Allied Warships

HMS Lavender (K 60)

Corvette of the Flower class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeCorvette
ClassFlower 
PennantK 60 
Built byHall, Russell & Co. Ltd. (Aberdeen, Scotland) 
Ordered31 Aug 1939 
Laid down30 Apr 1940 
Launched27 Nov 1940 
Commissioned16 May 1941 
End service 
History

HMS Lavender is not listed as active unit in the July 1945 Navy List.

Sold on 9 August 1946.
. Became the merchantile Eugene Vinkle in 1948.

 

Commands listed for HMS Lavender (K 60)

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.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt.Cdr. Jackson Whayman, RNR25 Mar 19416 Jul 1942
2Lt. Leonard George Pilcher, RNR6 Jul 194225 Mar 1944
3T/A/Lt.Cdr. Graham Butcher, DSC, RNVR25 Mar 19445 Aug 1944
4Lt. Trevor Walton Lewis, DSC, RANVR5 Aug 19443 Mar 1945
5Lt. Hugh Dudley Hayes, RNR3 Mar 1945mid 1945

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Notable events involving Lavender include:


24 May 1941
HMS Osiris (Lt.Cdr. T.T. Euman, RN) departed Sheerness for Holy Loch. For the fist days Osiris took passage in east coast convoys. On the 27th the brand new corvette HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) joined her to escort her towards the Clyde area. (1)

27 Aug 1941
Around 1815N/27, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN), corvettes HMS Gardenia (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) and the (troop) transport Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914) departed Freetown.

Around 1130N/28, HMS Circassia parted company with the other ships and set course for Halifax.

The corvettes were to part company with the (troop) transport around dark the same day and then return to Freetown.

The Almanzora proceeded to the Clyde where she arrived on 9 September 1941. (2)

4 Oct 1941
Around 1330ON(+1.5)/4, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous, in approximate position 24°15'S, 44°30'W, with the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR).

HMS Bergamot then commenced to fuel from HMS Birmingham.

Later the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) also joined. (3)

5 Oct 1941
HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) to the south-west of Ilhabella, Brazil. HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) meanwhile conducted A/S patrol nearby.

On completion of the fuelling (and storing) operations all ships proceeded on patrol. (3)

13 Oct 1941
The light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous of the Abrolhos Islands with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) and the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). (3)

14 Oct 1941
On completion of the fuelling operations with the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937), light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous of the Abrolhos Islands with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) resumed their patrol operations in the Abrolhos focal area. (3)

23 Oct 1941
During the day, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) again made rendezvous with the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937), to the west of the Abrolhos Islands. The corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) also were in company and fuelled from the tanker. All ships resumed their patrol duties later in the day. (3)

15 Nov 1941
HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown together with HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN), HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR), HMS Nigella (T/Lt. L.J. Simpson, RNR) and HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR). (4)

18 Nov 1941
HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown together with HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR), HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR), HMS Nigella (T/Lt. L.J. Simpson, RNR) and HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR). (4)

21 Dec 1942

Convoy HX 220.

This convoy departed New York on 21 December 1942.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abangarez (American, 4538 GRT, built 1909), Andrew Moore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Baharistan (British, 5479 GRT, built 1928), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Delius (British, 6065 GRT, built 1937), Fort Hudson's Hope (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Paskoyac (British, 7134 GRT, built 1934), Fort Slave (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Wedderburne (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fred W. Weller (Amrican (tanker) 10626 GRT, built 1917), Gulf of Venezuela (American, 6910 GRT, 1919), Henri Jaspar (Belgian, 5760 GRT, built 1929), John Carver (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mokambo (British, 4996 GRT, built 1938), Mosli (Norwegian (tanker), 8291 GRT, built 1935), N. T. Nielsen-Alonso (Norwegian, 9214 GRT, built 1900), Nicania (British (tanker), 8179 GRT, built 1942), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Noesaniwi (Dutch, 6737 GRT, built 1936), Pachesham (British, 6085 GRT, built 1920), Pan-Rhode Island (American (tanker), 7742 GRT, built 1941), Silverash (British, 7750 GRT, built 1926), Southern Sun (American (tanker), 8893 GRT, built 1931), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Stuart Prince (British, 1911 GRT, built 1940), Thurland Castle (British, 6372 GRT, built 1929), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and Wallace E. Pratt (American (tanker), 7991 GRT, built 1937).

The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Buttercup (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR), HMS Columbine T/Lt. A.L. Turner, RNR), HMCS Dunvegan (T/Lt. J.A. Tullis, RCNR), HMCS Fennel (T/Lt. R.B. Warwick, RCNVR), HMCS Hepatica (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T. Gilmour, RCNR and the minesweeper HMCS Cowichan (T/Skr.Lt. K.W.N. Hall, RCNR).

