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Notable events involving Wren (i) include:

18 Nov 1939

Convoy HX 9.

This convoy departed Halifax on 18 November 1939.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arakaka (British, 2379 GRT, built 1933), Arletta (British, 4870 GRT, built 1925), Baron Loudoun (British, 3164 GRT, built 1925), Barrwhin (British, 4998 GRT, built 1929), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Brockley Hill (British, 5287 GRT, built 1918), Cerinthus (British (tanker), 3878 GRT, built 1930), Charles Pratt (Panamanian (tanker), 10050 GRT, built 1916), Conch (British (tanker), 8376 GRT, built 1931), Crispin (British, 5050 GRT, built 1935), Culebra (British, 3044 GRT, built 1919), Darcoila (British, 4084 GRT, built 1926), Darlington Court (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), Diloma (British (tanker), 8146 GRT, built 1939), Hadleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930), Harry G. Seidel (Panamanian (tanker), 11395 GRT, built 1930), Innerton (British, 5276 GRT, built 1919), Jhelum (British, 4038 GRT, built 1936), Queen City (British, 4814 GRT, built 1924), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), San Adolfo (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1935), San Cirilo (British (tanker), 8012 GRT, built 1937), San Fabian (British (tanker), 13031 GRT, built 1922), San Tiburcio (British (tanker), 5995 GRT, built 1921), San Ubaldo (British (tanker), 5999 GRT, built 1921), Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Trehata (British, 4817 GRT, built 1928), Venetia (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927), Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925) and Whitford Point (British, 5026 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and the destroyers Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN) and HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN).

Around 1610Q/20, HMCS Assiniboine and HMCS St. Laurent parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 1020OP/23, the Daloma straggled from the convoy due to engine trouble. She was not able to rejoin until 2100O/24.

At daylight on the 24th, besides the already missing Daloma three more ships had straggled from the convoy, these were the Harry G. Seidel, Jhelum and Queen City. Of these only the Harry G. Seidel managed to rejoin the convoy around 1400O/25. The other two ships proceeded independently to Liverpool where both arrived on 3 December 1939.

Around 1245O/24, in position 50°01'N, 40°15'W, HMS Warspite parted company with the convoy to proceed to Portsmouth.

During the night of 28/29 November 1939, the Darcoila straggled from the convoy. She did not rejoin and arrived at Liverpool on 5 December 1939.

Around 0030Z/30, the Trehata straggled from the convoy with engine defects. She arrived at Southend on 5 December 1939 and from there went on to her final destination which was Leith.

Around 1100Z/30, the destroyer HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1100Z/1, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West Coast section of 11 ships was initially not escorted after having parted company as the intended escort vessels had not arrived at the rendezvous position on time. This section was joined by the destroyers HMS Walker (Cdr. W.J.C. Robertson, RN) and HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN). HMS Walker and HMS Vanoc arrived at Liverpool very early on 3 December 1939. Irish Sea / West Coast section that had been detached at 1100Z/1, had been made up of the following ships; Arakara, Arletta, Baron Loudoun, Cerinthus, Crispin, Culebra, Diloma, Innerton, San Tiburcio, San Ubaldo and Whitford Point.

The Channel / East Coast section, made up of the remaining ships, was escorted by HMS Witch and HMS Wren (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN). This last destroyer had joined around 1340Z/1. HMS Wren and HMS Witch escorted the convoy to vicinity of Dover. They arrived at Dover in the evening of 3 December 1939.

From the Channel / East Coast section, the Regent Panther was detached to Avonmouth shortly after HMS Wren had joined. Her original destination had been Falmouth but this had been changed. Around 0730Z/2, the Conch, San Adolfo and San Cirilo were detached to Falmouth. Around 0930Z/2, the Venetia was detached to Plymouth. Around 0700Z/3, the Charles Pratt and Harry G. Seidel were detached to Saint Helens Roads. They later proceeded to Le Havre. The Sinnington Court with destination Southampton was detached at the same time. (1)

2 Dec 1939

Convoy HXF 11.

