W-Class destroyer ordered from
Denny of Dumbarton
under the 1916-17 Programme In
the 10th Order for W-Class
destroyers In December 1916. The
ship was laid down on 30th March
1917 and launched on 14th
February
1918 as
the first RN warships to carry
the name. Build was completed on
12th April 1918 and she served
in the 13th Destroyer Flotilla
based at Scapa Flow. After the
Armistice she was
one of the escorts for the
German Fleet during their
passage to surrender
at Scapa Flow. During the period
August to
November 1919 this ship was
deployed in Baltic operations
against the
Bolsheviks. She was sent to the
Mediterranean in February 1920
and used for
bombardment of Turkish
Nationalist positions. On return
to UK In August 1920
she Joined
the Home Fleet in which she
served until
1935. Before Joining the China
Station In 1936 for duty with
the 4th Submarine
Flotilla she was refitted at
Devonport. The after (Y) gun and
one
set of torpedo tubes were
removed with a winch fitted for
recovery of torpedoes
fired by submarines during
trials..
ASDIC equipment
was Installed
for detection of submerged
submarines.
After a successful WARSHIP WEEK
National Savings campaign In
December 1941 the
ship was adopted by the civil
community of Morecambe and
Heysham, Lancashire.
B a t t l e H
o n o u r s
NORWAY
1940 - ATLANTIC
1940-43 - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 -
NORTH AFRICA
1942-43 -
ARCTIC
1943-45
- ENGLISH
CHANNEL 1943 -
NORMANDY
1944
H
e r a l d i c D a t
a
Badge:
On a Field Blue, a Trident
Gold between
two
lotus flowers, Silver.
M
o t t o
Quo duxit Sequimur: ' Where he led
we
follow '.
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
Under refit for Fleet and escort
duties. Y-gun and after torpedo
tubes refitted.
October
Took passage to Singapore for
Interception of German merchant
ships attempting to
to
return to Europe and
surveillance of ships In neutral
harbours
December
1
9 4 0
January
Nominated for convoy escort
duty.
28th
Sailed for Malta from Singapore
as escort for Floating Dock
being towed to UK.
February
During passage nominated for
escort of military convoy from
Aden to Suez.
Detached from floating dock and
took passage to Aden.
8th
Joined escort for Convoy US1
(Note: US1 was taking ANZAC
troops to Middle East from
Australia.)
11th
Passage to Malta from Suez.
14th
On arrival in Malta deployed
with HM Aircraft Carrier
GLORIOUS in Mediterranean
March
Mediterranean deployment in
continuation.
April
Recalled to UK for escort
duties.
9th
Part of escort for HM Aircraft
Carriers GLORIOUS and ARK ROYAL
during passage to
Gibraltar.
Detached on arrival and took
passage to Devonport..
19th
Boiler cleaning at Devonport.
On completion took passage to join
Home Fleet for duties off Norway.
Deployed on patrol and escort on
arrival.
30th
Embarked troops at Andalsnes with
HM Destroyer WALKER for transfer
to H M Cruiser
SHEFFIELD (Operation ALPHABET).
May
1st
Embarked rearguard of Royal
Marines from Andalsnes during
final stage of allied
evacuation.
Under sustained air attacks
7th
Deployed in support of attack on
Narvik and for Fleet duties off
Norway
to
(For details of the disastrous
operations in Norway see NARVIK
by D Macintyre, THE
31st
DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams,
ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by
Corelli Barnett, CARRIER
GLORIOUS by J Winton and Naval
Staff History (HMSO 2001).
Pennant Number changed to 147 to
conform with changes introduced
for all RN ships.)
June
Escorted HM Battleship WARSPITE
during return passage.
(Note: One source records also
HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL.)
On release took passage for
repair
30th
Nominated for duty in Western
Approaches on completion of
repair at Rosyth.
July
4th
Joined 11th Destroyer Flotilla
at Devonport for Atlantic convoy
escort.
5th
Deployed with HM Destroyer
WHIRLWIND in search for U-Boat
In SW Approaches.
