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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2005

HMS BERWICK - County-type Heavy Cruiser
including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Berwick (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

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KENT-Class cruiser ordered on 26th June 1924 from Fairfield at Govan. The ship was laid down on 15th September 1924 and was first of Class. Launched on 30th March 1926 she commissioned for trials on 15th July 1927. Build was completed on 15th February 1928 and she had commissioned for service on 5th of that month. Her first five years of service were on the China Station and at a refit between these two commissions a catapult and crane for launch of one aircraft was fitted. In 1937 this cruiser underwent an extensive reconstruction during which twin 4in AA mountings replaced the four single mountings and a hangar was provided with two cranes for handing two aircraft.  On completion in 1939 she re-commissioned for service in the West Indies. HMS BERWICK had an association with the civil community of Berwick-on-Tweed which has continued with the ROTHESAY Class frigate which entered service in 1961.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

BEACHY HEAD 1690 - BARFLEUR 1692 - VIGO 1702 - GIBRALTAR 1704 - VELEZ MALAGA 1704 - TOULON 1744 - USHANT 1778 - DOGGER BANK 1781 - ATLANTIC 1939 - NORWAY 1940 -  SPARTIVENTO 1940 - ARCTIC 1944

 

H e r a l d   D a t a

Badge: On a Field White on a mount Green a bear, Black,

chained and collared gold, in front of a tree proper.

 

M o t t o

Victoae gloria merces :   Glory is the reward  for victory

 

 

 

 

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             Flagship of 8th Cruiser Squadron based at Bermuda with HM Cruisers YORK, ORION

                                and PERTH (RAN)

                3rd          Deployed for interception of blockade runners and defence of Atlantic convoys.

                                Took passage to Halifax.

                15th        Sailed from Halifax with HM Cruiser YORK to join Convoys HX1 and HXF1 as Ocean Escort.

                17th        Joined convoys to replace Local Escort by HM Canadian Destroyers SAGUENAY and ST

                                LAURENT.

                20th        Detached from Ocean Escort and resumed patrol.

                22nd       Took passage from Halifax for patrol.

 

October

                3rd          Arrived at Halifax for repair.

                4th          Sailed with HMS PERTH as escort for Convoy KJ3 during passage to Bermuda.

                                Relieved by HM Cruiser EFFINGHAM and resumed patrol.

                5th          Nominated for service in Hunting Group F with HMS YORK.

                (Note: This Group was intended for interception of commerce raiders but did not form

                because of requirement to cover Atlantic convoys against attack by German

                battleship DEUTSCHLAND.)

                7th          Based at Bermuda and deployed for patrol and search for commerce raiders.

                26th        Taken in hand for docking and repair at Bermuda.

 

November              Transferred to 1st Cruiser Squadron, Horns Fleet.

                7th          Took passage from Bermuda to Portsmouth.

                14th        Taken in hand for repair on arrival at Portsmouth.

 

December

                9th          Took passage from Portsmouth to join Squadron at Scapa Flow.

                12th        Deployed in NW Approaches for trade defence

                25th        Returned to Clyde.

                30th        Resumed patrol duties in NW Approaches.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Atlantic deployment In continuation.

                10th        Arrived at Rosyth

                19th        Returned to Scapa Flow to resume patrol duties.

                21st         Passage from Scapa Flow for Northern Patrol duty.

 

 

February

                29th        Returned to Greenock.

 

March                    Resumed Northern Patrol duties.

                2nd         Intercepted and boarded German freighter WOLFSBURG which was on fire.

                                Sank mercantile by gunfire.

                5th          Intercepted and boarded German freighter URUGUAY which also had been set afire by crew and

                                had to be sunk by gunfire.

 

April                       Recalled for support of planned landings in Norway (Operation R4).

                (Note: This operation to land troops in Norwegian ports if Germany carried out an invasion after

                a minelay off Norway to prevent passage of iron ore shipping (Operation WILFRED).

                Passage to Rosyth

                3rd          Embarked 1/4 Royal Lincolnshire Regiment at Rosyth for passage to Norway.

                                (Note: Troops were also embarked in HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, GLASGOW and YORK.)

                8th          Disembarked troops after German invasion of Norway confirmed.

                Sailed from Rosyth with other cruisers.