This convoy departed Halifax on 2 December 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelchief (British (tanker), 10000 GRT, built 1939), Beaverdale (British, 9957 GRT, built 1928), Chancellor (British, 4607 GRT, built 1916), Darina (British, 8113 GRT, built 1939), De Grasse (French, 18435 GRT, built 1924), Inkosi (British, 6618 GRT, built 1937), Manchester Progress (British, 5620 GRT, built 1938), Newfoundland (British, 6791 GRT, built 1925), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Pacific Grove (British, 7117 GRT, built 1928), Rothermere (British, 5356 GRT, built 1938), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937), Sulairia (British, 5802 GRT, built 1929) and Torr Head (British, 5021 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania (Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Ringrose-Wharton, RN), destroyers HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN) and the submarines HMS Narwhal (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) and HMS Seal (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Lonsdale, RN).

Around 1940Q/2, in thick fog, the Chancellor was rammed by the Athelchief. The Oropesa was ordered to stand by the stricken Chancellor. Damage was first reported to be slight but in the and it proved to be serious and she was taken in tow to make for Halifax. No the less the ship was beyond salvage and sank. The entire crew was taken off. The Athelchief and Oropesa returned to Halifax.

Around 1130Q/3, both Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

During the night of 5/6 December 1939 thick fog was once again encountered and the following ships straggled from the convoy; Beaverdale, Inkosi, Manchester Progress, Torr Head as well as HMS Narwhal and HMS Seal.

Around 1150P/6, the Torr Head rejoined the convoy.

In the morning of 7 December 1939, HMS Narwhal with the Beaverdale and Inkosi in company rejoined. Also the Manchester Progress rejoined which reported that she had seen HMS Seal on the 6th.

Around 1630O/8, HMS Seal rejoined the convoy.

Around 1700N/12, the destroyer HMS Mackay (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 2030N/12, in approximate position 50°08'N, 11°39'W, HMS Ascania parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 0830Z/13, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Manchester Progress, Newfoundland, Rothermere, Strategist, Sulairia and Torr Head. HMS Mackay went with them as escort. Around 1100Z/13, they were joined by the destroyer HMS Warwick (Lt.Cdr. M.A.G. Child, RN). The destroyers arrived at Liverpool on 14 / 15 December 1939 respectively.

The Channel / East coast section was initially only escorted by the two submarines but around 1045Z/13 the destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) joined. Around 0845Z/14, HMS Narwhal and HMS Seal parted company to proceed to Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Witch. HMS Wren continued on with the convoy and arrived at Dover on 15 December 1939. The convoy continued on towards the Downs minus the De Grasse which by then had been detached to Le Havre. (2)

19 Dec 1939

Convoy HXF 13.

This convoy departed Halifax on 19 December 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Beaverford (British, 10042 GRT, built 1928), British Prudence (British (tanker), 8620 GRT, built 1939), Cairnglen (British, 5019 GRT, built 1926), Ferncourt (British (tanker), 9918 GRT, built 1938), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Gorjistan (British, 5888 GRT, built 1929), Italia (Norwegian (tanker), 9973 GRT, built 1939), Lindenhall (British, 5248 GRT, built 1937), Masheer (British, 7911 GRT, built 1925), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928) and San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN).

Around 0100Q/20, in position 44°33'N, 60°14'W, both Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

In the afternoon of 25 December 1939, in position 51°10'N, 31°18'W, the British Prudence parted company to proceed independently to Invergordon.

Around 0815N/28, the destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. H. Gartside-Tippinge, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMS Venetia (Lt. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN) joined the convoy in position 50°15'N, 15°55'W.

Around 0830N/28, HMS Enterprise left the convoy to proceed independently to Portsmouth.

Around 1700Z/28, the convoy split into two sections in position 49°59'N, 14°27'W.

The Irish Sea / West Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; G.S. Walden, Italia, Lindenhall and San Ambrosio. They were escorted by HMS Volunteer and HMS Venetia.

The remainder of the convoy made up the Channel / East Coast section. At 0330Z/31 the Ferncourt parted company for St. Helens Roads. She was eventually to proceed to Dunkirk. HMS Wren and HMS Witch arrived at Dover later that morning while the convoy proceeded to the Downs. (3)

6 Jan 1940

Convoy HX 15.

