Allied Warships

HMS Roxborough ( I 07)

Destroyer of the Town class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Town
Pennant	I 07
Built by	Fore River Shipbuilding Co. (Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)
Ordered
Laid down	7 Aug 1918
Launched	14 Dec 1918
Commissioned	23 Sep 1940
End service	1 Aug 1944
History	Commissioned as HMS Roxborough 23 September 1940, the destroyer crossed the Atlantic to join the Western Approaches Command, guarding convoys during the dangerous last leg of their voyages into British ports. In March 1942, Roxborough took up western Atlantic escort duty out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Returning to the Tyne 10 January 1944, Roxborough lay in reserve there until transferred to Russia 1 August 1944. She was returned to Great Britain 7 February. She was scrapped in 1952.
Former name	USS Foote (DD 169)
Career notes	to Soviet Union as USSR Doblestnyj

Commands listed for HMS Roxborough ( I 07)

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. Vere Alison Wight-Boycott, RN	23 Sep 1940	May 1942
2	Lt.Cdr. Alfred Christopher Price, RN	May 1942	15 Jan 1943 (+)
3	T/Lt. Gerald Maurice Greenwood, RCNVR	15 Jan 1943	20 Jan 1943
4	Lt. Michael Charles Morris, RN	Jan 1943	Sep 1943
5	Lt. Francis Louis Boyer, RN	Sep 1943	27 Dec 1943
6	Cdr. Edgar George Skinner, DSC, RD, RCNR	27 Dec 1943	Jan 1944

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Notable events involving Roxborough include:

4 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Dartmouth first with HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN) and HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and later with HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN). (1)

6 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Ramsey (Cdr.(Retd.) P.G. Agnew, RN) and HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN). Upon completion of these exercises she departed for Portsmouth. (1)

23 Mar 1941

Convoy SL 69.

This convoy departed Freetown on 23 March 1941.

On departure from Freetown this convoy was made up of the following ships; Agioi Victores (Greek, 4344 GRT, built 1918), Alberte le Borgne (British, 3921 GRT, built 1914), Anna (Greek, 5173 GRT, built 1919), Aurillac (British, 4733 GRT, built 1921), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918), British Justice (British (tanker), 6932 GRT, built 1928), Bulysses (British, 7519 GRT, built 1927), Christine Marie (British, 3895 GRT, built 1919), City of Bath (British, 5079 GRT, built 1926), City of Wellington (British, 5732 GRT, built 1925), Clan Maquarrie (British, 6471 GRT, built 1913), Corilla (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Dago II (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Daru (British, 3854 GRT, built 1927), Dornoch (British, 5186 GRT, built 1939), Empire Advocate (British, 5787 GRT, built 1913), Floristan (British, 5478 GRT, built 1928), Glenaffric (British, 7782 GRT, built 1920), Glenbeg (British, 9461 GRT, built 1922), Harpalycus (British, 5629 GRT, built 1935), Hopecastle (British, 5178 GRT, built 1937), L.A. Christensen (Norwegian, 4362 GRT, built 1925), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Marton (British, 4969 GRT, built 1933), Mobeka (Belgian, 6111 GRT, built 1937), Mountpark (British, 4648 GRT, built 1938), Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920), Nijkerk (Dutch, 5843 GRT, built 1915), Palembang (Dutch, 7070 GRT, built 1921), Pantelis (Greek, 3845 GRT, built 1911), Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940), Roumanie (Belgian, 3658 GRT, built 1906), Salland (Dutch, 6447 GRT, built 1920), San Francisco (Swedish, 4933 GRT, built 1915), Sangara (British, 4174 GRT, built 1939), Sarthe (British, 5271 GRT, built 1920), Selvistan (British, 5136 GRT, built 1924), St. Usk (British, 5472 GRT, built 1909), Swedru (British, 5379 GRT, built 1937) and Tekoa (British, 8695 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Arawa (A/Capt. G.R. Deverell, RN), sloop Commandant Domine and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR).

Around 0620N/24, in position 08°34'N, 14°58'W, the Bulysses was detached to return to Freetown due to engine trouble.

At 0836N/24, the Empire Advocate reported that she could not keep up with the convoy and that she would proceed independently. [She arrived at São Miguel Island, Azores on 13 April 1941.]

Around 1700N/24, in position 08°32'N, 16°16'W, the Dornoch fell out off the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy. [She returned to Freetown on 28 March.]

Around 1100N/26, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) joined the convoy in position 09°30'N, 19°59'W.

Around 1200N/27, in position 09°30'N, 19°20'W, the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) arrived near the convoy to provide 'distant' cover. Shortly afterwards HMS Bulolo then parted company.

