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Notable events involving Meadowsweet include:

21 May 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). (1)

22 May 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). (1)

24 May 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR), HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR), HMS Primrose (T/Lt. P.E. Kitto, RNR), HMCS Chambly (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.F. Pickard, RCNR) and HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR). (1)

28 Jun 1943

Convoy SL 132.

This convoy departed Freetown on 28 June 1943.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Appledore (British, 5218 GRT, built 1929), Arosa (Norwegian, 5043 GRT, built 1924), City of Lille (British, 6588 GRT, built 1928), Comliebank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Danby (British, 4281 GRT, built 1937), Delius (British, 6065 GRT, built 1937), Empire Baron (British, 5894 GRT, built 1926), Empire Chamois (British, 5684 GRT, built 1918), Empire Livingstone (British, 6997 GRT, built 1941), Empire Merganser (British, 6100 GRT, built 1919), Empire Treasure (British, 7022 GRT, built 1943), Eurybates (British, 6276 GRT, built 1928), Fort Camosun (British, 7126 GRT, built 1942), Fort la Maune (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942), Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Gabon (Norwegian, 4651 GRT, built 1931), Gleniffer (British, 9559 GRT, built 1919), Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), MacGregor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Neleus (British, 6685 GRT, built 1911), New Columbia (British, 6574 GRT, built 1920), New Texas (British, 6568 GRT, built 1919), Ocean Vestal (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Victory (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Orient City (British, 5095 GRT, built 1940), Rod-el-Farag (Egyptian, 6369 GRT, built 1910), Salando (Dutch, 5272 GRT, built 1920), Shahzada (British, 5454 GRT, built 1942), Streefkerk (Dutch, 6185 GRT, built 1921) and Takoradian (British, 5452 GRT, built 1937).

The tugs Empire Ace (British, 274 GRT, built 1943) and Empire Dennis (British, 274 GRT, built 1943) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Keppel (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN), corvettes HMS Narcissus (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, RNR), HMS Orchis (T/Lt. E.D.A. Dyer, RCNVR), HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR), Aconit and Lobelia and the A/S trawler HMS Yestor (Lt. R.C. Holt, RNVR).

At 2230Z/29, in position 09°32'N, 16°44'W, HMS Keppel obtained a radar contact at 7500 yards which was approaching the convoy from the starboard quarter. This was thought to be a submarine. The submarine was chased and forced to dive by HMS Keppel but contact was subsequently lost. Aconit joined in the hunt. HMS Keppel then made off to rejoin the convoy, which she did around 0215Z/30, leaving Aconit in the area to hunt for the submarine until 0830Z/30 and if not in contact by that time she was to rejoin the convoy. The submarine in question was the German U-333 which managed to slip away.

Around 0500Z/1, in position 12°32'N, 17°54'W, HMS Yestor was detached to Dakar.

Around 1730Z/1, in position 14°05'N, 17°52'W, five merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Dakar. This were the following;
Alsace (French (cable ship), 2092 GRT, built 1940), Canada (French, 9684 GRT, built 1912), Cap Cantin (British (former French), 3317 GRT, built 1933), Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930) and Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922).

A 1338Z/6, south of the Canary Islands, in position 26°26'N, 15°09'W, the escorting Catalina aircraft reported a submarine dead ahead of the convoy at a range of 15 miles. HMS Keppel proceeded ahead to search for the enemy submarine but nothing was found. This must have referred to the German submarine U-193 which was attacked at 1334Z/6, by Catalina P 11, VP 92, Patrol Squadron 73, USN. The German submarine sustained damage two crewmembers were wounded one of which subsequently died. The German U-boat also fired on the plane which was damaged. Among the crew of the plane there was one dead and four wounded. HMS Keppel rejoined the convoy after a brief search.

Around 1430Z/8, in position 30°01'N, 12°00'W, the RFA tanker Fortol (2629 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy coming from convoy RS 8. However the Fortol had never fuelled escorts using the astern method and had all hear gear stowed and given the sea conditions prevented from the hatches being opened to get it out, let alone to sea conditions being to rough to refuel underway anyway.

