J
or JAVELIN-Class Destroyer ordered from
Fairfields at Govan, Glasgow on 25th
March 1937 under the 1936 Build
Programme and laid
down on 5th October 1937 and intended to be
named
JAMAICA. However the name was changed to
JUNO before launch on 8th December to allow
the selected name to be given to a new
COLONY Class cruiser. The new name had
been introduced
in 1757 for a 5th Rate and last used for a
cruiser built in 18945 and sold in
1920. This
destroyer was the 9th to carry the name.
Build was completed on 25th August
1939
B a t t l
e H o n o u r s
LOUISBERG
1758 - CUDDALORE 1783 - TOULON 1795 -
ATLANTIC 1939 - CALABRIA 1940 - LIBYA 1940 -
MATAPAN 1941 - MEDITERRANEAN 1940-41 - CRETE
1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941
H e r a l d i
c D a t a
B
a d g
e: On a Field Blue. the head of Hera (Juno)
in profile
couped
between two bars wavy White .
1 9 3 9
August
Contractors Trials and commissioning.
25th
Completion of build and commenced Acceptance
Trials
Passage to Portland for working-up before
joining 7th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet
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)
September
Work-up at Portland in continuation.
Following working up, JUNO joined the 7th Destroyer Flotilla.
2nd
Deployed with HM Destroyers JACKAL and JANUS
to meet ss BATAVIA at Maas
LV and escort to Tongue LV.
(Note: This ship was bringing the Berlin
British Embassy staff back to UK from
Holland in view of the likelihood of war
with Germany.
3rd
Carried out shakedown in Channel area.
9th
Sailed from Plymouth with HMS JANUS and HMS
JACKAL to escort convoy OA 2. during passage
in Channel.
10th
Returned to Plymouth
11th
Joined HM Destroyer AMAZON for escort of
outward Atlantic convoy OA3 during
passage in Channel.
14th
Detached from OA3 on dispersal in SW
Approaches.
17th
Deployed with HM Destroyer AMAZON as escort
for outward Convoy OA6 during passage in
Channel
from Southend to Dispersal Point.
20th
Detached and took passage to Plymouth with
HMS AMAZON
23rd
Deployed as escort for outward Convoy OA9
with HMS AMAZON during passage in
Channel to dispersal point in SW Approaches.
26th
Detached with HMS AMAZON to join escort of
Convoy HXF1
29th
Returned to Plymouth with HMS AMAZON.
30th
Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard,
Devonport,
(Note: This was first of a long series of
withdrawals from operational use which
continued plagued the ship during her entire
service and included docking.)
October
16th
Took passage to Rosyth to join Flotilla on
completion of repairs.
17th
Arrived at Rosyth.
26th
Deployed with HMS WHITLEY, HMS WALLACE and
HM Sloop STORK as escort for
south bound Convoy GS27 during passage from
Methil to Southend.
27th
Detached with escort on arrival.
29th
Sailed from Grimsby with HM Destroyers
JERVIS, JANUS, JUNO, JERSEY, JUPITER and
JACKAL to carry out offensive sweep to
intercept enemy shipping off Dutch coast.
and
returned to Humber. (Operation AG)
November
4th
Covered passage of southbound Convoy FS32
with HMS JUNO
6th
Detached from cover and tool passage to
Rosyth to escort HM Minelaying Cruiser
ADVENTURE to the Humber
7th
Escorted HM Cruiser ADVENTURE with HMS
JUPITER during passage to Grimsby.
15th
Escorted HM Cruiser CALCUTTA with HMS
JUPITER for AA support of northbound
Convoy FN37 during passage from Southend to
Methil and returned to
Grimsby on release.
21st
Deployed for patrol BT2 in North Sea with HM
Destroyers JAGUAR. JANUS and JERSEY.
24th
Sustained damage alongside a tanker at
Immingham and taken in hand for repair
30th
Resumed Flotilla duties on completion of
repair.
December
Deployed for convoy defence and patrol in
North Sea.
