Modified W-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Swan Hunter of Wallsend, Newcastle under the 1918-19 Programme (13th Order) in January 1918.The ship was laid down in June 1918 and was launched as the first RN warship to carry the name en 11th September 1919. After launch work was suspended and she was towed to HM Dockyard, Chatham. Build was completed in July 1924 when she entered service. Due to economic reasons this ship had limited operational  use. She was held in Reserve in 1939. She commissioned for the Royal Review of Reserve Fleet ships in August and remained in service. During WW2 following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in 1942 this destroyer was adopted by the civil community of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Further details about, this Class of destroyer are available in V&W CLASS DESTROYERS 1917-45 by A Preston).

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1939-43 - DUNKIRK 1940 - ARCTIC 1943-45 - NORMANDY 1944 - ENGLISH CHANNEL   1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a  Field Blue. a winged Seahorse Silver holding an

escutcheon whereon a fouled anchor Gold.

 

M o t t o

Nisi Dominici  frustra :  'Without my Lords  (of the Admiralty) in vain'

 

 

 

 

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

 

August                  Brought forward for service manned by Reservists for attendance at Royal Review in

                                Weymouth Bay by HM King George VI.

                                Present at Review.

                                Remained in commission when Fleet mobilised.

                                War station allocated with 15th Destroyer Flotilla based at Rosyth.

 

September             Took passage to Rosyth on completion of storing and with war complement.

                                Deployed with Flotilla at Rosyth for convoy escort and patrol duty in North Sea.

 

October                  Deployment for North Sea convoy defence in continuation.

to

November

 

December              Transferred to Western Approaches Command.

                                Deployed in SW Approaches for convoy escort

                28th        Joined outward Convoy OG12 on formation in SW Approaches with HM Destroyers VANOC,

                                WHIRLWIND and WIVERN for escort during initial stage of passage in SW Approaches.

                29th        Detached with RN destroyers on relief by two French warships and returned to base.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Passage to Gibraltar.

                1st           Joined inward Convoy HG16F at Gibraltar with HM Destroyers ACTIVE and VANOC for escort

                                during passage to Liverpool.

                22nd       HM Sloop ABERDEEN joined escort

                28th        Detached from HG16F with the two destroyers and took passage to base.

 

February                Western Approaches convoy defence in continuation.

 

March

                23rd        Joined inward Convoy HG23F with HM Destroyers WAKEFUL and WINCHELSEA

                                to replace two French warships as escort during passage in SW Approaches to Liverpool.

                26th        Detached from HG23F with escort on arrival at Liverpool.

 

April                       Western Approaches convoy defence in continuation.

 

May

                5th          Joined outward Convoy OG28 on formation in SW approaches with HM Sloop ROCHESTER

                                and two French warships for escort during passage to Gibraltar.

                                Detached later that day with RN warships and returned to Plymouth.

                20th        Transferred to Dover Command for support of military operations and evacuation

                26th        Nominated for support of evacuation of allied troops from Dunkirk. (Operation DYNAMO)

                30th        Landed 655 troops at Dover from Dunkirk and returned for second trip from which 593 troops

                                disembarked at Dover.

                31st         During deployment at Dunkirk with HM Destroyers VENOMOUS and WINCHELSEA sank

                                HM Destroyer BASILISK by torpedo and gunfire,

                                (Note: HMS BASILISK had been immobilised by air attacks and was beached off La Panne.

                                Landed 943 troops and some survivors from HMS BASILISK at Dover.

                                Pennant Number for visual signalling Purposes changed to I94 to conform new identities

                                introduced for RN warships.

 

June

                1st           Landed 571 troops at Dover.

                                (Note: This destroyer landed 2,762 troops during DYNAMO.)

                                On release from DYNAMO transferred to Harwich for convoy defence and patrol in North Sea

 

July                         Deployed at Harwich for convoy defence and anti-invasion patrol.

to

August

 

September             North Sea convoy defence and patrol in continuation.