After HIS WHIRLWIND was
torpedoed by U34 in position 120
miles west of Lands End
rescued survivors from stricken
ship. 57 men were lost.
Sank hulk by torpedo on
completion of rescue.
August
Part of escort for Convoys OG40,
HG40, OB (201*) and SC(2*)
(* These convoy identities need
confirmation.)
September
17th
Taken in hand for refit by HM
Dockyard Devonport .
October
Under refit
November
Nominated for service with 5th
Escort Group In Western
Approaches.
9th
On completion of post refit
trials took passage to Join
Group at Liverpool.
December
Deployed with Group for Atlantic
convoy defence.
Part of escort for Convoys OB
(253*), HG48 and G348.
(Note: * OB identity to be
confirmed.)
1
9 4 1
January
Part of escort for Convoy SC18
with ships of Group.
28th
During escort of later convoy
with HM Destroyers SCIMITAR.,
SKATE, HM Corvettes
BLUEBELL and CANDYTUFT sustained
structural damage and flooding
of No 1 Boiler
Room in collision with HMS
BLUEBELL.
(Note: Identity of convoy to be
confirmed.)
Returned to Londonderry with HMS
BLUEBELL for temporary repair.
Taken in hand for repair at
Liverpool.
February
Under repair.
to
Completion delayed by air raids
and extent of damage.
March
April
Nominated for transfer to 7th
Escort Group based at Liverpool
on completion.
29th
On completion of post repair
trials Joined Group based at
Liverpool for Atlantic convoy
defence.
Embarked film crew to take
pictures of depth Charge
explosions for forthcoming
production.
May
Atlantic convoy escort In
continuation.
23rd
Passage to Iceland to collect
convoy.
24th
Detached to Join Home Fleet
ships in search for German
Battleship BISMARCK and the
cruiser PRINZ EUGEN.
26th
Returned to Liverpool when
released from operation.
June
Deployed with Group for Atlantic
Convoy escort.
July
Atlantic convoy escort
deployment in continuation..
18th
Under attack by Focke Wulf
aircraft during which ss PILAR
DE LARRINGA was damaged
by direct hit and by aircraft
which crashed after hitting
Barrage Balloon cable.
Provided assistance to
fire-fighting on board
mercantile and embarked injured.
(Note: Air attack took place In
position 54.22N 16.53W.)
Detached to escort mercantile to
Swansea.
Passage to Liverpool for repair.
August
Following damage repair fitted
with prototype anti-submarine
mortar (HEDGEHOG)
in place of forward (A) gun
mounting.
25th
On completion nominated for
trials of HEDGEHOG.
September
Carried out trials of HEDGEHOG
in Irish Sea.
Seaman Injured by premature
firing of dummy projectile.
(For details of new weapons and
tactics see SEEK AND STRIKE by W
Hackmann and for
development and use of radar,
RADAR AT SEA by D Howse).
Nominated for service with 13th
Destroyer Flotilla at Gibraltar
after refit.
October
Attached to 1st Escort Group as
Senior Officer's ship.
Part of escort for Convoy (ON28)
during passage to Gibraltar.
November
Under refit at Devonport.
Degaussing equipment fitted
Bofors AA mounting fitted.
December
On completion of Post Refit
trials took passage to Join
military convoy WS14.
9th
Part of escort for WS14 on
departure from Clyde with HM
Destroyers BEVERLEY, NEWARK
LANCASTER, SHERWOOD, CROOME,
WITHERINGTON and HM Auxiliary AA
Ship
ULSTER QUEEN.
12th
Detached from WS14 and made
independent passage to join
Convoy HG76 as escort.
(Note: Unsuccessful attack on
U-Boat in Bay of Biscay nay have
been made on U451 during
its passage to enter
Mediterranean but this submarine
was sunk on 21st off Gibraltar.
See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp
and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C
Blair.)
HMS CROOME also detached from
WS14 to joined Gibraltar Escort
Force.
Detached from HG76 and took
passage to Gibraltar.
