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Notable events involving Queen of Bermuda include:

The page dealing with the wartime history of HMS Queen of Bermuda was created in July 2023.

28 Oct 1939
At Belfast, Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN), completed her conversion to armed merchant cruiser. She is not yet commissioned as such until about a week later. (1)

4 Nov 1939
At noon, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN) is commissioned at Belfast. (2)

7 Nov 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials and gunnery trials off Belfast. (2)

8 Nov 1939
Around 0845A/8, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN) departed Belfast Lough for Portsmouth. She is escorted by the patrol vessels HMS Shearwater (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, RN) and HMS Sheldrake (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, RN).

The patrol vessels parted company shortly after 1600A/8. (2)

10 Nov 1939
Around 0800Z/10, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth from Belfast. (2)

13 Nov 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (2)

15 Nov 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Bushell, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (3)

16 Nov 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Bushell, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (3)

21 Nov 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (2)

22 Nov 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt.(Retd.) M.B. Birkett, DSO, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Bushell, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (3)

8 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (4)

11 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (4)

12 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (4)

13 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Venomous (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (5)

14 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Venomous (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (5)

15 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Venomous (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (5)

18 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (4)

20 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Venomous (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (5)

21 Dec 1939
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which was fitted with anti-torpedo nets, conducted special trials off Portsmouth during which HMS Venomous (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) fired practice torpedoes at her. (5)

3 Jan 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is docked in D-Lock at the Portsmouth Dockyard. (6)

13 Jan 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (7)

19 Jan 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjusting trials off Portsmouth. (7)

20 Jan 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials off Portsmouth. (7)

24 Jan 1940
In the afternoon, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Portland. (7)

1 Feb 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) left Portland for exercises but due to the limited visibility these had to be cancelled and she returned to harbour. (8)

3 Feb 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland on completion of which she departed for Freetown. (8)

11 Feb 1940
Around 1400N/11, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown from Portland. (8)

12 Feb 1940
Around 1715N/12, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which is assigned to the South America Division, departed Freetown proceed at 15 knots though position 04°50'S, 31°40'W and then to make rendezvous with HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) in area K 33. (9)

15 Feb 1940
At 0430O/15, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is ordered to proceed towards position 13°02'S, 22°43'W, where the merchant vessel Hartismere (British, 5498 GRT, built 1933) reported being with engines disabled, and then take her in tow. Course is set accordingly.

Around 0800O/17, in position 12°00'S, 23°12'W, the disabled ship was taken in tow towards Freetown.

Around 1000O/19, in position 07°26'S, 21°18'W, tow was taken over by HMS Jervis Bay (Cdr.(Retd.) J.A.P. Blackburn, DSC, RN).

HMS Queen of Bermuda then set course to make rendezvous with HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) in area K 32. The medical specialist which HMS Queen of Bermuda had on board since leaving the U.K. will then be transferred to HMS Dorsetshire which is to take him to the Falkland Islands to treat wounded personnel from the Battle of the River Plate. (9)

22 Feb 1940
Around 2135P/22, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) in approximate position 23°15'S, 42°00'W.

The specialist surgeon was then transferred from HMS Queen of Bermuda to HMS Dorsetshire for onward passage to Port Stanley.

Shortly after midnight HMS Queen of Bermuda then parted company with the other two ships which remained on patrol but now set course for the River Plate focal area. HMS Queen of Bermuda set course for Rio de Janeiro where she was to fuel. (10)

23 Feb 1940
Around 0950P/23, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro. (8)

24 Feb 1940
Around 0820P/24, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro area. (8)

17 Mar 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed her patrol area off Rio de Janeiro to proceed to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. (11)

22 Mar 1940
Around 0715P/22, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Stanley from patrol. (11)

24 Mar 1940
Around 1030P/24, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Port Stanley for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in area K 32 (Rio de Janeiro focal area). (12)

2 Apr 1940
Around 0600P/2, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) boarded the Spanish merchant vessel Ciudad de Sevilla (5943 GRT, built 1928) in approximate position 23°06'S, 43°58'W. A German national (naval engineer) was removed from the Spanish ship by the boarding party and taken prisoner. (13)

8 Apr 1940
Around 0800P/8, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) and HMS Dunnottar Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.E.H. Spencer-Cooper, RN) made rendezvous to the south of Cabo Frio in position 23°27'S, 42°08'W. The German naval engineer taken prisoner on 2 April was then transferred from HMS Queen of Bermuda to HMS Dunnottar Castle. Both armed merchant cruisers then resumed their patrols with HMS Queen of Bermuda proceeded to the River Plate area. (14)

11 Apr 1940
Around 1500P/11, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol. (15)

12 Apr 1940
Around 1500P/12, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Montevideo to resume patrol in the South Atlantic (area K 32 / Rio de Janeiro focal area). (15)

19 Apr 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed the Rio de Janeiro focal area to proceed to the River Plate focal area. (16)

25 Apr 1940
Shortly after noon, HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) made rendezvous off Cabo Polonio. After exchanging correspondence they both continued their patrols but making their way northwards towards the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (17)

29 Apr 1940
Late in the morning of 29 April 1940, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) made rendezvous south-south-west of Rio de Janeiro in approximate position 25°00'S, 44°00'W.

