Allied Warships

HMS Chesterfield (I 28)

Destroyer of the Town class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Town
Pennant	I 28
Built by	Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. (Newport News, Virginia, U.S.A.)
Ordered
Laid down	24 Sep 1918
Launched	6 Mar 1920
Commissioned	9 Sep 1940
End service	4 Mar 1947
History	USS Welborn C. Wood became one of the first of the 50 over-age destroyers to be transferred to the British government in return for 99-year leases on important base sites in the Western Hemisphere. She and the rest of her division, Destroyer Division 67, arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 6 September 1940. Her crew instructed the Britishers slated to man the ship in the brief few days preceding the turnover ceremonies. On 9 September, Welborn C. Wood's commissioning pennant came down; her American crew mustered ashore and marched off to board a train waiting to take them back to the United States; and the British officers and ratings assigned to the "flush decker" manned the destroyer. Welborn C. Wood was subsequently struck from the Navy list on 8 January 1941. Commissioned into the Royal Navy simultaneously, the destroyer became HMS Chesterfield (I.28). Initially, her new crew must have found the ship difficult to handle, as she twice rammed HMS Churchill (I.45) (formerly Haraden, DD-138) which was Iying alongside a pier, fitting out, before she sailed for the British Isles. As part of the first "Town" flotilla so called because each British ship bore the name of a town common to both Great Britain and the United States (the Canadian vessels six of them bore names of common rivers) Chesterfield sailed for Belfast, Northern Ireland, and arrived at her destination on 18 November. Shifting to Plymouth on the 22d, the destroyer underwent a refit at Chatham before joining the 11th Escort Group, Western Approaches Command, based at Greenock. From 1941 to 1943, Chesterfield escorted convoys in the North Atlantic. Screening Convoy HX-222 on 17 January 1943, the destroyer attacked U-268 with a depth charge barrage, only to suffer damage from her own charges. Limping to Plymouth for repairs soon thereafter, the ship remained there until November 1943. Allocated to the 5th Western Approaches Command for duty as a target vessel for aircraft, she remained engaged in this vital, but unglamorous, duty through 1944. Subsequently placed in reserve at Grangemouth Firth of Forth, on 17 January 1945 Chesterfield was eventually broken up for scrap in 1947.
Former name	USS Welborn C. Wood (DD 195)

Commands listed for HMS Chesterfield (I 28)

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. George Edward Cameron Wood, RN	9 Sep 1940	3 Oct 1940
2	Lt.Cdr. Ernest Gleave, RNR	3 Oct 1940	3 Feb 1942
3	Lt.Cdr. Edward Neville, RN	3 Feb 1942	3 Apr 1942
4	Lt. John Smallwood, RN	3 Apr 1942	early 1943

5	Lt. Philip Archer-Shee, RNVR	27 Sep 1943	late 1943
6	T/Lt. Nigel Roy Cox, RNVR	late 1943	18 Jan 1944
7	T/Lt. Alistair Philip Cobbold, RNVR	18 Jan 1944	6 Sep 1944
8	T/A/Lt.Cdr. Richard Ashton Clarke, RNVR	6 Sep 1944	28 Dec 1944

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Notable events involving Chesterfield include:

11 Feb 1941
HMS Unbeaten (Lt. E.A. Woodward, RN) arrived at Dartmouth. A/S exercises were then carried out with HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, RN) and HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR). (1)

12 Feb 1941
HMS Unbeaten (Lt. E.A. Woodward, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, RN) and HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR). (2)

26 Feb 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR). (3)

27 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR). (4)