23rd
Joined Flotilla at Gibraltar for
duty in Gibraltar Escort Force.
1
9 4 2
January
Deployed with HM Destroyers
WISHART, WRESTLER, VIDETTE and
ANTELOPE.
Part of escort for HM Aircraft
Carrier VICTORIOUS for Malta
aircraft delivery.
Deployed In Atlantic with HM
Aircraft Carriers EAGLE and
ARGUS to providing cover
for passage of convoys.
Came under unsuccessful air
attack.
Took passage from Gibraltar with
HM Destroyers CROOME and EXMOOR
to escort troop
ship LLANGIBBY CASTLE which had
been damaged by U402 whilst in
Convoy WS15 and
was at Horta, Azores.
February
1st
Arrived at Horta and carries out
an anti-submarine operation with
HMS CROOME and HMS
EXMOOR against U-Boats waiting
for LLANGIBBY CASTLE leave under
tow of tug
THAMES for passage to Gibraltar.
2nd
Rammed and sank U581 off Pico
Island, Azores in position
38.24N 28.30W.
39 survivors rescued.
(For details see U-BOATS
DESTROYED and HITLER'S U-BOAT
WAR.)
Escorted LLANGIBBY CASTLE under
tow during passage to Gibraltar.
6th
Arrived at Gibraltar and
disembarked prisoners.
7th
Taken in hand for repair at
Gibraltar.
(Note: One of crew was killed by
fall into dry dock and another
died after an accident in Engine
Room during post refit trials.
March
On completion of trials resumed
deployment at Gibraltar with
Flotilla.
April
19th
Deployed with HM Destroyers
WISHART, WRESTLER, VIDETTE and
ANTELOPE of
Flotilla as escort for US Aircraft
Carrier USS WASP during Malta
aircraft delivery covered by
the ships of Force H as Force W
(Operation CALENDAR).
(Note: Force W comprised HM
Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM
Cruisers CAIRO and
CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers
INGLEFIELD, ITHURIEL, ECHO,
PARTRIDGE,
US Destroyers LANG and MADISON.
21st
Resumed Flotilla duties on
completion of CALENDAR.
May
8th
Part of screen for HMS RENOWN,
HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, USS
WASP and HM Cruiser
CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers
ECHO, INTREPID, VIDETTE,
PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL,
WISHART, WRESTLER, ANTELOPE,
GEORGETOWN, SALISBURY, US
Destroyers
USS LANG and STERRET for Malta
aircraft delivery (Operation
BOWERY).
10th
Resumed Flotilla duties on
completion of BOWERY.
17th
Deployed with HM Destroyers
PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE,
WISHART,
WRESTLER and VIDETTE as screen
for HMS EAGLE, HMS ARGUS and HMS
CHARYBDIS during Malta aircraft
delivery (Operation LB).
Resumed Flotilla duties on
release from LB.
June
2nd
Detached for escort of HMS EAGLE
for Malta aircraft delivery with
HMS CHARYBDIS,
HM Destroyers WISHART, ITHURIEL,
ANTELOPE and PARTRIDGE
(Operation STYLE).
8th
Escorted HMS EAGLE for repeat
Malta aircraft delivery with HM
Cruisers CAIRO, HM
Destroyers PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL,
ANTELOPE and VIDETTE.
(Operation SALIENT).
11th
Detached and joined HM
Battleship MALAYA, HMS EAGLE,
HMS ARGUS, HM Cruisers
KENYA, LIVERPOOL and CHARYBDIS,
HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ICARUS and
ESCAPADE in Force W with ships
of Flotilla for escort of Malta
relief convoy
(Operation HARPOON – For details
see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY, THE
BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by
D MacIntyre and Naval Staff
History).
14th
Detached from Force W to escort
HMS LIVERPOOL which had been
damaged by torpedo in
air attacks on HARPOON convoy
and was being towed to Gibraltar
by HMS ANTELOPE.
16th
In action against aircraft
during which ship was hit by AA
fire from HMS LIVERPOOL
causing three deaths and many
injured.
