Allied Warships

HMS Wellard (FY 137)

ASW Trawler

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeASW Trawler
Class[No specific class] 
PennantFY 137 
Built byCook, Welton & Gemmill (Beverley, U.K.) 
Ordered 
Laid down 
Launched15 May 1937 
CommissionedSep 1939 
End service 
History

Completed on 28 July 1937.
Taken over by the Admiralty in August 1939.
Displacement: 514 tons.

Lent to the United States Navy in February 1942.
Returned in October 1942.
Sold in 1945.
Scrapped at Ghent, Belgium on 31 August 1961.

 

Commands listed for HMS Wellard (FY 137)

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
1Cdr. (retired) Cedric Naylor, DSO, DSC, RN11 Sep 193916 Nov 1939

2Lt. Arthur Denis White, RNR14 Feb 194013 Jul 1940
3Lt. Arthur Johnson, RNVR13 Jul 194013 Apr 1941
4Lt. (retired) Robert Fletcher Turnbull, RNR13 Apr 1941mid 1941
5Lt. Stuart Faithful Fell, RANVRmid 194114 Jul 1943
6T/Lt. Graham Hellyer, RNVR14 Jul 1943Nov 1943
7T/Lt. Harold Gott, RNVRNov 1943mid 1944

8T/A/Lt.Cdr. Harold Moxley Pinnell, RNVR25 Oct 194411 May 1945
9T/Lt. William Carl McDonnell, RNVR11 May 1945

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Notable events involving Wellard include:


21 Jan 1941

Convoy BHX 104.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 21 January 1941 for the U.K. It was to proceed direct from Bermuda to the U.K. unlike all the other BHX convoys which merged with HX convoys.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Athelempress (British (tanker), 8941 GRT, built 1930), Athelviking (British (tanker), 8779 GRT, built 1926), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), British Venture (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), Ceronia (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Diala (British (tanker), 8106 GRT, built 1938), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), G.C. Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 9718 GRT, built 1930), Ganymedes (Dutch, 2682 GRT, built 1917), Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934), Hilda Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9178 GRT, built 1928), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), Lochkatrine (British, 9419 GRT, built 1922), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Novelist (British, 6133 GRT, built 1940), Oakworth (British), 4968 GRT, built 1925), Peder Bogen (British (tanker), 9741 GRT, built 1925), Ranella (Norwegian (tanker), 5590 GRT, built 1912), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Sheaf Holme (British, 4814 GRT, built 1929), Socony (British (tanker), 4404 GRT, built 1936), Storaas (Norwegian (tanker), 7886 GRT, built 1929), Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927), Treworlas (British, 4692 GRT, built 1922) and Vigrid (British, 4765 GRT, built 1923).

Also part of the convoy was the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Darkdale (8145 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

At 1240Q/24, in approximate position 40°00'N, 58°00'W, the merchant vessel Oakworth was ordered to proceed to Halifax as she had developed a serious leak in no.1 hold. She arrived at Halifax on 26 January 1941.

The merchant vessel Treworlas arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland on 30 January 1941 with weather damage. She had most likely detached from the convoy on 27 or 28 January 1941 after the convoy had encountered heavy weather. The Ranella also straggled from the convoy but joined convoy SC 20 and continued her passage to the U.K.

Around 0900N/31, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1330N/3, HMS King George V parted company with the convoy.

At 1900N/3, in approximate position 61°05'N, 24°00'W, the tanker Athelempress was detached to Reykjavik, Iceland where she arrived on 5 February.

At 0815N/4, in position 61°17'N, 21°20'W, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy.

Around 1330A/4, in position 61°17'N, 20°14'W, the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) joined. The remainder of the A/S escort did not join the convoy as intended due to the poor visibility.

Around 0840A/5, in position 61°22'N, 14°50'W, the remainder of the A/S escort, made up of the destroyers HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Lincoln (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.Cdr. A. Johnson, RNVR) joined.

On 7 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Loch Ewe; Aalsum, Athelviking, Athelviscount, British Venture, Ganymedes, Moorby, San Delfino, Socony and Vigrid. HMS Havelock also arrived at Loch Ewe on 7 February obviously having escorted the Loch Ewe section of the convoy to that place.

