Type II
'HUNT'
Class Escort Destroyer built by John Brown at
Clydebank, Glasgow under the 1939
War Emergency Programme and ordered as Job No
J1570 on 4 September 1939. The
ship was laid down on 17th May 1940 and was the
first RN warship to bear the
Name. She was launched on 19th December 1940 and
completed on 11th April 1941.
After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings
campaign in February 1942
this Escort Destroyer was adopted by the civil
community of Nantwich
in Cheshire
B a t t
l e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC 1941-43
- MALTA CONVOYS 1942
- ARCTIC 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO
1943 - NORMANDY 1944
-
MEDITERRANEAN 1944
H
e r a l d i
c
D a t a
Badge: On a Field Red,
a
griffin's head erased Gold
in
front of two hunting horns in saltire
White.
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 4 1
April
Contractors trials and commissioned for
service
11th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials.
On completion of trials and storing took
passage to work-up for operational service.
May
On completion of work-up joined Irish Sea
Escort Force
16th
(see addenda)
June
Deployed for Atlantic
convoy escort duty in NW Approaches.
to
Nominated for escort of military convoy to
Gibraltar
August
September
17th
Joined military convoy WS11X as part of escort
with ships detached from the Home Fleet
including HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES, HM
Cruisers EURYALUS and KENYA. HM
Destroyers GALLANT, LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ORIBI
and Polish ORP GARLAND and
PIORUN.
(Operation HALBERD - Malta Relief Convoy .See
Naval Staff History (HMSO-2002) and
THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by
D Macintyre.)
24th
Detached from WS11X on relief off Gibraltar by
ships of Force H.
Passage to resume duties In NW Approaches.
October
1st
Joined military convoy WS12 in Clyde with HM
Destroyer STANLEY as part of escort during
Atlantic passage.
4th
Remained with WS12 after Local Escort
including HM Cruiser CAIRO detached.
7th
Detached from WS12 with HMS STANLEY and
returned to Clyde.
November
Transferred to 11th Escort Group in
continuation of Atlantic convoy defence.
Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean.
December
Joined 20th Escort Group at Londonderry.
Part of escort for Convoy HG76 for passage to
Gibraltar.
(Note: Carried stores for RAF at Gibraltar
with HM Destroyer ARROW.
Transferred to 13th Destroyer on arrival at
Gibraltar.
17th
Part of escort for Convoy HG76 during initial
stage of passage from Gibraltar to Liverpool..
During support operations in defence of convoy
participated in sinking of U131 with HM
Destroyer EXMOOR and ships of 36th Escort
Group commanded by Commander F J Walker a
renowned U-Boat killer.
(For details of this operation and other
sinkings in the Atlantic see U-BOAT WAR
IN THE
ATLANTIC (HMSO), THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by
D Macintyre, ENGAGE
THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY BY Corelli Barnett,
RELENTLESS PURSUIT by D
Wemyss and U- BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.).
18th
Continued A/S defence of HG76.
Deployed with HM Destroyer STANLEY and
located, rammed and sank
U434.
Sustained consequential structural damage.
21st
Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard
Gibraltar
1
9 4 2
January
Under repair at Gibraltar.
February
On completion joined 37 Destroyer Division at
Gibraltar for Local defence of convoys.
(For details of operations in Mediterranean
during 1942 see above references and Naval
Staff
History,
Passage from Gibraltar to Clyde for escort of
military convoy.
16th
Joined HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, CROOME,
DUNCAN, FIREDRAKE,
LIGHTNING and
LAFOREY as part of escort for Convoy WS16
during Atlantic passage.
21st
Detached from WS12 as escort for HM Aircraft
Carrier ARGUS carrying aircraft for transfer
to Malta as part of Operation SPOTTER.
27th
Joined escort for HM Aircraft Carriers ARGUS
and EAGLE ferrying reinforcement aircraft to
Malta covered by HM Battleship MALAYA, HM
Cruiser HERMIONE, HM Destroyers
LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ACTIVE, ANTHONY,
WHITEHALL, WISHART, EXMOOR
and CROOME. (Operation SPOTTER).
