John Lee Machin, RN
| Born | 18 Nov 1902 | ||
| Died | 24 May 1941 | (38) | HMS Hood |
| Ranks
Decorations |
Warship Commands listed for John Lee Machin, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Kelvin (F 37) | Lt.Cdr. | Destroyer | 26 Oct 1939 | 23 Jun 1940 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Destroyer HMS Kelvin (F 37)
27 Nov 1939
At 1745 hours, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), was commissioned at Govan having completed her acceptance trials. (1)
29 Nov 1939
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Govan for Portsmouth. (1)
30 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (1)
13 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Portland to commence her work-up period. (1)
15 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (1)
16 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (1)
17 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (1)
18 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted exercises off Portland. (1)
19 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from Portland to Yarmouth during D/F calibration trials. (1)
20 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. (1)
21 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Yarmouth during D/F calibration trials. (1)
22 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) returned to Portland to continue her work-up period. (1)
27 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted exercises off Portland. (1)
30 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted exercises with the TSDS minesweeping gear off Portland. (1)
1 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted exercises off Portland. (2)
5 Jan 1940
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) conducted exercises off Portland. They also screened the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN) which was also out for gunnery and torpedo firing exercises. (3)
6 Jan 1940
During the morning, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN), screened the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Harris, RN).
In the middle of the day they screened the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN) during her gunnery exercises in the first part of the afternoon.
Later in the afternoon they screened the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) during her gunnery exercises. (4)
7 Jan 1940
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) departed Portland for exercises but they are soon ordered to return due to thick fog and the exercises had to be cancelled. (2)
8 Jan 1940
HMS H 31 (Lt. P.R. Ward, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN).
After about two hours the exercises had to be abandoned due to limited visibility. (2)
9 Jan 1940
With her work-up programme completed, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), departed Portland for the Clyde. (2)
10 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Greenock. (2)
16 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530 hours, the damaged HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), arrived at Greenock.
Repairs by HMS Woolwich (Capt. E.C. Thornton, DSC, RN) were completed on 23 January 1940. (2)
24 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Scott (Cdr. E.H.B. Baker, RN) together conducted A/S sweeps in the Clyde area during the night of 24/25 January 1940. (2)
25 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On conclusion of last nights A/S sweeps, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
28 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 28/29 January 1940, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), conducted an A/S patrol in the Clyde area. (2)
30 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
1 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (5)
9 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) proceeded to the James Watt Dock at Greenock for some repairs. [note: she was not docked !.] (5)
12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) returned to the Tail of Bank from the James Watt Dock. (5)
13 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde to make rendez-vous with HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) off the Northern Patrol to the south of Iceland / west of the Faroer Islands. (6)
16 Feb 1940
Between 1225 and 1306 hours, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), joined the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) on the northern patrol. (7)
17 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) made a short call at Sullom Voe to fuel after which she immediately departed again to rejoin the Northern Patrol. (5)
22 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Northern Patrol. She had weather damage to her side plating.
26 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. (8)
27 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN) arrived in the Clyde from Scapa Flow. (8)
29 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Greenock for Birkenhead. (8)
1 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Birkenhead for repairs. (8)
29 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from Birkenhead to the Clyde. (8)
30 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow. (8)
31 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Clyde. (8)
2 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. (9)
3 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Rosyth from Scapa Flow. (9)
25 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from the Tyne to Rosyth. (8)
26 May 1940
Early in the evening, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), departed Rosyth to escort two ships to Scapa Flow. (10)
28 May 1940
Early in the morning, the ships HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) had been escorting arrived at Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN). HMS Kelvin had lost touch with the ships due to the foggy conditions.
HMS Kelvin arrived off Scapa Flow around noon. (10)
31 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The destroyers HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 1745/31 to patrol to the east and north-east of the Orkneys.
At 1815/31, two more destroyers left Scapa Flow also to patrol to the east and north-east of the Orkneys; these were HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN).
HMS Electra returned to Scapa Flow at 0650/1 followed by HMS Maori, HMS Zulu and HMS Kelvin at 0800/1. (9)
1 Jun 1940
Sinking of the transport Astronomer.
The transport Astronomer (8401 GRT, built 1917) was en-route from Rosyth to Scapa Flow with naval stores escorted by the auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS Leicester City (T/Lt. A.R. Cornish, RNR) and HMS Stoke City (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR).
