Navy | The Royal Navy |
Type | Frigate |
Class | River |
Pennant | K 222 |
Built by | Hall, Russell & Co. Ltd. (Aberdeen, Scotland) |
Ordered | 8 May 1941 |
Laid down | 4 Oct 1941 |
Launched | 12 Oct 1942 |
Commissioned | 30 Jan 1943 |
End service | |
History | Transferred to the South African Navy on 10 June 1945. |
Career notes | To South Africa as Teviot |
Commands listed for HMS Teviot (K 222)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
Commander | From | To | |
1 | Lt.Cdr. Arthur Blewett, DSC, RNR | 26 Nov 1942 | 1 May 1943 |
2 | Lt.Cdr. Thomas Taylor, DSC, RN | 1 May 1943 | 29 Jan 1945 |
3 | Lt. David Welsh, RN | 29 Jan 1945 | mid 1945 |
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Notable events involving Teviot include:
27 Feb 1943
HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. A. Blewett, DSC, RNR) and HMS Hayling. (T/Lt. G.B. Christie, RNR). (1)
5 Mar 1943
HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Rhododendron (Lt. L.A. Sayers, RNR), HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. A. Blewett, DSC, RNR), HMS Hyderabad (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, DSC, RNR) and HMS Prodigal (T/Lt. J.A.S. Leslie, RNR). (2)
6 Mar 1943
HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. A. Blewett, DSC, RNR) and HMS Mutine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.E. Morley, DSC, RNVR). (2)
28 Mar 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RN), HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. A. Blewett, DSC, RNR), HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR). (3)
10 May 1943
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR), HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(retired) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Teviot (Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR). (4)
19 May 1943
Convoy KX 10/OG 90.
This convoy departed Liverpool on 19 May 1943.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algerian (British, 2315 GRT, built 1924), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925), Brinkburn (British, 1598 GRT, built 1924), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Eliphalet Nott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Darwin (British, 6765 GRT, built 1941), Empire Flamingo (British, 4994 GRT, built 1920), Empire Kangaroo (British, 6219 GRT, built 1919), Empire Rosalind (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943), Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929), Empire Sunbeam (British, 6711 GRT, built 1941), Finland (British, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Fort Confidence (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Fairford (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Halkett (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort McCloughlin (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Poplar (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924), Fylingdale (British, 3918 GRT, built 1924), Galway Coast (British, 1431 GRT, built 1915), Greathope (British, 2297 GRT, built 1926), Grodno (British, 2458 GRT, built 1919), Gullpool (British, 4868 GRT, built 1928), Hallfried (Norwegian, 2968 GRT, built 1918), Hartbridge (British, 5080 GRT, built 1927), Hilde (Danish, 1595 GRT, built 1930), Jan (Norwegain, 1946 GRT, built 1920), Junecrest (British, 6945 GRT, built 1942), Kingsborough (British, 3368 GRT, built 1928), Lewant (Polish, 1942 GRT, built 1930), Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Lyminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919), Marita (Norwegian, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Mers el Kebir (French, 1953 GRT, built 1917), Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922), Pass of Ballater (British, 7960 GRT, built 1928), Richard Olney (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938), Shetland (British, 1846 GRT, built 1921), Somerset Coast (British, 1097 GRT, built 1920), Svanholm (British, 1321 GRT, built 1922), Tautra (Norwegian, 1749 GRT, built 1920), Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930) and Volturno (British, 3420 GRT, built 1914).
On departure from Liverpool the convoy was escorted by the corvette HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR).
On 20 May, the destroyer HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR), frigates HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(retired) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Teviot (Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR) and corvette HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR) joined coming from Londonderry.
The merchant vessel Jan apparently developed defects and returned.
Cover for the convoy during part of its passage was provided by the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) and the destroyer ORP Orkan (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) which were on patrol off the Bay of Biscay having departed Plymouth on 23 May.
The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 31 May 1943 minus the merchant vessels City of Lancaster, Greathope, Gullpool, Hallfried, Shetland and Volturno which had been detached to Lisbon on 29 May 1943.
15 Jun 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN) and HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN). (5)
16 Jun 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Lough Foyle. There she conducted A/S exercises with HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Wellington (Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), HMS Coreopsis (T/Lt. B.C. Hamilton, RNR), HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. H.V. Gordon, DSC, RNVR). (6)
17 Jun 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. H.V. Gordon, DSC, RNVR), HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN). (7)
24 Jun 1943
Convoy KMS 18B.
This convoy departed the U.K. on 24 June 1943.
