Angus Dacres Nicholl DSO, RN
| Born | 17 Nov 1896 | London, Middlesex, United Kingdom | |
| Died | 12 Apr 1977 | (80) | Portsmouth, England |
 Capt. Nicholl on the deck of Duke of York | Ranks
Retired: 8 May 1951 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Angus Dacres Nicholl, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Penelope (97) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 16 Apr 1941 | 15 Jun 1942 |
| HMS Duke of York (17) | Capt. | Battleship | 1 Sep 1944 | 31 Jul 1946 |
Career information
Capt. Nicholl recieving princesses Margaret and Elizabeth (right) on the Deck of battleship Duke of York.
Events related to this officer
Light cruiser HMS Penelope (97)
17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) was towed up river from Hebburn to Newcastle. (1)
27 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) was towed from Newcastle to North Shields. (1)
9 Aug 1941
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) shifted from the Tyne to Rosyth. She was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Westminster (Lt.Cdr. A.A.C. Ouvry, RN) and HMS Cattistock (Lt. R.M.W. MacFarlan, RN).
At Rosyth, HMS Penelope is immediately docked in No.1 dock. (2)
15 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) is undocked. She then conducted D.G. trials on the range in the Firth of Forth. (3)
17 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900 hours, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 2015 hours. (3)
18 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the late afternoon, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)
19 Aug 1941
Operation Gauntlet.
Evacuation of Spitsbergen and destruction of mining facilities.
Around 1530A/19, the light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral P.L. Vian, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSO, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) left Scapa Flow to make rendezvous off the Butt of Lewis with the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and the troopship Empress of Canada (21517 GRT, built 1922) which had departed the Clyde around 0200A/19.
They made rendezvous around 2100A/19, when HMS Argus with HMS Tartar, HMS Intrepid and HMS Escapade proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived at 0230A/20. These ships took no part in the upcoming operation 'Gauntlet'.
The Empress of Canada, escorted by HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus (also known as 'Force A' set course for Hvalfiord, Iceland where they arrived at 0730A/21.
After fuelling they sailed for Spitsbergen at 2200A/21.
The RFA tanker Oligargh (6897 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the trawlers HMS Elm (T/Lt. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Hazel (T/Lt. R. Thorne, RNVR), HMS Van Oost (Skr. A. Bruce, RNR) and the whaler HMS Sealyham (T/Lt. C.E. Jefferson, RNR) had already departed for the upcoming operation around 2330A/18.
They arrived off Barentsburg, Spitsbergen around 0800A/24. On board the Empress of Canada were Canadian troops, engeneers, sappers, etc., etc. These were landed to demolish the mining equipment and to burn stocks of coal already mined. The soviet workforce was embarked on the Empress of Canada as was some of the equipment they want to take with them. The Oligargh and her escorts also arrived on the 24th.
Around 1800A/26, HMS Aurora joined the captured Norwegian merchant vessels (colliers, which had been in German service) Ingerto (3089 GRT, 1920), Munin (1285 GRT, built 1899), Nandi (1999 GRT, built 1920) and their escort the whaler HMS Sealyham which were bound for Reykjavik, Iceland. HMS Aurora left the convoy at 0400A/27 and returned to Spitsbergen around 0845A/27. HMS Sealyham and the colliers arrived in Iceland on 1 September 1941.
Around 2330A/26, the Empress of Canada departed Barentsburg for Archangelsk escorted by HMS Nigeria, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus. They arrived at Archangelsk around 1200A/29. HMS Aurora remained behind at Spitsbergen.
The force departed Archangelsk to return to Spitsbergen around 1100A/30. They arrived in the Isfiord around 2230A/1. The Norwegians from Longyearbyen were then embarked on board the Empress of Canada as were the Canadian soldiers.
Empress of Canada, HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus departed for the UK around 2200A/3.
At 0001A/5, HMS Nigeria and HMS Aurora parted company with the Empress of Canada and the destroyers. The cruisers were to conduct an anti-shipping raid of the coast of Northern Norway. But before proceeding on this anti-shipping raid both cruisers fuelled from the Oligarch during the 5th.
