| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Patrol vessel |
| Class | Kil |
| Pennant | Z 01 |
| Built by | Pullman Standard Car Co. (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.) |
| Ordered | 10 May 1942 |
| Laid down | 14 Oct 1942 |
| Launched | 2 May 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 Jul 1943 |
| End service | |
| History | Laid up in reserve at Sheerness, England in June 1945. |
| Former name | USS PCE 827 |
Commands listed for HMS Kilbirnie (Z 01)
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 | T/Lt. Eric Rawdon Humphrey Seddon, RNVR | Nov 1943 | Aug 1944 |
| 2 | T/Lt. Charles Trevor Letts, RNVR | Aug 1944 |
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Notable events involving Kilbirnie include:
15 Jan 1944
Combined convoy OS 65 / KMS 39.
This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 15 January 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agia Marina (Greek, 4151 GRT, built 1912), Alcor (Dutch, 3526 GRT, built 1920), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Blairnevis (British, 4155 GRT, built 1930), Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930), Capitaine Paul Lemerle (French, 4945 GRT, built 1925), City of Derby (British, 6616 GRT, built 1921), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), Coulmore (British, 3670 GRT, built 1936), Cydonia (British, 3517 GRT, built 1927), Dordrecht (Dutch, 4402 GRT, built 1928), Dromore (British, 4096 GRT, built 1920), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Empire Derwent (British, 4026 GRT, built 1930), Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918)), Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942), Empire Usk (British, 3229 GRT, built 1918), Empire Voice (British, 6828 GRT, built 1940), Fort Cumberland (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943), Fort Lennox (British, 7149 GRT, built 1943), Fort Nipigon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1942), Fort St.Nicolas (British, 7154 GRT, built 1943), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Innerton (British, 5276 GRT, built 1919), John Holt (British, 4964 GRT, 1943), King Edgar (British, 4536 GRT, built 1927), Manchester Shipper (British, 7881 GRT, built 1943), Maycrest (British, 5923 GRT, built 1913), Mimosa (Greek, 3071 GRT, built 1905), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Nordlys (British, 3726 GRT, built 1916), Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928), Pilar de Larringa (British, 7046 GRT, built 1918), Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918), Prospector (British, 6202 GRT, built 1944), Recorder (British, 5981 GRT, built 1930), Royal Star (British, 7900 GRT, built 1919), Samhain (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Silvermaple (British, 5313 GRT, built 1937), Slemmestad (British, 4258 GRT, built 1928), Stamos (Greek, 3802 GRT, built 1914), Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942) and Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942).
The boom carrier HMS Ethiopian (5424 GRT, built 1936, A/Cdr.(Retd.) K.A.S. Phillips, RNR) was also part of the convoy as were the rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929) and the rescue tugs HMRT Aspirant and HMRT Eminent.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the destroyers ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko), HMS Verity (Lt. C.G. Cowley, RN), corvettes HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR), HMS Narcissus (T/Lt. G.T.S. Clampitt, RNR), HMS Orchis (T/Lt. B.W. Harris, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), FFS Aconit, FFS Lobelia, FFS Roselys and the A/S trawler HMS Northern Foam (T/Lt. J.A. Crockett, RNR). As additional escorts the frigates HMCS Waskesiu (T/A/Cdr. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR), HMS Nene (Cdr. J.D. Birch, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMCS Camrose (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.R. Pavillard, RCNR), HMCS Prescott (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McIsaac, RCNVR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.A. Dunn, RCNVR) and HMS Kenilworth Castle (Lt. J.J.Allon, RNR) were also present until 19 January 1944 when they were detached to northbound convoy SL 145/ MKS 36.
On 16 January 1944, HMS Verity was detached to join another southbound convoy KMF 28.
On 17 January 1944, the patrol vessel HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR) joined the convoy after having departed the Clyde late on the 15th.
On 18 January 1944, the frigate HMS Towy (Cdr. M.J Evans, OBE, RN) joined the convoy after having departed Londonderry on the 17th.
On 19 January 1944, the German U-boat U-641 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 50°25'N, 18°49'W by HMS Violet.
On 21 January 1944, the tanker / transport Esturia (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914) and Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918) departed the Azores to join the convoy.
While en-route, around 19/20 January 1944, the escort oiler San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913) joined at sea from northbound convoy SL 145/ MKS 36.
