1 9 3 9

 

August

 

Deployed for training based at Sydney,

 

War Station nominated and to be transferred for service with the RN on the China Station based at Singapore.

 

September

 

Deployed for patrol off eastern Australia.

 

4th - Carried out patrol off Port Stephens.

 

9th - Deployed with HM Australian Destroyers STUART and WATERHEN in search for a submarine reported off Broken Bay. This proved to be false.

 

October

 

14th - Took passage to Singapore with HMAS STUART and WATERHEN.

 

On arrival carried out anti-submarine training.

 

November

 

Transfer to Mediterranean Fleet requested by Admiralty and approved by RAN.

 

13th - Took passage from Singapore with HMAS STUART, VOYAGER and WATERHEN to join Mediterranean Fleet in Malta.

 

15th - Detached to land sick Medical Officer at Penang.

 

19th - Rejoined RAN Flotilla at Colombo.

 

20th - Resumed passage with Flotilla and carried out patrol.

 

 December

 

Passage through Red Sea and Suez Canal.

 

14th - Arrived in Malta for Fleet duties with RAN destroyers as 19th Destroyer Division.

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January to April  

 

Deployed with HMAS STUART, VAMPIRE, VOYAGER and WATERHEN for interception patrols to enforce Blockade and for exercises with Destroyer Command in anticipation of the entry of Italy into hostilities.

 

May

 

Fleet duties in continuation. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to I69.

 

27th - Transferred to newly formed 10th Destroyer Flotilla with RAN ships.

 

June

 

Under refit by HM Dockyard Malta.

 

July

 

Resumed Flotilla duties on completion of post refit trials.

 

9th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DIAMOND and JERVIS as escort for Convoy MF1 during passage from Malta to Egypt. (Note: This was part of Operation MA5 to take supply ships from Malta and evacuate non-essential personnel. It was a repeat of an earlier attempt which was abandoned.)

 

10th - HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER, NEPTUNE, ORION and HMAS STUART joined MF1 to reinforce escort.

 

13th - Detached from MF1 to join escort for HM Battleship RAMILLIES which was providing Distant Cover.

 

14th - Arrived at Alexandria.

 

19th - Deployed with HMAS VAMPIRE as part of screen for HMS ORION to join HM Australian Cruiser SYDNEY after the action with Italian warships during which the Italian Cruiser BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI was sunk in Gulf of Athens. (For details see NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN by J. Green and A Massignani and THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre.)

 

20th - Returned to Alexandria with HMAS SYDNEY.

 

23rd - Deployed with HMS ORION and HMAS VAMPIRE to carry out diversionary operation off Castellorizo which was to simulate a planned landing.

 

27th - Bombarded Castellorizo.

 

30th - Returned to Alexandria.

 

August

 

16th - Sailed from Alexandria with battleships MALAYA, RAMILLIES and WARSPITE, cruiser KENT as screen with destroyers DIAMOND, STUART (RAN) and WATERHEN (RAN).

 

17th - Carried out bombardment of Fort Capuzzo.

 

18th - Returned to Alexandria with bombardment ships.

 

30th - Joined destroyers DECOY, IMPERIAL, JANUS, NUBIAN, VAMPIRE (RAN) and GARLAND (ORP) as screen for aircraft carrier EAGLE, battleships MALAYA, WARSPITE, and cruisers KENT, ORION, GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL, SYDNEY (RAN) to provide cover for the passage of Convoy MS2 to Malta (Operation MB 3. Note: This was part of Operation HATS with ships of Force H at Gibraltar to pass reinforcements to the Fleet at Alexandria.)

 

31st - Under air attacks during which ORP GARLAND was damaged.

 

September

 

1st - Remained with Fleet screen after convoy arrived in Malta and took passage to meet reinforcement ships designated Force F off Pantellaria. (Note: Force F comprised HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Battleship VALIANT, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA and COVENTRY.)

 

4th - Deployed with screen during air attacks on Rhodes by ILLUSTRIOUS and EAGLE.

 

5th - Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.

 

October

 

9th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DECOY, IMPERIAL, JUNO, JANUS, JERVIS, STUART (RAN) and VAMPIRE (RAN) as screen for Fleet units providing Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MF3 and MF4 to and from Malta.

 

11th - Detached from screen on arrival of convoy in Malta and took passage to Malta.

 

12th - Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard.

 

November

 

9th - On completion of post refit trials resumed Flotilla duties.

 

10th - Escorted HM Monitor EREBUS for passage from Malta to Suda Bay, Crete.

 

11th - Detached at Suda Bay and took passage to Alexandria.

 

December

 

Joined Inshore Squadron for support of military operations in Western Desert.

 

10th - Passage to Sollum with HMAS VAMPIRE and HMAS WATERHEN to carry out bombardment of Bardia.

 

11th - Bombardment cancelled because of sandstorm and returned to Alexandria.

 

15th - Deployed with HM Monitor TERROR, HMAS VAMPIRE, HMAS VOYAGER and HMAS WATERHEN and took passage to Bardia.