On 7 February 1941, the Toorak arrived at Scapa Flow.

On 8 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; G.C. Brovig, Hilda Knudsen, Storaas and Suderholm. Also HMS Sabre arrived at Greenock on 8 February possibly having escorted the Clyde section.

On 8 February 1941, the Darkdale arrived in Belfast Lough.

On 9 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Atlantian, British Resource, Ceronia, Clausina, Delphinula, Explorer, Lochkatrine, Novelist, Peder Bogen, San Ambrosio, San Ernesto and Sheaf Holme. Also HMS Hesperus arrived at Liverpool on this day.

On 9 February 1941, the Inverilen arrived at Holyhead.

On 9 February 1941, the Davila arrived at Milford Haven.

On 9 February 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in Barry Roads; Diala, Grena, Regent Panther. They had been escorted there by the A/S trawler HMS Leeds United (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Williams, RNVR) which then returned to Milford Haven arriving on the 10th.

The remaining escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows; HMS Clarkia (arrived at Londonderry on 7 February 1941), HMS Lincoln (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941), HMS Shikari (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941), HMS Northern Wave (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941), HMS Wellard (arrived at Londonderry on 8 February 1941) and HMS Gladiolus (arrived at Londonderry on 10 February 1941). (1)

31 Jan 1941
HMS H 43 (Lt. I.L.M. McGeogh, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.Cdr. A. Johnson, RNVR). (2)

17 Apr 1941

Convoy SL 72

This convoy departed Freetown on 17 April 1941 for Liverpool where it arrived on 13 May 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following merchants; Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Bangalore (British, 6067 GRT, built 1928), Baron Douglas (British, 3899 GRT, built 1932), Coracero (British, 7252 GRT, built 1923), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Daldorch (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930), Dixcove (British, 3790 GRT, built 1927), Empire Lotus (British, 3696 GRT, built 1920), Gaelic Star (British, 5596 GRT, built 1917), Garoet (Dutch, 7118 GRT, built 1917), Hainaut (Belgian, 4312 GRT, built 1905), Hazelside II (British, 5297 GRT, built 1940), Inverbank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Jeypore (British, 5318 GRT, built 1920), Kelbergen (Dutch, 4823 GRT, built 1914), Llanberis (British, 5055 GRT, built 1928), Lorca (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931), Moanda (Belgian, 4621 GRT, built 1937), Mokambo (Belgian, 4996 GRT, built 1938), Mount Kitheron (Greek, 3876 GRT, built 1912), Muneric (British, 5229 GRT, built 1919), Norman Star (British, 6817 GRT, built 1919), Penrose (British, 4393 GRT, built 1928), Perth (British, 2259 GRT, built 1915), Prinses Maria-Pia (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Saint Bernard (British, 5183 GRT, built 1939), Scottish Star (British, 7224 GRT, built 1917), Somerset (British, 8790 GRT, built 1918), St. Helena (British, 4313 GRT, built 1936), Testbank (British, 5083 GRT, built 1937), Tyndareus (British, 11361 GRT, built 1916), Ulysses (British, 14647 GRT, built 1913), Velma (Norwegian (tanker), 9720 GRT, built 1930), Winkfield (British, 5279 GRT, built 1919) and Yorkwood (British, 5401 GRT, built 1936).

The merchant vessel Empire Advocate (British, 5787 GRT, built 1913) joined at sea on 25 April near the Azores.

A/S Escort was provided on the day of departure when the convoy was near Freetown by the destroyers HMS Vidette (Lt. E.N. Walmsley, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN) and the corvettes HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR).

Ocean escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) until being relieved around noon on the 19th by HMS Fiji (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, RN) which then remained with the convoy until May 1st.

On 20 April the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Dunnottar Castle (Capt.(Retd.) C.T.A. Bunbury, RN) joined the convoy and she remained with it until May 11th.

