RIVER-Class Frigate
ordered on 15th March 1941 from Smiths Dock,
Middlesbrough in an Emergency War Programme and
laid down on 8th October 1941. The ship was
launched on 30th April
1942 and was the 4th RN warship to carry the
name, last used for a trawler in 1920
which was later sold to Spain. Build was
completed on 16th September 1942. After a
successful WARSHIP WEEK
campaign for National Savings in February 1942
she had been adopted by the civil community of
Eye, Suffolk.
B
a t t l e H o n o u r s
DOVER
PATROL 1916 - ATLANTIC 1942-43 - BISCAY 1943 -
NORMANDY 1944 - BURMA 1945
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field pervfesse Red and Blac, a fess
wavy a fess wavy White
charged
with
a bar wavy Blue overall on two feathers in
Saltire White
with
a
leopard’s face Gold.
M o t to
Ab
intus Jubeo: 'From within I command'
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 and commissioned for service
in 40th Escort Group.
16th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials.
Passage to Tobermory on completion of trials and
storing to work-up for
operational service in 40th Escort Group.
October
Took
passage on completion of work-up to join Western
Approaches Command.
November
Deployed with Group for Atlantic convoy defence.
to
December
1 9 4 3
January
Atlantic convoy defence with Group in
continuation.
to
(Note: For details of U-Boat deployments at this
critical period in the war in the Atlantic
February
see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and
HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR
by C Blair.)
March
Part of escort with ships of Group for Atlantic
Convoy HX229A.
April
Part of escort with ships of Group for Atlantic
Convoy ONS3.
May
Part of escort with ships of Group for Atlantic
Convoy SC128.
(Note: For details of the development and use of
new weapons by allied escorts and by U-
Boats, see SEEK AND STRIKE by William Hackmann,
BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by
John Terraine and THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by
D Macintyre.)
June
Atlantic convoy defence with Group in
continuation.
to
Nominated for deployment with Group for
anti-submarine operations in the Bay of
July
Biscay in conjunction with aircraft of RAF
Coastal Command and other RN Groups.
August
Deployed with HM Frigate EXE and four other
ships of Group in Bay of Biscay
(Operation PERCUSSION – Interception of U-Boats
attempting passage to and
from bases in France through Spanish coastal
waters.)
(Note: HM Frigates NENE, TWEED, CALGARY (RCN)
and SNOWBERRY (RCN) of 5th
Escort Group were also deployed and this
operation was covered by HM Cruiser
BERMUDA.
During attacks by Hs 293 Glider Bombs against
1st Support Group sent as a relief
force, HM Sloop EGRET was sunk and two other
ships damaged
See CONFLICT OVER THE BAY by N Franks.)
September
Resumed Atlantic convoy defence with Group.
to
Nominated for transfer to Force J as HQ Ship
after conversion.
December
1 9
4 4
January
Under refit and conversion.
to
Carried out post refit trials.
March
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander R H
Bristowe DSC RN.
(Note: Ship fitted with a comprehensive outfit
of radio equipment for morse and
voice communications with ships, aircraft,
landing craft and shore authorities.
This installation was based on lessons learnt at
great cost of lives and material
in other combined operations such as Dieppe and
in the failure of landings in
the Mediterranean in 1941-42. See THE WATERY
MAZE by Bernard Fergusson.)
April
Joined Assault Force J2 as Headquarters Ship.
(Note: Function of HQ Ship was to provided
communication facilities for control of
assault landings and to embark Senior Army
officers for passage to beachheads.
Senior Officer Assault Group J2 was embarked
during Combined Operations
to ensure that deployments of HQ ship and the
Assault Group landing craft were
in accordance with the military requirements.
Types of support craft attached included Landing
Craft (Gun) and Landing Craft
(Rocket).
Each Assault Group had a specially converted
Landing Craft (HQ) which had
a less extensive communications fit for use in
the event of major damage or loss
of the Landing Ship (HQ).)
Took part in exercises with Force J ships in
Channel area.
May
Deployed in Channel for exercises.
