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Destroyer HMS Valentine (i) (L 69)

28 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) is commissioned at the Devonport Dockyard on completion of her conversion to AA escort. (1)

3 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 3 to 5 April 1940, HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) conducted trials off Plymouth. (2)

6 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) shifted from Plymouth to Portland to commence her work-up programme. (1)

8 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) conducted four runs over the D/G range at Portland. (3)

13 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) departed Portland for Sheerness. (1)

14 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) arrived at Sheerness. (1)

15 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) arrived at Rosyth from Sheerness. She joined the Rosyth Command for east coast convoy escort duty. (1)

18 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy FN 47 arrived at Methil from Southend where it had departed on the 16th. At the time of arrival the convoy was being escorted by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN). (4)

20 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy MT 56.

Convoy MT 56 departed Methil on 20 April 1940 for the Tyne where it arrived later the same day.

It was made up of the following merchant ships;
Asiatic (British, 3741 GRT, built 1923), Botne (Norwegian, 991 GRT, built 1922), British Scout (British, 1507 GRT, built 1922), Glen Tilt (British, 871 GRT, built 1920), Graslin (British, 2323 GRT, built 1924), Newlands (British, 1556 GRT, built 1921) and PLM 21 (French, 5417 GRT, built 1921).

Escort was provided by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN).

20 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy FS 151.

Convoy FS 151 departed the Tyne on 20 April 1940 for Southend where it arrived on 22 April 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant ships;
Beal (British, 504 GRT, built 1936), Bravore (Norwegian, 1458 GRT, built 1916), Brockley (British, 1564 GRT, built 1920), Camerata (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931), Cochrane (British, 7203 GRT, built 1923), Cordene (British, 2345 GRT, built 1924), Dalewood (British, 2774 GRT, built 1931), Dashwood (British, 2154 GRT, built 1924), Ferranti (British, 1317 GRT, built 1932), Foreland (British, 1870 GRT, built 1939), Forth (British, 1058 GRT, built 1928), Friesland (Dutch, 2662 GRT, built 1930), Glen Gairn (British, 904 GRT, built 1922), Glenwood (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940), Glynn (British, 1134 GRT, built 1918), Haytor (British, 1189 GRT, built 1925), Horseferry (British, 951 GRT, built 1930), John Hopkinson (British, 1314 GRT, built 1932), Joseph Swan (British, 1571 GRT, built 1938), Kentwood (British, 2180 GRT, built 1924), Lady Olga (British, 1266 GRT, built 1927), Largo (British, 2209 GRT, built 1913), Malrix (British, 703 GRT, built 1922), Medee (British, 2163 GRT, built 1920), Monkwood (British, 1591 GRT, built 1938), Monselet (French, 3372 GRT, built 1929), Nailsea Manor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Neti (Yugoslav, 2904 GRT, built 1900), Ottoland (Dutch, 2202 GRT, built 1916), PLM 22 (French, 5646 GRT, built 1921), Polgarth (British, 794 GRT, built 1920), Polgrange (British, 804 GRT, built 1920), Ramava (Latvian, 2141 GRT, built 1900), Royal Scot (British, 1444 GRT, built 1930), Rydal Force (British, 1101 GRT, built 1924), Senneville (French, 4578 GRT, built 1922), Shaftesbury (British, 4284 GRT, built 1923), Sir David (British, 1275 GRT, built 1927), Stakesby (British, 3900 GRT, built 1930), Stepney (British, 808 GRT, built 1916), Suerte (Panamanian, 3649 GRT, built 1910), Suntrap (British, 939 GRT, built 1929), Sylvia Beale (British, 1040 GRT, built 1938), Tamworth (British, 1332 GRT, built 1924), Wandle (British, 1482 GRT, built 1932), West Coaster (British, 361 GRT, built 1938), Westown (British, 710 GRT, built 1921) and Worth Town (British, 868 GRT, built 1939).

Escort was provided by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN).

25 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) returned to Rosyth from east coast convoy escort duty.