Resumed Flotilla duties after
arrival at Gibraltar.
(Note: Tow of HMS LIVERPOOL was
taken over by THAMES.
Burial ceremony for those killed
was carried out at sea from ship
July
Deployed with Flotilla for local
Atlantic convoy defence
supporting Convoy HG85.
1st
During patrol off Spanish coast
arrested three Spanish fishing
vessels off Great Shoal Bank.
(Note: Fishing vessels were
SEGUARDO, PRIMIER ERRIQUE and
MARIA LUISA),
Spanish trawlers had been
suspected of providing
information about convoy
movements to German agents and
two of the arrested ships were
found to have radio
equipment fitted which was
suitable for this purpose).
15th
Detached with HM Destroyers
WRESTLER, ANTELOPE, VANSITTART
and ITHURIEL as
destroyer screen for HMS EAGLE,
HMS CHARYBDIS and HMS CAIRO
during Malta aircraft
delivery. (Operation PINPOINT).
20th
Repeat aircraft delivery
screening duty with same ships
(Operation INSECT).
August
Flotilla duties in continuation.
10th
Detached with HMS WRESTLER and
HMS VIDETTE for escort of Malta
relief convoy.
(Operation PEDESTAL - For
details see PEDESTAL by P. Smith
and above references).
13th
Detached to escort damaged HMS
VICTORIOUS and HMS RODNEY to
Gibraltar and joined
by ships of Flotilla which had
been despatched from Gibraltar.
18th
Resumed Atlantic convoy escort
and anti-submarine patrol duties
with Flotilla when released
from PEDESTAL.
September
Atlantic duties with Flotilla
based at Gibraltar in
continuation
Deployed with HMS VIDETTE, HMS
ITHURIEL and HMS PARTRIDGE is
support of
Corvete in attacks on U-Boat.
(Special Note: An account is
given in WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
by R Chapman of
the sinking of a U-Boat on an
unknown date (P133).
This most distressing record
carrot be substantiated in
HITLER'S U-BOAT
WAR or in U-BOATS DESTROYED.
HMS ITHURIEL was under repair
after damage caused when ramming
an
Italian submarine during
PEDESTAL and HMS PARTRIDGE was
on passage
to Sheerness in September).
October
Flotilla duties in continuation.
28th
Part of escort for HM Aircraft
Carrier FURIOUS, HM Cruisers
CHARYBDIS and AURORA
with HM Destroyers WISHART,
COWDRAY, BRAMHAM, ACHATES,
VANOC, VERITY
and Polish destroyer ORP
BLYSKAWICA during Malta aircraft
delivery (Operation TRAIN).
November
Escorted military convoys on
passage to Gibraltar for allied
landings in North Africa with HM
Destroyer VENOMOUS and HM
Corvettes COLTSFOOT, GERANIUM,
JONQUIL and
SPIRAEA of Gibraltar Escort
Force. (Operation TORCH: For
details see ENGAGE THE
ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval
Staff History).
7th
Deployed as escort for HM
Cutters HARTLAND and WALNEY
during passage to Oran for
an operation to break into the
harbour.
8th
Came under shore fire during
entry of Cutters and withdrew.
Took part in sinking of Vichy
French submarines ACTAEON and
ARGONAUTE in position
36.48N 00.59W. These submarines
were attempting to interfere
with landings.
18th
Took passage to UK as part of
escort for HM Battleship DUKE OF
YORK and HM Aircraft
Carrier VICTORIOUS with HM
Destroyer OPPORTUNE.
(Note these two major warships
were returning to Home Fleet
duties on release from TORCH.)
Nominated for refit and
conversion to Long Range Escort.
December
Prepared for refit in HM
Dockyard Portsmouth and
Paying-off into Dockyard
Control.
14th
Paid-off and taken in hand for
refit and conversion.
(Note: See following reference
for details of changes made
including removal of Forward
Boiler
Room for use as additional fuel
storage compartments.)
1
9 4 3
January
8th
Detached from JW63 on arrival at
Kola Inlet after undetected
passage.