In the early hours of the 28th, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN and the destroyers HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) joined the convoy in position 13°38'N, 18°40'W. The destroyers had escorted HMS Furious from Freetown to the rendezvous with the convoy but they parted company later in the day to proceed to Bathurst to fuel.

Around 1900N/28, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the convoy in position 14°45'N, 18°43'W coming from Bathurst.

Around 1300Z/30, in position 19°30'N, 18°52'W, HMS Clematis and HMS Cyclamen parted company with the convoy.

Around 1840Z/30, in position 19°55'N, 18°51'W, HMS Repulse, HMS Furious and the Narkunda parted company to proceed to Gibraltar where they arrived in the morning of 3 April 1941. They had been joined around 1130A/2 by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) which had departed Gibraltar on 1 April.

Around 0800Z/5, in position 30°54'N, 23°38'W, the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Mauritius then parted company.

At 1414Z/9, in position 42°17'N, 23°41'W, the Mountpark fell out of the convoy with engine trouble and did not rejoin the convoy. [She turned back southwards and arrived at São Miguel Island, Azores on 13 April 1941.]

Around 0615Z/14, in position 52°23'N, 19°47'W, HMS Arawa parted company with the convoy to proceed independently to the Clyde.

Around 1300A/14, HMS Edinburgh parted company with the convoy when the local escort joined, which was made up of the sloop HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN, Senior Officer of the A/S escort), destroyers HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Sherwood (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR) joined.

Around 1600A/14, the A/S trawler HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) also joined.

Around 1930A/14, in position 53°43'N, 18°03'W, the Christine Marie fell out of the convoy due to engine trouble. HMS Vizalma was ordered to stand by her to Donegal Bay if required but preferably to Lough Foyle. [She indeed proceeded to Lough Foyle where she arrived on 18 April.]

At 0815A/15, the destroyers; HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) and HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN) joined.

Around 1200A/15, in position 54°37'N, 16°48'W, the Pantelis dropped out of the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy. [She arrived in Barry Roads on 19 April.]

At 0931A/16, in position 55°27'N, 12°26'W, the Swedru was hit by bombs from a single German FW 200. She was soon heavily on fire and was being abandoned. HMS Gladiolus was ordered to standby the stricken vessel and she picked up the survivors, 38 in number of which 18 were wounded (there were 24 dead). It was intended for the wounded to be transferred to HMS Weston but this proved not possible in the heavy swell. It was also not possible to transfer the doctor so HMS Gladiolus was ordered to take them to Londonderry. HMS Roxborough was then ordered to stay by the stricken vessel. She later reported that the vessel was impossible to salvage and she was allowed to sink the stricken vessel with a torpedo.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 17 April 1941. (2)

24 Mar 1941

Convoy HG 57.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 25 March 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aghios Spyridon (Greek, 3338 GRT, built 1905), Aldergrove (British, 1974 GRT, built 1918), Anneberg (Finnish, 2537 GRT, built 1902), Ardeola (British, 2609 GRT, built 1912), Baltallinn (British, 1303 GRT, built 1920), Baron Newlands (British, 3386 GRT, built 1928), Bollsta (Norwegian, 1832 GRT, built 1934), Caledonia (British, 1268 GRT, built 1913), Cantal (British, 3178 GRT, built 1916), Cervantes (British, 1810 GRT, built 1916), Chantilly (British, 9986 GRT, built 1923), Egyptian (British, 2868 GRT, built 1920), Empire Strait (British, 2841 GRT, built 1940), Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932), Marvia (British, 1989 GRT, built 1914), Mimosa (Greek, 3071 GRT, built 1905), Moscha D. Kydoniefs (British, 3874 GRT, built 1915), Newton Pine (British, 4212 GRT, built 1925), Octane (British (tanker) (former French), 2034 GRT, built 1939), Polo (British, 1950 GRT, built 1919), Runa (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930), Scania (Swedish, 1980 GRT, built 1901), Scottish Monarch (British, 4719 GRT, built 1938) and Trio (Swedish, 1482 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Rochester (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Allen, RN), corvettes HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR), HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN).

The Aghios Spyridon returned to Gibraltar the same day the convoy had sailed.

On 27 March, HMS Wrestler, HMS Gentian and HMS Jonquil were detached.

At 1115Z/3, HrMs O 23 was detached to join convoy OG 57.

At 1430Z/3, in position 45°27'N, 22°00'W, the light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN joined.

At 0920Z/4, HMS La Malouine was detached to proceed ahead to the U.K. with a dangerous medical case.

At 0845Z/5, the armed boarding vessel Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.

At 1930Z/5, the armed boaring vessel Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.