28th
Operation aborted and returned to Gibraltar.
March
6th
Joined same ships for escort of carriers
(Operation SPOTTER)
(Note: Repeat of previous operation)
20th
Joined escort for HMS ARGUS and HMS EAGLE with HMS
MALAYA, HMS HERMIONE,
HM Destroyers LAFOREY, DUNCAN, ACTIVE, ANTHONY,
WHITEHALL, WISHART,
EXMOOR and CROOME for repeat Malta aircraft
delivery (Operation PICKET I).
27th
Deployed with same ships for further aircraft
delivery (Operation PICKET II).
April
Transferred to 6th Destroyer Flotilla, Home
Fleet and took passage to UK.
Deployed with Home Fleet in NW Approaches.
May
2nd
Escorted HM Battleship KING GEORGE V to UK
from Iceland after her collision in
low visibility with HM Destroyer PUNJABI
during cover for passage of the Russian
Convoy PQ15.
23rd
Part of Escort for Home Fleet ships covering
Russian Convoy PQ16 and returning Convoy
QP12 from the Kola Inlet
(For details of all Russian Convoy operations
see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R Ruegg.
THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B. Schoefield and
CONVOY! by P Kemp).
June
Detached for defence of Malta relief convoy
from UK
5th
Joined Malta relief convoy in Clyde as escort
during passage to Gibraltar with HM Cruisers
KENYA and LIVERPOOL, HM Destroyers BEDOUIN,
ESCAPADE, ICARUS, MARNE,
MATCHLESS, ONSLOW, HM Escort Destroyers
BADSWORTH and MIDDLETON.
(Operation HARPOON)
(See above references for Mediterranean
service.).
11th
On arrival off Gibraltar deployed as part of
Force X for Close Escort of Malta Convoy
through
to Malta with HM Cruiser CAIRO, HM
Destroyers BEDOUIN,
MARNE, MATCHLESS,
ITHURIEL, PARTRIDGE, HM Escort Destroyers
MIDDLETON, BADSWORTH and Polish
destroyer ORP KUJAWIAK.
(Note: Force X also included HM Minesweepers
HEBE, SPEEDY, HYTHE and RYE on passage
for minesweeping duties based in Malta.)
Cover for passage to Sicilian Narrows was
provided by HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE, ARGUS,
HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Cruiser CHARYBDIS,
and destroyers from Gibraltar Local
Flotilla deployed as Force W.
For full details of HARPOON see MALTA CONVOYS
by R Woodman.
15th
In action with Italian cruiser Squadron in
defence of convoy after covering force from
Gibraltar
had detached from Force X.
16th
Took passage to Gibraltar on arrival of
remaining two mercantiles in Malta with
surviving ships
of Force X.
(Note: ORP KUJAWIAK was sunk on arrival with
HMS BADSWORTH and HMS
MATCHLESS SERIOUSLY damaged by mines.)
19th
Returned to Gibraltar with Force X and ships
of covering Force
22nd
Passage to UK to rejoin Flotilla with other
ships detached from Home Fleet.
July
Deployed with HM Destroyers ASHANTI, ESCAPADE,
FAULKNOR, MARNE, MARTIN,
ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, HM Escort Destroyer
MIDDLETON, US destroyers USS
MAYRANT and RHIND as screen for HM Battleship
DUKE OF YORK, US battleship USS
WASHINGTON,
HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers
CUMBERLAND and NIGERIA to provide
Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy PQ17
and return Convoy QP13 from Murmansk to
Iceland.
3rd
Took passage to return to Scapa Flow with
Distant Cover ships when PQ17 scattered by
order
from Admiralty.
See above references and THE CONVOY IS TO
SCATTER by J Broome.
20th
Carried replenishment stocks of ammunition to
Murmansk with HM Destroyers MARNE,
MARTIN and MIDDLETON.