 

16th - Bombarded Bardia with HMS TERROR.

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

 

Inshore Squadron deployment in continuation.

 

7th - Sailed from Alexandria with Senior Officer of Squadron embarked for passage to join HM River Gunboat LADYBIRD at Bardia.

 

11th - Deployed with screen for HM Battleship BARHAM and HMS EAGLE during planned bombardment in support of advance of ANZAC Division for capture of Tobruk. (Note: One source records that this bombardment was cancelled due to weather conditions. For details of naval activities in Mediterranean during early 1941 see above references and military Staff History.)

 

17th - Arrived at Alexandria and resumed Flotilla duties with Mediterranean Fleet. Deployed for defence of military convoys between Egypt and Greece. (Operation LUSTRE - Transfer of allied troops.)

 

February

 

LUSTRE Convoy defence duties in continuation.

 

March

 

11th - Part of escort for Convoy AN19 from Alexandria to Pireaus.

 

15th - Detached from AN19 on arrival.,

 

20th - Joined HM Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, ILEX, JERVIS and STUART (RAN) as screen for Fleet units providing Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MW6 to Malta  (Operation MC9. Note: The availability of HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE to replace the damaged HMS ILLUSTRIOUS allowed protection of Malta convoys to be resumed.)

 

22nd - Detached from Fleet units with HM Cruisers ORION, AJAX, PERTH (RAN), GLOUCESTER and HM Destroyer HEREWARD to provide cover for passage of convoys to Piraeus.

 

27th - Sailed from Piraeus with ships of covering force to meet HM Destroyers ILEX and HASTY off Gavdo Island for deployment as Force B (Note: This Force had been formed in anticipated action against the Italian Fleet reported by aircraft as on passage to attack convoys between Egypt and Greece.)

 

28th - Joined Fleet units with Force B and took part in the initial phase of the Battle of Matapan. Developed machinery defect and withdrawn from action. Took passage to Alexandria for repair.

 

30th - Under repair at Alexandria. (Note: For details of the Battle see above references and MATAPAN by SW Pack.)

 

April

 

On completion resumed duties with Inshore Squadron.

 

Deployed with HMAS STUART and HMAS WATERHEN in support of army units retreating from Cyrenaica. Passage to Tobruk for patrol and support duties.

 

14th - Assisted in rescue of wounded men and nursing staff from Hospital Ship VITA which had been bombed off Tobruk. Arranged for tow of wreck to clear harbour entrance and deployed for patrol and support duty off Derna.

 

15th - Deployed off Derna with HM Destroyer GREYHOUND.

 

16th - Sank schooner in a night action during patrol.

 

21st - Resumed convoy defence duties with HMAS WATERHEN. Escorted last LUSTRE Convoy AN29 from Alexandria to Piraeus with HM Sloop GRIMSBY and HMAS WATERHEN.

 

24th - Under air attacks.

 

25th - Detached from AN29 with HMAS WATERHEN and took passage to join evacuation of allied troops from Greece at Megara. Under further air attacks. (Note: Ironically this was ANZAC Day, marked as a National Remembrance of losses of Australian and New Zealand troops at the Dardanelles. Many ANZAC Forces were involved in defence of Greece.)

 

26th - Took part in evacuation at Megara with HMS COVENTRY, HMS DECOY, HMS HASTY, HMAS WATERHEN and HMS WRYNECK. Embarked troops and stores for passage to Suda Bay (Operation DEMON. Note: 4,700 TROOPS were evacuated.)

 

27th - Deployed with HMS CALCUTTA, HMS COVENTRY, and HMAS STUART, WATERHEN and VAMPIRE as escort for Convoy GA14 during passage from Nauphlia to Alexandria.

 

29th - Deployed with HMAS STUART, VAMPIRE, VOYAGER and WATERHEN as screen for HMS BARHAM, HMS VALIANT and HMS FORMIDABLE to provide cover for passage of Convoy GA15.

 

May

 

3rd - Returned to Alexandria and resumed service with Inshore Squadron.

 

8th - Deployed supply of stores to Tobruk.

 

12th - Escorted Convoy ANF 30 with HMAS STUART from Alexandria to Suda Bay for reinforcement of defence of Crete.

 

14th - Deployed with HMAS STUART as screen for HM Cruiser DIDO during escort of Convoy ASF31 from Suda Bay to Alexandria. (Note: HMS DIDO was carrying £7M of Greek government gold.)

 

20th - Deployed for Fleet screening duties.

 

23rd - Joined Fleet units off Crete with HMAS STUART and HMAS VOYAGER and took part in search for survivors from HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER and FIJI which were sunk in air attacks on 22nd May.

 

24th - Returned to Alexandria.

 

25th - Deployed with screen for Fleet units covering air attacks by HMS FORMIDABLE on airfield at Scarpanto.

 

26th - Under air attacks during which HMS FORMIDABLE sustained major damage. Returned to Alexandria escorting damaged carrier.

