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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMS MUSKETEER (G 86) -  M-class Destroyer Including Convoy Escort Movements 

HMS Musketeer (Navy Photos, click to enlarge) return to Contents List 
 

MATCHLESS-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Fairfield's at Govan, Glasgow on 7th September 1939 under the 1939 Build Programme and laid down on 7th December that year. She was launched on 2nd  December 1941 as the second RN ship to carry this name, first used for a destroyer built in 1919 and sold in 1921. Completed on 18th September 1942 at a cost of £462,543 this ship had been adopted in December 1941 by the civil  community of East Barnet, now in Greater London.

 

B a t t le  H o n o u r s

 

ARCTIC 1942-41 - NORTH CAPE 1943 - ATLANTIC 1943 - AEGEAN 1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a field White. a demi-marine of 1805 affrontee proper.

 

 

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 2

 

September      Contractors trials.

          9th        Commissioned for service in Home Fleet.

         18th       Build completion and commenced Acceptance trials.

                       Prepared for work-up and took passage to Scapa Flow.

 

October          Worked up with ships of Home Fleet

                       On completion deployed with 3rd Destroyer Flotilla for Home Fleet for screening and patrol in NW

                       Approaches and North Sea.

                       (Note: Other ships in Flotilla were HM Destroyers MARNE, METEOR and MILNE.

 

November      Nominated for escort of Russian convoy

         23rd       Joined escort for Russian Convoy QP15 with HM Destroyer ORWELL.

         30th       Detached from QP15 and returned to Scapa Flow.

 

December

         19th       Joined HM Destroyers  QUADRANT and RAIDER as screen for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V

                       and HM Cruiser BERWICK providing Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy JW51A to Kola Inlet.

         31st       Deployed as screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V, HOWE and HM Cruiser BERMUDA to

                       Distant Cover for the return Convoy RA51 during passage to Iceland with HM Destroyers MONTROSE,

                       QUEENBOROUGH, RAIDER, WORCESTER and Polish ORP PIORUN.

                       (For details of all Russian Convoy operations and names of escorts see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by

                       RA Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, CONVOY! by Peter Kemp and ARCTIC

                       CONVOYS by R Woodman.)

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

         21st       Deployed with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG, MATCHLESS, OFFA  ONSLAUGHT and

                       Polish ORP PIORUN as Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW52 during passage to Kola Inlet as

                       relief for Western Local Escort.

         24th       Under torpedo attacks by aircraft.

         27th       Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet.

         29th       Joined returning Convoy RA52 as Ocean Escort during passage from Kolas Inlet to Loch Ewe with

                       HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG, FORESTER, ICARUS, MATCHLESS, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT,

                       ONSLOW and Polish ORP PIORUN.

 

February

           5th      Detached front RA52 with Ocean Escort and took passage to resume Home Fleet duties.

                       (Note: HMS ONSLOW and HMS FORESTER detached on 2nd and 4th.)

          24th      Part of screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, HMS HOWE and HMS BERWICK providing Distant Cover

                       for passage of Russian Convoy JW53.

                       (Note: HM Destroyers ICARUS, METEOR, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT and Polish PIORUN were also part

                                   of screen.)

 

March

            2nd     Deployed as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, HMS HOWE and HM Cruiser GLASGOW providing

                       Distant Cover for return Convoy RA53 with HM Destroyers FORESTER, ICARUS, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT

                       and ORP PIORUN

            9th     Took passage to Scapa Flow with screen and Home Fleet ships on release from covering duties.

                       Nominated for refit at Tyne commercial shipyard

           17th     Present during visit by HM King George VI to Home Fleet in Scapa Flow.

                       Passage to Tyne

          25th      Taken in hand for refit.

                       (Note: Ships of  Flotilla were detached from Home Fleet for Atlantic convoy support duty in

                                  Western Approaches Command and served as 3rd Support Group.

                                  For details of this deployment for convoy defence at the Battle of the Atlantic see SEEK AND STRIKE

                                  by W Hackmann, BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by J Terraine.

                                  HITLER’S  U-BOAT WAR  by C Blair and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO).

                                  Confirmation that this ship was deployed with 3rd Support Group before refit is required.)

 

April               Under refit

 

May

           18th     Carried out post refit trials and on completion took passage to Scapa Flow.

                       Resum0ed Home Fleet duties with Flotilla including service as 3rd Support Group with HM

                       Destroyers ORIBI, ORWELL and Polish ORP ORKAN (Ex HMS MYRMIDON). of Flotilla.

                       (Note: Group provided additional anti-submarine protection for convoys under known 0threat of

                                   U-Boat attack.

