George Philip Sevier Davies OBE, RN
| Born | 29 Apr 1904 | ||
| Died | 30 Jul 1968 | (64) |
| Ranks
Retired: 29 Apr 1954 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for George Philip Sevier Davies, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Tribune (N 76) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 27 Feb 1938 | 8 May 1940 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Tribune (N 76)
20 Aug 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted basin trials at Greenock. (1)
21 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted trials off Greenock. (2)
24 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted trials off Greenock. (2)
25 Sep 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted trials off Greenock. She was escorted by HMS Widgeon (Lt.Cdr. R. Frederick, RN). (3)
30 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is docked at the Elderslie dock at Glasgow. (2)
1 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is undocked. (4)
12 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (4)
13 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (4)
17 Oct 1939
Around 1115A/17, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from her builders yard for acceptance trial which were completed succesfully. She then departed the Clyde area for Portsmouth. She is escorted by HMS Shikari (Cdr. J.H. Lewis, RN). (4)
19 Oct 1939
Around 1235A/19, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Fort Blockhouse) from the Clyde. (4)
20 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted independent exercises off Yarmouth. (4)
21 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted independent exercises off Yarmouth. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Tribune proceeded to Portsmouth. (4)
22 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (4)
25 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (4)
26 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (4)
27 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (4)
31 Oct 1939
Around 0900A/31, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Portland where she arrived around 1430A/31. Tribune is escorted by HMS Malcolm (Capt. T.E. Halsey, RN). Both ships arrive at Portland after a few hours. At Portland Tribune is to conduct torpedo discharge trials. (4)
1 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (5)
2 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (5)
3 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (5)
4 Nov 1939
Around 1330A/4, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Portland for Portsmouth where she arrived around 1850A/4. She is escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, RN). (5)
12 Nov 1939
Around 1200A/12, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Portland. Tribune is escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). Both ships arrive at Portland after a few hours (1645A/12). At Portland Tribune is to conduct experimental torpedo trials. (5)
13 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
14 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
15 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
16 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
17 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
18 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
19 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
20 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted experimental torpedo trials off Portland. (5)
21 Nov 1939
At 0800Z/21, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Portland for Portsmouth. She arrived at Portsmouth at 1400Z/21. (5)
24 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted attack exercises off Portsmouth with HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN) as the target. (5)
27 Nov 1939
For the positions of HMS Tribune during her 1st war patrol see the map below.
(6)
27 Nov 1939
Around 2030Z/27, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Portsmouth for her 1st war patrol. This is a short patrol in the North Sea. Tribune is escorted to the North Goodwin light vessel by HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN). From there HMS Leda (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Courthope-Munroe, RN) took over. (6)
30 Nov 1939 (position 57.22, 2.20)
At 0100Z/30 in position 57°22'N, 02°20'E, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) sighted an unknown submarine which is challenged. At the time it was believed that this might be HMS Unity (Lt.Cdr. J.F.B. Brown, RN) (but this was not the case) and after the submarine dived, contact was lost.
This might have been the German U-boat U-21, which was operating in this general area but she reported nothing. (6)
2 Dec 1939
Around 1245Z/2, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Rosyth. (6)
4 Dec 1939
Around 1530Z/4, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol off the South coast of Norway in a position centred on 250° - Lister Light - 30 nautical miles. This is an uneventful patrol, only neutral vessels are encountered.
For the daily positions of HMS Tribune during this patrol see the map below.
(6)
7 Dec 1939
At 0030Z/7, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrived in her initial assigned patrol area near Lister. (6)
10 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1630Z/10, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) left the Lister area to proceed to patrol in 'Area C 4' as ordered in Capt. S 2's signal timed 1343Z/9. (6)
12 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0610Z/12, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) dived in position 57°56.5'N, 09°30'E for a day of submerged patrol. The Asdic operator reported 'pump' noised close to which were heard intermittently until 0640Z/12 when sounds of motors were heard on the same bearing.
At 0715Z/12, HMS Tribune came to periscope depth. There was nothing in sight. Motor noises intermittent.
At 0742Z/12, motor noises were heard at increased speed. HMS Tribune altered coure to close on the bearing heard.
At 0815Z/12, the motor noises stopped suddenly.
At 0830Z/12, HMS Tribune went to 85 feet and set double Asdic listening watch. All auxiliary motors were stopped.
At 0900Z/12, pump noises were heard.