10 Mar 1941

Convoy SC 25.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 March 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925, with Commodore C.M. Ford, RNR, on board), Bjorkhaug (Norwegian, 2094 GRT, built 1919), Boltonhall (British, 4824 GRT, built 1935), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Borgholm (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1922), Caithness (British, 4970 GRT, built 1935), Dartford (British, 4093 GRT, built 1930), Don (Norwegian, 2010 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Empire Caribou (British, 4861 GRT, built 1919), Eskdalegate (British, 4250 GRT, built 1930), Fano (British, 1889 GRT, built 1922), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), Havtor (Norwegian, 1524 GRT, built 1930), Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922), Iron Baron (British, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Knud (British, 1944 GRT, built 1900), Koranton (British, 6695 GRT, built 1920), Leka (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1922), Marionga D. Thermiotis (Greek, 4784 GRT, built 1904), Mariston (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Nicolaos Piangos (Greek, 4499 GRT, built 1912), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Pagasitikos (Greek, 3942 GRT, built 1914), Parthenon (Greek, 3189 GRT, built 1908), Pegasus (Greek, 5762 GRT, built 1920), Profit (Norwegian, 1608 GRT, built 1918), Ramillies (British, 4553 GRT, built 1927), Stad Maassluis (Dutch, 6541 GRT, built 1918), Veni (Norwegian, 2982 GRT, built 1901) and Zurichmoor (British, 4455 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the submarine HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN).

During the night of 10/11 March 1941, the Gezina and Havtor parted company with the convoy and apparently returned to Halifax.

At 1115P/15, in position 44°32'N, 46°58'W, HMS Thunderbolt parted company with the convoy after having been ordered to do so by the Rear Admiral Submarines.

Around 0730O/22, in position 57°35'N, 33°32'W the merchant vessel Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 1100O/22, in position 57°55'N, 33°25'W the merchant vessel Roxby (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had also dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 1700P/22, in position 59°00'N, 25°12'W the merchant vessels Inger Lise (Norwegian, 1582 GRT, built 1939) and Velox (Norwegian, 3831 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy. They had both dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 2030P/22, HMS Laconia parted company with the convoy in position 58°55'N, 25°05'W. The convoy was now not escorted. The A/S escort had not yet joined.

During the night of 24/25 March 1941, the convoy encountered a heavy easterly gale and several ships straggled from the convoy.

At 1100 hours on 26 March 1941 (time zone not known but probably Z/GMT) the A/S escort finally joined in position 58°47'N, 20°20'W. It was made up of the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski), HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR), sloop HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN) and the corvettes HMS Heather (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, RN), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR). ORP Garland was ordered to look after the stragglers.

The convoy arrived in UK waters on 30 March 1941 and was then divided into several section which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (Loch Ewe, Belfast, Barry Roads and Mersey). (5)

18 Mar 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. W.W. Creber, RNR) and HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR). (6)

19 Mar 1941
HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN). (7)

20 Mar 1941
HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN). (7)

20 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 122.

This convoy departed Halifax on 20 April 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antigone (British, 4545 GRT, built 1928), Athelregent (British (tanker), 8881 GRT, built 1930), Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930), Brant County (Norwegian, 5001 GRT, built 1915), Capira (Panamanian, 5625 GRT, built 1920), Empire Cheetah (British, 5673 GRT, built 1918), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Empire Hail (British, 7005 GRT, built 1941), Empire Silver (British, 8602 GRT, built 1941), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), Inversuir (British, 9456 GRT, built 1938), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Michalis (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1919), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Saganaga (British, 5454 GRT, built 1935), Saint Gobain (Swedish (tanker), 9959 GRT, built 1936), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Sama (Norwegian, 1799 GRT, built 1937), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), Stiklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938), Strinda (Norwegian (tanker), 10973 GRT, built 1937), Strix (Norwegian (tanker), 6219 GRT, built 1930), Sveve (Norwegian (tanker), 6313 GRT, built 1930), Tortuguero (British, 5285 GRT, built 1921), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920) and Yselhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR).

On departure from Halifax thick fog was encountered and it is not (currently) known to us when the two Canadian corvettes were detached to return to Halifax but most likely this was the next day.

