W-Class destroyer ordered from Denny of Dumbarton
under the 1916-17 Programme In the 10th Order for W-Class
destroyers In December 1916. The ship was laid down on 30th March 1917 and launched on 14th February
1918 as
the first RN warships to carry the name. Build was completed on 12th April 1918 and she served in the 13th Destroyer Flotilla based at Scapa Flow. After the Armistice she was
one of the escorts for the German Fleet during their passage to surrender
at Scapa Flow. During the period August to
November 1919 this ship was deployed in Baltic operations against the
Bolsheviks. She was sent to the Mediterranean in February 1920 and used for
bombardment of Turkish Nationalist positions. On return to UK In August 1920
she Joined the Home Fleet in which she served until
1935. Before Joining the China Station In 1936 for duty with the 4th Submarine
Flotilla she was refitted at Devonport. The after (Y) gun and one
set of torpedo tubes were removed with a winch fitted for recovery of torpedoes
fired by submarines during trials.. ASDIC equipment
was Installed for detection of submerged submarines.
After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign In December 1941 the
ship was adopted by the civil community of Morecambe and Heysham, Lancashire.
B a t t l e H
o n o u r s
NORWAY 1940 - ATLANTIC
1940-43 - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - NORTH
AFRICA 1942-43 -
ARCTIC
1943-45
- ENGLISH CHANNEL 1943 -
NORMANDY 1944
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field Blue, a Trident Gold between
two lotus flowers, Silver.
M o t t o
Quo duxit Sequimur: ' Where he led we
follow '.
D e t a i l s o f
W a r S e r v i c e
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 3 9
September Under refit for Fleet
and escort duties. Y-gun and after torpedo tubes refitted.
October Took passage to
Singapore for Interception of German merchant ships attempting to
to return to Europe
and surveillance of ships In neutral harbours
December
1 9 4 0
January Nominated for convoy
escort duty.
28th Sailed for Malta
from Singapore as escort for Floating Dock being towed to UK.
February During passage
nominated for escort of military convoy from Aden to Suez.
Detached from
floating dock and took passage to Aden.
8th Joined escort for
Convoy US1
(Note: US1
was taking ANZAC troops to Middle East from Australia.)
11th Passage to Malta
from Suez.
14th On arrival in
Malta deployed with HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS in Mediterranean
March Mediterranean
deployment in continuation.
April Recalled to UK for
escort duties.
9th Part of escort
for HM Aircraft Carriers GLORIOUS and ARK ROYAL during passage to
Gibraltar.
Detached on
arrival and took passage to Devonport..
19th Boiler cleaning at
Devonport.
On completion took passage to join Home Fleet
for duties off Norway.
Deployed on
patrol and escort on arrival.
30th Embarked troops at Andalsnes with HM Destroyer
WALKER for transfer to H M Cruiser
SHEFFIELD (Operation ALPHABET).
May
1st Embarked
rearguard of Royal Marines from Andalsnes during final stage of allied
evacuation.
Under
sustained air attacks
7th Deployed in
support of attack on Narvik and for Fleet duties off Norway
to (For details of
the disastrous operations in Norway see NARVIK by D Macintyre, THE
31st DOOMED EXPEDITION
by J Adams, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by
Corelli Barnett,
CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton and Naval Staff History (HMSO 2001).
Pennant Number
changed to 147 to conform with changes introduced for all RN ships.)
June Escorted HM
Battleship WARSPITE during return passage.
(Note: One
source records also HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL.)
On release
took passage for repair
30th Nominated for duty
in Western Approaches on completion of repair at Rosyth.
July
4th Joined 11th
Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport for Atlantic convoy escort.
5th Deployed with HM
Destroyer WHIRLWIND in search for U-Boat In SW Approaches.
After HIS
WHIRLWIND was torpedoed by U34 in position 120 miles west of Lands End
rescued
survivors from stricken ship. 57 men were lost.