6th
Carried out search for German destroyers in
North Sea with HMS JERSEY
7th
In action with German HANS LODY and ERICH
GEISE had been laying
mines near Haisborough Light.
HMS JERSEY hit by torpedo which caused fire
and extensive damage.
Took stricken ship in tow ands returned to
Humber.
(Note: HM Destroyer JANUS, also in the
Humber, did not depart until the visibility
improved.
Tug YORKSHIREMAN (251 tons) later took over
JERSEY tow to Immingham.)
9th
Passage to NW Approaches
12th
Under repair at Sullom Voe after evaporators
defects.
15th
Resumed operational deployment off East
Coast.
(Note: North Sea convoys were under threat of mines being laid by surface ships and
aircraft both of which attacked shipping.)
17th
Delayed from deployment for convoy escort
with HM Destroyers JERVIS, JAGUAR
and JANUS
19th
Sailed from Immingham to join these ships in
escort of iron ore Convoy NV2 during passage
from Narvik
20th
Joined NV2 escort.
23rd
HMS JAGUAR detached from NV2 escort after
defects and took passage to Scapa Flow
24th
On arrival of NV2 at Methil with HMS JERVIS
and HMS JANUS return to Immingham
27th
Deployed with HMS JACKAL for escort of
tanker BEDALE from Humber to Middlesbrough
1
9 4 0
January
North Sea deployment in continuation.
Nominated for refit at commercial shipyard
in Hull.
February
Passage to Humber
5th
Taken in hand for refit by Brigham and
Cowan, Hull
March
2nd
Repair work completed.
9th
Under further repair to reserve feed water
tanks in King George V Graving Dock.
(Note: Several ships of this Class of
destroyer experienced defects
believed to be due to stress caused by high
speed operations.)
20th
Resumed operational duties and took passage
to rejoin Flotilla in Rosyth
Deployed for convoy defence.
April
5th
Deployed with HM Cruiser CALCUTTA, HM
Destroyers JAVELIN, JANUS
and GRENADE as escort for outward Convoy
ON25 during passage from
Methil to Bergen.
7th
Convoy ordered by CinC Home Fleet to return
to UK and on release took
passage to Scapa Flow to resume Flotilla duties in support of
operations off Norway following the German
invasion.
10th
Deployed for Fleet screening and convoy
defence off Norway.
16th
Sailed as escort for HM Cruiser SUFFOLK with HM Destroyers
KIPLING,
HEREWARD and JANUS from Scapa Flow to carry out bombardment of Sola
airfield, Stavanger, Norway (Operation DUCK).
17th
After the bombardment which was ineffective
due to total failure of communications
with spotting aircraft, escorted HMS SUFFOLK
during search for German destroyers.
Under heavy and sustained air attacks during
which HMS SUFFOLK received a direct
hit causing catastrophic damage. There were
many casualties and major structural damage
with fires and flooding.
18th
Returned to Scapa Flow with escort and cover
from HM Battlecruisers REPULSE
and RENOWN.
For details see NAVAL OPERATIONS OFF NORWAY
(HMSO).
23rd
Escorted HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL and
GLORIOUS, HM Cruisers
BERWICK and CURLEW with HM Destroyers HASTY,
HEREWARD, HYPERION,
FEARLESS and FURY during passage to Norway
to provide air support during shore
operations (Operation DX)
(Note: This was the first joint operation of
aircraft carriers by the RN during WW2.)
27th
Remained as escort for HMS ARK ROYAL when
HGMS GLORIOUS returned to
Scapa Flow refuel and rearm.
(For details of the disastrous operations
off Norway see above reference, CARRIER
GLORIOUS by J Winton, NARVIK by D MacIntyre
and THE DOOMED EXPEDITION
by J Adams.)
May
Deployed as escort for HMS ARK ROYAL to
Scapa Flow to replenish.
Resumed support of Norwegian operations on
release from escort.
