Allied Warships

HMS Ramsey (G 60)

Destroyer of the Town class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Town
Pennant	G 60
Built by	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., (Squantum, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)
Ordered
Laid down	23 Sep 1918
Launched	24 May 1919
Commissioned	26 Nov 1940
End service	Jul 1947
History	USS Meade was designated one of the 50 destroyers to be transferred to the United Kingdom. She decommissioned and was turned over to the British 23 November 1940. Renamed HMS Ramsey she served the Royal Navy in the North Atlantic and later performed valuable duty as an aircraft training ship. She completed her service 30 June 1945 and was scrapped in July 1947 at Bo'ness, England.
Former name	USS Meade (DD 274)

Commands listed for HMS Ramsey (G 60)

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	Cdr. (retired) Sir Peter Garnett Agnew, RN	26 Nov 1940	4 Mar 1941
2	Lt.Cdr. Richard Been Stannard, VC, RNR	4 Mar 1941	16 Nov 1942
3	Lt.Cdr. Reginald Cyril Stevens Woolley, RNR	16 Nov 1942	28 Dec 1942
4	A/Lt.Cdr. Wilfred Lambert, RNVR	28 Dec 1942	12 Jun 1943
5	T/A/Lt.Cdr. George David Davies, DSC, RNR	12 Jun 1943	Jun 1944
6	Lt. Ralph Alexander St.Clair Sproul-Bolton, RN	Jun 1944	Mar 1945
7	T/A/Lt.Cdr. John Edmund Barris, RNVR	Mar 1945	mid 1945

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Notable events involving Ramsey include:

3 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Rockingham (Cdr. L.M. Shadwell, RN) and HMS Ramsey (Cdr.(Retd.) P.G. Agnew, 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)

31 Mar 1941

Convoy HX 118.

This convoy departed Halifax late in the morning of 31 March 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Bretwalda (British, 4906 GRT, built 1939), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), Dalhousie (British, 7072 GRT, built 1940), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), Empire Comet (British, 6914 GRT, built 1941), Empire Gold (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1941), Erviken (Norwegian, 5019 GRT, built 1921), Geo W. McKnight (British (tanker), 12502 GRT, built 1933), Gyda (British, 1695 GRT, built 1934), Hopetarn (British, 5231 GRT, built 1940), Horn Shell (British (tanker), 8272 GRT, built 1931), Hoyanger (Norwegian, 4624 GRT, built 1926), Jean Jadot (Belgian, 5859 GRT, built 1929), Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937), Llanashe (British, 4836 GRT, built 1936), Lulworth Hill (British, 7628 GRT, built 1940), Narragansett (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Norvinn (Panamanian (tanker), 6322 GRT, built 1930), Ottinge (British, 2818 GRT, built 1940), Patella (British (tanker), 7468 GRT, built 1927), Sandanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9432 GRT, built 1938), Sydhav (Norwegian (tanker), 7587 GRT, built 1929), Teakwood (British (tanker), 6014 GRT, built 1927), Tower Field (British, 4241 GRT, built 1935), Tredinnick (British, 4589 GRT, built 1921), Vav (Norwegian (tanker), 6415 GRT, built 1931), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and White Crest (British, 4365 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by a local escort [identity not known to us] until 1840Q/31.

Around 1800Q/31, the convoy was joined by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Wolfe (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.G.A. Shuttleworth, RN).

Around 1830Q/2, the Narragansett dropped out of the convoy with engine trouble. She managed to rejoin the convoy around 1330N/12 in position 57°05'N, 31°03'W.

Around 1245P/3, in position 42°13'N, 52°12'W, the HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and submarine FFS Surcouf (Cdr. P.A.P. Ortolí) joined the convoy.

Around 0230O/7, the Lulworth Hill straggled from the convoy. She did not rejoin and arrived independently at Loch Ewe on 16 April 1941.

Around 0130O/10, in position 42°13'N, 35°00'W, the Surcouf parted company to proceed independently to the U.K.

