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Career information

Lt. Hugo Rowland Barnwell Newton, DSC became a prisoner of war (POW) when his submarine was rammed and sunk north of Benghazi, Libya by the italian torpedo boat Generale Achille Papa.

Submarine HMS H 43 (N 43)

13 Sep 1940
HMS H 43 (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

After a change of Commanding Officers, in which Lt. Newton took over from Lt. Colvin, HMS H 43 departed Portsmouth for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.

[No log is available for HMS H 43 for this period so no map for this patrol can be displayed.] (1)

21 Sep 1940
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Portsmouth. (2)

30 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) departed Portsmouth for Plymouth. (3)

1 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (3)

7 Nov 1940
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN).

Upon completing these exercises HMS H 43 departed Plymouth for Holyhead. She was escorted by HMS Troubadour (Cdr.(Retd.) D.H. Milward, DSC, RNR). (4)

9 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Holyhead. (4)

22 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Holyhead with HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN). (4)

28 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) departed Holyhead for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Virginia (Cdr.(Retd.) S.H.S. Moxley, RN). (4)

29 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (4)

14 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
MS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (5)

Submarine HMS Otway (N 51)

20 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (6)

30 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (6)

31 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)

1 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

3 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

6 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

7 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

10 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

11 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

12 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (7)

14 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) proceeded from Loch Ranza to Rothesay. (8)

16 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

17 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

25 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (7)

26 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR). (7)

27 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

29 Jan 1941
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

30 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

31 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN). (8)

3 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN). (8)

6 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN). (8)

7 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Rothesay. (8)

13 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Loch Ranza. (8)

18 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN). (8)

19 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (8)

20 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (8)

Submarine HMS Cachalot (N 83)

21 Feb 1941
HMS Cachalot (Cdr. J.D. Luce, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Holy Loch. (9)

Submarine HMS Otway (N 51)

21 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (8)

22 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. Upon completion of these exercises Lt.Cdr. Harvey took over command from Lt. Clutterbuck. (8)

Submarine HMS Cachalot (N 83)

1 Mar 1941
At 1400 hours the Norwegian merchant Huldra (2112 GRT, built 1940) was sunk in position 62°58'9"N, 06°51'3"E after hitting a mine. Her crew of 21 was rescued by the patrol boat NM 16. The mine was most likely laid by HMS Cachalot (Cdr. J.D. Luce, DSO, RN) on 26 January 1941. The 56th MS-Flottille was sent to clear the area.

21 Mar 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay and to lay a minefield there.

During passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until 2245/22.

As no log for this period is available no map can be displayed. (9)

28 Mar 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) laid minefield FD 32 (50 mines) off the Gironde estuary.

(All times are zone -1)
1109 hours - Laid the first mine.

1210 hours - Laid the last mine. The mines were laid in a three mile radius from position 45°38'N, 01°35'E. The flooders were set for 27 April 1941. (9)

11 Apr 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) made rendez-vous off Bishops Rock with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(retired) R.H. Mack, RN). They then proceeded north through the Irish Sea towards Holy Loch. (9)

13 Apr 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Holy Loch.

The previous day it had been decided that Cachalot was to transfer to the Mediterranean Fleet. (9)

25 Apr 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Plymouth. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (10)

27 Apr 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (11)

29 Apr 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. She was escorted by HMS Mackay (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Coats, RN) until 0030/30.

As no log for this period is available no map can be displayed. (9)

4 May 1941 (position 35.45, -10.21)
At 2130 hours (zone -1), in position 38.45'N, 10.21W, HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) examined from close range the Portugese sardine fishing schooner Navigante III. The schooner was not boarded but allowed to proceed. (9)

5 May 1941 (position 35.28, -10.41)
At 0025 hours (zone -1), in position 38.28'N, 10.41W, HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ordered the Spanish merchant Escolano (3081 GRT, built 1920) to stop. A boat was lowered and one of the ships officers came over with the ships papers for inspection. After inspection of the ships papers she was allowed to proceed. (9)

6 May 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (9)

8 May 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

As no log for this period is available no map can be displayed. (11)

15 May 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (11)

16 May 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria.

As no log for this period is available no map can be displayed. (11)

22 May 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (11)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (11)

4 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (11)

6 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (11)

7 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (11)

12 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for her 1st storage trip to Malta.

