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Career information

During WW1 he survived the loss of HMS Formidable on 1/1/15. Between the wars he commanded HMS H28 4/20, HMS R10 9/23, HMS L20 2/24, HMS L22 2/28, HMS Pandora 2/31. He had been CO of HMS Lucia & Capt. S2 14/2/38-12/5/39.

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius (80)

6 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted exercises at /off Scapa Flow. (1)

7 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

15 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1815A/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (3)

16 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (3)

18 Feb 1941

Convoy WS 6B.

This convoy was assembled near Oversay on 18 February 1941.

On assembly the convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Adda (British, 7816 GRT, built 1922), Burma (British, 7821 GRT, built 1914), Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914), Northumberland (British, 11558 GRT, built 1915) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) E.J.S. Plawski) and ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski).

At 1150A/18, in position 55°53'N, 07°38'W, the Burma parted company to return to the Clyde due to condenser trouble.

At 1200A/20, in position 53°14'N, 21°12'W, HMS Cilicia was detached to proceed independently to Freetown.

At the same time all five destroyers were also detached to join northbound convoy SLG 1A.

Around 1045A/2, south of the Cape Verde Islands, in position 13°44'N, 24°53'W, the corvettes and HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown late in the morning of 5 March 1941. (4)

16 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230Z/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) arrived at Freetown. (5)

19 Mar 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt. E.N. Walmsley, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Freetown. (5)

20 Mar 1941
Around 1100N/20, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Freetown escorting the (troop) transport Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920). HMS Mauritius was to overake and join convoy SL 68 at noon on the 26th to the south of the Azores in position 35°35'N, 26°50'W.

HMS Mauritius parted company with the Narkunda at 0715N/21 in approximate position 10°24'N, 17°30'W.

At 2000Z/21, after it had become apparent that convoy SL 68 had been dispersed, HMS Mauritius set course to rejoin the Narkunda which she did around 0730Z/22 in approximate position 12°50'N, 22°00'W. They then set course to proceed to Bathurst as had been ordered by the Admiralty.

Around 1525Z/22, HMS Mauritius left Narkunda as an enemy raider report had been received. HMS Mauritius was ordered to proceed to position 12°55'N, 27°10'W to investigate but eventually she sighted nothing. Narkunda was later ordered to return to Freetown as she had too great a draught to enter Bathurst.

In a signal timed 0931Z/24, HMS Mauritius reported that one propeller shaft was out of action due a problem with a generator. Repairs were expected to be competed later the same day. Her speed was limited to 22 knots. She reported her position as 11°35'N, 24°28'W.

In a signal timed 2335Z/24, the C-in-C, South Atlantic ordered HMS Mauritius to return to Freetown so as to arrive around 0600Z/26.

In a signal timed 1029Z/25, HMS Mauritius was ordered by the C-in-C, South Atlantic to investigate another raider report. The merchant vessel Britannia (British, 8463 GRT, built 1926) had reported being attacked by an enemy raider at 0855Z/25 in position 07°24'N, 24°34'W. [This ship was sunk by the German raider Thor on this day.] Again HMS Mauritius sighted nothing during her search.

In a signal timed 0305Z/26, the C-in-C, South Atlantic, ordered HMS Mauritius to proceed to Bathurst to fuel.

Around 1430Z/27, HMS Mauritius arrived at Bathurst. (6)

28 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930N/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Bathurst to join convoy SL 69.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 69 ' for 23 March 1941.] (5)

8 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845N/8, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. (7)

9 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930N/09, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Freetown to overtake and join convoy SL 71.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 71 ' for 8 April 1941.] (7)

25 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830A/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from convoy escort duty. (7)

30 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915A/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with convoy WS 8A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.] (7)

9 May 1941
In the morning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) arrived at Freetown with convoy WS 8A. (8)

14 May 1941
In the morning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) departed Freetown with convoy WS 8A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.] (8)

24 May 1941
Around 1830AB/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty. (9)

25 May 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (9)

30 May 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is undocked. (9)

5 Jun 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted W/T calibration trials off Simonstown on completion of which she departed False Bay for Durban. (10)

7 Jun 1941
Around 0930B/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (10)

7 Jun 1941

Convoy CM 11.