P.M. on 8 April the destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN), HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) and auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR), HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR). With these escorted the rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) also joined. The local A/S escort was to have joined on 6 April but bad weather conditions delayed their joining for about 48 hours.

Around 1900A/9, in position 55°41'N, 10°08'W, HMS Nigeria parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow.

On 10 April the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban; Baron Newlands, Cervantes, Empire Strait, Gothland and Scottish Monarch.

On 10 April the following merchant vessels arrived in Belfast Lough; Caledonia, Cantal, Chantilly, Marvia, Mimosa, Moscha D. Kydoniefs, Octane and Scania.

On 11 April the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; Aldergrove, Anneberg, Newton Pine and the rescue ship Zamalek.

On 11 April the Bollsta arrived at Workington.

On 11 April the Egyptian arrived at Preston.

On 11 April the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Ardeola, Baltallinn, Polo, Runa and Trio.

The escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows; On 9 April 1941, HMS Broke arrived at Londonderry.

On 10 April 1941, HMS Douglas, HMS Roxborough, HMS Abelia, HMS St. Elstan, HMS St. Kenan, HMS St. Zeno and HMS Vizalma arrived at Londonderry.

On 11 April 1941, HMS Salisbury arrived at Londonderry.

On 11 April 1941, HMS Rochester and HMS Verbena arrived at Liverpool. (3)

16 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 121.

This convoy departed Halifax on 16 April 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antar (British, 5222 GRT, built 1941), Beechwood (British, 4987 GRT, built 1940), Belinda (Norwegian (tanker), 8325 GRT, built 1939), British Endurence (British (tanker), 8406 GRT, built 1936), Caledonia (British (tanker), 9892 GRT, built 1936), Capsa (British (tanker), 8229 GRT, built 1931), Capulet (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), City of Barcelona (British, 5787 GRT, built 1930), Cornwall (British, 10605 GRT, built 1920), Danby (British, 4281 GRT, built 1937), Darina (British, 8113 GRT, built 1939), Denbydale (British, (Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker), 8145 GRT, built 1941), Dordrecht (British, 4402 GRT, built 1928), El Ciervo (British (tanker), 5841 GRT, built 1923), Empire Puma (British, 7777 GRT, built 1920), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Wildebeeste (British, 5631 GRT, built 1918), Ensis (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Grena (British (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934), Hilda Knudsen (British (tanker), 9178 GRT, built 1928), Indochinois (British, 6966 GRT, built 1939), King Arthur (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kolsnaren (Swedish, 2465 GRT, built 1923), La Pampa (British, 4149 GRT, built 1938), Langleebrook (British, 4246 GRT, built 1930), Langleetarn (British, 4908 GRT, built 1929), Lombardy (British, 3379 GRT, built 1921), Manchester Division (British, 6048 GRT, built 1918), Manchester Spinner (British, 4767 GRT, built 1918), Mary Kingsley (British, 5021 GRT, built 1930), Mirza (Dutch (tanker), 7991 GRT, built 1929), Moena (Dutch, 9286 GRT, built 1923), Oilfield (British (tanker), 8516 GRT, built 1938), Opalia (British (tanker), 6195 GRT, built 1938), Polartank (Norwegian (tanker), 6356 GRT, built 1930), Port Hardy (British, 8897 GRT, built 1923), Rembrandt (British, 5559 GRT, built 1941), Rookley (British, 4998 GRT, built 1940), Saint Bertrand (British, 5522 GRT, built 1929), San Emiliano (British (tanker), 8071 GRT, built 1939), San Felix (British (tanker), 13037 GRT, built 1921), Sourabaya (British (tanker), 10107 GRT, built 1915), Stanford (British, 5969 GRT, built 1941), Stanley (British, 6463 GRT, built 1919), Tahchee (British (tanker), 6508 GRT, built 1914), Trehata (British, 4817 GRT, built 1918), Tresillian (British, 4743 GRT, built 1925) and Tudor Prince (British, 1914 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN), HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR). The corvettes however soon returned to Halifax.

Around 1000PQ(+3.5)/19, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) joined the convoy. She had departed Halifax on 17 April 1941.

HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy around 2245ON(+1.5)/23 to return to Halifax.

In the afternoon of 25 April the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN, HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN) and corvette HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0930Z/27, HMS California parted company with the convoy to proceed to Iceland escorted by HMS Malcolm.

In the morning of the 28th the corvettes, HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR), HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR), HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) and the rescue ship Zaafaran (British, 1559 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy.

In the afternoon of the 28th the destroyers HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN) joined the convoy.

