Sir John Meynell Alleyne DSO, DSC, RN
| Born | 11 Aug 1889 | Thorner, Yorkshire, England, U.K. | |
| Died | 17 Dec 1983 | (94) |
| Ranks
Retired: 12 Jan 1936 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for John Meynell Alleyne, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Salopian (F 94) | Capt. (Retd.) | Armed Merchant Cruiser | 1 Mar 1940 | 13 May 1941 |
| HMS Ranchi (F 15) | Capt. (Retd.) | Armed Merchant Cruiser | 13 Sep 1941 | 16 Mar 1943 |
| HMS Asturias (F 71) | Capt. (Retd.) | Armed Merchant Cruiser | 29 Apr 1943 | 10 Sep 1943 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Ranchi (F 15)
28 Sep 1941
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Durban. (1)
29 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (1)
16 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), departed Durban around 0730B/2 for Kilindini / Mombasa. (2)
21 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400C/21, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (2)
25 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (2)
5 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy MA 2.
This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 5 November 1941.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Burma (British, 7821 GRT, built 1914, 1424 troops), Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937, 1540 troops) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928, 1696 troops).
The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).
The convoy arrived at Aden on 12 November 1941. (3)
12 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830C/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden with convoy MA 2.
Around 1215C/12, after having fuelled, she departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa. (4)
16 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630C/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (4)
18 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2200C/18, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Addu Atoll (Port T) via Port Victoria, Seychelles. (4)
21 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) made a short stop at Port Victoria, Seychelles. She left after about one hour for Addu Atoll (Port T). (4)
24 Nov 1941
Around 1240E/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll (Port T).
At Addu Atoll she was to serve as temporary base ship. (4)
10 Jan 1942
Around 0800F/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll (Port T) for Mahé. (5)
11 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930F/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mahé from Addu Atoll.
Around 1730F/11, she departed Mahé to return to Addu Atoll. (5)
12 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800F/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll. (5)
19 Jan 1942
Convoy DM 2.
This convoy was formed at sea on 19 January 1942 when the ships in the convoy split off from convoy WS 14. The ships in the convoy were the following; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (British, 8049 GRT, built 1937), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).
They were escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN).
Around 1100F/16, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) joined off Addu Atoll. HMS Royal Sovereign then parted company and entered Addu Atoll.
Around 1320F/28, the convoy merged with convoy BM 12 coming from Bombay.
Around 1500F/28, HMS Ranchi parted company with the now combined convoy and set course for Addu Atoll. (6)
26 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900F/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll to join convoy DM 2.
For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy DM 2 ' for 19 January 1942. (5)
30 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800F/30, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from convoy escort duty.
[No log is available for HMS Ranchi for the month of February 1942 so some details for this month might be missing. (5)
17 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll. She returned there on 21 February 1942. [No further details available.] (7)
24 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll. [We have been unable to find out when she returned. No further details available.] (7)
2 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700F/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Colombo. (8)
4 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1815F/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Addu Atoll. (8)
7 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630F/7, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. She was escorting the (troop) transports Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) and Willard A. Holbrook (American (Army transport), 14812 GRT, built 1921). (8)
11 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1610F/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the (troop) transports Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) and Willard A. Holbrook (American (Army transport), 14812 GRT, built 1921) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (8)
28 Mar 1942
Around 1415F/28, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Port Victoria, Seychelles. On board were relief troops for the garrison based there. (9)
2 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1545DE/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Bombay. (10)
3 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300D/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Mauritius. (10)
6 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630D/6, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (10)
7 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230D/7, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mauritius for Rodrigues Island and Diego Garcia. On board were garrison reliefs for both islands. (10)
8 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615D/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rodrigues Island from Mauritius. (10)
9 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345D/9, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Rodrigues Island for Diego Garcia. (10)
12 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1445E/12, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Garcia from Rodrigues Island. (10)
17 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745D/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Diego Garcia. (10)
18 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1025D/18, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mauritius for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (10)
21 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200D/21, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Mauritius. (10)
3 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0645D/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Kilindini / Mombasa. (11)
6 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145C/6, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (11)
8 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (12)
10 May 1942
Around 0845C/10, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa escorting convoy WS 17B2 to Bombay.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 17 ' for 27 April 1942.] (13)
19 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930EF/19, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy WS 17B2. (13)
20 May 1942
Around 1330EF/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (14)
23 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230F/23, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (13)
25 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430F/25, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Suez. (13)
3 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800CD/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Suez from Colombo. (15)
4 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1520C/4, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (15)
8 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1520C/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez.