HMS Queen of Bermuda remained in the Rio de Janeiro focal area but HMS Hawkins and HMS Cumberland, in company with each other, proceeded southwards to the River Plate focal area. (18)

6 May 1940
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed her patrol area off Santos in the Rio de Janeiro focal area to proceed to Buenos Aires. (19)

10 May 1940
Around 1730P/10, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol. (19)

12 May 1940
Around 1500P/12, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Buenos Aires for patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the River Plate focal area. (19)

15 May 1940
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed the River Plate focal area to proceed to the Rio de Janeiro focal area to patrol in that vicinity (area K 32). (19)

10 Jun 1940
Around 0945P/10, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol. (20)

11 Jun 1940
Around 0845P/11, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro for patrol. She is to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro focal area (area K 32). (21)

24 Jun 1940
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed her patrol area in the Rio de Janeiro focal area for Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. (20)

29 Jun 1940
Around 1300Q/29, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands from patrol. (20)

30 Jun 1940
Around 1405Q/30, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Port Stanley, Falkland Islands for Durban via Simonstown. At Durban she is to be taken in hand for repairs and a short refit. (22)

10 Jul 1940
Around 1150B/10, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Port Stanley. After embarking several new ratings, mail, stores and ammunition she departed for Durban around 1835B/10. (23)

13 Jul 1940
Around 0845B/13, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (23)

14 Jul 1940
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is docked at Durban. (23)

19 Jul 1940
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (23)

13 Aug 1940
Around 0945B/13, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (24)

16 Aug 1940
Around 1645B/16, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (24)

18 Aug 1940
Around 1340B/18, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown where she arrived around 0800B/19. (24)

19 Aug 1940
Around 1330B/19, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Capetown for the Plate Area. En-route she was to visit Tritan da Cunha where stores had to be landed.

Also, at Capetown, Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN, boarded. He was to take command of the South American Division. (24)

24 Aug 1940
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) landed stores at Tristan da Cunha before continuing her passage to the River Plate focal area. (24)

31 Aug 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived in San Borombon Bay from Simonstown. Here she joined HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937).

Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN, then boarded HMS Hawkins. He was soon to take over command of the South America Division from Rear-Admiral Harwood.

HMS Queen of Bermuda then proceeded on patrol in area L 32 (River Plate focal area).

HMS Hawkins, after topping up with fuel from the Broomdale proceeded to patrol in area L 31 (River Plate focal area).

The Broomdale set course for the Falkland Islands. (25)

12 Sep 1940
Around 0930PQ/12, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol. It was been arranged that a longer stay was permitted so that a defect to one of her main generators could be made good with shore assistance. (26)

15 Sep 1940
Around 0845PQ/15, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Montevideo to resume her patrol in the River Plate focal area (areas L 31 and L 32). (26)

7 Oct 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed her patrol area in the River Plate focal area to proceed northwards towards the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (27)

11 Oct 1940
Around 0930P/11, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol. (27)

12 Oct 1940
Around 0900P/12, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro focal area (Area K 33). Later her patrol area was expanded to include area K 34. (27)

17 Oct 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) landed a party on Ilha da Trinidade to search the island but no sign of the enemy was seen. HMS Queen of Bermuda then resumed her patrol. (27)

27 Oct 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is ordered to included patrol area J 33 in her patrol area. She proceeded further northwards to patrol off Bahia (Salvador). (27)

1 Nov 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) left patrol area J 33 to patrol her way southwards and then eventually fuel at Buenos Aires. (27)

8 Nov 1940
Around 1430P/8, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol. (28)

10 Nov 1940
Around 1430P/10, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Buenos Aires for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in area K 32 in the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (28)

22 Nov 1940
Around noon, in approximate position 28°00'S, 38°00'W, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) made rendezvous. A draft was then transferred from to HMS Queen of Bermuda before both armed merchant cruisers resumed patrol with HMS Carnarvon Castle taking over the area of HMS Queen of Bermuda which the proceeded southwards to area L 32 in the River Plate focal area. (28)

26 Nov 1940
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is ordered to proceed to Santos to provide escort for the transport Avila Star (British, 14443 GRT, built 1927).

HMS Queen of Bermuda arrived of Santos on the 28th and was joined by the Avila Star around 1700O/28. (28)

29 Nov 1940
Around noon, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) was relieved as escort for the transport Avila Star (British, 14443 GRT, built 1927) by HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN).

HMS Queen of Bermuda then proceeded to patrol in area L 32 (River Plate focal area). (29)

4 Dec 1940
Around 0930O/4, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 28.00'S, 45.00'W. 22 German Pow's were then transferred by HMS Carnarvon Castle to HMS Queen of Bermuda.

HMS Carnarvon Castle then set course for Montevideo while HMS Queen of Bermuda set course to patrol in area K 32 (Rio de Janeiro focal area). (30)

5 Dec 1940
Following a raider report HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) is ordered to proceed to the south-east at 20 knots. (30)

6 Dec 1940
Not having sighted the enemy, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which is short of fuel, is ordered to proceed to San Borombon Bay to fuel. (30)

10 Dec 1940
Around 0930O/10, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), dropped anchor in San Borombon Bay. There she fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) which arrived around 1620O/10.

Around 0615O/11, the damaged HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) joined coming from Montevideo where she had been making repairs. The 22 German Pow's which had been transferred from the Carnarvon Castle a week before were then put back on her for passage to South Africa where the Carnarvon Castle was to undergo battle damage repairs and refit.