Also on 28 April 1941, German submarines attacked the convoy. The tanker Capulet was torpedoed and damaged by U-552. Later on the 28th, the tankers Caledonia, Oilfield and transport Port Hardy were torpedoed and sunk by U-96.

On 2 May 1941, the drifting wreck of the abandoned Capulet was finshed off by the German submarine U-201.

The convoy arrived in British waters on 3 May 1941.

23 Apr 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Keppel (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr. (retired) D.F. White, RNR), HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR). (4)

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 (Dutch, 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.

9 May 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR) and HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR). (4)

17 May 1941

Convoy SL 75.

This convoy departed Freetown on 17 May 1941 for the U.K.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arabistan (British, 5874 GRT, built 1929), Baarn (Dutch, 5621 GRT, built 1927), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Benwood (Norwegian, 3931 GRT, built 1910), Blitar (Dutch, 7065 GRT, built 1923), Charlbury (British, 4836 GRT, built 1940, the convoy Vice-Commodore was on board this ship), City of Dundee (British, 5273 GRT, built 1921), Clan MacNaughton (British, 6087 GRT, built 1921), Devon (British, 9036 GRT, built 1915), Empire Voice (British, 6828 GRT, built 1940), Gemstone (British, 4986 GRT, built 1938), Idomeneus (British, 7792 GRT, built 1926), Larchbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Madura (British, 8975 GRT, built 1921), Matadian (British, 4275 GRT, built 1936), Mentor (British, 7383 GRT, built 1914), Nikoklis (Greek, 3576 GRT, built 1921), Prince de Liege (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Raranga (British, 10043 GRT, built 1916), Reggestroom (Dutch, 2836 GRT, built 1923), Ruahine (British, 10832 GRT, built 1909, the convoy Commodore was on board this ship) and Tordene (British, 4271 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cathay (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.M. Merewether, RN) and the corvettes HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR), HMS Gardenia (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR).

At dawn on the 22nd, the Benwood and HMS Marguerite were not in sight. At 0745Z/22, the convoy was ordered to proceed to the east of the Cape Verde Islands and course was set accordingly. HMS Gardenia was briefly detached to search for the missing ships and inform them of the course change. She quickly rejoined the convoy as did HMS Marguerite which rejoined around 1000Z/22. The Benwood rejoined around 1600Z/22.

At 2000N/24 and 0130N/25, HMS Crocus and HMS Cyclamen parted company with the convoy [not known to us for the moment which corvette parted company first]. They were to make rendezvous with the dummy battleship HMS Centurion (resembling HMS Anson, King George V-class, Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W.J. Martin, RN)

At dawn on the 25th, HMS Marguerite was not in sight and she did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 0610N/26, HMS Gardenia parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bathurst.

Around 0645N/28, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) was close to the convoy to provide cover. She left again during the night of 28/29 May.

The battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) was with the convoy from 0900A/2 to 1600A/4 when she was detached to hunt the German supply vessel Gonzenheim. After having successfully intercepted the German ship, which scuttled herself, HMS Nelson did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 1630Z/8, the corvette HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0540Z/9, the destroyers HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR), A/S trawler HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) joined the convoy. Also with them was the rescue ship Toward (British, 1571 GRT, built 1923).

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 12 June 1941 and was then split into several sections which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (5)

30 May 1941

Convoy SL 76.

