• Home
• The U-boats
• The Men
• The Allies
• Maps
• Forums
• Articles
• Gallery
• Books
• Movies
• WWI

Allies in WWII

• Ships hit by U-boats
• Allied Warships
• Allied Commanders
  • Listing of officers
  • Decorations
  • Personal info
• Ships & Navies
• Aircraft & Air Forces
• Weapons & Techn.

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (83)

26 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is undocked. (1)

14 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) completed her refit at the Simonstown Dockyard. (2)

15 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted post refit trials off Simonstown. These were unsatisfactory and due to engine defects she had to be towed back to the Dockyard for repairs. (2)

30 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted post refit and full speed trials off Simonstown. (2)

31 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted D/F calibration and compass swing trials at Simonstown on completion of which she set course for Capetown where she arrived later the same day. (2)

3 Jun 1941
Around 1500B/3, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Capetown for patrol in the South Atlantic and passage to Freetown. (2)

15 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500N/15, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (2)

18 Jun 1941

Convoy SL 78.

This convoy departed Freetown for the U.K. on 18 June 1941.

It was made up of the following transports;
Aliakmon (Greek, 4521 GRT, built 1913), Arduno (Dutch, 5163 GRT, built 1930), Atle Jarl (Norwegian, 1173 GRT, built 1919), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Batna (British, 4399 GRT, built 1928), Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Camerata (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931), Criton (British (former French), 4564 GRT, built 1927), Empire Abitity (British, 7603 GRT, built 1931), Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919), George J. Goulandris (Greek, 4345 GRT, built 1913), Kalypso Vergotti (Greek, 5686 GRT, built 1918), Keilehaven (Dutch, 2968 GRT, built 1919), Leonidas N. Condylis (Greek, 3923 GRT, built 1912), Mary Slessor (British, 5027 GRT, built 1930), Michael Jebsen (British, 2323 GRT, built 1927), Oberon (Dutch, 1996 GRT, built 1911), P.L.M. 22 (British, 5646 GRT, built 1921), Parthenon (Greek, 3189 GRT, built 1908), Rio Azul (British, 4088 GRT, built 1921), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Rolf Jarl (Norwegian, 1917 GRT, built 1920), Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937), St. Anselm (British, 5614 GRT, built 1919), stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920) and Venus (Dutch, 1855 GRT, built 1907).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Esperance Bay (Capt.(Retd.) G.S. Holden, RN), sloop HMS Bridgewater (A/Cdr. (Retd.) H.F.G. Leftwich, RN) and the corvettes HMS Armeria (T/Lt. H.N. Russell, DSC, RNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN), HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) and HMS Burdock (T/Lt. H.J. Fellows, SANF(V)).

The transport Criton fell out of the convoy and was ordered to return to Freetown. On 21 July she was intercepted by a Vichy French patrol vessel. When she started to make signals she was then sunk by the patrol vessel in position 09°03'N, 13°36'W.

On 21 June, HMS Bridgewater parted company with the convoy.

Around 1900N/22, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) joined the convoy.

During the night of 27/28 June 1941, the convoy was attacked by two German submarines; U-69 and U-123. These managed to sink four of the transports; Oberon, River Lugar, P.L.M. 22 and Empire Ability.

In the afternoon of 28 June 1941, HMS Asphodel fuelled from HMS Shropshire.

Around 1800N/28, the convoy was dispersed due to the threat of u-boat attack.

On 29 June 1941, three transports of the now dispersed convoy were sunk by the German submarines U-66 and U-123. The transports in question were the George J. Goulandris, Kalypso Vergotti and Rio Azul.

On 30 June 1941, one more transport was sunk by U-66, this was the Saint Anselm.

Apparently the convoy was later (partially) reformed.

on 9 July 1941, the catapult ship HMS Pegasus (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN), HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and the corvettes HMS Arbutus (T/Lt. A.L.W. Warren, RNR), HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR), HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.C. Connell, RNR), HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR), HMS Larkspur (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.H. Faichney, DSO, RNR) joined the now reformed convoy.

On 11 July 1941, the transport Blackheath and corvette HMS Arbutus collided in position 55°58'N, 10°38'W. The corvette was damaged and was escorted to Liverpool by HMS Pimpernel.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 12 July 1941.

21 Jun 1941
Around 1500N/21, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K. where she was to join the 1st Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet. On board were German POW's she was to transport to the U.K.