Sank hulk by
torpedo on completion of rescue.
August Part of escort for
Convoys OG40, HG40, OB (201*) and SC(2*)
(* These
convoy identities need confirmation.)
September
17th Taken in hand for
refit by HM Dockyard Devonport .
October Under refit
November Nominated for service
with 5th Escort Group In Western Approaches.
9th On completion of
post refit trials took passage to Join Group at Liverpool.
December Deployed with Group for
Atlantic convoy defence.
Part of escort
for Convoys OB (253*), HG48 and G348.
(Note:
* OB
identity to be confirmed.)
1 9 4 1
January Part of escort for
Convoy SC18 with ships of Group.
28th During escort of
later convoy with HM Destroyers SCIMITAR., SKATE, HM Corvettes
BLUEBELL and
CANDYTUFT sustained structural damage and flooding of No 1 Boiler
Room in
collision with HMS BLUEBELL.
(Note:
Identity of convoy to be confirmed.)
Returned to
Londonderry with HMS BLUEBELL for temporary repair.
Taken in hand
for repair at Liverpool.
February Under repair.
to Completion
delayed by air raids and extent of damage.
March
April Nominated for
transfer to 7th Escort Group based at Liverpool on completion.
29th On completion of
post repair trials Joined Group based at Liverpool for Atlantic convoy
defence.
Embarked film
crew to take pictures of depth Charge explosions for forthcoming production.
May Atlantic convoy
escort In continuation.
23rd Passage to Iceland to collect
convoy.
24th Detached to Join
Home Fleet ships in search for German Battleship BISMARCK and the
cruiser PRINZ
EUGEN.
26th Returned to
Liverpool when released from operation.
June Deployed with Group
for Atlantic Convoy escort.
July Atlantic convoy
escort deployment in continuation..
18th Under attack by
Focke Wulf aircraft during which ss PILAR DE LARRINGA was damaged
by direct hit
and by aircraft which crashed after hitting Barrage Balloon cable.
Provided
assistance to fire-fighting on board mercantile and embarked injured.
(Note: Air
attack took place In position 54.22N 16.53W.)
Detached to
escort mercantile to Swansea.
Passage to
Liverpool for repair.
August Following damage
repair fitted with prototype anti-submarine mortar (HEDGEHOG)
in place of
forward (A) gun mounting.
25th On completion
nominated for trials of HEDGEHOG.
September Carried out trials of
HEDGEHOG in Irish Sea.
Seaman Injured
by premature firing of dummy projectile.
(For details
of new weapons and tactics see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann and for
development
and use of radar, RADAR AT SEA by D Howse).
Nominated for
service with 13th Destroyer Flotilla at Gibraltar after refit.
October Attached to 1st
Escort Group as Senior Officer's ship.
Part of escort
for Convoy (ON28) during passage to Gibraltar.
November Under refit at
Devonport. Degaussing equipment fitted
Bofors AA
mounting fitted.
December On completion of Post
Refit trials took passage to Join military convoy WS14.
9th Part of escort
for WS14 on departure from Clyde with HM Destroyers BEVERLEY, NEWARK
LANCASTER,
SHERWOOD, CROOME, WITHERINGTON and HM Auxiliary AA Ship
ULSTER QUEEN.
12th Detached from WS14
and made independent passage to join Convoy HG76 as escort.
(Note:
Unsuccessful attack on U-Boat in Bay of Biscay nay have been made on U451 during
its passage to enter Mediterranean but this submarine was sunk on 21st
off Gibraltar.
See U-BOATS
DESTROYED by P Kemp and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)
HMS CROOME
also detached from WS14 to joined Gibraltar Escort Force.
Detached from
HG76 and took passage to Gibraltar.
23rd Joined Flotilla at
Gibraltar for duty in Gibraltar Escort Force.
1 9 4 2
January Deployed with HM
Destroyers WISHART, WRESTLER, VIDETTE and ANTELOPE.
