1 9 3 9
August
War Station
nominated at Singapore with ships of China Station
September
Prepared for war service and commissioned.
Deployed for anti-submarine patrol NW of Sydney
9th - Carried out attack on false contact with HM
Australian Destroyers VAMPIRE and WATERHEN.
October
14th - Took passage from Sydney with HM Australian Destroyers VENDETTA,
WATERHEN, VAMPIRE and VOYAGER to join China Station under RN command.
15th - Detached with destroyers due to adverse
weather and took passage to Brisbane.
16th - Sailed from Brisbane.
18th - Refuelled at Townsville
22nd - Called at Darwin
29th - Arrived at Singapore.
November
Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean Fleet during passage to
Singapore.
13th -
Took
passage from Singapore with HM Australian Destroyers VAMPIRE, VOYAGER, VENDETTA and WATERHEN to join Mediterranean
Fleet.
18th - Arrived at Colombo with HMS WATERHEN.
25th - Sailed for Madagascar from Colombo to join
HM Cruiser GLOUCESTER and French sloop RIGAULT DE GENOUILLY.
December
10th - Arrived at Aden
17th - Arrived in Malta for Flotilla duties.
1 9 4 0
January to April
Deployed
with HMAS VENDETTA, WATERHEN, VAMPIRE and VOYAGER with ships of Destroyer
Command in Mediterranean for Fleet and Flotilla exercises and enforcement of
blockade.
May
Took part in preparatory exercises with Mediterranean Fleet in the
anticipation of Italian entry into war against Britain and the Dominions.
Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to I00.
June
Deployed in Mediterranean, based at Alexandria, as 10th Destroyer
Flotilla. (Note: During this period the Mediterranean Fleet was deployed to
cover passage of convoys evacuating personnel from Malta (Operation MA3). This
was abandoned after an action with Italian destroyers during which heavy
expenditure of ammunition gave rise to concern. See THE BATTLE FOR THE
MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre and Naval Staff History.)
July
7th - Sailed from Alexandria with HM Cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE,
GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL and HM Australian Cruiser SYDNEY as Force A to provide
cover for passage of convoys from Malta which had been delayed when Operation
MA3 was abandoned. (Operation MAS).
8th - Under air attacks.
9th - Deployed ahead of major fleet units in Forces A and B after air
search for the Italian Fleet units had been initiated. Took part in the Battle
of Calabria. (For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre
and the Naval Staff History.)
12th - Detached from Fleet screen with HMS GLOUCESTER, HMS NEPTUNE and ORION
and joined Convoy MSI to supplement escort during passage from Malta to
Alexandria. (Note: This was one of the two convoys planned for evacuation of
civilians from Malta in Operation MA3 - See above.)
13th - Under air attacks during which HMS LIVERPOOL was damaged.
15th - Detached from MSI on arrival at Alexandria and resumed Fleet
duties with Flotilla.
August
Flotilla duties with Mediterranean Fleet in continuation. (Note: During
this period Fleet units carried out bombardments in support of the advance of
army units towards Tobruk.)
23rd - Deployed with HMAS SYDNEY, HM Destroyers DIAMOND, JUNO and ILEX
for bombardment of seaplane base in the Gulf of Bomba.
24th - Returned to Alexandria with same ships. (Note: This attack is
reported as not being very successful. See THE NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
by J Greene and A Massignani.)
30th - Mediterranean Fleet units sailed for Operation MB3. (Note: Part of joint operation with
Force H to cover passage of convoys to Malta and the transit of reinforcement
ships for service at Alexandria. Operation HATS - See above references.)
September
Deployed as part of screen for major units of Mediterranean Fleet during
provision of cover for passage of military convoy taking troop reinforcements
to Malta (Operation MB5).
29th - Detached from screen to return to Alexandria after machinery
defect. During passage sighted Italian submarine GONDAR on surface which
submerged. Carried out depth charge attacks and later joined by an aircraft and
trawler. Submarine forced to surface after continued attacks. Crew abandoned GONDAR which had been damaged and later sank. (Note:
This submarine was taking Italian human torpedoes to Alexandria for an attack
on units of Mediterranean Fleet. A planned similar attack at Gibraltar was
cancelled but later operations by underwater divers at both Gibraltar and Alexandria
were carried out.)
October
8th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DECOY, IMPERIAL, JANUS, JERVIS
JUNO, MOHAWK, VAMPIRE (RAN) and VENDETTA as part of screen for HM Aircraft
Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and EAGLE, HM Battleships MALAYA, RAMILLIES, VALIANT and WARSPITE
covering of passage of Convoy MW2 from Egypt and Convoy ME2 from Malta (Operation
MB6).
11th - Detached from Fleet screen on arrival of MW2 at Malta and taken
in hand for refit.
November to December
Under
refit by HM Dockyard, Malta. (Note: Midships and after 4.7in gun mounts removed,
and replaced by close range AA weapons. Mainmast removed.)
