Allied Warships

HMS Landguard (Y 56)

Sloop of the Banff class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSloop
ClassBanff 
PennantY 56 
Built byGeneral Engineering & Drydock Co. (Oakland, California, U.S.A.). 
Ordered 
Laid down 
Launched11 Sep 1930 
Commissioned20 May 1941 
End service 
History

Not returned to the United States.
Sold 6 October 1949 and scrapped at Ceylon.

 
Former nameUSCGC Shoshone

Commands listed for HMS Landguard (Y 56)

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.Cdr. (emergency) Rowland Etienne Sinclair Hugonin, RN20 May 194120 Oct 1942
2Lt.Cdr. (retired) Thomas Stanley Lane Fox-Pitt, RN20 Oct 194217 Jan 1944
3Lt. Bernard Morland Skinner, RN17 Jan 19448 May 1945
4T/Lt. Ralph Orlando Tyrer, RNVR8 May 1945late 1945

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Notable events involving Landguard include:


26 Oct 1941

Convoy OS 10.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 26 October 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aldermarin (Dutch, 7886 GRT, built 1920), Anglo-Indian (British, 5609 GRT, built 1938), Bennekom (Dutch, 5998 GRT, built 1917), Berwickshire (British, 7464 GRT, built 1912), Blommersdijk (British, 6855 GRT, built 1922), Clan Alpine (British, 5442 GRT, built 1918), Clan Chattan (British, 7262 GRT, built 1937), Custodian (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Derrymore (British, 4799 GRT, built 1938), Dundrum Castle (British, 5259 GRT, built 1919), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Egyptian (British, 2868 GRT, built 1920), Elysia (British, 6757 GRT, built 1908), Empire Moonbeam (British, 6849 GRT, built 1941), Empire Ortolan (British, 4970 GRT, built 1919), Fana (Norwegian, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Gleniffer (British, 9559 GRT, built 1919), Halizones (British, 3298 GRT, built 1920), Henri Jaspar (Belgian, 5760 GRT, built 1929), Holmpark (British, 5780 GRT, built 1927), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Lagosian (British, 5412 GRT, built 1930), Lindenhall (British, 5248 GRT, built 1937), Lulworth Hill (British, 7628 GRT, built 1940), Mariso (British, 7659 GRT, built 1930), Marklyn (British, 3090 GRT, built 1918), Marsa (British, 4405 GRT, built 1928), Mary Kingsley (British, 5021 GRT, built 1930), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), Rio Verde (Norwegian, 3223 GRT, built 1924), San Andres (Norwegian, 1975 GRT, built 1921), Silverteak (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930), Somerville (Norwegian, 4265 GRT, built 1929), Starstone (British, 5702 GRT, built 1938), Trader (British, 6087 GRT, built 1940), Trefusis (British, 5299 GRT, built 1918) and Twickenham (British, 4762 GRT, built 1940).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, RNR), cutters HMS Culver (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN), HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.E.S. Hugonin, RN), HMS Lulworth (Lt.Cdr. C. Gwinner, RN) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) and HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR).

On 4 November 1941, HMS Verbena was detached.

On 13 November 1941, the destroyer HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. R.L.S. Gaisford, RN) and the corvettes HMS Burdock (T/Lt. H.J. Fellows, SANF(V)), HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR) and HMS Starwort (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, RD, RNR) and the RFA tanker Rapidol (2648 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy.

On 14 November 1941, HMS Bideford, cutters HMS Culver, HMS Landguard, HMS Lulworth, corvettes Freesia and the Rapidol were detached.

During 14/15 November 1941, cover for the convoy was provided by the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Dunedin (Capt. R.S. Lovatt, RN).

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 18 November 1941.

9 Aug 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, RNR), HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.E.S. Hugonin, RN), HMS Hastings (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Philpott, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN). (1)

8 Feb 1943
HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN) picks up 48 survivors from the British merchant Mary Slessor that was and damaged the previous day after hitting a mine west of Gibraltar in position 35°58'N, 05°59'W laid on 1/2 February by the German U-boat U-118. The Mary Slessor finally sank in the Strait of Gibraltar in position 35°55'N, 06°02'W.

