Allied Warships

HMS Pennywort (K 111)

Corvette of the Flower class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeCorvette
ClassFlower 
PennantK 111 
Built byA & J Inglis Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland) : Kincaid 
Ordered12 Dec 1939 
Laid down11 Mar 1941 
Launched18 Oct 1941 
Commissioned5 Mar 1942 
End service 
History

HMS Pennywort is not listed as active unit in the July 1945 Navy List

Sold in 1947.
Scrapped at Troon in February 1949.

 

Commands listed for HMS Pennywort (K 111)

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

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. George Charles Wilson Meldrum, RD, RNRJan 194220 Mar 1942
2T/Lt. Richard Albert Mason, RNVR20 Mar 194211 Feb 1943
3Lt. Orme Gordon Stuart, RCNVR11 Feb 1943

4T/Lt. Albert William James, RNR20 Dec 194319 Aug 1944
5T/Lt. William Percival Hart, RNR19 Aug 194410 Dec 1944
6T/Lt. Jack Charles Edwin Down, RNR10 Dec 1944Apr 1945 ?

You can help improve our commands section
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this vessel.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve this ships page.

Notable events involving Pennywort include:


1 Apr 1942
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) departed Tobermory for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (1)

29 May 1942
HMS H 28 (Lt. J.S. Bridger, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR), HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN), USS Spry (Lt. M.W. Firth, USN) and HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (2)

11 Sep 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) and HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (3)

12 Sep 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR), HMS Clover (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Shaw, RNR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RD, RNR), HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR) and HMS Dunkery (T/Lt. S.M. Booker, RNVR). (3)

6 Feb 1943
HMS P 31 (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. The passage North through the Minches was made together with HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bach Kolling, RNN(R)). They were escorted by HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (4)

9 Feb 1943
HMS P 225 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) shifted from Scapa Flow to Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (5)

11 Feb 1943
HMS P 216 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS P 53 (Lt. G.E. Hunt, RN). They were escorted by HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (6)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Pennyworth (Lt. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) picks up 30 men from the American merchant James Oglethorpe that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-758 in the North Atlantic in position 50°38'N, 34°46'W.
The James Oglethorpe (with 30 men still on board) tried to reach St. John's Canada, but was never seen again.

HMS Pennywort also picks up 40 survivors from the Norwegian merchant Elin K. that was torpedoed and sunk the previous day in position 50°38'N, 34°46'W by German U-boat U-603.

18 Mar 1943
HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RNR) and HMS Pennywort (Lt. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) together pick up 54 survivors from the British merchant Canadian Star that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-221 southeast of Cape Farewell in position 53°24'N, 28°34'W.

19 Jun 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR or Lt.Cdr. G.S. Grant, RNR), HMS Pennyworth (Lt. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR), HMS Highlander (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Asphodel (Lt. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR). (7)

27 Jul 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Madison, USS Lansdale, HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR), HMS Pennywort (Lt. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) and HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR). (8)

14 Aug 1943

Convoy MKS 21G.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 14 August 1943.

The convoy was made up of the following transports; Bardistan (British, 7264 GRT, built 1942), Baron Ramsay (British, 3650 GRT, built 1929), Baxtergate (British, 5531 GRT, built 1925), Becheville (British, 4228 GRT, built 1924), Blairnevis (British, 4155 GRT, built 1930), City of Dieppe (British, 7958 GRT, built 1929), City of Durban (British, 5945 GRT, built 1921), Clan MacIver (British, 4500 GRT, built 1921), Clan MacNeil (British, 6111 GRT, built 1922), Coity Castle (British, 2767 GRT, built 1919), Dornoch (British, 5186 GRT, built 1939), Empire Baxter (British, 7024 GRT, built 1941), Empire Conrad (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942), Empire Friendship (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943), Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Fort Wedderburne (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Goodwin (British, 1570 GRT, built 1917), Marsa (British, 4405 GRT, built 1928), Marwarri (British, 8067 GRT, built 1935), Narva (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937), Norfalk (Norwegian, 5675 GRT, built 1919), Ogmore Castle (British, 2481 GRT, built 1919), Ottinge (British, 2870 GRT, built 1940), Pandorian (British, 4159 GRT, built 1941), Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928), Pendeen (British, 4174 GRT, built 1923), Saint Bernard (British, 5183 GRT, built 1939), Seapool (British, 4820 GRT, built 1940), Shuna (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937), Sneland I (Norwegian, 1791 GRT, built 1922) and Stanlodge (British, 5977 GRT, built 1943).

The boom carrier HMS Laomedon (6693 GRT, built 1912) (A/Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (Lt. R.I. Floris, RNZNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR), HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR), HMS Pennywort (Lt. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMS Speedy (A/Cdr. H.J.A.S. Jerome, DSO, RN).

On 15 August 1943, the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) departed Gibraltar to overtake the convoy and join the convoy escort for extra AA defence. She joined the convoy later the same day.