                                Transferred to Western Approaches Command for Atlantic convoy defence with the 8th

                                Escort Group based at Liverpool.

                18th        Joined Convoy HX79 with HM Destroyer STURDY, HM Minesweeper JASON, HM Corvettes

                                HIBISCUS, HELIOTROPE, COREOPSIS and ARABIS, and three trawlers.

                                (Note: This convoy was subjected to sustained U-Boat attacks during which almost a quarter

                                of the ships were sunk. The inadequacy of the escort and weaknesses in training were

                                exposed at this tremendous cost. See THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by Donald

                                Macintyre).

 

November              Atlantic convoy escort, with Group in continuation.

to                            (For details of Atlantic convoy attacks see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and

December              HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.).

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Atlantic convoy escort, in continuation.

to

May

 

June                        Nominated for trials of new Anti-Submarine Mortar designed by Thornycroft.

                                (For details of this weapon and the introduction of Ahead Throwing mortars for use in

                                addition to depth charges, see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann).

 

July                         Carried cut trials on A/S Mortar.

                                (Note: These were not successful and later another Admiralty designed weapon was found

                                to be suitable (HEDGEHOG).

 

August                  Nominated for escort, of military convoys in NW Approaches.

                2nd         Deployed with HM Destroyers WINCHELSEA, WITCH, BROADWAY, GURKHA,

                                LANCE, LEGION, Polish ORP PIORUN and Dutch ISAAC SWEERS for Local escort of

                                convoy WS9C from Clyde.

                                (Note: HM Cruiser LONDON provided Ocean Escort..

                5th          Detached from WS9C and returned to Clyde with Local Escort.

                9th          Deployed as escort for military convoy WS8C during passage o Scapa Flow from Clyde.

                                (Note: This was part of a planned operation to occupy the Azores which was later cancelled.)

                10th        Return passage to Clyde.

                15th        Escorted military convoy WS10X during passage from Liverpool to Clyde with HM Destroyer

                                WITCH and Dutch cruiser HEEMSKERCK.

 

September

                17th        Joined military convoy WS11X as Local Escort during passage from Clyde in NW Approaches

                                with HM Destroyers BLANKNEY, LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ORIBI, WITCH, Dutch ISAAC

                                SWEERS, Polish ORP GARLAND and PIORUN.

                                (Note: WS11X was a Malta relief convoy and part of Operation HALBERD. HM Battleship

                                PRINCE OF WALES, HM Cruisers EURYALUS and KENYA provided cover during

                                Atlantic passage.)

                24th        Detached from WS11X with Local Escort, and returned to Clyde.

 

October

                1st           Deployed with HM Cruiser CAIRO, HM Destroyers VERITY and WITCH for Local Escort

                                of military convoy WS12 during passage in NW Approaches.

                4th          Detached from WS12 and returned to Clyde with HMS CAIRO, HM Destroyers VERITY and

                                WITCH.

 

November

                13th        Deployed with HM Destroyers BADSWORTH, EXMOOR, VANQUISHER, WITCH and

                                MAORI as Local Escort for military convoy WS12Z during passage from Clyde in NW

                                Approaches.

                                (Note: HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN provided Ocean Escort.

                18th        Detached from WS12Z and returned to Clyde with Local Escort.

 

December              Atlantic convoy defence with Group in continuation.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Group deployment for Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

February                Detached for duty in Mediterranean.

                                For details of operations in Mediterranean in 1941 see Naval Staff History (HMSO-2002) and

                                BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre.

                27th        Deployed at Gibraltar for Malta aircraft delivery (Operation SPOTTER I).

                                (Note: This was abandoned because of aircraft fuel problems).

 

March

                6th          Part of escort for HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carriers ARGUS and EAGLE and

                                HM Cruiser HERMIONE with HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ACTIVE,

                                ANTHONY and WISHART, HM Escort Destroyers BLANKNEY, DUNCAN and CROOME

                                for delivery of aircraft to Malta (OPERATION SPOTTER II).