Part of escort
for HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS for Malta aircraft delivery.
Deployed In
Atlantic with HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE and ARGUS to providing cover
for passage of
convoys.
Came under
unsuccessful air attack.
Took passage
from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers CROOME and EXMOOR to escort troop
ship LLANGIBBY
CASTLE which had been damaged by U402 whilst in Convoy WS15 and
was at Horta,
Azores.
February
1st Arrived at Horta
and carries out an anti-submarine operation with HMS CROOME and HMS
EXMOOR against
U-Boats waiting for LLANGIBBY CASTLE leave under tow of tug
THAMES for
passage to Gibraltar.
2nd Rammed and sank
U581 off Pico Island, Azores in position 38.24N 28.30W.
39 survivors
rescued.
(For details
see U-BOATS DESTROYED and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR.)
Escorted
LLANGIBBY CASTLE under tow during passage to Gibraltar.
6th Arrived at
Gibraltar and disembarked prisoners.
7th Taken in hand for
repair at Gibraltar.
(Note: One of
crew was killed by fall into dry dock and another died after an accident in
Engine
Room during
post refit trials.
March On completion of
trials resumed deployment at Gibraltar with Flotilla.
April
19th Deployed with HM Destroyers WISHART, WRESTLER,
VIDETTE and ANTELOPE of
Flotilla as escort for US Aircraft Carrier USS
WASP during Malta aircraft delivery covered by
the ships of Force H as Force W (Operation
CALENDAR).
(Note: Force
W comprised HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Cruisers CAIRO and
CHARYBDIS with
HM Destroyers INGLEFIELD, ITHURIEL, ECHO, PARTRIDGE,
US Destroyers
LANG and MADISON.
21st Resumed Flotilla duties on completion of CALENDAR.
May
8th Part of screen
for HMS RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, USS WASP and HM Cruiser
CHARYBDIS with
HM Destroyers ECHO, INTREPID, VIDETTE, PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL,
WISHART,
WRESTLER, ANTELOPE, GEORGETOWN, SALISBURY, US Destroyers
USS LANG and
STERRET for Malta aircraft delivery (Operation BOWERY).
10th Resumed Flotilla
duties on completion of BOWERY.
17th Deployed with HM
Destroyers PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE, WISHART,
WRESTLER and
VIDETTE as screen for HMS EAGLE, HMS ARGUS and HMS
CHARYBDIS
during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation LB).
Resumed
Flotilla duties on release from LB.
June
2nd Detached for
escort of HMS EAGLE for Malta aircraft delivery with HMS CHARYBDIS,
HM Destroyers
WISHART, ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE and PARTRIDGE
(Operation
STYLE).
8th Escorted HMS
EAGLE for repeat Malta aircraft delivery with HM Cruisers CAIRO, HM
Destroyers
PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE and VIDETTE.
(Operation
SALIENT).
11th Detached and
joined HM Battleship MALAYA, HMS EAGLE, HMS ARGUS, HM Cruisers
KENYA,
LIVERPOOL and CHARYBDIS, HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ICARUS and
ESCAPADE in
Force W with ships of Flotilla for escort of Malta relief convoy
(Operation
HARPOON – For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, THE
BATTLE FOR THE
MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre and Naval Staff History).
14th Detached from
Force W to escort HMS LIVERPOOL which had been damaged by torpedo in
air attacks on
HARPOON convoy and was being towed to Gibraltar by HMS ANTELOPE.
16th In action against
aircraft during which ship was hit by AA fire from HMS LIVERPOOL
causing three
deaths and many injured.
Resumed
Flotilla duties after arrival at Gibraltar.
(Note: Tow of
HMS LIVERPOOL was taken over by THAMES.
Burial
ceremony for those killed was carried out at sea from ship
July Deployed with
Flotilla for local Atlantic convoy defence supporting Convoy HG85.
