Allied Warships

HMS Violet (K 35)

Corvette of the Flower class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Corvette
Class	Flower
Pennant	K 35
Built by	W. Simons & Co. Ltd. (Renfrew, Scotland)
Ordered	21 Sep 1939
Laid down	21 Mar 1940
Launched	30 Dec 1940
Commissioned	3 Feb 1941
End service	17 May 1947
History	Ordered under the 1939 emergency war programme. 7th Royal Navy ship to be so called, the first dating from 1588. Building time 10 months and 3 days. Operational History 1941 17 February, arrived Tobermory for work up 9 March, allocated to Western Approaches Command 12th Escort Group, based on Londonderry 9th March, convoy duties with OB293, followed by HG55, OB301, HG56, OB311, SC29, HX124/SC30, HX130, OB338 and HX133 29 June, with HMS Arabis, HMS Malcolm, HMS Scimitar and HMS Speedwell sunk U-651 in North Atlantic (59-52N, 18_36W) 10 July, transferred to 8th Escort Group; 13 July, further escort for SC36, followed by ON1, HX140, ON6 and HX143 20 August, refit at Dundee 26 September, allocated to South Atlantic Command 10 October, at 03.25 hrs picked up survivors of the Nailsea Manor 23 October, arrived Freetown 28 October, arrived Takoradi 1 November, arrived Lagos 1942 January, ran aground at the mouth of the Niger whilst heading for Fernando Po to pick up two small Freighters 31 January, sailed from Lagos 8 February, arrived Freetown 9 February sailed for escort duties between Lagos and Freetown with convoy SL100 followed by OS18, Sl102, OS20, SL104, OS22 15 April sailed from Freetown 19 April, arrived Takoradi 25 April, convoy LS3 followed by SL109, LS5, SL112 8 July, refit at Sheerness (armament 1 x 4 inch, 1 x 2 pdr, 4 x 20mm, 2 x 6 pdr and Hedgehog) 30 September, refit completed 4 October, allocated to Western Approaches, 36 escort group in the Irish Sea 22 October, escort for KMS1 27 November, escort for KS2A 25 December, 37 Escort Group convoy KMS6. 1943 11 January, escort for convoy MKS5 7 February, KMS9 16 April, to 38 Escort Group, Western Approaches, escort for OS46/KMS13 25 April, OS46, followed by SL129, OS50, SL133, MKS18, OS53, ST75, STL1 and SL137 20 October, refit at Sheerness (armament 1 x 4 inch, 1 x 2 pdr, 4 x 20mm, 2 x 6 pdr and Hedgehog). 1944 3 January, refit completed 6 January, work up at Tobermory 15 January, allocated to Eastern Fleet; Sailed from Londonderry to Gibraltar, escorting KMS 39 19 January, sank U-641 in North Atlantic (50-15N, 18-49W) Convoys OS65/KMS39 28 January arrived at Gibraltar 6 February arrived at Port Said 26 February arrived at Aden 8 March, convoy duties to and from Aden RV BA64 18 March, sailed with convoy AB33B to Bombay 12 April, sailed for Hormuz with BP112 18 April, PA76 to Aden 28 April, escorted Italian submarine Giada to Colombo 20 May, JC49A to Chittagong 28 May, escorted AM3 to Calcutta 8 June, CJ30A to Colombo 20 June, JCS52A to Chittagong 28 June, AM4 to Madras 5 July, CJ33A to Colombo 15 July, JC56A to Vizagpanam 21 July, CJ36 to Colombo 28 July, MB77 to Bombay 17 August, BP117 to Hormuz 24 August, PA to Aden 8 September, AP74 to Hormuz 20 September, PB84C to Karachi 3 October sailed to Aden 15 November, sailed to Bombay to join the East Indies Fleet 23 November, BAF6A to Aden 10 December, AP74B to Hormuz 1945 1 February, arrived Bombay to operate between Masirah and Colombo 21 March, arrived Colombo 31 March arrived Diego Suarez, Madagascar 7 April, arrived East London for refit 23 July sailed from Durban for Colombo 29 July, arrived Diego Suarez, Madagascar 7 August, arrived Colombo 22 August, arrived Cocos Islands 27 August, grounded Madagascar sailed from Colombo after boiler clean to the Cocos Islands in readiness for the invasion of Singapore 9 September, arrived Cocos Island Air-Sea Rescue Patrol off Sumatra and Java, crossing the Equator nine times every four days (setting a record) sailing for 24 hours and drifting for 16 to conserve fuel. 25 September, arrived Cocos Island 16 October, arrived Colombo 16 November, arrived Cocos Island 1 December, arrived Colombo 1946 5 January, sailed from Colombo for UK 10 February, arrived Harwich to reduce to category C reserve. 1947 14 October, towed from Harwich after being sold on 17 May to Zubi Shipping Co., London and renamed La Aguerra. 1949 Sold to Industrias Pesqueras Africanas SA, Spain and renamed La Guera. 1958 Sold to Flatamentos Maritimos SA Spain, renamed Claudio Sabadell 1970 October, broken up at Bilbao in Spain. For crew lists and more info on this ship see this link (off site).