This convoy departed Halifax on 6 January 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Amakura (British, 1987 GRT, built 1924), Argos Hill (British, 7178 GRT, built 1922), Athelcrown (British (tanker), 11999 GRT, built 1929), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Auditor (British, 5444 GRT, built 1924), Barn Hill (British, 5439 GRT, built 1921), Bonnington Court (British, 4909 GRT, built 1929), Boulderpool (British, 4805 GRT, built 1928), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Geo W. McKnight (British (tanker), 12502 GRT, built 1933), Houston City (British, 4935 GRT, built 1934), I.C. White (Panamanian (tanker), 7052 GRT, built 1920), Inverarder (British (tanker), 5578 GRT, built 1919), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1935), Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Oiltrader (British (tanker), 5550 GRT, built 1927), Panaghis (Greek, 5187 GRT, built 1920), San Roberto (British (tanker), 5890 GRT, built 1922), Sinfra (French, 4470 GRT, built 1929), Syrian Prince (British, 1990 GRT, built 1936), Trevalgan (British, 5299 GRT, built 1937), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and Wanderer (British, 5079 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN).

The Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax on 7 January 1940.

On 9 January 1940 the Athelcrown arrived back at Halifax having returned with engine trouble.

Around 0900Z/18, the destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Vanessa (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Plumer, RN) joined followed around 1200Z/18 by the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN), HMS Venetia (Lt. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN).

HMS Resolution then left the convoy to proceed to Plymouth escorted by HMS Vanquisher, HMS Viscount and HMS Windsor where they arrived around 1315Z/19, minus HMS Viscount which did not enter harbour and made of to search for a reported submarine in the area.

Around 1100Z/18, the Inverarder parted company with the convoy to proceed independently to Scapa Flow where she arrived on 20 January.

Around 1300Z/18, the convoy was split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Amakura (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January), Auditor (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January), Delilian (arrived at Glasgow on 21 January), El Aleto (arrived at Glasgow on 24 (?) January), Houston City (arrived at Belfast on 20 January), Oiltrader (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January), Panaghis (arrived at Liverpool on 24 (?) January), San Roberto (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January), Syrian Prince (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January), Trevalgan (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January), Voco (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January) and Wanderer (arrived at Liverpool on 20/21 January). They were escorted by HMS Venetia and HMS Volunteer which arrived at Liverpool late on 20 January.

The Channel / East Coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Agros Hill (arrived in the Downs on 21 January), Atlantic (arrived in the Downs on 21 January), Barn Hill (arrived in the Downs on 21 January), Bonnington Court (arrived in the Downs on 21 January), Boulderpool (arrived in the Downs on 21 January), Geo W. McKnight (arrived at Southampton on 21 January), I.C. White (arrived at Southampton on 21 January), Moveria (arrived in the Downs on 21 January), Narragansett (arrived in the Downs on 21 January) and Sinfra (arrived at Le Havre on 22 January). They were escorted by HMS Vanessa and HMS Wren which arrived at Dover in the morning of 21 January.

7 Jan 1940
With her refit completed, HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CVO, DSO, RN), departed Plymouth around 0400 hours for Portsmouth. She was being escorted by the destroyers HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Wivern (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Wren (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN). (4)

8 Jan 1940
HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CVO, DSO, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Wivern (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Wren (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) arrived at Portsmouth from Plymouth having been delayed en-route due to thick fog. (4)

16 Jan 1940

Convoy SL 17.

This convoy departed Freetown on 16 January 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Clumberhall (British, 5198 GRT, built 1930), Harpasa (British, 5082 GRT, built 1932), Hawnby (British, 5380 GRT, built 1936), King Edgar (British, 4536 GRT, built 1927), Loch Ranza (British, 4958 GRT, built 1934), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Oswerty Grange (British, 4684 GRT, built 1935), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Salvus (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Stonepool (British, 4803 GRT, built 1928) and Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929).

Escort was provided on leaving Freetown by the destroyer HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN).

Around 0800Z/18, near Dakar, in position 11°24'N, 17°58'W, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) joined. HMS Dainty then left the convoy.

Also on the 18th, the merchant vessel Northmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928) overtook and joined the convoy. She had arrived at Freetown as the convoy was forming up sailing later to overtake and join at sea.