But first she was to overtake and join convoy SL 78.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 78 ' for 18 June 1941.] (3)

5 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030B/5, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Freetown. (4)

10 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted D/G trials and AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

14 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted speed trials at Scapa Flow. (4)

25 Jul 1941
Around 1800B/25, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord. (4)

27 Jul 1941
Around 1030Z/27, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from Scapa Flow. (4)

28 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100Z/28, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Hvalfjord for the Denmark Strait patrol. (4)

1 Aug 1941
Around 0630Z/1, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Akureyri from patrol.

She departed to proceed to Hvalfjord around 2000Z/1. (5)

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630Z/2, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from Akureyri. (5)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430Z/5, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Hvalfjord to provide cover for the cruiser-minelayer HMS Adventure (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN) which was to proceed from Archangelsk, northern Russia back to the U.K. (5)

10 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500Z/10, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) returned to Hvalfjord. (5)

21 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1315Z/21, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Akureyri. (5)

22 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115Z/22, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Akureyri from Hvalfjord.

She departed for Scapa Flow around 1900Z/22. (5)

24 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600A/24, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Akureyri. (5)

30 Aug 1941

Operation Strength.

Hurricane fighters flown off to Murmansk.

Around 0800A/30, ' Force L ', made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Seidisfjord, Iceland. However on arrival in the area around 0500A/1 they found heavy fog and it was not possible to enter the fjord and fuel. HMS Punjabi meanwhile had lost touch. She managed to enter Seidisfjord around 1045A/1 and after fuelling departed around 1300A/1 to overtake ' Force L ' which had meanwhile proceeded to a rendezvous position with the cover force ' Force M ' (see below) in position 74°00'N, 08°00'E.

Around 0200A/2, ' Force M ', which was made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R.M. Ellis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) departed Bardam Bay (Van Keulenfjord), Spitsbergen to provice cover for ' Force L '. ' Force M ' had been refuelling at Spitsbergen having arrived there around 0045A/1 from earlier operations. ' Force M ' was also to have carried out operation ' E.G.V. One ' in which German coastal traffic was to have been attacked by aircraft from HMS Victorious but the weather conditions were found unsuitable and the operation was cancelled.

Between 0920A/2 and 1230A/2, HMS Somali fuelled from HMS Shropshire followed by HMS Matabele between 1350A/2 and 1550A/2.

Around 2000A/3, HMS Punjabi rejoined.

Around 0530A/4, ' Force M ' was sighted, and at 0710A/4, HMS Punjabi, proceeded ahead with a message for the Rear-Admiral commanding the First Cruiser Squadron, temporary in HMS Victorious, leading ' Force M '. The two forces more or less proceeded in company from now on.

Between 1521A/5 and 1730A/5, HMS Punjabi fuelled from HMS Shropshire.

Between 0445A/7 and 0757A/7 four flights of Hurricanes were flown off from HMS Argus following which both forces proceeded westwards.

' Force L ' parted company with ' Force M ' around 1000A/9. ' Force L ' proceeded to Seidisfjord with the destroyers HMS Inglefield, HMS Impulsive and HMS Eclipse. HMS Suffolk temporary joined ' Force L '. In the meantime ' Force L ' had made rendezvous with the RFA tanker Oligargh (6897 GRT, built 1918) which was en-route from Spitsbergen to Iceland. Between 0340A/10 and 0445A/10, HMS Impulsive fuelled from the Oligargh followed by HMS Eclipse between 0542A/10 and 0745A/10. Next up was HMS Suffolk which started fuelling at 0900A/10. At 121A/10 the hose and towing wire parted. At 1705A/10 a new connection was established and fuel was transferred until 1828A/10 when the hose had apparently sprung leak. A new hose was connected and pumping again started at 2038A/10 and ceased at 2232A/10. HMS Suffolk parted company with ' Force L ' at 2340A/10 when she set course to rejoin ' Force M '.

' Force M ' proceeded to Low Sound, Spitsbergen to fuel from the RFA tanker Aldersdale (8402 GRT, built 1937), which was there protected by the destroyer HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN). HMS Somali, HMS Matabele and HMS Punjabi were now with ' Force M '.

' Force M ', made up of HMS Victorious, HMS Devonshire, HMS Somali, HMS Matabele and HMS Punjabi arrived in Low Sound, Spitsbergen around 2100A/9. They departed again around 1040A/10 for Operation ' E.G.V. Two '. HMS Suffolk rejoined them around 0800A/11.

' Force L ', made up of HMS Argus, HMS Shropshire, HMS Inglefield, HMS Impulsive and HMS Eclipse arrived at Seidisfjord around 0800A/12. (6)

12 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2030A/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) departed Seidisfjord for Scapa Flow. (7)

14 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730A/14, HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Seidisfjord. (7)

16 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The Walrus aircraft from HMS Shropshire (Cspt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) picked up the pilot of a crashed Albacore aircraft from HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN) off Brough Head, Orkneys. Two other crewmembers of the aircraft did not survive the crash. The rescued pilot was put on board the Hopital ship Amarapoora for treatment.