Around 0530O/10, in position 58°10'N, 34°57'W, HMS Ramillies parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 0700Z/13, in position 61°42'N, 28°16'W, the corvettes HMS Tulip (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0730Z/13, the corvette HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0900Z/13, the destroyer HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1130Z/13, the destroyers HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1400Z/13, the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined the convoy.

Also on the 13th, the destroyer HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN) joined the convoy. [We have been unable to find out the time.]

Around 1430Z/13, in position 61°50'N, 26°55'W, HMS Wolfe parted company to proceed to Reykjavik.

Around 1810Z/13, in position 61°48'N, 26°21'W, the Teakwood was detached to Reykjavik. She took HMS Tulip and HMS Hydrangea with her as escorts. These corvettes subsequently made for the U.K. (possibly rejoining the convoy.)

On 17 April 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Loch Ewe; Bretwalda, British Resource, Caduceus, Dalhousie, Dan-Y-Bryn, Erviken, Ottinge, Patella, Tower Field, Tredinnic, Voco and White Crest. Off the escort vessels the following arrived at Loch Ewe on the same day; HMS Ripley, HMS Volunteer and HMS Kingcup. All three departed Loch Ewe again later the same day.

On 18 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived at Belfast; Dolabella, Horn Shell and Vav.

Also on 18 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived at Greenock; Geo W. McKnight and Sydhav.

Off the escort HMS Volunteer arrived at Belfast on 18 April 1941. She had collided with the destroyer HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. R.H.W. Atkins, RN) off Rathling Island in the North Channel. Both destroyers sustained serious damage.

HMS Ripley arrived at Liverpool on 18 April 1941.

On 19 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Amastra, City of Keelung, Eclipse, Empire Comet, Gyda, Hopetarn, Hoyanger, Jean Jadot, Johilla and Sandanger. Off the escort vessels the following arrived at Liverpool on the same day; HMS Caldwell, HMS Ramsay, HMS Walker, HMS Hydrangea and HMS Tulip.

HMS Kingcup arrived at Londonderry on 19 April 1941.

The Norvinn arrived at Milford Haven on 20 April 1941.

On 20 April 1941 the following merchant vessels arrived in Barry Roads on 20 April 1941 to proceed from their to their respective ports of destination in the Bristol Channel area; Empire Gold, Llanashe and Narragansett. (2)

20 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 122.

This convoy departed Halifax on 20 April 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antigone (British, 4545 GRT, built 1928), Athelregent (British (tanker), 8881 GRT, built 1930), Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930), Brant County (Norwegian, 5001 GRT, built 1915), Capira (Panamanian, 5625 GRT, built 1920), Empire Cheetah (British, 5673 GRT, built 1918), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Empire Hail (British, 7005 GRT, built 1941), Empire Silver (British, 8602 GRT, built 1941), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), Inversuir (British, 9456 GRT, built 1938), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Michalis (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1919), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Saganaga (British, 5454 GRT, built 1935), Saint Gobain (Swedish (tanker), 9959 GRT, built 1936), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Sama (Norwegian, 1799 GRT, built 1937), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), Stiklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938), Strinda (Norwegian (tanker), 10973 GRT, built 1937), Strix (Norwegian (tanker), 6219 GRT, built 1930), Sveve (Norwegian (tanker), 6313 GRT, built 1930), Tortuguero (British, 5285 GRT, built 1921), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920) and Yselhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR).

On departure from Halifax thick fog was encountered and it is not (currently) known to us when the two Canadian corvettes were detached to return to Halifax but most likely this was the next day.

Around 1030Q/22, in position 42°48'N, 56°30'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1930Q/23, in position 42°19'N, 50°38'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1700P/25, in position 45°20'N, 44°45'W, the Empire Hail parted company with the convoy to proceed to St. John's, Newfoundland due to engine trouble.

Around 1315O/30, The battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) was sighted. They were sighted again several times on 1 and 2 May 1941. These ships were to provide additional cover in this area for convoys SC 29 and HX 122. On 3 May 1941, these ships returned to Iceland (Reykjavik / Hvalfjord).

Around 0700O/1, in approximate position 58°48'N, 34°11'W, the destroyer HMS Bulldog (Cdr. A.J.B. Cresswell, RN), corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Daneman (Lt. A.H. Ballard, RNR) and HMS St. Apollo (T/Lt. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).