5 Apr 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Collingwood (Lt. D.W. Groos, RCN), HMCS Brandon (T/Lt. H.E. McArthur, RCNVR), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) P.J. Fitzgerald, RN), HMCS Amherst (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L. de la C. Audette, RCNVR), HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR). (2)

7 Jul 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Fame (Capt. R. Heathcote, DSO, RN) and HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr. (retired) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN). (3)

8 Jul 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Fame (Cdr. R. Heathcote, DSO, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR) and HMCS La Malbaie (T/Lt. J.S. Davis, RCNVR). (4)

9 Jul 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Fame (Capt. R. Heathcote, DSO, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN). (5)

23 Aug 1943
On the 23th August 1943 the 40th Escort Group (Cdr. Dallison), consisting of the sloops HMS Landguard, HMS Bideford, HMS Hastings and the frigates HMS Exe, HMS Moyola and HMS Waveney were deployed on a U-boat hunt off Cape Ortegal. The whole operation was covered by the British light cruiser HMS Bermuda.

On the 25th August the Canadian 5th Support Group (Cdr. Tweed), consisting of the British frigates HMS Nene, HMS Tweed and the Canadian corvettes HMCS Calgary, HMCS Edmundston and HMCS Snowberry were deployed to relieve the 40th Escort Group. While this was in progress the ships were attacked at 1415 hrs by 14 Dornier Do-217's and 7 Ju-88's. with the new German weapon, the Henschel Glider Bombs, (the "Hs293 A-1"). Designed by the German Professor Herbert Wagner. HMS Landguard and HMS Bideford were the first of the Allied and R.N. ships to be attacked and damaged by them. This being the first time of their being brought into action against Allied ships. Several sailors were injured on HMS Bideford and one sailor was killed.

Another two days later on the 27th August 1943 the Canadian 5th Support group was relieved by the 1st Support group (Cdr. Brewer) consisting of the sloops HMS Pelican, HMS Egret and the frigates HMS Jed, HMS Rother, HMS Spey and HMS Evenlode. Also the covering cruiser HMS Bermuda was relieved by the Canadian destroyer HMCS Athabaskan and the British destroyer HMS Grenville. These ships were also attacked by the Germans. This time with 18 Dornier Do-217?s also carrying Henschel Glider Bombs. HMCS Athabaskan was heavily damaged and HMS Egret was sunk with the loss of 194 of her crew. After this loss the U-boat hunt was blown off.

24 Feb 1944

Convoy KR 9.

This convoy departed Kilindini on 24 February 1944.

It was made up of the following transports; Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) and Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Kilindini the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), destroyer HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), sloops HMS Landguard (Lt. B.M. Skinner, RN), HMS Lulworth (Lt.Cdr. R.C.S. Woolley, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (T/Lt.Cdr. G.M. Berlyn, SANF(V)) and HMS Snowflake (Lt. E.J. Powell, RNR).

Around 1700C/26, HMS Relentless parted company to fuel at Port Victoria, Seychelles.

Around 1730D/27, HMS Relentless rejoined.

Around 0930D/1, the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, NethN) joined the convoy coming from Addu Atoll. HrMs Tjerk Hiddes then received some fuel HMS Frobisher. HMS Landguard, HMS Lulworth and HMS Freesia were then detached to Port Victoria, Seychelles.

Around 0715FG/5, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) joined coming from Colombo.

The convoy was then split into two sections;
The Colombo section was made up of the City of London, Egra and Pulaski, escorted by HMS Frobisher, HMS Petard, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes and HMS Snowflake. It arrived at Colombo on 5 March 1944.

The Trincomalee section was made up of the Banfora and Rajula and was escorted by HMS Rotherham, HMS Relentless, HMS Pathfinder and HMAS Norman. It arrived at Trincomalee on 6 March 1944.

11 Oct 1944
During 11-13 October 1944, HMS Newcastle (Capt. J.G. Roper, OBE, RN), conducted exercises off Kilindini. During these exercises the sloop (cutter) HMS Landguard (Lt. B.M. Skinner, RN) served as target ship on several occasions.

On completion of the exercises on 13 October HMS Newcastle proceeded to Manza Bay. (6)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/17216
  2. ADM 173/17793
  3. ADM 173/17926
  4. ADM 173/17772
  5. ADM 173/17796
  6. ADM 53/120145

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


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