Ordered from Fleming and Ferguson at Paisley under 1940 Programme on 24 October 1940 as RIVER Class Frigate to be named ETTRICK. Order later changed to FLOWER-Class Corvette and laid down on 10th February 1941. The ship was launched on 26th August 1941 and build completed on 28th December 1941. Radar Type 271 was fitted during build. Following a National Savings WARSHIP WEEK campaign in March 1942 this corvette was  adopted by the civil community of Pontypridd, Glamorgan.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1942-43

 

Note:  Records of Battle Honours awarded to RN ships after transfer to allied navies

including commonwealth countries are not included in the official list

compiled after WW2.

 

H e r a l d i c   D at a

Note: Many corvettes and Frigates built during WW2 had  “unofficial” Badges

which were never formally recognised unless they had previously introduced

under approved Seal for a ship using the same name.

 

 

S u m m a r y   of   W a r   S e r v i c e   u n d e r    R  N   C o m m a n d

 

(for more ship information, go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

December         Contractors trials and commissioned for service

                          Nominated for convoy defence in South Atlantic with HM Corvette GENISTA to be stationed

                          at Freetown.

          28th         Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials in Clyde area.

          29th         On completion took passage to Tobermory to work-up for operational service

          30th         Commenced work-up at Tobermory.

 

1 9 4 2

January

          15th         Took passage to Clyde on completion of work-up

          16th.        Prepared for foreign service in Clyde.

          30th         Joined escort for OSC18 in Clyde with HMS GENISTA and later detached for repair of radar at

                          Londonderry.

                          (Note: SCC18 formed in Clyde to join SC18 assembling at Oversay.)

 

February

            1st         Rejoined escort for merged Convoy OS18 comprising HMS GENISTA and ships of 43rd

                          Escort Group HM Sloops ROCHESTER, SCARBOROUGH and LEITH.

                          (Note: HM Destroyer BRADFORD joined later.)

                          Under air attack by FW Kondor aircraft which was shot down

                          (Note: This destruction is claimed by the ship.)

            6th         Detached from escort to join HMS ROCHESTER for in depth charge attacks on U82 which was

                          sunk in position 44.10  23.52W. There were no survivors.

                          (Note: 45 depth charges were expended by ship and 78 by HMS ROCHESTER.

                                       See HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

                          Remained in area to ensure submarine did not resurface.

            7th         Rejoined SC18 escort and refuelled from tanker ss BRITISH HUSSAR.

                          Remained with convoy escort during passage to Bathurst where ships of EG43 detached

                          Part of Local Escort for SC18 to Freetown with HMS GENTIAN and ships of Freetown Escort

                          Force.

          20th         Arrived at Freetown with SC18 and joined Local Escort Force.

          28th         Joined inward Convoy SC19 and escorted ships destined for Takoradi for onward passage.

 

March

           7th          Detached from SC19 ships on arrival at Takoradi.

                          Took return passage to Freetown as escort for HMS ROYAL ULSTERMAN.

         12th          At Freetown.

         14th.         Sailed from Freetown with HM Destroyer WIVERN as Local Escort for outward Convoy SL103

                          during initial stage of passage to Liverpool.

         15th          Deployed with Local Escort for inward military convoy WS23 from Clyde during passage into

                          Freetown.

                          Detached before arrival and deployed for escort of two mercantiles to Takoradi

                          On return from Takoradi deployed for escort of inward convoy from South Africa.

         20th          After detaching from SL103 joined inward Convoy OS21 for passage to Freetown.

         24th          Detached from SC21 on arrival at Freetown.

         29th          Joined Convoy CF 7 escorted by HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE.

 

April                  Withdrawn from operational service for boiler cleaning.

         28th          Resumed service with Escort Force and deployed for escort of coastal convoys

 

May                   Escorted Convoy ST21 to Takoradi and Convoy LS6  Freetown from Lagos. with Free

                           French Flower Class Corvette  COMMANDANT DROGU (Ex HMS CHRYSANTHEMUM)

         11th           Deployed for Local Escort to Bathurst

         15th           Arrived at Freetown as Local  Escort from Bathurst.

         18th           Sailed from Freetown with HM Corvettes AMARANTHUS and HYDRANGEA to carry out Local

                           Escort for Convoy ST 23 during passage from Takoradi

         21st           Detached to join inward Convoy OS27 as Local Escort for passage into with same ships.

         24th           Arrived at Freetown with OS27 and detached.

         28th           Deployed as escort for Convoy LS6 from Lagos

 

June

          1st            Arrived at Freetown with LS6 and detached.

         10th.          Deployed with HM Corvette HYDRANGEA for Local Escort of inward Convoy OS29 into

                           Freetown.

         11th           Detached from OS29 on arrival.

                           Deployed as escort for coastal convoy ST23 to Takoradi with HMS HYDRANGEA and two

                           Motor Launches.