24th
Arrived at Murmansk.
30th
Damaged in collision at Murmansk and taken in
hand for repair.
August
Under repair.
September
On completion of repair remained in North
Russia to join escort for next return convoy
to UK.
13th
Sailed from Archangel as part of Local Escort
for return Convoy QP14 and transferred Home
Fleet ships which transferred from inward Convoy
PQ18 for defence of QP14 during transit to
Loch Ewe.
(Note: This deployment for return after repair
is to be confirmed)
Detached from QP18 and returned to Scapa Flow
for Home Fleet duties.
(Note: Further repair may have been require
before resuming operational service in Home
Fleet)
October
Deployment with Home Fleet in NW Approaches to
be confirmed.
to
November
December
15th
Provided Western Local Escort from Loch Ewe
for outward Russian Convoy JW51A with
HM Escort Destroyers
CHIDDINGFOLD and
LEDBURY.
18th
Detached from JW51B and returned to Scapa
Flow.
22nd
Provided Local Western Escort for Russian
Convoy JW51B with same ships.
25th
Detached from JW51B.
1
9 4 3
January
6th
Joined returning Russian Convoy RA51 as Local
Western Escort with HMS LEDBURY.
10th
Detached from RA51.
17th
Provided Local Western Escort from Loch Ewe
for Russian Convoy JW52 with HMS
LEDBURY and HMS
MIDDLETON.
21st
Detached from JW52.
February
5th
Joined returning Russian Convoy RA52 with HMS
MIDDLETON for local escort.
8th
Detached on arrival at Loch Ewe.
10th
Resumed Home Fleet duties at Scapa Flow.
March
Deployed in NW Approaches for escort and
patrol duties.
to
May
June
Nominated for duty in support of Mediterranean
operations.
21st
Detached from joint convoy with ships destined
for Mediterranean (Convoy KMF17)
with Home Fleet escorts after relief by HM
Destroyers AMAZON, BLACKMORE, BULLDOG
and FOXHOUND which escorted ships destined for
Freetown (WS31).
On arrival at Gibraltar joined 58 Destroyer
Division, Mediterranean Fleet
July
Deployed with Support Force East for Sicily
landings (Operation HUSKY).
(For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY
and Naval Staff History)
Deployed as Escort Group V with HM Escort
Destroyers BLENCATHRA, BRECON and
BRISSENDEN.
(For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY
and Naval Staff History.)
Passage to Bone for convoy escort.
7th
Sailed from Bone as part of escort for
military Convoy KMF18
9th
Detached from KMF18 to refuel,
10th
Rejoined KMF18 escort for passage to BARK WEST
beach head,
Detached from escort on arrival and deployed
for patrol and support during ;landings
(For details see BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J
de Winser.)
Bombarded shore batteries in BARK EAST Landing
area with HM Escort Destroyer
PUCKERIDGE.
13th
Involved in collision with HM Destroyer
BRISSENDEN during anti-submarine operation.
(Note: Remained operational but HMS PUCKERIDGE
sustained extensive damage to port
bow structure.
August
Deployed in central Mediterranean for support
of landing operations.
September
Nominated for escort and support of planned
allied landing as at Salerno.
Passage to Bizerta
4th
Deployed for escort of military convoy FSS1
from Bizerta to beach head
(Operation AVALANCHE)
9th
Joined Northern Task Force with 21st Destroyer
Flotilla gunfire support and patrol off
Salerno..
See above references
and Naval Staff History).
October
Deployed for escort and patrol duty with 58
Destroyer Division in Western Mediterranean.
to
December
1 9 4 4
January
Deployment for convoy defence and patrol in
central and western in continuation.
to
February
March
8th
Participated in sinking of U50 SW of Anzio in
position 41.11N 12.27E with HM Destroyers
BLENCATHRA, BRECON and US destroyer USS
MADISON.
See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.
April
Convoy defence and anti-submarine patrol in
continuation.
