Allied Warships

HMS Burnham (H 82)

Destroyer of the Town class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Town
Pennant	H 82
Built by	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. (Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)
Ordered
Laid down	3 Dec 1918
Launched	11 Apr 1919
Commissioned	9 Oct 1940
End service	Dec 1948
History	Renamed HMS Burnham, the destroyer began escort duties with the British Navy in December 1940. In early 1941 Burnham began a series of escort voyages between Iceland and Newfoundland. Throughout 1942 and 1943, Burnham worked mainly between Newfoundland and Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In 1944, she was used on aircraft training duties in the Western Approaches Command. Burnham was reduced to reserve at Milford Haven, Wales, in November 1944. HMS Burnham is not listed as active unit in the January 1945 Navy List She was ultimately scrapped at Pembroke, Wales in December 1948.
Former name	USS Aulick (DD 258)

Commands listed for HMS Burnham (H 82)

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.

	Commander	From	To
1	Lt.Cdr. John Bostock, DSC, RN	9 Oct 1940	5 Feb 1942
2	Lt.Cdr. Thomas Taylor, DSC, RN	5 Feb 1942	6 Mar 1943
3	Cdr. Ralph Cyril Medley, DSO, RN	6 Mar 1943	May 1943

4	Lt. Christopher Henry Rankin, RN	6 Jul 1943	late 1943
5	T/Lt. Leonard Macpherson Morrell Stamp, RNVR	late 1943	29 Aug 1944
6	Lt. Charles Alexander Headon Owen, DSC, RN	29 Aug 1944	late 1944

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Notable events involving Burnham include:

30 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 124.

This convoy departed Halifax on 30 April 1941 for Liverpool where it arrived on 20 May 1941.

Upon departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships: Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Alchiba (British, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Algenib (British, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), Auditor (British, 5444 GRT, built 1924), Baron Ogilvy (British, 3391 GRT, built 1926), Barrington Court (British, 4910 GRT, built 1924), Beaconstreet (British (tanker), 7467 GRT, built 1927), Botavon (British, 5848 GRT, built 1912), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), British Fortune (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), British Industry (British (tanker), 4297 GRT, built 1927), British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940), Daytonian (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Echodale (British (tanker), 8150 GRT, built 1941), Empire Hawk (British, 5033 GRT, built 1919), Empire Steel (British (tanker), 8138 GRT, built 1941), Gitano (British, 3956 GRT, built 1921), Harmala (British, 5730 GRT, built 1935), King Lud (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kingswood (British, 5080 GRT, built 1929), Korsholm (Swedish, 2647 GRT, built 1925), Madrono (Norwegian (tanker), 5894 GRT, built 1917), Morska Wola (Polish, 3208 GRT, built 1924), Pacific Enterprise (British, 6736 GRT, built 1927), Pomella (British (tanker), 6766 GRT, built 1937), Queen City (British, 4814 GRT, built 1924), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917), Varand (British (tanker), 6023 GRT, built 1927), Vera Radcliffe (British, 5587 GRT, built 1925), Vivi (Norwegian (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1932) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR). The corvettes were detached later the same day.

On 2 May the convoy was joined by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN). She detached from the convoy on 9 May.

On 11 May the destroyer HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) and corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR) joined the convoy

On 12 May the destroyers HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), corvettes HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR), and A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR), HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR), HMS Notts County (T/S.Lt. R.H. Hampton, RNR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) joined the convoy.

Around 0600Z/13, the destroyers HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1715Z/14 the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr. (retired) D.F. White, RNR) joined the convoy.

The destroyers HMS Scimitar, HMS Malcolm, corvettes HMS Aubretia, HMS Heliotrope, HMS Hollyhock, HMS Mallow, HMS Nigella, HMS Verbena, HMS Veronica and all the A/S trawlers were detached on 14 May.

Around 1200Z/15, the tanker British Industry and the transport Trolla (Norwegian, 1598 GRT, built 1923) [from convoy SC-30] were detached to Reykjavik escorted by HMS Mallow and HMS Verbena.

HMS Circassia, HMS Watchman and HMS Burwell were detached around 1810Z/15 while on the same day the destroyers HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), escort destroyer HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN), minesweepers HMS Hussar ( Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), HMS Niger ( Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bayley, DSC, RN), and catapult ship Ariguani joined the escort.

On 18 May the destroyer HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) joined the convoy. Also on this day HMS Leamington and HMS Anemone were detached.

On 19 May the destroyer HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) joined the escort.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 20 May 1941.

