the British at Portsmouth on 3 July 1940.
Transferred to the Free French Navy around mid 1944 but laid up in reserve at Hartelpool, U.K.
Returned to Cherbourg on 9 September 1945.
Stricken 31 August 1950. 

Commands listed for HMS La Flore

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. Eric Lister Jones, RN6 Jul 19401 Oct 1940
2Lt.Cdr. James Arbouin Burnett, DSC, RN1 Oct 1940Jul 1941

3T/A/Lt.Cdr. Frank Clifford Hopkins, DSC, RNR29 Jun 194222 Oct 1942
4Lt. Philip Henry Grieves, RNR22 Oct 1942early 1943

5Lt. Frederick William Hayden, RN17 May 194323 Nov 1943
6Lt. John Mayling, RN25 Nov 1943mid 1944

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Notable events involving La Flore include:


25 Jun 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (1)

27 Jun 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (1)

3 Jul 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (2)

4 Jul 1941
HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN) and HMS La Flore. (3)

7 Jul 1941
HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR), HMS La Cordeliere (Lt. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS La Flore.

21 Jul 1941
HMS H 34 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (4)

27 Aug 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (5)

10 Sep 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (6)

16 Sep 1941
HMS H 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (7)

18 Sep 1941
HMS H 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore. (7)

14 Oct 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (8)

15 Oct 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt. A.J.G. Barff, RNR), HMS La Flore, HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (8)

16 Oct 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (8)

21 Oct 1941
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Flore. (8)

5 Nov 1941
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (9)

7 Dec 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR), HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (10)

12 Jan 1942
HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Boarhound (Skr. S.G. Jinks, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (11)

31 Jan 1942
HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) C.E. Lowther, RAN), HMS La Flore and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR). (11)

11 May 1942
HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN), HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR), HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN), HMS La Flore and HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN). (12)

15 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) proceeded to the Ardrossan area for night exercises with special forces. During these exercises she was escorted by HMS La Flore. (13)

16 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) and HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore. (13)

17 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore as target. (13)

17 May 1942
HMS P 222 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. MacKenzie, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore served as the target. (14)

21 May 1942
HMS P 222 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. MacKenzie, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore served as the target. (14)

23 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore as target. (13)

23 May 1942
HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore. (15)

1 Sep 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore as target. (16)

1 Sep 1942
HMS P 311 (Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.C. Hopkins, DSC, RNR) served as target. (17)

24 Oct 1942
HMS P 312 (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) conducted attack exercises off Campbeltown during which HMS La Flore (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR) served as the target. HMS P 312 proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (18)

11 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted RDF (radar) and attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) served as target. (19)

24 Jul 1943
HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) and HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN). (20)

7 Aug 1943
HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) served as the target. (21)

4 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear and HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN). These were followed by gunnery exercises on a target that was towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (22)

4 Sep 1943
HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted a deep dive trial in Loch Ranza. She also conducted a practice attack during which HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) served as the target. (23)

11 Sep 1943
HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) served as the target. (23)

9 Oct 1943
HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area which included a practice attack on HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN). Also gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (24)

25 Oct 1943
HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. (25)

25 Nov 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) served as target. (26)

25 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as the targets.

On completion of these exercises Stratagem departed the Clyde area for Londonderry escorted by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (27)

3 Dec 1943
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. after arriving off Campbeltown she participated in A/S exercises with HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR) and HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN). (28)

3 Dec 1943
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN). Vampire also conducted a deep dive trial. (29)

6 Dec 1943
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN). (28)

22 Dec 1943
HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) and HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) served as target. (30)

15 Jan 1944
HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) served as the target. (31)

24 Jan 1944
HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN). (32)

26 Jan 1944
HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR). (31)

31 Jan 1944
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. McKinlay, RNR) and HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN). (33)

1 Feb 1944
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR), HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN), HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN). (34)

16 Feb 1944
HMS H 32 (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) and HMS Borage (Lt. W.S. MacDonald, DSC, RNVR). (35)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/16740
  2. ADM 173/16741
  3. File 2.12.03.6367 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  4. ADM 173/16762
  5. ADM 173/167842
  6. ADM 173/16785
  7. ADM 173/16775
  8. ADM 173/16823
  9. ADM 173/16864
  10. File 2.12.03.6378 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  11. File 2.12.03.6369 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  12. ADM 173/17337
  13. ADM 173/17406
  14. ADM 173/17459
  15. ADM 173/17732
  16. ADM 173/17410
  17. ADM 173/17482
  18. ADM 173/17485
  19. ADM 173/18115
  20. ADM 173/17891
  21. ADM 173/18437
  22. ADM 173/18396
  23. ADM 173/18453
  24. ADM 173/18429
  25. ADM 173/18449
  26. ADM 173/18090
  27. ADM 173/18128
  28. File 2.12.03.6372 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  29. ADM 173/18443
  30. ADM 173/18097
  31. ADM 173/18850
  32. ADM 173/18469
  33. ADM 173/19312
  34. ADM 173/19313
  35. ADM 173/18477

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


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