Around 0850O/1, additional escorts had joined, these were the destroyer HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and corvettes HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR).

Around 0735O/2, in approximate position 60°48'N, 30°36'W, the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0730N/3, in approximate position 62°30'N, 25°22'W, HMS Chesterfield parted company.

Around 1830N/3, in approximate position 62°27'N, 22°10'W, the merchant vessels Diana (British (former Danish), 942 GRT, built 1911) and Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938) joined the convoy coming from Iceland.

Around 0500Z/4, in aproximate position 62°25'N, 19°36'W, the Sveve parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland. She took HMS St. Apollo and HMS Daneman with her as escorts.

Around 0600Z/4, in aproximate position 62°27'N, 19°00'W, the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1045Z/4, in aproximate position 62°29'N, 17°48'W, the destroyer Walker joined the convoy.

Around 1130Z/4, in position 62°28'N, 17°50'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to proceed to Iceland (Hvalfjord) escorted by HMS Amazon and HMS Broadway.

By 1330Z/4, more escort vessels had joined the convoy at intervals, these were the destroyers HMS Chesterfield (which had returned after having fuelled at Hvalfjord), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR).

HMS Bulldog, HMS Aubretia, HMS Hollyhock and HMS Nigella then parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord.

Around 2100Z/5, in approximate position 59°45'N, 10°00'W, the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1430B/6, in approximate position 58°38'N, 06°22'W, the Diana parted company for Scrabster. She took HMS Picotee with her as escort.

Around the same time also HMS Electra and HMS Escapade parted company to join convoy SC 29.

Around 1830B/6, in approximate position 58°03'N, 05°59'W, the Loch Ewe section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the Antigone, Bornholm, Empire Silver, Saganaga and Tortuguero. HMS Walker went with them as escort.

Around 1430B/7, in approximate position 55°35'N, 07°00'W, Candytuft, Honeysuckle and Hydrangea parted company to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 1945B/7, in approximate position 55°09'N, 05°49'W, the Athelregent, Ronan and Strinda parted company to proceed to the Clyde. They took HMS Chesterfield with them as escort.

Around 2020B/7, in approximate position 55°05'N, 05°44'W, the Michalis parted company to proceed to Belfast.

Around 0515B/8, the Bristol Channel section parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Brant County, Empire Cheetah, G.S. Walden, James J. Maguire, Moorby, Saint Gobain, Sama, Sticklestad, Strix and Torvanger.

The remaining ships made up the Liverpool section which proceeded to Moelfre Bay where they anchored for the night before proceeding to their destination.

HMS Ramsey subsequently proceeded to Greenock. (3)

6 May 1941

Convoy HX 125

This convoy departed Halifax on 6 May 1941 in two sections, convoy HX 125A and convoy HX 125B. They merged in the afternoon of May 16th.

Convoy HX 125A was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Abraham Lincoln (Norwegian, 5784 GRT, built 1929), Armadale (British, 5066 GRT, built 1929), Athelknight (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1930), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Baron Dunmore (British, 3938 GRT, built 1933), Bic Island (British, 4000 GRT, built 1917), British Cinfidence (British (tanker), 8494 GRT, built 1936), British Fortitude (British (tanker), 8482 GRT, built 1937), British Sincerity (British (tanker), 8538 GRT, built 1939), Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1935), Eskbank (British, 5137 GRT, built 1937), Fjordheim (British, 4115 GRT, built 1930), Garonne (Norwegian (tanker), 7113 GRT, built 1921), Glenwood (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940), Harmala (British, 5730 GRT, built 1935), Harpagon (British, 5719 GRT, built 1935), Ingerfem (British, 3987 GRT, built 1912), King Neptune (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), King William (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Lancastrian Prince (British, 1914 GRT, built 1940), Lucellum (British (tanker), 9425 GRT, built 1938), Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927), Luxor (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1930), O.A. Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 11007 GRT, built 1938), Port Nicholson (British, 8402 GRT, built 1919), Ramsay (British, 4855 GRT, built 1930), Robert F. Hand (British (tanker), 12197 GRT, built 1933), San Amado (British (tanker), 7316 GRT, built 1935), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), Silverelm (British, 4351 GRT, built 1924), Taron (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Topdalsfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921), Trevilley (British, 5296 GRT, built 1940), Troubadour (Norwegian, 5808 GRT, built 1920) and Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 125A was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania (Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Ringrose-Wharton, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN). The corvettes however soon returned to Halifax.