                Joined off Kinnaird Head by French Cruiser Emil Bertin , destroyers TARTU and MAILLE BREZ

                as screen.

                Carried out sweep to North East as ordered by Admiralty with same ships.

                (Note: Operation R4 was cancelled and replaced by the Operation RUPERT.

                For details see NARVIK by D Macintyre, THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams,

                ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Bamett. and Naval Staff History

                (HMSO -2001)

                Sailed to join Home Fleet ships on passage to Norwegian waters to cover allied landings.

                9th          After joining HM Battleships RODNEY, VALIANT and WARSPITE, HM Aircraft Carrier

                FURIOUS screened by Home Fleet destroyers, came under heavy and sustained German air

                attacks during which HM Destroyer GURKHA was sunk.

                11th        Deployed as escort for HMS FURIOUS during air attacks on Trondheim.

                On completion joined HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE screened by HM Destroyers

                INGLEFIELD, ILEX, IMOGEN and ISIS to carry cut search of Trondheim Leads for German

                troopships.

                14th        Carried cut search in Aandsfjord and Vaagsfjord with HMS INGLEFIELD.

                15th        Rejoined Home Fleet ships off North Cape.

                16th        Near missed during air attacks without significant damage..

                18th        Detached with HMS DEVONSHIRE and HMS INGLEFIELD and took passage to Scapa Flow.

                (Note: See above references for details of operations off Norway.)

                23rd        Deployed as escort for HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL and FURIOUS with HM AA

                Cruiser CURLEW and HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FURY, HASTY, HEREWARD, HYPERION.

                and JUNO during passage to the Norwegian coast for air operations (Operation DX)

.               (Note: This was the first RN joint aircraft carrier operation.

                See CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton.)

                28th        Deployed as escort for HMS ARK ROYAL during rest period off Faeroes.

 

May

                1st           Under air attacks off Norway with HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS GLORIOUS and HMS VALIANT.

                3rd          Provided cover for HMS GLORIOUS during continuations of DX air operations' in place of HMS

                                ARK ROYAL.

                4th          Took return passage to UK as escort for HMS ARK ROYAL.

                8th          Joined HMS GLASGOW, HM Destroyers FEARLESS and FORTUNE in Clyde.

                Embarked advance party of Royal Marines for passage to Iceland (Operation FORK)

                (Note: British occupation of Iceland was carried cut to prevent German landings following the

                fall of Denmark.)

                10th        Landed Royal Marines at Reykjavik and searched fjords for enemy activity.

                                Embarked German nationals for passage to UK for detention.

                11th        Passage to Liverpool.

                17th        Under repair at Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead.

 

June                        Under repair.

 

July

                22nd       Repair work completion date.

 

August

                4th          Sustained damage in collision with mercantile and returned for docking.

 

September             Undocked and took passage to rejoin Squadron.

                22nd       Arrived at Scapa Flow for Hone Fleet duties.

 

October

                8th          Deployed for interception patrol in Atlantic.

                During patrol selected for service in Mediterranean and took passage to prepare for foreign service

.               in Clyde

                30th        Took passage from Clyde with H M Battleship BARHAM, HMS GLASGOW, HM Destroyers

                GALLANT, GRIFFIN, GREYHOUND and ENCOUNTER to join Fleet in the Mediterranean.

                (Operation COAT)

                (Note: Designated as Force F.

                HMS ARK ROYAL also took passage to rejoin Force H at Gibraltar.)

 

November

                6th          Arrived at Gibraltar.

                7th          Sailed with Force F to join ships of Force H for escort during passage to land stores and personnel

                in Malta.)

                (Note: For details of naval operations in Mediterranean during 1940 to 1942 see THE BATTLE

                FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre and Naval Staff History) (HMSO-2001)

                9th          Convoy under air attack and submarine threat which failed to make contact.

                10th        Disembarked troops and stores In Malta.

                                Took passage to join Mediterranean Fleet ships.

                11th        Deployed with HM Cruisers GLASGOW, GLOUCESTER and YORK. HM Destroyers HAVOCK,

                HERO, HEREWARD, JERVIS and JUNO to provide cover during air attacks from HM Aircraft

                Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS on Italian fleet at Taranto (Operation JUDGEMENT).