May
Nominated for support of allied landings in
Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE)
(LANDINGS IN NORMANDY (HMSO). D-DAY SHIPS by J
de Winser and ENGAGE THE
ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).
3rd
Deployed in support of US warships escorting
Convoy GUS38.
4th
Participated in sinking of U371 off Bougie in
position 37.M9N 5.39E with with
US ships and
Free French SENEGALAIS.
Passage to UK to join 1st Destroyer Flotilla
based at Portsmouth
Allocated to Force G for support of British
landings in Normandy..
18th
Took part with ships of Forces J and S in
joint defence exercise off Brighton.
June
Joined Escort Group 115 with HM Sloops LARK,
CRANE, HM Frigates CHELMER and
TORRINGTON.
5th
Escorted ten Infantry Landing Craft and two
Rescue Craft (Convoy G15) from Solent to
GOLD
beachhead.
6th
Detached from G15 on arrival and deployed in
Eastern Task Force until Build-up Phase.
7th
Returned to Portsmouth for escort and patrol
duty in support of landings.
On termination of NEPTUNE deployed for Support
duty in continuation off beach heads
July
Channel support duties in continuation.
to
August
September
Deployed for Channel convoy escort and patrol
duty with Flotilla.
to
Escort of convoys in eastern Channel area.
October
Nominated for refit in commercial shipyard.
November
Under refit at Liverpool.
to
December
1
9 4 5
January
Nominated for duty with 21st Destroyer
Flotilla based at Sheerness.
Carried out Post refit trials in Irish Sea..
6th
Passage to Join Flotilla.
15th
Deployed for North Sea convoy escort, for
interception of E-Boats and other craft
including
submersibles attempting minelaying and other
operations in the Thames estuary.
February
North Sea duties in continuation.
to
(Note: Schnorkel-fitted submarines were being
deployed at convoy assembly
May
areas for Atlantic convoy traffic which had
been re-routed via Channel when air threat
from French bases had been removed by the
allied advance.
This increased the load on all escorts for
anti-submarine defence.).
June
Nominated for transfer to Eastern Fleet and
prepared for foreign service.
(Note: To be refitted at Simonstown before
operation deployment.)
July
Passage to South Africa
Taken in hand for refit.
August
Under refit.
P o s t W a r N o t e s
HMS BLANKNEY completed refit after VJ Day and the ship returned to
UK. In May 1946 she was Paid off and entered
Reserve at Devonport
. The ship had a refit in 1948 and was then laid
up in Reserve Fleet at Sheerness
. Later during 1952 she was transferred to moved
to Hartlepool
.Approval was given for her to be placed on the
Disposal List on 22nd October
1958. Placed on the Sales list the next year she
was sold to BISCO for
demolition by Hughes Bolcow
at Blyth
and arrived at the breaker’s yard in tow on 9th
March that year.