[After arriving with southbound convoy FS 151 off Southend on 22 April she escorted a northbound convoy but we have so far been unable to identify this convoy.] (5)

30 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) departed Rosyth to provide AA defence during salvage operations near the sinking site of the submarine HMS Unity which had been rammed and sunk off Blyth the previous day. (5)

1 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) is relieved from AA guard duty near the sinking position of the submarine HMS Unity by HMS Egret (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, RAN).

Valentine then proceeded to escort duty with southbound convoy FS 160. (4)

1 May 1940

Convoy FS 160.

Convoy FS 160 departed the Tyne on 1 May 1940 for Southend where it arrived on 3 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant ships;
Angelo (British, 2199 GRT, built 1940), Baron Lovat (British, 3395 GRT, built 1926), Bizon (British, 783 GRT, built 1907), Blacktoft (British, 1109 GRT, built 1910), Bovey Tracey (British, 1212 GRT, built 1930), Brockley (British, 1564 GRT, built 1920), Cairnvalona (British, 4929 GRT, built 1918), Corferry (British, 1788 GRT, built 1937), Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934), Cormorant (British, 1220 GRT, built 1927), Dagenham (British, 2178 GRT, built 1919), Dorothy Rose (British, 1600 GRT, built 1929), Duncarron (British, 478 GRT, built 1914), Ester Thorden (Finnish, 1940 GRT, built 1921), Fircrest (British, 5394 GRT, built 1907), Friesland (Dutch, 2662 GRT, built 1930), Greyfriars (British, 1142 GRT, built 1923), Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923), Hindpool (British, 4897 GRT, built 1928), Hjalmar Wessel (Norwegian, 1742 GRT, built 1935), Hoogland (Dutch, 1298 GRT, built 1916), Jersey Queen (British, 910 GRT, built 1936), John Charrington (British, 1576 GRT, built 1929), Joseph Swan (British, 1571 GRT, built 1938), Kylebank (British, 969 GRT, built 1925), Lady Olga (British, 1266 GRT, built 1927), Lanrick (British, 1276 GRT, built 1920), Nephrite (British, 927 GRT, built 1927), Newton Pine (British, 4212 GRT, built 1925), Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928), Phaeacian (British, 480 GRT, built 1920), Polglen (British, 795 GRT, built 1915), Reias (Norwegian, 1128 GRT, built 1918), Robert (British, 1272 GRT, built 1924), Roy (Norwegian, 1768 GRT, built 1921), Schieland (Dutch, 2249 GRT, built 1916), St. Agnes (British, 5199 GRT, built 1918), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922), Torkel (Swedish, 1236 GRT, built 1903), Wandle (British, 1482 GRT, built 1932), Westmoor (British, 4359 GRT, built 1924) and Westwood (British, 1040 GRT, built 1935).

Escort was provided by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN).

5 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy FN 163 departed the Southend on 5 May 1940 for the Tyne where it arrived on 7 May 1940.

[For the moment no information is available on the composition of this convoy.]

The convoy was escorted by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN).

7 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having arrived with convoy FN 163 off Methil, the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN) proceeded to Rosyth. They obtained an A/S contact to the east-north-east of May Island and started a hunt. HMS Valentine dropped depth charges and reported oil rising to the surface. They were relieved the following day by the A/S trawlers HMS Brimness (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS Thornwick Bay (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Wallis, RNVR). (4)

8 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy FS 166.