11th
Joined escort for return Convoy
RA63 with same ships.
21st
Remained with convoy on arrival
at Loch Ewe after passage in
extreme weather.
23rd
Detached with HM Destroyers
KEPPEL and WALKER when convoy
arrived in Clyde.
Came under shore fire during
entry of Cutters and withdrew.
(For details see RELUCTANT
ENEMIES by W Tute).
Took part in sinking of Vichy
French submarines ACTAEON and
ARGONAUTS in position
36.48N 00.59W. These submarines
were attempting to interfere
with landings.
18th
Took passage to UK as part of
escort of HM Battleship DUKE OF
YORK and HM Aircraft
Carrier VICTORIOUS with HI
Destroyer OPPORTUNE.
(Note: These ships were
returning to Home Fleet duties
after release from TORCH).
Nominated for refit and
conversion to Long Range Escort.
1
9 4 3
January
Under refit and conversion.
to
Nominated for service with 4th
Escort Group on completion.
June
(For further details see V AND W
DESTROYERS 1917-45 by A
Preston).
July
Re-commissioned.
19th
On completion of dockyard work
prepared for work-up.
August
Worked up for operational
service with Group based at
Londonderry.
September
Joined Group and deployed with
HM Destroyers INCONSTANT,
WHITEHALL, WRESTLER,
Polish ORP GARLAND and ORP BURZA
for Atlantic convoy defence in
support role.
(Note: Fourth Group also
included HM Escort Aircraft
Carrier FENCER to provide air
cover
during passage of convoys
threatened by U-Boat Packs
For details see THE BATTLE OF
THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre,
U-BOAT WAR IN
THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and SEEK AND
STRIKE.).
October
Transferred to 8th Escort Group
and deployed for duty with Home
Fleet as escort for Russian
convoys.
Took passage to Russia to join
escort for the first return
convoy of winter season.
(Note: Group based at Greenock.)
(Operation FR -For details of
all Russian convoy operations
see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA
by RA Ruegg,, CONVOY ! by P
Kemp, ARCTIC CONVOYS by R
Woodman and THE
RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B
Schoefield.).
(Note: The Group also included
HM Escort Aircraft Carrier
FENCER to provide air cover
during passage of convoys
threatened by U-Boat Packs
For details see above references
and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC
(HMSO)
November
1st
Joined Ocean Escort for Convoy
RA54A at Kola Inlet with HM
Destroyers MAHRATTA,
MATCHLESS, MILNE, MUSKETEER,
SAVAGE, SAUMAREZ, SCORPION and
SCOURGE.
13th
Detached from Convoy RA54A.
December
Home Fleet deployment in
continuation.
12th
Joined Ocean Escort for Russian
Convoy JW55A with HM Minesweeper
SPEEDWELL and
the Norwegian Corvette ACANTHUS.
13th
Fleet destroyers joined Ocean
Escort.
22nd
Detached from JW55A on arrival
at Kola Inlet.
23rd
Joined Ocean Escort for return
Convoy RA55A with HM Destroyer
BEAGLE.
(Note: Fleet destroyers from
JW55A also joined).
30th
Detached from RA55A with HM
Destroyer ASHANTI before arrival
of convoy at Loch Ewe
1
9 4 4
January
Home Fleet deployment in
continuation.
22nd
Joined Russian Convoy JW56B with
HM Destroyers WRESTLER and
WHITEHALL,
CYGNET, three minesweepers and
two corvettes as part of Ocean
Escort.
26th
Fleet destroyers joined Ocean
Escort.
February
1st
Detached from JW56B on arrival
at Kola Inlet.
3rd
Joined return Convoy RA56 with
HMS WHITEHALL, HMS CYGNET, four
Corvettes
and three Fleet Minesweepers.
Embarked Russian naval personnel
for passage.
(Note: The Russians wore part of
the crews for warships being
transferred on loan and under
refit in UK. These included HM
Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN and
some of the Ex
US Navy TOWN Class destroyers
transferred to the RN in 1940).