The merchant vessel Gulf of Venezuela returned to New York.

On 24 December 1942, the Fred W. Weller and Wallace E. Pratt arrived at Halifax after having detached from the convoy. They were escorted to Halifax by HMCS Dunvegan, HMCS Fennel, HMCS Hepatica and HMCS Cowichan.

The following merchant vessels joined the convoy on 24 December coming from Halifax; Empire Tide (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Gdynia (Swedish, 1636 GRT, built 1934), Mathew Luckenbach (American, 7551 GRT, built 1918), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1935), Skaraas (Norwegian (tanker), 9826 GRT, built 1936), Tropic Star (Norwegian, 5047 GRT, built 1926) and Vav (Norwegian (tanker), 6415 GRT, built 1931). They were escorted by the corvettes HMCS Arrowhead (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR), HMCS Chicoutimi (T/Lt. H.G. Dupont, RCNR) and the minesweeper HMCS Digby (T/Lt. S.W. Howell, RCNR). The corvettes joined the convoy while HMS Digby returned to Halifax.

At 1200Z/26, the merchant vessel Good Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 7805 GRT, built 1938) departed St. Johns to join the convoy. She was escorted by the corvette HMS Clover (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Shaw, RNR). They were joined at daylight on the 27th by the destroyers HMS Beverley (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RD, RNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Lavender ( Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) which had departed St. Johns around 1330Z/26. They all joined convoy HX 220 around 1200Z/27 in position 48°07'N, 48°42'W. All current escorts then parted company to proceed to St. Johns where they arrived on the 28th.

During the night of 27/28 December 1942, the Mathew Luckenbach and Tropic Star straggled from the convoy and never rejoined. They proceeded independently to the U.K.

On 28 December 1942, the Andrew Moore and Parcheshamparted company with the convoy to proceed to St. Johns due to defects.

At 1600Z/3, HMS Clover took over as Senior Officer of the escort as HMS Beverley and HMS Winchelsea parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord, Iceland to fuel. Attempts to fuel at sea from the Mosli had been not very successful with only a very limited amount of fuel being transferred to either of the destroyers due to the bad weather conditions. They arrived at Hvalfjord around 0845Z/5.

On 5 January 1943, HMS Clover was able to fuel from the Mosli.

On 6 January 1943, HMS Anemone was able to fuel from the Mosli.

Around 1600Z/6, HMS Battler and the Noesaniwi parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of the main convoy to the U.K. They were escorted by HMS Asphodel and HMS Lavender which were short of fuel.

On 8 January 1943, the convoy arrived in U.K. waters and was divided in several sections which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (5)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) picks up 34 survivors from the Panamanian merchant Granville that was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic in position 52°50'N, 30°35'W by German U-boat U-338.

28 Sep 1943

Operation Alacrity.

The object of this operation was to land at the Azores (Portugese territory) and establish air bases there.

Negotiations with the Portugese were still ongoing to effect this through diplomatic ways and eventually this succeeded and the airbases were established with Portugese consent.

For this operations three convoys left the U.K., these were the following;
Convoy UA 1.
This convoy departed the Clyde on 28 September 1943 and was made up of the following transports / tankers Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934) and Empire Garden (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1920) which were to proceed to Horta and the Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934) and Crane (British, 785 GRT, built 1937) as well as the landing ship HMS LST 13 (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Crozier, RD, RNR) which were to proceed to Angra. The Corfith and HMS LST 13 were however unable to sail with the convoy and remained behind.

Escort for this convoy was made up of the destroyer HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), corvette HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Cape Portland (T/Lt. K.F. Rasmussen, RNR), HMS Saon (T/Lt. J.C. Payne, RNVR), HMS Vascama (T/Lt. H.A.R. Twomey, RNR) and the M/S trawlers HMS Bruray (T/Lt. G.H. Clark, DSC, RNVR), HMS Hayling (T/Lt. G.F. Bryant, RNVR), HMS Mangrove (T/Lt. J.K.M. Warde, RNVR) and HMS Whalsay (T/Lt. F.J.S. Crawford, RNVR).

Convoy UA 2.
This convoy departed the Clyde on 30 September 1943 and was made up of the following transports Empire Outpost (British, 6978 GRT, built 1943) and Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943). The landing ships HMS Bachaquero (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Britten, RD, RNR) and (RFA) Dewdale (8265 GRT, built 1941) were also part of this convoy.

Convoy UA 2 was escorted by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR), HMS Godetia (T/Lt. M.A.F. Larose, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Kingston Agate (Lt. J. Simms, RNR), HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR), HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. B. James, RNVR).