Convoy FS 166 departed the Tyne on 8 May 1940 for Southend where it arrived on 10 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant ships;
Bjornvik (Norwegian, 812 GRT, built 1918), Blue Galleon (British, 712 GRT, built 1924), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Camberwell (British, 1577 GRT, built 1924), Cedarwood (British, 899 GRT, built 1933), Ceres (Finnish, 996 GRT, built 1899), Cetus (Norwegian, 2614 GRT, built 1920), Corduff (British, 2345 GRT, built 1923), Corfleet (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934), Cormead (British, 2848 GRT, built 1939), Dona Isabel (British, 784 GRT, built 1924), Eastwood (British, 1551 GRT, built 1924), Eva (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1929), Flashlight (British, 934 GRT, built 1920), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Harbury (British, 5081 GRT, built 1933), Harlingen (British, 5415 GRT, built 1933), Hawkwood (British, 2033 GRT, built 1934), Holme Force (British, 1216 GRT, built 1930), Ilse (British, 2844 GRT, built 1929), Iron Baron (British, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Jacob Christensen (Norwegian, 3594 GRT, built 1920), Jacobus (British, 1262 GRT, built 1920), Joseph Swan (British, 1571 GRT, built 1938), Kathleen Hawksfield (British, 869 GRT, built 1933), Milos (Swedish, 3058 GRT, built 1898), New Lambton (British, 2709 GRT, built 1924), Norman Queen (British, 957 GRT, built 1938), Normand (French, 1764 GRT, built 1917), Polglen (British, 795 GRT, built 1915), Quickstep (British, 2722 GRT, built 1928), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Ringulv (Norwegian, 5153 GRT, built 1903), Saint Enogat (British, 2360 GRT, built 1918), Siak (Norwegian, 1150 GRT, built 1930) and Southport (British, 572 GRT, built 1914).

Escort was provided by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN).

10 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) departed Dover for Dunkirk where they arrived later the same day.

11 May 1940
The British (AA) destroyers HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN), HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) and the French destroyers Sirocco (Lt.Cdr. G.R.C.M.J.M. de Toulouse-Lautrec) and Cyclone (Capt. Y.F.C.A.M. Urvoy de Portzamparc) departed Dunkirk for Flushing escorting the French transport Côte d'Argent (3047 GRT, built 1933).

After arrival early in the afternoon HMS Valentine and HMS Winchester gave AA protection to the Breskens - Flushing ferry until dusk.

Also the French transports Pavon (4128 GRT, built 1930) and Newhaven (1656 GRT, built 1911) were escorted in the Scheldt estuary.

12 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN), HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) shifted from Flushing to Dunkirk.

13 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN), HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) shifted from Dunkirk to Nieuport. HMS Winchester later returned to Dunkirk to replenish with ammunition on completion of which she proceeded to Flushing. Late on the day HMS Valentine also returned to Dunkirk to replenish with ammunition.

14 May 1940
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) arrived at Flushing early in the evening after replenishing with ammunition at Dunkirk.

15 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN), HMS Whitley (Lt.Cdr. G.N. Rolfe, RN) and HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) were operating off Flushing during the night of 14/15 May 1940.

Early in the afternoon of the 15th, HMS Valentine and HMS Whitley were ordered to give AA protection to the Terneuzen - Hoedekenskerke ferry but they came under air attack and HMS Valentine was badly damaged and had to be beached near Terneuzen after which her wreck was scuttled by HMS Whitley. HMS Whitley then returned to Flushing.

Destroyer HMAS Norman (G 49)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Durban escorting convoy WS 30.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15 ' for 19 May 1943.] (6)

1 Jul 1943
Around 0845B/1, HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Tulear, Madagascar from convoy escort duty.

After having fuelled, they departed for Durban around 1345B/1. (6)

3 Jul 1943
Around 0815B/3, HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Durban from Tulear, Madagascar. (7)

4 Jul 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) commenced boiler cleaning at Durban. (8)

5 Jul 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is docked at Durban in the South African Railways and Harbours floating dock. (8)

8 Jul 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is undocked. (8)

9 Jul 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is again docked at Durban in the South African Railways and Harbours floating dock. (8)

28 Jul 1943
At 0750B/28, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is undocked. (8)

5 Sep 1943

Convoy CM 9A.

This convoy departed Kilindini on 5 September 1943.

It was made up of only two ships, identity not known to us at this moment.

The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN).

Around 0800C/9, a distress message was received from the transport City of Eastbourne (British, 5563 GRT, built 1923) which had run aground on Juan de Nova island in the northern half of the Mozambique Channel. HMS Rapid was then detached to render assistance but later the transport signalled that she had been able to get off and was proceeding. HMS Rapid rejoined the convoy around 0915C/9.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 13 September 1943. (9)

14 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) commenced boiler cleaning at Durban. Also some minor repairs were carried out. (9)

24 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600C/24, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Durban for Kilindini. (9)

28 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1420C/28, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Kilindini from Durban. (9)

9 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945FG/9, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) departed Colombo for Bombay. (10)

11 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1535FG/11, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (10)

13 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700FG/13, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) departed Bombay for an A/S sweep to the west of Bombay. They returned to harbour around 1400FG/13. (10)

13 Oct 1943

Landing exercise ' Otter '.