                14th        On arrival at Alexandria with Mediterranean Fleet joined 3rd. Cruiser Squadron.

                15th        Embarked troops for passage to Piraeus with HM Cruisers YORK, GLASGOW and SYDNEY

                                (RAN)

                25th        Passage to Malta with HM Battleship RAMILLIES and HM Cruiser NEWCASTLE.

                (Operation COLLAR - Joint operation with Force H and included the transfer of ships to Gibraltar

                covered by HM Battleships BARHAM, MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE.

                HM Cruisers MANCHESTER and SOUTHAMPTON were also on passage to reinforce the

                Mediterranean Fleet and a mercantile convoy was on passage to Egypt.)

                27th        Met HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD and HMS ARK ROYAL.

                Took part in surface action against Italian Fleet units (Battle of Spartivento.

                Hit by two 8in shells in return of fire and sustained damage to after turret.

                (Note: The only RN ship to be hit in this action. See above references and THE NAVAL WAR

                IN THE MEDITERRANEAN by J Greene and A Massignani.)

                When Italian Fleet withdrew, joined ships of Force H with HMS RAMILLIES and HMS

                NEWCASTLE for passage to Gibraltar.

                29th        Under repair at Gibraltar.

 

December              Nominated for service with Hunting Group K for interception of German commerce raiders.

                                (Note: This was subsequently cancelled.)

                18th        On completion prepared for operational service.

                21st         Took passage to join military convoy WS5A as relief for HM Cruiser NAIAD.

                24th        Joined HM Cruisers DUNEDIN and BONAVENTURE in Ocean Escort for WS5A.

                                (Note: HMS FURIOUS and HMS ARGUS were with the convoy and were taking aircraft to

                                Takoradi for flight to join RAF in Middle East.)

                25th        Convoy came under attack by German cruiser HIPPER at dawn and was scattered.

                Engaged HIPPER and hit by 4 shells in return fire causing casualties.

                (Note: After structure and gun mountings damaged with some flooding.

                Troopship ss EMPIRE TROOPER was also seriously damaged and was escorted to

                Ponta Delgado, Azores.

                Ships of convoy were later re-assembled by Force H from Gibraltar.

                Considerable confusion was caused and attempts by carriers to carry out air attacks were

                cancelled on Admiralty orders. See Naval Staff History.)

                31st         Landed wounded at Gibraltar and taken in hand for temporary repair.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Under temporary repair.

                5th          On completion took passage to Portsmouth for permanent repair.

                11th        Casualty List for December engagement published.

 

February                Under repair by HM Dockyard, Portsmouth

to                            (Note: Type 286M modified RAF radar fitted to provide limited warning facility.

April                       Type 284 main armament fire-control radar fitted.

                Fit of aircraft warning radar is recorded but to be confirmed.

                New masts to allow later fitting of this equipment may have been provided.

                (For details of development and use of radar in RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

                20mm Oerlikon guns fitted to improve Close Range defence.

                Nominated for service in 1st Cruiser Squadron, Home Fleet.

 

May                        Arrangements made for completion of refit work at Rosyth

                                Took passage to Rosyth.

 

June                        Completion of refit in continuation by HM Dockyard.

                17th        Carried out post refit trials.

                21st         Arrived at Scapa Flow for work-up.

 

July                         On completion of work-up deployed with Squadron based at Rosyth.

to                            (Note: Home Fleet units carried cut interception and convoy defence duties.

August

 

September             Under repair at Rosyth.

 

October                  Repair in continuation.

                15th        Rejoined Squadron at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet duties.

 

November

                1st           Deployed as escort for HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK with HM Destroyers ESCAPADE,

                                TARTAR and PUNJABI for passage from Clyde to Scapa Flow on completion of build.

                3rd          Deployed with HM Battleship KING GEORGE V, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM

                Cruisers KENT and SUFFOLK, screened by five Home Fleet destroyers.

                (Note: These ships took passage to Iceland after report of possible break-cut into Atlantic by

                German battleships SCHEER and TIRPITZ.)

                5th          Arrived in Iceland.

                17th        Deployed with escort for Russian Convoy PQ4 with HM Destroyers OFFA and ONSLOW

                (For details of an Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA Ruegg,

                CONVOY ! by P Kemp, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield and ARCTIC CONVOYS

                by R. Woodman.)