                20th        Part of escort for same ships with HM Destroyers LAFOREY, DUNCAN, ACTIVE,

                                ANTHONY, WISHART and HM Escort Destroyers BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME

                                for further delivery of aircraft to Malta (Operation PICKET I).

                27th        Repeat escort with same ships for Malta aircraft delivery (Operation PICKET II).

 

April                       Passage to rejoin Group

                                Nominated for conversion to Long Range Escort.

                                (For details see V&W DESTROYERS by A Preston).

 

May                        Taken in hand for refit and conversion by HM Dockyard, Sheemess.

                                (Note: Surface warning Radar Type 271 and Aircraft warning radar Type 286P fitted. See

                                RADAR AT SEA by D Howse and SEEK AND STRIKE).

 

June                        Under refit.

to

July

 

August                  On completion of post-refit trials and work-up rejoined 8th Escort Group.

 

September

                30th        Detached for escort of ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron during minelay in Northern Barrage.

                                (Operation SN42 - See Naval Staff History (Mining).).

 

October                  Transferred to 2nd Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

                                Deployed with HM Destroyers HESPERUS and VANESSA for escort of Convoy ONS138 from

                                Liverpool to Halifax.

                                (Note: This convoy avoided attacks by an assembled U-Boat Group by use of HF D/F radio

                                direction finding equipment. See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

November              Return passage with ships of Group as escort for inbound convoy.

 

December              Atlantic deployment with Group in continuation.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Deployed with HM Destroyers HESPERUS, VANESSA, HM Corvettes CAMPANULA,

to                            CLEMATIS, GENTIAN, HEATHER, MIGNONETTE and SWEETBRIAR of Group for

March                    Atlantic convoy defence.

 

April                       Deployed with HMS HESPERUS and corvettes of Group as escort for Convoy ONS4.

                                (Note: 5th Support Group was also deployed to provide air cover for transit of this convoy

                                which was expected to be under attacks by MEISE U-Boat Group.

                                HM Escort Aircraft Carrier BITER with screen of four Fleet Destroyers comprised this

                                Group.

                                For details of the defence of ONS4 see the above reference.

                                U191 was sunk and other damaged submarines had to withdraw.)

 

May                        Escorted Convoy SC129 with HMS HESPERUS and ships of 2nd Escort. Group.

                11th        SC129 under attack by U-Boats during which 2 ships are sunk.

                                Drove off U383 and U359 with HMS HESPERUS and HM Corvette CLEMATIS.

                12th        After attacking submarines had been located by detection of radio signals more submarine

                                attacks carried out with HMS HESPERUS, HM Corvettes SWEETBRIAR, CLEMATIS ard

                                HEATHER.

                13th        Aircraft cover provided by HM Escort Carrier BITER

 

June                       Atlantic convoy escort in continuation with 8th Escort Group.

to                            (Note Other ships in Group included HM Destroyers KEPPEL, BEAGLE, BOADICEA,

August                  WESTCOTT, INCONSTANT and WRESTLER).

 

September             Joined HM Escort Carrier FENCER, HM Destroyers INCONSTANT, VISCOUNT,

                                WRESTLER, Polish destroyers ORP GARLAND and ORP BURZA of Group

 

October                  Part of escort for ships taking allied personnel to set up air bases in Azores.

                                (Operation ALACRITY).

                                On completion resumed Atlantic convoy defence and joined escort for the combined

                                convoys MKS28 and SL138 during passage from Gibraltar to UK.

                31st         Sank U306 of SCHILL Group of U-Boats attacking convoy with HMS GERANIUM.

                                (Note: This submarine had also been located by its radio transmissions).

 

November              After arrival of convoy MKS29/SL128 nominated for escort of Russian convoys.