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Convoy HX 125B was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Breedijk (Dutch, 6861 GRT, built 1922), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), British Destiny (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), British Prestige (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), Christian Holm (British (tanker), 9119 GRT, built 1927), City of Adelaide (British, 6589 GRT, built 1920), Clearpool (British, 5404 GRT, built 1935), Cockaponset (British, 5995 GRT, built 1919), Corrales (British, 5363 GRT, built 1930), Diloma (British (tanker), 8146 GRT, built 1939), Egyptian Prince (British, 3490 GRT, built 1922), Empire Barracuda (British, 4972 GRT, built 1919), Empire Hail (British, 7005 GRT, built 1941), Evgenia Chandris (Greek, 5317 GRT, built 1920), Frontenac (Norwegian (tanker), 7350 GRT, built 1928), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Hellen (Norwegian, 5289 GRT, built 1921), Ida Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 8913 GRT, built 1925), Invincible (British, 7592 GRT, built 1918), Kelso (British, 3956 GRT, built 1924), Kent (British, 8697 GRT, built 1918), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Masunda (British, 5250 GRT, built 1929), Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927), Norfolk (British, 10948 GRT, built 1918) and Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 125B was escorted by the sloop HMS Aberdeen (Lt. S.G. Rivers-Smith, RN).

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On 7 May 1941, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) departed Halifax to provide cover for both sections of the convoy. She set course to return to Halifax around midnight during the night of 13/14 May 1941.

Four recently transferred US Coast Guard Cutters were also with the convoy, though these had not been rearmed and worked up. These were; HMS Banff (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Evans, RN), HMS Culver (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN), HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and HMS Hartland ( A/Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN).

On the 16th the destroyers HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN), HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN) and the corvettes HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR), HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.S. Connell, RNR) and HMS Larkspur (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RNR) joined the convoy coming from Iceland. They remained with the convoy until the 18th.

In the afternoon of the 16th, Convoys HX 125A and HX 125B merged into one big convoy.

Around 1330Z/18, HMS Ascania parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik.

On the 18th the destroyers HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR), HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN), HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, RN), corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR), HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RNR), HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR), HMS Tulip (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR) and HMS Wallflower (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Tyson, RN), and the minesweeper HMS Salamander (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Cooke, RN) joined the convoy.

On the 19th the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined on the 19th as did the minesweepers HMS Bramble (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN), HMS Gossamer (Lt.Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, RN), HMS Seagull ( Cdr.(Retd.) R.H.V. Sivewright, RN) and HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. D. Lampen, RN) but apparently only for a short while.

The destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) joined the convoy on the 20th.

also on the 20th the corvettes HMS Tulip and HMS Wallflower were detached.

The destroyers HMS Inglefield and HMS Escapade were destached on the 21st as was the corvette HMS Honeysuckle.

The convoy arrived in British waters on 22 May 1941.

4 Jun 1941

Convoy WS 9A.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 4 June 1941.

On assembly the convoy was made up of the transports; Aagtekerk (Dutch, 6811 GRT, built 1934), Capetown Castle (British, 27000 GRT, built 1938), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Eastern Prince (British, 10926 GRT, built 1929), Empire Condor (British, 7773 GRT, built 1940), Empire Curlew (British, 7101 GRT, built 1941), Empire Egret (British, 7169 GRT, built 1939), Empire Widgeon (British, 6737 GRT, built 1940), Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Mendoza (British, 8233 GRT, built 1919), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915) and Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921).

On assembly of the convoy it was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), AA cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. I.R.H. Black, RN), armed merchant cruisers HMS Ausonia (Capt.(Retd.) G.H. Freyberg, OBE, RN), HMS Dunnottar Castle (Capt.(Retd.) C.T.A. Bunbury, RN) and the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN), HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN), HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) and HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN).