Late in the afternoon, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMIS St. Anthony (T/Lt. W.E. Vangeysel, RINR) and HMIS Cornwallis (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Shackleton, RINVR) departed Bombay to particiate in landing exercises about 100 miles to the south of Bombay. They were escorting ' Force G ' which was made up of the following ships;
Headquarters ships HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN), landing ship HMS Keren (A/Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN), troop transports Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914) and the transports Empire Elaine (British, 7513 GRT, built 1942), Empire Prospero (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943), Jalapadma (British, 3935 GRT, built 1929) and Ocean Wanderer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942).

They all returned to Bombay around 1130FG/13. (10)

18 Oct 1943
Around 0930FG/18, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) departed Bombay to make rendezvous with the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) coming from Fremantle. The troopship was currently being escorted by HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

[See the event for 7 October 1943 for more information.] (10)

20 Oct 1943
Around 0800FG/20, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) arrived at Bombay.

The destroyers had departed Bombay around 0930FG/18 and had joined the other two ships around 0730F/19. (10)

25 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is taken in hand for an update of her radar outfit at the Bombay Dockyard. Work was completed on 30 October. (10)

2 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730FG/2, the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Bombay escorting the troop transport Lurline (American, 18009 GRT, built 1932) and the transports City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907) and City of Paris (British, 10902 GRT, built 1922).

The destroyers parted company with the transports around 0230FG/3 and returned to Bombay around 1215FG/3. (11)

5 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Landing exercise ' Swordfish '.

Around 1515FG/5, the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN, with Commodere (D) Eastern Fleet, Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN, on board), HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), minesweeper HMIS Khyber (T/Lt. H.C.H. Berry, RINR), M/S trawlers HMIS Calcutta (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Shackleton, RINVR), HMIS Cuttack (?) and the auxiliary patrol vessel HMIS St. Anthony (T/Lt. W.E. Vangeysel, RINR) departed Bombay to particiate in landing and bombardment exercises about 100 miles to the south of Bombay. They were escorting ' Force G ' which was made up of the following ships;
Headquarters ships HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN), landing ship HMS Keren (A/Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN), troop transports Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914) and the transports Empire Elaine (British, 7513 GRT, built 1942), Empire Prospero (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943), Jalapadma (British, 3935 GRT, built 1929) and Ocean Wanderer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942).

During the landing operations (some of) the escorts conducted bombardment operations.

They all returned to Bombay around 1100FG/9. (11)

10 Nov 1943

Combined convoys AB 20(F) / AB 20(S) / AP 52.

They departed Aden on 10 November 1943.

Convoy AP 52.

This convoy was made up of the following tankers / transports;
Aedanus Burke (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), American Press (American, 6778 GRT, built 1941), Corilla (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Diplodon (British (tanker), 8149 GRT, built 1041), Empire Envoy (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942), Empire Miranda (British, 7054 GRT, built 1943), Empire Symbol (British, 7027 GRT, built 1943), Ena (Dutch (tanker), 6229 GRT, built 1936), (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Good Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 7805 GRT, built 1938), Hawkins Fudske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Heywood Broun (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Homer Lea (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Janet Lord Roper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John W. Garrett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Matheran (British, 8007 GRT, built 1942), Northern Sun (American (tanker), 8865 GRT, built 1931), Sambrian (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stanlodge (British, 5977 GRT, built 1943), Walker Tylor (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943) and Winslow Homer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

Convoy AP 52 was escorted by the minesweepers HMAS Geraldton (Cdr.(Retd.) H.M. Harris, RNR) and HMIS Bengal (T/Lt. U.J.S. Chopra, RINR).

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Convoy AB 20F (fast).

This convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), City of Agra (British, 6361 GRT, built 1936), City of Dieppe (British, 7958 GRT, built 1929), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) and Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

The landing ship HMS Glengyle (A/Capt. E.C.L. Turner, RN) was also part of this convoy.