7th
Transferred to Nore Command with HM Cruiser
GALATEA, HM Destroyers
JANUS, HYPERION, HEREWARD, HAVOCK, KELLY,
KIMBERLEY,
KANDAHAR and HOSTILE for support of
operations in southern North Sea
after German invasion of Holland, Belgium and France.
14th
Transferred to Mediterranean with HMS
CARLISLE, HM Destroyers HERO,
HASTY, ILEX, IMPERIAL, MOHAWK, NUBIAN,
KHARTOUM and KINGSTON.
18th
Took passage from Plymouth to Alexandria for
service with 14th Destroyer
Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.
Pennant Number for visual signalling
purposes changed to G46.
Took part in Fleet exercised in preparation
for anticipated hostilities with Italy
June
Took up war station and deployed in eastern
Mediterranean.
11th
Deployed with destroyers of Mediterranean
Fleet as screen for HM Battleships
WARSPITE, MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE,
HM Cruisers ORION,
NEPTUNE, SYDNEY (RAN), LIVERPOOL CALEDON and CALYPSO
during search in eastern Mediterranean for
Italian convoy reported on passage.
(Note: HMS CALYPSO was sunk by the Italian
submarine BAGNOLINI during
this search.)
12th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
(Note: For details of naval activities in
the Mediterranean prior to the entry
of Italy into WW 2, see THE BATTLE FOR THE
MEDITERRANEAN
by D MacIntyre, and Naval Staff History.)
27th
Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DECOY,
DEFENDER, DIAMOND, ILEX,
JERVIS and VAMPIRE (RAN) as screen for HMS
EAGLE, HM Battleships
RAMILLIES and ROYAL SOVEREIGN, HMS Cruisers
GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL,
NEPTUNE and SYDNEY (RAN)
to provided Distant Cover for passage of
Convoys MF1 and MS1 from Malta.
(Note: The ships of these convoys were
evacuating non-essential personnel from
the islands.)
28th
(Operation cancelled after cruisers engaged
Italian destroyers and sank one, but
their high expenditure of ammunition which
reduced stock left to an unacceptable
level.)
July
6th
Carried out bombardment at Bardia in support
of shore military operation with HM Cruiser
CAPETOWN, HM Destroyers ILEX, IMPERIAL and
JANUS.
7th
Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY,
DEFENDER, HYPERION, HOSTILE,
HASTY, ILEX, JANUS, VAMPIRE (RAN) and
VOYAGER as screen for HM
Battleships MALAYA, ROYAL SOVEREIGN, HM
Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM
Cruisers CLEOPATRA, LIVERPOOL, NEPTUNE, ORION and SYDNEY (RAN),
designated as Force C.
Provided cover for passage of Convoys MS1
and MF1 from
Malta to Alexandria
(Operation MF5).
9th
Took part in brief engagement with Italian
battle squadron off Calabria.
(Battle of Calabria). For details see above
references and Naval Staff History.)
14th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
August
23rd
Bombarded Italian Seaplane Base at Bomba
with HM Destroyers STUART (RAN),
DIAMOND and ILEX.
29th
Escorted Convoy MF 2 to Malta with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DIAMOND, and
JERVIS (Operation MB3)
(Note: This convoy comprised the mercantiles
CORNWALL, VOLVO and the
RFA PLUMLEAF and was part of Operation HATS
to transfer the battleship
HMS VALIANT, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA, COVENTRY and HM Aircraft
Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS from Gibraltar to join the Fleet at Alexandria
)
31st
Detached to escort ss CORNWALL which had
been damaged in air attacks.
September
2nd
Arrived in Malta with HMS JERVIS as escort
ss CORNWALL and came under
dive bombing attack by Ju87 aircraft.
3rd
Deployed with screen for Mediterranean Fleet
units and reinforcement ships during
passage to Alexandria.
5th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
17th
Carried out bombardment of Sidi Barrani with
HMS JANUS and HM River
Gunboat LADYBIRD.
19th
Escorted damaged cruiser HMS KENT into
Alexandria.
(Note: HMS KENT had been hit by a torpedo during an air attack off Bardia.)