16 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The Walrus aircraft from HMS Shropshire (Cspt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) picked up the pilot of a crashed Albacore aircraft from HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN) off Brough Head, Orkneys. Two other crewmembers of the aircraft did not survive the crash. The rescued pilot was put on board the Hopital ship Amarapoora for treatment.

23 Sep 1941
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (8)

28 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830A/28, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for convoy escort duty with convoy QP 1.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy QP 1 ' for 28 September 1941.] (9)

11 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0015A/11, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from convoy escort duty.

She departed for Sheerness, as she was to refit at the Chatham Dockyard, around 1000A/11. (10)

12 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730A/12, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Sheerness from Scapa Flow. (10)

17 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Agter having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is towed from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she is taken in hand for refit. (10)

6 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During her refit, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is docked in No.9 Dock at the Chatham Dockyard. (11)

10 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is undocked. (12)

9 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is docked in No.9 Dock at the Chatham Dockyard. (13)

13 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is undocked. (13)

21 Feb 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN), proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness.

On of her turbines was still inoperative and she had been completed as a ' three shaft ship ' with reduced speed. (13)

22 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to Southend. (13)

23 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted D/G trials off Tilbury on completion of which she proceeded to Sheerness. (13)

26 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830A/26, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the destroyer HMS Veteran (Cdr. W.E.J. Eames, DSC, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Cattistock (Lt. R.M.W. MacFarlan, RN) and HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN).

The escort destroyers parted company around 0740A/27.

Around 1200A/27, HMS Shropshire arrived at Scapa Flow.

HMS Veteran continued on to Londonderry where she arrived on the 28th. (13)

6 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted log trials at Scapa Flow. (14)

9 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (14)

11 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) both conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (15)

16 Mar 1942
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow followed by gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (14)

19 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (14)

20 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900A/20 HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (14)

21 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930A/21 HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (14)

24 Mar 1942

Convoy WS 17.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 24 March 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Bhutan (British, 6104 GRT, built 1929), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Clan MacDonald (British, 9653 GRT, built 1939), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Duchess of Athol (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928), Dunedin Star (British, 11168 GRT, built 1936), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939), Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 1921), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Oronsay (British, 20043 GRT, built 1925), Port Wyndham (British, 11005 GRT, built 1935), Rembrandt (British, 5559 GRT, built 1941), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939), Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922), Winchester Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

The submarine depot ship HMS Adamant (Capt. R.S. Warne, RN) and the landing ships HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931, Cdr.(Retd.) C. Naylor, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930, Lt.Cdr. E.G. Welchman, RN) were also part of the convoy.

On assembly the convoy was being escorted by the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Javelin (Cdr. G.E. Fardell, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN), HNoMS Newport (?), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN), HMS Grove (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Rylands, RN) and HMS Aldenham (Lt. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN).

Around 0130A/25, HMS Beverley and HNomS Newport collided, the latter had to proceed to Liverpool for repairs.

Around 0333Z/27, HMS Keppel picked up a U-boat transmitting on her HF/DF. HMS Grove, HMS Aldenham and HMS Leamington were ordered to search for this U-boat. HMS Leamington sigted the U-boat which then dived. A hunt was then started on completion of which HMS Leamington set course to return to the U.K. while HMS Grove and HMS Aldenham set course for the Azores where they were to refuel before rejoining the convoy. The hunt was considered 'not succesfull' but in fact postwar, the German U-boat U-587 is credited to have been sunk in this attack.

Around 0910Z/27, HMS Badsworth parted company with the convoy to return to the U.K.

Around 1500Z/27, HMS Keppel, HMS Volunteer and HMS Beverley parted company with the convoy to return to the U.K. Both HMS Badsworth and HMS Volunteer reported after having parted company that U-boats were trailing the convoy.

Around 1545Z/27, HMS Lookout parted company with the convoy to proceed to Azores to refuel before she was to rejoin the convoy.

Around 0800Z/29, HMS Grove and HMS Lookout rejoined from fuelling at the Azores. Shortly afterwards HMS Pakenham, HMS Javelin and HMS Inconstant parted company to proceed to the Azores to refuel. HMS Aldenham rejoined the convoy later in the day.

HMS Pakenham, HMS Javelin and HMS Inconstant arrived at Ponta Delgada around 1300Z/29. HMS Pakenham departed Ponta Delgada around 1910Z/29 followed by the other two destroyers shortly before midnight.