On 27 January 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 65 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 33 bound for the Mediterranean.
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Convoy OS 65 was made up of the merchant vessels; Amstelkerk, Bornholm, Congonian, Dordrecht, Gascony, John Holt, Mimosa, Princesa, Royal Star and Silvermaple. The corvettes Aconit, Lobelia and Roselys remained with the convoy initially.
On 26 January 1944, the merchant vessels Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925), Belgian Seaman (Belgian, 7023 GRT, built 1941), Colytto (Dutch, 4408 GRT, built 1926), Dalmore (British, 5193 GRT, built 1927), Empire Baxter (British, 7024 GRT, built 1941), Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930), Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929) and Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the sloops HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN), HMS Sandwich (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. R.A. Baker, RNVR) and HMS Crocus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Mackay, RNZNVR) which were to escort the convoy to Freetown.
On 27 January 1944, the transport Mimosa and the corvettes Aconit, Lobelia and Roselys arrived at Casablanca after having been detached from the convoy.
On 27 January 1944, the following transports / tanker departed Casablanca to join the convoy; El-Biar (French, 4678 GRT, built 1927), Empire Flint (British (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1941) and Marrakech (French, 6179 GRT, built 1914). They were escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels USS PC-480 (Lt. F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-473 (Lt.(jg) A.W. Silverstein, USNR). The patrol vessels did not join the convoy but proceeded to make rendezvous with convoy OT 12.
On 3 February 1944, the El-Biar and arrived Marrakech arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy while the transport Sant-Louis (French, 5202 GRT, built 1913) departed Dakar to join the convoy.
The convoy arrived at Freetown on 6 February 1944. Some ships from the convoy did not enter Freetown but continued on to their destinations independently.
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Convoy KMS 39, made up of the remaining ships, proceeded towards the Mediterranean with most of the original escort of the combined convoy.
On 28 January 1944, the following transports / tanker arrived at Gibraltar; Agia Marina, Baron Ruthven, City of Keelung, City of Lancaster, Dromore, Empire Thackeray, Empire Usk, Esturia and Surula. The rescue ship Melrose Abbey, escort oiler San Tirso and HMS Ethiopian arrived at Gibraltar as did the following escort vessels / rescue tugs; ORP Burza, HMS Towy, HMS Meadowsweet, HMS Narcissus, HMS Orchis, HMS Violet, HMS Kilbirnie, HMS Northern Foam, HMRT Aspirant and HMRT Eminent. HMS Meadowsweet, HMS Violet had probably arrived early to fuel before rejoining the convoy.
The following ships meanwhile directly entered the Mediterranean; Alcor, Baron Napier, Belgian Trader, Blairnevi, Capitaine Paul Lemerle, City of Derby, Coulmore, Dunelmia, Empire Derwent, Empire Grebe, Empire Voice, Fort Cumberland, Fort Frontenac, Fort Lennox, Fort Nipigon, Fort St.Nicolas, Generton, Glaucus, Innerton, King Edgar, Manchester Shipper, Nicolas, Peleus, Pilar de Larrinaga, Prospector, Recorder, Samhain, Slemmestad, Stamos, Tobruk and Van Ostade.
They were joined by transport Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918) coming from Gibraltar. Also a new escort joined for the passage through the Mediterranean, this was made up of the following ships; AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Gloxinia (?), HMS Meadowsweet, HMS Violet, A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR). The minesweeper HMS Rosario (A/Cdr. F.E. Brooking, RN) was also with the convoy as was the submarine Pipinos (Lt.Cdr. Rallis).
On 29 January 1944, the transports Blairnevis and Van Ostade arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Oran; Alexander R. Lillington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Colin P. Kelly Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Elihu Yale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ingertre (Norwegian, 2462 GRT, built 1921), J.E.B. Stuart (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John McKinley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John W. Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Johns Hopkins (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Thomas W. Hyde (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ward Hunt (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and William Kent (American, 7187 GRT, built 1942).
On 30 January 1944, the transports Alcor, Coulmore, King Edgar, Peleus and Stamos arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Oran; British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Far (Norwegian, 2475 GRT, built 1921), Fort Connally (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Loke (Norwegian, 2421 GRT, built 1915), Ocean Vesper (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Riverton (British, 7307 GRT, built 1943), Samholt (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samson (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920).