22nd
Carried out bombardment of airfield Sidi
Barrani with HM Destroyers JERVIS, JANUS
and MOHAWK.
25th
Deployed with HM Destroyers HYPERION,
HEREWARD and MOHAWK for further
bombardment of Sidi Barrrani.
(Note: The two bombardments were in support
of military advance by the 8th Army.)
28th
Escorted HM Cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER during passage to
Malta
with troops
October
8th
Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DECOY,
IMPERIAL, JANUS, JERVIS
VAMPIRE (RAN) and VOYAGER as screen for HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS EAGLE,
HMS MALAYA, HMS RAMILLIES, HMS VALIANT, HMS
GLOUCESTER, HMS
LIVERPOOL, ORION, SYDNEY (RAN) and HMS YORK to provide Distant Cover
for passage of Convoy MF3 to Malta and MF4
to Egypt (Operation MB6)
12th
Under attack by Italian torpedo boats during
which ARTIGLIERE was sunk.
14th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units
after air attacks were carried out on
Leros..
25th
Deployed with HMS JERVIS as screen for HMS
ORION and HMAS SYDNEY
in Aegean to provide cover for convoy to
Greece, and for contraband control of
shipping.
28th
On release returned to Alexandria.
November
6th
Deployed with HM Destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER,
HASTY, HAVOCK,
HEREWARD, HYPERION, HERO, ILEX,. JANUS,
JERVIS, MOHAWK and
NUBIAN as screen for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS
MALAYA, HMS RAMILLIES
HMS VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HM Cruisers AJAX,
GLOUCESTER,
HMS ORION, HMAS SYDNEY and HMS YORK to provide Distant Cover for
the passage of Convoy MW3 to Malta and
returning ME3 comprised of empty
mercantiles to Egypt
(Note: This was part of a major deployment
with ships of Force H at Gibraltar to
transfer HM Battleship BARHAM, HM Cruisers
BERWICK, GLASGOW,
HM Destroyers GALLANT, GREYHOUND and GRIFFIN
to reinforce
the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria
(Operation COAT)
10th
Remained with Fleet units after
reinforcement ships joined and HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS
detached to carry out an attack on Italian
warships at Taranto (Operation JUDGEMENT)
14th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
25th
Deployed with Fleet screen during Operation
MB9 to carry out several activities
including provision of cover for Convoys MW4
to Malta. ME4 to Egypt, air attacks
on Tripoli, transfer of HM Cruisers
MANCHESTER and SOUTHAMPTON to
further reinforce the Fleet in the eastern
Mediterranean and return of HMS BERWICK
and HMS RAMILLIES to Gibraltar after service at Alexandria..
(Operation MB9 and Operation COLLAR with
Force H.)
December
1st
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
17th
Deployed with HMS JERVIS and HMS JANUS as
screen for HMS AJAX, HMS
ORION and HMAS SYDNEY during fruitless
search in southern Adriatic for
supply convoys
21st
Rejoined Fleet units which had been covering
passage of Convoy MW5 to Malta
carried air attacks on Rhodes and Stampalia
as well a bombardment of Valona.
24th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units
which had provided Distant Cover for
passage of Convoy ME5 from Malta to Egypt
(Operation MC2)
1
9 4 1
January
7th
Joined Force A with HM Destroyers JERVIS,
NUBIAN, MOHAWK, DAINTY,
GALLANT, GREYHOUND and GRIFFIN as screen for
HM Battleships
WARSPITE, VALIANT and HM Aircraft Carrier
ILLUSTRIOUS to provide
cover for passage of Convoy MW5 ½ from
Alexandria. The Fleet was also to
to meet military convoy from Gibraltar in position west of Malta for
escort
and provide it with during passage to
Alexandria (Operation EXCESS/MC4)
10th
Deployed with screen during passage to meet
EXCESS convoy.
Under heavy and incessant air attacks by
German aircraft of Fliegerkorps X west of
Malta. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS was badly damaged and
had to be withdrawn from
EXCESS operation.