She departed Aden for Colombo around 1600D/8. (15)
15 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800F/15, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (15)
22 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800F/22, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Kilindini / Mombasa. The destroyer HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) was in company until 1230E/24 and then set course to return to Colombo. (15)
30 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800C/30, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilidini / Mombasa from Colombo. (15)
11 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700C/11, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (16)
17 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/17, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (16)
20 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy CM 30.
This convoy departed Durban on 20 July 1942.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Charles L.D. (British (former French), 5267 GRT, built 1934), Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), James McKay (American, 6762 GRT, built 1941), Sontay (British, 8917 GRT, built 1921) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928).
The RFA supplyship (used as distilling ship) Bacchus (3154 GRT, built 1936) and RFA tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).
On 21 July 1942, the Sontay was detached with defects and returned to Durban.
Around 1600D/26, HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Mauritius.
Around 1600D/27, the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) joined company coming from Diego Suarez.
Around 0700D/27, HMS Caledon parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez taking the Empire Woodlark and RFA Bacchus and RFA Easedale with her. They arrived at Diego Suarez on 29 July 1942.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 8 August 1942, escorted by HMS Ranchi.
9 Aug 1942
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She was escorting the landing ships
HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931, Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN),
HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930, T/A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, RN) and the troop transport
Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939). (17)
13 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), landing ships
HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931, Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN),
HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930, T/A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, RN) and the troop transport
Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (17)
24 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200F/24, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Addu Atoll. (17)
26 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1415F/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Colombo. (17)
27 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030F/27, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for Mauritius via Diego Garcia and Rodrigues Island. (17)
28 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1845F/28, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Garcia from Addu Atoll. (17)
29 Aug 1942
Around 1835F/29, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Diego Garcia for Rodrigues Island. (17)
1 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100DE/1, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rodrigues Island from Diego Garcia.
She departed for Mauritius around 1245DE/1. (18)
2 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245DE/2, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Rodrigues Island. (18)
3 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930D/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mauritius for Durban. (18)
8 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800C/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Mauritius. (18)
19 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy CM 32.
This convoy departed Durban on 19 September 1942.
The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Demodocus (British, 6689 GRT, built 1912), Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).
On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN).
Around 1707C/21, ,HMS Ranchi parted company with the convoy as she had been ordered to search for the Vichy French transport Amiral Pierre (4388 GRT, built 1905) which was thought to be bound for Laurenco Marques.
Around 0740C/28, the armed merchant cruiser Chitral and the minesweepers HMS Cromarty (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Palmer, DSC, RNZNVR), HMS Cromer (Cdr. R.H. Stephenson, DSO, RN) and HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR) joined the convoy coming from Kilindini / Mombasa.
Around 1200C/28, HMS Express and the Demodocus were detached to Kilindini / Mombasa where they arrived on the 29th.
Around 2359C/1, HMS Chitral parted company with the convoy.
The convoy arrived at Aden on 5 October 1942.
26 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2115C/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Capetown from convoy escort duty and patrol. (18)
29 Sep 1942
HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Capetown with the Capetown section of convoy WS 22.
For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 22 ' for 29 August 1942.] (19)
8 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600D/8, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) parted company with convoy WS 22 to fuel at Diego Suarez. She arrived there around 1730D/9. Having completed fuelling she departed again around 2330D/9 to rejoined the convoy which she did around 0600D/11. (20)
16 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815C/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (20)
25 Oct 1942
Convoy AP 4.
This convoy departed Aden on 25 October 1942.
It was made up of the (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), El Madina (British, 3962 GRT, built 1937), Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).
On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. S.O’G Roche, RN).
Around 1145C/28, in position 17°15'N, 57°21'E, the auxiliary patrol vessels HMIS Sonavati (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.F. Smith, RINR) and HMIS Hiravati (T/Lt. B.B. Simpson, RINR) joined. HMS Beaufort then parted company.
Around 0800C/29, HMS Ranchi parted company with the convoy in position 20°21'N, 59°13'E.
The convoy was disbanded off the Strait of Hormuz on 30 October 1942.
3 Nov 1942
Around 1700C/3, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa after convoy escort duty. (21)
9 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 9/10 November 1942, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and night exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (21)
14 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy KA 4.
This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa around 0630C on 14 November 1942.
The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).
On departure from Kilindini / Mombasa the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the minesweepers HMAS Cairns (T/Lt. E. MacMillan, RANR(S)) and HMAS Wollongong (T/Lt. G.A. Keith, RANR(S)).