1 9 4 1
January
On completion of post refit trials rejoined Flotilla for Fleet duties.
Passage
to Alexandria
11th - Deployed with screen for HMS BARHAM, HMS EAGLE and HM Cruiser
AJAX during passage to join HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS for series of air
attacks on Dodecanese (Operation MC6. Note: This operation was cancelled after
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS had been very seriously damaged during air attacks
on 10th January whilst with other Mediterranean Flee units covering passage of Convoy
ME6 during its passage to Egypt. Operation MC4 - See above references.)
15th - Arrived at Alexandria with Fleet units.
22nd - Deployed with HM Monitors TERROR and EREBUS, HM River Gunboat
LADYBIRD, HMAS VOYAGER and HMAS VAMPIRE for support of the 6th Australian
Division during attack on Tobruk.
February
Eastern Mediterranean deployment with Flotilla in continuation.
20th - Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, ILEX, JERVIS and
VENDETTA (RAN) as screen for HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS BARHAM, VALIANT and WARSPITE during
provision of Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MW6 A from Haifa and Convoy MW6B
from Alexandria (Operation MC9).
March
Nominated for escort of military convoys to and from Greece. (Operation LUSTRE - Reinforcement of allied forces in Greece.).
4th - Part of escort for Convoy AN17 with HM Cruisers COVENTRY, HM
Destroyer HEREWARD and HM Corvette HYACINTH. Under air attacks.
20th - Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, ILEX, JERVIS and
VENDETTA (RAN) as part of screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HMS
BARHAM, HMS VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HMS GLOUCESTER and HNM Cruiser YORK to
provide Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MW6 to Malta (Operation MC9).
22nd - Took passage from Matapan area to return to Alexandria.
24th - Arrived at Alexandria.
26th - Joined HM Destroyers GREYHOUND, GRIFFIN, HOTSPUR and HAVOCK as
Force C and sailed from Alexandria for screening of Fleet units during
operation to intercept Italian battle Squadron reported on passage to attack
convoys in Aegean Sea.
28th - Took part in engagement with Italian units at Battle of Matapan. Sank
Italian destroyers VITTORIO ALFIERI and GIOUSE CARDUCCI with HM Destroyers GREYHOUND,
GRIFFIN and HAVOCK. (For details see above references and MATAPAN by SW
Pack.)
29th - On release from screening duties took passage to Piraeus for
escort of Convoy GA9 to Egypt, with HM Destroyers HEREWARD and GRIFFIN. (Note:
This convoy had been held at Piraeus in view on threat from the Italian
fleet.)
30th - HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE joined escort. Under attack by Italian
submarine AMBRA which torpedoed and sank HMS BONAVENTURE. Carried out depth
charge attacks after detecting AMBRA but these were unsuccessful and submarine
escaped.
April
Flotilla duties for convoy defence and Fleet screening in continuation.
13th - Deployed with HM Destroyer GRIFFIN and River Gunboat GNAT for bombardment
of Sollum in support of shore military operation.
19th - Escorted HM Supply Ship GLENGYLE with HMAS WATERHEN and HM
Cruiser COVENTRY during Commando landing operation for raid at Bardia. (Note:
HMS GLENGYLE was later converted for specialist use as a Landing Ship but
normally deployed as a Supply Ship in 1940-41.)
20th - Present at landings at Bardia. (Note : One source records
this was not a complete success.)
23rd - Deployed with HMAS VOYAGER, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA and PHOEBE as
escort for Convoy AG13 during passage to Suda Bay, Crete for evacuation of
allied forces from Greece.
24th - Sailed from Suda Bay with HMS CALCUTTA, HMAS VOYAGER, HM
Corvettes HYACINTH and SALVIA with three mercantiles to begin the evacuation of
troops from Rafti and Nauphlia. Embarked troops and sailed for Alexandria.
26th - Sailed from Alexandria with HM Cruiser CALCUTTA, HM Destroyers
DIAMOND and GRIFFIN to join HM Cruisers PERTH (RAN), ORION, PHOEBE and HM
Destroyer DEFENDER at Nauphlia for evacuation.
27th - Escorted Convoy GA14 to Alexandria with HMS CALCUTTA, HMS
COVENTRY and other destroyers.
29th - Arrived at Alexandria and sailed with HMAS VENDETTA, HMS
GREYHOUND and other destroyers as escort for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE to
cover passage of Convoy GA15 during passage from Greece with evacuated troops
May
3rd - Returned to Alexandria after arrival of GA15.
7th - Deployed with HM Sloops AUCKLAND and FLAMINGO HMAS VAMPIRE and
HMAS WATERHEN as escort for Convoy AN30 to Suda Bay. Detached and returned to
Alexandria for repair after machinery defect.
12th - Deployed as escort for Convoy ANF30 with HMAS VENDETTA during
passage from Alexandria to Suda Bay.