Around 0745O/11, both armed merchant cruisers then proceeded, HMS Queen of Bermuda was to patrol in area L 32 in the River Plate focal area. (30)

19 Dec 1940
Around 1000O/19, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), left Montevideo for patrol. She was ordered to patrol in area K 33 (Rio de Janeiro focal area). (30)

7 Jan 1941
Around 1015P/7, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol. (31)

8 Jan 1941
Around 1000P/8, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro to resume patrol in area K 33 and then patrol her way to the Falkland Islands. (32)

16 Jan 1941
Around 1100P/16, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands from patrol / Rio de Janeiro. (32)

20 Jan 1941
Around 0800P/20, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Port Stanley, Falkland Islands to patrol the Antarctic whaling grounds making a visit to South Georgia en-route. (32)

22 Jan 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) made a short call at Grytviken, South Georgia Island before continuing her patrol. (32)

25 Jan 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) again made a short call at Grytviken, South Georgia Island before continuing her patrol to provide cover for the whaling fleets. (32)

2 Mar 1941
In approximate position 65°14'S, 54°29'W, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) takes on board 550 tons of fuel and 750 tons of water from the Norwegian whale factory ship Thorshammer (12215 GRT, built 1914). (33)

5 Mar 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) landed a party on Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) which then destroyed the fuel depot and supplies to prevent them from being used by the Germans. (34)

8 Mar 1941
Around 1030P/8, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands from patrol. (34)

21 Mar 1941
Around 1915P/21, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Port Stanley, Falkland Islands for another patrol in the southern waters to protect the whaling fleet. (34)

29 Mar 1941
Around 1730P/29, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) dropped anchor off Grytviken, South Georgia Island. (33)

5 Apr 1941
Around 1615O/5, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Grytviken, South Georgia Island.

Around 2000O/5, she joined the whale factory ships Southern Empress (British, 12398 GRT, built 1914) and Svend Foyn (British, 14795 GRT, built 1931), coming from the whaling grounds, to escort them to Freetown. (35)

22 Apr 1941
Around 0600N/22, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), which is escorting the whale factory ships Southern Empress (British, 12398 GRT, built 1914) and Svend Foyn (British, 14795 GRT, built 1931) from the Antarctic whaling grounds to Freetown, are joined in position 05°30'N, 15°30'W by the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN). (36)

23 Apr 1941
Around 0730N/23, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and the whale factory ships Southern Empress (British, 12398 GRT, built 1914) and Svend Foyn (British, 14795 GRT, built 1931) arrived at Freetown. (36)

3 May 1941
Around 1815N/3, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) departed Freetown to patrol in the South Atlantic. (37)

18 May 1941
Around 1330Z/18, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at St. Helena to fuel. (38)

19 May 1941
Around 1230Z/19, after having embarked 200 tons of water and also 1690 tons of fuel from the chartered tanker Nyholm (Norwegian, 5843 GRT, built 1927), HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) departed St. Helena to patrol in the mid-Atlantic. (37)

3 Jun 1941
Around 1730N/3, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (39)

18 Jun 1941
Around 1400N/18, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South Atlantic. (40)

29 Jun 1941
Around 1100N/29, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at St. Helena from patrol. After fuelling she departed around 1930N/29 to patrol off Lobito to intercept Vichy French shipping. (39)

30 Jun 1941

Convoy WS 9B.

This convoy was formed off Oversay on 30 June 1941. It arrived at Freetown on 13 July 1941.

On assembly it was made up of the following (troop)transports; Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936), Ceramic (British, 18713 GRT, built 1913), Clan Forbes (British, 7529 GRT, built 1938), Elizabeth Bakke (Norwegian, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Oronsay (British, 20043 GRT, built 1925), Pampas (British, 6345 GRT, built 1941), Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929) and Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922).

The transport Anselm (British, 5954 GRT, built 1935) had been unable to keep the required speed up during the passage from Liverpool to the rendezvous point and was ordered to proceed to the Clyde. She was not allowed to join the convoy.

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the light cruisers HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN), flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN), HMS Galatea (Capt. E.W.B. Sim, RN), AA cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. I.R.H. Black, RN), armed merchant cruisers HMS Cathay (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.M. Merewether, RN), HMS Chitral (Capt.(Retd.) G. Hamilton, RN), HMS Moreton Bay (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, RN), armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) and the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN), HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN), HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN), HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN), HMS Wells (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski, ORP).

HMS Wolverine was detached with defects at 1324Z/31.

HMS Wells parted company with the convoy around 2200Z/1.

HMS Vanquisher, HMS Winchelsea, HMS Castleton and HMCS St. Francis parted company around 0400Z/2.

HMS Maori was detached at 1600Z/2.

HMS Cairo, ORP Piorun and ORP Garland parted company with the convoy around 1900Z/2 in position 49°20'N, 26°20'W.

HMS Reading was detached at 0400Z/3.

HMS Edinburgh parted company around 2315Z/3.

HMS Cathay parted company around 0630Z/4.

HMS Chitral and HMS Corinthian parted company around 0100Z/6.

Around 1115Z/10, in position 17.28'N, 20.50'W the destroyers HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN), HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) and corvette HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) joined.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 13 July 1941.

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The convoy left Freetown in the same composition as in which it had arrived.

It was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Galatea and the destroyers HMS Brilliant, HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN), HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. R.L.S. Gaisford, RN) and HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN).

All destroyers parted company on the 18th, HMS Brilliant and HMS Velox at 1200/18 and HMS Boreas and HMS Vansittart at 1600/18.

At 0515/27, HMS Galatea parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Simonstown to fuel.

The transports Ceramic, Clan Forbes, Pampas, Elizabeth Bakke, Pulaski and Rangitata were detached to Capetown.

HMS Galatea departed Simonstown at 1530/27 and rejoined the remaining ships of the convoy at 0900/28.

The remaining ships and HMS Galatea arrived at Durban on 30 July 1941.

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The Clan Forbes, Elisabeth Bakke, Pampas and Pulaski departed Capetown on 30 July 1941 escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN).

On 3 August 1941 the Arundel Castle, Athlone Castle, Monarch of Bermuda and Oronsay departed Durban escorted by HMS Galatea. The Capetown and Durban section then merged and set course for Aden. Both escorts remained with the convoy until it was dispersed off Aden on 14 August 1941.