11th
Detached from RA56 en arrival at
Loch Ewe.
March
Home Fleet duties in
continuation.
27th
Joined Close Escort for Russian
Convoy JW58 with HM Destroyers
WHITEHALL,
WRESTLER. and four corvettes.
29th
Main body of Ocean Escort joined
JW58.
(Note: This included HM Cruiser
DIADEM, two Escort Carriers and
Fleet destroyers)
April
4th
Detached from JW58 after arrival
at Kola Inlet with unscathed
passage.
7th
Joined Ocean Escort for return
Convoy RA58 with HM Destroyers
BEAGLE, BOADICEA,
INCONSTANT, KEPPEL, VENUS,
WALKER, WHITEHALL, WRESTLER and
Home Fleet
units from JW58.
12th
Detached from RA58 with
destroyers.
20th
Took passage to Kola Inlet with
other Home Fleet ships for
collection of empty ships lying
in
north Russian ports and to
collect personnel.
(For details see above
references).
28th
Embarked 12 US Navy personnel
for passage and joined escort
for return Convoy RA59 with
HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort
Carriers FENCER ,ACTIVITY, HM
Destroyers
BOADICEA, ULYSSES,
VERULAM, VIRAGO, WALKER,
WHITEHALL, MARNE,
MATCHLESS, METEOR, MILNE,
MUSKETEER, BEAGLE, INCONSTANT,
KEPPEL,
WRESTLER, HM
Corvette
LOTUS and four RCN frigates.
May
6th
Detached from RA59 on arrival at
Loch Ewe after atrocious weather
during passage.
Nominated for duty with Eastern
Task Force during allied
landings in Ncrmandy.
(Operation NEPTUNE - For details
of activities prior to and
during operation see OPERATION
NEPTUNE by K Edwards, LANDINGS
IN NORMANDY, June 1944 (HMSO)
Took part in preparatory
exercises.
June
3rd
Sailed from Clyde as escort for
HM Battleship RODNEY.
4th
Operation delayed by 24 hours.
5th
Passage from Solent through
swept channel with HMS RODNEY.
6th
Escorted HMS RODNEY during
bombardments In support of
assault.
7th
Developed defect In boilers and
returned to Solent for repair.
On completion deployed on
interception patrol and convoy
defence off beachhead.
July
Channel deployment in
continuation.
August
After release took passage to
Dundee for refit.
15th
Taken in hand by commercial
shipyard
September
Under refit.
October
Post refit harbour and sea
trials
11th
On completion of trials prepared
for operational service.
Rejoined Group for convoy defect
and support in NW Approaches.
Detached for Home
Fleet duties.
31st
Escorted rms EMPRESS OF
AUSTRALIA and ss SCYTHIA with HM
Destroyer BEAGLE
and HM Sloop CYGNET for initial
part of passage to Murmansk as
Convoy JW61A.
(Note: These two mercantiles
were returning some 11,000
Russian Nationals who had
been captured in Normandy - See
above references)
November
2nd
Detached from local escort of
JW61A when relieved by HM
Cruiser BERWICK, HM Escort
Carrier CAMPANIA and HM
Destroyers CAMBRIAN, CAPRICE,
CASSANDRA,
SAUMAREZ, SCOURGE and SERAPIS.
Resumed convoy defence In NW
Approaches.
and HM Sloop CYGNET for initial
part of passage to Murmansk as
Convoy JW61A.
(Note: These two mercantiles
were returning some 11,000
Russian Nationals who had
been captured in Normandy - See
above references)
December
Deployed with Home Fleet for
Russian convoy defence.
1st
Detached with HM Destroyers
BEAGLE and KEPPEL of Group to
join HM Cruiser BELLONA
HM Escort Carriers CAMPANIA,
NAIRANA, HM Destroyers CAESAR,
CAMBRIAN,
CAPRICE, CASSANDRA, OBEDIENT,
OFFA, ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, ORIBI,
ORWELL
and BULLDOG as escort for
Russian convoy JW62 supported by
sloops and frigates.