 

June                Detached service in Western Approaches in continuation.

to

August

 

September      Nominated for special duty and took passage to Faeroes.

           27th     Embarked RAF personnel and sailed from Faeroes for Murmansk with HM Destroyer

                       MAHRATTA..

                       (Note: RAF personnel were taking passage to Russia for support of  RAF aircraft being used for

                                   reconnaissance flights over Altenfjord, Norway in preparation for planned attacks on the

                                   German battleship TIRPITZ.)

           31st     Disembarked RAF personnel and made return passage to rejoin Home Fleet at Scapa Flow

 

October          Deployed with HM Destroyers ORIBI, ORWELL and ORKAN of Flotilla as 10th Support Group

                       in support of Convoy SC143 under attack by ROS8BACH Group of U-Boats.

            8th      After detection of wireless transmissions from U758 carried out search for U-Boat.

                       Came under retaliatory attack by Acoustic T5 torpedo which detonated in wake.

                       (Note: For details of weapons and tactics used in the Battle of the Atlantic see above references.)

                       Assisted in rescue of 44 survivors from ORP ORKAN which had been sunk by another acoustic

                       torpedo fired by U378.

          17th      Resumed Home Fleet duties with Flotilla at Scapa Flow after release from Western Approaches

                       duty as 10th Support Group.

          20th      Passage to Kola Inlet for escort during passage to UK of mercantiles held In North Russia.

                       (Operation FR).

                         (Note HM Destroyers MAHRATTA, MATCHLESS, MILNE, SAVAGE, SAUMAREZ,

                                   SCOURGE,  SCORPION, and WESTCOTT, HM Corvette EGLANTINE, HM

                                   Minesweepers  HARRIER and SEAGULL, five small trawler minesweepers, six

                                   Motor Launches being provided under Lease Land, manned by Russian crews were

                                   also part of this operation.

                                       Passage was covered by HM Cruiser LONDON, US cruiser USS AUGUSTA and HM

                                       Destroyer MIDDLETON

         23rd      Joined escort for return Convoy RA55A with HM Destroyers MATCHLESS, OPPORTUNE and

                      VIRAGO during passage from Kola Inlet.

         29th      Detached from HMS ANSON and HMS BELFAST with destroyers due to extreme weather.

                      (Note: HMS MATCHLESS had to return to Scapa Flow for repair of weather damage repair. 

 

December

            1st        Rejoined HMS ANSON and HMS BELFAST after weather moderated.

            2nd       Passage to Scapa Flow with Distant Cover ships.

          15th        Joined Russian Convoy JW55A during passage to Kola Inlet with HM Destroyers MILNE,

                         ASHANTI, METEOR, MATCHLESS, OPPORTUNE, VIRAGO AND ATHABASKAN (RCN)

          21st        Detached from JW55A with Ocean Escort when Eastern Local Escort joined.

          23rd        Deployed with HM Destroyers MATCHLESS, OPPORTUNE and VIRAGO as part of Ocean

                         Escort for return Convoy RA55 with HMS BEAGLE. HMS WESTCOTT, HMS METEOR,

                         HMS MILNE, HMS ASHANTI. HMCS ATHABASKAN.

          25th        Despatched from RA55 to re-inforce Ocean Escort of following eastward Russian Convoy

                         JW55B with HMS MATCHLESS, HMS OPPORTUNE and HMS VIRAGO.

                         (Note: This was directed by CinC Home Fleet in HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK because of

                                     direct threat of attack by German SCHARNHORST and destroyers. See references.

                         Joined JW55B Ocean Escort.

          26th        Detached from escort and joined HM Cruisers BELFAST, SHEFFIELD and NORFOLK to carry

                         out attack on SCHARNHORST.

                         (Note: SCHARNHORST had been disabled by ships of  Home Fleet.

                                     See THE KOLA RUN by D MacIntyre, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY

                                     by C Barnett, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield and Naval Staff History.)

                         Carried out torpedo attacks on SCHARNHORST with HM Destroyers MATCHLESS,

                         OPPORTUNE and VIRAGO (Battle of North Cape).

                         (Note: SCHARNHORST sank with only 36 survivors rescued by British destroyers.).

          27th        Arrived at Kola Inlet with other British warships before taking passage to  Scapa Flow.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

          26th        Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW56B with HM Destroyers MAHRATTA, MILNE,

                         SCOURGE, OPPORTUNE and HURON (RCN) to supplement Ocean Escort during passage

                         to Kola Inlet and covered by HM Cruisers BERMUDA, BERWICK and KENT from Home

                         Fleet. HMS BERWICK returned later with machinery defect.)