Around 1030Q/22, in position 42°48'N, 56°30'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1930Q/23, in position 42°19'N, 50°38'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1700P/25, in position 45°20'N, 44°45'W, the Empire Hail parted company with the convoy to proceed to St. John's, Newfoundland due to engine trouble.

Around 1315O/30, The battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) was sighted. They were sighted again several times on 1 and 2 May 1941. These ships were to provide additional cover in this area for convoys SC 29 and HX 122. On 3 May 1941, these ships returned to Iceland (Reykjavik / Hvalfjord).

Around 0700O/1, in approximate position 58°48'N, 34°11'W, the destroyer HMS Bulldog (Cdr. A.J.B. Cresswell, RN), corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Daneman (Lt. A.H. Ballard, RNR) and HMS St. Apollo (T/Lt. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).

Around 0850O/1, additional escorts had joined, these were the destroyer HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and corvettes HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) and HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR).

Around 0735O/2, in approximate position 60°48'N, 30°36'W, the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0730N/3, in approximate position 62°30'N, 25°22'W, HMS Chesterfield parted company.

Around 1830N/3, in approximate position 62°27'N, 22°10'W, the merchant vessels Diana (British (former Danish), 942 GRT, built 1911) and Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938) joined the convoy coming from Iceland.

Around 0500Z/4, in aproximate position 62°25'N, 19°36'W, the Sveve parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland. She took HMS St. Apollo and HMS Daneman with her as escorts.

Around 0600Z/4, in aproximate position 62°27'N, 19°00'W, the destroyer HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1045Z/4, in aproximate position 62°29'N, 17°48'W, the destroyer Walker joined the convoy.

Around 1130Z/4, in position 62°28'N, 17°50'W, HMS Alaunia parted company to proceed to Iceland (Hvalfjord) escorted by HMS Amazon and HMS Broadway.

By 1330Z/4, more escort vessels had joined the convoy at intervals, these were the destroyers HMS Chesterfield (which had returned after having fuelled at Hvalfjord), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR).

HMS Bulldog, HMS Aubretia, HMS Hollyhock and HMS Nigella then parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord.

Around 2100Z/5, in approximate position 59°45'N, 10°00'W, the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1430B/6, in approximate position 58°38'N, 06°22'W, the Diana parted company for Scrabster. She took HMS Picotee with her as escort.

Around the same time also HMS Electra and HMS Escapade parted company to join convoy SC 29.

Around 1830B/6, in approximate position 58°03'N, 05°59'W, the Loch Ewe section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the Antigone, Bornholm, Empire Silver, Saganaga and Tortuguero. HMS Walker went with them as escort.

Around 1430B/7, in approximate position 55°35'N, 07°00'W, Candytuft, Honeysuckle and Hydrangea parted company to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 1945B/7, in approximate position 55°09'N, 05°49'W, the Athelregent, Ronan and Strinda parted company to proceed to the Clyde. They took HMS Chesterfield with them as escort.

Around 2020B/7, in approximate position 55°05'N, 05°44'W, the Michalis parted company to proceed to Belfast.

Around 0515B/8, the Bristol Channel section parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Brant County, Empire Cheetah, G.S. Walden, James J. Maguire, Moorby, Saint Gobain, Sama, Sticklestad, Strix and Torvanger.

The remaining ships made up the Liverpool section which proceeded to Moelfre Bay where they anchored for the night before proceeding to their destination.

HMS Ramsey subsequently proceeded to Greenock. (8)

11 Jun 1941

Convoy OB 334.