On 30 January 1944, the transports Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910) and Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922) departed Bougie to join the convoy.
On 1 February 1944, the transports Innerton and Nicolas arrived at Bone after having parted company with the convoy while the transports Chertsey (British, 6001 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort Gloucester (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943) and Fort St.Regis (British, 7140 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bone.
On 1 February 1944, the transports Belgian Trader, John McKinley, Ward Hunt and William Kent as well as the AA cruiser HMS Colombo arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy while the transports Indiana (Panamanian, 5617 GRT, built 1917), John Wise (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and Joseph H. Nicholson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.
On 1 February 1944, the transports Capitaine Paul Lemerle arrived at Tunis after having parted company with the convoy
On 2 February 1944, the transports Baron Napier, Baronesa and Selvik as well as the minesweeper HMS Rosario arrived at Malta after having parted company with the convoy while the transport / tanker Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920) and Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934) joined the convoy coming from Malta.
During 2/3 February 1944, the transports Alexander R. Lillington, Chertsey, Chloris, Colin P. Kelly, Jr., Dunelmia, Elihu Yale, Empire Derwent, Empire Grebe, Empire Guinevere, Empire Tristram, Far, Fort Connolly, Fort Cumberland, Fort Fidler, Fort Frontenac, Fort Gloucester, Fort Lennox, Fort St.Nicolas, Fort St.Regis, Indiana, Ingertre, J.E.B. Stuart, John W. Brown, John Wise, John Hopkins, Joseph H. Nicholson, Loke, Ocean Vesper, Pilar de Larrinaga, Richard Bassett, Riverton, Samholt, Samson, Slemmestad, Star, Thomas W. Hyde and Tobruk arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy while the transports / tankers Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 7086 GRT, built 1942), Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cameron (British, 7015 GRT, built 1941), Empire Capulet (British, 7044 GRT, built 1943), Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943), Empire Glory (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943), Empire Path (British, 6140 GRT, built 1943), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kootenay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Senneville (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Samarina (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sambrake (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sampa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samwater (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Augusta which they had departed on 2 February 1944.
On 6 February 1944, the transports / tankers Empire Cameron, Empire Capulet, Fort Ash, Fort Cadotte, Fort Glenora, Fort la Traite, Glenogle, Prospector, Samarina, Sambrake, Sampa and Samwater arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy as did HMS Dart, HMS Gloxinia and HMS Meadowsweet of the escort.
On 7 February 1944, the transports / tankers Beaconsfield, City of Derby, Empire Copperfield, Empire Glory, Empire Path, Empire Voice, Fort Kootenay, Fort Nipigon, Fort Senneville, Glaucus, Grena, Manchester Shipper, Recorder, Samhain and Samshire arrived at Port Said after having parted company with the convoy as did HMS Violet and HMS Wolborough of the escort.
On 9 February 1944, the submarine RHS Pipinos arrived at Beirut after having parted company with the convoy.
11 Feb 1944
HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) and HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) made rendes-vous with HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR). They then set course for Gibraltar. (1)
7 Apr 1944
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kingston Chrysolite (A/Skr.Lt. J. Main, RNR), HMS Loch Oskaig (T/Lt. E.A. Norris, RNVR), HMS Pink (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR) and HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR). These were followed by night A/S exercises with aircraft. (2)
23 May 1944
Combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52.
This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 23 May 1944.
It was made up of the following transports; Adviser (British, 6348 GRT, built 1939), Alex (British, 3932 GRT, built 1914), Baron Elgin (British, 3942 GRT, built 1933), Carslogie (British, 3786 GRT, built 1924), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Dago (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Empire Falcon (British, 4970 GRT, built 1918), Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941), Fort Churchill (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929), Historian (British, 5074 GRT, built 1924), Hopecrest (British, 5099 GRT, built 1935), Inverbank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Lago (Norwegian, 2552 GRT, built 1929), Mathilda (Norwegian, 3650 GRT, built 1920), Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Northleigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Robert Morris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919), Stuyvesant (Dutch, 4249 GRT, built 1918), Thistleford (British, 4781 GRT, built 1928), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Yearby (British, 5666 GRT, built 1929).