Convoy UA 3.
This convoy departed Liverpool on 2 October 1943 and was made up of the troop transport Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923). She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Inconstant (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) S. Biskupski). These ships were fist to proceed to Belfast Lough were the destroyers were to be fuelled and then on 3 October 1943 they were to rendezvous with the escort carrier HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) and the destroyers ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko) and HMS Whitehall (Cdr. C.L.de H. Bell, RD, RNR) coming from the Clyde which they had departed also on 3 October 1943. The destroyers HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) joined coming from Londonderry which they had departed also on 3 October 1943.

The convoys arrived near the Azores on or around 8 October 1943. [Further research is required regarding the exact movements of the convoys and the ships in it.]

18 Oct 1943

Convoy KMS 30.

This convoy was assembled near Oversay on 18 October 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstel (Dutch, 2115 GRT, built 1925), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929), Begum (British, 5843 GRT, built 1922), Belgian Seaman (Belgian, 7023 GRT, built 1941), Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Carlton (British, 7210 GRT, built 1942), Celtic Monarch (British, 5824 GRT, built 1929), Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934), Coulmore (British, 3670 GRT, built 1936), Cydonia (British, 3517 GRT, built 1927), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Empire Ballad (British, 6700 GRT, built 1942), Empire Cameron (British, 7015 GRT, built 1941), Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943), Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928), Errington Court (British, 4913 GRT, built 1925), Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Fort Fairford (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Liard (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Livingstone (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941), Greathope (British, 2297 GRT, built 1926), Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930), Lech (British, 1568 GRT, built 1934), Ledaal (Norwegian, 3076 GRT, built 1899), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Marwarri (British, 8067 GRT, built 1935), Nolisement (British, 5084 GRT, built 1928), Olga E. Embiricos (Greek, 4677 GRT, built 1922), Riverton (British, 7307 GRT, built 1943), Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942), Topdalsfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (Lt. R.I. Floris, RNZNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Pennywort (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR). The corvette HMS Clover (Lt. T.E. Fanshawe, RNR) was unable to join them due to defects but sailed later to overtake and join the convoy at sea which she did on 20 October.

The Blairdevon and Fort Livingstone collided in position 55°39'N, 07°21'W, not long after assembly of the convoy. Both ships being heavily damaged and the Blairdevon was even in a sinking conditiom but both ships were successfully towed to Moville where they arrived on 19 October. HMS Pennywort remained behind with the damaged ships but later rejoined the convoy.

The convoy encountered heavy weather conditions and several ships were forced to turn back, these were; Amstel, Baron Forbes, Begum, Empire Ballad and Nolisement. The Begum had to be towed back as she had lost her propeller.

On 23 October 1943, the merchant vessels Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943) departed Ponta Delgada, Azores to join the convoy around 1200Z/26 in position 41°53'N, 18°30'W. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) which was not to join the convoy.

From 26 to 28 October 1943, HMS Warwick and HMS Asphodel were not with the convoy as they had to fuel at Ponta Delgada and then rejoin the convoy.

During their absence the destroyer HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) were with the convoy.

Also joining the convoy were the destroyers HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN). They had departed Gibraltar on 27 October with orders to join the convoy around 1800A/28 in position 37°37'N, 18°00'W. On these destroyers the three escorts from the Azores were then to part company and return to the Azores.

The convoy arrived off Gibraltar during the night of 31 October / 1 November 1943. The Corfirth arrived at Horta on 3 November after having been detached from the convoy. [or straggled from the convoy ?.] The Cydonia arrived at Lisbon on 1 November after having been detached from the convoy.

The following ships were detached to Gibraltar; Cape Hawke, Carlton, Corfell, Dan-Y-Bryn, Empire Copperfield, Esneh, Fort Tadoussac, Greathope, Lech, Olga E. Embiricos, Scottish Monarch and Stancleeve.

The original escort also proceeded to Gibraltar and was replaced by a new escort made up of the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), escort destroyer HMS Haydon (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN), frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and the A/S trawler L'Ajacienne.

The following merchant ships joined the convoy off Gibraltar; Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), British Merit (British (tanker), 8093 GRT, built 1942), Empire Derwent (British, 4026 GRT, built 1930), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), F.T. Freylinghuysen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Bancroft (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Mary Odin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Montaigne (French, 2770 GRT, built 1920), Nemours (French, 673 GRT, built 1935), Norjerv (Norwegian, 5582 GRT, 1919), Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914), Puck (Polish, 1065 GRT, built 1935), Wearfield (British (tanker), 9795 GRT, built 1943), William B. Woods (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Coddington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On 2 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Oran; Coulmore, Empire Tern, George Bancroft, Joseph Warren and Montaigne while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran; Alexander Graham Bell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Augustus S. Merrimon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Caid (British, 255 GRT, built 1906), Fort de Douaumont (French, 5266 GRT, built 1918), Francis L. Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), George B. McClellan (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), George M. Bibb (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Grand Quevilly (French, 2844 GRT, built 1914), Joseph Hewes (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915), Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mont Viso (French, 4531 GRT, built 1921), Robert Dale Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920), William C. Endicott (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Zebulon Pike (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942). The minesweeper HMS BYMS 2186 (?) also joined the convoy.