7th
Detached on arrival at Kola
Inlet after unscathed passage.
10th
Part of escort for return convoy
RA62 with same ships.
19th
Resumed duties in NW Approaches
with Group.
30th
Detached with HMS KEPPEL, HMS
WALKER, HM Sloop CYGNET and
joined HM Sloops
LAPWING, LARK, HM Corvettes
ALLINGTON CASTLE, ALNWICK CASTLE
and
BAMBOROUGH CASTLE as escort for
Russian Convoy JW63.
1
9 4 5
January
8th
Detached from JW63 on arrival at
Kola Inlet after undetected
passage.
11th
Joined escort for return Convoy
RA63 with same ships.
21st
Remained with convoy on arrival
at Loch Ewe after passage in
extreme weather.
23rd
Detached with HM Destroyers
KEPPEL and WALKER when convoy
arrived in Clyde.
24th
Under repair to storm damage.
February
Under repair
March
On completion deployed at
Greenock for coastal convoy
defence in Irish Sea and in NW
Approaches with Greenock Escort
Force.
(Note: During this period
SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats were
concentrating attacks at convoy
focal points in coastal waters.
Anti-submarine patrols and the
defence of coastal convoys
in these waters were
strengthened. See above
references.).
April
Greenock deployment In
continuation.
May
6th
Deployed for escort of convoy to
Iceland.
7th
During passage to Iceland gave
instructions to surrendering
U-Boats to proceed to the
nominated assembly areas.
On return nominated for
reduction to Reserve.
June
26th
Paid off at Barrow and reduced
to Reserve status.
July
Placed on Disposal List for
breaking-up.
P o s t W a r N o t e s
HMS WESTCOTT was sold to BISCO en 8th January 1946 for
demolition by West of Scotland
Shipbreakers. The ship arrived
in tow at the
breakers later that year.
S p e c i a l N o t
e
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE written by one of the ships’
company gives an account of the
life of this ship but is spoilt
by lack of dates and some
factual errors when compared
with official records held in
the Public Record Office.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
WESTCOTT
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/09/40
|
unknown
|
HG
043
|
18/09/40
|
18/09/40
|
02/07/40
|
10/07/40
|
HGY
|
11/07/40
|
14/07/40
|
06/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
BC
A
|
16/07/40
|
16/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
27/07/40
|
HX
058
|
30/07/40
|
31/07/40
|
02/08/40
|
02/08/40
|
OG
040
|
07/08/40
|
14/08/40
|
30/07/40
|
10/08/40
|
HG
040
|
14/08/40
|
14/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
OB
201
|
24/08/40
|
25/08/40
|
12/08/40
|
24/08/40
|
HX
065
|
27/08/40
|
27/08/40
|
03/09/40
|
03/09/40
|
OB
208
|
06/09/40
|
07/09/40
|
25/08/40
|
07/09/40
|
SC
002
|
11/09/40
|
10/09/40
|
18/11/40
|
22/11/40
|
OG
046
|
22/11/40
|
05/12/40
|
04/11/40
|
24/11/40
|
SL
054
|
26/11/40
|
26/11/40
|
02/12/40
|
02/12/40
|
OB
253
|
06/12/40
|
06/12/40
|
09/12/40
|
20/12/40
|
HG
048
|
23/12/40
|