1st During patrol
off Spanish coast arrested three Spanish fishing vessels off Great Shoal Bank.
(Note:
Fishing vessels were SEGUARDO, PRIMIER ERRIQUE and MARIA LUISA),
Spanish
trawlers had been suspected of providing information about convoy
movements to
German agents and two of the arrested ships were found to have radio
equipment
fitted which was suitable for this purpose).
15th Detached with HM
Destroyers WRESTLER, ANTELOPE, VANSITTART and ITHURIEL as
destroyer
screen for HMS EAGLE, HMS CHARYBDIS and HMS CAIRO during Malta aircraft
delivery.
(Operation PINPOINT).
20th Repeat aircraft
delivery screening duty with same ships (Operation INSECT).
August Flotilla duties in
continuation.
10th Detached with HMS
WRESTLER and HMS VIDETTE for escort of Malta relief convoy.
(Operation
PEDESTAL - For details see PEDESTAL by P. Smith and above references).
13th Detached to escort
damaged HMS VICTORIOUS and HMS RODNEY to Gibraltar and joined
by ships of
Flotilla which had been despatched from Gibraltar.
18th Resumed Atlantic
convoy escort and anti-submarine patrol duties with Flotilla when released
from PEDESTAL.
September Atlantic duties with
Flotilla based at Gibraltar in continuation
Deployed with HMS VIDETTE, HMS ITHURIEL and HMS
PARTRIDGE is support of
Corvete in attacks on U-Boat.
(Special Note: An account is given in WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE by R Chapman of
the sinking of
a U-Boat on an unknown date (P133).
This most
distressing record carrot be substantiated in HITLER'S U-BOAT
WAR or in
U-BOATS DESTROYED.
HMS ITHURIEL
was under repair after damage caused when ramming an
Italian
submarine during PEDESTAL and HMS PARTRIDGE was on passage
to Sheerness
in September).
October Flotilla duties in
continuation.
28th Part of escort for
HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS, HM Cruisers CHARYBDIS and AURORA
with HM
Destroyers WISHART, COWDRAY, BRAMHAM, ACHATES, VANOC, VERITY
and Polish
destroyer ORP BLYSKAWICA during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation TRAIN).
November Escorted military
convoys on passage to Gibraltar for allied landings in North Africa with HM
Destroyer
VENOMOUS and HM Corvettes COLTSFOOT, GERANIUM, JONQUIL and
SPIRAEA of
Gibraltar Escort Force. (Operation TORCH: For details see ENGAGE THE
ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY and Naval Staff History).
7th Deployed as
escort for HM Cutters HARTLAND and WALNEY during passage to Oran for
an operation
to break into the harbour.
8th Came under shore
fire during entry of Cutters and withdrew.
Took part in
sinking of Vichy French submarines ACTAEON and ARGONAUTE in position
36.48N 00.59W.
These submarines were attempting to interfere with landings.
18th Took passage to UK
as part of escort for HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK and HM Aircraft
Carrier
VICTORIOUS with HM Destroyer OPPORTUNE.
(Note these
two major warships were returning to Home Fleet duties on release from TORCH.)
Nominated for
refit and conversion to Long Range Escort.
December Prepared for refit in HM
Dockyard Portsmouth and Paying-off into Dockyard Control.
14th Paid-off and taken
in hand for refit and conversion.
(Note: See
following reference for details of changes made including removal of Forward
Boiler
Room for use
as additional fuel storage compartments.)
1 9 4 3
January
8th Detached from
JW63 on arrival at Kola Inlet after undetected passage.
11th Joined escort for
return Convoy RA63 with same ships.
21st Remained with
convoy on arrival at Loch Ewe after passage in extreme weather.
23rd Detached with HM
Destroyers KEPPEL and WALKER when convoy arrived in Clyde.
Came under
shore fire during entry of Cutters and withdrew.
(For details
see RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute).