This convoy departed Durban around 1500B on 7 June 1941.

On departure from Durban the convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Elisabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920), Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) and Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN).

At 1225C/9, in approximate position 25°33'S, 36°25'E, the Elizabethville was detached to return to Durban due to boiler trouble.

In the afternoon of the 18th June, in position 12°20'N, 44°44'E, the Nova Scotia parted company to land a wounded at Aden and then rejoin the convoy which she did not do before the convoy was dispersed.

At 0530D/19, in position 14°10'N, 42°47'E, the convoy was dispersed. HMS Mauritius then turned back to the south to proceed to Aden. (11)

19 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800C/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (10)

22 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030C/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa. (10)

27 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115D/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (10)

2 Jul 1941
Around 0930C/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (12)

7 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100D/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Kilindini / Mombasa. She was then fuelled by the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). (12)

9 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915D/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles to make rendezvous with the (troop) transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) and then relieve her current escort. (12)

16 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600G/16, in position 04°25'N, 86°50'E, the troop transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927), RAF tender Shengking (British, 2999 GRT, built 1931) and their current escort HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) which then took over the escort of the two ship to Singapore.

HMS Mauritius then set course for Colombo. (13)

17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800EF/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from escort duty. (12)

21 Jul 1941
Around 1430EF/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for the vicinity of Madras. On departure AA gunnery exercises were carried out. (12)

24 Jul 1941
Around 1745G/24, off Madras, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911). On board the Erinpura were 316 Indian troops which were to bee transported to Penang. (12)

26 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915GH/26, in approximate position 10°00'N, 92°35'E, the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) and her current escort HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) which then took over the escort duties.

HMS Mauritius then set course for Trincomalee. (13)

27 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy WS 9AX.

This convoy departed Bombay on 27 July 1941.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Capetown Castle (British, 27000 GRT, built 1938), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938) and Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN).

The convoy arrived at Colombo on 30 July 1941.

On 1 August 1941, the Capetown Castle and Empress of Japan departed Colombo for Singapore. On departure from Colombo they were not escorted.

Around 0730FG/2, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined as escort. She came from Trincomalee.

Around 0715FG/4, in approximate position 06°40'N, 96°00'E, escort was turned over to HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN).

The convoy arrived at Singapore on 5 August 1941. (14)

29 Jul 1941
Around 1030FG/29, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from escort duty. (12)

1 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615EF/1, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Trincomalee to join convoy WS 9AX. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 9AX ' for 27 July 1941.] (15)

4 Aug 1941
Around 1555GH/4, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Nancowry where she commenced to fuel from the RFA tanker Francol (2607 GRT, built 1917). (15)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800GH/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Nancowry for Trincomalee. (15)

9 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930FG/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Nancowry. (15)

12 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises off Trincomalee.

At the same time HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) conducted compass swing trials and gunnery exercises off Trincomalee.

Following these trials / exercises they carried out night encounter exercises. (16)

15 Aug 1941
Around 1015EF/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Trincomalee for the Maldives. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. (15)

17 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900FG/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Malé, Maldives.

Capt. Stephens then paid a visit to the Sultan.

Around 1935FG/17, HMS Mauritius departed Malé for Colombo. (15)

18 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730FG/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from the Maldives. (15)

21 Aug 1941
Around 0915EF/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for Penang.

She briefly, between 1115EF/21 and 1630EF/21, escorted the (troop) transport Athlone Castle (British, 25565 GRT, built 1936). (15)

25 Aug 1941
Around 1630GH/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Penang from Colombo. (15)

26 Aug 1941
Around 1230GH/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Penang for Colombo via Nancowry. (15)

27 Aug 1941
Around 1115GH/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Nancowry from Penang.

Around 1735GH/27, HMS Mauritius departed Nancowry for Colombo. (15)

30 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1215FG/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from Nancowry. On entering harbour D/G trials were carried out. (15)

8 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030EF/8, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). On board was a 'special reconnaissance party'. (17)

9 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1625F/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) from Colombo. (17)

13 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800F/13, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) for Colombo. (18)