Between 0128A/7 and 0154A/7 the cruisers were in action against an enemy convoy they had intercepted off the Pordanger / Laksefjorden in approximate position 71°10'N, 26°56'E. During the action, at 0137A/7, HMS Nigeria had damaged her bow when most likely colliding with the wreck of one of the German ships. The cruisers then cleared the area but speed of HMS Nigeria was limited due to the damage sustained but both cruiser managed to clear the area without further contact with the enemy and course was set for Scapa Flow. Around 2030A/9, they were joined by the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Bedouin and HMS Eskimo arrived at Scapa Flow around 2000A/10. The Germans got off worse though, they lost the gunnery training ship / minelayer Bremse. Besides Bremse the convoy attacked was made up of the transports Trautenfels (German, 6418 GRT, built 1921), Barcelona (German, 3101 GRT, built 1921), A/S trawler UJ 1701, A/S whaler V 6103 / Nordlicht and the motor minesweeper R 162.
The RFA tanker Oligargh and the caputured icebreaker Isbjørn and the seal catchers Agnes, Polaris and Strømsnes Also departed Spitsbergen for Iceland [time of depature not known to us]. They were escorted by the trawlers HMS Elk, HMS Hazel and HMS Van Oost. On 10 September 1941 the Isbjørn, Agnes, Polaris and Strømsnes, escorted by HMS Elk arrived at Akureyi, Iceland. Later they went on to Reykjavik, arriving there on 14 September 1941. On the same day the Oligargh also arrived at Reykjavik escorted by HMS Hazel and HMS Van Oost.
Around 0001A/5, HMS Kenya and HMS Aurora parted company to proceed on further operations but not before oiling from the Oligargh late in the morning / early in the afternoon of the same day.
Around 0715A/6, the light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the Empress of Canada and her three escorting destroyers. HMS Penelope joined them around 1800A/6.
Around 0615A/7, HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN) joined company, having departed Scapa Flow around 2200A/6, and HMS Antelope and HMS Anthony parted company and set course to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1000A/7.
Around 0630A/7, HMS Penelope also parted company and set course to return to Scapa Flow arriving there around 1030A/7.
Empress of Canada now continued on to the Clyde escorted by HMS Icarus and HMS Lightning. They arrived in the Clyde around 2300A/7. (4)
20 Aug 1941
In the afternoon, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. She also carried out a rangefinding and inclination exercise (RIX) with HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) off Scapa Flow which was also conducting exercises herself, mostly gunnery exercises. (5)
21 Aug 1941
In the afternoon, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), conducted HA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. She also carried out a rangefinding and inclination exercise (RIX) with HMS Suffolk (Capt. R.M. Ellis, RN) which first had also been carrying out exercises on her own. (6)
28 Aug 1941
In the later half of the morning, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.
In the early afternoon she carried out a rangefinding and inclination exercise (RIX) with HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN).
Later in the afternoon she aided HMS Puckeridge during one of the escort destroyers exercises.
HMS Penelope was then to have conducted HA gunnery exercises but as these were cancelled she returned to Scapa Flow instead. (3)
29 Aug 1941
In the last part of the morning and early part of the afternoon, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), conducted D/F (direction finding) trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises.
In the mid afternoon HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.
In the late afteroon HMS Penelope and HMS Kenya conducted a range and inclination (RIX) exercise. During this exercise Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN was in HMS Penelope.
In the evening HMS Penelope and HMS Kenya carried out a night encounter exercise. During this exercise Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN was back in HMS Kenya. (2)
1 Sep 1941
In the second half of the morning, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), conducted full power trials off Scapa Flow. (7)
2 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)
4 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.
During the night of 4/5 September (night) torpedo firing exercises were carried out at Scapa Flow. (7)
7 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715/6, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join ships returning from Operation Gauntlet.
She returned to Scapa Flow around 1030/7.