         21st           Returned to Freetown.

 

July

          4th            Deployed for Local Escort of inward Convoy OS32 during passage into Freetown.

          8th            Arrived at Freetown with OS32 and detached.

         25th           Sailed from Freetown with Local Escort for outward Convoy SL 117 during initial stage of

                           passage to Liverpool.

         28th           After detaching from SL11t joined inward Convoy OS34 for Local Escort into Freetown.

         30th           Detached from OS34 and provided escort for Cable Ship JOHN MACKAY during special

                           operation.

 

August               Passage to Lagos to provide escort for ss THYSVILLE during passage from Lagos to Takoradi

                           On completion returned to Freetown.

 

September          Deployed at Freetown including period for boiler cleaning.

 

October              Passage to Takoradi

          6th            Deployed as escort for HM Monitor ROBERTS and coastal Convoy TS21 during passage to

                           Freetown

         13th           Arrived at Freetown with HMS ROBERTS and TS21 and detached.

                           (Note: HMS ROBERTS had been nominated for service in support of planned allied landings

                                       in North Africa (Operation TORCH) and had been deployed in th Mediterranean

                                       It may therefore be presumed that the ship was on passage via Cape of Good Hope

                                       to Gibraltar.)

 

November

          2nd           Detached from CF7 on arrival at Freetown.

                            Deployed for Convoy Local Escort

                           (Note: These comprised only one or two ships and included

                                                     CF8 during outward passage to Cape of Good Hope. with HMS HYDRANGEA,

                                                     TS26 to Freetown from Takoradi with HM Whaler SOUTHERN GEM and

                                                         Free French Corvette COMMANDANT DETROYAT (Ex HMS IRIS.)

                                                     FT4 to Freetown with HM Sloop Milford.

 

December           Local Escort duties at Freetown in continuation

         20th           Carried out unsuccessful attack on submarine with HM Sloop MILFORD in defence of

                           coastal  Convoy to Freetown from Takoradi.

                           Detached from Freetown Escort Force for escort of Tanker convoy to Trinidad with HMS

                           MILFORD and HM Trawler YESTOR.

                           Took passage from Freetown.

         27th           Arrived at Trinidad.

                           Retained in West Indies for escort of floating Dock across South Atlantic with MILFORD

                           and HM Trawler YESTOR.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January              Took passage from Trinidad to New Orleans.

         16th           Arrived at New Orleans

                           Took passage to Morgan City, Louisiana.

                           (Note: Morgan City is about 100 miles WSW of New Orleans and some distance from the

                                      Gulf of Mexico.)   

 

February            At Morgan City

         21st           Sailed as escort for Admiralty Floating Dock 24 during passage to Freetown. 

 

March

          8th            Arrived at Trinidad.

         25th           Sailed from Trinidad for Freetown with AFD24

 

April

         28th.          Arrived at Freetown with AFD 24.

 

May                    At Freetown for boiler cleaning and maintenance.

         10th           Resumed duties with Freetown Escort Force

                           (Note: Convoys escorted included

                                          ST65 to Takoradi from Freetown

                                          TS41 to Freetown from Takoradi

                                          ST68 to Takoradi from Freetown

                                          TS44 to Freetown from Takoradi.

 

June                    Nominated for return to UK for refit

         28th           Joined escort for ocean convoy SL132 to return to UK for refit

 

July

         21st            Detached from SL132 on arrival at Liverpool.

 

August                Paid-off and future service to be considered.

                            Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard.

 

September           Under refit

to                         (Note: Changes made included  fit of antisubmarine mortar equipment (HEDGEHOG-)

October                           For details of development of this weapon and later improved outfits see SEEK

                                        AND STRIKE by W Hackmann. Additional 20mm Oerlikon mountings were

                                        also installed to improve defence against close range air attacks.)

                                        Ship was therefore up-dated to Modified FLOWER Class standard.

 

November           Refit in continuation

         20th            Transfer to Royal Hellenic Navy approved and to be renamed HHelM Ship TOMPAZIS (also spelt Tombazis and Topazis) .

 

 

S e r v i c e   u n d e r   G r e e k   C o m m a n d   a s  H Hel M S   T O M P A Z I S

 

December            Under refit

                             Greek naval crew began to arrive.

                             Allocated for service in Western Approaches Command for Atlantic convoy defence,

 

1 9 4 4

 

January               Contractors trials and commissioned for Greek naval service as HHelMS TOMPAZIS.

          3rd             Shipyard work completed

                            Carried out post refit trials in Irish Sea,

          5th             Arrived at Tobermory to commence work-up for operational service. 

         22nd           Withdrawn from work-up for repair of defects

 

February             Under repair at Liverpool in commercial shipyard.

         14th            On completion of repair resumed work-up.