Commands listed for HMS Violet (K 35)

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	Commander	From	To
1	Lt.Cdr. Kenneth Montgomery Nicholson, RNR	6 Nov 1940	Sep 1941
2	T/Lt. Frank Clarin Reynolds, RCNVR	Sep 1941	9 Apr 1942
3	Lt. Charles Napier Stewart, RNR	9 Apr 1942	10 Jun 1945
4	T/A/Lt.Cdr. Arthur Robert James Tilston, DSC, SANF(V)	10 Jun 1945	25 Oct 1945

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Notable events involving Violet include:

20 Feb 1941
HMS H 50 (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory with HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) and HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR). (1)

26 Feb 1941
HMS H 50 (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory with HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR) and HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR). (1)

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 (British, 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 Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN), HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, 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.

On 14 May 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 Burwell, HMS Scimitar, HMS Malcolm, corvettes HMS Aubretia, HMS Heliotrope, HMS Hollyhock, HMS Mallow, HMS Nigella, HMS Vervena, HMS Veronica and all the A/S trawlers were detached on 14 May.

HMS Circassia and HMS Watchman were detached on 15 May 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 Saladin joined the escort.

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 20 May.

29 Jun 1941
German U-boat U-651 was sunk south of Iceland, in position 59°52'N, 18°36'W, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN), HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, RN), the corvettes HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR) and HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) and the minesweeper HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RNR).

27 Jul 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (2)

10 Oct 1941
HMS Violet (T/Lt. F.C. Reynolds, RCNVR) picks up 42 survivors from the British merchant Nailsea Manor that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-126 north-east of the Cape Verde Islands in position 18°45'N, 21°18'W.

19 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Aubretia (Lt. G.D. Fowler, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR) and HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR). (3)

20 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), HMS Fowey (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN), HMS Carnation (Lt. A. Branson, RNR) and HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR). (3)

21 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Campion (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RNVR), HMS Myosotis (Lt. G.P.S. Lowe, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), HMS Carnation (Lt. A. Branson, RNR) and HMS Tango (T/Lt. J. Hunter, RNR). (3)

1 Feb 1943
HMS H 44 (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Alisma (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Pink (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC, RNR), HMS Carnation (Lt. A. Branson, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt. W.R.B. Noall, DSC, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR) and HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR). (4)

2 Feb 1943
HMS H 44 (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Carnation (Lt. A. Branson, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt. W.R.B. Noall, DSC, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR) and HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR). (4)

3 Feb 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Campion (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt. W.R.B. Noall, DSO, RNR) and HMS Balsam (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNVR). (5)

16 Jun 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Lough Foyle. There she conducted A/S exercises with HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Wellington (Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), HMS Coreopsis (T/Lt. B.C. Hamilton, RNR), HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. H.V. Gordon, DSC, RNVR). (6)

17 Jun 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wellington (Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN), HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN), HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR). (6)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Columbine T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR), HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR) and HMS Sweetbriar (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Edwards, RNVR). (7)

12 Jan 1944
HMS Varangian (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Forrest Hill (T/Lt. E.U. Jones, RCNVR) and HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR). (8)

19 Jan 1944
German U-boat U-641 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 50°25'N, 18°49'W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR).

Sources

ADM 173/16790
ADM 173/16741
ADM 173/17244
ADM 173/17813
ADM 173/17779
ADM 173/17795
ADM 173/18231
ADM 173/19346

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

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