15 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930F/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (18)

16 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915EF/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for Diego Garcia. (17)

3 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245D/3, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Mauritius for 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (19)

6 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made a short stop at Perhos Banhos before continuing on to 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (19)

7 Oct 1941
At 1015F/7 HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) from Mauritius.

She departed for Colombo around 1915F/7. (19)

9 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1045EF/9 HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (19)

19 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930EF/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (19)

21 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300F/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) from Colombo. Before entering the Atoll gunnery and torpedo firing exercises were carried out. (19)

25 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830F/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) for Colombo. (19)

26 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900FG/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (19)

31 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230EF/31, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo with the Singapore section of convoy WS 11.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 11 ' for 31 August 1941.] (19)

6 Nov 1941
Around 1500EF/31, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Singapore with the Singapore section of convoy WS 11.

At Singapore HMS Mauritius is to be taken in hand for refit. (20)

10 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Singapore Dockyard. (20)

24 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is docked in the King George VI graving dock at the Singapore Dockyard. (20)

2 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is undocked. (21)

15 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit cut short due to the war with Japan having started,HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Singapore around 0345GH/15 for Colombo. She is to complete her refit elsewhere. Until this can be taken in hand she can be used for escort duties only. (21)

18 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600EF/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from Singapore. (21)

1 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted D/G trials and gunnery exercises off Colombo. (22)

2 Jan 1942
Around 0850EF/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for Durban. She is escorting the troop transport Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913). (22)

15 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815C/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the troop transport Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Durban from Colombo.

Around 1900B/15, HMS Mauritius departed Durban for Simonstown. (22)

17 Jan 1942
Around 1115C/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. On arrival a torpedo firing exercise were carried out. (22)

30 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430Z/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Freetown from Simonstown. (22)

2 Feb 1942
Around 0915Z/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Freetown for Plymouth. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. (23)

11 Feb 1942
Around 0800A/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Freetown. (23)

16 Feb 1942
At the Devonport Dockyard, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is taken in hand to complete the refit that had been started at the Singapore Dockyard in November 1941 but had been cut short in December due to war with Japan having commenced. (23)

15 Apr 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted D/G trials and RDF calibration trials off Plymouth. (24)

16 Apr 1942
Around 0830B/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow and Greenock respectively.

Around 0530B/17, HMS Quentin parted company to proceed up the Clyde to Greenock.

Around 2100B/17, HMS Mauritius arrived at Scapa Flow. (24)

20 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (24)

21 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted aircraft landing and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow.

These were followed by underway refuelling exercises during which HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, DSO, RN) was fuelled.

Finally torpedo firing and gunnery exercises were carried out. During the torpedo firing exercise HMS Martin acted as target. (24)

23 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Also a range and inclination (RIX) exercise was carried out with HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN). (24)

24 Apr 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow during which HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) acted as target.

HMS Mauritius then left Scapa Flow and carried out a full power trial on the eastern measured mile.

And finally night encounter exercises (NEX) were carried out with HMS Arethusa (Capt. A.C. Chapman, RN). (24)

28 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conduced aircraft landing and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (24)

4 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (25)

9 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery, including HA and close range AA, exercises off Scapa Flow. (25)

10 May 1942
Around 0500B/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock where she arrived around 2315B/10. (25)

22 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown with convoy WS 19. (26)

6 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400AB/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty. (27)

10 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700B/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Simonstown for escort duty with convoy WS 19W.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19W ' for 23 May 1942.] (27)

16 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745D/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Mauritius from convoy escort duty. She then immediately commenced fuelling from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918).

Around 1730D/16, HMS Mauritius departed again for escort duty with convoy WS 19.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19 ' for 11 May 1942.] (28)

28 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330D/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. (27)

2 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700C/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (29)

6 Jul 1942
Around 0900C/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (29)

15 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1720C/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. (29)

10 Aug 1942
' Force A ', made up of the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holte, RNN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) departed Colombo for Kilindini / Mombasa.

