Philip Ruck-Keene, RN
| Born | 7 Nov 1897 | ||
| Died | 28 May 1977 | (79) |
 | Ranks
Retired: 3 Aug 1949 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Philip Ruck-Keene, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Maidstone (F 44) | Capt. | Submarine Depot Ship | 4 Jan 1938 | 14 Nov 1939 |
| HMS Cyclops (F 31) | Capt. | Submarine Depot Ship | 15 Nov 1939 | 27 May 1940 |
| HMS Maidstone (F 44) | Capt. | Submarine Depot Ship | 27 May 1940 | 13 Aug 1940 |
| HMS Titania (F 32) | Capt. | Submarine Depot Ship | 14 Aug 1940 | 9 Sep 1940 |
| HMS Medway (F 25) | Capt. | Submarine Depot Ship | 20 Apr 1942 | 30 Jun 1942 |
| HMS Formidable (67) | Capt. | Aircraft Carrier | 23 Sep 1943 | 13 Feb 1946 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Aircraft Carrier HMS Formidable (67)
25 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Gibraltar.
[No details available on a possible destroyer escort.] (1)
24 Oct 1943
Around 1715A/24, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow She was joined around 0900A/25 off Cape Wrath by the destroyers and Haida and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow for this duty around 0500A/25.
They arrived at Scapa Flow around 1315A/25. (2)
28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. She seems not to have been escorted.
(3)
12 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100A/12, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. She was escorted until 0130A/13 by HMS Venus (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson DSO, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN). After the destroyers had parted company near Cape Wrath they returned to Scapa Flow arriving there later that morning.
HMS Formidable arrived at Greenock around 1730A/13. (4)
19 Nov 1943
Around 0915A/19, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Greenock for Belfast where she arrived around 1730A/19.
At Belfast she is to be taken in hand for a major refit at her builders yard, Harland & Wolff. It was initially thought the refit would be completed late March 1944 but in the end it there was a two month delay. (5)
14 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During her refit, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) is docked in the Thompson graving dock at Belfast. (6)
26 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) is undocked. (7)
10 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted D/G and flying trials at Bangor Bay. (8)
11 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted engine and gunnery trials at Bangor Bay. (8)
12 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted trials at Bangor Bay. (8)
13 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying trials at Bangor Bay. (8)
14 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Irish Sea. (8)
15 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Irish Sea. (8)
16 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Irish Sea. (8)
17 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Irish Sea. (8)
20 Jun 1944
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) proceeded from Bangor Bay to Greenock. (8)
21 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 21/22 June 1944, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Irish Sea. (8)
26 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (8)
27 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (8)
29 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (8)
30 Jun 1944
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. On completion of which she proceeded to Bangor Bay. (8)
1 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) proceeded for Bangor Bay to Greenock. En-route flying exercises were carried out. (9)
2 Jul 1944
Around 1630B/2, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. During the passage flying exercises were to be carried out.
Around 1100B/3, HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) joined to the south-west of Cape Wrath.
HMS Whelp parted company around 2320B/3 to proceed to Greenock.
HMS Formidable arrived at Scapa Flow around 2030B/4 after having first carried out exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)
9 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises at Scapa Flow. (9)
10 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises at Scapa Flow. (9)
28 Jul 1944
Around 0900B/28, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for flying exercises to the west / north-west of the Orkney Islands. She was escorted by HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN).
They returned to Scapa Flow around 1515B/30. (9)
1 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted exercises, including flying, off Scapa Flow. She is escorted by HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, DSC, RN). (10)
3 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available on a possible escort.] (10)
6 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700B/6, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Bangor Bay. She was escorted until she entered the Minches by HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN) which then parted company to return to Scapa Flow. (10)
7 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600B/7, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) arrived at Bangor Bay from Scapa Flow. (10)
8 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845B/8, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Bangor Bay for Lamlash where she arrived around 1515B/8. En-route flying operations were carried out. (10)
9 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830B/9, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Lamlash for Bangor Bay where she arrived around 2100B/9. En-route flying operations were carried out. (10)
10 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945B/10, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Bangor Bay for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 2145B/11. En-route flying operations were carried out.
Around 1125B/11, she was joined in the northern part of the Minches to the south-east of Stornoway by HMS Scorpion (Cdr. W.S. Clouston, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN). (10)
14 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available on a possible escort.] (10)
17 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available on a possible escort.] (10)
2 Sep 1944
Around 0830B/2, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Volage (Cdr. L.G. Durlacher, OBE, RN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations.
Around 2100B/2, HMS Formidable departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. [She appeared to have proceeded unescorted.] (11)
3 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100B/3, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) arrived at Rosyth from Scapa Flow.