Around 1450Z/10, HMS Keppel arrived at Casablanca to fuel leaving again around 2045Z/10 and rejoined the convoy around 0300Z/11.

Around 0800Z/10, in position 32°46'N, 10°24'W, the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. D.F. Welch, USNR), USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. N.P. Hallowell, Jr., USNR) joined the convoy coming from Casablanca.

Around 1800Z/10, the three USN patrol vessels parted company to return to Casablanca. The following merchant vessels parted company with the convoy to proceed to Casablanca escorted by these patrol vessels;
Alcase, Canada, Charles Schiaffino, Hopestar (with boiler trouble) and Medie II. Also both tugs parted company with the convoy also to proceed to Casablanca.

Around 0630Z/11, in position 34°24'N, 09°21'W, the convoy was joined by convoy MKS 16 coming from Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Algerian (British, 2315 GRT, built 1924), Arlesford (British, 2472 GRT, built 1922), Audun (Norwegian, 1304 GRT, built 1925), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915, came from Lisbon), City of HongKong (British, 9609 GRT, built 1924), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934), Empire Clive (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929), Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Fort Gibraltar (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort St. James (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Govert Flinck (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Greathope (British, 2297 GRT, built 1926), Hartbridge (British, 5080 GRT, built 1927), Hoperange (British, 5177 GRT, built 1939), Kong Haakon VII (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942) and Macharda (British, 7998 GRT, built 1938). Also with this section was the rescue ship Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936), rescue tug HMS Abeille IV, tug Empire Larch (British, 482 GRT, built 1941) and the trawler Portaferry (British, 356 GRT, built 1943, which was to become the M/S trawler HMS Probe after further outfitting in the U.K.). They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), minesweepers HMS Shippigan (Cdr. M.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Tadoussac (T/Lt. J.P. Davies, RNR) and A/S trawlers HMS Grenadier (A/Skr.Lt. A.G. Day, RNR) (had escorted the Baron Forbes from the vicinity of Lisbon) and HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR).

On this convoy joining, HMS Velox was immediately detached to return to Gibraltar while the other escorts joined the now combined convoy for the moment.

Also on 11 July HMS Narcissus, Aconit and HMS Orchis fuelled from the Fortol in heavy weather. However the fuelling gear was damaged and Lobelia could therefore only be fuelled on 12 July.

Around 1300Z/12, HMS Tadoussac was detached for other duties.

Around 1630Z/12, the destroyer HMS Hurricane (Cdr. E.C. Bayldon, DSC, RN) joined and immediately proceeded to fuel from the Fortol.

Around 1815Z/12, the corvettes HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR) joined. These corvettes fuelled from the Fortol on the 13th. Fuelling was completed shortly before midnight and the Fortol then parted company to proceed to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Shippigan and HMS Lady Hogarth. The Empire Ace and Empire Dennis also went with them.

Around 1300Z/14, in position 41°40'N, 13°42'W, the destroyer HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. W.B.L. Holms, RCN) joined coming from Casablanca.

At 1515Z/14, the escorting aircraft reported a raft with six occupants in it about 38 miles ahead of the convoy. HMS Hurricane proceeded to search for this raft and at 1648Z/15, in position 42°20'N, 13°51'W, she picked up six survivors from the German submarine U-506 that had been sunk on 12 July 1943 by an aircraft.

Around 2220Z/14, the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) arrived to provide cover just to the eastward of the convoy. She remained to the east of the convoy during the night. Around dawn on the 15th she closed the convoy to exchange some information before she made off to Gibraltar.

Around 2100Z/15, in position 44°53'N, 15°21'W, HMS Hurricane, HMS Borage, HMS Dahlia, HMS Meadowsweet and HMS Monkshood were detached to Gibraltar. HMS Hurricane transferred the six German survivors / POW's to HMCS Iroquois.

Around 0700Z/17, in position 48°51'N, 15°57'W, HMCS Iroquois was detached to Plymouth.