On 13 August the Athlone Castle and Elizabeth Bakke parted company forming convoy WS 9BX. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) and arrived at Bombay on 16 August 1941. (41)

16 Jul 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) is ordered to leave patrol and proceed to Capetown. (42)

21 Jul 1941
Around 0730A/21, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (43)

30 Jul 1941
At Capetown, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) embarked a catapult which was to be fitted in her upcoming refit in the U.S.A. This catapult had been shipped from the U.K. to South Africa as it had originally been intended to refit the ship there. (44)

30 Jul 1941
Around 1600B/30, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) departed Capetown escorting the ' Capetown Section ' of convoy WS 9A.

[For more info see the event ' Convoy WS 9A ' for 30 June 1941.] (43)

3 Aug 1941
Around 1030B/3, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at Durban from convoy escort duty. (45)

21 Aug 1941

Convoy CF 2.

This convoy departed Durban on 21 August 1941.

It was made up of the following troop transports; Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Durban, around 1830B/21, the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN).

The convoy arrived at Capetown around 0830B/24.

At Capetown, the Greek Royal family boarded the Durban Castle.

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Around 1600B/26, the convoy departed Capetown in the same composition.

Around 0700Z/29, rendezvous was made in position 23°40'S, 04°30'E, with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) which joined as second escort.

Around 0715Z/31, the Durban Castle parted company with the convoy to the north-east of St. Helena in position 15°20'S, 05°10'W. She was to proceed to Trididad escorted by HMS Queen of Bermuda.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Lagos around 1200A on 4 September 1941.

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Around 1700A/8, the convoy, now made up of the Duchess of Bedford, Nieuw Zeeland and Sobieski departed Lagos for Freetown. The convoy was now escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia and the corvettes HMS Armeria (T/Lt. H.N. Russell, DSC, RNR) and HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR).

The convoy arrived at Freetown around 0900N/13.

2 Sep 1941
Around 1100ON(+1.5)/2, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) joined the troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938) and the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) on their passage to Trinidad.

On board the Durban Castle was the Greek Royal family. (46)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and the troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938), with the Greek Royal family on board, arrived at Trinidad. (46)

10 Sep 1941
The troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938), with the Greek Royal family on board, departed Trinidad for the U.K. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN).

HMS Newcastle was to proceed to Bermuda but was to escort the troopship part of the way. HMS Queen of Bermuda was to escort the troopship a little longer, until being relieved by an escort joining from the U.K. (47)

15 Sep 1941
Around 1430P/10, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), parted company in position 34°58'N, 46°30'W, with the troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938) and the armed merchant cruisers Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and HMCS Prince David (Cdr. K.F. Adams, RCN).

HMCS Prince David had joined them at 1100P/10.

HMS Newcastle then set course for Bermuda while the other ships continued their passage towards the U.K. (47)

16 Sep 1941
The troopship Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), with the Greek Royal family on board, and escorted by the armed merchant cruisers Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and HMCS Prince David (Cdr. K.F. Adams, RCN) encountered heavy weather. Around 2005O/16, HMCS Prince David sustained weather damage. By 2110O/16, she dropped astern and then hove to in position 45°30'N, 35°00'W.

The Durban Castle and HMS Queen of Bermuda were able to continue on towards the U.K. (48)

19 Sep 1941
Around 0700N/19, the troopship Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), with the Greek Royal family on board, and her escort, the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) were joined by the destroyers HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) and HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) in position 51°20'N, 26°40'W.

Around 0930A/19, in position 51°37'N, 25°41'W, HMS Queen of Bermuda parted company to proceed to St. Johns, Newfoundland. It had been intended for her to proceed direct to Bermuda but this was not possible due to fuel shortage. (48)

22 Sep 1941
Around 0815PQ/22, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland from escort duty.

After fuelling she departed for Bermuda around 1800PQ/22. (48)

25 Sep 1941
Around 1345P/25, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at Bermuda from St. Johns, Newfoundland. (48)

28 Sep 1941
Around 1415Q/28, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) departed Bermuda for Newport News, Virginia. (48)

30 Sep 1941
Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) arrived at the Newport News shipyard where she is taken in hand for refit. (48)

4 Dec 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Cdr.(Retd.) G. Healey, RN) is docked in No.2 Drydock at the Newport News shipyard. (49)

9 Dec 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (Cdr.(Retd.) G. Healey, RN) is undocked. (49)

16 Dec 1941
At the Newport News shipyard, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) is shut off for fumigation. (49)

19 Dec 1941
At the Newport News shipyard, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) is boarded again after fumigation. (49)

23 Dec 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted D/G and gunnery trials off Newport News. (49)

26 Dec 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Newport News. (49)

28 Dec 1941
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted AA gunnery and RDF calibration trials off Newport News on compltion of which she departed for Bermuda. (49)

31 Dec 1941
Around 0900Q/31, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Newport News. On arrival at Bermuda she embarked a seaplane which could be launched with the catapult that had been fitted in the USA. (49)

5 Jan 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Bermuda. (50)

6 Jan 1942
During 6/7 January 1942, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Bermuda. These included night gunnery. (50)

7 Jan 1942
Around 1200Q/7, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) departed Bermuda for Halifax. (50)

9 Jan 1942
Around 1530Q/9, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) arrived at Halifax from Bermuda. (50)

10 Jan 1942

Convoy NA 1.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 January 1942.

It was made up of the following troop transports; Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913) and Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN) and HMCS Hamilton (A/Lt.Cdr. N.V. Clark, RCNR).

About 15 minutes after departure from Halifax, HMS Queen of Bermuda grounded on Mars Rock sustaining serious damage aft. She was only able to get off the following day.

On 12 January 1942, the destroyer HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN) departed St. Johns and joined the convoy the following day.

On 13 January 1942, HMCS Hamilton parted company with the convoy and returned to Halifax on the 15th.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 18 January 1942.