2nd
Took part in Final Rehearsal for Forces O, S and
J (Exercise FABIUS).
(Note: Berthing, Loading and Sailing procedures
were exercised.)
3rd
Assault Landings made by Force J in Bracklesham
Bay, West Sussex.
(Note: Cover for Exercise provided by Portsmouth
and Plymouth Commands.)
4th
Programme curtailed due to deterioration of
weather.
(For details of naval activities before and
during NEPTUNE see OPERATION NEPTUNE
by K Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, JUNE 1944
(HMSO) and for information
about all mercantiles and warships involved
D-DAY SHIPS by J de Winser.)
20th
On completion of preparatory exercises returned
to Solent area.
June
Deployed in Solent for briefings and preparation
of NEPTUNE.
Allocated for passage to JUNO Beach Head in
Convoy J10, escorted by HM Destroyers
KEMPENFELT, BLEASDALE and Norwegian GLAISDALE.
(Note: Convoy comprised 8 Landing Ships
(Infantry), 3 motor gunboats of Coastal
Forces and two US Navy Coastguard Cutters.
See above references.)
4th
Operation postponed for 24 hours.
5th
Sailed from Spithead with Convoy J10 to swept
channel entrance.
6th
Arrived off JUNO Beach Head.
Controlled assault landings of 8th Canadian
Infantry Brigade on NAN Red and NAN
White Beaches.
(Note: Military commander - Brigadier K G
Blackader.)
Senior officer Assault Group J2 - Captain R J O
Otway-Ruthven RN.
Remained in JUNO Area for Build-up Phase.
30th
On termination of NEPTUNE returned to Solent.
July
Deployed in Force J
to
Nominated for service in Eastern Fleet.
August
September
Preparation for foreign service
October
Passage to Trincomalee.
to
November
Took part in exercises in preparation for
support duties as HQ Ship.
December
Joined Force W in Eastern Fleet.
1 9
4 5
January
Deployed in Bay of Bengal for military support
duties.
to
Nominated for service as HQ Ship during allied
landings in Burma.
March
(Operation DRACULA - Assault on Rangoon)
(Note: For details of operations on coast of
Burma see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J
Winton, OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwyn Gray and WAR
WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)
April
Took part in preliminary exercises for Rangoon
landings
27th
Took passage from Akyab as escort for Convoy
BAKER to Kyuak Pyu, Ramree Island.
Senior Officer of W2 Group, Captain T Ian
Scott-Bell DSC Royal Navy embarked,)
(Note: Convoy included HM Landing Ships
(Infantry) LARGS, GLENROY, PERSIMMON,
SILVIO, PRINZ ALBERT screened by HM Frigates
SHIEL, TAFF and WAVENEY
with cover from HM Cruiser PHOEBE (For Fighter
Direction Ship duties).)
On arrival off Rangoon anchored at Elephant
Point. May
May
2nd
Assault craft sailed for landings.
3rd
Took passage to Monkey Point for control and
support of landing operations.
5th
On completion returned to Akyab.
Passage to Colombo from Akyab prior to visit to
Bombay.
June
Deployed with Force W and took part in exercises
for planned landings in Malaya.
to
Passage to Akyab to await instructions relating
to Malaysian coast operations.
July
(Note: Operation delayed by administration
problems in London relating to PYTHON
Scheme for release of long service SEAC
personnel and insistence of US Government.
See above references and the Final Report by The
Supreme Commander South East
Asia (HMSO).)
August
16th
Passage from Bombay to Madras.
to
Took part in preparatory exercise at Mandapam
prior to ZIPPER execution.
27th
Took passage from Akyab as escort for Convoy
BAKER to Kyuak Pyu, Ramree Island.
Senior Officer of W2 Group, Captain T Ian
Scott-Bell, DSC, Royal Navy embarked,)
(Note: Convoy included H M Landing Ships
(Infantry) LARGS, GLENROY, PERSIMMON,
SILVIO, PRINZ ALBERT screened by HM Frigates
SHIEL. TAFF and WAVENEY
with cover from HM Cruiser PHOEBE (For Filter
Direction Ship duties.)