Late in the evening of June, 1st, the Astronomer was hit by one torpedo from the German submarine U-58 but she did not sink.
Early the next day two more torpedoes single torpedoes were fired by the German submarine and one hour after the last hit. The trawlers then picked up the survivors.
A report of the damage to the transport was received at 0100/2 and in response the destroyer HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) was sent out from Scapa Flow.
At 0215/2 the destroyer HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) departed Scapa Flow to assist HMS Kelvin in the A/S hunt.
The auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS Paul Rykens (Skr. G.C. Lawrence, RNR) HMS Peter Hendricks (Skr. G. Bryan, RNR), which were on patrol, were ordered to proceed to the area to assist.
The rescue tug St. Mellons departed Scapa Flow but returned after it became apparent that the transport had sunk.
A/S trawler HMS Leicester City obtained an A/S contact in the vicinity at about the time the transport was hit for the last time but she was also busy picking up survivors with together with HMS Stoke City. A total of 104 were picked up by the trawlers which then took them to Aberdeen. HMS Stoke City made a depth charge on a contact she obtained but without result. Apparently this was indeed an attack on U-58
At 0640/2, an aircraft attacked a submarine in position 57°25'N, 00°56'W, twenty five miles south of of the attack position. Destroyers HMS Mashona and HMS Kelvin were ordered to search the area of the aircraft attack but no contact was obtained.
At 1100/2, the destroyer HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) and escort destoyer HMS Atherstone (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) departed Rosyth. HMS Atherstone arrived at Scapa Flow at 2200/2. HMS Encounter was was to join the search for the submarine.
At 1800/2, HMS Atherstone. while en-route to Scapa Flow, reported a line of mines near the sinking position of the Astronomer.
The boom defense vessel HMS Barbican (T/Boom Skr. J.F. Rendall, RNR), escorted by M/S trawler HMS Elm (T/Lt. J. Hutchinson, RNR), was ordered to the area. Barbican recovered the mooring buoys, covered by HMS Encounter and HMS Mashona.
HMS Kelvin returned to Scapa Flow at 0315/3.
HMS Encounter and HMS Mashona arrived at Scapa Flow at 1130/3. (9)
5 Jun 1940
At 2130/5 the battlecruisers HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) and the destroyers HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow after two unidentified warships were spotted in position 64°45'N, 00°24'W proceeding towards the Iceland - Faroes passage.
Around 0200/8 the force was split up; HMS Renown escorted by HMS Zulu and HMS Kipling were ordered to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived at 0500/9.
HMS Repulse, HMS Sussex, HMS Newcastle, HMS Maori, HMS Forester and HMS Foxhound remained on patrol.
Around 1030/9, they were ordered to proceed eastwards to join up with other warships and to provide cover for convoys of ships that had been involved in evacuating the Narvik/Hartadt/Tromso area.
Around 1345/9, HMS Maori, HMS Forester and HMS Foxhound parted company.
At 0100/10, HMS Maori, HMS Forester and HMS Foxhound arrived at Sullom Voe to fuel. They departed again at 0800 hours to rejoin but HMS Foxhound had to return soon after with defects.
At 0900/10, HMS Repulse and the cruisers joined up with the 'HMS Valiant' group that was escorting the evacuation convoys. (9)
9 Jun 1940
At 0900 hours, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN), arrived at Scapa Flow. (9)
9 Jun 1940
At 1245A/9, the battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet C.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. J.S. Crawford, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for convoys coming down from Norway and to search for the reported German capital ships. A sixth destroyer, HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), which had been en-route from the Clyde to Scapa Flow, apparently joined at sea.
At 1345A/10, HMS Amazon was detached to fuel at Sullom Voe.
On June, 10th the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) was ordered to join this force which she did at 1525A/10. She had the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) with her. At 1140A/10, the destroyers HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) had been exchanged for HMS Ashanti and HMS Mashona.
At 1925A/10, HMS Mashona was detached to join the destroyer HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) and escort this destroyer, which had to proceed at the most economical speed due to fuel shortage, to Sullom Voe where they arrived at 0745A/12.