                15th        Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW54A at Loch Ewe with HM Destroyers INCONSTANT,

                                HM Corvette HEATHER and HM Minesweeper HUSSAR.

                24th        Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                                (For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg,

                                CONVOY I by P Kemp and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman).

                27th        Joined escort for return Convoy RA54B with same ships.

 

December

                9th          Detached from RA54B on arrival at Loch Ewe after unmolested passage.

                20th        Joined Russian Convoy JW55B at Loch Ewe as Ocean Escort with HM Destroyer WRESTLER,

                                HM Minesweeper GLEANER, HM Corvettes HONEYSUCKLE and OXLIP.

                25th        Escort reinforced by Home Fleet destroyers after threat by German SCHARNHORST.

                                (This convoy operation coincided with the sinking of SCHARNHORST – See above

                                references).

                30th        Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                31st         Joined escort for return Convoy RA55B with HMS WRESTLER, HM Corvettes OXLIP,

                                HONEYSUCKLE and RHODODENDRON.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

                8th          Detached on arrival at Loch Ewe after only ineffectual submarine attacks.

                22nd       Joined escort, for Russian Convoy JW56B at Local Ewe with HM Destroyer WESTCOTT, HM

                                Sloop CYGNET, HM Minesweeper SEAGULL and HM Corvette OXLIP

                30th        Sank U314 with HM Destroyer METEOR in position 73-45N 26.15E.

                                There were no survivors from this submarine.

                                For details see U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp,)

                                HM Destroyer HARDY (ii) of the Fighting Escort was hit and had to be sunk).

 

February

                1st           Detached en arrival at Kola Inlet.

                3rd          Joined Close Escort for returning Convoy RA56 with HMS WESTCOTT, HM Sloop CYGNET,

                                HM Corvettes OXLIP, DIANELLA, POPPY, HMS RHODODENDRON, HM Minesweepers

                                SPEEDWELL, HALCYON and HUSSAR.

                11th        Detached on arrival at Loch Ewe after uninterrupted passage.

                                Resumed Atlantic convoy defence

 

March                    Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

                                Nominated for escort of Russian Convoy JW58.

                27th        Joined Russian Convoy JW58 on departure from Loch Ewe as Anti-submarine escort with HM

                                Destroyers WESTCOTT, WRESTLER, HM Corvettes BLUEBELL, HONEYSUCKLE and

                                LOTUS.

                                (Note: Main escort included HM Cruiser DIADEM, two Escort Aircraft Carrier and 2nd

                                Escort Group with Home Fleet destroyers for screening joined later. See references.)

                29th        Attempts by U-Boats to close convoy beaten off by escort and air cover from HMS TRACKER

                                during which U961, U355, U360 and U288 were sunk. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by

                                P Kemp..

 

April

                4th          Detached on arrival of JW58 at Kola Inlet.

                7th          Joined Ocean Escort for return Convoy RA58 with H M Destroyers BEAGLE, BOADICEA,

                                INCONSTANT, KEPPEL, VENUS, WALKER, WESTCOTT, WRESTLER and HM Escort

                                Aircraft Carrier ACTIVITY.

                12th        Detached from RA58 before arrival at Loch Ewe.

                20th        Passage to Kola Inlet to collect Russian naval personnel for warships in UK being transferred

                                and to provide escort for ships lying empty in Russian ports.

                                Part of screen for HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Carriers ACTIVITY and FENCER with

                                15 destroyers and HM Canadian Frigates.

                                (See above references for details of this operation).

                23rd        Escort for RA 59 arrived at Kola Inlet.

                28th        Joined Escort for return Convoy RA59 with HMS DIADEM, HMS ACTIVITY, HMS FENCER

                                and HMS FENCER with destroyers and frigates. 14 passengers were embarked for passage.

                                For details see above references).