                27th        At Murmansk after arrival of PQ4.

 

 December             Independent return passage to UK with RAF personnel.

                                Rejoined Squadron at Scapa Flow for Hone Fleet duties.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Passage to Iceland for patrol and interception duties with Home Fleet units.

                17th        Sailed from Iceland with Home Fleet units to Tromso area after TIRPITZ break-cut reported

                and for air operations against coastal shipping.

                Search unsuccessful and returned to Iceland.

 

February                Deployed in Iceland for interception duties and took part in search for German cruiser PRINZ

                                EUGEN and ADMIRAL SHEER reported en passage in North Sea to join TIRPITZ.

                20th        Detached from Fleet units to join HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS.

                Joined HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ESKIMO, PUNJABI and ICARUS as escort for

                HMS VICTORIOUS during air strikes.

                22nd       Operation cancelled after enemy ships reported anchored in Aasfjord.

                23rd        Rejoined Home Fleet units.

 

March                    Deployed with Squadron at Scapa Flow.

                4th          Sailed with HMS KING GEORGE V, HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Destroyers ONSLOW

                ASHANTI, INTREPID, ICARUS, LOOKOUT and BEDOUIN to join HMS DUKE OF YORK,

                HMS RENOWN, HM Cruiser KENYA, HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, ESKIMO, PUNJABI

                ECHO and ECLIPSE to provide cover for passage of Russian convoy PQ12 and return Convoy

                QP8.

                6th          Detached to carry cut patrol south of PQ12.whilst TIRPITZ was at sea.

                9th          Rejoined Home Fleet units during air operations against TIRPITZ near Lofotens.

                (Note: See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY. These attacks failed and this was the

                only occasion when naval attacks were made whilst enemy ship was at sea.)

                11th        Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.

 

April                       Home Fleet deployment with Squadron for interception and patrol duties.

to                            Machinery problems required attention.

May                        Refit arranged at Devonport.

 

June                        Passage to Plymouth.

                5th          Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport.

 

July                         Under refit.

                (Note: Surface warning radar Type 273 fitted.

                Four fire-control Radars Type 283 fitted to provide facilities for main armament with

                AA Barrage control.

                Additional 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted.

 

August                  On completion of post refit trials rejoined Squadron at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet duties.

 

September             Deployed for interception duties, Northern Patrol in Denmark Strait and Atlantic convoy defence.

to

November

 

December              Deployed with HMS KING GEORGE V, HM Destroyers MUSKETEER, QUADRANT and

                                RAIDER to provide Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy JW51A

                22nd.      On release from JW51A cover carried out interception patrol in Arctic.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Arctic deployment in continuation.

                4th          Provided cruiser cover for passage of return Convoy RA51 with HM Cruiser KENT in place

                                of HM Cruisers JAMAICA.

                19th        Detached from covering duties and returned to Scapa Flow.

 

February                Home Fleet duties with Squadron in continuation.

                                Relieved HM Cruiser KENT as Squadron flagship.

                24th        Deployed with HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and HOWE. HM Destroyers ICARUS,

                METEOR, MUSKETEER, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT and Polish ORP PIORUN to provide

                Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy JW53.

 

March                    Home Fleet Squadron duties for patrol and interception.

to

April

 

May

                1st           Passage to Gibraltar with HMS KING GEORGE V and destroyer screen for defence of Atlantic

                                convoys against enemy surface attacks.

                31st         Deployed with HMS DUKE OF YORK. US battleships USS ALABAMA and USS SOUTH

                                DAKOTA with ten US Navy destroyers as screen during Atlantic passage to Iceland.

 

June

                6th          Returned to Scapa Flow as escort for same USN ships with HMS FURIOUS, HM Cruiser

                SCYLLA and destroyers from US 16th Destroyer Division.

                (Note: US Navy ships were en loan to Home Fleet.

                See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY).

                13th        Resumed Squadron duties at Scapa Flow.

 

July                         Deployed in NW Approaches.

                6th          Took passage from Iceland with HM Cruiser NORFOLK to join Home Fleet units for a

                diversionary operation off Norwegian coast (Operation CAMERA).