 

June

 

Deployed for support of isolated garrison at Tobruk and carried stores and personnel from Mersa Matru and Alexandria.

 

24th - During passage from Mersa Matruh to Tobruk with HMAS WATERHEN diverted to assist HM Sloop AUCKLAND which was under heavy air attack near Tobruk. Arrived at scene after sinking of HMS AUCKLAND and escorted tow of disabled Petrol Carrier to Tobruk by HMAS WATERHEN after taking part in rescue of survivors from Sloop.

 

 July

 

Tobruk support in continuation.

 

11th - Sailed from Tobruk with HM Destroyer DEFENDER. Under heavy and sustained air attacks during which HMS DEFENDER was disabled by near misses. Took damaged ship in tow but tow had to be abandoned when vessel began to sink. Embarked survivors and sank the destroyer by torpedo.

 

August

 

Tobruk support in continuation.

 

2nd - Final support trip to Tobruk returning next day.  (Note: Ship had made 39 trips since end of May -  See THE SCRAP IRON FLOTILLA.)

 

4th - Transferred for escort of convoys to Syria and Cyprus. (Note: Military operations in Cyprus were supported by warships of Mediterranean Fleet (Operation EXPORTER) and garrison in Cyprus was reinforced).

 

September

 

Convoy defence in continuation. Nominated for refit at Singapore.

 

October

 

Released from convoy defence duties.

 

30th - Took passage from Alexandria

 

November

 

Passage in Red Sea and Indian Ocean with calls at Aden and Colombo.

 

December

 

Passage from Ceylon to Singapore.

 

8th - Arrived at Singapore and taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard. (Note: This date has some significance !)

 

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

 

At Singapore in Dockyard. (Note: Refit work progress is difficult to assess.)

 

February

 

2nd - Taken in tow by HM Destroyer STRONGHOLD to Tanjong Priok, Java.

 

17th - Taken in tow by mercantile for passage to Australia escorted by HM Australian Sloop YARRA.

 

22nd - HM Australian Cruiser ADELAIDE joined escort.

 

March

 

Passage under tow in continuation. Refit arranged at Melbourne.

 

April

 

4th - Arrived at Melbourne and docked. (Note: Passage of 5,000 miles from Singapore via Adelaide had taken 72 days during which tow had parted four times in gales.)

 

Nominated for conversion as an Escort Destroyer.

 

May to December  

 

Under refit and Conversion. (Note: For details of changes see V & W Destroyers by A Preston.)

 

Changes included fitting of HEDGEHOG Anti-submarine Mortar in place of A-Mounting  (see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann) and installation of surface warning radar Type 271 (see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

 

 

1 9 4 3

 

January to April  

 

Under refit

 

May

 

Deployed for training and convoy defence in Australian waters.

 

June

 

18th - Deployed in search for Japanese submarine off Cape Howe. (Note: Submarine had attacked Convoy GP55 and sunk one ship.)

 

July to December  

 

Deployed for training and convoy defence duties.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January to March  

 

Convoy defence and training in continuation.

 

April

 

Nominated for support of operations in SW Pacific.

 

13th - Commenced new deployment. (Note: This included transport of personnel used for coastwatching in isolated areas, transport of troops and supplies with patrol duties off New Guinea, New Britain and Solomon Islands.)

 

24th - Embarked troops for passage to Bogadjim from Langemak.

 

25th - Disembarked passengers at Bogadjim and took passage to Bili Bili and Madang.

 

May

 

Support deployment in continuation. (Note: Carried 1,927 troops and 95 tons of supplies from Langemak to Madang during this period.)

 

June

 

23rd - Embarked troops for passage to Waterfall Bay, New Britain.

 

July to September  

 

Support and patrol duties in continuation.

 

October

 

Deployed with HMAS BARCOO for patrol and bombardment duties off New Guinea in support of military operations at Jaquinot Bay..

 

31st - Passage to Langemak with HMAS SWAN and other support ships.

 

November

 

6th - Carried out bombardment in Wide Bay.

 

9th - Carried out bombardments in Galela Bay and off Halmahera.

 

December

 

Patrol and support bombardments in New Britain area continued.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Passage to Sydney. Resumed training duties in Australian waters.

 

February to July

 

Training deployment in continuation.

 

August

 

15th - Nominated for service with British Pacfic Fleet, now under RN control.

 

September

 

Passage to Jauquinot Bay to embark Australian officers for surrender of Japanese forces.

 

2nd - Took passage to Rabaul for discussion of surrender terms with Japanese officers. Returned to Jaquinot Bay.

 

5th - Took passage to Rabaul with aircraft carrier GLORY.

 

6th - Arrived at Rabaul. (Note: Other ships present included HM Sloops AMETHYST and HART, HM Australian Corvettes KIAMA, DUBBO, LITHGOW and TOWNSVILLE.)

 

7th - Embarked Japanese representatives at Rabaul for passage to HMS GLORY prior to formal surrender of all Japanese forces in Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and Solomon Islands.