Took part in
sinking of Vichy French submarines ACTAEON and ARGONAUTS in position
36.48N 00.59W.
These submarines were attempting to interfere with landings.
18th Took passage to UK
as part of escort of HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK and HM Aircraft
Carrier
VICTORIOUS with HI Destroyer OPPORTUNE.
(Note: These
ships were returning to Home Fleet duties after release from TORCH).
Nominated for
refit and conversion to Long Range Escort.
1 9 4 3
January Under refit and
conversion.
to Nominated for
service with 4th Escort Group on completion.
June (For further
details see V AND W DESTROYERS 1917-45 by A Preston).
July Re-commissioned.
19th On completion of
dockyard work prepared for work-up.
August Worked up for
operational service with Group based at Londonderry.
September Joined Group and
deployed with HM Destroyers INCONSTANT, WHITEHALL, WRESTLER,
Polish ORP
GARLAND and ORP BURZA for Atlantic convoy defence in support role.
(Note: Fourth
Group also included HM Escort Aircraft Carrier FENCER to provide air cover
during passage
of convoys threatened by U-Boat Packs
For details
see THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre, U-BOAT WAR IN
THE ATLANTIC
(HMSO) and SEEK AND STRIKE.).
October Transferred to 8th
Escort Group and deployed for duty with Home Fleet as escort for Russian
convoys.
Took passage
to Russia to join escort for the first return convoy of winter season.
(Note: Group
based at Greenock.)
(Operation FR
-For details of all Russian convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA
by RA Ruegg,,
CONVOY ! by P Kemp, ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman and THE
RUSSIAN
CONVOYS by B Schoefield.).
(Note: The
Group also included HM Escort Aircraft Carrier FENCER to provide air cover
during passage
of convoys threatened by U-Boat Packs
For details
see above references and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO)
November
1st Joined Ocean
Escort for Convoy RA54A at Kola Inlet with HM Destroyers MAHRATTA,
MATCHLESS,
MILNE, MUSKETEER, SAVAGE, SAUMAREZ, SCORPION and
SCOURGE.
13th Detached from
Convoy RA54A.
December Home Fleet deployment in
continuation.
12th Joined Ocean
Escort for Russian Convoy JW55A with HM Minesweeper SPEEDWELL and
the Norwegian
Corvette ACANTHUS.
13th Fleet destroyers
joined Ocean Escort.
22nd Detached from JW55A
on arrival at Kola Inlet.
23rd Joined Ocean
Escort for return Convoy RA55A with HM Destroyer BEAGLE.
(Note: Fleet
destroyers from JW55A also joined).
30th Detached from
RA55A with HM Destroyer ASHANTI before arrival of convoy at Loch Ewe
1 9 4 4
January Home Fleet deployment
in continuation.
22nd Joined Russian
Convoy JW56B with HM Destroyers WRESTLER and WHITEHALL,
CYGNET, three
minesweepers and two corvettes as part of Ocean Escort.
26th Fleet destroyers
joined Ocean Escort.
February
1st Detached from
JW56B on arrival at Kola Inlet.
3rd Joined return
Convoy RA56 with HMS WHITEHALL, HMS CYGNET, four Corvettes
and three
Fleet Minesweepers.
Embarked
Russian naval personnel for passage.
(Note: The
Russians wore part of the crews for warships being transferred on loan and under
refit in UK.
These included HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN and some of the Ex
US Navy TOWN
Class destroyers transferred to the RN in 1940).
11th Detached from RA56
en arrival at Loch Ewe.
March Home Fleet duties in
continuation.
27th Joined Close
Escort for Russian Convoy JW58 with HM Destroyers WHITEHALL,
WRESTLER. and
four corvettes.
29th Main body of Ocean
Escort joined JW58.
(Note: This
included HM Cruiser DIADEM, two Escort Carriers and Fleet destroyers)
April
4th Detached from
JW58 after arrival at Kola Inlet with unscathed passage.