As no log for this period is available no map can be displayed. (9)

19 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (9)

21 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. (9)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria ending her 1st storage trip. (9)

9 Jul 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for her 2nd storage trip to Malta.

As no log for this period is available no map can be displayed. (11)

16 Jul 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (11)

26 Jul 1941
HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. En-route she was ordered to a patrol position to the north-west of Benghazi, Libya to intercept an important Italian transport ship. (9)

30 Jul 1941
The following is from from a report written by Lt. Newton on 29 March 1943.

On 30 July 1941 HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was to the north-west of Benghazi, Libya. An enemy transport vessel was reported to be en-route to that port and Cachalot was ordered to intercept this ship.

It was the intention of Lt. Newton to avoid a night action on the surface due to the large silhouette of Cachalot. It was his intention to arrive on the enemy’s track of advance two hours ahead of him. Then turn on spotting the enemy and proceed on his course while charging. Lt Newton wanted to be 8 nautical miles ahead of the enemy at dawn, dive and attack submerged.

Lt. Newton expected to intercept the enemy at 0230 hours. He had given orders to call him to be bridge at 0200 hours. He had gone to sleep on the bridge as tomorrow would be ‘a busy day’.

At 0155 hours the officer of the watch, T/Lt. R.D.C. Hart, RNVR, sounded the night alarm and called Lt. Newton. He reported a destroyer very close. Cachalot then dived. Trim was obtained with great difficulty. There were also problems with the hydrophones and hydroplanes and due to an error in drill the battery was almost depleted.

When Cachalot surfaced around 0250 hours it was thought the enemy must have passed by now so course was set down the expected enemy’s course at full speed to try to catch up. If the enemy was not sighted within the hour the action was to be broken off given the depleted battery. The best lookouts were called to the bridge.

Around 0335 hours the starboard lookout reported an enemy tanker bearing green 120 degrees. The ship was seen by all the others on the bridge and appeared to be a heavily laden tanker. Cachalot then turned to follow, closing up all look-outs temporarily on the port side to search for escorts of which nothing had been nor was seen. A 20 minute chase through patches of mist followed and Lt. Newton considered that whatever the escort it might have lost touch with the tanker.

Owning to the patchy visibility Lt. Newton decided that, in order to keep the enemy in sight, she must be slowed down as soon as possible so he ordered to man the deck gun. Four rounds were fired bearing green 30 for a range of 1500 yards. After the fourth round the gun crew sighted the ship and fire was continued by them in ‘independent’. The eleventh round appeared to be a hit and dense clouds of smoke appeared amidships. The enemy appeared to be altering course towards Cachalot as if he was to ram. Cachalot then also turned to counter this thread. However the enemy was lost out of sight in the smoke almost at once.

One minute later a torpedo-boat was seen coming towards at high speed at a range of only 800 yards. When Cachalot was able to dive the torpedo-boat was only 300 yards away. It was now no longer possible to dive and escape. Before she was going to be rammed and order was given to abandon ship.

The enemy torpedo-boat, realising that Cachalot was not diving, and not wishing to collide with a larger ship in full buoyancy at high speed, had gone full astern and finally rammed Cachalot in ‘Z’ tank at a speed of about 4 knots. She then remained stopped 20 feet astern with all her armament trained on Cachalot whose own gun would not bear. The crew meanwhile continued to abandon ship.

Lt. Newton went below to inspect any damage and to ensure that the ship had been abandoned. The pressure hull had not been punctured but there was little doubt that ‘Z’ tank had been holed. It was therefore certain that when Cachalot was to dive trim could not be held and depth control would be lost.

When Lt. Newton returned to the bridge he decided that he would attempt a static dive together with the First Lieutenant, giving the Italians the appearance of having scuttled the ship with key ratings only on board and hoping to be able to get away on a main ballast trim. However in the abandonment of the submarine all hatches had been open, which greatly complicated this evolution.

Whilst it was being organised the Italians opened fire with the torpedo boat’s entire anti-aircraft armament. Fortunately all shots went high, causing no casualties. It would have required several minutes to organise and carry out Lt. Newton’s orders and he realised that the enemy became very impatient and would never allow the amount of time needed. Main vents were then opened and Cachalot sank bows first in 200 fathoms of water. No debris appeared on the surface.

All passengers and crew (seventy in all), with the exception of one passenger, the Maltese steward Giuseppe Muscat, were saved by the Italians. They were very well treated. Lt. Newton was ordered to the bridge and on finding out that one of Cachalot’s passengers was missing the Italian commanding officer, Tenente di Vascello Gino Rosica, ordered a thorough search of the area.