February

            1st        Detached from JW56 on arrival at Kola Inlet.

            3rd        Joined Ocean escort for return convoy RA56 with Home Fleet destroyers which had formed

                         Ocean Convoys JW6A and JW56B.

            9th        Detached from RA56 Ocean Escort with HM Destroyers INCONSTANT, MAHRATIA,

                         METEOR, MILNE, SCOURGE, HURON (RCN) and Norwegian STORD.

                         Resumed Home Fleet Flotilla duties for screening and patrol duties based at Scapa Flow.

          24th        Deployed as screen for HM Battleship ANSON, HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS, Polish

                         destroyer  BLYSKAWICA and five other Home Fleet destroyers during operation off

                         Norway to attack shipping (Operation BAYLEAF)

          25th        Involved in collision with BLYSKAWICA and sustained structural damage.

          28th        Taken in hand for repair by Brigham and Cowan shipyard in Hull.

 

March               Under repair.

 

April

            6th        Carried out post repair trials and took passage to resumed Flotilla duties at Scapa Flow.

          10th        Deployed at Scapa Flow.

                         Nominated for escort of convoy of mercantiles from Kola Inlet.

           19th       Passage to Kola Inlet with

            22nd      Arrived at Kola Inlet with HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers ACTIVITY

                         and FENCER, HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BOADICEA, INCONSTANT, KEPPEL, MARNE,

                         MATCHLESS, METEOR, MILNE, ULYSSES, VERULAM, VIRAGO, WALKER,

                         WESTCOTT, WHITEHALL, WRESTLER, HM Canadian Frigates CAPE BRETON, GROU,

                         OUTREMONT and WASKESIU.

                         (Note: Mercantile NAS HELLAS also sailed in company to embark Russian and US Navy

                                     personnel for  passage to UK.

                                     Russians were to join warships being provided from US under Lease Lend. and US

                                     personnel had manned US cruiser MILWAUKEE transferred to Soviet Navy.

                                     NAS HELLAS had to return to UK with defects during passage with the result that

                                     most of the Russian passengers had to be embarked in the mercantiles and the US

                                     Navy personnel in the RN escorts.)

           28th       Joined return Convoy RA59 with HMS ACTIVITY, H M Destroyers BOADICEA, MARNE

                         MATCHLESS, METEOR and MILNE to join escort of Convoy RA59 for return passage .

                         (Note: 16 passengers were embarked for passage.)

 

May

             4th       Detached from RA59 with HM Destroyers MARNE, MATCHLESS, METEOR and

                         MILNE after a series of submarine attacks.

                         Resumed Home Fleet duties.

 

June                  Deployed at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet duties.

                         (Note: Major warships of Home Fleet were at short notice for support of landings in Normandy

                                      Operation NEPTUNE –See LANDINGS IN NORMANDY (HMSO)

                                      Owing to demands on Home Fleet for support of landings In Normandy, no convoys were

                                      sailed to Kola Inlet.

          29th        Embarked mall and stores for passage to North Russia with MATCHLESS and METEOR.

                         (Operation DC).

 

July

            3rd        Arrived at Kola Inlet.

            4th        Took passage from Kola Inlet.

            8th        Resumed Home Fleet duties en return to Scapa Flow.

 

August

         17th         Joined Convoy JUW59 with HM Cruisers JAMAICA, HM Escort Carriers STRIKER and VINDEX,

                         HM Destroyers CAPRICE, MARNE,M5IEOR and MILNE to supplement Ocean Escort.

                         (Note: Battleship ARCHANGELSK (Ex HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN), other USN and RN ships

                                   took passage with this convoy to begin service in Soviet Northern Fleet)

         24th         Detached from JW59 after arrival of Local Escort.

          28th        Joined return Convoy RA59A with HM Cruiser JAMAICA, HM Escort Carriers STRIKER,

                         HM Destroyer CAPRICE, MARNE, METEOR and MILNE as part of escort for the returning Convoy

                         RA59A

 

September

            5th       Detached from RA59A with same ships and returned to Scapa Flow.

           17th       Joined Russian Convoy JW60 with HM Battleship RODNEY, HM Cruiser DIADEM. HM Escort

                         Carriers CAMPANIA and STRIKER, HM Destroyers MARNE, METEOR, MILNE SAUMAREZ,

                         SCORPION, VENUS, VERULAM, VIRAGO, VOLAGE, ALGONQUIN (RCN) and SIOUX (RCN).