Around 1730N/22, in position 25°31'N, 19°53'W, the Hawnby parted company with the convoy due to engine defects. She arrived at Gibraltar on 30 January 1940.

Around 1530N/31, in position 46°18'N, 13°04'W, the convoy merged with convoy SLF 17. HMS Carnarvon Castle then parted company to proceed to Belfast independently.

Convoy SLF 17 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afric Star (British, 11900 GRT, built 1926), Anchises (British, 10000 GRT, built 1911), Apapa (British, 9332 GRT, built 1927), City of Canberra (British, 7484 GRT, built 1927), Duquesa (British, 8651 GRT, built 1918) and Sangara (British, 4174 GRT, built 1939).

It was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Harris, RN) which now became the only escort of the combined convoy after HMS Carnarvon Castle had left.

Around 2200N/1, HMS Jervis Bay parted company to return to Freetown.

On 2 February the convoy was split into the Irish Sea and Channel sections.

Around 1430N/2, in position 49°48'N, 07°00'W, the sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) joined the Irish Sea section of the convoy.

Around 1530N/2, the destroyer HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) also joined the Irish Sea section of the convoy but at 1730N/2 she was detached to proceed to Liverpool.

The destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN) joined the Channel section.

HMS Viscount arrived at Plymouth from this escort duty on 3 February. On 4 February HMS Wren arrived at Dover.

Most ships of the convoy arrived at their destinations on 4 February 1940. (5)

6 Feb 1940
HMS Exeter (Capt. F.S. Bell, CB, RN), and her escorts, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN), HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN) departed Freetown for Plymouth.

HMS Ark Royal and the destroyers parted company around 1800/9. Ark Royal was to proceed direct to the U.K. while the destroyers were to arrive at Dakar at 0900 (GMT) on the 11th.

Around dawn at 13 February 1940, HMS Renown and HMS Exeter were joined by HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. C.F. Tower, MVO, RN).

In the morning of the 14th the destroyers HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN), HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined. This was before the other destroyers (see below) joined.

Around 1030/14 four more destroyers joined, HMS Hearty (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN).

Around 1645/14, HMS Whitshed, HMS Vesper and HMS Acasta parted company when the merchant vessel Sultan Star was torpedoed and sunk on the horizon.

HMS Hero was detached, most likely on the 15th to Portsmouth where she was to refit.

HMS Renown, HMS Exeter, HMS Hasty, HMS Ardent, HMS Hearty, HMS Wren and HMS Wolverine arrived at Plymouth on the 15th. (6)

22 Feb 1940

Convoy HX 22.

This convoy departed Halifax on 22 February 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Anglo-Indian (British, 5609 GRT, built 1938), Anthea (British, 5186 GRT, built 1924), Aspasia Nomikos (Greek, 4855 GRT, built 1938), Athelprincess (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Athelsultan (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Bradford City (British, 4953 GRT, built 1936), Carras (Greek, 5234 GRT, built 1918), Chama (British (tanker), 8077 GRT, built 1938), Chesapeake (British (tanker), 8955 GRT, built 1928), Counsellor (British, 5068 GRT, built 1926), Darcoila (British, 4084 GRT, built 1926), Director (British, 5107 GRT, built 1926), Elona (British (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1936), Erodona (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Gracefield (British, 4631 GRT, built 1928), Hanseat (Panamanian (tanker), 7932 GRT, built 1929), Hoperidge (British, 5222 GRT, built 1939), Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), Humber Arm (British, 5758 GRT, built 1925), James McGee (Panamanian (tanker), 9859 GRT, built 1917), King Neptune (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Laguna (British, 6466 GRT, built 1923), Lindenhall (British, 5248 GRT, built 1937), Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Newton Moore (British, 5673 GRT, built 1937), Norman Monarch (British, 4718 GRT, built 1937), Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Reginolite (British (tanker), 9069 GRT, built 1926), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Fernando (British (tanker), 13056 GRT, built 1919), Scherazade (French (tanker), 13467 GRT, built 1935), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937) and Yang-Tse (French, 8150 GRT, built 1915).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN) and HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN).