Addenda
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of HMS BLANKNEY
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
16/09/41
|
25/09/41
|
HX 150
|
27/09/41
|
30/09/41
|
02/10/41
|
09/10/41
|
HG 074
|
11/10/41
|
18/10/41
|
15/11/41
|
15/11/41
|
CT 006
|
18/11/41
|
24/11/41
|
13/11/41
|
18/11/41
|
TC 015
|
21/11/41
|
21/11/41
|
14/12/41
|
14/12/41
|
HG 076
|
18/12/41
|
30/12/41
|
27/04/42
|
27/04/42
|
PW 147
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
21/05/42
|
23/05/42
|
PQ 016
|
29/05/42
|
30/05/42
|
21/05/42
|
23/05/42
|
QP 012
|
29/05/42
|
29/05/42
|
12/06/42
|
12/06/42
|
HARPOON
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
27/06/42
|
29/06/42
|
PQ 017
|
04/07/42
|
04/07/42
|
26/06/42
|
29/06/42
|
QP 013
|
04/07/42
|
07/07/42
|
13/09/42
|
13/09/42
|
QP 014
|
25/09/42
|
26/09/42
|
15/12/42
|
15/12/42
|
JW 051A
|
18/12/42
|
25/12/42
|
22/12/42
|
22/12/42
|
JW 051B
|
30/12/42
|
04/01/43
|
30/12/42
|
06/01/43
|
RA 051
|
09/01/43
|
11/01/43
|
17/01/43
|
17/01/43
|
JW 052
|
17/01/43
|
27/01/43
|
29/01/43
|
05/02/43
|
RA 052
|
08/02/43
|
09/03/43
|
28/06/43
|
28/06/43
|
MKF 017
|
30/06/43
|
30/06/43
|
13/06/43
|
02/07/43
|
UGS 010
|
06/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
28/06/43
|
07/07/43
|
KMF 018
|
10/07/43
|
11/07/43
|
27/07/43
|
12/08/43
|
UGS 013
|
unknown
|
24/08/43
|
25/10/43
|
13/11/43
|
UGS 022
|
16/11/43
|
22/11/43
|
18/12/43
|
18/12/43
|
VN 012A
|
19/12/43
|
19/12/43
|
07/02/44
|
07/02/44
|
SNF 014
|
11/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
13/02/44
|
MKF 028A
|
16/02/44
|
20/02/44
|
21/02/44
|
21/02/44
|
SNF 015
|
24/02/44
|
24/02/44
|
21/02/44
|
27/02/44
|
KMF 029
|
02/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
18/02/44
|
01/03/44
|
UGS 033A
|
02/03/44
|
29/02/44
|
15/10/44
|
15/10/44
|
ON 260
|
18/10/44
|
30/10/44
|
05/10/44
|
17/10/44
|
HX 312
|
18/10/44
|
21/10/44
|
15/10/44
|
19/10/44
|
OS 092KM
|
unknown
|
25/10/44
|
17/03/45
|
17/03/45
|
TAM 110
|
18/03/45
|
unknown
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)
SINKING OF SS ARCHANGEL on 16 MAY 1941
with thanks to Peter
Houston ((a) 7 Feb 2011 and (b) 7 Feb 2012)
(a) "During research into my
Father's war experiences, I came across this
information regarding HMS BLANKNEY. At the time,
my late father was aboard the ARCHANGEL and I
recall him describing the action as outlined
below.
196 and 182 Batteries (65th Reg
HAA, RA) were ordered to redeploy to Birmingham
and, on 16 May 1941, embarked on SS ARCHANGEL at
Kirkwall for Aberdeen. The destroyer HMS
BLANKNEY was assigned as escort. Around midnight
ARCHANGEL was attacked off Aberdeen by three
German aircraft believed to be operating out of
Norway. The following is the direct
word-for-word account as recorded in the
regimental war diary [1]:
'16 May, 2359 hr
approximately. Three Heinkel III approached
ARCHANGEL and one of them flying at
approximately fifty feet dropped two HE bombs
on the ship, one aft and one in the engine
room, causing boiler explosion and disabling
damage to the ship. Enemy aircraft engaged by
escorting destroyer HMS BLANKNEY (Lt Comdr
Powlett R.N.) as it returned to machine gun
damaged ARCHANGEL and destroyer’s boats and
after three runs it was damaged and fell into
the sea. Evacuation of all personnel on board
ARCHANGEL not killed by explosion continued.
Remaining enemy aircraft made off. Evacuation
of personnel completed by putting BLANKNEY
alongside ARCHANGEL.
17 May, ARCHANGEL taken in
tow by tug and beached approximately 30 miles
north of Aberdeen.
0800 (approx) Personnel
evacuated from ARCHANGEL reached Aberdeen in
BLANKNEY. Total deaths (including those who
died in hospital up to 29 May) 41 ORs, 38 of
them of 182 Hy AA Bty and 3 of 196 Hy AA Bty.
Injured and admitted to hospital and still
living on 31 May, of 182 Hy AA Bty 18 ORs
(including BSM Bee J.C., No 3511578) and 24
ORs of 196 Hy AA Bty (including W/BSM
Flitcroft W., No 3522907). No officer
casualties. All injured suffered from burns."