The convoy was made up of the transports; Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930), City of Venice (British, 8762 GRT, built 1924), Derwenthall (British, 4934 GRT, built 1940), Devis (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938), Empire Cato (British, 7039 GRT, built 1942), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Empire Elaine (British, 7513 GRT, built 1942), Fort Buckingham (British, 7122 GRT, built 1943), Fort Lajoie (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Nashwaak (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Stager (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943), Orestes (British, 7748 GRT, built 1926), Prometheus (British, 6096 GRT, built 1925), St. Essylt (British, 5634 GRT, built 1941) and Stanhill (British, 5969 GRT, built 1942).
The landing ship Derwentdale (Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), 8390 GRT, built 1941) was also part of the convoy.
Also with the convoy were the rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) and the rescue tug HMRT Allegiance.
The convoy was escorted by and the frigate HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), cutter HMS Banff (Lt. P. Brett, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR), HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR).
On 26 June 1943, the sloop HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN) departed Londonderry to join the convoy which she did later the same day.
On 3 July 1943, the Rathlin and HMRT Allegiance arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy.
Around 2052B/4, in position 36°44'N, 01°25'E, the transport City of Venice was torpedoed by the German submarine U-409. The ship eventually sank the following morning.
Around 2145B/4, in position 36°44'N, 01°31'E, the transport St. Essylt was torpedoed by the German submarine U-375 which had fired a salvo of four torpedoes at the convoy. The ship eventually sank the following morning.
The escort destroyers HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.deL. Brooke, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brocklesby (Lt. K.R.S. Leadlay, RN), which were en-route from Algiers to Oran were diverted to hunt these submarines as was HMS Quantock (Lt.Cdr. R.G.L. Pennell, DSC, RN) which was en-route from Gibraltar to Algiers.
On 5 July 1943, the original escort arrived at Algiers after having been relieved by a new escort made up the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt. J.K. Hamilton, RN), HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN), ORP Krakowiak (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) Wszechwlad Maracewicz, ORP) and HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN).
Around 1541B/5, in position 37°01'N, 04°10'E, the transport Devis was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-593 which had fired two speads of two torpedoes at the convoy. THe destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), USS Cole (T/Lt.Cdr. B. Chipman, USN), sloop HMS Erne and frigate HMS Teviot were sailed from Algiers to hunt this sumbarine.
With them the monitor HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN) and the LST's HMS LST 301 (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.F. Hoyle, RNR), HMS LST 305 (A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Naylor, RNR), HMS LST 319 (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN), HMS LST 321 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.H. Metcalfe, RNR), HMS LST 365 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.F. Halliday, RNR), HMS LST 366 (A/Lt.Cdr. N. Hall, RNR) and HMS LST 424 (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Grandage, RNR) also joined the convoy.
Around 1500B/6, the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Commodore W.G. Agnew, CB, RN) and HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) joined the convoy. They parted company with the convoy around 2200B/7.
On 7 July, the minesweepers HMS Fly (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN), HMS Espiegle (Lt.Cdr. G. Dibley, RD, RNR), HMS Circe (Lt.Cdr. J.H.M. Malcolm, RN) and HMS Cadmus (Lt.Cdr. (Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0515B/8, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1300B/9, the following transports parted company and joined convoy KMF 1B; Alcinous, Empire Confidence, Orestes, Prometeus, Derwentdale, HMS LST 301, HMS LST 305, HMS LST 319, HMS LST 321, HMS LST 365, HMS LST 366 and HMS LST 424. HMS Roberts Also joined convoy KMF 18.
Convoy KMS 18B arrived off Sicily in the afternoon of 10 July 1943.
4 Jul 1943
HMS Teviot (Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN) picks up 204 survivors from the British passenger ship City of Venice that was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-409 off Cape Tenes, Algeria in position 36°44'N, 01°25'E.
14 Jul 1943
Convoy MKF 18.
This convoy departed Malta on 11 July 1943.
This convoy was made up of the following troop transports; Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) and Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937).
On departure from Malta the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), ORP Krakowiak (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) W. Maracewicz), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt. J.K. Hamilton, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN).
The convoy arrived at Algiers on 13 July 1943. Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922),
The convoy, now joined by the (troop) transports Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913) and Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922) departed Algiers on 14 July 1943 and was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN) and the frigates HMS Bann (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Shaw, RNR) and HMS Plym (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. Foxall, RNR).
Around 0700B/15, the convoy arrived in Oran / Mers-el-Kebir anchorage where POW's were embarked.
The convoy departed for Gibraltar around 2000B/15 minus the Empress of Russia which remained behind to coal.