[For more information on Operation Gauntlet see the event ' Operation Gauntlet ' for 19 August 1941.] (7)
7 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2000/7, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. (7)
8 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1515/8, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) arrived in the Clyde. (7)
9 Sep 1941
Around 0600A/9, the new and uncompleted battleship Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) departed the Clyde for the Rosyth Dockyard for furthrer outfitting. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Vivacious (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN).
HMS Penelope was detached around 1330A/10 to proceed to Scapa Flow where she arrived around 2145A/10.
Around 1600A/10, when off the boom to the Firth of Forth, HMS Lightning and HMS Icarus were detached. HMS Lightning proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving there around 0530A/11. She had been delayed as when she was on passage to Scapa Flow she collided with the fishing trawler
Duke of York and HMS Vivacious arrived at Rosyth around 1700A/10.
The Duke of York was immediately docked in No.1 Graving Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. At Rosyth outstanding work regarding her final fitting out were undertaken. These included the fitting of the latest radar sets. (8)
14 Sep 1941
Around 2030/14, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Akureyri, Iceland. (7)
16 Sep 1941
Around 1130/16, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) arrived at Akureyri.
She departed for Hvalfiord at 1900/16. (7)
17 Sep 1941
Around 1415/17, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) arrived at Hvalfiord. (7)
23 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800 hours HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed the Hvalfiord to patrol in the Iceland - Faroes Channel. (9)
29 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000 hours HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) arrived at Reykjavik from patrol. Later the same day she shifted to the Hvalfiord. (9)
4 Oct 1941
Around 1300/4, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) departed Hvalfjord.
At the same time the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) also departed Hvalfjord to proceed to the Seidisfjord where she arrived at 1700/5.
Around 0715/5, HMS King George V parted company with the other ships to proceed to Akureyi for a visit. She took the destroyers HMS Bedouin, HMS Eskimo and HMS Somali with her. They arrived at Akureyi around 0945/5. They departed around 1745/5 to proceed to Seidisfjord where they arrived around 0830/6. A/Admiral Tovey then transferred his flag to HMS Aurora.
In the meantime HMS Victorious, HMS Penelope, HMS Ashanti, HMS Matabele and HMS Punjabi remained at sea for exercises. They arrived at Seidisfjord around 1330/6 minus HMS Victorious which did not had to refuel and remained at sea off the fjord. (10)
6 Oct 1941
Operation EJ.
Attack with carrier aircraft on enemy shipping in the Vestfiord area.
Around 1730Z/6, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) departed the Seidisfiord. At sea they joined the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN). Around 2200/6 the light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) also departed the Seidisfiord to overtake the other ships which she joined around 0500/7.
At dawn on the 8th, around 0400A/8, HMS Victorious flew off two striking forces to attack enemy shipping in the Vestfiord area. Around 1100/8 another strike force was flown off for a second attack.
During the attacks two merchant ships are reported to have been damaged.
Following the attacks course was set to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0945A/10.
[No further details on this operation available to us for the moment.] (11)
12 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800/12, HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar where they arrived around 2200/18. (12)
25 Oct 1941
' Force K ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) departed Malta around 1745/25 to intercept three enemy destroyers that had been reported. ' Force K ' was unable to find these destroyers and returned to Malta around 0900/26.
[We have been unable to find information on these 'three enemy destroyers'.] (13)
1 Nov 1941
' Force K ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) departed Malta around 1700/1 to intercept a reported enemy convoy. Nothing was sighted an ' Force K ' returned to Malta aroud 0700/2. (14)
9 Nov 1941
Dustruction of the Beta-convoy.
Interception of the enemy Beta-convoy and destruction of all the transport ships in it as well as some of the escorts.
On 7 November 1941, an enemy convoy departed Napels for Tripoli / Benghazi. It was made up of the merchant vessels Duisburg (German, 7389 GRT, built 1928) Maria (Italian, 6339 GRT, built 1926), Minatitlan (Italian (tanker), 7599 GRT, built 1941), Sagitta (Italian, 5153 GRT, built 1919) and San Marco (German (former French), 3113 GRT, built 1931). Off Messina these ships were joined by two more merchant vessels the Conte di Misurata (Italian (tanker), 5014 GRT, built 1908) and Rina Corrado (Italian, 5180 GRT, built 1918).