At 1020A/11, HMS Ashanti and HMS Highlander were detached to Scapa Flow. They were ordered to proceed through positions 64'N, 05'W and 61'N, 05'W.
The destroyers HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN), and HMS Amazon departed Sullom Voe at 2230A/11th to join the Home Fleet at sea which they did at 0830A/12. [HMS Amazon did not join the Home Fleet so either she did not sail or returned.] At 2100A/12, the destroyer HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) sailed from Scapa Flow to make rendez-vous with the Home Fleet in position 63'N, 04'W at 1300A/13. The destroyers HMS Mashona, HMS Campbell and HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) departed Sullom Voe at 0400A/13 to do the same. They joined the Home Fleet at 1725A/14 with the exception of HMS Campbell which joined HMS Ark Royal's screen at 2230A/13.
Between 0007A/13and 0015A/13, HMS Ark Royal flew off fifteen Skuas to attack German warships at Trondheim. Seven of them returned around 0330A/13, eight had been lost.
Around 0430A13, HMS Electra collided with HMS Antelope in thick fog which the Fleet had just entered. HMS Inglefiel stood by HMS Antelope while HMS Zulu took HMS Electra in tow. All set course for Scapa Flow.
At 0600A/13, HMS Ark Royal was detached to proceed to Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Escort and HMS Kelvin. HMS Campbell joined them at 2230A/13. They arrived at Scapa Flow wit at 1545A/14.
At 1130A/13, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN) departed Scapa Flow to make rendez-vous with the Home Fleet in position 65'N, 04'W. They joined at 0840A/14.
At 0950A/14, HMS Escapade was detached from the screen of the Home Fleet to join HMS Electra that was being towed by HMS Zulu..
At 0100A/15, HMS Forester and HMS Veteran were detatched from the Home Fleet to proceed to the Faroes for escort duty.
At 0330A/15, HMS Antelope, escorted by HMS Inglefield arrived at Scapa Flow.
At 1715A/15, HMS Rodney, HMS Renown, HMS Tartar, HMS Mashona, HMS Maori, HMS Bedouin, HMS Ashanti and HMS Fearless arrived at Scapa Flow.
At 1430A/16, HMS Electra, in tow of the tug HMS Brigand and escorted by HMS Zulu and HMS Escapade arrived at Scapa Flow. (9)
15 Jun 1940
HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was screened by the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN).
15 Jun 1940
Sinking of the armed merchant cruiser HMS Andania.
At 2330A/15 (0030B/16 = German time), the armed merchant cruiser HMS Andania (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) was torpedoed and heavily damaged by the German submarine U-A south-west of Iceland in position 62°36'N, 15°09'W. The ship sank slowly by the stern and the entire crew was taken off by the Icelandic trawler Skallagrímur. There were no casualties.
In response the destroyer HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) was sent from the Faroes. HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), which was part of the escort of a transport ship from Scapa Flow to the Faroes was also ordered to leave this transport ship and proceed to the attack position. HMS Amazon however had to return to Scapa Flow with defects and arrived there around 1115A/17.
At 0200A/16, the destroyer HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow to assist. She was later ordered to proceed to the Faroes.
At 0240A/16, the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN) and HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Reykjavik, Iceland. They were to try to find the Icelandic trawler Skallagrímur which had the survivors of the Andania on board. They could however not find the trawler in the low visibility. These two destroyers were later ordered to hunt a German submarine which was reported to be near Reykjavik.
It was HMS Forester who encountered the trawler on the 16th but the survivors could not be transferred due to the weather conditions.
On the 17th it was possible to take over the survivors and they were taken to Scapa Flow by HMS Forester. She arrived there at 2230A/17. (9)
16 Jun 1940
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) is ordered to proceed to the Faroes and to join HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) which was to escort a group of escaped Norwegian warships to Rosyth. (9)
18 Jun 1940
HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) arrived at Rosyth with the escaped Norwegian warships. (9)
19 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) shifted from Rosyth to the Humber (Immingham). (8)
Sources
- ADM 53/109448
- ADM 53/112519
- ADM 53/112398 + ADM 53/112519
- ADM 53/112094 + ADM 53/112398 + ADM 53/112519
- ADM 53/112520
- ADM 199/362
- ADM 53/111800
- ADM 199/2558
- ADM 199/376
- ADM 199/363
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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