           23rd       Detached with escort on arrival of JW60 at Kola Inlet.

           28th       Sailed from Kola Inlet with same ships as escorted JW60 for escort of returning Convoy RA60.

 

October

            3rd        Detached from RA60 with Home Fleet escorts and returned to Scapa Flow.

                          Nominated for foreign service with 3rd Destroyer Flotilla.

         12th         Under repair at Chatham and prepared for service in the Mediterranean.

         31st          Passage to Milford Haven

 

November

           1st        Sailed from Milford Haven to Malta for service with the Flotilla in the Mediterranean.

          11th       Arrived at Alexandria and joined Flotilla for support of the re-occupation of islands in the eastern

                        Mediterranean and military operations.

 

December       Deployed with sister ships MATCHLESS, METEOR and MILNE of Flotilla for Fleet duties

                        including support of military operation in Aegean and for patrol in central Mediterranean.

            4th       Deployed with HM Cruiser AURORA and carried out bombardment of Rhodes.

                        Later embarked Italian personnel held as Prisoners of War  at Volvos.

                         During deployment in Aegean off Greece recovered ss FORT COLUMBIA taken by Greek

                         Communist Partisans (ELAS).

 

1 9 4 5

 

January            Deployed in Aegean and re-captured several vessels seized by ELAN Partisans.

                         support of Aegean military operations in continuation. including attack on Skiathos. and carried

                         out interception patrols

February          Deployed for patrol, interception and support duties

to                    

March              Carried out interception patrol and support of military operations as well as Fleet dutie1March

 

April               Deployed in central Mediterranean

                        Bombarded German bases and traffic routes to delay retreat of enemy from Italy.

                        (Note: HMAS NESTOR,  USN and Free French warships also took part.)

 

May                 After VE Day remained in Mediterranean Fleet with Flotilla.

to                      (Note: During this Period Mediterranean Fleet ships took part in working-up of RN ships on

August                        passage to join East Indies Fleet and British Pacific Fleet for operations against Japan.

                                    and support of garrisons in Trieste and Greece.)

 

P o s t   W a r  N o t e s

 

HMS MUSKETEER remained in the Mediterranean Fleet with ships of the Flotilla and visited Tangiers in January 1946. She return to Harwich on 5th April 1946 to Pay-off at Chatham and after de–storing was laid-up in the Reserve Fleet at Harwich. In 1950 whilst on passage to Liverpool for refit she broke away from HM Tug SAUCY but tow was re-established. On completion of refit she returned to lay up at Harwich until 1954 when transferred to Chatham. Although selected for conversion to a Type 62 Frigate this project was abandoned and  ship had another refit at Belfast by Harland prior to being briefly used as an Accommodation Ship and Depot Ship for Coastal Forces craft at Harwich in 1955 until placed on the Disposal List. Sold to BISCO for demolition on 3rd September that year she arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard on 6th December 1955 to be broken-up by TJ Young.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS MUSKETEER

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

 

 

 

 

 

23/11/42

30/11/42

QP 015

17/11/42

30/11/42

19/12/42

22/12/42

JW 051A

15/12/42

25/12/42

31/12/42

03/01/43

RA 051

30/12/42

11/01/43

21/01/43

27/01/43

JW 052

17/01/43

27/01/43

29/01/43

05/02/43

RA 052

29/01/43

09/03/43

24/02/43

26/02/43

JW 053

15/02/43

27/02/43

04/03/43

05/03/43

RA 053

01/03/43

14/03/43

29/09/43

05/10/43

ONS 019

26/09/43

14/10/43

06/10/43

09/10/43

SC 143

28/09/43

12/10/43

03/11/43

08/11/43

RA 054A

01/11/43

14/11/43

28/11/43

02/12/43

JW 054B

22/11/43

03/12/43

28/11/43

03/12/43

RA 054B

26/11/43

09/12/43

15/12/43

21/12/43

JW 055A

12/12/43

22/12/43

23/12/43

25/12/43

RA 055A

22/12/43

01/01/44

25/12/43

26/12/43

JW 055B

20/12/43

30/12/43

26/01/44

01/02/44

JW 056B

22/01/44

01/02/44

03/02/44

09/02/44

RA 056

03/02/44

11/02/44

28/04/44

04/05/44

RA 059

28/04/44

06/05/44

17/08/44

25/08/44

JW 059

15/08/44

25/08/44

28/08/44

05/09/44

RA 059A

28/08/44

05/09/44

17/09/44

23/09/44

JW 060

15/09/44

23/09/44

28/09/44

03/10/44

RA 060

28/09/44

05/10/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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