Allied Warships
HMS Falmouth (L 34 / U 34)
Sloop of the Falmouth class
Crew of the HMS Falmouth, late 30's
| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Sloop |
| Class | Falmouth |
| Pennant | L 34 / U 34 |
| Built by | Devonport Dockyard (Plymouth, U.K.): Hawthorn Leslie & Co. (Hebburn-on-Tyne, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 16 Mar 1931 |
| Laid down | 31 Aug 1931 |
| Launched | 19 Apr 1932 |
| Commissioned | 27 Oct 1932 |
| End service | |
| History | In March 1940 HMS Falmouth was a unit of the Far Eastern Fleet, and based at Singapore. She was responsible for carrying out patrols in the Tjilatjap area. On 24 June, while in the Persian Gulf, she succeeded in sinking the Italian submarine Galvani. In April 1941 Falmouth was involved in the escorting of troop convoys from Karachi to Basra. On August 25th, Falmouth in company with the sloops, HMS Shoreham and the Australian HMAS Yarra, were involved in operation "Countenance", this was the entry into Iran by British forces from the south. Commodore Cosmo Graham was placed in command of the naval operations, and in response to his request for additional forces the CinC East Indies, Vice Admiral Arbuthnot offered him the Australian armed merchant cruiser HMAS Kanimbla. Surprise was essential for the speedy success of the undertaking. Falmouth was responsible for transporting two platoons and company headquarters of the 3/10th Baluch Regiment which dealt with the Iranian naval base of Khorramshahr. The operation was a complete success. From January 19-February 2nd 1944 Falmouth was docked in the Selborne dry dock at Simonstown, South Africa. On February 2nd, she was undocked. In January 1952, Falmouth became the RNVR ship Calliope. In April 1968, Calliope was broken up for scrap by Hughes Bolckow of Blyth. Her badge can be seen displayed on the side of the Selborne dry dock wall with the inscription "Fail Not". |
Commands listed for HMS Falmouth (L 34 / U 34)
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 | Cdr. Cecil Campbell Hardy, RN | 31 Aug 1937 | 12 May 1941 |
| 2 | Cdr. Ughtred Henry Ramsden James, RN | 12 May 1941 | Mid 1943 |
| 3 | Lt.Cdr. Edward Arthur Woodhead, RD, RNR | Mid 1943 | 22 Feb 1945 |
| 4 | Lt.Cdr. Norris Edwin Cutler, RN | 22 Feb 1945 | 27 Sep 1945 |
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Notable events involving Falmouth include:
13 Mar 1940
HMS Pandora (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong with HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) and HMS Falmouth (Cdr. C.C. Hardy, RN). (1)
15 Mar 1940
HMS Pandora (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong with HMS Falmouth (Cdr. C.C. Hardy, RN) and HMS Thracian (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN). (1)
24 Jun 1940
The Italian submarine Galvani was sunk in Gulf of Oman by the British sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. C.C. Hardy, RN).
28 Nov 1941
Convoy WS 12Z.
[Part from the Freetown to Durban.]
This convoy departed Freetown on 28 November 1941 and arrived at Durban on 18 December 1941.
The convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Abbekerk (Dutch, 7906 GRT, built 1939), Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923), Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Deucalion (British, 7516 GRT, built 1930), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Empire Star (British, 13479 GRT, built 1935), Empress of Asia (British, 16909 GRT, built 1913), Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) and Sussex (British, 11062 GRT, built 1937).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), escort destroyers HMS Dulverton (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Petch, OBE, RN) and HMS Southwold (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) and the corvettes HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR).
The convoy was to proceed to Durban via Porte Noire.
In the afternoon of 2 December 1941, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Dulverton and HMS Southwold left the convoy to proceed ahead to Porte Noire where they arrived in the morning of 5 December and then took on board fuel. They departed again in the evening to rejoin the convoy which they did at 0600/6.
HMS Falmouth, HMS Hollyhock and HMS Verbena then proceeded to Porte Noire to fuel. They rejoined the convoy at 0630/7.
At 0700/14, while in approximate position 36°00'S, 17°00'E, HMS Dulverton and HMS Southwold detached to refuel at Simonstown. At 1400/15, while in approximate position 37°00'S, 23°00'E, the convoy was joined by the corvettes HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR) from Simonstown. Half an hour later HMS Hollyhock and HMS Verbena were then detached to Simonstown.
At 0001/18 HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Milford were detached and proceeded ahead of the convoy to Durban where they arrived at 0600 hours the same day.
The remainder of the convoy arrived later the same day.
21 Dec 1941
Convoy BM 9A.
This convoy departed Bombay on 21 December 1941 and arrived at Singapore on 3 January 1942.
It was was made up of the following ships; Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917), Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926), Ethiopia (British 5575 GRT, built 1922) and Varsova (British, 4691 GRT, built 1914).
On departure from Bombay it was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, DSO, RN) and the patrol vessel HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. G.W. Barnes, RINR).
At 1340/22, in position 14°03'N, 73°02'E, HMIS Sonavati obtained a strong A/S contact and attacked with six depth charges but the contact appeared to be non-sub.
