Introduction

According to The National Archives, in World War 2, "the so-called ‘Pink List’, was compiled every three to four days and shows the stations and movements of ships. Vessels of the Royal Navy as well of those of Allied countries are included, with dates of arrival and departure recorded. .... the weekly ‘Red List’ was used to list all minor vessels in home waters. The Red List is arranged by commands, once again including vessels of Allied countries."

Presumably similar arrangements were used in World War 1. The first two Pink Lists to go online -  1 November 1914 and 1 January 1916 were kindly supplied by US researcher Don Kindell.

It would be good to assume that lists compiled by the Admiralty were as accurate as they could be. However, the layout/format is not always as clear or even as complete as it should be. Also, at least two instances have been found of exactly the same information, down to dates of departure and arrival, being repeated in just the first two lists, e.g. HMS Broke. How this could happen in lists separated by 14 months is a puzzle.

In short, even Pink Lists should be treated with some care.

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Eight more Pink Lists were then transcribed by Dr Graham Watson, Military Historian from Pembroke. In this he was assisted by his long-term colleague, Mike Cox, also a Military Historian, from Manchester, both building on the work of the well-known author and researcher, the late J J (Jim) Colledge. His  publications of course include the invaluable "British Warships 1914-1919" with F J Dittmar.  To them, our grateful thanks.

The total of 12 Pink Lists have been converted to a quick reference guide to Warship Locations, 1914-19.