At 0130Z/7, HMS Vanquisher and HMS Winchelsea parted company with the convoy.

At 0700Z/7, HMS Ausonia, HMS Cairo and all remaining destroyer parted company with the convoy.

In the afternoon of the 14th the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) joined the convoy escort.

HMS Highland was however soon detached for other duties.

In the morning of the 15th the destroyer HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) joined the convoy escort.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 16 June 1941.

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The convoy departed Freetown for South Africa on 20 June 1941.

The composition of the convoy was the same in which it had arrived with the addition of the transports Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913) and Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Birmingham and the destroyers HMS Boreas, HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. R.L.S. Gaisford, RN), HMS Velox and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN).

At 0700ZA(-0.5)/23, the destroyers parted company with the convoy.

In the morning of July 1st, the transports Capetown Castle, Durban Castle, Eastern Prince, Empire Widgeon, Empress of Japan and Llangibby Castle parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Capetown.

At 1400AB(-1.5)/2, HMS Birmingham parted company with the convoy after the escort had been taken over by the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) which came from Mauritius. HMS Birmingham then proceeded to Simonstown.

The Eastern Prince departed Capetown on 2 July to proceeded independently to Durban.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Durban on 4 July 1941.

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On 5 July 1941, the ships of the Capetown section (minus Eastern Prince, see above) departed there escorted by HMS Birmingham which had come from Simonstown.

On 8 July 1941, the transports Aagtekerk, Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Empire Condor, Empire Curlew, Empire Egret and Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922) and their escort HMS Hawkins departed Durban to make rendezvous with the Capetown section the following day.

On making rendezvous, HMS Birmingham was detached to return to Simonstown.

At 1415D, the transports Capetown Castle, Durban Castle and Empress of Japan parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bombay. This was known as Convoy WS 9AX. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) which had just made rendezvous with the convoy. They arrived at Bombay at 24 July.

The remainder of the ships continued on to the vicinity of Aden escorted by HMS Hawkins. The convoy was dispersed on 21 July 1941. (4)

10 Jun 1941

Convoy HX 132.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 June 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Avra (Greek, 4652 GRT, built 1912), Bayano (British, 6815 GRT, built 1917), Belita (British (tanker), 6323 GRT, built 1933), British Industry (British (tanker), 4297 GRT, built 1927), Circe Shell (British (tanker), 8207 GRT, built 1931), Dalfram (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Duke of Sparta (British, 5397 GRT, built 1940), Empire Falcon (British, 4970 GRT, built 1918), James Hawson (British (tanker), 6074 GRT, built 1930), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Marchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Ornefjell (Norwegian (tanker), 1334 GRT, built 1937), Sama (Norwegian, 1799 GRT, built 1937), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Schuylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937), Tore Jarl (Norwegian, 1514 GRT, built 1920) and Trekieve (British, 5244 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMCS Annapolis (A/Lt.Cdr. F.C. Smith, RCNR).

The battleships HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) also departed Halifax late on the 10th and joined the convoy at sea early on the 11th after which HMCS Annapolis parted company to return to Halifax.

On the morning of 13 June 1941, Convoy BHX 132 joined, which had departed Bermuda on 8 June 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Belinda (British (tanker), 8325 GRT, built 1939), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Cistula (British (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Corilla (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Cortona (British, 7093 GRT, built 1921), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), Eknaren (Swedish, 5243 GRT, built 1922), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Elona (British (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1936), Hopemount (British (tanker), 7434 GRT, built 1929), Merchant (British, 4615 GRT, built 1934), Oilreliance (British (tanker), 5666 GRT, built 1929), Otina (British (tanker), 6217 GRT, built 1938) and Vimeira (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927).

They had been escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Maloja (A/Capt. V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) which then parted company.

Around 0800O/16, the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR), HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR) and HMCS Cobalt ( T/Lt. C.J. Angus, RCNR).

Around 1530O/16, the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) also joined. she had first directed convoy SC 34 towards convoy HX 132.