14th - Joined HM Cruiser ORION with HMAS VENDETTA as escort for passage
to Alexandria from Suda Bay. (Note: HMS ORION had £7M of Greek Gold Reserves on
board.)
22nd - Passage to Crete from Alexandria to assist in evacuation of
allied troops.
23rd - Joined Mediterranean Fleet ships south of Crete with HMAS
VENDETTA and HMAS WATERHEN. Took part in search for survivors from HM Cruiser
FIJI which had been sunk in air attacks off Crete on 22nd. (Note: Rescue of
survivors following sinking of both HM Cruisers FIJI and GLOUCESTER in heavy
and sustained air attacks had been impossible due to threat of further air
attacks.)
25th - Deployed with HM Destroyer JAGUAR as escort for HM Supply Ship
GLENROY during passage from Alexandria to Timbakion, Crete to land troops.
26th - Under air attacks during which HMS GLENROY was hit by bombs, set
on fire and had to be abandoned. Landing operation cancelled and returned to
Alexandria.
27th - On arrival detached from Fleet screening duties for support of
military operation in Syria (Operation EXPORTER).
29th - Sailed from Alexandria with HMS DEFENDER and HMS JAGUAR to
supplement existing naval forces deployed off Syria.
30th - Joined RN ships operating off Syria.
June
Deployed off Syria for interception patrols and support of the army
units ashore (Operation EXPORTER. Note: Deployed with HM Cruiser LEANDER to
reinforce Mediterranean Fleet cruisers and destroyers providing support and
interception of any Vichy surface ships or submarines warship attempting to
interfere with operation. Other ships involved included HM Cruiser COVENTRY,
HMS GLENGYLE, HM Destroyers JANUS, JAVELIN, HOTSPUR, KIMBERLEY, GRIFFIN,
KANDAHAR and NIZAM.)
10th - Carried out patrol and escort duties.
13th - Returned to Alexandria on release from EXPORTER. Nomination for
service with Flotilla for support of British garrison at Tobruk. Deployed with
HM Australian Destroyers VENDETTA, VOYAGER and WATERHEN, HM Australian Sloop
PARRAMATTA and HM Sloop AUCKLAND for transport of personnel and stores to
Tobruk and Mersa Matruh. (Note: HMAS WATERHEN and HMS AUCKLAND were sunk during
sustained air attacks which were a feature of this dangerous duty.)
16th - Carried out first supply trip to Tobruk.
July
25th - Final supply trip to Tobruk.
26th - Returned to Alexandria. Nominated for return to Australia for
repair and refit.
August
Deployed at Alexandria.
22nd - Took passage to Australia on release from Mediterranean Fleet
service.
September
Passage in Indian Ocean after calls at Aden and Ceylon.
Refit arranged
at Williamstown Naval Dockyard.
16th - Arrived at Fremantle with only one engine serviceable.
27th - Arrived at Williamstown, Victoria and taken in hand for refit and
for conversion as an Escort Destroyer
October to December
Under refit and conversion.
1 9 4 3
January to March
Under
refit and conversion. During this conversion A gun mounting forward was removed and
replaced by HEDGEHOG anti-submarine mortar weapon mounting. Surface warning
radar Type 271 and Surface/Air warning Type 286P were fitted. (For details of
these equipments see SEEK AND STRIKE by W. HACKMANN and RADAR AT SEA by D.Howse.)
April
Post refit trials.
May to July
On completion
of post refit trials deployed for training duties in Australian waters and
local convoy defence.
Nominated for support of military operations in SW
Pacific.
August
Escorted ammunition ship to Noumea, New Hebrides.
15th - Arrived at Milne Bay, New Hebrides with convoy from Australia.
September
Convoy defence in
continuation.
15th - Passage from Milne Bay with convoy and transferred to inward
convoy.
18th - Returned to Milne Bay.
20th - Embarked troops for passage to Normanby Island for capture of
Japanese survivors from destroyer YOYOI which had been attacked and sunk by
RAAF on 16th (or 11th?).
22nd - Returned to Milne Bay with troops and prisoners.
October
Convoy defence and support duties in continuation. Passage to Milne Bay
for support operation.
22nd - Deployed with HM Australian Destroyer ARUNTA for transport of
troops to Goodenough Island, north of Milne Bay.
23rd - Landed troops and took return passage to Milne Bay. (Note: Island
was deserted. See WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)
Released from support duties and
returned to Australia.
November
Deployed for training duties.
December
Training, local convoy escort and patrol duties in continuation.
1 9 4 3
Local Australian deployment in continuation.
Nominated
for conversion into use as a troop transport for support of military operations
in SW Pacific.
1 9 4 4
Under conversion for new
role. (Note: This included provision of refrigerated storage to enable a supply
of perishables to be provided to troops in SW Pacific.)
On completion deployed
in SW Pacific.
1 9 4 5
January to August
Military
support role in continuation.