11th
Under further heavy air attacks on Fleet
units and EXCESS convoy during which HMS
SOUTHAMPTON and HMS GLOUCESTER were hit and
badly damaged.
(Note: HMS SOUTHAMPTON had to be sunk by
three torpedoes from HMS JERVIS
when fires became out of control.)
Remained with Fleet screen during escort of
EXCESS and ME6 convoys to Alexandria.
(Note: One source records ship was deployed
at Suda Bay. To be confirmed.)
16th
At Alexandria. See above Note.
19th
Took passage from Alexandria to Malta with
HM Destroyers JERVIS, JANUS and
GREYHOUND as escort for damaged HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS.
(Note: If deployed at Suda Bay for escort of
LUSTRE convoys may have joined the
other destroyers during passage from Egypt.)
23rd
Sailed from Malta as escort for HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS during passage to Egypt
25th
Arrived at Alexandria and resumed Fleet
duties with Flotilla..
(Note: No commercial convoys were passed
from Egypt to Malta because of the
lack of air cover from a suitable Fleet
Aircraft Carrier. After the 8th Army
advance into Cyrenaica opportunity was taken to send reinforcement troops
Malta in HMS AJAX, HMS GLOUCESTER and HMS
ORION. A convoy
of empty mercantiles was passed to Egypt
from Malta (Operation MC8).
22nd
Deployed with screen for major ships during
provision of cover for MC8.
24th
Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
February
Nominated for service in Red Sea
9th
Deployed with HM Destroyer JUNO at Aden for
escort of HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE
during passage in Red Sea.
20th
Sailed from Aden for Suez escorted by HM
Destroyers JUNO and GRIFFIN.
March
9th
Detached from HMS FORMIDABLE on arrival at
Port Suez
Rejoined Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria
after delay due to closure of Suez Canal due to
mining.
Deployed for escort of military convoys to
and from ports in Greece and Cyprus
(Operation LUSTRE)
26th
Escorted Convoy GA9 during passage to Greece
with HMS DEFENDER, HMS
JAGUAR. and HM Cruiser CALCUTTA.
27th
Held at Piraeus by CinC Mediterranean in
anticipation of forthcoming
operation to intercept Italian battle fleet
reported on passage to attack
LUSTRE convoys to and from Greece.
Sailed from Piraeus with HMS DEFENDER and
HMS JAGUAR to join
Force D of Mediterranean Fleet on passage in
Aegean for interception
of Italian units.
Deployed with HMS JAGUAR and HMS DEFENDER to
carry out patrol
NW of Crete
28th
Took part in Battle of Matapan with ships of
Flotilla.
For details see MATAPAN by SW Pack and above
references.
29th
Detached from reinforcement squadron and
joined escort for inward
convoy GA15 on passage from Piraeus to
Egypt.
April
11th
Remained with Fleet at Alexandria when HMS
JERVIS, HMS JANUS, HMS
MOHAWK and HMS NUBIAN of Flotilla were
detached are deployed as
Malta Strike Force.
18th
Deployed with HMS Destroyers ENCOUNTER,
HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD,
HERO and JAGUAR as screen for HM Aircraft
Carrier FORMIDABLE, HMS
BARHAM, HMS VALIANT, HMS AJAX, HMS ORION and
HMAS PERTH
to provide cover for passage of HM Supply
Ship BRECONSHIRE to Malta.
19th
Refuelled at Suda Bay, Crete.
20th
Deployed with Force B as screen for HMS
WARSPITE, HMS VALIANT and
HMS BARHAM with HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK,
HEREWARD, HERO,
HOTSPUR, JAGUAR, JANUS and JERVIS during
bombardment of Tripoli.
(Operation MD2 – See Naval Staff History.)
21st
Detached form Force B with HMS JAGUAR, HMS
JANUS and HMS JERVIS
for service as part of Force K in Malta for
interception of convoys in
central Mediterranean.