This convoy departed the U.K. on 11 June 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alexia (British (tanker), 8016 GRT, built 1935), Armadale (British, 5066 GRT, built 1929), Athelprincess (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Barberrys (British, 5170 GRT, built 1920), Baron Carnegie (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Barrington Court (British, 4910 GRT, built 1924), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Bic Island (British, 4000 GRT, built 1917), British Colony (British (tanker), 6917 GRT, built 1927), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), British Destiny (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), British Faith (British, 6955 GRT, built 1928), Bulysses (British, 7519 GRT, built 1927), Bur (Norwegian, 4343 GRT, built 1917), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), Chr. Th. Boe (Norwegian (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1930), Clan Macilwraith (British, 4839 GRT, built 1924), Clan Macwhirter (British, 5941 GRT, built 1918), Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Empire Crossbill (British, 5463 GRT, built 1919), Empire Waterhen (British, 6004 GRT, built 1920), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Jade (British, 930 GRT, built 1938), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Luxor (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1930), Mandalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911), Mendoza (British, 8233 GRT, built 1919), Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927), Morgenen (Norwegian (tanker), 7093 GRT, built 1930), Nova (Norwegian, 1382 GRT, built 1925), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Ramsay (British, 4855 GRT, built 1930), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Saganaga (British, 5454 GRT, built 1935), Sepia (British (tanker), 6214 GRT, built 1936), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), Stigstad (British, 5964 GRT, built 1927), Taron (British (tanker), 8054 GRT, built 1936), Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938), Tower Field (British, 4241 GRT, built 1935), Trident (British, 4317 GRT, built 1917), Ulysses (British, 14647 GRT, built 1913), Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928) and Vardefjell (Norwegian (tanker), GRT, built 1940).

The merchant vessel Baron Carnegie which had departed Avonmouth, was sunk on 11 June 1941 by German torpedo aircraft off St. David's Head in position 51°55'N, 05°34'W.

On leaving UK waters the convoy was escorted by escorted by the destroyer HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), corvettes HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), HMS Nigella (T/Lt. T.W. Coyne, RNR), HMS Orchis (T/Lt. H. Vernon, RNR), HMS Polyanthus (Lt. A. Hague, RNR), minesweepers HMS Seagull ( Cdr.(Retd.) R.H.V. Sivewright, RN), HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. D. Lampen, RN) and the A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G. Ogden, RNVR) and HMS St. Loman (T/Lt. R.C. Warwick, RNR). Catapult ship HMS Maplin (A/Cdr. J.O. Davies, RNR) was also with the convoy. HMS Beagle, HMS Gladiolus, HMS Orchis, HMS Nigella, HMS Polyanthus, HMS Seagull, HMS Sharpshooter, HMS Ayrshire, HMS Lady Madeleine, HMS St. Loman and HMS Maplin were detached on the 17th after having been relieved by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Aurania (A/Capt. I.W. Whitehorn, RN), destroyers HMS Burnham (Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) and the corvettes HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR) and HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR). Destroyer HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) was briefly (between 1720N/19 and 2120N/19) with the convoy on the 19th, she rejoined the convoy at 0755O/20, after having reported the position of the convoy by W/T.

Battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruisers HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) and HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) joined the convoy in the late afternoon / early evening of the 20th.

Around 1500P/24, HMS Revenge, HMS Bulolo and HMS California parted company with the convoy in position 45°29'N, 55°24'W to proceed directly to Halifax.

Around 1700P/24, HMS Burnham, HMS Chesterfield and HMS Churchill parted company with the convoy in position 45°29'N, 56°21'W to proceed to St. Johns.

Around 0400P/25, the convoy was dispersed although several ships had already been detached while en-route. HMS Aurania, HMS Dianthus and HMCS Spikenard continued on the Halifax with only three ships destined for there.

29 Aug 1942

Convoy WS 22.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 29 August 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), California (British, 16792 GRT, built 1923), Canara (British, 7024 GRT, built 1942), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Highland Chieftain (British, 14135 GRT, built 1929), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Leinster (British, 4303 GRT, built 1937), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937) and Suffolk (British, 11145 GRT, built 1939).

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), destroyers HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Beverley (Lt. R.A. Price, RN), HMS Chesterfield (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN), HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), ORP Blyskawica (Lt.Cdr. L. Lichodziejewski, ORP) and the escort destroyers HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) and HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN).