During conversation with the Italian commanding officer it became apparent to Lt. Newton that the tanker that was sighted was in fact the Italian torpedo-boat Generale Achille Papa proceeding northward to rendez-vous with the incoming transport ship Capo Orso (3149 GRT, built 1916) arriving from Brindisi. The hit that was thought to have been obtained and the smoke that followed were in fact the Italian warship laying a smoke screen from where she emerged to counter attack and ram her attacker.

Lt. Newton was part of a P.O.W. exchange with the Italians on 28 March 1943. (9)

Submarine HMS Otus (N 92)

6 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otus (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

7 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otus (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

8 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 8/9 July 1943, HMS Otus (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN), conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) as the target. (12)

11 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otus (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Ambuscade (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, RN). (12)

13 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otus (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Kames Bay. She returned to Rothesay later the same day. (12)

14 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otus (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

Submarine HMS Thrasher (N 37)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (13)

19 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (13)

23 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) and HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. They were escorted by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (13)

24 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Londonderry. (13)

28 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Lough Foyle. (13)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft. Later also A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Churchill (Lt. A.C.D. Leach, RN) and HMCS Woodstock (T/Lt. C.E. Wright, RCNVR). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Woodstock. (13)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Lough Foyle. The exercises were however soon cancelled. (13)

31 Oct 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft. (13)

1 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft. (14)

4 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with Escort Group B 2 and also with HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Columbine T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR).

Ship of Escort Group B 2 present at Lough Foyle on this day were HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Vanessa (Lt. C.E. Sheen, DSC, RN), HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN), HMS Mourne (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Holland, RD, RNR), HMS Campanula (T/Lt. I. Bull, RNVR), HMS Clematis (T/Lt. R.H. Farrands, DSC, RNR) and HMS Gentian (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR). Possibly not all of them participated in the A/S exercise though. (14)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with, first HMS Columbine T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR), then with HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN) and HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR) and finally with HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR) and HMS Sweetbriar (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Edwards, RNVR). (14)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle, first with HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR) and later with HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Glenarm (Lt.Cdr. W.R.B. Noall, DSO, RNR). (14)

7 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Columbine T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR). Also a practice attack was made on the corvette. (14)

11 Nov 1943
Around 0600A/11, HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) departed Londonderry for Scapa Flow. Off Sanda Island she is joined by HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, DSC, RN), HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) and HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) for onward passage to Lerwick or Scapa Flow. They were escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (14)

13 Nov 1943
Around 0915A/13, HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow for a period of (A/S) exercises. (14)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (14)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (14)

23 Nov 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN). (14)

27 Nov 1943
Around 1600A/27, HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) departed Scapa Flow. She was joined around 1745A/27, when off Dunnet Head, by HMS Hamlet (T/Lt. J.C. Boyd, RNVR). The next morning HMS Thrasher made rendez-vouz with HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) for onward passage to the Clyde. The submarines were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (14)

29 Nov 1943
Around 0910A/29, HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Rothesay. Thrasher's main engines were defective and she was to remain at Rothesay until she could be taken in hand for refit. (14)

6 Feb 1944
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) departed Rothesay for Liverpool where she is to refit at the Cammell Laird Shipyard at Birkenhead.

HMS Sunfish (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Heysham from where she is to participate in A/S exercises.

HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) departed Rothesay for Fishguard from where she is to participate in A/S exercises.

The submarines departed Rosyth around 1000A/6. They were escorted by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (15)

7 Feb 1944
Around 1800A/7, HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) arrived at Liverpool. (16)

9 Feb 1944
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) commenced her refit at the Cammell Laird Shipyard at Birkenhead. She is docked in No.2 graving dock. (16)

Submarine HMS Selene (P 254)

12 Jul 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. (17)

13 Jul 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (17)

2 Aug 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was docked at Holy Loch. (18)

4 Aug 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was undocked. (18)

11 Aug 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) and HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (18)

13 Aug 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (18)

29 Aug 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN). HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (18)

30 Aug 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (18)

26 Sep 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was docked at Holy Loch. (19)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was undocked. (19)

12 Oct 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea on an anti-uboat patrol.

The passage North along the West coast of Scotland was made together with HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR).

For the daily positions of HMS Selene during this patrol see the map below.