At 1100B/16, HMS Wanderer parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Gibraltar to effect repairs to her machinery. She arrived at Gibraltar around 1630B/16. She was then taken in hand for repairs but these could not be completed on time and it was decided that she was replaced in the escort by the frigate HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN).
The convoy arrived at Gibraltar around 1900B/16.
The convoy departed Gibraltar for the U.K. around 0630B/17 minus the Nea Hellas and with the addition of two other ships; Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921) and Fort Lee (American (tanker), 10198 GRT, built 1943).
The escort was reinforced by the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN).
Between around 2020B/18 and 2155B/18, in approximate position 38°15'N, 13°25'W, the convoy was attacked by two or three FW 200 aircraft but no damage was done by these enemy aircraft.
Between around 1035B/19 and 1105B/19, in position 39°30'N, 16°20'W, the convoy was attacked again by a FW 200 aircraft but no damage was done due to effective AA fire from HMS Scylla.
Around 0920B/20, in position 43°00'N, 19°30'W, the light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1500B/20, in position 44°10'N, 19°30'W, HMS Scylla parted company with the convoy to return to Gibraltar.
Around 2200B/21, in position 50°00'N, 16°30'W, HMS Bermuda parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 23 July 1943.
3 Aug 1943
Around 1400B/3, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Cdr. G.V.M. Dolphin, RN) and the escort carriers HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) and HMS Attacker (Capt. W.W.P. Shirley-Rollison, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar / Casablanca.
They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN) and the frigate HMS Plym (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. Foxall, RNR).
Around 2130B/3, they were joined by the frigates HMS Helford (Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN).
Heavy weather was encountered during the night of 4/5 August 1943 and around 1145B/5, HMS Hunter parted company to return to the Clyde with damage. She arrived at Liverpool around 0845B/7.
The remainder of the force hove too to avoid further damage. HMS Brilliant had lost touch with the force in the bad weather.
Around 0050B/7, the destroyers HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. J.N.K. Knight, RN) joined coming from Plymouth.
Around 2300B/8, the destroyer HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar.
Around 0600B/9, HMS Ramillies parted company with the force to proceed to Casablanca. She took HMS Quality, HMS Inconstant and HMS Brilliant. They arrived at Casablanca around 1330B/9.
The remainder of the force arrived at Gibraltar around 2200B/9 except for HMS Warwick which continued on to Algiers where she arrived on 10 August. (8)
9 Oct 1943
On 9 October 1943, convoy WS-33 arrived in South Africa from the UK with reinforcements for service in Burma, the convoy consisted of 4 ships. The British frigates HMS Bann, HMS Plym, HMS Teviot and HMS Trent were responsible for providing the Anti-Submarine escort on the last leg of the passage. (9)
22 Aug 1944
The escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), sloops HMIS Narbada (A/Capt. M.H.S. Nott, OBE, RIN), HMIS Sutlej (A/Cdr. J.E. Cornish, RIN), HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Colombo.
They departed Colombo the following day for A/S operations in the Arabian Sea. Through code breaking the Allies were aware that enemy submarines were operating in the Arabian Sea which had also become clear when shipping was attacked with some success.
[No further details available for the moment, further research is required but it is possible the reports has not survived.] (10)
10 Sep 1944
Around 0845FG/10, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), sloops HMIS Narbada (A/Capt. M.H.S. Nott, OBE, RIN), HMIS Sutlej (A/Cdr. J.E. Cornish, RIN), HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from A/S operations in the Arabian Sea. (11)
13 Sep 1944
Around 0800FG/13, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), sloops HMIS Narbada (A/Capt. M.H.S. Nott, OBE, RIN), HMIS Sutlej (A/Cdr. J.E. Cornish, RIN), HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for an A/S search to the south-east of Addu Atoll. (11)
14 Sep 1944
Around 1600FG/14, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), sloops HMIS Narbada (A/Capt. M.H.S. Nott, OBE, RIN), HMIS Sutlej (A/Cdr. J.E. Cornish, RIN), HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) returned to Addu Atoll from the A/S search. (11)
15 Sep 1944
Around 1700FG/15, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), sloops HMIS Narbada (A/Capt. M.H.S. Nott, OBE, RIN), HMIS Sutlej (A/Cdr. J.E. Cornish, RIN), HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) departed Addu Atoll for A/S operations in the Arabian Sea. (11)
22 Sep 1944
Around 0830FG/22, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN), sloops HMIS Narbada (A/Capt. M.H.S. Nott, OBE, RIN), HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from A/S operations in the Arabian Sea. (11)
2 Nov 1944
From 2 to 6 November 1944, HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee. On departure, she was, most likely escorted by HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN). HMS Raider seems to have been replaced by HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) on the 3rd.