The convoy was escorted by a close escort made up of the Italian destroyers Maestrale (SO), Euro, Fulmine, Grecale, Libeccio and Oriani.
A distant cover force for the convoy was made up of the Italian heavy cruisers Trento, Trieste and the destroyers Alpino, Bersagliere, Fuciliere and Granatiere.
To intercept this convoy ' Force K ' departed Malta around HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the British destroyers HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) departed Malta around 1745/8.
They encountered the convoy around 0040/9, assisted by radar, and twenty minutes later fire was opened. In the ensuing battle all the merchant vessels were sunk as was the destroyer Fulmine. The destroyers Maestrale, Grecale and Euro were damaged.
The action was over around 45 minutes after it started and ' Force K ' set course to return to Malta where it arrived around 1345/9. They had been able to elude the Italian distant cover force. (14)
25 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
' Force K ', made up of light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN), departed Malta around 1800/25 to intercept an enemy convoy reported in the Ionian Sea to the east of Malta.
They returned around 1745/26 not having sighted the enemy convoy. (15)
28 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
' Force K ', made up of light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN), departed Malta around 1400/28. Enemy destroyers had been sighted at Navarino and it seemed likely these were going to proceed to Benghazi the coming night.
' Force K ' returned to Malta around 2030/29 not having sighted the enemy. (15)
30 Nov 1941
Around ' Force B ' made up of the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and ' Force K ' made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyer HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) [HMS Lance remained at Malta] departed Malta at 0500B/30 to intercept Italian forces that had been reported in the Ionian Sea.
Around 2330B/30, ' Force K ' was detached with orders to intercept the Italian transport Adriatico (1976 GRT, built 1931) which was en-route, unescorted, from Argostoli (departed 2300B/29) to Benghazi. She was intercepted and sunk around 0315/1 north-east of Benghazi in position 32°52'N, 20°30'E. HMS Lively picked up two officers and nineteen ratings from the steamer. The Italian destroyer Giovanni da Verrazzano was sailed from Tripoli and rescued 66 survivors and also picked up 3 bodies. The small hospital ship Aquileia (256 GRT, built 1935) was also sent to look for survivors
Around 1800B/1, ' Force K ' sighted the Italian tanker Iridio Mantovani (10540 GRT, built 1939) and its escorting destroyer Alvise da Mosto. Soon both ships were sunk with gunfire north-west of Tripoli in position 33°45'N, 12°30'E with HMS Lively picking up survivors. The tanker had already been damaged by air attack.
The tanker Iridio Mantovani had sailed from Taranto at 1500B/26 escorted by the destroyer Alvise Da Mosto (equipped with German S-Gerät) and the torpedo boats Giuseppe Dezza and Enrico Cosenz. They crossed the Strait of Messina and proceeded north of the Sicilian coast to Trapani where they arrived at 0500B/28. Mantovani escorted this time only by Alvise Da Mosto sailed from Trapani at 1335B/30 for Tripoli.
' Force B ' arrived back at Malta around 1815B/1. ' Force K ' returned to Malta around 0730B/2. Both force had not sighted any more of the enemy. (16)
23 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) is docked in No.2 Dock at Malta. (17)
26 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) is undocked from No.2 Dock at Malta. (17)
23 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
' Force K ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyers HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, DSC, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) departed Malta around 1930/23 to attack a northbound enemy convoy. These were the Italian salvage vessel Raffio (291 GRT, built 1912) and the merchant vessel Sant' Antonio (1480 GRT, former Yugoslavian Anton, built 1919) which departed Tripoli without escort on the 23rd and arrived at Pantelleria on the 24th. ' Force K ' returned to Malta the next morning. (18)
9 Mar 1942
The light cruisers HMS Cleopatra (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kingston (Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Malta around 2000B/9 to intercept an enemy convoy made up of the transport Luciano Manara (8103 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the destroyer Antoniotto Usodimare and the torpedo-boats Polluce and Centauro. Near Pantelleria the Luciano Manara was attacked by three Albacores and three Swordfish aircraft in which she sustained damage and had to be towed to Palermo.