Around 1830C/14, HMAS Cairns and HMAS Wollongong parted company.
Around 1645D/18, the destroyer RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. G. Blessas, RHN) joined the convoy to the south-west of Socotra. HMS Ranchi then parted company.
The convoy arrived at Aden on 20 November 1942.
20 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0820C/20, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden after convoy escort duty. (21)
2 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy AB 4.
This convoy departed Aden on 2 December 1942.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Islami (British, 5879 GRT, built 1934), Jalagopal (British, 5284 GRT, built 1911), Karoa (British, 7009 GRT, built 1915), Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923) and Varela (British, 4651 GRT, built 1914).
On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the minesweeper HMIS Punjab (T/Lt. C.T. Hyde, RINVR).
The convoy arrived at Bombay on 9 December 1942.
10 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at the Bombay Dockyard. (22)
17 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (22)
22 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted D/G and compass swing trials off Bombay. (22)
31 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy BA 36.
This convoy departed Bombay on 31 December 1942.
It was made up of the (troop) transports; Cap. St.Jacques (British (former French), 8009 GRT, built 1922), Daltonhall (British, 7250 GRT, built 1941), Islami (British, 5879 GRT, built 1934), Jalamunda (British, 4981 GRT, built 1936), Kalarand (British, 1496 GRT, built 1906) and Store Nordiske (British (former Danish), 1456 GRT, built 1922).
On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the M/S trawler HMIS Baroda (T/Lt. A.J. Ritchie, RINR).
Around 0625DE/2, HMIS Baroda parted company.
Around 1400D/5, the minesweeper HMS Poole (Lt. W.L.G. Dutton, RNR) joined company.
The convoy arrived at Aden on 8 January 1943. (23)
14 Jan 1943
Convoy AK 6.
This convoy departed Aden on 14 January 1943.
The convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922) and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937).
On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN).
Around 1000C/16, HMS Derwent parted company.
The convoy arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 20 January 1943. (24)
22 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230C/22, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. She was escorting the troop transport Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922). (24)
26 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1110C/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the troop transport Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922) were joined by the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) in approximate position 23°15'S, 39°35'E. (24)
28 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1415C/28, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) and the troop transport Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922) arrived at Durban. (24)
29 Jan 1943
Around 1900C/29, the armed merhant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) departed Durban for Capetown and Simonstown respectively. (24)
1 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The armed merhant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) arrived at Capetown and Simonstown respectively coming from Durban. (25)
3 Feb 1943
The armed merhant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Capetown for Freetown. Off the entrance to the swept channel she was joined by the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) which had departed Simonstown earlier that day.
They parted company around 1700BC/4. (25)
13 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630Z/13, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown from Capetown. (26)
14 Feb 1943
Around 1330Z/14, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K. with convoy CF 11.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 11 ' for 25 January 1943.] (26)
26 Feb 1943
Around 0915A/26, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived in the Clyde with convoy CF 11. (26)
27 Feb 1943
Around 1700A/27, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde for Southampton. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN). (26)
1 Mar 1943
HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Southampton while HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (27)
16 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1000A/16, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) is paid off at Southampton to be returned to the trade. She was to be refitted for use as troopship. (28)
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Asturias (F 71)
11 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted post refit trials off Belfast. (29)
12 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted D/G and compass adjustment trials off Belfast. (29)
13 May 1943
Around 0930B/13, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Belfast for Greenock where she arrived around 2130B/13. En-route some trials had been carried out. (29)
17 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (29)
19 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (29)
21 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises and gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (29)
25 May 1943
During the night of 25/26 May 1943, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (29)
31 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2000B/31, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Casablanca. (29)
5 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1745Z/5, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Casablanca from Greenock. (30)
6 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1915Z/6, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Casablanca for Freetown. (30)
12 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000Z/12, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown from Casablanca. (30)
14 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200Z/14, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for Bahia. (30)
19 Jun 1943
Around 1900P/19, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Bahia from Freetown. (30)
5 Jul 1943
Passage fo the Regusci & Voulminot floating dock from Bahia to Dakar and the torpedoing of HMS Asturias.
In the early afternoon, the former floating dock of Regusci & Voulminot from Montevideo, Uruguay, left Bahia in two parts for Dakar. The tugs Thames and Roode Zee each towed a part of the dock.
The tow was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, RN) and the corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. S. Darling, RANVR), HMS Cowslip (Lt.Cdr. F. Granger, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR).
