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Notable events involving Whitshed include:

15 Dec 1939
HMS H 31 (Lt. P.R. Ward, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Vega (Cdr. C.I. Horton, RN) and HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN). (1)

29 Dec 1939

Convoy HX 14

This convoy departed Halifax on 29 December 1939.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelsultan (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Baron Douglas (British, 3899 GRT, built 1932), Baron Lovat (British, 3395 GRT, built 1926), Baron Pentland (British, 3410 GRT, built 1927), Benedick (British (tanker), 6978 GRT, built 1928), Blairmore (British, 4141 GRT, built 1928), Bonheur (British, 5327 GRT, built 1920), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), Bristol City (British, 2864 GRT, built 1920), Brookwood (British, 5100 GRT, built 1929), Dallas City (British, 4952 GRT, built 1935), El Ciervo (British (tanker), 5841 GRT, built 1923), El Oso (British (tanker), 7267 GRT, built 1921), Greyburn (British, 6342 GRT, built 1938), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), H.H. Rogers (Panamanian (tanker), 8807 GRT, built 1916), H.M. Flagler (Panamanian (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1918), Horn Shell (British (tanker), 8272 GRT, built 1931), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), Kenbane Head (British, 5225 GRT, built 1919), Keramiai (Greek, 5085 GRT, built 1917), Limousin (French (tanker), 7619 GRT, built 1930), Luculus (British (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1929), Montreal City (British, 3066 GRT, built 1920), New Westminster City (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Queen Adelaide (British, 4933 GRT, built 1936), Queen Anne (British, 4937 GRT, built 1937), Reginolite (British (tanker), 9069 GRT, built 1926), Ridley (British, 4993 GRT, built 1937), Rio Branco (Norwegian, 3210 GRT, built 1924), Saranac (British (tanker), 12049 GRT, built 1918), Solstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5952 GRT, built 1927), South America (Norwegian (tanker), 6246 GRT, built 1931), Swiftpool (British, 5205 GRT, built 1929), Tacoma City (British, 4738 GRT, built 1929), Vaclite (British (tanker), 5026 GRT, built 1928), Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928), Wellfield (British (tanker), 6054 GRT, built 1924) and Winamac (British (tanker), 8621 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Effingham (Capt. J.M. Howson, RN), destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN), HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tisdall, RCN) and the submarine HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN).

Around 1800Q/30, HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Skeena parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Several ships straggled during the voyage but all were able to rejoin the convoy except the Grelhead which arrived at Leith on 14 January 1940.

Before the local escort joined two of the merchant vessels were detached to take the 'northern route'. This were most likely the El Ciervo (arrived at Scapa Flow on 11 January) and Horn Shell (arrived at Invergordon on 11 January). [Their names are not given in the Commodore's report but given their arrival dates at their destinations it seems logical this were the two ships that had been detached early.]

Around 0815Z/9, in position 49°50'N, 12°30'W, the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN), HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. C.G.W. Donald, RN), HMS Walker (Cdr. W.J.C. Robertson, RN) and HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Effingham then parted company to proceed to Portsmouth.

Around 1645Z/9, the convoy was split into two sections.

The Irish Sea / West coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Douglas (arrived at Newport on 11 January), Baron Lovat (arrived at Belfast on 12 January), Baron Pentland (arrived at Cardiff on 11 January), Blairmore (arrived at Cardiff on 12 January. She had collided with the merchant vessel Leonard Pierce () in the Bristol Channel on 11 January. The Leonard Pierce sank as a result of this collision), Bonheur (arrived at Liverpool on 11 January), Bristol City (arrived at Swansea on 11 January), Brookwood (arrived at Liverpool on 12 January), El Oso (mined and sunk off the Bar lightvessel on 11 January. The mine had been laid on 6 January 1940 by the German submarine U-30), Kenbane Head (arrived at Belfast on 11 January), Luculus (arrived at Avonmouth on 11/12 January), Montreal City (arrived at Milford Haven on 11 January), New Westminster City (arrived at Liverpool on 11 January), Penrose (arrived at Ardrossan on 13 January), Queen Adelaide (arrived at Avonmouth on 12 January), Queen Anne (arrived at Liverpool on 12 January), Ridley (arrived at Liverpool on 12 January), Rio Branco (arrived at Liverpool on 11 January), Saranac (arrived at Avonmouth on 11/12 January), Solstad (arrived at Liverpool on 12 January), Swiftpool (arrived at Liverpool on 12 January), Tacoma City (arrived at Liverpool on 11 January) and Winamac (arrived at Greenock on 12 January). They were escorted by HMS Vimy and HMS Walker which both arrived at Liverpool on 12 January. During 11/12 January 1940 these destroyers patrolled in Liverpool Bay after the sinking of the El Oso.

The Channel / East coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelsultan (arrived at Plymouth on 11 January), Benedick (arrived at Le Verdon, France on 13 January), Bridgepool (arrived in the Downs on 12 January), Dallas City (arrived in the Downs on 12 January), Greyburn (arrived in the Downs on 12 January), H.H. Rogers (arrived at Southampton on 12 January), H.M. Flagler (arrived at Le Havre on 12 January), Inverilen (arrived in the Downs on 12 January), Keramiai (arrived at Falmouth on 11 January), Limousin (arrived at Le Havre on (most likely) 12 January), Reginolite (arrived at Southampton on 12 January), South America (arrived at Le Verdon, France on 13 January), Vaclite (arrived in the Downs on 12 January), Vancouver (arrived at Southampton on 12 January) and Wellfield (arrived in the Downs on 12 January). They were escorted by HMS Antelope and HMS Whitshed which both arrived at Dover around 1000Z/12. HMS Cachalot was also with the Channel / East coast section and arrived in the Downs around 1025Z/12. She later proceeded to Sheerness and then to the Chatham Dockyard for refit.