HMS Pakenham rejoined the convoy around 1330Z/30. During her absence HMS Antelope (around 1820Z/29) and HMS Boadicea (around 0915Z/30) had parted company with the convoy to return to the U.K. via the Azores.

Around 1730Z/30, in position 31°00'N, 22°42'W, HMS Illustrious parted company with the convoy to proceed direct to Freetown escorted by HMS Pakenham and HMS Rockingham. HMS Lookout, HMS Grove and HMS Aldenham were left with the convoy as A/S escorts.

At 2008Z/30, a message was received by HMS Illustrious from the Admiralty which stated that a large battleship or battlecruiser had been sighted at 0148Z/30 in position 24°48'N, 15°40'W proceeding on a course of 300°. As this course would have brought this vessel in close proximity of the convoy HMS Illustrious decided to remain in close proximity of the convoy. HMS Rockingham was sent back to the convoy to divert the convoy to the westwards. After having transferred the order she set course to return to the U.K. via the Azores. HMS Javelin and HMS Inconstant meanwhile joined HMS Illustrious and HMS Pakenham around 1945Z/30.

At 0348Z/31, a message was received that the reported battleships course had been 200° instead of 300°. The convoy was therefore altered course. HMS Illustrious and her escorting destroyers then swept astern of the convoy before setting course direct to Freetown around 0846Z/31. (Position was then 28°50'N, 24°20'W).

At 1430Z/2, HMS Javelin was detached from the screen of HMS Illustrious to proceed to Bathurst to refuel. She later proceeded to Freetown independently.

In the afternoon of 2 April, HMS Shropshire fuelled HMS Grove.

In the afternoon of 3 April, HMS Shropshire fuelled HMS Aldenham.

HMS Illustrious, HMS Pakenham and HMS Inconstant arrived at Freetown around 0830Z/4.

Around 0900Z/4, the destroyer HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 1900Z/4, the corvettes HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) and FFS Commandant Detroyant (?) joined the convoy escort.

The convoy arrived at Freetown in the morning of April 6th. (16)

11 Apr 1942

Convoy WS 17B.

This convoy departed Freetown on 11 April 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Dunedin Star (British, 11168 GRT, built 1936), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921) and Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922).

The submarine depot ship HMS Adamant (Capt. R.S. Warne, RN) is also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy is escorted by the heavy cruiser Shropshire, destroyer HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), escort destroyer HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN) and the corvettes HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR), FFS Commandant Detroyant (?) and FFS Commandant Drogou (?).

Around 0130Z/12, the escort destroyer HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. L.StG. Rich, RN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 0600N/14, HMS Wild Swan parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown. She arrived at Freetown on the 15th.

Around 1800N/14, HMS Hydrangea and FFS Commandant Drogou parted company with the convoy to proceed to Cape Palmas to pick up survivors from torpedoed ships and then return to Freetown.

Around 1830N/15, HMS Croome, HMS Exmoor and FFS Commandant Detroyant parted company with the convoy.

Around 0700A/19, the sloop HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0300B/23, the convoy split into a ' Capetown section ' and a ' Durban section '.

The Capetown section was made up of the majority of the convoy and arrived there later on 23 April escorted by HMS Milford.

The Durban section continued on escorted by HMS Shropshire and was made up of the Empress of Russia, Franconia and Mataroa. They arrived at Durban in the morning of 26 April.

26 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having arrived at Durban around 0730B/26, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed again for Simonstown around 1700B/26. (17)

29 Apr 1942
Around 0800/29, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (17)

7 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted compass swing trials and gunnery exercises off Simonstown. (18)

8 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted exercises off Simonstown. (18)

12 May 1942
Around 0845B/12, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown to proceed to position 25°00'S, 05°00'W to make rendezvous with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) and then patrol in the South Atlantic to search for enemy surface raiders and supply vessels and to provide protection for merchant shipping passing through the area. (19)

15 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400Z/15, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 25°00'S, 05°00'W. Mails and information were exchanged before both continued to patrol in the South Atlantic. (20)

24 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1215B/24, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (18)

30 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730B/30, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Capetown for Simonstown where she arrived around 1225B/30. (18)

4 Jun 1942
Around 1545B/4, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with convoy WS 19 in approximate position 32°15'S, 13°55'E at 1200Z/5.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19 ' for 11 May 1942.] (21)

22 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100B/22, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty. (22)

23 Jun 1942
Around 0930B/23, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with convoy WS 19P in position 12°35'S, 08°00'E at 1200Z/26.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19P ' for 1 June 1942.] (21)

4 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000B/4, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Durban with convoy WS 19P. (23)

12 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200B/12, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (23)

14 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600B/14, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (23)

16 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530B/16, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with convoy WS 20.