7th Joined Ocean
Escort for return Convoy RA58 with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BOADICEA,
INCONSTANT,
KEPPEL, VENUS, WALKER, WHITEHALL, WRESTLER and Home Fleet
units from
JW58.
12th Detached from RA58
with destroyers.
20th Took passage to
Kola Inlet with other Home Fleet ships for collection of empty ships lying in
north Russian
ports and to collect personnel.
(For details
see above references).
28th Embarked 12 US
Navy personnel for passage and joined escort for return Convoy RA59 with
HM Cruiser
DIADEM, HM Escort Carriers FENCER ,ACTIVITY, HM Destroyers
BOADICEA,
ULYSSES, VERULAM, VIRAGO, WALKER, WHITEHALL, MARNE,
MATCHLESS,
METEOR, MILNE, MUSKETEER, BEAGLE, INCONSTANT, KEPPEL,
WRESTLER, HM
Corvette LOTUS and four RCN frigates.
May
6th Detached from
RA59 on arrival at Loch Ewe after atrocious weather during passage.
Nominated for
duty with Eastern Task Force during allied landings in Ncrmandy.
(Operation
NEPTUNE - For details of activities prior to and during operation see OPERATION
NEPTUNE by K
Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, June 1944 (HMSO)
Took part in
preparatory exercises.
June
3rd Sailed from Clyde
as escort for HM Battleship RODNEY.
4th Operation delayed
by 24 hours.
5th Passage from
Solent through swept channel with HMS RODNEY.
6th Escorted HMS
RODNEY during bombardments In support of assault.
7th Developed defect
In boilers and returned to Solent for repair.
On completion
deployed on interception patrol and convoy defence off beachhead.
July Channel
deployment in continuation.
August After release took
passage to Dundee for refit.
15th Taken in hand by
commercial shipyard
September Under refit.
October Post refit harbour
and sea trials
11th On completion of
trials prepared for operational service.
Rejoined Group
for convoy defect and support in NW Approaches. Detached for Home
Fleet duties.
31st Escorted rms
EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA and ss SCYTHIA with HM Destroyer BEAGLE
and HM Sloop
CYGNET for initial part of passage to Murmansk as Convoy JW61A.
(Note: These
two mercantiles were returning some 11,000 Russian Nationals who had
been captured
in Normandy - See above references)
November
2nd Detached from local escort of JW61A when relieved by
HM Cruiser BERWICK, HM Escort
Carrier CAMPANIA and HM Destroyers CAMBRIAN,
CAPRICE, CASSANDRA,
SAUMAREZ, SCOURGE and SERAPIS.
Resumed convoy defence In NW Approaches.
and HM Sloop
CYGNET for initial part of passage to Murmansk as Convoy JW61A.
(Note: These
two mercantiles were returning some 11,000 Russian Nationals who had
been captured
in Normandy - See above references)
December Deployed with Home Fleet
for Russian convoy defence.
1st Detached with HM
Destroyers BEAGLE and KEPPEL of Group to join HM Cruiser BELLONA
HM Escort
Carriers CAMPANIA, NAIRANA, HM Destroyers CAESAR, CAMBRIAN,
CAPRICE,
CASSANDRA, OBEDIENT, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, ORIBI, ORWELL
and BULLDOG as
escort for Russian convoy JW62 supported by sloops and frigates.
7th Detached on
arrival at Kola Inlet after unscathed passage.
10th Part of escort for
return convoy RA62 with same ships.
19th Resumed duties in
NW Approaches with Group.
30th Detached with HMS
KEPPEL, HMS WALKER, HM Sloop CYGNET and joined HM Sloops
LAPWING, LARK,
HM Corvettes ALLINGTON CASTLE, ALNWICK CASTLE and
BAMBOROUGH
CASTLE as escort for Russian Convoy JW63.
1 9 4 5
January
8th Detached from
JW63 on arrival at Kola Inlet after undetected passage.