On the 15th, they made a short stop at Port Victoria, Seychelles where HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck and the destroyers were fuelled. (30)

26 Aug 1942
Around 1315C/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol to the west of Réunion Island to intercept the Vichy French transport Amiral Pierre (4388 GRT, built 1905). (31)

2 Sep 1942
Around 1345D/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Mauritius from patrol. The Vichy French ship she had been searching for had not been sighted.

At Mauritius, HMS Mauritius fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918).

She departed again around 1820D/2 to resume patrol off Réunion Island. (32)

5 Sep 1942
Around 0815D/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Mauritius from patrol. Again the Vichy French ship she had been searching for had not been sighted.

At Mauritius, HMS Mauritius fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918). (32)

10 Sep 1942
Around 1210D/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Mauritius to make rendezvous with convoys US 16 and US 17.

[For more info on these convoys see the event ' Convoys US 16 and US 17 ' for 23 August 1942.] (32)

21 Sep 1942
Around 1130FG/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo with convoys US 16.

Before entering harbour 4" gunnery exercises were conducted.

On arrival HMS Mauritius was immediately docked in a graving dock. (33)

24 Sep 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is undocked.

She then departed Colombo together with HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) and HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNethN) around 1800FG/24 escorting convoy US 16.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoys US 16 and US 17 ' for 23 August 1942. (32)

2 Oct 1942
Around 1315D/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty.

She departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa around 1830D/2. (34)

6 Oct 1942
Around 1845C/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (35)

9 Nov 1942
HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for flying exercises. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN).

On 10 October 1942, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) also came out of exercises.

On 11 October 1942 they all returned to Kilinidi / Mombasa. (36)

14 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800C/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for escort duty with convoy WS 23.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 23 ' for 5 October 1942.] (36)

24 Nov 1942
Around 1000FG/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Bombay with the 'Bombay section' of convoy WS 23. (36)

1 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted D/G trials off Bombay. (37)

3 Dec 1942

Convoy BA 34.

This convoy departed Bombay on 3 December 1942.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Akbar (British, 4043 GRT, built 1924), City of Eastbourne (British, 5563 GRT, built 1923), Jalarashimi (British, 4449 GRT, built 1918), Jalaratna (British, 3865 GRT, built 1930), Khosrou (British, 4043 GRT, built 1924), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) and Rahmani (British, 5463 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the corvette HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR).

At 1805EF/4, in position 19°10'N, 67°40'E, HMS Aster was detached to return to Bombay.

At 0745DE/8, in position 15°52'N, 54°32'E, HMS Mauritius was detached to proceed to Port Victoria, Seychelles. Shortly before the minesweeper HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR) had joined to take over the escort duties.

The convoy arrived at Aden on 11 December 1942. (38)

11 Dec 1942
Around 1000E/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles.

She was then fuelled by the RFA tanker Cedardale (8132 GRT, built 1939) and departed for Diego Suarez around 1730E/11 to join convoy WS 24B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 24B ' for 6 December 1942.]. (37)

17 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1015FG/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy WS 24B. (37)

26 Dec 1942
Around 0930FG/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Bombay for Kilindini / Mombasa.

On board, for passage, was the C-in-C of the Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, and part of his staff. (37)

30 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245FG/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Bombay. Before entering harbour 4" HA gunnery exercises were carried out. (37)

13 Feb 1943
Around 0950FG/13, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from Addu Atoll. Before entering harbour air defence exercises were carried out with shore based aircraft.

Admiral Sommerville and his staff then left the ship.

At Colombo, HMS Mauritius commenced boiler cleaning. (39)

15 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2000FG/15, at Colombo, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN). (39)

20 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) conductd exercises with aircraft off Colombo. (39)

22 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1415FG/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) departed Colombo for Bombay. (39)

24 Feb 1943
Around 1100FG/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (39)

6 Mar 1943
Around 1500FG/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) departed Bombay for Kilindini / Mombasa. (40)

10 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800C/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Bombay. Before entering harbour exercises with aircraft were carried out. (40)

11 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800C/11, while at Kilindini / Mombasa, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) to HMS Warspite (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN). (40)

18 Mar 1943
Late in the morning, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN).

Around 1200C/18, HMS Mauritius then departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (40)

21 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1520B/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (40)

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