Around 2100Z/17, in position 50°32'N, 15°32'W, the following merchant vessels were detached to proceed ahead of the convoy to their destinations;
City of HongKong, City of Lille, Comliebank, Delius, Macharda and Neleus. [seven merchant vessels were detached according to the report, we have been unable to indentify the 7th vessel for the moment]. These ships all arrived at Liverpool on 20 July. They were escorted by Aconit and Lobelia which arrived at Greenock on 20 July.

Around 2000Z/19, in position 55°02'N, 11°21'W, the Empire Chamois was detached to proceed to Barrow in Furness where she arrived on 22 July.

Around 0400Z/20, in position 55°35'N, 10°04'W, the following merchant vessels were detached to Loch Ewe;
Appledore, Arosa, Cap Cantin, Danby, Dux, Empire Guinevere, Empire Livingstone, Empire Spey, Fort Gibraltar, Fort la Maune, Fort St. James, New Texas, Rod-el-Farag, Salando and Shahzada. Also the tug Empire Larch and trawler Portaferry were part of the Loch Ewe section. They were escorted by HMS Orchis.

HMS Keppel, HMS Narcissus and HMS Tamarisk arrived at Greenock on 21 July.

HMS Grenadier arrived at Liverpool on 22 July.

The remaining merchant vessels arrived in U.K. ports as follows;
On 21 July the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde;
Arlesford, Baron Forbes, Empire Baron, Empire Clive, Fort Camosun, Greathope, Hoperange and Marquesa. Also the Rathlin arrived in the Clyde on this day.

On 21 July the following merchant vessels arrived in Belfast Lough;
Algerian, Empire Merganser, Fort Thompson, Kong Haakon VII and Streefkerk.

On 22 July the City of Lancaster, Govert Flinck and Ocean Victory arrived at Barrow in Furness.

The remaining merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool on 22 July.

The destination of the Abeille IV was Milford Haven, arrival date not known but most likely 22 July. (2)

1 Jul 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). (3)

13 Jul 1943

Convoy SL 133.

This convoy departed Freetown on 13 July 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Baron Maclay (British, 6317 GRT, built 1924), Bendoran (British, 5567 GRT, built 1910), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Carlton (British, 7210 GRT, built 1942), City of Exeter (British, 9654 GRT, built 1914), Cochrane (British, 7203 GRT, built 1923), Cypria (Norwegian, 4366 GRT, built 1931), David Livingstone (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Desirade (British, 9645 GRT, built 1921), Egyptian Prince (British, 3490 GRT, built 1922), Empire Addison (British, 7010 GRT, built 1942), Empire Buckler (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942), Empire Cougar (British, 5758 GRT, built 1919), Empire Forest (British, 7025 GRT, built 1942), Empire Simba (British, 5691 GRT, built 1919), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), Fort Douglas (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Tremblant (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Gambian (British, 5452 GRT, built 1937), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), John Holt (British, 4964 GRT, built 1943), Kaipara (British, 5882 GRT, built 1938), Mafuta (Belgian, tanker, 6322 GRT, built 1920), Malayan Prince (British, 8953 GRT, built 1926), Maplewood (British, 4566 GRT, built 1930), Mount Rhodope (Greek, 5182 GRT, built 1919), New Northland (Canadian, 3445 GRT, built 1926), Norma (Norwegian, 4487 GRT, built 1930), Ocean Hope (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Pinzon (British, 1365 GRT, built 1922), Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911), Stuyvesant (Dutch, 4249 GRT, built 1918), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Wearpool (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the sloops HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN), destroyer HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Anchusa ( T/Lt. H.V. Gordon, RNVR), HMS Columbine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR), HMS Coreopsis (T/Lt. B.C. Hamilton, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR) and the armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RD, RNR).

Around 0600Z/15, in position 10°49'N, 17°02'W, the Wearpool was detached to proceed to Buenos Aires.

Around 1900Z/15, HMS Enchantress was detached to fuel at Dakar.

