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Notable events involving Limbourne include:

13 Nov 1942
HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) departed Loch Cairnbawn (Port H.H.Z.) around 1145A/13 to proceed to Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 0530A/13 for Loch Cairnbawn earlier that morning.

HMS Howe and her escort arrived at Scapa Flow around 1850A/13. (1)

17 Nov 1942
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) and light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During these exercises HMS Howe was escorted by the destroyer HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN). (2)

18 Nov 1942
Around 1530Z/18, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.L.St.G. Lyster, CB, CVO, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar and proceeded to the westward.

Around 1645Z/19, the destroyers HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN), HMS Malcolm (A/Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) and escort destroyer HNoMS Glaisdale (Lt.Cdr. T. Horve, RNorN) joined and HMS Milne, HMS Quality, HMS Quentin and HMAS Quiberon parted company. These four destroyers were to join convoy KMF 3 proceeding from the U.K. to the western Mediterranean. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMF 3 ' for 14 November 1941.]

On 20 November 1942, HMS Bulldog, HMS Beagle, HMS Westcott, HNoMS Glaisdale and HMS Malcolm fuelled from HMS Duke of York.

Around 1055Z/21, HMS Opportune was detached to search for a reported submarine. She rejoined around 1300Z/21.

Around 0915A/22, the destroyer HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) joined. HMS Bulldog and HMS Westcott then parted company.

Around 1800A/22, HMS Beagle parted company.

Around 0600A/23, HMS Malcolm parted company.

Around 0800A/23, HNoMS Glaisdale parted company.

HMS Duke of York, HMS Victorious, HMS Opportune, HMS Matcheless and HMS Limbourne arrived at Greenock shortly before noon on 23 November 1942. (3)

19 Nov 1942
The battleship HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN) and light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises HMS Anson was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN).

In the morning HMS Glasgow had also carried out in oiling at sea exercise during which the destroyer HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) was fuelled. (4)

25 Nov 1942
Around 1030A/15, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and the destroyer escort HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0930A/26. (5)

5 Dec 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN). (6)

12 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR), HMS Cape Comorin (T/Lt. N.L. Brown, RNVR), HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Melbreak. (7)

18 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN). Then with HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN). And finally with ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski) and ORP Krakowiak (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.A. Tchorznicki). (7)

19 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN). Then with HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN). Later with HMS Gweal (/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC and Bar, RNVR) and HMS Lincolnshire (A/Skr.Lt. S.L. Larner, RNR) and finally with HMS Susannah Jane (T/Lt. H.U. Thompson, RNVR), HMS Black Arrow (T/Lt. A.K. Rothnie, RNVR) and HMS Romaro (T/S.Lt. J.S.C. Dealy, RNVR). (7)

21 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Cape Comorin (T/Lt. N.L. Brown, RNVR) and then with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN). (7)

4 Jun 1943
Around 0845B/4, the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Meynell (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN) departed Plymouth to proceed to position 44°02'N, 10°58'W.

After arriving in the above position they were to patrol between latitudes 43°01'N and 45°02'N and longitudes 10°01'W and 11°59'W on an anti-blockade breaker patrol.

They were recalled the following day and arrived back at Plymouth around 1230B/6. (8)

23 Jun 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN), HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN), HMS Itchen (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, DSO, RNR), HMCS Galt (T/Lt. A.M. Kirkpatrick, RCNVR), HMCS St. Francis (A/Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) and HMCS Sackville (Lt. A.H. Rankin, RCNVR). (9)

1 Aug 1943

Convoy MKF 20.

This convoy departed Algiers on 1 August 1943.

It was made up of the troop transports; Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

Escort was made up of the sloops HMS Pelican (Capt. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Egret (Lt. G.H. Cook, RN), frigates HMS Rother (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSO, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Wear (Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR) and the escort destroyer HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN).

The convoy arrived at Oran on 2 August 1943.

The convoy departed Oran on 3 August 1943. The frigate HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO, RD, RNR) had reinforced the convoy escort now.

The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 4 August 1943. It departed for the U.K. later the same day minus the transport Dempo. The convoy escort was reinforced by the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN) and HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN).

On 5 August 1943, the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) departed Gibraltar to overtake the convoy and then join the convoy escort. She joined the convoy on the morning of the 6th.

At 1000B/8, HMS Charybdis parted company with the convoy to return to Gibraltar.

HMS Limbourne was detached to Plymouth where she arrived on 10 August 1943.

HMS Amazon and HMS Wanderer were detached to Londonderry where they arrived on 10 August 1943.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on 11 August 1943. The remaining escort vessels then proceeded to Londonderry arriving there later the same day.

28 Aug 1943
With her refit completed, the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) departed Plymouth around 1615A/28 for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN), HMS Goathland (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Pumphrey, RN, DSO and 2 Bars, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN).

Around 1830A/29, the original screen parted company when the destroyers HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) joined.

Around 1430A/30, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Scorpion and HMCS Huron arrived at Scapa Flow. (10)

20 Oct 1943
Around 0500A/20, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. St.J. Cronyn, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Southampton. She is escorted by the AA ship HMCS Prince Robert (Cdr. A.M. Hope, RCN) and the destroyer HMS Saladin (Lt. A.A. Diggens, DSC, RN).

Around 1110A/20, HMS Saladin is detached.

Around 0715A/21, the escort destroyers HMS Limbourne (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, MVO, RN), HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Stevenstone (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) joined coming from Plymouth and HMCS Prince Robert was detached.

HMS Revenge arrived at Portsmouth around 1615A/21. The escort destroyers then set course to return to Plymouth. (11)

22 Oct 1943
Around 1900A/22, ' Force 28 ', made up of the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN), destroyers HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Limbourne (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, MVO, RN), HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN) and HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for a sweep along the north coast of Brittany. (12)

23 Oct 1943

Sinking of HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne.

Around 0135A/23, ' Force 28, made up of HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN), HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), HMS Limbourne (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, MVO, RN), HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN) and HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN) encountered the German 4. Torpedo Boat Flotilla made up of T 22, T 23, T 25, T 26 and T 27.

In the resulting action HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne were hit by torpedoes and both sank as a result. HMS Charybdis was hit by the T 23 and T 27 while HMS Limbourne was hit by T 22.

' Force 28 ' was proceeding to the west at 14 knots when HMS Charybdis obtained a contact about 7 miles north of Triagoz Island. Two units were contacted about 9000 yards almost right ahead. HMS Charybdis opened fire with star shell but before these burst she was torpedoed amidships on the port side.

A number of torpedoes were observed by the other ships. HMS Charybdis was then hit by a second torpedo. HMS Limbourne was shortly afterwards also hit by one torpedo on the port side forward and the bow was blown off.

The enemy was not seen by the remaining ships and they soon became scattered in a heavy rain squall. HMS Grenville, which was now the ' Senior ' ship, reformed the surviving the ships and they returned to the scene of the action. The three remaining Hunt-class destroyers where then ordered to search for survivors while HMS Grenville and HMS Rocket searched for the enemy to the westward. They rejoined with the Hunt-class destroyers around 0500A/23. After picking up the survivors the force departed the scene of the action around 0630A/23. 4 Officers and 103 ratings were picked up from HMS Charybdis while from HMS Limbourne 11 Officers, including the Commanding Officer, and 92 ratings were picked up. (13)