On 24 December the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) and sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) departed Colombo and they joined the convoy around 0800EF/25 in position 05°20'N, 80°00'E. HMS Glasgow then parted company with the convoy.
On 27 December HMS Falmouth and HMIS Sonavati parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Colombo.
Around 1200GH/30, in position 02°22'S, 98°00'E, the light cruisers HMS Durban (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Dragon (A/Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) joined the convoy.
Around 1530GH/31, in position 06°10'S, 101°52'E the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) joined the convoy.
The Dutch light cruisers HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN), HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the Dutch destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) departed Batavia on 1 January 1942 to reinforce the convoy escort. The Dutch ships joined the convoy at 1345GH/1 and remained with the convoy until 2000GH/2.
The convoy arrived safely at Singapore on 3 January 1942. (2)
24 Dec 1941
Around 2000EF/24, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) and sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) departed Colombo to join convoy BM 9A.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 9A ' for 21 December 1941.] (3)
23 Jan 1942
Convoy BM 12.
This convoy departed Bombay on 23 January 1942.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Empress of Asia (British 16909 GRT, built 1913), Felix Roussel (British (former French, 17083 GRT, built 1930) and Plancius (5955 GRT, built 1923).
The convoy initially proceeded unescorted.
On 26 January, the sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) joined the convoy in position 07°53'N, 76°23'E.
On 27 January, the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) joined the convoy in position 04°30'N, 78°15'E. HMS Falmouth parted company with the convoy at dusk.
On 28 January, the convoy made rendezvous with convoy DM 2 which was made up of the following (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (British, 8049 GRT, built 1937), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).
This convoy had been escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) which then parted company.
Around 1630GH/31, the light cruisers HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN) joined the convoy in position 05°05'S, 94°00'E after which HMS Emerald parted company with the convoy.
Around 1600GH/1, the sloops HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) joined the convoy.
Around 0800GH/2, the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (Capt. O.L. Gordon, MVO, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1020GH/2, the destroyers HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) joined the convoy.
Around 0645GH/3, the destroyer HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) joined.
Around 1330GH/3, HMAS Vampire split off from the convoy with the part of the convoy that was to proceed to Batavia. These were all the ships that had been in convoy DM 2 except the City of Canterbury which went to Singapore. The Batavia section arrived there shortly after noon on 3 February.
Around 0200GH/4, HrMs Java parted company with the convoy.
Shortly before noon, at the northern end of the Banka Strait, the convoy was attacked by Japanese aircraft (high level bombers) and the Empress of Asia was straddled sustaining some minor damage.
Around 2200GH/4, HMS Exeter, HMS Jupiter and HMS Encounter parted company to intercept Japanese warships that were reported to the north of Banka Strait. HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN), coming from Batavia, was ordered to join them there. They did not find any Japanese ships and proceeded to Batavia where they arrived on 6 February.
The convoy arrived at Singapore shortly after noon on 5 February 1942 but not before a heavy enemy air attack was carried out. The Empress of Asia was set on fire, the Felix Roussel was also hit and the City of Canterbury had her steering gear damaged. (4)
12 Feb 1942
Convoy SJ 1
This convoy departed Batavia, Netherlands East Indies on 12 February 1942. Destination for the majority of the convoy was Colombo where the convoy arrived on 21 February 1942
The convoy was made up of the following ships; British; Anglo-Indian (5609 GRT, built 1938), City of Canterbury (8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (8049 GRT, built 1937), Clan Alpine (5442 GRT, built 1918), Halizones (3298 GRT, built 1920), Madura (9032 GRT, built 1921), Malancha (8124 GRT, built 1937), Yuen Sang (3229 GRT, built 1923), Dutch; Batavia (1279 GRT, built 1938), Van der Capellen (2073 GRT, built 1940) and Van Swoll (2147 GRT, built 1930).
Two damaged British warships were towed by two of the merchant vessels of the convoy. Both these warships had been damaged in 1941 while in action in the Mediterranean and had been sent to Singapore for repairs and refit. These were not completed when the Japanese attacked. Both ships had been towed from Singapore to Batavia. The warships were the destroyer HMS Isis (Lt. L.R.P. Lawford, DSC, RN) and the submarine HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Reynolds, RN). They were towed by the Malancha and the City of Pretoria respectively.
Escort was provided by the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) and the sloop HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN). On 14 February 1942 the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSC, RN) joined until the 17th when she parted company with the convoy. On the 20th the convoy was joined by sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN). The Malancha with HMS Isis in tow and the City of Pretoria with HMS Rover in tow then parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Trincomalee where they arrived on 21 February 1942 escorted by HMIS Sutlej. The remained of the convoy arrived at Colombo, also on the 21th, they were escorted by HMS Express and HMS Falmouth. HMS Express had suffered from a fire in the No.1 boiler room which could not be repaired at Singapore / Batavia / Surabaya so the was sent to Colombo for repairs.
13 Feb 1942
Combined convoy BM 13 and JS 3.