8 May 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN), HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR) and HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR). (1)

20 May 1941
The British merchant Harpagus is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-94 about 250 nautical miles south-south-east of Cape Farewell in position 56°47'N, 40°55'W. HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN) later picks up 40 survivors.

11 Jun 1941

Convoy OB 334.

This convoy departed the U.K. on 11 June 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alexia (British (tanker), 8016 GRT, built 1935), Armadale (British, 5066 GRT, built 1929), Athelprincess (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Barberrys (British, 5170 GRT, built 1920), Baron Carnegie (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Barrington Court (British, 4910 GRT, built 1924), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Bic Island (British, 4000 GRT, built 1917), British Colony (British (tanker), 6917 GRT, built 1927), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), British Destiny (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), British Faith (British, 6955 GRT, built 1928), Bulysses (British, 7519 GRT, built 1927), Bur (Norwegian, 4343 GRT, built 1917), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), Chr. Th. Boe (Norwegian (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1930), Clan Macilwraith (British, 4839 GRT, built 1924), Clan Macwhirter (British, 5941 GRT, built 1918), Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Empire Crossbill (British, 5463 GRT, built 1919), Empire Waterhen (British, 6004 GRT, built 1920), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Jade (British, 930 GRT, built 1938), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Luxor (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1930), Mandalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911), Mendoza (British, 8233 GRT, built 1919), Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927), Morgenen (Norwegian (tanker), 7093 GRT, built 1930), Nova (Norwegian, 1382 GRT, built 1925), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Ramsay (British, 4855 GRT, built 1930), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Saganaga (British, 5454 GRT, built 1935), Sepia (British (tanker), 6214 GRT, built 1936), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), Stigstad (British, 5964 GRT, built 1927), Taron (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936), Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938), Tower Field (British, 4241 GRT, built 1935), Trident (British, 4317 GRT, built 1917), Ulysses (British, 14647 GRT, built 1913), Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928) and Vardefjell (Norwegian (tanker), GRT, built 1940).

The merchant vessel Baron Carnegie which had departed Avonmouth, was sunk on 11 June 1941 by German torpedo aircraft off St. David's Head in position 51°55'N, 05°34'W.

On leaving UK waters the convoy was escorted by escorted by the destroyer HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), corvettes HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR), HMS Orchis (T/Lt. H. Vernon, RNR), HMS Polyanthus (Lt. A. Hague, RNR), minesweepers HMS Seagull ( Cdr.(Retd.) R.H.V. Sivewright, RN), HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. D. Lampen, RN) and the A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G. Ogden, RNVR) and HMS St. Loman (T/Lt. R.C. Warwick, RNR). Catapult ship HMS Maplin (A/Cdr. J.O. Davies, RNR) was also with the convoy. HMS Beagle, HMS Gladiolus, HMS Orchis, HMS Nigella, HMS Polyanthus, HMS Seagull, HMS Sharpshooter, HMS Ayrshire, HMS Lady Madeleine, HMS St. Loman and HMS Maplin were detached on the 17th after having been relieved by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Aurania (A/Capt. I.W. Whitehorn, RN), destroyers HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) and the corvettes HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR) and HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR). Destroyer HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) was briefly (between 1720N/19 and 2120N/19) with the convoy on the 19th, she rejoined the convoy at 0755O/20, after having reported the position of the convoy by W/T.

Battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruisers HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) and HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) joined the convoy in the late afternoon / early evening of the 20th.

Around 1500P/24, HMS Revenge, HMS Bulolo and HMS California parted company with the convoy in position 45°29'N, 55°24'W to proceed directly to Halifax.

Around 1700P/24, HMS Burnham, HMS Chesterfield and HMS Churchill parted company with the convoy in position 45°29'N, 56°21'W to proceed to St. Johns.

Around 0400P/25, the convoy was dispersed although several ships had already been detached while en-route. HMS Aurania, HMS Dianthus and HMCS Spikenard continued on the Halifax with only three ships destined for there.

26 Jul 1942
At 07.57 hours on 26 July 1942 German U-boat U-607 attacked convoy ON-113 about 300 nautical miles east of Cape Race and observed two hits on a freighter and heard one detonation further away. At 08.11 hours the same day German U-boat U-704 attacked the same convoy and saw one detonation. It seems that both U-boats had hit the British merchant Empire Rainbow. The master, 38 crew members and eight gunners were picked up by the British destroyer HMS Burnham (A/Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) and the Canadian corvette HMCS Dauphin (T/Lt. R.A.S. MacNeil, RCNR) and landed at St. John's, Newfoundland.