                (Note: This was intended to create unusual activity during the allied landings in Sicily

                (Operation HUSKY - See the Naval Staff History, CONVOY ! by P. Kemp and

                ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY.)

 

July

                10th        Returned to Iceland with Home Fleet ship

                Resumed Interception patrol duties.

                Passage to Scapa Flow to prepare for refit.

 

August                  Under refit at Rosyth.

to                            Aircraft facilities removed.

October                  Work done included

                Air warning radar outfit 279 replaced by Type 281B using single mast position.

                Fire control radar Type 285 fitted for 4in HA mountings.

                Two Radars Type 282 fitted for fire-control of Close Range weapons.

                Close range AA weapons re-sited and additional Oerlikons fitted.

 

November

                13th        Carried out post refit trials before work-up.

 

December              Worked-up for service with Squadron at Scapa Flow.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Deployed with Home Fleet on completion.

                14th        Joined HM Cruisers BERMUDA and KENT to cover Russian Convoy JW56 but had

                                to detach later due to machinery defect.

 

February

                1st           Provided covered for Russian Convoy JW56B with HMS BERMUDA and HMS KENT.

                5th          Provided cruiser cover for returning Convoy RA56 with same ships

                26th        Covered passage of Russian Convoy JW57 with HM Cruiser JAMAICA.              

                27th        Released and resumed Squadron duties.

 

March                    Deployed with Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

April                       Home Fleet duties in NW Approaches in continuation.

                30th        Participated in Home Fleet exercises in preparation for support of the Normandy landings.

 

May

                6th          Escorted HMS FURIOUS and HM Escort Carrier SEARCHER during air strikes on coast

                shipping in Kristiansund North area (Operation CROQUET).

                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and CONVOY!)

                Resumed Squadron duties in Home Fleet.

 

June                        Remained in NW Approaches with Home Fleet to provide cover for Normandy landings

                                against any interference by German surface ship (Operation NEPTUNE).

                1st           Deployed with Home Fleet units carrying cut shipping strike off Norway.

                (Operation LOMBARD. This was part of the deception plans for NEPTUNE).

                Remained in NW approaches. (See Naval Staff History).

 

July                         Home Fleet deployment in continuation

 

August                  Deployed with Home Fleet units providing cover during carrier air operations off Norway.

                20th        Provided cover with HMS DEVONSHIRE during air attacks on TIRPITZ by HM Aircraft

                Carriers INDEFATIGABLE, FORMIDABLE, FURIOUS, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers NABOB

                and TRUMPETER

                (Operation GOODWOOD. For details see CONVOY ! and Naval Staff History))

                22nd       On completion of air operations Fleet units came under U-Boat attacks using acoustic torpedoes

                during which HM Frigate BICKERTON and HMS NABOB were hit.

                (Note: HMS BICKERTON had to be sunk by own forces and HMS NABOB declared to be

                beyond economic repair on return to UK.)

                Air attacks failed because target obscured by smoke screen.

                24th        Further series of air attacks unsuccessful and ships returned to Scapa Flow.

                (Note: See CONVOY ! , HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and WARSHIP LOSSES by

                Peter Kemp.

 

September (also see Addenda following)

                5th          Deployed with HM Cruisers KENT and DEVONSHIRE to escort rms QUEEN MARY during

                Atlantic passage taking Prime Minister and Defence Staff to Canada for a meeting with US President

                (Operation OCTAGON).

                9th          Returned to Scapa Flow and resumed Home Fleet Squadron duties.

                (Note: Home Fleet units carried cut coastal shipping attack and air minelay off off Norway on 12th

                September (Operation BEGONIA).

                One source records ship took part. This requires confirmation.)

                20th        Detached with HMS KENT and HMS DEVONSHIRE for escort of rms QUEEN MARY

                                during return passage to UK with Prime Minister after OCTAGON conference.

 

October                  Deployed for Home Fleet duties with  Squadron.  (also see Addenda following)

 

November  (also see Addenda following)

                2nd         Provided Ocean Escort for rms EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA and ss SCYTHIA with HM

                Escort Carrier CAMPANIA, screened by HM Destroyers CAMBRIAN, CAPRICE,

                CASSANDRA, SCOURGE, SAUMAREZ and SERAPIS as Convoy JW61A.