The British ships failed to find the convoy and returned to Malta around 0900B/10. (19)
19 Mar 1942
In the aftermath of the Battle of the Syrte, attempted towing the damaged Breconshire (9776 GRT) into port, but the freighter sank before reaching safe waters.
20 Mar 1942
In the period between 20-30 March 1942, Axis air attacks on Malta were extremely heavy. Ammunition expenditure by HMS Penelope during this period amounted to 6500 rounds of 102 mm (4") and over 75000 rounds of small calibre. She sustained so much splinter damage to earn the nickname 'HMS Pepperpot'.
23 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245/23, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), returned to Malta from operations. (20)
26 Mar 1942
Around 1645 hours, during a heavy air raid HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSC, RN) was hit and sunk while HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) was damaged fore and aft by near misses. (20)
28 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) is docked in No.4 Dock at Malta. (20)
4 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While in No.4 Dock at Malta, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), was near-missed several times during multiple air raids. (21)
5 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While still in No.4 Dock at Malta, HMS Penelope's (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) bridge was showered with rock fragments which had broken loose by exploding bombs. (21)
8 Apr 1942
While still in No.4 Dock at Malta, HMS Penelope's (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) is again near-missed by bombs during extreme heavy air raids.
HMS Penelope is undocked later this day and she departed Malta around 2130 hours to proceed to Gibraltar. HMS Penelope was in bad shape and under normal circumstances would by deemed unseaworthy. However staying at Malta was also not an option and would without a doubt lead to her destruction. (21)
9 Apr 1942
At 0230 hours, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) had to switch to the after control position to steer the ship.
By 0350 hours, it had become difficult to steer the ship.
At 0900 hours, a shadowing aircraft was spotted. This would mean that not much good would be coming Penelope's way.
At 1050 hours, HMS Penelope was attacked by four torpedo bombers. They were driven off and obtained no hits.
At 1226 hours, three bombers dropped a total of 18 bombs. No hits were obtained.
At 1325 hours, six torpedo bombers attacked. This was a good concentrated attack. HMS Penelope had to make a full circle to evade the torpedoes, one of which missed the ships by 10 to 20 yards.
Another air attack followed 10 minutes later but again HMS Penelope escaped damage.
Between 1502 - 1510 hours, nine Ju-88's attacked with 2 to 3 bombs each. HMS Penelope received a near-miss on the starboard beam.
At 1846 hours a single Ju-88 attacked from astern. A large bomb exploded off the starboard bow. (21)
10 Apr 1942
At 1150 hours, the after steering position of HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) had to be evacuated due to flooding. Steering now had to be done by the main engines.
At 1630 hours, HMS Penelope arrived at Gibraltar and 15 minutes later she secured in No.2 Dock. De-ammunitioning commenced immediately. After this was completed temporary repairs were undertaken before she would be fit to put to sea again to go to the UK for full repairs.
Later it was decided to sent her to the USA for full repairs. (21)
9 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her temporary repairs completed, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), is undocked. (22)
10 May 1942
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Gibraltar for Bermuda. (22)
17 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) arrived at Bermuda. (22)
18 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Bermuda for New York. (22)
19 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) arrived at New York. (22)
20 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After de-ammunitioning, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where she was taken in hand for full repairs. (22)
Battleship HMS Duke of York (17)
23 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is docked in the Gladstone Graving Dock at Liverpool. (23)
28 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is undocked. (24)
21 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is again docked in the Gladstone Graving Dock at Liverpool. (25)
2 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is undocked. (26)
27 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Nearing the completion of her refit at Liverpool, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is visited by His Majesty, King George VI and Princess Elizabeth. (27)
4 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN), departed Liverpool for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN) and HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN). They arrived at Scapa Flow the following day.
[HMS Duke of York then commenced a post-refit work-up period but as no log for the month of April is available no details can be given.]