Around 0230Z/15, HMS Amazon was detached to fuel at Dakar.

Around 0600Z/16, the merchant vessel Kaipara was torpedoed and damaged by the German U-boat U-306. She was able to proceed to Dakar under her own power escorted by HMS Violet until this corvette was relieved by HMS Yestor (Lt. R.C. Holt, RNVR).

Around 1230Z/16, in approximate position 14°34'N, 17°47'W, the merchant vessel Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928) joined the convoy coming from Bathurst.

Around 1330Z/16, in position 14°36'N, 17°47'W, the merchant vessel New Northland was detached to Dakar. The Fort Douglas was also detached to Dakar with engine defects at the same time. They were escorted to Dakar by the ASW trawler HMS Fandango (T/Lt. A.G. Fisher, RNR) which had also brought out the Dakar section of the convoy (see below).

Around 1330Z/16, in position 14°36'N, 17°47'W, the merchant vessels El-Biar (French, 4678 GRT, built 1927), Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909) and Grand Quevilly (French, 2844 GRT, built 1914) joined the convoy coming from Dakar.

Around 1430Z/16, in position 14°35'N, 17°50'W, HMS Enchantress and HMS Amazon returned from fuelling at Dakar.

Around 0830Z/22, in position 29°12'N, 18°48'W, HMS Columbine and HMS Coreopsis were detached to fuel at Casablanca.

Around 2030Z/22, in position 30°08'N, 17°00'W, HMS Anchusa and HMS Violet were detached to fuel at Casablanca.

Around 1200Z/24, in position 33°54'N, 09°46'W, HMS Columbine and HMS Coreopsis returned from fuelling at Casablanca. HMS Leith was then detached to fuel at Casablanca. She rejoined on the 25th.

Around 1400Z/24, in position 34°04'N, 09°46'W, the El-Biar, Finistere and Grand Quevilly were detached to Casablanca. The patrol vessels USS PC-474 (Lt. A.D. Weekes, Jr., USNR), USS PC-482 (Lt. N.P. Hallowell, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-473 (Lt. D.F. Welch, USNR) had come out from Casablanca to escort them.

Around 1500Z/24, in position 34°14'N, 09°35'W, HMS Amazon was detached to Gibraltar where she arrived the following day.

Around 1200Z/24, in position 34°17'N, 10°30'W, HMS Anchusa and HMS Violet returned from fuelling at Casablanca.

Around 1700B/24, in position 35°45'N, 11°15'W, the convoy merged with convoy MKS 18G coming from Gibraltar.
This convoy was made up of the following ships; Antonio (British, 5225 GRT, built 1918), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Clearpool (British, 5404 GRT, built 1935), Eastern City (British, 5185 GRT, built 1941), Empire Darwin (British, 6765 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tide (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Fauzon (French, 4376 GRT, built 1938), Gerard Dou (Dutch, 7242 GRT, built 1941), Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), Kingsland (British, 3669 GRT, built 1930), Schiaffino (French, 3236 GRT, built 1929), Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922) and Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917).

The landing ship Ennerdale (British, 8280 GRT, built 1941) and the tug HMRT Allegiance towing the damaged escort destroyer Derwent (Lt. P.R.C. Higham, RN) was also part of the convoy.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Hurricane (Cdr. E.C. Bayldon, DSC, RN), HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR). Off these, HMS Rockingham could only use one propeller and her speed was limited to 15 knots.

Around 0750B/28, in approximate position 41°30'N, 16°04'W, the light (AA) cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) joined the convoy.

In the evening of the 28th, the convoy was attacked by German FW 200 bombers / reconnaissance aircraft. No damage was done and one of the attackers was shot down. HMS Hurricane picked up six survivors of this aircraft. Four of them wounded.

Around 0930B/29, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) joined the convoy.

In the second half of the morning of the 29th, the convoy was once more attacked by German aircraft but again no damage was done though bombs landed near HMS Scylla, HMS Rockingham, HMS Borage and HMS Meadowsweet.