11th Joined escort for
return Convoy RA63 with same ships.
21st Remained with
convoy on arrival at Loch Ewe after passage in extreme weather.
23rd Detached with HM
Destroyers KEPPEL and WALKER when convoy arrived in Clyde.
24th Under repair to
storm damage.
February Under repair
March On completion
deployed at Greenock for coastal convoy defence in Irish Sea and in NW
Approaches
with Greenock Escort Force.
(Note: During
this period SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats were concentrating attacks at convoy
focal points
in coastal waters. Anti-submarine patrols and the defence of coastal convoys
in these
waters were strengthened. See above references.).
April Greenock
deployment In continuation.
May
6th Deployed for
escort of convoy to Iceland.
7th During passage to
Iceland gave instructions to surrendering U-Boats to proceed to the
nominated
assembly areas.
On return
nominated for reduction to Reserve.
June
26th Paid off at Barrow
and reduced to Reserve status.
July Placed on
Disposal List for breaking-up.
P o s t W a r N o t e s
HMS WESTCOTT was sold to BISCO en 8th January 1946 for
demolition by West of Scotland Shipbreakers. The ship arrived in tow at the
breakers later that year.
S p e c i a l N o t
e
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE written by one of the ships’
company gives an account of the life of this ship but is spoilt by lack of dates and some
factual errors when compared with official records held in the Public Record Office.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
WESTCOTT
by Don Kindell
These convoy lists have not been
cross-checked with the text above
|
|
|
|
|
Date convoy sailed
|
Joined convoy as escort
|
Convoy No.
|
Left convoy
|
Date convoy arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/09/40
|
unknown
|
HG 043
|
18/09/40
|
18/09/40
|
02/07/40
|
10/07/40
|
HGY
|
11/07/40
|
14/07/40
|
06/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
BC A
|
16/07/40
|
16/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
27/07/40
|
HX 058
|
30/07/40
|
31/07/40
|
02/08/40
|
02/08/40
|
OG 040
|
07/08/40
|
14/08/40
|
30/07/40
|
10/08/40
|
HG 040
|
14/08/40
|
14/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
OB 201
|
24/08/40
|
25/08/40
|
12/08/40
|
24/08/40
|
HX 065
|
27/08/40
|
27/08/40
|
03/09/40
|
03/09/40
|
OB 208
|
06/09/40
|
07/09/40
|
25/08/40
|
07/09/40
|
SC 002
|
11/09/40
|
10/09/40
|
18/11/40
|
22/11/40
|
OG 046
|
22/11/40
|
05/12/40
|
04/11/40
|
24/11/40
|
SL 054
|
26/11/40
|
26/11/40
|
02/12/40
|
02/12/40
|
OB 253
|
06/12/40
|
06/12/40
|
09/12/40
|
20/12/40
|
HG 048
|
23/12/40
|
23/12/40
|
28/12/40
|
29/12/40
|
OG 048
|
02/01/41
|
09/01/41
|
10/01/41
|
12/01/41
|
OB 272
|
14/01/41
|
14/01/41
|
02/01/41
|
14/01/41
|
SC 018
|
17/01/41
|
19/01/41
|