24th
Took part in attack on Italian mercantile
EGEO with HMS JERVIS, HMS JANUS
and HMS JAGUAR during which the enemy ship
was sunk by gun and torpedo.
28th
Sailed from Malta with HMS Cruisers DIDO and
ABDIEL, HM Destroyers
JERVIS, JAGUAR and IMPERIAL for passage to
Alexandria with HMS
BRECONSHIRE.)
(Note: Ships of 14th Destroyer Flotilla had
been relieve in Force K by ships of
the 5th Destroyer Flotilla and the two
cruisers were joining the Fleet at
Alexandria. All these new warships had been
transferred to the join the
Mediterranean Fleet as part of Operation
SALIENT.)
30th
Resumed Fleet duties on arrival at Alexandria.
May
6th
Deployed with HM Destroyers GRIFFIN, HAVOCK,
HEREWARD, HERO,
HOTSPUR, JERVIS, KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY, KINGSTON, NIZAM
and NUBIAN as screen for HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS
BARHAM HMS
VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HMS AJAX, HMS ORION,
HMAS PERTH
and HMS ABDIEL to provide cover for transit
of Convoy MW7 to
Malta from Egypt (Operation MD4)
9th
After arrival of convoys in Malta remained
with Fleet screen during
passage to meet ships of Force H and take
over escort for military convoy
bringing tanks for 8th Army to Egypt
(Operation TIGER).
12th
Arrived at Alexandria with Fleet units.
17th
Deployed with HM Cruisers NAIAD and PERTH (RAN), HM
to 20th Destroyers NUBIAN,
KANDAHAR and KINGSTON to intercept
invasion craft on passage to Crete to carry
out landings.
21st
Under high level bombing attack by five CANT
Z1007 aircraft and hit by three
bombs which split ship in two abaft the
bridge structure sinking her in less than
two minute. 116 of ship’s company lost their
lives including one RAN rating, five
locally Entered Maltese and a NAAFI Canteen
employee..
96 survivors were rescued, by HMS KINGSTON,
HMS KANDAHAR and HMS
NUBIAN. Five of those rescued later died.
P
o s t W a
r N o t e s
This
name
was carried forward in November 1965 when
given to a LEANDER Class
Frigates when launched by
John I Thornycroft at Woolston, Southampton.
This ninth JANUS remained on the
Active List for twenty years and was then
place on the Disposal List.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS JUNO
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
17/09/39
|
17/09/39
|
OA
006
|
20/09/39
|
unknown
|
23/09/39
|
23/09/39
|
OA
009
|
26/09/39
|
26/09/39
|
26/10/39
|
26/10/39
|
FS
0027
|
28/10/39
|
28/10/39
|
18/12/39
|
19/12/39
|
NARVIK
2
|
24/12/39
|
24/12/39
|
29/01/40
|
29/01/40
|
HN
009B
|
02/02/40
|
02/02/40
|
03/02/40
|
03/02/40
|
FS
0086
|
05/02/40
|
05/02/40
|
26/02/40
|
26/02/40
|
FS
0106
|
28/02/40
|
28/02/40
|
29/02/40
|
29/02/40
|
FS
0109
|
02/03/40
|
02/03/40
|
04/03/40
|
04/03/40
|
ON
017A/
|
08/03/40
|
08/03/40
|
19/03/40
|
19/03/40
|
ON
021/1
|
23/03/40
|
23/03/40
|
22/03/40
|
22/03/40
|
HN
021
|
25/03/40
|
25/03/40
|
27/03/40
|
27/03/40
|
ON
023/1
|
31/03/40
|
31/03/40
|
31/03/40
|
31/03/40
|
HN
023B
|
04/04/40
|
04/04/40
|
05/04/40
|
05/04/40
|
ON
025/1
|
08/04/40
|
unknown
|
11/04/40
|
13/04/40
|
NP
001
|
15/04/40
|
15/04/40
|
11/09/40
|
11/09/40
|
AN
003
|
15/09/40
|
15/09/40
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)