Around 2225B/29, in approximate position 46°30'N, 16°00'W, HMS Scylla parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar.

Around an hour before the departure of HMS Scylla eleven of the merchant vessels split off from the main convoy and formed the ' fast section '. These then proceeded ahead escorted by the original escort of the convoy which had been with the convoy on departure from Freetown (minus HMS Amazon which had been detached to Gibraltar earlier).

Around 2200B/30, in position 50°01'N, 15°24'W, HMS Enchantress was detached from the 'fast section' to proceed to the Clyde via the south of Ireland.

Around the same time, HMS Sheffield parted company from the 'slow section' to proceed to

The 'fast section' of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 2 July 1943.

The 'slow section' of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 July 1943. (4)

7 Oct 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and aircraft. (5)

9 Oct 1943
HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR). (6)

15 Jan 1944

Combined convoy OS 65 / KMS 39.

This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 15 January 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agia Marina (Greek, 4151 GRT, built 1912), Alcor (Dutch, 3526 GRT, built 1920), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Blairnevis (British, 4155 GRT, built 1930), Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930), Capitaine Paul Lemerle (French, 4945 GRT, built 1925), City of Derby (British, 6616 GRT, built 1921), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), Coulmore (British, 3670 GRT, built 1936), Cydonia (British, 3517 GRT, built 1927), Dordrecht (Dutch, 4402 GRT, built 1928), Dromore (British, 4096 GRT, built 1920), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Empire Derwent (British, 4026 GRT, built 1930), Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918)), Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942), Empire Usk (British, 3229 GRT, built 1918), Empire Voice (British, 6828 GRT, built 1940), Fort Cumberland (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943), Fort Lennox (British, 7149 GRT, built 1943), Fort Nipigon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1942), Fort St.Nicolas (British, 7154 GRT, built 1943), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Innerton (British, 5276 GRT, built 1919), John Holt (British, 4964 GRT, 1943), King Edgar (British, 4536 GRT, built 1927), Manchester Shipper (British, 7881 GRT, built 1943), Maycrest (British, 5923 GRT, built 1913), Mimosa (Greek, 3071 GRT, built 1905), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Nordlys (British, 3726 GRT, built 1916), Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928), Pilar de Larringa (British, 7046 GRT, built 1918), Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918), Prospector (British, 6202 GRT, built 1944), Recorder (British, 5981 GRT, built 1930), Royal Star (British, 7900 GRT, built 1919), Samhain (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Silvermaple (British, 5313 GRT, built 1937), Slemmestad (Norwegian, 4258 GRT, built 1928), Stamos (Greek, 3802 GRT, built 1914), Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942) and Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942).

The boom carrier HMS Ethiopian (5424 GRT, built 1936, A/Cdr.(Retd.) K.A.S. Phillips, RNR) was also part of the convoy as were the rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929) and the rescue tugs HMRT Aspirant and HMRT Eminent.

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the destroyers ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko), HMS Verity (Lt. C.G. Cowley, RN), corvettes HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR), HMS Narcissus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.T.S. Clampitt, RNR), HMS Orchis (T/Lt. B.W. Harris, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), FFS Aconit, FFS Lobelia, FFS Roselys and the A/S trawler HMS Northern Foam (T/Lt. J.A. Crockett, RNR). As additional escorts the frigates HMCS Waskesiu (T/A/Cdr. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR), HMS Nene (Cdr. J.D. Birch, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMCS Camrose (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.R. Pavillard, RCNR), HMCS Prescott (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McIsaac, RCNVR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.A. Dunn, RCNVR) and HMS Kenilworth Castle (Lt. J.J.Allon, RNR) were also present until 19 January 1944 when they were detached to northbound convoy SL 145/ MKS 36.

On 16 January 1944, HMS Verity was detached to join another southbound convoy KMF 28.

On 17 January 1944, the patrol vessel HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR) joined the convoy after having departed the Clyde late on the 15th.

On 18 January 1944, the frigate HMS Towy (Cdr. M.J Evans, OBE, RN) joined the convoy after having departed Londonderry on the 17th.