Local escort in British home waters was provided from 10 to 13 May by the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. Sir P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN) (to 12 May only), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. W.W. Creber, RNR), HMS St. Loman (T/Lt. R.C. Warwick, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.(Retd.) R.F. Turnbull, RD, RNR).

18 Apr 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. She was escorted by HMS Wellard (Lt.(Retd.) R.F. Turnbull RD, RNR). (3)

6 May 1941

Convoy OG 61.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 6 May 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 4 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924), Berto (Norwegian, 1493 GRT, built 1918), Helder (Dutch, 3629 GRT, built 1920), Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916), Kellwyn (British, 1464 GRT, built 1920), Leadgate (British, 2125 GRT, built 1925), Michalios (Greek, 3742 GRT, built 1908), Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928), Philipp M. (British, 2085 GRT, built 1924), Scania (Swedish, 1980 GRT, built 1901), Taygetos (British, 4295 GRT, built 1918) and Willodale (British, 1777 GRT, built 1907).

On departure from Milford Haven this section was escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Viceroy (Lt.Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Huddersfield Town (Skr. J.H. Consadine, RNR).

The Liverpool section (sailed 5 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Daleby (British, 4640 GRT, built 1929), Parthenon (Greek, 3189 GRT, built 1908) and Runa (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Liverpool this section was escorted by the sloop HMS Scarborough (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN).

The British Coast (British, 889 GRT, built 1934) joined coming from Preston.

Around 0900B/6, the Milford Haven and Liverpool sections joined company after which HMS Viceroy and HMS Huddersfield Town were detached to Belfast Lough.

Around 1500B/6, the Clyde section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alberte le Borgne (British, 3921 GRT, built 1914), Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931), Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938), Garm (Swedish, 1231 GRT, built 1912), Lapland (British, 1330 GRT, built 1936), Maaskerk (Dutch, 4343 GRT, built 1929), Miralda (British (tanker), 8013 GRT, built 1936), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Perth (British, 2259 GRT, built 1915) and Wallsend (British, 3157 GRT, built 1937).

Around 1800B/6, the Oban section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Cervantes (British, 1810 GRT, built 1916), Empire Steelhead (British, 7744 GRT, built 1920), Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932), Hawkinge (British, 2475 GRT, built 1924), Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922), Leka (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1922), Lewant (Polish, 1942 GRT, built 1930), Lissa (British, 1511 GRT, built 1927), Pennington Court (British, 6098 GRT, built 1924), Rhineland (British, 1381 GRT, built 1922), Sire (British, 5664 GRT, built 1938), Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927), Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918) and Vestland (Norwegian, 1934 GRT, built 1916).

Around 2000B/6, the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. Sir P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. W.W. Creber, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.(Retd.) R.F. Turnbull, RD, RNR) joined.

Between 0700B/9 and 0745B/9, a German Focke Wulf Condor aircraft was seen circling the convoy. HMS Fleetwood and HMS Sabre both opened fire on it.

At 2230B/9, in position 52°24'N, 19°00'W, HMS Fleetwood, HMS Alisma, HMS Dianella, HMS Kingcup, HMS Man o' War and HMS Wellard parted company to make rendezvous with and join convoy SL 72. They also took rescue ship Perth with them.

Around 0900B/10, in position 51°07'N, 19°00'W, HMS Keppel, HMS Lincoln and HMS Sabre parted company. These were also to join convoy SL 72. HMS Scarborough was now the sole escort of the convoy.

Around 0730B/11, in position 48°20'N, 19°20'W, the following ships parted company with the convoy;
Baron Ruthven (arrived at Sydney, Nova Scotia, on 21 May 1941), Berto (arrived at Halifax on 21 May 1941), Bonde (arrived at Montreal on 24 May 1941), Cliona (arrived at Bermuda on 20 May 1941), Empire Steelhead (arrived at Baltimore on 27 May 1941), Gard (arrived at Trinidad on 27 May 1941), Hindsholm (arrived at Halifax on 19 May 1941), Jobshaven (arrived at Manzanillo (Cuba) on 27 May 1941), Maaskerk (arrived at Barbados on 25 May 1941), Michalios (arrived at Halifax on 21 May 1941), Miralda (arrived at New York on 22 May 1941), Nicolas (arrived at Montreal on ?? May 1941), Peleus (arrived at Montreal on 22 May 1941), Pennington Court (arrived at Montreal on 23 May 1941), Taygetos (arrived at Montreal on 24 May 1941), Umberleigh (arrived New York at on 24 May 1941) and Vestland (arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland on 17 May 1941).