 

May

                3rd          Detached from RA59 with HM Cruiser DIADEM, HMS FENCER, HM Destroyers

                                BOADICEA, VIRAGO, VERULAM, ULYSSES and WALKER

                                Deployed with Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

                                Nominated for escort of military convoys during landings in Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE).

                                For details of naval activities prior to and during assault see OPERATION NEPTUNE by

                                K Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY JUNE 1944 (HMSO) and D DAY SHIPS by

                                de Winser.).

 

June                        Joined HM Corvette RHODODENDRON, HM Trawler SKOMA and HM Trawler ULVA at

                                Milford Haven as Escort Group 139.

                3rd          Escorted Convoy EBC1 with Group from Milford Haven too Isle of Wight.

                                (Note: Convoy comprised Pre-loaded Stores Coasters).

                5th          Arrived in Solent.

                7th          Passage to Western Task Force area as escort for Convoy EBC1 .

                9th          At Milford Haven to commence Convoy Cycle escort duty with Convoy EBC4.

                                Convoy escort duty in support of NEPTUNE in continuation.

                27th        On release from NEPTUNE rejoined 2nd Escort Group for escort of Russian Convoys.

 

August

                15th        Joined close escort for Russian Convoy JW59 with HM Sloop CYGNET, HM Frigate LOCH

                                DUNVEGAN, HM Corvettes CAMELLIA, BLUEBELL, CHARLOCK, HONEYSUCKLE

                                and OXLIP.

                21st         HM Sloop KITE hit by two torpedoes and sank in one minute.

                24th        Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                                (Note: Two U-Boats were sunk during this passage by aircraft and escorts).

                28th        Joined Close Escort for return Convoy RA59A with HM Sloops MERMAID and PEACOCK,

                                HM Destroyer KEPPEL and HM Frigate LOCH DUNVEGAN.

                30th        Rescued survivors from ss WILLIAM S THAYER sunk by U711 .

 

September

                2nd         Took part in sinking of U394 with HMS KEPPEL, HMS MERMAID, HMS PEACOCK and

                                aircraft from HM Escort Carrier VINDEX.

                5th          Detached on arrival at Loch Ewe without loss of mercantiles.

                15th        Joined Close Escort for Russian Convoy JW60 with HMS CYGNET, HM Destroyers

                                BULLDOG, KEPPEL, HM Corvettes ALLINGTON CASTLE and BAMBOROUGH CASTLE.

                23rd        Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet after uninterrupted passage.

                28th        Joined doss Escort for return Convoy RA60 with same ships as JW60.

                29th        Two mercantiles sunk in U-Boat attacks.

 

October

                5th          Detached on arrival at Loch Ewe.

                7th          Deployed with 20th Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

November              Atlantic convoy defence with Group In continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Convoy defence in Atlantic and UK coastal waters in continuation.

                                Nominated for escort of Russian convoys.

 

February

                2nd         Joined Russian Convoy JW64 Close Escort in Clyde with HM Sloops CYGNET, LARK,

                to            HM Corvettes ALNWICK CASTLE, BAMBOROUGH CASTLE, BLUEBELL and

                10th        RHODODENDRON.

                                Repelled torpedo attacks by aircraft with HMS LARK.

                15th        Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                16th        Took part in anti-submarine operations outside Kola Inlet prior to the departure of return

                                convoy.

                17th        Joined return Convoy RA64 as Close Escort with same snips as for JW64.

                                (Note: HMS LARK was hit by acoustic torpedo from U968 and seriously damaged

                                Although towed to Kola Inlet the ship was beyond early repair but later reported in

                                service in the Soviet Navy.

                21st         Detached from escort after developing boiler feed water defects.

 

March                    After repair resumed escort duty In Home Waters with Group.

to

April

 

May                        Paid-off and reduced to Reserve status.

  

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS WHITEHALL was placed on the Disposal List after VJ Day and sold to BISCO for demolition by T W Ward. She arrived in tow at the breakers; yard in Barrow on 27th October 1945.

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS WHITEHALL

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)