Around 1700FG/5, HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) replaced HMS Relentless.
They returned to harbour in the afternoon of the 6th. (12)
7 Nov 1944
HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) departed Trincomalee for the U.K. via the Mediterranean. The first leg of the trip is to Suez.
On departure from Trincomalee she is escorted by HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN) and HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN).
Late in the morning of 8 November 1944 the arrived off Colombo where the escorts parted company and a new escort joined, the sloop Dumont d'Urville. Sh however developed engine defects that evening and had to part company after HMS Battler continued her passage unescorted. (12)
27 Nov 1944
HMS Swiftsure (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN) conducted D/G trials off Colombo. Also a night encounter exercise was carried out with HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) on completion of which HMS Swiftsure set course for Trincomalee. (13)
18 Jan 1945
Operation Matador.
Operation Matador was the assault on Ramree Island.
On 18 January 1945, the escort carrier HMS Ameer (A/Capt. J.H. Lewes, OBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for Ramree Island. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN).
Later the same day (around 1515FG/18) the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN) also departed Trincomalee for the operation. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN). They were first to proceed to Akyab where they arrived on the 20th (around 1530FG/20).
On the 18th the sloop HMS Redpole (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) and frigate HMS Spey (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR) departed Vizagapatam for the operation.
On 20 January the frigate HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) departed Vizagapatam to relieve HMS Redpole.
The landing took place on 21 January. Naval support was provided by the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth, escort carrier HMS Ameer, light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN), destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Norman, HMS Pathfinder, HMS Raider, HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), sloops HMS Flamingo (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Pounds, RN), HMS Redpole, HMIS Kistna (A/Cdr. S.G. Karmarkar, RINR) and the frigates HMS Spey and later also HMS Teviot. Some of these ships had already been operating off the coast of Burma.
During the morning of 21 January, bombardments were carried out by the warships and air strikes were carried out by aircraft of HMS Ameer.
With her job done, HMS Queen Elizabeth departed the area for Trincomalee in the afternoon of the 21st. She was escorted by HMAS Napier and HMS Redpole. The other ships remained in the area to support the army if called upon and also for upcoming operations.
HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMAS Napier arrived at Trincomalee on 24 January. HMS Redpole did not enter and went on to Colombo. HMAS Napier also left Trincomalee for Colombo later on the 24th.
The other ships had returned ot Akyab. (14)
26 Jan 1945
Operation Sankey.
Landings on Cheduba Island.
Task Force 65, made up of the light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. J.G. Roper, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. M.C. Morris, RN) departed Trincomalee on 23 January 1945 with 500 Royal Marines embarked in the cruisers.
They were joined on 25 January by ships coming from Akyab, which they had departed on the 24th, these were the light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN), escort carrier HMS Ameer (A/Capt. J.H. Lewes, OBE, RN) destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and the frigates HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Spey (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR).
An 26 January the destroyer HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) joined with the Landing Craft for the operation. Also small craft such as BYMS and an ML's arrived.
The landing of the marines was successful. They were later relieved by the Army and the marines were re-embarked A.M. on 31 January 1945.
During 27-31 January the cruisers supported the Army operations on Ramree Island by bombardments.
Sagu Island was occupied on 30 January after HMAS Norman and HMS Raider had neutralized Japanese field guns which had repulsed an attempted landing the previous day.
Force 65 left the the area P.M. on 31 January having carryied out a final bombardment of Ramree Island. (15)
3 Feb 1945
HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN), HMS Ameer (A/Capt. J.H. Lewes, OBE, RN), HMS Teviot (Cdr.(Retd.) T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Spey (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR) arrived at Trincomalee from operations of the Burmese coast near Ramree Island. They had departed the operations area in the evening of 31 January. (16)
Sources
- File 2.12.03.6381 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- File 2.12.03.6382 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- ADM 173/17792
- ADM 173/18373
- ADM 173/17783
- ADM 173/17795
- ADM 173/17771
- ADM 53/117004 + ADM 53/117648 + ADM 53/118403 + ADM 53/118573 + ADM 199/2273
- Personal communication
- ADM 53/118953
- ADM 53/118954 + ADM 199/1388
- ADM 53/118956
- ADM 53/120604
- ADM 53/120821 + ADM 53/121978 + ADM 53/122068 + ADM 199/1457
- ADM 199/1457
- ADM 53/120822 + ADM 53/121918 + ADM 53/121979 + ADM 199/1457
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.