At 1038Z/12, motor noises were heard, at slow speed though.
At 1040Z/12, motors stopped. It was assumed that these noises came from another submarine in the vicinity and it was suspected that he was aware of the presence of HMS Tribune and was deploying similar tactics. If this was a uboat it was thought to be not on patrol but on passage and was anxious to get going as soon as possible and then would surface giving an opportunity for attack. No further noises were however heard.
At 1800Z/12, HMS Tribune surfaced in position 57.56.2'N, 09.30.5'E and assumed surface patrol. [No German uboat was in this position on this day.] (6)
18 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1630Z/18, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (6)
20 Dec 1939
Around 1045Z/20, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth. (6)
21 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is docked in No.3 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (7)
26 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is undocked. (7)
3 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises in the Firth of Forth with HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN) and HMS Woolston (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Phipps, RN). (8)
5 Jan 1940
Around 1430Z/5, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She is to patrol off the South coast of Norway and in the Kattegat.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tribune during this patrol see the map below.
(6)
12 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1642Z/12, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) left the area near Lister to proceed to ' Area C 4 '. (6)
13 Jan 1940 (position 57.58, 10.15)
At 1900Z/13, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) crossed two torpedo tracks in position 57°58'N, 10°15'E. Tribune dived but nothing further was heard or seen.
No German U-boat was in the area and the 'attack' was most likely bogus. (6)
17 Jan 1940 (position 57.50, 11.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) fires a total of eight torpedoes against ' what is identified as ' an enemy submarine in the Skagerrak about 15 nautical miles east-north-east of Skagen, Denmark in position 57°50'N, 11°00'E. No German U-boat was in the area.
Lt.Cdr. Davies was very ill at the time of the attack. The 1st lieutenant (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) took over from him around noon this day. Upon returning from patrol Lt.Cdr. Davies spent some time in hospital.
0243Z/17 - Sighted a darkened object on the port bow. Altered course towards.
0246Z/17 - The object was identified as a submarine at a range of 2000 to 2500 yards.
0248Z/17 - The Asdic operator reported HE right ahead.
0250Z/17 - Fired six torpedoes from the internal bow tubes. The tracks were seen to run towards the target but no explosions followed.
0255Z/17 - Fired two torpedoes from the external bow tubes.
0256Z/17 - Dived. When diving Lt.Cdr. Davies felt a heavy shudder while he was in the conning tower. He thought this was a torpedo explosion. This was not felt in the control room.
No German U-boat was in this area and it is not clear what Tribune attacked. (6)
20 Jan 1940
Around 1600Z/20, HMS Tribune (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN, temporarily in command as Lt.Cdr. Davies was sick) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth.
Tribune has developed serious engine problems during this patrol.
Repairs were carried out followed by trials, more repairs and more trials. By mid-March it was decided that Tribune was to proceed to her builders yard to correct these defects. (6)
13 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted engine trials in the Firth of Forth. (9)
14 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted engine trials in the Firth of Forth. (9)
15 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted engine trials in the Firth of Forth. Also a practice attack was made on HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN). (9)
19 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted engine trials in the Firth of Forth. Also special exercises were carried out aircraft. (9)
21 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted engine trials in the Firth of Forth. Also a gunnery exercise was carried out. (9)
11 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted engine trials in the Firth of Forth. (10)
12 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is docked in No.3 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (10)
13 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is undocked. (10)
20 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Rosyth. (10)
22 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) conducted D/G trials off Rosyth.
These were followed by exercises which included A/S exercises with HMS Whitley (Lt.Cdr. G.N. Rolfe, RN) and HMS Westminster (Lt.Cdr. A.A.C. Ouvry, RN). (10)
24 Mar 1940
Around 1315A/24, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Rosyth for Scapa Flow, she is escorted by HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) which joined off Methil. (10)
25 Mar 1940
Around 1400A/25, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth. (10)
28 Mar 1940
Around 1400A/28, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Scapa Flow for Greenock. She is escorted by HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN). (10)
30 Mar 1940
Around 1200A/30, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrived at Greenock for repairs to her engines by her builder. (10)
Sources
- ADM 173/16194
- ADM 173/16195
- ADM 53/111183 + ADM 173/16195
- ADM 173/16196
- ADM 173/16197
- ADM 199/1847
- ADM 173/16198
- ADM 173/16618
- ADM 173/16619
- ADM 173/16620
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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