 

March                 Deployed in NW Approaches for convoy escort.

to                        (Note: Part of escort for inward Convoy HX282 which arrived at Liverpool on 29th March

May                                Part of escort for outward Convoy ON225 which sailed from Liverpool on 4th May.

                                       Nominated for detached service in Force G as part of Escort Group 126 for support of

                                       planned landings in Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE.

                                       Took part in preliminary exercises with ships of Force G in Channel.

                                       (For details of naval activities prior to and during execution of NEPTUNE see LANDINGS

                                       IN NORMANDY, June 1944 (HMSO), OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and D DAY

                                       SHIPS by J de Winser.)

                                       Nominated for escort of Convoy G13

 

June                    Deployed with Force G in Escort Group 126 and based at Portsmouth.

                            (Note: Other ships in Group were HM Trawler VICTRIX and HM Corvette BURDOCK)

          4th             Operation delayed by 24 hours.

          6th             Sailed from Solent with Group as escort for G13 during passage through Swept Channel

                            to GOLD beach head.

                            (Note: G13 comprised 27 LCT Mk. 3, LCT Mk 3, one Landing Ship (Tank), HM Fighter

                                        Direction Tender 113, eight Landing Craft (Personnel) and two Motor Launches.

                                        Detached from G13 on arrival and returned to Solent.

                                        Escorted Build-up convoys with two Motor Launches.

 

July                     On release from Channel duties resumed service in Western Approaches with Escort

to                         Group B5 for Atlantic convoy defence.

August                Nominated for foreign service in Mediterranean in 38th Escort Group based at Gibraltar

                            for convoy escort in western Mediterranean and Atlantic.

 

September           Released from Western Approaches Command and prepared for foreign service.

         20th            Deployed as part of escort for joint Convoy OS90 (For Freetown) and Convoy KMS64

                            (for Mediterranean ports)

 

October

          1st             Detached from joint convoy when Freetown section split and took passage to Gibraltar as

                            escort for  KMS64 ships during passage to Gibraltar.

          2nd            Arrived at Gibraltar with KMS64 and detached from escort.

                            Nominated for service with 48th Escort Group based Piraeus.

         14th            Passage to Taranto refit prior to active deployment

         16th            Arrived at Taranto.

 

November           Under refit at Taranto

to

December

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

         14th            On completion took passage to Piraeus.

         26th            Deployed for convoy defence in eastern Mediterranean with Group based at Piraeus.

                            Escorted convoy to Alexandria.

                            (Note: Ship was under RN operational control)

 

February              Returned to Piraeus as part of escort during passage from Alexandria.

 

March                  Deployed at Piraeus for support of military operations and local patrol.

to May

 

June                     Piraeus deployment in continuation.

 

July                      Transferred to Royal Hellenic Navy control.

 

August                 Deployed in Greek coastal waters.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HHelMS TOMPAZIS served with the Hellenic Navy until March 1962 when she was removed from the active List and returned to RN at Piraeus. The ship was not re-commissioned for service and placed on the Disposal List for local action.  Sold to Marine Craft Constructors for demolition on 20th March 1963 she was taken in tow during September that year for passage to the ship breakers’ at Perama.

---

 

Addenda

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS TAMARISK

by Don Kindell

 

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

 

 and as HHelMS TOPAZIS 

(Note on Convoys) 

 

 

---

 

RECOLLECTIONS OF HMS TAMARISK FROM DECEMBER 1941

by Bill "Taff" Liddiard (21 June 2012)

I was an Ordinary Seaman on HMS TAMARISK from December 1941, and promoted to Able Seaman. My recollections of TAMARISK'S movements before we went south to Freetown, do not agree with your account.

 

After Tobermory, we were originally told to prepare for tropical service. Then orders were changed and instead of Londonderry we went to Liverpool for repairs to the radar. During our stay many of the crew were detailed to march in Warrington for Planes for Britain Week. We then joined an outward convoy for America. I remember refuelling from a tanker. And also the Leading Seaman of the mess informing us that there was knowledge of a specific number of U-boats were waiting for us off the American coast.

 

I was quartermaster and had to do my watch on the wheel. Came on watch later and the convoy had vanished - headed for St John's, Newfoundland, so I was told. TAMARISK sailed on to New York, where we were berthed at Pier 49, where I understand the Americans were interested in our radar. We were in New York sufficient time for me to go to a show and to visit a family called Kirkman in Little Neck but were very worried as Pearl Harbour had happened in the December before.

 

We joined an inward convoy (I do not know the number), but I do remember being greeted by a Coastal Command's flying boat as we came into Western Approaches. It was after all this that we then went south to Freetown as per the chronology except that on our way to New Orleans, we went to Curacao (not Trinidad) where Christmas Day was spent.

 

I do not know of any other crew members alive, and I shall be 91 on 4th July and so it was about time I got pen to paper and tried to put the record straight.