On 19 January 1944, the German U-boat U-641 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 50°25'N, 18°49'W by HMS Violet.

On 21 January 1944, the tanker / transport Esturia (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914) and Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918) departed the Azores to join the convoy.

While en-route, around 19/20 January 1944, the escort oiler San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913) joined at sea from northbound convoy SL 145/ MKS 36.

On 27 January 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 65 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 33 bound for the Mediterranean.

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Convoy OS 65 was made up of the merchant vessels; Amstelkerk, Bornholm, Congonian, Dordrecht, Gascony, John Holt, Mimosa, Princesa, Royal Star and Silvermaple. The corvettes Aconit, Lobelia and Roselys remained with the convoy initially.

On 26 January 1944, the merchant vessels Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925), Belgian Seaman (Belgian, 7023 GRT, built 1941), Colytto (Dutch, 4408 GRT, built 1926), Dalmore (British, 5193 GRT, built 1927), Empire Baxter (British, 7024 GRT, built 1941), Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930), Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929) and Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the sloops HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN), HMS Sandwich (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. R.A. Baker, RNVR) and HMS Crocus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Mackay, RNZNVR) which were to escort the convoy to Freetown.

On 27 January 1944, the transport Mimosa and the corvettes Aconit, Lobelia and Roselys arrived at Casablanca after having been detached from the convoy.

On 27 January 1944, the following transports / tanker departed Casablanca to join the convoy; El-Biar (French, 4678 GRT, built 1927), Empire Flint (British (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1941) and Marrakech (French, 6179 GRT, built 1914). They were escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels USS PC-480 (Lt. F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-473 (Lt.(jg) A.W. Silverstein, USNR). The patrol vessels did not join the convoy but proceeded to make rendezvous with convoy OT 12.

On 3 February 1944, the El-Biar and arrived Marrakech arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy while the transport Sant-Louis (French, 5202 GRT, built 1913) departed Dakar to join the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 6 February 1944. Some ships from the convoy did not enter Freetown but continued on to their destinations independently.

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Convoy KMS 39, made up of the remaining ships, proceeded towards the Mediterranean with most of the original escort of the combined convoy.

On 28 January 1944, the following transports / tanker arrived at Gibraltar; Agia Marina, Baron Ruthven, City of Keelung, City of Lancaster, Dromore, Empire Thackeray, Empire Usk, Esturia and Surula. The rescue ship Melrose Abbey, escort oiler San Tirso and HMS Ethiopian arrived at Gibraltar as did the following escort vessels / rescue tugs; ORP Burza, HMS Towy, HMS Meadowsweet, HMS Narcissus, HMS Orchis, HMS Violet, HMS Kilbirnie, HMS Northern Foam, HMRT Aspirant and HMRT Eminent. HMS Meadowsweet, HMS Violet had probably arrived early to fuel before rejoining the convoy.

The following ships meanwhile directly entered the Mediterranean; Alcor, Baron Napier, Belgian Trader, Blairnevi, Capitaine Paul Lemerle, City of Derby, Coulmore, Dunelmia, Empire Derwent, Empire Grebe, Empire Voice, Fort Cumberland, Fort Frontenac, Fort Lennox, Fort Nipigon, Fort St.Nicolas, Generton, Glaucus, Innerton, King Edgar, Manchester Shipper, Nicolas, Peleus, Pilar de Larrinaga, Prospector, Recorder, Samhain, Slemmestad, Stamos, Tobruk and Van Ostade.

They were joined by transport Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918) coming from Gibraltar. Also a new escort joined for the passage through the Mediterranean, this was made up of the following ships; AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Gloxinia (?), HMS Meadowsweet, HMS Violet, A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR). The minesweeper HMS Rosario (A/Cdr. F.E. Brooking, RN) was also with the convoy as was the submarine Pipinos (Lt.Cdr. Rallis).