Around 2100O/16, Convoy SC 34 and it's escort, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN), took station astern of convoy HX 132.

Around 1200O/18, HMCS Restigouche and HMCS Columbia parted company with the convoy.

Around 2000O/18, HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy to join westbound convoy OB 334.

HMS Ranpura, HMCS Saguenay, HMS Ramsay, HMS Richmond, HMS Candytuft and HMCS Cobalt parted company with the combined convoy around 1020Z/23 to proceed to Reykjavik.

Other A/S vessels had joined by that time but sources vary on their composition and the time they were with the convoy.

The relief A/S escorts most likely involved in escorting HX 132 and / or SC 34 were; destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR), mineweeepers HMS Gossamer (Lt.Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN), HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. J.B.G. Temple, DSC, RN), HMS Hussar ( Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), A/S trawlers HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR) and HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR). The catapult ship Pegasus apparently also joined the convoys.

[This will have to be further researched in the future.]

The convoys at a certain point apparently separated again. Convoy HX 132 arrived in U.K. waters on 28 June 1941. Convoy SC 34 arrived in U.K. waters on 29 June 1941.

10 Jun 1941

Convoy SC 34.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 June 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aaro (British (former Danish), 1426 GRT, built 1925), Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Baron Vernon (British, 3642 GRT, built 1929), Berkel (Dutch, 2130 GRT, built 1930), Bjorkhaug (Norwegian, 2094 GRT, built 1919), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Borgfred (Norwegian, 2183 GRT, built 1920), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Cordelia (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), Dinaric (British, 2555 GRT, built 1919), Eastmoor (British, 5812 GRT, built 1922), Einvik (Norwegian, 2000 GRT, built 1918), Empire Buffalo (British, 6404 GRT, built 1919), Fido (Norwegian, 1857 GRT, built 1919), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Geddington Court (British, 6903 GRT, built 1928), Gunvor Maersk (British, 1977 GRT, built 1931), Hartbridge (British, 5080 GRT, built 1927), Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922), Iron Baron (British, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Keila (British, 3621 GRT, built 1905), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Leighton (British, 7412 GRT, built 1921), Margit (British, 1735 GRT, built 1924), Mariston (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Michalios (Greek, 3742 GRT, built 1908), Milcrest (British, 5283 GRT, built 1919), Nicolaos Piangos (Greek, 4499 GRT, built 1912), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Pennington Court (British, 6098 GRT, built 1924), Redpool (British, 4848 GRT, built 1924), Scorton (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Snar (Norwegian, 3176 GRT, built 1920), Solhavn (Norwegian, 1630 GRT, built 1918) and Vestland (Norwegian, 1934 GRT, built 1916).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN) and auxiliary patrol boats HMCS Raccoon (T/Lt. N.G. Bennett, RCNR) and HMCS Reindeer (Lt. L.G. Cumming, RCNVR). Both patrol vessels returned to Halifax on the 11th.

In the morning of the 15th the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) joined to guide the convoy towards convoy HX 132.

Around 2100O/16, Convoy SC 34 took station astern of convoy HX 132.

The combined convoy was then escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura, destroyers HMCS Restigouche, HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR), HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR) and HMCS Cobalt ( T/Lt. C.J. Angus, RCNR).

HMS Ranpura, HMCS Saguenay, HMS Ramsay, HMS Richmond, HMS Candytuft and HMCS Cobalt parted company with the combined convoy around 1020Z/23 to proceed to Reykjavik.

Other A/S vessels had joined by that time but sources vary on their composition and the time they were with the convoy.

[This will have to be further researched in the future.]

The convoys at a certain point apparently separated again. Convoy HX 132 arrived in U.K. waters on 28 June 1941. Convoy SC 34 arrived in U.K. waters on 29 June 1941.

13 Dec 1943
HMS Unicorn (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, DSO, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. Also a refuelling at sea exercise was carried out with HMS Ramsey (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.D. Davies, DSC, RNR) (5)

2 Dec 1944
HMS Sibyl (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Ramsey (Lt. R.A.S. Sproul-Bolton, RN) and HMS Wells (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Owen, DSC, RN). (6)