The rescue ship Pinto (British, 1346 GRT, built 1928) was also with the combined convoy.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Activity (Capt. C. Wauchope, DSC, RN), frigates HMS Ascension (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR), HMS Evenlode (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Medlycott, RNR), HMS Exe (Cdr. C.E.E. Paterson, RN) and the corvettes HMNZS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Seelye, RNZNVR), HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Broadhead, RNR) and HMS Hadleigh Castle (Lt. C. Sandeman, RN).
The transport Stanhope had to return to the U.K. arriving in the Clyde on 25 May 1944.
The tanker Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) later joined at sea having parted company with convoy MKS 49. This ship was to refuel the escorts.
Around 1030Z/27, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension, HMS Carisbroke Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle parted company with the convoy to temporary join northbound combined convoy SL 158 / MKS 49 which they did around 1540Z/28.
Around 1505Z/29, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension, HMS Carisbroke Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle parted company with combined convoy SL 158 / MKS 49 taking the escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) with them. They rejoined combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52 around 1650Z/30.
On 30 May 1944, HMNZS Arabis parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Bermuda arriving there on 6 June 1944.
Around 0300Z/3, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension and HMS Berkeley Castle parted company with combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52 to join northbound combined convoy SL 159 / MKS 50 which they did around 0600Z/3. HMS Ascension and HMS Berkeley Castle then immediately parted company again to rejoin combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52.
On 4 June 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 78 and KMS 52.
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Convoy OS 78, towards Freetown, was made up of the following transports; Clunepark, Godfrey B. Holt, Northleigh and Stuyvesant.
They were joined by the following transports coming from Gibraltar; Appledore (British, 5218 GRT, built 1929), Fort Glenyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938) and Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942).
With these ships came also the new escort for this convoy which was made up of the sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, MBE, RNVR) and the patrol vessel HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR).
Also from Casablanca the the following transports joined on the 4th or the 5th; Gabriel Guist'Hau (French, 2325 GRT, built 1918), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Samdart (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and Samderwent (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944).
These ships had departed Casablanca on the 4th , escorted by the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR), USS PC-475 (Lt. W.W. Devine, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR) which did not join the convoy and returned to Casablanca on the 5th.
On 11 June 1944, the transport Slesvig (British, 3098 GRT, built 1938) departed Dakar to join the convoy.
On 11 June 1944, the Clunepark, Gabriel Guist'Hau and Northleigh arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy.
Convoy OS 78 arrived at Freetown on 14 June 1944. Actually only the Slesvig and Stuyvesant arrived at Freetown with the escort. The other ships proceeded to other destinations independently.
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Convoy KMS 52 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the transports / tanker; Adviser, Alex, Baron Elgin, Carslogie, Dago, Empire Falcon, Empire Wolfe, Fort Churchill, Historian, Hopecrest, Inverbank, Lago, Mathilda, Nailsea Moor, Pinto, Redgate, Robert Morris, Scottish American, Thistleford, Troilus and Yearby.
On 6 June 1944, the Carslogie, Empire Wolfe, Pinto, Scottish American and Thistleford arrived at Gibraltar together with the original escort of the convoy; HMS Exe, HMS Ascension, HMS Berkeley Castle, HMS Carisbrooke Castle, HMS Dumbarton Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle.
From Gibraltar / Casablanca the transports / tanker; Benjamin Tay (British, 1814 GRT, built 1943), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), David Holmes (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942) and Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy.
Escort was now provided by the escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), escort destroyer RHS Kriti, frigates HMS Evenlode (which had remained with the convoy), HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR), HMS Gloxinia (Lt. D. Perry, DSC, RNR), HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR), HMS Smilax (Lt. A. Branson, RNR) and A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR).
On 7 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Oran Bay after having been detached from the convoy; HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter, Benjamin Tay and Sheaf Crown.
On 7 June 1944, the following transports / tanker joined coming from Oran Bay; Anglo-African (British, 5601 GRT, built 1929), Bourgogne (French (tanker), 9357 GRT, built 1937), Bret Harte (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Corchester (British, 2374 GRT, built 1927), Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Wyclif (British, 6966 GRT, built 1941), Felix Grundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George G. Meade (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Rumsey (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Josiah Bartlett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louisa M. Alcott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Luther Martin (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Roger Williams (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Sarah Orne Jewett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942), Tristram Dalton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zacapa (American, 5013 GRT, built 1909).
Also joining from Oran Bay were the LST's USS LST-602 (Lt. J.H. Mehus, USNR) and USS LST-603 (Lt. W.B. Sweet, USN).
