Henry William Urquhart McCall DSO, RN
| Born | 11 Jun 1895 | Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland | |
| Died | 23 Mar 1980 | (84) | Wonston, Hampshire, England |
| Ranks
Retired: 15 Sep 1953 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Henry William Urquhart McCall, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Dido (37) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 22 Sep 1940 | 26 Oct 1942 |
| HMS Howe (32) | Capt. | Battleship | Mar 1944 | 13 Feb 1946 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Battleship HMS Howe (32)
19 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) is undocked. (1)
10 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow.
She was escorted by three destroyers or escort destroyers.
The destroyer HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) parted company around 2205A/10.
The two remaining escorts parted company around 2340A/10. (2)
22 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. These were followed by DG trials and speed trials on the measured mile. (2)
30 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted trials and exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)
1 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (3)
6 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.
In the late afternoon / early evening underway refuelling exercises were carried out with the destroyer HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN). (4)
7 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early hour of 7 June, HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), conducted night gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)
8 Jun 1944
HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, CBE, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN), HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.
HMS Duke of York and HMS Royalist returned to Scapa Flow in the afternoon, HMS Howe remained at sea for more exercises only returning late in the morning of the 9th.
[No details available on participating / escorting destroyers.] (5)
13 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow. (4)
14 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth. Before entering HMS Howe conducted a rangefinding and inclination exercise (RIX) during which HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) acted as target. (4)
15 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (3)
23 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. These were followed by underway refuelling exercises with HMS Volage (Cdr. L.G. Durlacher, OBE, RN). (4)
27 Jun 1944
HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.
[No details available on participating / escorting destroyers.] (6)
28 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (4)
30 Jun 1944
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (4)
1 Jul 1944
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (7)
1 Jul 1944
Around 2245B/1, HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Algiers.
Around 0315B/1, the destroyers HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR) and HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RD, RNR) joined coming from Moville.
At 1920B/5, the destroyers HMS Active (Cdr. J. Pringle, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt. J.A. McClure, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. I.M. Clegg, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar. The original destroyer screen then parted company to fuel at Gibraltar.
At 0110B/7, HMS Undaunted and HMS Urchin rejoined. HMS Active and HMS Wolverine then parted company.
Around 1930B/7, HMS Howe, HMS Undaunted, HMS Urchin and HMS Brilliant arrived at Algiers. (7)
9 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730B/9, the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Algiers for Port Said.
She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RD, RNR), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR) and HMS Brilliant (Lt. J.A. McClure, RN).
Around 1100B/10, HMS Brilliant parted company and proceeded to Malta arriving there later the same day to fuel. She rejoined from fuelling around 0050B/11.
HMS Howe, HMS Undaunted, HMS Urchin and HMS Brilliant arrived at Port Said around 1200C/13. (7)
14 Jul 1944
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) transited part of the Suez Canal southbound and arrived in the Great Bitter Lakes. (7)
15 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) transited the remaining part of the Suez Canal southbound from the Great Bitter Lakes to Suez. (7)
21 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Suez with aircraft on completion of which she set course for Aden. (7)
24 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) arrived at Aden. The destroyers had joined HMS Howe around 1815C/23. (7)
28 Jul 1944
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) departed Aden for Colombo.
Around 1330E/1, the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) joined having departed Colombo around 1900FG/30.
At 1837E/1, HMAS Nizam parted company to proceed to Cochin where she arrived on 2 July. (8)
3 Aug 1944
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (9)
7 Aug 1944
Around 1045FG/7, the battleships HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), aircraft maintenance carrier HMS Unicorn (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (10)
8 Aug 1944
Around 1445FG/8, HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), HMS Unicorn (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, DSO, RN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (10)
6 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), conducted bombardment exercises off Trincomalee.
In the afternoon further exercises were carried out during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN).
Later HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) relieved HMS Whelp and HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) relieved HMAS Quickmatch.
Later in the afternoon HMS Quilliam was relieved by HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN). (11)
10 Oct 1944
Around 1230FG/10, the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN).
HMS Howe arrived at Colombo the following day but the destroyers did not enter the harbour as they were joined by the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) which they were to escort back to Trincomalee. (11)
23 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN). (12)
24 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (12)
2 Nov 1944
The battleships HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. It appears she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN). (13)
26 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) and HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN).
HMS Howe arrived at Colombo the following day. The destroyers did not enter the harbour. (13)
1 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Colombo, Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C, British Pacific Fleet, hoisted his flag in HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) (14)
2 Dec 1944
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C, British Pacific Fleet) departed Colombo for Fremantle. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN).
On 4 December 1944, HMS Quilliam fuelled from HMS Howe. The other three destroyers fuelled from HMS Howe on the 5th.
They arrived at Fremantle on 11 December 1944. (15)
11 Dec 1944
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C, British Pacific Fleet) departed Fremantle for Sydney. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN).
Around 0001H/13, the destroyers parted company to proceed to Albany where they arrived during the forenoon on the same day. (16)
17 Dec 1944
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C, British Pacific Fleet) arrived at Sydney.
At Sydney Admiral Fraser departed HMS Howe, [but we have been unable to find out when]. (14)
23 Jan 1945
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises off Manus. (17)
24 Jan 1945
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) departed Manus for Sydney. (17)
29 Jan 1945
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Sydney from Manus. (17)
2 Feb 1945
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Sydney for Auckland. (18)
5 Feb 1945
Around 1115M/6, HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Auckland from Sydney. (18)
12 Feb 1945
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Auckland. (18)
13 Feb 1945
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Auckland. (18)
14 Feb 1945
Around 0630M/14, the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Auckland for Sydney. (18)
17 Feb 1945
Around 0945K/17, HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Sydney from Auckland. (18)
15 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleships HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN), HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN, with Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN, on board), HMAS Quiberon (Lt.Cdr. G.F.E. Knox, RAN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) conducted exercises off Manus. (19)
2 Jun 1945
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Manus for Sydney. (20)
6 Jun 1945
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) arrived at Sydney from Manus. (20)
8 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Sydney for Fremantle.
HMS Howe is to proceed to Durban, South Africa to refit. (20)
13 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) arrived at Fremantle from Sydney. (20)
15 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Fremantle for Durban. (20)
27 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban from Fremantle. (20)
2 Jul 1945
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Durban Dockyard.
The refit lasted until early September 1945. (21)
10 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) is docked at Durban. (21)
29 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) is undocked. (21)
Sources
- ADM 53/119554
- ADM 53/119555
- ADM 53/119556 + ADM 53/120423
- ADM 53/119556
- ADM 53/119294 + ADM 53/119556 + ADM 53/120423
- ADM 53/119294 + ADM 53/119556
- ADM 53/119557
- ADM 53/119557 + ADM 199/1388
- ADM 53/119558 + ADM 199/1388
- ADM 53/119558 + ADM 53/120670 + ADM 199/1388
- ADM 53/119560
- ADM 53/119560 + ADM 187/41
- ADM 53/119561
- ADM 53/119562
- ADM 53/119562 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for December 1944
- ADM 53/119562 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Quiberon for December 1944.
- ADM 53/119563
- ADM 53/121501
- ADM 53/121502 + ADM 53/121601
- ADM 53/121505
- ADM 53/121506
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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