11 Jan 1942
After having grounded the previous day on Mars Rock off Halifax, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) is finally able to get off. Damage is severe though to the aft part of the ship. (50)

23 Mar 1942
The damaged armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) departed Halifax under tow for the Brooklyn Navy Yard at New York. She is to proceed through the Cape Cod Canal.

Escort for the tow is provided by the auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS Bedfordshire (Lt. R.B. Davis, RNR), HMS Coventry City (T/Lt. J.C. Grose, RNR), HMS Kingston Ceylonite (A/Skr.Lt. W.M. Smith, RNR), HMS Lady Elsa (T/Lt. S.G. Phillips, RNVR) and HMS Stella Polaris (Skr. T. Normandale, RNR).

The tow arrived in Long Island sound on 29 March 1942. The trawlers then proceeded to New York arriving later the same day. HMS Queen of Bermuda was towed to the New York Navy Yard on 31 March 1942 as this was not possible earlier due to the weather conditions. (51)

13 Apr 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) is docked at the New York Navy Yard. (52)

18 Jun 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) is undocked. (53)

30 Jul 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) proceeded from New York to Port Jefferson, Long Island. (54)

2 Aug 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted post repair trails in Long Island Sound. (55)

3 Aug 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) proceeded from Port Jefferson to New York. (55)

6 Aug 1942

Convoy AT 18.

This convoy departed New York on 6 August 1942.

It was made up of the following troop transports; Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Monterey (American, 148017 GRT, built 1932), Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930), Uruguay (American, 20183 GRT, built 1928), Wakefield (American, 24289 GRT, built 1931) and West Point (American, 26454 GRT, built 1940).

The armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by Task Force 38, which was made up of the battleship 5922 Arkansas (Capt. C.F. Bryant, USN, which was also COMTASKFOR 38), light cruiser USS Brooklyn (T/Capt. F.C. Denebrink, USN) and the with destroyers USS Livermore (T/Cdr. V. Huber, USN, with COMDESDIV 21, T/Capt. T.L. Madeira, USN, on board), USS Kearny (T/Cdr. A.H. Oswald, USN), USS Plunkett (T/Cdr. W.H. Standley, Jr., USN, with COMDESRON 7, Cdr. S.R. Clark, USN, on board), USS Niblack (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Dyer, USN, with COMDESDIV 13, T/Capt. P.R. Heineman, USN, on board), USS Benson (T/Cdr. C.A. Fines, USN), USS Gleaves (T/Cdr. C.L. Winecoff, USN), USS Mayo (T/Cdr. I.T. Duke, USN), USS Charles F. Hughes (Lt.Cdr. B.S. Copping, USN) and USS Hilary P. Jones (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Ellis, USN) as inner screen for the convoy. An outer screen was formed of the destroyers USS Madison (Cdr. W.B. Ammon, USN, with COMDESDIV 14, ???, on board), USS Nicholson (Cdr. J.S. Keating, USN), USS Eberle (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Poehlmann, USN), USS Ericsson (T/Cdr. C.M. Jensen, USN) and USS Roe (T/Cdr. J.N. Opie, 3rd, USN).

Around 2300Q/7, Eberle, Ericsson and Roe were detached to proceed to Boston. USS Hilary P. Jones then joined the outer screen.

The convoy arrived at Halifax on 8 August 1942.

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The convoy departed Halifax on 9 August 1942.

Two troop transports joined the convoy leaving Halifax, these were the; Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920) and Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938).

The convoy was now escorted by USS Arkansas, USS Brooklyn, USS Plunkett, USS Niblack, USS Gleaves, USS Mayo, USS Madison, USS Lansdale (T/Cdr. D.C. Varian, USN), USS Hilary P. Jones, USS Charles F. Hughes. The above destroyers served as inner screen. Also an out screen made up of the destroyers USS Mayrant (T/Capt. C.C. Hartman, USN, which was also COMDESDIV 16), USS Rhind (T/Cdr. H.T. Read, USN) and USS Nicholson was present.

Late on the 9th, the Cameronia straggled from the convoy. USS Hilary P. Jones was ordered to escort her. They rejoined on the 10th but the Cameronia had difficulty in keeping up with the convoy and was smoking badly.

On the 10th, USS Nicholson was detached to Casco Bay. Also on this day, USS Benson departed Halifax to overtake and join the convoy. She had been unable to depart with the convoy on the 9th due to the fact that she was in dock for repairs to her sonar installation.

On the 11th USS Benson joined from Halifax. USS Mayrant and USS Rhind were detached later on the 11th. They were to proceed to Argentia.

Around 1015Z/16, HMS Queen of Bermuda and the Batory were detached from the convoy and joined convoy DS 31 proceeding from the Clyde to Iceland. One of the escorts of convoy DS 31 then joined convoy AT 18, this was the AA cruiser HMS Curacoa (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN).

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 17 August 1942. (55)

15 Aug 1942

Convoy DS 31.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 15 August 1942.

It was made up of the troop transport Leinster (British, 4303 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from the Clyde, around 1045A/15, the convoy was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Curacoa (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN).

Around 1730A/15, off Lough Foyle the destroyers HMS Lancaster (A/Cdr. N.H. Whatley, RN), HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR) and HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. G.H.D. Williams, RN) joined.

Around 1015Z/16, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) and the troop transport Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy from convoy AT 18. HMS Curacoa then parted company and joined convoy AT 18.

Convoy DS 31 arrived at Reykjavik in the afternoon of 18 August 1942.

15 Aug 1942
Around 1015Z/15, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) and the troop transport Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936) parted company with convoy AT 18 and joined convoy DS 31.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy DS 31 ' for 15 August 1942.] (55)

18 Aug 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) arrived at Reykjavik with convoy DS 31. (55)

22 Aug 1942

Convoy SD 31.