During the passage to the U.K. the transport Empire Friendship developed engine trouble. The transport Becheville stood by her to assist as did the corvette HMS Clover. The sloop HMS Hastings (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Philpott, DSC, RD, RNR) and tug Dexterous were sent out from Falmouth.

At 0515B/20, HMS Charybdis, parted company with the convoy to join the combined convoy WS 33 / KMF 22.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 25 August 1943 minus the Empire Friendship and the Becheville which arrived on the 27th.

5 Sep 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Pennywort (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) and HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Thornton, DSC, RNR). (9)

25 Sep 1943

Convoy MKS 25G.

This convoy departed Gibraltar for the U.K. on 25 September 1942.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arlesford (British, 2472 GRT, built 1922), Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925), Benrinnes (British, 5410 GRT, built 1921), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), Bur (Swedish, 1956 GRT, built 1919), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Clan MacBean (British, 5000 GRT, built 1918), Clan MacNair (British, 6096 GRT, built 1921), Dimitrios Inglessis (Greek, 5275 GRT, built 1918), Elizabeth Massey (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Empire Pennant (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942), Empire Prince (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), Empire Summer (British, 6949 GRT, built 1941), Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941), Flaminian (British, 2711 GRT, built 1917), Fort Chipewyan (British, 7136 GRT, built 1942), Fort McMurray (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Glenfinlas (British, 7479 GRT, built 1917), Inventor (British, 6210 GRT, built 1935), Kindat (British, 4358 GRT, built 1938), Lech (British, 1568 GRT, built 1934), Linge (Dutch, 2114 GRT, built 1928), Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Nairung (British, 5414 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Strength (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), P.L.M. 13 (British, 3754 GRT, built 1921), Rajput (British, 5497 GRT, built 1925), Skeldergate (British, 4251 GRT, built 1930) and Trevorian (British, 4599 GRT, built 1920).

The rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy.

The RFA escort oiler Fortol (2629 GRT, built 1917) was also with convoy.

The monitor HMS Erebus (Cdr.(Retd.) H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN) also took passage in the convoy.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), sloop HMS Redpole (Lt.Cdr. I.M. Carrs, RN) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (Lt. R.I. Floris, RNZNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR), HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR) and HMS Pennywort (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR).

On 26 September the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar and joined the convoy.

Around 2355A/1, HMS Redpole parted company with the convoy.

Around 1930A/2, the light cruiser HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) joined. She parted company with the convoy around 1430A/3.

Around 2030A/3, HMS Scylla parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.

Around 0800A/4, HMS Erebus parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth escorted by HMS Witch.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 8 October 1943.

16 Oct 1943
HMS H 50 (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wild Goose (A/Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN), HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Ettrick (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR), HMS Pennywort (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) and HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN). (10)

22 Feb 1944
HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Cam (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RD, RNR), HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR), HMS Swale (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR). (11)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Cam (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RD, RNR), HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR), HMS Gorleston (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.A.E. Leonard, RNZNVR) and HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR). (11)

27 Feb 1944
HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Cam (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RD, RNR), HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR), HMS Quadrille (T/Lt. G.A. Peat, RNVR) and HMS Kilbride (Lt. H.O. L’Estrange, DSC, RNR). (11)

28 Feb 1944
HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Gorleston (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.A.E. Leonard, RNZNVR), HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR), HMS Cam (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RD, RNR) and HMS Wye (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Powys-Smith, RNR). (11)

19 Mar 1944
HMS Unison (T/Lt. P.C.S. Pritchard, RNR) departed Rothesay for Blyth. She made the passage north through the Minches together with HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN). They were escorted by HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR). (12)

4 May 1944
HMS H 28 (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR), HMS Wanderer, HMS Drury (Lt. N.J. Parker, RN), HMS Calder (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) and HMS Scarborough (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Carnduff, RN). (13)

25 Aug 1944
HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. W.P. Hart, RNR) and HMS Damsay together pick up 59 survivors from the British merchant Orminster that was torpedoed and sunk by the Germans submarine U-480 in the English Channel about 35 nautical miles north-west of Cap d?Antifer in position 50°09'N, 00°44'W.

3 Jan 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. J.C.E. Down, RNR) and HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. C.T. Letts, RNVR). (14)

17 May 1945
HMS Upshot (Lt. A.J. Boyall, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. J.C.E. Down, RNR) and FFS Commandant Drogou. (15)

Sources

  1. File 2.12.03.6369 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  2. ADM 173/17201
  3. ADM 173/17253
  4. ADM 173/17897
  5. ADM 173/18080
  6. ADM 199/627
  7. ADM 173/17925
  8. ADM 173/17772
  9. ADM 173/17786
  10. ADM 173/17833
  11. ADM 173/19325
  12. ADM 173/19214
  13. ADM 173/18473
  14. ADM 173/20229
  15. ADM 173/20191

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


Return to the Allied Warships section