23/12/40
|
28/12/40
|
29/12/40
|
OG
048
|
02/01/41
|
09/01/41
|
10/01/41
|
12/01/41
|
OB
272
|
14/01/41
|
14/01/41
|
02/01/41
|
14/01/41
|
SC
018
|
17/01/41
|
19/01/41
|
26/01/41
|
28/01/41
|
OG
051
|
29/01/41
|
08/02/41
|
17/01/41
|
30/01/41
|
HG
051
|
03/02/41
|
03/02/41
|
02/05/41
|
03/05/41
|
OB
318
|
08/05/41
|
10/05/41
|
25/04/41
|
09/05/41
|
HX
123
|
11/05/41
|
13/05/41
|
18/05/41
|
19/05/41
|
OB
324
|
24/05/41
|
27/05/41
|
09/05/41
|
24/05/41
|
SC
031
|
29/05/41
|
30/05/41
|
31/05/41
|
31/05/41
|
OB
329
|
05/06/41
|
05/06/41
|
25/05/41
|
02/06/41
|
HG
063
|
09/06/41
|
09/06/41
|
14/06/41
|
14/06/41
|
OG
065
|
17/06/41
|
28/06/41
|
30/05/41
|
18/06/41
|
SL
076
|
21/06/41
|
21/06/41
|
30/06/41
|
01/07/41
|
OB
341
|
05/07/41
|
06/07/41
|
24/06/41
|
04/07/41
|
HG
066
|
09/07/41
|
09/07/41
|
14/07/41
|
15/07/41
|
OB
346
|
18/07/41
|
01/08/41
|
10/08/41
|
22/08/41
|
HX
144
|
unknown
|
30/08/41
|
29/08/41
|
29/08/41
|
OG
073
|
02/09/41
|
13/09/41
|
15/08/41
|
03/09/41
|
SL
084
|
08/09/41
|
08/09/41
|
12/09/41
|
13/09/41
|
OS
006
|
17/09/41
|
03/10/41
|
05/09/41
|
18/09/41
|
SC
043
|
20/09/41
|
20/09/41
|
20/10/41
|
20/10/41
|
ON
028
|
23/10/41
|
03/11/41
|
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
|
11/01/42
|
12/01/42
|
SL
097G
|
17/01/42
|
24/01/42
|
05/04/42
|
05/04/42
|
HG
081
|
unknown
|
15/04/42
|
12/06/42
|
12/06/42
|
HARPOON
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
23/06/42
|
OG
085
|
25/06/42
|
25/06/42
|
19/09/42
|
19/09/42
|
HG
089
|
25/09/42
|
30/09/42
|
02/10/42
|
02/10/42
|
XK
001
|
unknown
|
14/10/42
|
26/10/42
|
04/11/42
|
KMF
001
|
06/11/42
|
08/11/42
|
01/11/42
|
11/11/42
|
KMF
002
|
12/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
14/11/42
|
14/11/42
|
MKS
001O
|
15/11/42
|
15/11/42
|
05/09/43
|
05/09/43
|
KMS
026G
|
18/09/43
|
18/09/43
|
25/09/43
|
25/09/43
|
MKS
025G
|
08/10/43
|
08/10/43
|
01/11/43
|
01/11/43
|
RA
054A
|
13/11/43
|
14/11/43
|
12/12/43
|
12/12/43
|
JW
055A
|
21/12/43
|
22/12/43
|
22/12/43
|
23/12/43
|
RA
055A
|
30/12/43
|
01/01/44
|
22/01/44
|
22/01/44
|
JW
056B
|
01/02/44
|
01/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
RA
056
|
11/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
02/03/44
|
DS
050
|
04/03/44
|
04/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
SD
050
|
08/03/44
|
08/03/44
|
27/03/44
|
27/03/44
|
JW
058
|
04/04/44
|
04/04/44
|
07/04/44
|
07/04/44
|
RA
058
|
12/04/44
|
14/04/44
|
28/04/44
|
28/04/44
|
RA
059
|
06/05/44
|
06/05/44
|
31/10/44
|
31/10/44
|
JW
061A
|
02/11/44
|
06/11/44
|
29/11/44
|
01/12/44
|
JW
062
|
07/12/44
|
07/12/44
|
10/12/44
|
10/12/44
|
RA
062
|
19/12/44
|
19/12/44
|
30/12/44
|
30/12/44
|
JW
063
|
08/01/45
|
08/01/45
|
11/01/45
|
11/01/45
|
RA
063
|
21/01/45
|
21/01/45
|
08/05/45
|
08/05/45
|
DS
065
|
12/05/45
|
12/05/45
|
12/05/45
|
12/05/45
|
SD
065
|
15/05/45
|
15/05/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)