The Athelsultan, Benedick and South America parted company in the afternoon of the 10th and proceeded to their destinations independently.

At dusk on the 11th the ships for Southampton and Le Havre had been detached. (2)

27 Jan 1940
The battleship, HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN), with £10,000,000 sterling of gold, art treasures and some passengers on board, departed Plymouth around 1300Z/27 for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

She was escorted from 1700Z/27 until shortly before noon on the 28th by the destroyers HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN). (3)

30 Jan 1940
On 30 January 1940 the German U-boat U-55 attacked convoy OA-80G south-west of the Isles of Scilly and sank two ships, but was sunk by depth charges from HMS Fowey (Cdr. H.B. Ellison, RN), HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN) and a British Sunderland aircraft (228 Sqn RAF/Y) in position 48°37'N, 07°48'W.

6 Feb 1940
HMS Exeter (Capt. F.S. Bell, CB, RN), and her escorts, HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN), HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN) departed Freetown for Plymouth.

HMS Ark Royal and the destroyers parted company around 1800/9. Ark Royal was to proceed direct to the U.K. while the destroyers were to arrive at Dakar at 0900 (GMT) on the 11th.

Around dawn at 13 February 1940, HMS Renown and HMS Exeter were joined by HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. C.F. Tower, MVO, RN).

In the morning of the 14th the destroyers HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN), HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined. This was before the other destroyers (see below) joined.

Around 1030/14 four more destroyers joined, HMS Hearty (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN).

Around 1645/14, HMS Whitshed, HMS Vesper and HMS Acasta parted company when the merchant vessel Sultan Star was torpedoed and sunk on the horizon.

HMS Hero was detached, most likely on the 15th to Portsmouth where she was to refit.

HMS Renown, HMS Exeter, HMS Hasty, HMS Ardent, HMS Hearty, HMS Wren and HMS Wolverine arrived at Plymouth on the 15th. (4)

14 Feb 1940
HMS Whitshed (Cdr E.R. Conder, RN) and HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) together pick up 72 survivors from the British merchant Sultan Star that was torpedoed and sunk southwest of the Scilly Isles in position 48°54'N, 10°03'W by German U-boat U-48.

2 Apr 1940

Convoy HX 32.

This convoy departed Halifax on 2 April 1940 for Liverpool where it arrived on 17 April.

Some of the merchant vessels had other destinations though.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antonios Chandris (Greek, 5866 GRT, built 1918), Athellaird (British (tanker), 8999 GRT, built 1930), Balmoralwood (British, 5834 GRT, built 1937), Beaconhill (Panamanian (tanker), 6941 GRT, built 1919), Benwyvis (British, 5920 GRT, built 1929), British Chancellor (British (tanker), 7085 GRT, built 1921), British Honour (British (tanker), 6991 GRT, built 1928), British Prince (British, 4879 GRT, built 1935), Capsa (British (tanker), 8229 GRT, built 1931), Carslogie (British, 3786 GRT, built 1924), Defacto (British, 4800 GRT, built 1919), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), Esmond (British, 4976 GRT, built 1930), Gitano (British, 3956 GRT, built 1921), Hopecrown (British, 5180 GRT, built 1937), King William (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Kingswood (British, 5080 GRT, built 1929), Leontios Teryazos (Greek, 4479 GRT, built 1911), Lochmonar (British, 9412 GRT, built 1924), Minnie de Larrinaga (British, 5049 GRT, built 1914), Octavian (Norwegian, 1345 GRT, built 1938), Parthenia (British, 4872 GRT, built 1917), Port Hunter (British, 10735 GRT, built 1922), Queen Maud (British, 4976 GRT, built 1936), Rugeley (British, 4985 GRT, built 1936), San Alvaro (British (tanker), 7385 GRT, built 1935), Star of Alexandria (British, 4329 GRT, built 1928), Thistlegarth (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925) and Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. I.B.B. Tower, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. de Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN).

The Canadian destroyers parted company with the convoy on 3 April and then returned to Halifax.

The convoy was joined by the destoyer HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN) on 13 April 1940 and HMS Versatile (Cdr.(Retd.) T.A. Hussey, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Younghusband, DSC, RN) on 14 April 1940.

HMS Malaya parted company with the convoy on 14 April 1940 after she had been joined by the destroyers HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, RN) and HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN). They proceeded to Plymouth arriving there on 15 April 1940.

HMS Vanquisher parted company with the convoy on 15 April 1940 and HMS Versatile on 16 April 1940.

HMS Wild Swan remained with the convoy until it arrived at Liverpool.

15 Apr 1940
HMS Malaya (Capt. I.B.B. Tower, DSC, RN), HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, RN) and HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (5)

31 Jul 1940
HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, DSC, RN) struck a mine off Harwich and was badly damaged. She was towed back to port by HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Younghusband, DSC, RN). Repairs were completed in mid-December.

12 Dec 1942
The British destroyers HMS Whitshed, HMS Worcester and HMS Vesper, the British escort destroyers HMS Brocklesby and HMS Albrighton, and the Norwegian escort destroyer Eskdale attacked German shipping in the English Channel. Eskdale torpedoed and sank Sperrbrecher 144/Beijerland (387 BRT) west of Le Treport, France in position 50°05'N, 01°09'E and Whitshed torpedoed and sank Sperrbecher 178/Gauss (1236 BRT) north-east of Dieppe, France in position 50°04'N, 01°09'E.

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