Around 1800Z/31, ORP Blyskawica was detached to Londonderry due to abnormal high fuel consumption.

Around 0600Z/1, HMS Bulldog, HMS Keppel and HMS Zetland were detached to return to the U.K.

Around 1315Z/1, HMS Bicester was detached to Plymouth.

Around 1520Z/1, HMS Partridge and HMAS Quiberon were detached to fuel at the Azores. They arrived there around 1600Z/2.

Around 1540Z/2, the Leinster parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar. The destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) had come from Gibraltar to escort her.

Around 0930Z/3, HMS Partridge and HMAS Quiberon rejoined from fuelling having departed Ponta Delgada around 0200Z/3. HMS Beverley and HMS Chesterfield were then detached to fuel at the Azores.

Around 1400Z/6, the destroyer HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair) joined.

Around 1300Z/7, the escort destroyer RHS Pindos joined.

The convoy arrived at Freetown shortly after noon on 9 September 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown in the same composition around 0700Z/13. One additional vessel had joined the convoy, this was the transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927). The convoy was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora, armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), destroyers HMAS Quiberon, HMS Partridge, HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Antelope and the escort destroyers HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) and RHS Pindos.

Around 1800Z/15, the Highland Princess was detached to Takoradi escorted by HMS Boreas. HMS Antelope was also detached to return to Freetown.

Around 1800A/16, HMS Alcantara, HMS Derwent and RHS Pindos were detached to Pointe Noire to fuel. They rejoined the convoy around 1800A/19 after which HMS Aurora, HMAS Quiberon and HMS Partidge parted company with the convoy to fuel at Pointe Noire. They did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 1015BC/24, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) joined the convoy coming from Simonstown.

Around 1200BC/24, the convoy split into the Capetown section and the Durban section.

The Capetown section was made up of the Almanzora, Andes, California, Canara, Dominion Monarch, Franconia, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nea Hellas, Nieuw Holland, Orduna and Ruys. The arrived at Capetown on 25 September escorted by HMS Alcantara, HMS Derwent and RHS Pindos.

The Durban section was made up of the Boissevain, Highland Brigade, Highland Chieftain, Mataroa, Orcades, Rangitata, Sibajak and Suffolk. They were escorted by HMS Shropshire.

The Durban section arrived at Durban on 29 September 1942.

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On 29 September 1942, the Capetown section, now made up of the following ships; Almanzora, Dominion Monarch, Franconia, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nieuw Holland and Orduna departed. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Alcantara and HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).

On 3 October 1942, HMS Alcantara parted company with the convoy and entered Durban. The Durban section of the convoy then joined. It was now made up of the following ships; Boissevain, California, Canera, Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Felix Roussel (British, 17083 GRT, built 1930), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Rangitata and Ruys. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN).

Around 0600D/8, HMS Ranchi parted company with the convoy to fuel at Diego Suarez. She arrived there around 1730D/9. Having completed fuelling she departed again around 2330D/9 to rejoined the convoy which she did around 0600D/11.

Around 1130E/10, the 'heavy' cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Devonshire then parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa taking the Almanzora and Rangitata with her. They arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on the 12th.

Around 0710D/11, HMS Hawkins parted company taking the Bombay section of the convoy with her. The Bombay section was made up of the Boissevain, California, Canara, Dominion Monarch, Franconia, Indrapoera, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nieuw Holland and Ruys. They arrived at Bombay on 17 October 1942 minus the Canera which had been detached around 1920EF/15 to Karachi where she arrived on 18 October 1942.

HMS Ranchi escorting the Aden section, made up of the Ekma, Felix Roussel and Orduna , had meanwhile arrived at Aden on 16 October 1942. (9)

4 Dec 1942
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Chesterfield (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN), HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR) and aircraft. (10)