26/01/41
|
28/01/41
|
OG 051
|
29/01/41
|
08/02/41
|
17/01/41
|
30/01/41
|
HG 051
|
03/02/41
|
03/02/41
|
02/05/41
|
03/05/41
|
OB 318
|
08/05/41
|
10/05/41
|
25/04/41
|
09/05/41
|
HX 123
|
11/05/41
|
13/05/41
|
18/05/41
|
19/05/41
|
OB 324
|
24/05/41
|
27/05/41
|
09/05/41
|
24/05/41
|
SC 031
|
29/05/41
|
30/05/41
|
31/05/41
|
31/05/41
|
OB 329
|
05/06/41
|
05/06/41
|
25/05/41
|
02/06/41
|
HG 063
|
09/06/41
|
09/06/41
|
14/06/41
|
14/06/41
|
OG 065
|
17/06/41
|
28/06/41
|
30/05/41
|
18/06/41
|
SL 076
|
21/06/41
|
21/06/41
|
30/06/41
|
01/07/41
|
OB 341
|
05/07/41
|
06/07/41
|
24/06/41
|
04/07/41
|
HG 066
|
09/07/41
|
09/07/41
|
14/07/41
|
15/07/41
|
OB 346
|
18/07/41
|
01/08/41
|
10/08/41
|
22/08/41
|
HX 144
|
unknown
|
30/08/41
|
29/08/41
|
29/08/41
|
OG 073
|
02/09/41
|
13/09/41
|
15/08/41
|
03/09/41
|
SL 084
|
08/09/41
|
08/09/41
|
12/09/41
|
13/09/41
|
OS 006
|
17/09/41
|
03/10/41
|
05/09/41
|
18/09/41
|
SC 043
|
20/09/41
|
20/09/41
|
20/10/41
|
20/10/41
|
ON 028
|
23/10/41
|
03/11/41
|
15/11/41
|
15/11/41
|
CT 006
|
18/11/41
|
24/11/41
|
13/11/41
|
18/11/41
|
TC 015
|
21/11/41
|
21/11/41
|
11/01/42
|
12/01/42
|
SL 097G
|
17/01/42
|
24/01/42
|
05/04/42
|
05/04/42
|
HG 081
|
unknown
|
15/04/42
|
12/06/42
|
12/06/42
|
HARPOON
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
23/06/42
|
OG 085
|
25/06/42
|
25/06/42
|
19/09/42
|
19/09/42
|
HG 089
|
25/09/42
|
30/09/42
|
02/10/42
|
02/10/42
|
XK 001
|
unknown
|
14/10/42
|
26/10/42
|
04/11/42
|
KMF 001
|
06/11/42
|
08/11/42
|
01/11/42
|
11/11/42
|
KMF 002
|
12/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
14/11/42
|
14/11/42
|
MKS 001O
|
15/11/42
|
15/11/42
|
05/09/43
|
05/09/43
|
KMS 026G
|
18/09/43
|
18/09/43
|
25/09/43
|
25/09/43
|
MKS 025G
|
08/10/43
|
08/10/43
|
01/11/43
|
01/11/43
|
RA 054A
|
13/11/43
|
14/11/43
|
12/12/43
|
12/12/43
|
JW 055A
|
21/12/43
|
22/12/43
|
22/12/43
|
23/12/43
|
RA 055A
|
30/12/43
|
01/01/44
|
22/01/44
|
22/01/44
|
JW 056B
|
01/02/44
|
01/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
RA 056
|
11/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
02/03/44
|
DS 050
|
04/03/44
|
04/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
SD 050
|
08/03/44
|
08/03/44
|
27/03/44
|
27/03/44
|
JW 058
|
04/04/44
|
04/04/44
|
07/04/44
|
07/04/44
|
RA 058
|
12/04/44
|
14/04/44
|
28/04/44
|
28/04/44
|
RA 059
|
06/05/44
|
06/05/44
|
31/10/44
|
31/10/44
|
JW 061A
|
02/11/44
|
06/11/44
|
29/11/44
|
01/12/44
|
JW 062
|
07/12/44
|
07/12/44
|
10/12/44
|
10/12/44
|
RA 062
|
19/12/44
|
19/12/44
|
30/12/44
|
30/12/44
|
JW 063
|
08/01/45
|
08/01/45
|
11/01/45
|
11/01/45
|
RA 063
|
21/01/45
|
21/01/45
|
08/05/45
|
08/05/45
|
DS 065
|
12/05/45
|
12/05/45
|
12/05/45
|
12/05/45
|
SD 065
|
15/05/45
|
15/05/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)