This convoy departed Reykjavik on 22 August 1942.

It was made up of the troops transports Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936) and Leinster (British, 4303 GRT, built 1937).

the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Lancaster (A/Cdr. N.H. Whatley, RN), HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR) and HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. G.H.D. Williams, RN).

The convoy arrived in the Clyde early on 25 August. The destroyers had parted company to proceed to Londonderry around 1945A/24.

21 Sep 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (56)

22 Sep 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (56)

23 Sep 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (56)

30 Sep 1942
Around 1900A/30, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) departed Greenock for Belfast Lough where she arrived around 1430A/1. (57)

5 Oct 1942

Convoy WS 23.

This convoy was formed off Oversay on 5 October 1942.

It consisted of the following transports / troopships; Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928), Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939), Moreton Bay (British, 14193 GRT, built 1921), Port Jackson (British, 9687 GRT, built 1937), Silverandal (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930) and Straat Malakka (Dutch, 439 GRT, built 1939).

Initial escort consisted of the light cruisers HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN), HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO and Bar, OBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) and RHS Kanaris.

At 2200Z/6, HMS Durban parted company with the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada to fuel.

At 1850Z/8, HMS Beagle parted company with the convoy to return to the UK. HMS Zetland had a leaking Asdic dome and was apparently also detached on the 8th to return to the UK for a docking and repairs.

At 1000Z/9, HMS Puckeridge arrived at Ponta Delgada to refuel. She departed to rejoin the convoy at 1345Z/9. RHS Kanaris arrived at 1100Z/9 and departed again at 1430Z/9. [It is currently not known to us when they had left the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada.]

At 1545Z/9, HMS Durban rejoined the convoy. HMS Despatch was then detached to fuel at Ponta Delgada.

At 1900Z/9, HMS Puckeridge and RHS Kanaris rejoined the convoy.

At 0100Z/10, HMS Wrestler and HMS Bicester parted company with the convoy to fuel at Ponta Delgada after which they were to return to the UK.

At 0810/Z/13, HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) joined the convoy shorly afterwards followed by HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN).

On 16 October 1942 the convoy arrived at Freetown escorted by HMS Despatch, HMS Durban, HMS Queen of Bermuda, HMS Antelope, HMS Velox, HMS Puckeridge and RHS Kanaris.

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The convoy departed Freetown for Durban on 20 October 1942.

The same ships made up the convoy plus the merchant vessels Hai Lee (Norwegian, 3616 GRT, built 1934) and Tamesis (Norwegian, 7256 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy escort was made up of the light cruisers HMS Despatch, HMS Durban, armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), RHS Kanaris, sloop HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN) and the corvette HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR).

At 1020A/23, HMS Avon Vale parted company. HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. D.C. Hayes, RNVR) had joined just before. She had sailed from Takoradi on the 22nd.

At 1842A/23, HMS Durban parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi to repair a defect. She arrived at Takoradi around 0745/24 and departed again around 0230A/25. She rejoined the convoy around 0945A/27.

Also detached on 23 October were the two Norwegian merchant vessels and the corvette HMS Tamarisk. These were also to proceed to Takoradi.

The corvette HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR) joined on the 25th coming from Ponte Noire. After she joined HMS Southern Gem was detached to Ponte Noire due to engine trouble.

On the 26th, HMS Amaranthus parted company to join convoy CF 7.

On 30 October the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined the convoy. These ships had sailed from Walvis Bay, the corvettes at 0600Z/29 and HMAS Norman at 2000Z/29. HMAS Norman joined the convoy around 1300B/30 and the corvettes around 1530B/30.

At 2100B/30, HMS Durban, HMS Despatch and HMS Milford were detached to fuel at Walvis Bay where they arrived around 0840/30. HMS Durban departed Walvis Bay aroud 1845B/31 and she rejoined the convoy around 1800B/1

On 2 November the transport / troopship Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy coming from Capetown.

At 1330C/2, the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) joined coming from Simonstown.

Around 1545C/2, RHS Kanaris parted company to refuel at Simonstown. She rejoined the convoy around 0100C/3.

At 2215C/2, HMS Rockrose and HMS Thyme were detached to search for survivors from ships that had been torpedoed by German submarines.

At 1950C/4, HMS Express was detached to search for survivors from a ship that had been torpedoed by a German submarines.

At 0530C/5, the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) joined.

The convoy arrived at Durban in the early afternoon of 5 November escorted by HMS Durban, HMS Carthage, HMAS Norman, HMS Catterick, HMS Derwent and RHS Kanaris.

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The convoy departed Durban around noon on 9 November 1942, now made up of Capetown Castle, Empress of Russia, Highland Monarch, Kina II, Port Jackson, Silversandal and Straat Malakka.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (Cdr.(Retd.) N.G. Leeper, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage, destroyers HMAS Norman, HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), escort destroyers HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN), RHS Kanaris and the corvettes HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR).

At 1700C/10, HMS Insconstant, HMS Genista and HMS Jasmine were detached.

At 1500D/11, HMS Dauntless, HMAS Norman, HMS Blackmore and RHS Kanaris were detached.

At 1830D/11, the cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) joined.

At 1600E/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined and at 1230E/16, HMS Hawkins parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini taking the Empress of Russia with her. They arrived at Kilindini around 1700D/18.

At 1800E/17, the convoy was split up into the ' Aden section ' and the ' Bombay section '.

The ' Aden section ' was made up of the Highland Monarch, Kina II, Port Jackson and the Straat Malakka. They were escorted by HMS Carthage and arrived at Aden around 1300C/21. They had earlier been joined by the destroyer RHS Panther around 0615/20.