HMS Selene 1st war patrol click here for bigger map (20)

29 Oct 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (20)

31 Oct 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage South together with HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR), HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (21)

2 Nov 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (22)

6 Nov 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was docked at Holy Loch. (22)

8 Nov 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was undocked. (22)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She made the passage in convoy OS 96 / KMS 70. This was the first leg of the trip to the Far East.

For the daily positions of HMS Selene during this passage see the map below.

HMS Selene passage Holy Loch - Trincomalee click here for bigger map (22)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (22)

3 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (23)

7 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (23)

12 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (23)

16 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (23)

19 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Aden. (23)

24 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (23)

26 Dec 1944
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. (23)

6 Jan 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. At Trincomalee she was docked before proceeding on the 1st Far East war patrol. The dates of docking are however unknown to us. (24)

25 Jan 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Port Blair, Andaman Islands.

No logs are available for this period. Also the patrol report does not mention daily positions so no map can be displayed. (20)

19 Feb 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (20)

13 Mar 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Strait.

No logs are available for this period. Also the patrol report does not mention daily positions so no map can be displayed. (20)

19 Mar 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) destroyed a sailing vessel with gunfire off the North coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1537 hours - Surfaced North of Tamiang Point to engage a 40 tons junk. A warning shot was fired from 4000 yards. The crew abandoned ship and now the target was taken under fire. She was left in a waterlogged condition after 47 rounds. (20)

22 Mar 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) sank three sailing vessels with gunfire off the North coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0506 hours - Dived to close in on Tamiang Point. Observed 3 10-tons sampans and 1 40-tons junk. This last one was very heavily laden and was anchored close inshore.

0752 hours - Surfaced and this caused the crew of all 4 vessels to abandon ship. Then the junk and 2 of the sampans were sunk with gunfire. 46 Rounds had been used. (20)

7 Apr 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (20)

12 Apr 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for passage to Fremantle, Australia.

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (24)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia.

At Fremantle she was either docked or put on the slipway before proceeding towards Subic Bay. The dates are however unknown to us. (25)

16 May 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Fremantle for Subic Bay, Philippines. (26)

2 Jun 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Subic Bay. (26)

7 Jun 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Subic Bay for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam.

No logs are available for this period. Also the patrol report does not mention daily positions so no map can be displayed. (20)

24 Jun 1945 (position 10.15, 99.13)
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) sank two coasters and a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam.

(All times are zone -9)
1856 hours - Sighted 2 heavily camouflaged junks at anchor in position 10°15'N, 99°13'E.

1901 hours - Sighted a motor junk coming North.

1913 hours - Surfaced and engaged the motor junk with gunfire. It sank after only 2 minutes.

1926 hours - Opened fire on the anchored coasters but at first the gunfire appeared to have little effect so 2 torpedoes were fired but these missed.

1935 hours - Both coasters were sunk by now. In all 140 rounds had been fired. (20)

25 Jun 1945 (position 10.42, 99.31)
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) sank the Siamese schooner Kwangwan with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam.

(All times are zone -9)
1036 hours - Sank the 200 tons Siamese schooner Kwangwan, registered in Bankok in position 10°42'N, 99°31'E. (20)

3 Jul 1945 (position 10.00, 99.10)
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) destroyed (or heavily damaged) a coaster with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam.

(All times are zone -9)
1648 hours - Surfaced in position 10°00'N, 99°10'E and engaged a coaster that was anchored very close inshore. All remaining ammunition was expanded but the coaster refused to disappear or catch fire.

1719 hours - Broke off the action. The coaster was lower in the water and had most likely settled on the bottom. Her upperworks were a shambles. Set course to return to Subic Bay. (20)

9 Jul 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area) at Subic Bay. (20)

21 Jul 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was docked at Subic Bay. (26)

23 Jul 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) was undocked. (26)

27 Jul 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) departed Subic Bay for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to perform a special operation (Operation FOIL).

She was ordered to tow midget submarine XE 5 to Hong Kong to find and cut the telephone cables between Hong Kong and Singapore. We have been unable to find a report of this mission so far so no further details can be given for the moment. The mission was a succes although this was not realised at that time.

No logs are available for this period. Also the patrol report does not mention daily positions so no map can be displayed. (20)

6 Aug 1945
HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area) at Subic Bay.

After the war had ended Selene visited Hong Kong before proceeding back to the U.K. She arrived at Portsmouth on 9 November 1945 and was reduced to reserve there on 4 December 1945. (20)

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