On 8 June 1944, the following transports were detached to Algiers; Alex, David Holmes, Empire Gareth, Hopecrest, Mathilda and Norbryn.
On 8 June 1944, the following transports joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Chateau Latour (French, 1912 GRT, built 1914), Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Elise (Greek, 1986 GRT, built 1919), Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 1943), Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Empire Valour (British, 1906 GRT, built 1943), Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Hardingham (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942), Ingertre (Norwegian, 2462 GRT, built 1921), Jennings (British, 1148 GRT, built 1943), Lucia C. (Italian, 6123 GRT, built 1922), Ocean Vulcan (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Odysseus (Dutch, 1057 GRT, 1922), Oregon (French, 7705 GRT, built 1929), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938), Samaye (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942) and Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930). With these ships was also the salvage vessel USS Tackle (Lt. D.V. van Sand, USNR) which also joined the convoy.
On 9 June 1944, the transport Lago arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.
On 9 June 1944, the transports Dago, Elise, Hardingham, Ingertre, Lucia C., Samaye and Samuel V. Shreve arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy.
On 9 June 1944, the following transports joined coming from Bone. Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Empire Candida (British, 2908 GRT, built 1943), Nordnes (Norwegian, 4147 GRT, built 1932), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922) and Skagerak (Norwegian, 4244 GRT, built 1936).
On 10 June 1944, the following transports arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy; Baron Elgin, Corchester, Empire Gain, Gezina, Jennings, Sarah Orne Jewett and Zacapa.
Also HMS Caledon, RHS Kriti, USS LST-602 and USS LST-603 arrived at Bizerta the same day after having been detached from the convoy.
On 10 June 1944, the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Andrew W. Moore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), Edward Burleson (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Egbert Benson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Noble (British, 7125 GRT, built 1944), Empire Unicorn (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943), Fort Cumberland (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frobisher (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), George Leonard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John W. Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Meline (Norwegian (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1918) and Richard Rush (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943).
On 10 June 1944, the transport Oregon arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.
On 11 June 1944, the transports Empire Falcon, Empire Strength, Palermo and Yearby arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy. Also the escorts HMS Evenlode and HMS Smilax arrived at Malta.
On 11 June 1944, the transports / tanker; Destro (British, 3553 GRT, built 1920), Empire Collins (British (tanker), 9796 GRT, built 1942), Fort Beausejour (British, 7151 GRT, built 1943), Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941), Marit Maersk (Greek (former Danish), 1894 GRT, built 1938), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914), Sambre (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Trajanus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930) departed Augusta to join the convoy.
On 12 June 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Andrew Moore, Anglo-African, Beaconsfield, Bourgogne, Bret Harte, Chateau Latour, Cornfell, Daniel H. Hill, Edward Burleson, Egbert Benson, Empire Dickens, Empire Valour, Empire Wyclif, Felix Grundy, Fort Frobisher, George G. Meade, George Leonard, James Rumsey, John W. Brown, Josiah Barlett, Louisa M. Alcott, Luther Martin, Nailsea Moor, Ocean Vulcan, Odysseus, Ousel, Redgate, Richard Rush, Roger Williams, Thistledale, Tobruk, Tristram Dalton and Ulla. With these ships also USS Tackle had proceeded to Augusta.
On 15 June 1944, the following transports arrived at Alexandria; Fort Beausejour, Fort Chesterfield, Fort Marin, Fort Meductic and Trajanus. With them also HMS Gloxinia, HMS Primula and HMS Wolborough arrived at Alexandria.
On 16 June 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Port Said; Adviser, British Chemist, British Governor, Destro, Empire Collins, Empire Noble, Empire Unicorn, Fort Churchill, Fort Cumberland, Historian, Inverbank, Kyklades, Marit Maersk, Meline, Nordnes, Ocean Gallant, Port Melbourne, Robert Morris, Sambre, Skagerak and Troilus. With them HMS Dart and HMS Shiel arrived at Port Said.
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). (3)
10 Jan 1945
HMS Ballinderry (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Aikman, RNR) and HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. C.T. Letts, RNVR) together pick up 51 survivors from the British merchant Blackheath that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-870 west of Gibraltar in position 35°49'N, 06°03'W.
Sources
- ADM 199/1822
- ADM 173/19337
- ADM 173/20229
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.