                (Note: These ships were taking 11,000 Russian nationals captured in Normandy back to the USSR

                Norwegian troops for planned operations to enter Norway. (Operation FREEMAN).)

                See above references).

                11th        Escorted same merchant ships back to UK as Convoy RA61A.

                16th        Resumed Squadron duties. Squadron duties in continuation at Scapa Flow.

 

December            Deployed with Squadron at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet duties.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                Deployed in NW Approaches.

              30th        Escorted HM Escort Carriers CAMPANIA and NAIRANA for air strikes on shipping off

                              Stadtlandet.

 

February                Rejoined Squadron on completion.

to                            Deployed with Hone Fleet in NW Approaches.

March

 

April                       Returned to Rosyth.

 

May

                16th        Passage to Trondheim with HM Canadian Destroyers HAIDA and HURON accompanied

                                by ships of 5th Escort Group from Western Approaches..

                17th        Arrived at Trondheim and made arrangements for collection of U-Boats for passage to UK.

                (Note: Some submarines were handed to allied navies and the others not required for RN use

                were destroyed in Operation DEADLIGHT.)

                24th        Returned to Rosyth.

                29th        Deployed with HM Cruiser NORFOLK for transport of military personnel to Bergen and

                                Trondheim.

 

June                        Passage to Greenock to embark stores and personnel for passage to Iceland.

                12th        Joined by HM Destroyer ZEBRA and took passage to Iceland.

                16th        Disembarked personnel and stores at Advent Fjord and took passage to Reykjavik.

                22nd       Took passage from Reykjavik for Portsmouth with personnel and stores.

                27th        Arrived at Portsmouth and transferred from Home Fleet for trooping duties.

                28th        Prepared for new role at HM Dockyard Portsmouth.

 

July

                21st         Took passage to Sydney via Colombo.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS BERWICK was deployed for trooping duties until 6th June 1946. The ship  made two passages to Australia and one to Colombo before being reduced to Reserve status at Portsmouth. The ship was placed on the Disposal List in 1948 and  sold to BISCO for demolition by Hughes Bolcowon 15th June 1948. She arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard in Blyth on 12th July that year. In 1959 this name was re-introduced when given to a ROTHESAY Class Frigate when launched on 15th December 1959. 

 


 

Addenda

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS BERWICK

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

 

 

 

 

 

16/09/39

16/09/39

HX 001

18/09/39

30/09/39

19/09/39

19/09/39

HXF 001

20/09/39

29/09/39

30/09/39

30/09/39

HX 003

02/10/39

14/10/39

04/10/39

08/10/39

KJ 003

15/10/39

28/10/39

17/11/41

25/11/41

PQ 004

27/11/41

28/11/41

01/03/42

06/03/42

PQ 012

10/03/42

12/03/42

15/12/42

19/12/42

JW 051A

22/12/42

25/12/42

15/02/43

24/02/43

JW 053

26/02/43

27/02/43

12/01/44

23/01/44

JW 056A

23/01/44

28/01/44

22/01/44

unknown

JW 056B

unknown

01/02/44

03/02/44

05/02/44

RA 056

07/02/44

11/02/44

20/02/44

26/02/44

JW 057

27/02/44

28/02/44

31/10/44

02/11/44

JW 061A

06/11/44

06/11/44

11/11/44

11/11/44

RA 061A

16/11/44

17/11/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 


 

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 1944 MOVEMENTS

by Derek Whitwam

 

BERWICK left Scapa Flow and proceeded to Punta del Garda (Azores) calling briefly at Devonport. Meanwhile KENT (not sure about DEVONSHIRE) escorted QUEEN MARY as far as the Azores and returned to the UK. After 24 hours in Punta del Garda BERWICK took over the escort to Halifax, NS. The Prime Minister left the QUEEN MARY to attend the Ottawa Conference and the QUEEN proceeded to New York to disembark American casualties. BERWICK stayed in Halifax until rendezvousing with the QUEEN MARY to escort her back to UK. BERWICK then returned to Scapa Flow, then to Rosyth to embark Norwegian troops for the journey to Murmansk (Convoy JW61A/RA61A). I was a member of the crew of Berwick from November 1943 until May 1945. Derek Whitwam, editor Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand, website www.russianconvoyclub.org.nz.

 

 

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