Around 1815Q/23, the Canadian destroyers parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 0700N/2, in approximate position 47°00'N, 30°00'W, HMS Royal Sovereign parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax. The convoy then continued eastwards without escort.

Around 2020Z/5, the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN).

Around 0830Z/6, the destroyer HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) joined followed at 1045Z/6 by HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN).

Around 1730Z/6, in position 50°12'N, 10°16'W, the convoy split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aspasia Nomikos (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), Athelprincess (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), Athelsultan (arrived at Scapa Flow on 10 March), Counsellor (mined and sunk off Liverpool on 8 March. The mine was laid by the German submarine U-32 on 7 March), Director (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), Erodona (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), Hopestar (arrived at Avonmouth on 8 March), Laguna (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), Nailsea Moor (arrived at Avonmouth on 8 March), Newton Moor (arrived at Swansea on 9 March), Norman Monarch (arrived at Manchester on 9 March), Orduna (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), San Ambrosio (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March), San Francisco (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March) and Stratigist (arrived at Liverpool on 8 March). They were escorted by HMS Vanoc and HMS Walpole which both arrived at Liverpool on 8 March.

The Channel / East coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Anglo-Indian (arrived at Weymouth on 9 March), Anthea (arrived in the Downs on 9 March), Bradford City (arrived in the Downs on 9 March), Carras (arrived at Le Havre on 10 March), Chama (arrived at Pauilliac on 10 March), Chesapeake (arrived at Le Havre on 10 March), Darcoila (arrived in the Downs on 9 March), Elona (arrived at Southampton on 9 March), Gracefield (arrived at Weymouth on 9 March), Hanseat (arrived at Le Havre on 9 March), Hoperidge (arrived at Falmouth on 8 March), Humber Arm (arrived in the Downs on 9 March), James McGee (arrived at Le Havre on 10 March), King Neptune (arrived at Plymouth on 8 March), Lindenhall (arrived at Weymouth on 9 March), Nyanza (arrived in the Downs on 9 March), Reginolite (arrived at Le Havre on 11 March), Scherazade (arrived at Le Havre on ?? March) and Yang-Tse (arrived at Bordeaux on 12 March). They were escorted by HMS Veteran which arrived at Plymouth on 7 March and HMS Wren which arrived at Dover on 9 March. (7)

22 Apr 1940
Around 1215A/22, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) departed the Greenock for the Narvik area.

At 1300A/23, she was joined in the Clyde by the destroyers HMS Basilisk (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, RN), HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN).

They arrived at Harstad around 1115A/26. (8)

13 May 1940
French troops were landed at Bjervik, Norway today. This is just to the north of Narvik. The town was captured successfully.

Naval ships involved in landing the troops and to provide cover were; battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN), light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN), HMS Effingham (Capt. J.M. Howson, RN) which both landed French troops, repair ship HMS Vindictive (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, RN), netlayer HMS Protector (Capt. W.Y la L. Beverley, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Basilisk (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, RN) and HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN). They had departed Harstad (Tjeldsund) the previous day.

Air cover for this operation was provided, from a distance, by aircraft from HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN).

Later this day these ships also bombarded Narvik with the assistance of aircraft from the Ark Royal.

17 May 1940
Around 0215A/17, the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) departed Tjeldsund for sea to patrol in the Lofoten area. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN).

At 0403A/18, HMS Wren reported a torpedo approaching from starboard. [No German submarine reported an attack, and none were in the area anyway.]

On the 19th they were ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow.

Around 0745A/20, the destroyer HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join them which she did around 1830A/20.

Around 1100A/21, HMS Resolution, HMS Fortune, HMS Wren and HMS Vansittart arrived at Scapa Flow.

(9)

24 May 1940
Around 1315A/24, the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for another attempt to fly off RAF Hurricanes to an airfield in northern Norway. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) and HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN).

The Hurricanes of 46 Squadron RAF were flown off to an airstrip in the Harstad area on 26 May 1940.

On the 27th, aircraft from HMS Glorious provided cover for operations in the Narvik area.

The force returned to Scapa Flow around 1600A/29 but was unable to enter due to thick fog. HMS Wren, which was low on fuel, was relieved by the destroyer HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN). The force was finally able to enter Scapa Flow around 1515A/30. (10)

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