This convoy departed Freetown on 30 May 1941 for the U.K.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Albion Star (British, 7946 GRT, built 1919), Anadyr (British, 5321 GRT, built 1930), Asphalion (British, 6274 GRT, built 1924), Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Bennevis (British, 5356 GRT, built 1918), Bothnia (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Calabria (British, 1277 GRT, built 1916), Cape of Good Hope (British, 4963 GRT, built 1925), Capo Olmo (British, 4712 GRT, built 1923), Cathrine (British, 2727 GRT, built 1919), Clan MacPherson (British, 6940 GRT, built 1929), Clan Murray (British, 5953 GRT, built 1918), Dahomian (British, 5277 GRT, built 1929), Diomed (British, 10374 GRT, built 1922), Djurdjura (British, 3460 GRT, built 1922), Eirini Kyriaidgou (Greek, 3781 GRT, built 1922), Elswick Park (British, 4138 GRT, built 1920), English Trader (British, 3953 GRT, built 1934), Glenapp (British, 9503 GRT, built 1920), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Hamla (British, 4416 GRT, built 1929), Hampton Lodge (British, 3645 GRT, built 1911), Harbury (British, 5081 GRT, built 1933), Hatasu (British, 3198 GRT, built 1921), Kana (British, 2783 GRT, built 1929), Kerma (British, 4333 GRT, built 1928), Kiruna (Swedish, 5484 GRT, built 1921), Lackenby (British, 5112 GRT, built 1928), Lafian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Lerwick (British, 5626 GRT, built 1938), Leto (Dutch, 4712 GRT, built 1929), Macgregor (British, 2498 GRT, built 1919), Magdala (Dutch (tanker), 8248 GRT, built 1931), Marylyn (British, 4555 GRT, built 1930), Miguel de Larrinaga (British, 5231 GRT, built 1924), Montferland (Dutch, 5790 GRT, built 1921), New Brunswick (British, 6529 GRT, built 1919), Observer (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Ogmore Castle (British, 2481 GRT, built 1919), Orfor (British, 6578 GRT, built 1921), Peebles (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936), Rinos (Greek, 4649 GRT, built 1919), River Afton (British, 5479 GRT, built 1935), Rothley (British, 4996 GRT, built 1936), Sheridan (British, 4665 GRT, built 1918), Silverlaurel (British, 6142 GRT, built 1939), Sitoebondo (Dutch, 7049 GRT, built 1916), St. Clair II (British, 3753 GRT, built 1929), Steaua Romana (British (tanker), 5311 GRT, built 1914), Sutherland (British, 5170 GRT, built 1940), Tantalus (British, 7724 GRT, built 1923), Teucer (British, 9079 GRT, built 1906), Thode Fagelund (Norwegian, 5757 GRT, built 1920), Ella (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930), Umvuma (British, 4419 GRT, built 1914) and Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Moreton Bay (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN), HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Columbine (T/Lt. S.J. Lavis, RNR).

At 1410N/1, HMS Amaranthus parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown with engine defects.

At 2320N/1, HMS Clematis parted company with the convoy.

At 2010N/4, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) joined the escort of the convoy in position 18°23'N, 19°37'W.

At 1800N/6, HMS Velox parted company with the convoy in position 22°56'N, 19°41'W.

At 0600N/7, HMS Asphodel and HMS Columbine parted company with the convoy in position 23°40'N, 19°27'W.

Around 1200Z/10, the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) joined the convoy escort in position 32°26'N, 20°59'W.

In the early hours of 13 June the convoy was attacked by the Italian submarine Benedetto Brin which managed to sink two merchant vessels; the Djurdjura and the Eirini Kyriakides

At 1855/13, the convoy was joined in position 40°30'N, 22°35'W by the corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR).

During the morning of the 14th, HMS Coreopsis and HMS Fleur de Lys fuelled from HMS Moreton Bay.

During the fuelling of the corvettes the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) joined around 1130Z/14 in position 42°09'N, 22°07'W.

At 1030Z/16, the armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) joined in position 47°25'N, 21°47'W.

At 1600Z/16, the armed boarding vessel Maron (Cdr. (Retd.) J.H. Blair, DSC, RD, RNR) joined in position 47°55'N, 21°51'W.

At 1630Z/16, the destroyers HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) joined in position 47°55'N, 21°51'W.

At 2200Z/16, HMS Cumberland and HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy in position 48°48'N, 21°48'W.

In the early hours of the 17th the merchant vessel Cathrine, which had straggled from the convoy, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-43.

At 1730Z/18, the destroyer HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, RN) and the corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Marigold (T/Lt. J. Renwick, RNR) and HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) joined.

At 1740Z/18, HMS Coreopsis and HMS Fleur de Lys parted company.

At 0620A/19, the destroyer HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) and HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined in position 53°44'N, 17°35'W.

At 2000A/19, HMS Roxborough parted company.

On 21 June 1941 the convoy arrived in British waters and at 0625A/21, the convoy split in position 55°50'N, 08°00'W. The Clyde, Belast, Mersey and Bristol Channel sections of the convoy (25 ships) proceeded up the North Channel escorted by HMS Moreton Bay, HMS Corinthian, HMS Maron, HMS Westcott, ORP Piorun, HMS Marigold, HMS Auricula, HMS Coreopsis and HMS Fleur de Lys. The remainder of the convoy proceeded to Oban where it arrived around 1900A/21 escorted by HMS Wanderer, HMS Hibiscus, HMS Periwinkle and HMS Freesia.

In the early hours of 22 June the Swedish merchant vessel Calabria, a straggler of convoy SL 76, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-141.

1 Jul 1941
HMS H 34 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Orchis (T/Lt. H. Vernon, RNR) and aircraft. (6)

15 Jan 1943
The Commanding Officer of HMS Roxborough, Lt.Cdr. Alfred Christopher Price, RN dies when a huge wave crushed the ships bridge. 2 other crewmembers were also killed in this incident.