Convoy AB 20F was escorted by the destroyer HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN).

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy AB 20S (slow).

This convoy was made up of the following transports;
Historian (British, 5074 GRT, built 1924), Lafonataine Park (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Markhor (British, 7917 GRT, built 1928) and Samarkand (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).

The USS LST 73 (Lt. H.M. Crossan, USNR) and HMS LST 239 (T/Lt. F. Dyer, RNR) were also part of the convoy as was the landing craft repair ships (former LST) USS Achelous (Lt. W. Ringies, USNR).

Convoy AB 20S was escorted by the frigate HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR), corvette HMS Nigella (T/Lt. C.L.L. Davies, RNVR) and minesweeper HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt.Cdr. J.S. McBryde, RANR(S)).

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These convoys remained in company with each other until around 0630DE/14 when convoy AP 52 parted company to proceed to the Persian Gulf where it arrived on 17 November.

Around 0930DE/14, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) joined in position 16°44'N, 57°04'E and parted company half an hour later taking convoy AB 20F with them to proceed to Bombay where it arrived on 17 November.

Convoy AB 20S arrived at Bombay on 19 November 1943.

11 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100FG/11, the the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) departed Bombay to make rendezvous with convoy AB 20.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoys AB 20(F) / AB 20(S) / AP 52 ' for 10 November 1943.] (12)

17 Nov 1943
Around 1300FG/17, HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) arrived at Bombay with convoy AB 20F. (13)

18 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) commenced boiler cleaning at Bombay. (11)

19 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is docked in the Merewether Dry Dock at Bombay. (11)

26 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is undocked. She then conducted compass swing trials followed by night gunnery exercises off Bombay. She returned to harbour late in the evening. (11)

29 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Bombay. (11)

1 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted night exercises off Bombay.

On completion of the exercises HMAS Norman returned to harbour. HMAS Rotherham remained out. (14)

3 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) joined the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) which had came out of Bombay for exercises.

On completion of the exercises they all entered Bombay around 1800FG/3. (15)

4 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted compass swing trials at Bombay. (14)

7 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) conducted exercises off Bombay. (14)

9 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1215FG/9, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She was escorting the troop transport Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923). (14)

12 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1015FG/12, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and the troop transport Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (14)

14 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800FG/14, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Colombo for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (14)

18 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200D/18, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived off Port Victoria, Seychelles from Colombo. (14)

19 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0755D/19, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Kilindini. (14)

21 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915C/21, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Kilindini from Port Victoria. (14)

28 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300C/28, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) departed Kilindini for Aden. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). (16)

2 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1315C/2, HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden from Kilindini. (17)

3 Jan 1944
Around 1330C/3, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) departed Aden for Suez. She was escorted until 0030C/4 by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) which then parted company to return to Aden. (17)

4 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200C/4, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden from escort duty. (18)

13 Jan 1944
Around 1315C/13, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) returned to Aden from escort duties.

With her HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) also entered harbour. HMAS Norman had joined these destroyers, which were out exercising, around 0915C/13. (18)

5 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) commenced boiler cleaning at Trincomalee. (19)

13 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (19)

19 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730FG/19, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) departed Trincomalee to make rendezvous with HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) and HMS Shah (A/Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN) coming from Fremantle. (19)

23 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000FG/23, HMS Shah (A/Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) arrived at Cochin. (20)

24 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0300FG/24, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) departed Cochin for Colombo. (19)

25 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730FG/25, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) arrived at Colombo from Cochin. (19)

27 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900FG/27, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee.

At sea they joined the ammunition ships Shan Tung (British, 2549 GRT, built 1915) and Palestinian Prince (British, 1960 GRT, built 1936) that were being escorted by the armed yacht HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR) and the harbour defence motor launches HDML 1288 (T/Lt. H. Downes, RNVR) and HDML 1377 (T/S.Lt. P.P. Hubbard, RNVR).

The destroyers parted company with the convoy around 0725FG/28. (19)

28 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230FG/28, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (19)

4 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) arrived at Colombo from an A/S search of Trincomalee.