On departure from Simonstown gunnery exercises were carried out.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 20 ' for 20 June 1942.] (23)

23 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100B/23, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty.

Before anchoring gunnery exercises were carried out. (23)

11 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Simonstown. (24)

16 Aug 1942
Around 1030B/16, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown to escort the Capetown Section of convoy WS 21P from Capetown to the vicinity of Durban.

The convoy was met off Capetown around 1300B/16.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 21P ' for 18 July 1942. (24)

20 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900C/20, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Durban from convoy escort duty. (24)

25 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1545C/25, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (24)

28 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/28, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (24)

1 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is docked in the Selborne Dry Dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (25)

21 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is undocked. (25)

22 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830BC/22, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with the Durban Section of convoy WS 22.

[For more info see the event ' Convoy WS 22 ' for 29 August 1942.] (25)

29 Sep 1942
Around 0730C/29, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Durban from convoy escort duty. (25)

30 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815C/30, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Durban for Capetown. She is escorting the troop transport Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918). (25)

3 Oct 1942
Around 1015B/3, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the troop transport Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918) arrived at Capetown from Durban. (26)

4 Oct 1942
Around 0900B/4, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Capetown for Simonstown where she arrived around 1330B/4. (26)

19 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 06300B/19, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Saldanha Bay for Simonstown where she arrived around 1345B/19. (26)

20 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400C/20, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN), destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and destroyer depot ship HMS Hecla (A/Cdr. J.R. D'Oyly, RN) departed Simonstown to join convoy CF 7 which was to depart from Capetown.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 7 ' for 20 October 1942.] (27)

20 Oct 1942

Convoy CF 7.

This convoy departed Capetown on 20 October 1942.

It was made up of the troop transports;
Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Maloja (British, 20914 GRT, built 1923) and Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921).

Off Capetown the convoy was joined by the destroyer depot ship HMS Hecla (A/Cdr. J.R. D'Oyly, RN) which came from Simonstown.

HMS Hecla had been escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) which were also the convoy escort.

Around 0905B/27, HMS Arrow parted company with the convoy to proceed to Pointe Noire to fuel.

Around 1000B/27, HMS Active parted company with the convoy to proceed to Pointe Noire to fuel.

Around 1050B/27, the corvette HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1800B/27, the corvette HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1800B/28, HMS Arrow and HMS Active rejoined the convoy from Pointe Noire.

Around 0730A/30, the auxiliary A/S whaler HMS Southern Pride (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR) joined the convoy. HMS Tamarisk then parted company to proceed to Lagos.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 2 November 1942.

4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy CF 7A.

This convoy departed Freetown on 4 November 1942.

It was made up of the troop transports;
Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Maloja (British, 20914 GRT, built 1923), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921) and Volendam (British, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

The destroyer depot ship HMS Hecla (A/Cdr. J.R. D'Oyly, RN) and repair ship HMS Vindictive (Capt. H.G.D. Acland, DSO, RN) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN), destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and sloop HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) N.W.H. Weekes, OBE, RN).

Around 1110Z/9, the destroyer HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSO, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1225Z/9, the destroyer HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.W. Falcon-Stewart, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1235Z/9, HMS Hecla and HMS Vindictive parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Marne and HMS Venomous.

Around 0800N/11, the destroyers HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Arrow and HMS Active then parted company to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores.

Around 0945N/12, HMS Arrow and HMS Active rejoined the convoy. HMS Bridgewater then parted company to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores to fuel and then return to Freetown.

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 17 November 1942 escorted by HMS Arrow and HMS Active.

The Highland Brigade had been detached on the 16th to Belfast and HMS Shropshire, HMS Duncan and HMS Anthony had proceed to the Clyde also arriving on the 16th.

20 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030A/20, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) departed Greenock for Sheerness.

Around 1500A/21, she was joined by the escort destroyers HMS Garth (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN) and HMS Southdown (Lt. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN).

HMS Shropshire arrived at Sheerness around 1615A/22. The escort destroyers had parted company with her at the boom defence entrance. (28)

25 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On completion of de-ammunitioning, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) is towed from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was taken in hand for refit. (28)

1 Dec 1942
During her refit, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN), is docked in No.9 Dock at the Chatham Dockyard. (29)

You can help improve officers Jack Tuthill Borrett's page
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this officer.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve his page.

• Front page
• About
• Contact us
• FAQ
• Glossary
• What's new

 © 1995 - 2024 Guðmundur Helgason