4 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises, including gunnery, off Malta. (28)
12 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 12 to 14 May 1945, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (28)
15 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 15/16 May 1945, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (28)
18 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (28)
18 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From the evening of 18 May 1945 until the morning of 22 May 1945, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (28)
24 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (28)
25 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) departed Malta for Port Said where they arrived on 28 May 1945. En-route gunnery exercises were carried out by the battleship off Mersa Matruh. (28)
28 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) partially transited the Suez Canal southbound and arrived in the Great Bitter Lakes. (28)
29 May 1945
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) completed her southbound transit of the Suez Canal and arrived at Suez. (28)
31 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Suez for Colombo. (28)
16 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1545FG/16, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Colombo for Fremantle. (29)
24 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000H/24, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) anchored off Fremantle. (29)
25 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1715H/25, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Fremantle for Albany. (29)
26 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1520H/26, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) anchored off Albany. (29)
27 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2315H/27, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Albany for Sydney. (29)
1 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1620K/1, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) arrived at Sydney from Albany. (30)
12 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Sydney for exericises in the Jervis Bay area. (30)
17 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Bermuda (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) conducted exericises in the Jervis Bay area. (31)
18 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Bermuda (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) both conducted independent exericises in the Jervis Bay area. (31)
19 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) conducted exericises in the Jervis Bay area on completion of which she set course for Sydney. (30)
20 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) returned to Sydney from exericises in the Jervis Bay area. (30)
21 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is docked in the Captain Cook Graving Dock at the Garden Island naval base at Sydney. (30)
30 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) is undocked. (30)
31 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/31, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Sydney for Manus. She is escorted by the destoyers HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN). (30)
5 Aug 1945
Around 1030K/5, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) arrived at Manus from Sydney.
On arrival at Guam the staff of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C British Pacific Fleet arrived on board. The Admiral himself boarded the following day. (32)
6 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600K/6, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C British Pacific Fleet) departed Manus for Guam. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN). (32)
9 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915K/9, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C British Pacific Fleet), HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) arrived at Guam from Munus. (32)
10 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Guam, on board the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C British Pacific Fleet) the American Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet, Admiral of the Fleet C.W. Nimitz, USN was invested with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB), on behalf of His Majesty, King George VI. (32)
13 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945K/13, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C British Pacific Fleet) and the destroyers HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) departed Guam for the operations area of Japan.
[For more info and subsequent movements see the event for 12 August 1945.] (32)
Sources
- ADM 53/114848
- ADM 53/114494 + ADM 53/114849
- ADM 53/114849
- ADM 53/113677 + ADM 53/113678 + ADM 53/114799 + ADM 53/114800 + ADM 53/114850 + ADM 199/396
- ADM 53/114849 + ADM 53/115057
- ADM 53/114849 + ADM 53/115102
- ADM 53/114850
- ADM 53/114850 + ADM 199/399
- ADM 53/114850 + ADM 199/396
- ADM 53/113679 + ADM 53/114509 + ADM 53/114851 + ADM 53/115158 + ADM 199/396 + ADM 199/399
- ADM 53/114509 + ADM 53/114851 + ADM 53/115158 + ADM 199/396 + ADM 199/399
- ADM 53/113679 + ADM 53/113851
- ADM 53/113679 + ADM 53/113851 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/113680 + ADM 53/114852 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/113680 + ADM 53/114852 + ADM 199/413 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/113535 + ADM 53/113536 + ADM 53/113680 + ADM 53/113681 + ADM 53/114780 + ADM 53/114852 + ADM 53/114853 + ADM 199/413 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/114853
- ADM 53/116423 + ADM 199/424 + ADM 199/650
- ADM 53/115621 + ADM 53/116425 + ADM 199/424
- ADM 53/116425
- ADM 53/116426
- ADM 53/116427
- ADM 53/119297
- ADM 53/119299
- ADM 53/119300
- ADM 53/121273
- ADM 53/121274
- ADM 53/121275
- ADM 53/121276
- ADM 53/121277
- ADM 53/120981 + ADM 53/121277
- ADM 53/121278
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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