Convoy BM 13
This convoy departed Bombay on 13 February 1942.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; City of London (British, 8875 GRT, built 1907, 2271 troops and stores), City of Paris (British, 10902 GRT, built 1922, 1390 troops and stores), Eastern Prince (British, 10926 GRT, built 1929, 1277 troops and stores), Egra (British, 5109 GRT, built 1911, 926 troops and stores), Esperance Bay (British, 13837 GRT, built 1922, 1357 troops and stores) and Kosciuszko (Polish, 6598 GRT, built 1915, 254 troops and stores).
On departure from Bombay this convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN).
The convoy merged with convoy JS 3 around 0930F/17 in position 05°52'S, 77°18'E. HMS Caledon then parted company to proceed to Colombo.
Convoy JS 3
This convoy departed Colombo on 16 February 1942.
It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Empire Glade (7006 GRT, built 1941, 243 service personnel), Madras City (9040 GRT, built 1940 200 service personnel), Penrith Castle (6369 GRT, built 1929, 236 service personnel), Silverteak (6770 GRT, built 1930, 500 service personnel) and Silverwillow (6373 GRT, built 1930, 236 service personnel).
On departure from Colombo this convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. J.W. Cuthbert, RN), sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) and the minesweeper HMAS Bathurst (Lt.Cdr. A.V. Bunyan, RANR(S)).
The combined convoy then set course for the Batavia area.
Around 0700F/18, HMAS Bathurst parted company with the convoy to return to Colombo.
Around 1900F/18, HMAS Falmouth parted company with the convoy to return to Colombo.
On 21 February the combined convoy was ordered to steer to the north. Later it was ordered to proceed to Colombo where it arrived on 25 February 1942.
The heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN) had been breefly with the convoy during the morning of 23 February 1942. (5)
4 Apr 1942
Convoy SU 4.
This convoy departed Bombay on 4 April 1942.
It was made up of the troop transports; Duntroon (British, 10346 GRT, built 1935), Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) and Willard A. Holbrook (American (Army transport), 14812 GRT, built 1921).
On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) and the sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN).
The convoy arrived at Colombo on 8 April 1942.
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The convoy departed Colombo on 12 April 1942. The transports Kenmar (American, 6844 GRT, built 1919) and Pardo (British, 5400 GRT, built 1940) had joined the convoy as had the corvette HMS Aster (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR).
Around 1900E/14, in approximate position 07°12'N, 70°40'E, the Katoomba, Kenmar and Pardo parted company to proceed to their respective destination independently. HMS Falmouth and HMS Aster also parted company to return to Colombo.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 20 April 1942.
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The convoy, now made up of the troop transports Duntroon and Willard A. Holbrook departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 21 April 1942. It had been joined by the troop transports Felix Roussel (British, 17083 GRT, built 1930) and Mendoza (British (former French), 8233 GRT, built 1919). Escort was still the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral.
Around 1730C/22, the light cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) joined the convoy as additional escort.
The convoy arrived at Durban on 27 April 1942.
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On 1 May 1942, the convoy, now made up of the Duntroon, Felix Roussel and Willard A. Holbrook departed Durban for Fremantle. The convoy was escorted by HMS Chitral.
Around 0845GH/12, the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) joined the convoy.
The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 13 May 1942.
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The convoy departed Fremantle on 17 May 1942.
It was still made up of the now made up of the Duntroon, Felix Roussel and Willard A. Holbrook.
On departure from Fremantle the convoy was escorted by USS Phoenix and the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robison DSC, RAN).
The Duntroon was delayed by engine trouble and sailed around two hours later to overtake and join the convoy at sea which she did around 0135H/18.
Around 1600H/19, HMAS Voyager parted company with the convoy in position 35°20'S, 120°00'E. She was to return to Fremantle.
Around 0500HI/20, the convoy was dispersed. USS Phoenix then set course to return to Fremantle. (5)
14 Jul 1942
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) carries out an A/S exercises off Colombo with the British sloops HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) and HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR). (6)
15 Jul 1942
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) carries out an A/S exercises off Colombo with the British sloops HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) and HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR). (6)
14 Dec 1944
Convoy MC 14.
This convoy departed Aden on 14 December 1944 and arrived at Kilindini on 21 December 1944. On 24 December 1944 it departed Kilindini and arrived at Durban on 30 December 1944.
It was made up of the following transports Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).
The damaged battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) was also part of the convoy.
The convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMS Honesty (T/Lt. M.J. Rowlands, RNVR) and HMS Genista (Lt. T.G. Radford, RNR).
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The convoy, minus the Elizabethville departed Kilindini for Durban. HMS Valiant was still with the convoy.
The convoy was now escorted by the sloop HMS Falmouth (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodhead, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (T/Lt.Cdr. G.M. Berlyn, SANF(V)) and HMS Genista.
The convoy arrived at Durban on 30 December 1944.
HMS Valiant did not enter Durban. She remained at sea to continue on to Capetown with a new escort.
31 Jan 1945
HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Kilindini with HMS Falmouth (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodhead, RD, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (T/Lt. G.K. Wrigley, RNVR). (7)
Sources
- ADM 173/16397
- ADM 199/408
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Hobart for December 1941
- ADM 1/12190 + ADM 199/426 + ADM 199/1185
- ADM 199/426
- File 2.12.03.6424 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- ADM 173/20272
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.