On arrival off Rangoon anchored at Elephant
Point. May
May
2nd
Assault craft sailed for landings.
3rd
Took passage to Monkey Point for control and
support of landing operations.
5th
On completion returned to Akyab.
Passage to Colombo from Akyab prior to visit to
Bombay.
June
Deployed with Force W and took part in exercises
for planned landings in Malaya.
to
Passage to Akyab to await instructions relating
to Malaysian coast operations.
July
(Note: Operation delayed by administration
problems in London relating to PYTHON
Scheme for release of long service SEAC
personnel and insistence of US Government.
See above references and the Final Report by The
Supreme Commander South East
Asia (HMSO).)
August
16th
Passage from Bombay to Madras.
to
Took part in preparatory exercise at Mandapam
prior to ZIPPER execution.
27th
September
3rd
Deployed with Force W as Senior Officer's ship
Assault Group W2 and part of the
escort for a 12 ship convoy during passage to
Nicobar Islands.
5th
Passage from Nicobar area with Assault Convoys
to Beachheads.
(Note: Landings were planned between Port
Swettenham and Port Dickson.
See above references.)
9th
Deployed off Beach Head at Morib during landings
by 25th Division.
11th
On release from ZIPPER took passage to Rangoon.
Nominated for support of occupation of
Index-China (Operation MASTERDOM).
20th
Passage from Rangoon to Singapore to take part
in MASTERDOM.
26th
On completion of briefing for MASTERDOM took
passage from Singapore for
Saigon with Support convoy.
(Note: Other ships in convoy included HM Survey
Ship CHALLENGER, HM Repair Ship
CORBRAE, three Landing Craft Infantry (Large)
and nine minesweepers.)
29th
On arrival of Saigon anchored off Cap St Jaques.
Briefed by RN representative.
30th
Berthed alongside at Saigon after river passage.
(Note: Naval units were deployed at Saigon to
support 32nd, 80th and 100th Inf. Brigades
and an RAF Squadron who were to establish
control of the Region pending the
arrival of French forces.
Japanese surrender was accepted by Naval Officer
in Charge, Saigon after arrival.)
P
o s t W a
r N o t e
HMS WAVENEY remained at Saigon for
some weeks before returning to
Singapore. On release from East Indies Station
she was nominated for Reduction
to Reserve status. After arrival in UK the ship
Paid-off and laid-up in the Reserve Fleet until
placed on the Disposal Lost.
She was sold during 1957 to BISCO for demolition
by West of Scotland Shipbreaking Company and
arrived in tow
at the breaker’s yard at Troon on 9th November
1957.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of HMS WAVENEY
by
Don Kindell
This convoy list has 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
|
26/11/42
|
MKF
003
|
03/12/42
|
03/12/42
|
12/12/42
|
12/12/42
|
KMF
005
|
20/12/42
|
20/12/42
|
24/12/42
|
25/12/42
|
MKF
005
|
31/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
11/01/43
|
12/01/43
|
ON
160
|
27/01/43
|
04/02/43
|
30/01/43
|
05/02/43
|
HX
225
|
13/02/43
|
13/02/43
|
09/03/43
|
25/03/43
|
HX
229A
|
25/03/43
|
26/03/43
|
18/05/43
|
27/05/43
|
SC
131
|
28/05/43
|
31/05/43
|
28/05/43
|
02/06/43
|
ONS
009
|
04/06/43
|
09/06/43
|
26/05/43
|
04/06/43
|
SC
132
|
06/06/43
|
11/06/43
|
11/02/43
|
06/06/43
|
ON
166
|
09/06/43
|
03/03/43
|
16/06/43
|
20/06/43
|
ON
189
|
22/06/43
|
01/07/43
|
15/06/43
|
23/06/43
|
HX
244
|
26/06/43
|
30/06/43
|
09/07/43
|
11/07/43
|
ON
192
|
15/07/43
|
22/07/43
|
08/07/43
|
15/07/43
|
SC
136
|
19/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
12/06/44
|
12/06/44
|
FWM
005
|
13/06/44
|
13/06/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)