After fuelling they departed to make rendezvous with convoy KR 9 coming from Kilindini.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KR 9 ' for 24 February 1944.] (21)

6 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800FG/6, HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee with the Trincomalee Section of convoy KR 9. (22)

4 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy CX 21.

This convoy departed Colombo on 4 April 1944.

It was made up of the transport;
Maharaja (British, 2895 GRT, built 1927).

The controlled minelayer 13439 HMS Dabchick (T/Lt. R.H. Diaper, RNR) and the boom carrier HMS Devon City (4928 GRT, built 1933, Cdr.(Retd.) A. McD. Harvey, RN) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Colombo the convoy was escorted by the minesweeper HMAS Burnie (Lt.Cdr. B.L. Dechaineux, RANR) and the auxiliary patrol vessel HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. A. Brittain, RINR).

On 6 April 1944, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Addu Atoll on 7 April 1944.

7 Apr 1944
Around 1330FG/7, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Burnie (Lt.Cdr. B.L. Dechaineux, RANR) and HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. A. Brittain, RINR) arrived at Addu Atoll with convoy CX 21.

7 Apr 1944
Around 2100FG/7, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Addu Atoll for Fremantle via Geraldton.

The auxiliary patrol vessel HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. A. Brittain, RINR) and the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917) were in company.

During the forenoon of 9 April and 11 April, HMAS Norman fuelled from the Appleleaf.

Around 1215FG/11, HMIS Sonavati and the Appleleaf parted company to return to Addu Atoll. (23)

16 Apr 1944
Around 1430H/16, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Fremantle. A stop at Geraldton to fuel had not been necessary.

After having fuelled she departed around 1700H/16 for Melbourne. (23)

21 Apr 1944
Around 0910K/21, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Melbourne. (23)

23 Apr 1944
Around 0950K/23, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Melbourne for Sydney. (23)

24 Apr 1944
Around 1330K/24, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Melbourne. (23)

25 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) is taken in hand for refit at Sydney. (23)

14 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Sydney followed by post refit trials off Sydney. (24)

16 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted radar and gunnery trials off Sydney. (24)

17 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1635K/17, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Sydney for Fremantle. (24)

23 Jun 1944
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Sydney.

At Fremantle she commenced a post-refit work-up programme. [No details available other then currently listed.] (24)

27 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 27/28 June 1944, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle together with HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)). (25)

5 Jul 1944
USS Gurnard (T/Cdr. C.H. Andrews, USN) and USS Ray (T/Cdr. W.T. Kinsella, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle attacking a 'convoy' made up of HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Dubbo (T/Lt. F.W. Roberts, RANR(S)), HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)) and HMAS Wollongong (T/Lt. J. Hare, RANR(S)). (26)

6 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Ray (T/Cdr. W.T. Kinsella, USN) and USS Aspro (T/Cdr. W.A. Stevenson, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle with HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)). (26)

9 Jul 1944
Around 0850H/9, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and the minesweepers HMAS Cairns (T/Lt. N.G. Weber, RANR(S)) and HMAS Wollongong (T/Lt. J. Hare, RANR(S)) departed Fremantle for Trincomalee / Addu Atoll. They were escorting the tanker Esso Rochester (American, 11344 GRT, built 1944).

On 13 and 15 July 1944, HMAS Norman fuelled from the tanker.

On 15 July HMAS Norman parted company in position 18°35'S, 89°48'E to proceed to Trincomalee where she arrived on 19 July.

The other ships proceeded to Addu Atoll where they arrived on 20 July. (27)

19 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around noon, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee from Fremantle. (27)

27 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 27/28 July 1944, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee.

HMS Pathfinder returned to harbour during the night of 27/28 August. She rejoined the other two destroyers in the morning of the 28th.

During the afternoon of the 28th, A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN). (27)

29 Jul 1944
Around 0700FG/29, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Aden via Addu Atoll and Port Victoria, Seychelles. (27)

31 Jul 1944
Around 1250FG/31, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Trincomalee. After having completed fuelling she departed around 1615FG/31 for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (27)

3 Aug 1944
Around 1030D/3, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived Port Victoria, Seychelles from Addu Atoll. After completion of fuelling she departed for Aden around 2030D/3. (28)

7 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330C/7, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Aden from Port Victoria, Seychelles. (28)

9 Aug 1944

Combined convoys AB 43 / ABK 43.