Around 2130B/12, in position 45°00'N, 21°18'W, the following ships parted company with the convoy;
Albert le Borgne (arrived at Freetown on 30 May 1941), Daleby (arrived at Lagos on 4 June 1941), Helder (arrived at Capetown on 10 June 1941), Lewant (arrived at Freetown on 26 May 1941), Sire (arrived at Las Palmas on 17 May 1941) and Urbino (arrived at Capetown on 7 June 1941).

Around 1100B/13, in position 43°36'N, 21°03'W, the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800B/14, in position 41°07'N, 20°26'W, the corvettes HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR) and HMS Joinquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0900B/14, in position 41°00'N, 20°25'W, the Parthenon was detached to Takoradi where she arrived on 31 May 1941.

Around 1400B/16, in position 35°08'N, 14°55'W, HMS Geranium and HMS Joinquil parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.

Around 0600B/18, in position 35°16'N, 8°23'W, HMS Azalea parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.

Around 1900B/18, in position 35°51'N, 06°15'W, the following ships parted company with the convoy to proceed to Lisbon where all arrived on 20 May 1941;
Garm, Gothland, Lapland, Rhineland, Scania and Willowdale.

At the same time also the following ships were detached to Huelva where all arrived on 19 May 1941.
Hawkinge, Kellwyn, Leadgate, Leka and Phillip M..

Around 0100B/20, the remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar, these were the following ships;
Baron Kelvin, British Coast, Cervantes, Lissa, Runa and Wallsend. On arrival at Gibraltar they were escorted by HMS Scarborough and HrMs O 21. (4)

27 May 1941

Convoy HX 129.

This convoy departed Halifax on 27 May 1941 and arrived at Liverpool on 12 June 1941.

On departure from Halifax this convoy was made up of the following ships; Agra (Swedish, 4569 GRT, built 1925), Baxtergate (British, 5531 GRT, built 1925), Boston City (British, 2870 GRT, built 1920), Braganza (Norwegian, 6327 GRT, built 1924), British Captain (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1923), Chesapeake (British (tanker), 8955 GRT, built 1928), Delfshaven (Dutch, 5281 GRT, built 1930), Empire Albatross (British, 4714 GRT, built 1918), Empire Dawn (British, 7241 GRT, built 1941), Empire Ibex (British, 6990 GRT, built 1918), Empire Impala (British, 6116 GRT, built 1920), Empire Lapwing (British, 5403 GRT, built 1921), Empire Lightning (British, 6942 GRT, built 1940), Empire Panter (British, 5600 GRT, built 1919), Empire Ptarmigan (British, 6013 GRT, built 1920), Empire Zephyr (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Erna III (British, 1590 GRT, built 1930), Evanger (Norwegian, 3869 GRT, built 1920), Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936), Glenlea (British, 4252 GRT, built 1930), Harpasa (British, 5082 GRT, built 1934), Koenjit (Dutch, 4551 GRT, built 1929), Leonidas M. (Greek, 4573 GRT, built 1929), Lyras (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1918), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Mariso (Dutch, 7659 GRT, built 1930), Mount Kassion (Greek, 7914 GRT, built 1918), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Pacific Pioneer (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925), Prins Maurits (Dutch, 1287 GRT, built 1936), Ringstad (Norwegian, 4765 GRT, built 1923), Salando (Dutch, 5272 GRT, built 1920), Saltersgate (British, 3940 GRT, built 1924), Saluta (British, 5272 GRT, built 1920), Suderoy (Norwegian (whale factory ship), 7562 GRT, built 1913), Sylvia de Larrinaga (British, 5218 GRT, built 1925), Uffington Court (British, 4976 GRT, built 1929), Wanstead (British, 5486 GRT, built 1928) and Zaglobia (Polish, 2864 GRT, built 1938).