(NOTE: HMS Blankney was misspelt twice in
the above report)'"
Peter's father was not injured but
he described the terrible burns of those who
were. The uninjured men were assigned to look
after the injured personnel on a one-to-one
basis. He spoke very highly of the BLANKNEY -
described how she put up a tremendous AA barrage
whilst circling the stricken ARCHANGEL at high
speed. I am struck by the matter of fact
reporting in the 65th HAA war diaries of the
shooting down of one of the He111s "after three
runs it was damaged and fell into the sea"!
He subsequently went overseas and survived 31/2
years as a POW in the Far East after taking part
in the defence of Singapore, Sumatra and Java.
[1]
65th Reg. HAA, RA War diaries, Royal Artillery
Museum Library, Woolwich
and by Don Kindell
British steamer ARCHANGEL
(2448grt) was sunk by German bombing 57-55N,
2-03W, ten miles northeast of Aberdeen. Forty
crew of a crew of seventy five and twelve troops
(note: different number from official 65th
Reg HAA account) of four hundred on board
were lost. The survivors were rescued by
destroyer BLANKNEY which landed them at
Aberdeen. The destroyer attempted to take the
steamer in tow, but she beached off Black Dog,
five miles south of Newburgh, and broke in four
pieces.
(b)
I
recently found some more accounts (summarised
below) on a web site which was advertising the
sale of medals belonging to the captain of
Archangel, A. P. Sutton.
http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/searchcataloguearchive/itemdetail.lasso?itemid=59658.
The
following report of the incident was recorded
by the Ministry of War Transport:
‘I
am sorry to inform you that the Archangel was
attacked by enemy aircraft about midnight on
16 May 1941, while conveying troops from
Kirkwall to Aberdeen. She was struck heavily
amidships, the engine and boiler rooms being
put out of action and the upper decks so badly
damaged that there was no communication
between the fore and aft of the ship. The
Master, Captain A. P. Sutton, was seriously
injured, and out of a crew of 75, 17 are dead
or missing and 15 injured ... Casualties among
the troops were very heavy but the discipline
throughout of both troops and crew was
excellent. The destroyer escort sent a Surgeon
to assist the ship’s Medical Officer. While
they were attending the wounded there were two
further attacks from the air, but these were
beaten off by the Archangel’s own guns. At 4
o’clock in the morning tugs arrived and both
the wounded and uninjured troops, with part of
the crew, were transferred to a destroyer. The
Archangel was beached but unfortunately is a
total wreck.’
Since
Captain Sutton was seriously wounded, Chief
Officer A. W. Greenham submitted his report of
the action as follows:
‘The
enemy aircraft released three bombs
simultaneously which struck the ship amidships
between the funnels ... They wrecked the whole
of the upper decks and blew out the private
cabins; wrecked the engine and boiler rooms
and there was hell let loose with escaping
steam. I noted that the engine room skylights
still remained in position but there was
nothing left of the after funnel except a
great chunk of iron ... the Second Officer
came back and said he had found the Captain on
the deck injured, and the O.C. Troops and I
decided there was nothing to do but collect
the wounded. Just at this time we heard the
destroyer [H.M.S. Blankney; her Captain’s
report included], which was ahead of us at the
time of the attack, firing at an aircraft and
our guns joined him. The starboard forward gun
was very busy, and I think he got off two or
three belts, but I am unable to say whether
the after guns were used. The aircraft flew
over us twice, using his machine-guns, and I
saw tracer bullets flying directly at me.
Although I did not actually see the aircraft I
got the impression it was flying about 500
feet high, as I saw bursts of shells in the
half-light about 1000 yards away at low
altitude. I believe the destroyer shot down
the aircraft. Some of the crew thought that
tracer bullets from our guns struck the
aircraft, but it was not seen approaching or
overhead. The first thing we heard was the
bombs and later there were machine-gun attacks
... ’
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