Around 0051A/3, the merchant vessel Mont Viso was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-593. HMS Bryony went to the assistance of the torpedoed ship but it sank in two minutes. The corvette then picked up the survivors and later obtained an asdic contact on the enemy and attacked with depth charges during which the German submarine sustained damage due to which she was to return to Toulon for repairs.

Around 0900A/3, HMS Colombo was detached to return to Gibraltar. Between around 1100A/3 and 1410A/3 she was in the area where the Mont Viso had been sunk searching for survivors but none were found. She arrived at Gibraltar around 0805A/4.

On 3 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Algiers; Belgian Seaman, Caio, Empire Trent, Eridan, Fort Fairford, Fort Reliance, Lodestone, Orminster and Topsdaldjord as was HMS Haydon, while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Anna Capano (Italian, 1345 GRT, built 1938), Chateau Pavie (French, 2047 GRT, built 1930), Empire Daring (British, 7059 GRT, built 1943), George C. Childress (American, 7245 GRT, built 1943), Lars Kruse (British, 1807 GRT, built 1923), Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Pan-Delaware (American (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1918), Richmond Mumford Pearson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938). HMS Bryony also made a short stop at Oran to land the survivors of the Mont Viso before rejoining the convoy. The corvette HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) also joined the convoy off Algiers.

On 4 November 1943, the Empire Daring arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.

On 4 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Philippeville; George C. Childress, Letitia and Sinnington Court while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Philippeville; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Cap Padaran (British (former French), 8009 GRT, built 1922), Fort Fork (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Lawrence (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943) and Prometheus (British, 6095 GRT, built 1925).

On 4 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Bone; Empire Derwent, F.T. Freylinghuysen, John Mary Odin, Jonathan Trumbull, William B. Woods and William Coddington while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Bone; Yenangyaung (British, 5447 GRT, 1937).

On 5 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Anna Capano, George M. Bibb, Grand Quevilly, Kemp P. Battle and Wearfield while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919).

On 5 November 1943 the Errington Court was detached to Bizerta.

On 6 November 1943 the Fort Liard, Puck and Selvik were detached to Malta as was HMS BYMS 2186.

On 6 November 1943 the Afghanistan, Alexander Graham Bell, Augustus S. Merrimon, Baron Stranraer, Benjamin Huntington, British Merit, Cap Padaran, Celtic Monarch, Empire Cameron, Fort de Douaumont, Fort Fork, Fort Lawrence, Francis L. Lee, George B. McClellan, Harberton, Joseph Hewes, Kosciuszko, Lars Kruse, Leland Stanford, Norman Monarch, Pan-Delaware, Prometheus, Richmond Mumford Pearson, Riverton, Robert Dale Owen, Robert F. Stockton, Ronan, Wearwood, William C. Endicott, William F. Cody and Zebulon Pike were detached to Augusta while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Augusta; Brighton (British, 7345 GRT, built 1943), City of Windsor (British, 7218 GRT, built 1923), Comliebank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941), Pellicula (British (tanker), 6254 GRT, built 1936) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).

On 11 November 1943 the Brighton, City of Windsor, Comliebank, Fort la Traite, Fort Pembina, Norjerv, Talma and Yenangyaung arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. They took HMS Bergamot and HMS Bryony with them.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said also on 11 November escorted by HMS Barle and HMS La Malouine. HMS Barle then continued on toward Haifa where she arrived on the 12th.

11 Jan 1944
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) and HMS Verity (Lt. C.G. Cowley, RN). (6)

12 Jan 1944
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN). (6)

21 Feb 1944
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with RHS Tompazis and HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR). (7)

22 Feb 1944
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR), RHS Tompazis, HMS Orchis (T/Lt. B.W. Harris, DSC, RNVR), HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) and HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR). (8)

22 Feb 1944
HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR), RHS Kriezis, HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR) and HMS Orchis (T/Lt. B.W. Harris, DSC, RNVR). (9)

15 Dec 1944
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with aircraft and later with HMS Lavender (Lt. T.W. Lewis, RANVR) and HMS Morpeth Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Pate, DSC, RNR). (10)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/16837
  2. ADM 53/113933 + ADM 199/395
  3. ADM 53/113717
  4. ADM 173/16988
  5. ADM 199/576 + ADM 199/717 + ADM 199/2100
  6. ADM 173/17812
  7. ADM 173/18513
  8. File 2.12.03.6372 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  9. ADM 173/18492
  10. ADM 173/19345

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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