The ' Bombay section ' was made up of the other transports escorted by HMS Mauritius. They arrived at Bombay around 1000FG/24 except for the Silversandal which had been detached on November 22nd to proceed to Karachi where she also arrived on the 24th. (58)

24 Oct 1942
Around 1800Z/24, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for a patrol in the mid-Atlantic. She is escorted until around 2020Z/25 by the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Bathurst.

After a short patrol HMS Queen of Bermuda started to proceed northwards towards the Azores on 29 October 1942. (59)

29 Oct 1942

Convoy WS 24

This convoy was formed off Oversay on 29 October 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936), Empress of Scotland (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Indochinois (British, 6966 GRT, built 1939), Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 1921), Striling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) and Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922).

The American seaplane tender Barnegat (Cdr. J.A. Briggs, USN) was also with the convoy.

On forming up the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt H.T. Armstrong, DSC, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Oribi (Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR), HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Holcombe (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN).

The convoy was to take an unusual route for a WS convoy. Due to the Allied landings in North Africa (Operation Torch) it was not thought wise to have another troop convoy passing through the same area as the convoys for this operations would be passing through. Therefore it was decided to sent the convoy southwards with a stopover at Bahia, Brasil instead of the usual stopover at Freetown.

The Liverpool section of the convoy made up of the Athlone Castle and Stirling Castle was late at the assembly point due to being delayed by fog. They and their escorts, HMS Sardonyx and HMS Skate only joined the main part of the convoy on 31 October. HMS Sardonyx and HMS Skate then parted company to proceed to Londonderry.

At 1430Z/31, in position 49°46'N, 21°17'W, HMS Onslow, on the port wing of the A/S screen, reported an A/S contact and shorly afterwards sighted a periscope. The convoy then carried out an emergency turn to starboard and HMS Rotherham joined HMS Onslow to hunt the U-boat. Contact was again obtained at 1443Z/31. The first depth charge attacks of both destroyers were probably reasonably accurate as the U-boat went very deep and remained there. A total of seven attacks were made in all by the two destroyers and about 1730Z/31 contact was lost. Both destroyers then carried out a search to regain contact but without success. HMS Rotherham then proceeded to rejoin the convoy leaving HMS Onslow in the area until after dark in case the U-boat should surface. The U-boat attacked was U-563 which sustained damage in the depth charge attacks.

At 0400Z/2, HMS Rotherham parted company with the convoy to proceed to fuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores, where she arrived around 1715Z/2. She departed again to rejoined the convoy at first light on 3rd November. On leaving Ponta Delgada HMS Holcombe was encountered to enter that port to fuel. She was not to rejoin the convoy but to proceed to Bathurst on completion of fuelling.

At 1355Z/2, in position 40°43'N, 25°10'W, USS Barnegat parted company to proceed to French Marocco to join the forces for Operation Torch.

At 1500Z/3, HMS Rotherham rejoined the convoy.

At 1530Z/3, in position 36°40'N, 28°40'W, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) joined the convoy.

At 1700Z/3, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa and HMS Oribi parted company to proceed to Ponta Delgada to fuel. They too were not to rejoin the convoy.

Around 2100Z/7, in position 15°41'N, 30°56'W, the transport Indochinois started to drop back due to engine trouble.

At 0348Z/8, HMS Queen of Bermuda was detached to proceed ahead to search for the destroyer HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and A/S whaler HMS Southern Pride (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR). This was done due to the convoy arriving late at the arranged rendezvous.

At 1230Z/8, in position 13°16'N, 29°26'W, the troop transport Tamaroa parted company with the convoy to proceed to Freetown taking HMS Southern Pride with her as escort. HMS Southern Pride had been sighted only half an hour before.

HMS Queen of Bermuda rejoined the convoy at 1930Z/8. HMS Ilex had not been sighted.

At 1120Z/9, HMS Queen of Bermuda was again detached but not to search for the Indochinois using her aircraft to do so. When 50 miles clear of the convoy HMS Queen of Bermuda reported the position, speed and course of the convoy also for the benefit of HMS Ilex which had still not joined the convoy.

At 1500Z/9, in position 08°24'N, 29°22'W, the destroyer HMS Ilex finally managed to join the convoy.

At 0715Z/11, HMS Queen of Bermuda rejoined the convoy. Her Seafox plane had made contact with the Indochinois and had passed instructions to her to rejoin the convoy. Since then she was however not seen and did not rejoin the convoy.

At 1000Z/11, in position 00°14'S, 30°42'W, the light cruiser HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) joined the convoy.

On the 12th, HMS Ilex took in 60 tons of fuel from HMS Queen of Bermuda.

The convoy arrived at Bahia, Brazil on 15 November 1942.

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The convoy departed Bahia for South Africa at 1830Z/19.

It was still made up of the same transports, minus the Indochinois.

Escort on departure from Bahia was provided by the light cruiser HMS Despatch and the destroyers HMS Rotherham and HMS Ilex.

Armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda departed Bahia at 2359Z/19 to overtake the convoy which she did during the forenoon of the 20th.

At 0900Z/23, HMS Ilex was detached to return to Bahia.

At 2000Z/23, HMS Despatch parted company with the convoy to proceed to Pernambuco (Recife).

At 0800Z/28, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) joined.

At 0930Z/29, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) joined.

At 1350Z/30, in position 34°36'S, 17°40'E, a quantity of wreckage was passed and shortly afterwards survivors were seen clinging to broken boats and rafts. HMS Rotherham picked up seven of these while HMAS Norman picked up another eleven. They were the Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer and 15 men of the Greek merchant vessel Argo that had been torpedoed and sunk by the Italian submarine Ammiraglio Cagni in position 34°45'S, 17°42'E at 2025Z/29. HMAS Norman transferred the survivors she had picked up to HMS Rotherham.

At 1440Z/30, the corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined.