They were to proceed through positions; A) 13°16'S, 38°33'W. B) 13°16'S, 33°20'W. C) 04°00'S, 29°00'W. D) 00°00'S, 25°00'W. E) 08°35'N, 20°00'W.
They were expected to arrive at Freetown at 1000Z/28 and it had been estimated they could make 100 nautical miles a day.
At 0930O/10, HMS Clarkia was detached to go to the assistance of HMS Buttermere (Lt. J.D.E. Lewis, RNR) and HMS Wastwater (T/Lt. W.J.L. Storey, RNVR) which were to have joined the convoy the following day but both had suffered engine failure.
At 0020O/12, HMS Clarkia rejoined the convoy.
Around 1800O/13, in approximate position 07°04'S, 30°48'W, USS Surprise (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Low, USNR) joined the convoy coming from Recife.
On 15 July 1943, HMS Woodruff and HMS Clarkia both fuelled while underway from HMS Asturias.
On 16 July 1943, HMS Milford and HMS Cowslip both fuelled while underway from HMS Asturias.
Around 0900O/20, in approximate position 00°08'S, 25°33'W, USS Surprise was detached to return to Recife.
Around 0800O/23, in position 04°02'N, 23°10'W, the A/S trawler HMS Inkpen (T/Lt. H. Vernon, RNR) and A/S whaler HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. P.H. Riseley, RNVR) joined the convoy coming from Freetown.
Also on 23 July 1943, HMS Clarkia, HMS Woodruff and HMS Milford all fuelled while underway from HMS Asturias. HMS Cowslip was fuelled the following morning.
At 2352A/24, in position 06°52'N, 20°45'W, a torpedo was seen approaching HMS Asturias which was able to evade it but then a second torpedo was seen which struck the armed merchant cruiser amidships on the port side resulting in serious damage to the ships engines and boilers. HMS Clarkia and HMS Southern Gem were ordered to remain with the damaged ship while the remainder of the convoy continued. The attacker was the Italian submarine Ammiraglio Cagni.
On receipt of the signal that HMS Asturias had been torpedoed, the sloop HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN), frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN), HMS Moyola (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lawson, RD, RNR) and the tug Zwarte Zee were despatched from Freetown.
Around 1430A/26, HMS Exe joined followed around 1800A/26, by HMS Folkestone and the Zwarte Zee. HMS Clarkia was then detached to overtake and join the convoy with the floating dock. About an hour later the Zwarte Zee had HMS Asturias in tow.
Around 0700A/27, HMS Moloya also joined. She had brought portable pumps and other salvage equipment with her.
The damaged armed merchant cruiser arrived at Freetown still under tow around 1300Z/1.
The convoy with the dock had arrived at Dakar on 30 July 1943. (31)
24 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2352A/24, in position 06°52'N, 20°45'W, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) was torpedoed and damaged by the Italian submarine Ammiraglio Cagni.
[For more info see the event ' Passage fo the Regusci & Voulminot floating dock from Bahia to Dakar and the torpedoing of HMS Asturias ' for 5 July 1943.] (32)
1 Aug 1943
Around 1300Z/1, the damaged armed merchant cruiser HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown under tow by Zwarte Zee.
Their escort, HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN), HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN), HMS Moyola (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lawson, RD, RNR) and HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. P.H. Riseley, RNVR) was still with them until their arrival.
There were no facilities available at Freetown to repair HMS Asturias. The damaged ship was laid up at Freetown and was only towed to the U.K. for repairs in mid 1945. (33)
Sources
- ADM 53/114947
- ADM 53/114948
- ADM 199/408
- ADM 53/114949
- ADM 53/116496
- ADM 199/426
- ADM 187/17 + ADM 199/2568
- ADM 53/116497 + ADM 199/426
- ADM 53/1165497 + ADM 199/426
- ADM 53/1165498 + ADM 199/426
- ADM 53/1165499 + ADM 199/426
- ADM 53/1165499
- ADM 53/116499
- ADM 53/116499 + ADM 199/426
- ADM 53/116500
- ADM 53/116501
- ADM 53/116502
- ADM 53/116503
- ADM 53/115296 + ADM 53/116503
- ADM 53/116504
- ADM 53/116505
- ADM 53/116506
- ADM 53/116506 + ADM 53/118408
- ADM 53/118408
- ADM 53/118409 + ADM 199/2547
- ADM 53/118409
- ADM 53/118410 + ADM 199/2569
- ADM 53/118410
- ADM 53/116966
- ADM 53/116967
- ADM 53/116967 + ADM 199/2269 + ADM 199/2270
- ADM 53/116968
- ADM 53/116969
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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