On 29 January 1944, the transports Blairnevis and Van Ostade arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Oran; Alexander R. Lillington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Colin P. Kelly Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Elihu Yale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ingertre (Norwegian, 2462 GRT, built 1921), J.E.B. Stuart (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John McKinley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John W. Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Johns Hopkins (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Thomas W. Hyde (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ward Hunt (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and William Kent (American, 7187 GRT, built 1942).

On 30 January 1944, the transports Alcor, Coulmore, King Edgar, Peleus and Stamos arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Oran; British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Far (Norwegian, 2475 GRT, built 1921), Fort Connally (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Loke (Norwegian, 2421 GRT, built 1915), Ocean Vesper (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Riverton (British, 7307 GRT, built 1943), Samholt (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samson (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920).

On 30 January 1944, the transports Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910) and Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922) departed Bougie to join the convoy.

On 1 February 1944, the transports Innerton and Nicolas arrived at Bone after having parted company with the convoy while the transports Chertsey (British, 6001 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort Gloucester (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943) and Fort St.Regis (British, 7140 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bone.

On 1 February 1944, the transports Belgian Trader, John McKinley, Ward Hunt and William Kent as well as the AA cruiser HMS Colombo arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy while the transports Indiana (Panamanian, 5617 GRT, built 1917), John Wise (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and Joseph H. Nicholson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.

On 1 February 1944, the transports Capitaine Paul Lemerle arrived at Tunis after having parted company with the convoy

On 2 February 1944, the transports Baron Napier, Baronesa and Selvik as well as the minesweeper HMS Rosario arrived at Malta after having parted company with the convoy while the transport / tanker Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920) and Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934) joined the convoy coming from Malta.

During 2/3 February 1944, the transports Alexander R. Lillington, Chertsey, Chloris, Colin P. Kelly, Jr., Dunelmia, Elihu Yale, Empire Derwent, Empire Grebe, Empire Guinevere, Empire Tristram, Far, Fort Connolly, Fort Cumberland, Fort Fidler, Fort Frontenac, Fort Gloucester, Fort Lennox, Fort St.Nicolas, Fort St.Regis, Indiana, Ingertre, J.E.B. Stuart, John W. Brown, John Wise, John Hopkins, Joseph H. Nicholson, Loke, Ocean Vesper, Pilar de Larrinaga, Richard Bassett, Riverton, Samholt, Samson, Slemmestad, Star, Thomas W. Hyde and Tobruk arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy while the transports / tankers Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 7086 GRT, built 1942), Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cameron (British, 7015 GRT, built 1941), Empire Capulet (British, 7044 GRT, built 1943), Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943), Empire Glory (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943), Empire Path (British, 6140 GRT, built 1943), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kootenay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Senneville (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Samarina (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sambrake (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sampa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samwater (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Augusta which they had departed on 2 February 1944.

On 6 February 1944, the transports / tankers Empire Cameron, Empire Capulet, Fort Ash, Fort Cadotte, Fort Glenora, Fort la Traite, Glenogle, Prospector, Samarina, Sambrake, Sampa and Samwater arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy as did HMS Dart, HMS Gloxinia and HMS Meadowsweet of the escort.

On 7 February 1944, the transports / tankers Beaconsfield, City of Derby, Empire Copperfield, Empire Glory, Empire Path, Empire Voice, Fort Kootenay, Fort Nipigon, Fort Senneville, Glaucus, Grena, Manchester Shipper, Recorder, Samhain and Samshire arrived at Port Said after having parted company with the convoy as did HMS Violet and HMS Wolborough of the escort.

On 9 February 1944, the submarine RHS Pipinos arrived at Beirut after having parted company with the convoy.

28 Dec 1944
HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC, RN), conducted A/S exercises off Bombay with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMIS Dipavati (T/Lt. A.J.C. Moore, RINR). (7)

6 Apr 1945
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Fremantle for Colombo (later changed to Trincomalee). She made the passage together with the British corvette HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR).

For the daily positions of HMS Sirdar during this passage see the map below.

View MS Sirdar passage Fremantle - Portsmouth in a larger map (8)