They departed Aden on 9 August 1944.

Convoy AB 43.

This convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports;
City of Capetown (British, 8046 GRT, built 1937), Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Clan Campbell (British, 9545 GRT, built 1943), Dunnottar Castle (British, 15007 GRT, built 1936), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) and Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937).

The submarine depot ship HMS Wolfe (A/Capt. J.E. Slaughter, DSO, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the destroyers i>HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, DSC, RN) and the frigates HMS Halladale (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR), HMS Helford (Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR).

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy ABK 43.

This convoy was made up of the following troop transports;
Highland Chieftain (British, 14135 GRT, built 1929), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925) and Moreton Bay (British, 14193 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Tay (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR) and HMS Kale (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Houchen, OBE, RD, RNR).

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The convoys proceeded in company until 12 August when convoy ABK 43 was detached (in approximate position 16°40'N, 61°53'E) to Karachi where it arrived on 14 August.

Convoy AB 43 arrived at Bombay also on 14 August.

15 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800FG/15, the submarine tender HMS Wolfe (A/Capt. J.E. Slaughter, DSO, RN) departed Bombay for Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, DSC, RN). (29)

20 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730FG/20, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee to make rendezvous with the escort carrier HMS Atheling (A/Cdr. H.L. Oliver, RN) and the motor launch HMS ML 847 (?) coming from Madras which they had departed the previous day.

Rendezvous was affected around 1200FG/20.

They arrived at Trincomalee around 1800FG/20. (28)

21 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1745FG/21, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) departed Trincomalee for exercises.

They first carried out night A/S exercises with HMS Storm (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR). These were followed by day A/S exercises until 1000FG/22.

On completion of the A/S exercises, the destroyers carried out torpedo firing exercises before returning to harbour around 1330FG/22. (28)

27 Aug 1944
Around 1100FG/27, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo.

Around 1100FG/28, she made rendezvous off the Colombo swept channel with the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN). These ships had just left Colombo harbour. Course was then set for Trincomalee. (30)

30 Aug 1944
Around 1200FG/30, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Colombo. She then commenced boiler cleaning at Colombo. (28)

7 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Colombo. (31)

15 Sep 1944

Convoy ABF 4.

This convoy departed Aden around 1500C on 15 September 1944.

This convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports;
City of Chester (British, 8520 GRT, built 1944), Felix Roussel (French, 17083 GRT, built 1930), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Sarmiento (British, 8335 GRT, built 1943), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937), Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935) and Umtata (British, 8141 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN), sloop HMIS Kistna (A/Capt. S.J. Thomson, RIN) and the frigates HMS Kale (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Houchen, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Plym (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. Foxall, RNR), HMS Tay (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR) and HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR).

At 1715EF/18, the Sarmiento and Umtata were detached for Cochin and Trincomalee. They were escorted by HMAS Quickmatch.

Around 0730FG/20, ,HMAS Norman and HMS Pathfinder were detached to proceed ahead of the convoy to Bombay where they arrived around 1000FG/20.

The convoy arrived at Bombay around 1200FG/20.

6 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) conducted bombardment exercises off Trincomalee. (32)

21 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200FG/21, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (32)

22 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0740FG/22, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (32)

22 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy JC 64.

This convoy departed Colombo on 22 October 1944.

It was made up of only one ship, the transport Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941).

On departure from Colombo the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN).

At 1600FG/23, the destroyer HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) joined in position 08°05'N, 81°54'E coming from Trincomalee and HMAS Norman parted company to proceed to Trincomalee.

The convoy arrived at Calcutta on 27 October 1944. (32)

23 Oct 1944
Around 1820FG/23, HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee from convoy escort duty. (32)

27 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700FG/27, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN).

Around 0900FG/27, the submarine HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) made a practice attack on the carrier. (33)

28 Oct 1944
Around 0825FG/28, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. She had been escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN).

The destroyers did not enter harbour but joined the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) which had just left Colombo harbour to proceed to Trincomalee. (33)

29 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800FG/29, HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (34)

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