At 1520Z/30, the transport Indochinois rejoined the convoy as did her escort, the destroyer HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

At 1610Z/30, HMS Rotherham parted company with the convoy to proceed to fuel at Simonstown where she also landed the survivors of the Argo. She arrived at Simonstown at 1830Z/30.

HMS Thyme parted company with the convoy late in the morning of 1st, December to proceed to Simonstown.

HMS Rotherham rejoined the convoy at 1600Z/1 having departed Simonstown at 0415Z/1. HMS Rockrose then parted company to proceed to Simonstown.

The convoy arrived at Durban at 0500Z/4. HMS Alcantara had parted company at 0400Z/4 to proceed to Simonstown. (58)

3 Nov 1942
Around 1530Z/3, in position 36°40'N, 28°40'W, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) joined convoy WS 24.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 24 ' for 29 October 1942.] (60)

15 Nov 1942
HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN), HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN), HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN) and HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) arrived at Bahia with convoy WS 24.

19 Nov 1942
Around 1830Z/19, the light cruiser HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN) and HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) departed Bahia as escorts for convoy WS 24.

Around 2359Z/1, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Bahia at 2359Z/19 to overtake the convoy which she did during the forenoon of the 20th.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 24 ' for 29 October 1942.]

4 Dec 1942
HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN), HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) arrived at Durban with convoy WS 24. (61)

7 Dec 1942
Around 0555C/7, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Durban for Capetown where she arrived around 1140C/9. (62)

12 Jan 1943
Around 0025C/12, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Capetown for Simonstown where she arrived around 0815C/12. She then embarked her two aircraft and departed around 1010C/12 for Suez patrolling her way round Madagascar en-route. (63)

24 Jan 1943
Shortly after 1200C/24, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden from patrol. (63)

25 Jan 1943
Around 0630C/25, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Aden for Suez. (63)

28 Jan 1943
Around 1130B/28, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) arrived at Suez from Aden. (63)

1 Feb 1943

'Pamphlet' convoy, Suez - Sydney, 1 February to 27 February 1943.

This convoy, made up of the troop transports Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936), Aquitania (British, 45647 GRT, built 1914), Ile de France (British, 43548 GRT, built 1927, former French), Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) (22575 GRT, built 1933) were transporting 30000 men of the Australian 9th Division from Suez to Melbourne and Sydney. [HMS Queen of Bermuda also served in the role of troopship.]

This convoy had departed Suez on 1 February 1943 and were escorted during their passage through the Red Sea by the destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Hero (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN), RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. G. Blessas, DSO, RHN) and the escort destroyer Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN).

The convoy was joined around 1545C/4 by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN).

Around 1800E/6, HMS Hero and HMS Derwent parted company with the convoy to proceed to Aden.

Around 2000E/6, HMS Pakenham, HMS Petard, HMS Isis and RHS Vasilissa Olga parted company with the convoy to proceed to Aden.

Around 1230FG/9, the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy.

The convoy entered Addu Atoll late in the afternoon / early in the evening of the 9th where all warships fuelled.

The convoy departed Addu Atoll to continue its passage to Australia in the afternoon of the 10th. The light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) had joined the convoy escort.

Around 0030FG/11, HMS Quilliam and HMS Foxhound parted company to proceed to Addu Atoll.

Around 0840H/16, the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNethN) and the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) joined the convoy in approximate postion 26°06'S, 101°09'E.

Around 2000H/16, the AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNethN) joined the convoy in approximate position 27°41'S, 104°35'E.

Around 2000H/17, the destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) joined the convoy in approximate position 30°30'S, 112°52'E.

In the afternoon of the 18th the convoy arrived off Fremantle.

Around 1800I/20, the convoy, minus HMS Queen of Bermuda departed Fremantle now escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck and the destroyers HrMs Van Galen and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes.

Around 2300I/21, HrMs Van Galen parted company to return to Fremantle.

Around 1645KL/24, the convoy was joined by the heavy cruiser Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN) and the destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) and USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Chambers, USN). The New Amsterdam escorted by HMAS Adelaide, HrMs Heemskerk and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes then departed the convoy and proceeded to Port Phillip where they arrived arrived around 1000L/25. The other ships continued to Sydney.

In the afternoon of the 26th the HrMs Heemskerck rejoined the convoy. Later in the afternoon the destroyer Le Triomphant (Cdr. P.M.J.R. Auboyneau) also joined.

The convoy arrived at Sydney on the 27th.

3 Mar 1943

Convoy OW 2.

This convoy departed Fremantle on 3 March 1943.

It was made up of only one transport, the Mormacdove (American, 6711 GRT, built 1942).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN).

Cover for the convoy was provided by the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) which also departed Fremantle on 3 March.

In the evening of 4 March, HrMs Tromp parted company to return to Fremantle.

Around 1025F/7, in position 20°22'S, 91°00'E, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN) took over the escort of the convoy from HMS Queen of Bermuda which then parted company and set course for Durban.

The convoy arrived at Colombo in the morning of 13 March 1943. (64)

16 Mar 1943
Around 1520C/16, Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban from escort duty / Fremantle. (65)

17 Mar 1943
Around 1800C/17, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Durban for Freetown.

Shortly after departure she was joined by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) which remained in company until 1200C/20, when they parted company in position 39°03'S, 21°17'E. (65)

1 Apr 1943
Around 1400Z/1, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Durban. (66)

2 Apr 1943
Around 1800Z/2, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K. (66)

13 Apr 1943
Around 1855B/13, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Freetown. (66)

16 Apr 1943
Around 0600B/16, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Southampton where she arrived around 1900B/17. (66)

4 May 1943
1130B/4, HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) is paid off at Southampton and turned over to the Ministry of War Transport to be converted to troopship. (67)