She proceeded to the Rosyth Dockyard in the afternoon. (11)
16 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700B/16, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 2145B/16.
Around 0755B/16, she was joined off May Island by Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN).
Around 1345B/16, Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) also joined. (11)
17 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0345A/17, the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) and Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar. (11)
21 Sep 1944
Around 1700A/21, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) and Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Scapa Flow.
HMS Formidable was immediately docked at the Gibraltar Dockyard. She had arrived at Gibraltar with engine defects. (11)
10 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) is undocked. (12)
11 Oct 1944
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted post repair trials off Gibraltar. These were unsatisfactory. (12)
23 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at the Gibraltar Dockyard. (12)
22 Dec 1944
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) is undocked.
[No log is available for HMS Formidable for January 1945, therefore some details for this month may be missing.] (13)
14 Jan 1945
The aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Alexandria where they arrived on 21 January 1945.
27 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (14)
28 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) passed the Suez Canal southbound and then set course for Aden. (15)
1 Feb 1945
Around 1700C/1, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (16)
2 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000C/2, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (16)
8 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130FG/8, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (16)
12 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900FG/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (16)
13 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930FG/13, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (16)
15 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 15/16 February 1945, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included gunnery and flying exercises. Aldo oiling at sea exercises were carried during which she fuelled from Echodale (8150 GRT, built 1941). [No details available on a possible destroyer escort.]
On return to harbour on the 16th D/F calibration trials were carried out. (16)
16 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 16/17 February 1945, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted gunnery and night flying exercises off Trincomalee. [No details available on a possible destroyer escort.] (16)
18 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715FG/18, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for flying exercises and subsequent passage to Colombo. She was escorted by HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR). (16)
20 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915FG/20, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (16)
22 Feb 1945
Around 0915FG/22, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Colombo for Fremantle via Trincomalee. She was escorted by HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR).
Around 0715FG/23, HMS Urchin was detached to top off with fuel at Trincomalee. She rejoined around 1230FG/23 after which HMAS Napier was detached to Trincomalee, also to top off with fuel. She rejoined around 1700FG/23 after which course was set for Fremantle.
At 1655G/24, a crewmember fell overboard from the flight deck of HMS Formidable. He was picked up after 13 minutes by HMAS Napier.
In the afternoon of the 26th, first HMAS Napier and than HMS Urchin fuelled from HMS Formidable.
In the afternoon of the 27th, first HMS Urchin and than HMAS Napier were topped off with fuel by HMS Formidable.
In the afternoon of 1 March 1945, HMAS Napier was once again topped off with fuel by HMS Formidable.
Around 1800H/3, they arrived at Fremantle.
[No log is available for HMS Formidable for the month of March 1945, therefore some details for this month may be missing.] (17)
4 Mar 1945
Around 0900H/4, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Fremantle for Sydney. She was escorted by HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR).
Around 1145K/8, near King Island, HMAS Napier shipped a heavy sea and lost two men overboard. They were not seen again despite a search for them. HMAS Napier also sustained some weather damage. She was then detached to Melbourne as she was also short of fuel.
HMS Formidable and HMS Urchin arrived at Sydney on 10 March 1945. (18)
10 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200I/10, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Leyte to join the British Pacific Fleet at sea for operations which she did on the 14th. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) and HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN).
[For more info on the operations of the British Pacific Fleet see the event ' The British Pacific Fleet during Operation Iceberg, the landings on Okinawa (1st phase) ' for 23 March 1945.] (19)
26 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600K/26, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) and HMS Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) arrived at Manus from operations.
After having fuelled they departed around 1500K/26 for Sydney. (19)
31 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000K/31, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) and HMS Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) arrived at Sydney from Manus.
They all were to undergo repair and / or refit. (19)
9 Aug 1945
Award of the Victoria Cross posthumously to the late Temporary Lieutenant Robert Hampton-Grey, R.C.N.V.R. " For great valour in leading from the Aircraft Carrier Formidable an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan in the Japanese Island of Honshu, on 9th August 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships, Lieutenant Grey pressed home his attack, flying very low to ensure success. Although he was hit and his aircraft in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit , sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Grey has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership." (20)
Sources
- ADM 53/117521
- ADM 53/117522 + ADM 199/632
- ADM 53/117522
- ADM 53/117523 + ADM 53/118634
- ADM 53/117523 + ADM 199/2554
- ADM 53/119436
- ADM 53/119438
- ADM 53/119440
- ADM 53/119441
- ADM 53/119442
- ADM 53/119443
- ADM 53/119444
- ADM 53/119446
- ADM 53/121025 + ADM 199/2554
- ADM 199/2554
- ADM 53/121379
- ADM 53/121379 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Napier for February 1945 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Napier for March 1945
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Napier for March1945
- ADM 53/121382
- Personal communication
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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