The rescue ship Zaafaran (British, 1559 GRT, built 1929) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 129 was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Chitral (Capt.(Retd.) G. Hamilton, RN) and the destroyers HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN) and HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN).

On 28 May 1941, HMS Buxton and HMCS St. Croix were detached.

This convoy merged at sea on 31 May 1941 with convoy BHX 129 which had departed Bermuda on 25 May 1941 and was made up of the following ships; Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928), Benedick (British (tanker), 6978 GRT, built 1928), British Princess (British (tanker), 7019 GRT, built 1917), Cowrie (British (tanker), 8197 GRT, built 1931), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Delhi (Swedish, 4571 GRT, built 1925), El Grillo (British (tanker), 7264 GRT, built 1922), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Ferncastle (Norwegian (tanker), 9940 GRT, built 1936), Geisha (British, 5113 GRT, built 1921), Maja (British (tanker), 8181 GRT, built 1931), Malmanger (Norwegian (tanker), 7078 GRT, built 1920), Murena (Dutch (tanker), 8252 GRT, built 1931), Rapana (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), San Alvaro (British (tanker), 7385 GRT, built 1935), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Demetrio (British (tanker), 8073 GRT, built 1938), Sandanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9432 GRT, built 1938), Solsten (Norwegian (tanker), 5379 GRT, built 1929), South Africa (Norwegian (tanker), 9234 GRT, built 1930) and Trader (British, 6087 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda convoy BHX 129 was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN) which was then detached.

Also on 31 May 1941 the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) joined the convoy to provide cover against attack by enemy surface ships (the German light cruiser Prinz Eugen was still at sea).

On 3 June 1941 the corvettes HMCS Chambly (A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN), HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR) joined the convoy.

On 4 June 1941, HMS Repulse parted company with the convoy having been relieved by the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. R.M. Ellis, RN).

On 6 June 1941, HMS Suffolk was detached after the destroyers HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. W.T. Couchman, OBE, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN) and the corvettes HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR) and HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.S. Connell, RNR) had joined the convoy.

On 7 June the corvettes HMCS Chambly, HMCS Collingwood and HMCS Orillia were detached.

On 8 June the destroyers HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR), auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Wellard (Lt.(Retd.) R.F. Turnbull, RD, RNR) and the MAC-ship Springbank joined.

On 10 June HMS Alisma was detached.

On 11 June HMS Chelsea, HMS Lincoln, HMS Mansfield, HMS Veteran, HMS Wolverine and HMS Sunflower were detached.

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 12 June 1941 escorted by HMS Chitral, HMS Sabre, HMS Venomous, HMS Begonia, HMS Convolvulus, HMS Kincup and HMS Wellard.

30 May 1941
HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. W.W. Creber, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.(Retd.) R.F. Turnbull RD, RNR). (5)

10 Aug 1941
HMS H 31 (Lt. R.J. Hemingway, DSC, RN) departed Londonderry for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Wellard. (6)

9 Oct 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with ships of the 3rd Escort Group and HMS Wellard (Lt. S.F. Fell, RANVR). (7)

13 Oct 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft, HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt. S.F. Fell, RANVR). (7)

14 Oct 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wellard (Lt. S.F. Fell, RANVR), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.W. Falcon-Steward, RN) and aircraft. (7)

24 Nov 1941
HMS H 50 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wellard (Lt. S.F. Fell, RANVR) and HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN). (8)

10 Dec 1941
Around 1755A/10, HMS Tigris (Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Wellard (Lt. S.F. Fell, RANVR). (9)

Sources

  1. ADM 53/113537 + ADM 53/113538 + ADM 53/114500 + ADM 53/114501 + ADM 199/1215
  2. ADM 173/16768
  3. File 2.12.03.6376 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  4. ADM 199/1142
  5. ADM 173/16760
  6. ADM 173/16732
  7. ADM 173/16786
  8. ADM 173/16795
  9. ADM 199/400

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


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