2 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN), HMS Asphodel (Lt. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR), HMCS Louisburg (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Campbell, RCNVR), HMCS Calgary (T/Lt. H.K. Hill, RCNVR), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN). (2)

3 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt. C.G.deL. Bush, RN), HMCS Prescott (Lt. W. McIsaac, RCNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). (2)

4 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Chesterfield (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN), HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR) and aircraft. (2)

23 Jan 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN). (3)

7 May 1943

Convoy HX 238.

This convoy departed New York on 7 May 1943.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Atlanta City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1921), Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928), Bernard N. Baker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Bralanta (Norwegian (tanker), 9608 GRT, built 1936), British Fidelity (British (tanker), 8465 GRT, built 1938), Cyrus Field (British (cable ship), 1288 GRT, built 1924), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Edwin M. Stanton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Egero (Norwegian (tanker), 7590 GRT, built 1929), Elizabeth Bakke (Norwegian, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Elmer A. Sperry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Nugget (British (tanker), 9807 GRT, built 1942), Evita (Norwegian (tanker), 6346 GRT, built 1927), Fort Acton (British, 7122 GRT, built 1942), Franz Klasen (Panamanian (tanker), 11194 GRT, built 1932), Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920), Kaldfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9931 GRT, built 1936), Levernbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Lista (British, 3671 GRT, built 1920), Miralda (British (tanker), 8013 GRT, built 1936), Montevideo (Norwegian, 4639 GRT, built 1928), Morgenen (Norwegian (tanker), 7093 GRT, built 1930), Noesaniwi (Dutch, 6737 GRT, built 1936), Norvinn (Panamanian, 6322 GRT, built 1930), O.B. Sorensen (Norwegian (tanker), 7919 GRT, built 1931), Pan-Maryland (American (tanker), 7701 GRT, built 1938), Philipp Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Robert E. Peary (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), Southern Sun (American (tanker), 8893 GRT, built 1931) and William J. Worth (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

The escort carrier HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN), carrying new aircraft was also part of the convoy. She was not able to operate aircraft.

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMCS Lethbridge (T/Lt.Cdr. W. Woods, RCNR), HMCS Oakville (T/Lt. H. Farncomb, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Brockville (Lt. R.C. Chenoweth, RCNVR).

On 9 May 1943, the following merchant vessels departed Halifax to join the convoy Aedanus Burke (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Alcedo (Panamanian, 1392 GRT, built 1937), Argolicos (Greek, 4786 GRT, built 1921), Bruarfoss (Icelandic, 1580 GRT, built 1927), Cavina (British, 6907 GRT, 1924), City of Glasgow (British, 5321 GRT, 1920), City of Kimberley (British, 6169 GRT, built 1925), Emma Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort Abitibi (British, 7122 GRT, built 1942), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Tjisalak (Dutch, 5787 GRT, built 1917) and Troubadour (Norwegian, 5808 GRT, built 1920).

They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR) and the corvettes HMCS Shawinigan (T/Lt. C.P. Balfry, RCNR), HMCS Sudbury (T/Lt. D.S. Martin, RCNR) and the minesweeper HMCS Milltown (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Marshall, RCNVR).

On these ships from Halifax joining, most likely on 10 May, the Cyrus Field parted company with the convoy to proceed, with the original escort, to Halifax where they arrived on 11 May 1943.

On 12 May 1943, the merchant vessels Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7219 GRT, built 1942) and Wendell Phillips (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) sailed from St.John's, Newfoundland to join the convoy.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN), corvettes HMCS Algoma (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Harding, RCNR), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR), HMCS Galt (T/Lt. A.M. Kirkpatrick, RCNVR), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR) and the A/S trawler HMS Northern Sun (T/Lt. W.G.N. Aplin, RNR). The rescue tug HMS Samsonia was also with them. They joined the convoy on 13 May 1943. On these ship joining HMS Chelsea, HMCS Shawinigan, HMCS Sudbury and HMCS Milltown were detached to proceed to St. John's.

On the 14th the destroyer HMS Burnham (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and corvette HMCS La Malbaie (T/Lt. J.S. Davis, RCNVR) departed St. John's to overtake and join the convoy.

Around 0415A/20, HMS Fencer and HMCS Skeena to proceed to Belfast and Londonderry respectively.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 21/22 May 1943.

8 Jul 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Fame (Capt. R. Heathcote, DSO, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Burnham (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN). (4)

17 Aug 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Burnham (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) and HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN). (5)

25 Sep 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN), HMS Burnham (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) and HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN). (6)