September Deployed with 1st Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria.
9th Carried out contraband control patrol in Mediterranean to enforce blockade of
enemy shipping and cargoes destined for German ports,
11th At Malta.
13th At Gibraltar.
15th Returned to Malta for docking.
18th Passage to Alexandria from Malta.
20th Rejoined Squadron at Alexandria.
October Transferred to South Atlantic command for interception of commerce raiders and trade
defence
2nd Took passage to Simonstown via Suez Canal and Red Sea.
14th Arrived at Simonstown.
16th Deployed with HM Cruiser SUSSEX as part of Hunting Group in search for German
battleship GRAF SPEE operating off South Africa.
November
11th Sailed from Simonstown for Plate area to continue search.
23rd Returned to Simonstown.
December
3rd Deployed with HMS SUSSEX for interception and trade defence in Indian Ocean.
9th Intercepted German blockade runner ADOLF LEONHARDT which scuttled to avoid
capture
15th Returned to Capetown and sailed to Plate area to support operations after sinking of
GRAF SPEE
18th Diverted on passage to Rio de Janeiro and continued trade defence duties.
28th Passage to Falklands.
1 9 4 0
January
18th Arrived at Port Stanley.
21st Deployed with HM Cruiser DORSETSHIRE as escort for damaged cruiser HMS
EXETER during passage in South Atlantic to UK.
February
10th Detached from escort on relief by Home Fleet ships and took passage to Simonstown.
20th Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Simonstown.
March
16th Resumed trade defence and interception duties on completion.
April Trade defence and interception patrol in South Atlantic and Indian Ocean in
continuation
May Nominated for escort of military convoy on passage to UK from Australia.
20th Relieved HM Australian Cruiser CANBERRA as Ocean Escort for convoy US3
during passage in Indian Ocean
(Note: US3 was taking ANZAC personnel for service in Europe.
26th Arrived at Capetown with US3
31st Sailed from Capetown with HM Cruiser CUMBERLAND as Ocean Escort during
passage in Atlantic.
June
7th At Freetown with US3
8th Sailed from Freetown and joined by HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES and HMS
CUMBERLAND as Ocean Escort.
10th HMS HERMES detached.
12th Joined by HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE.
14th HM Battlecruiser HOOD, HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS and six Home Fleet destroyers
joined Convoy US3 escort.
16th Arrived in Clyde with US3
20th Under refit in Clyde commercial shipyard.
July
15th On completion transferred to Home Fleet for temporary duty.
16th Deployed with HM Cruisers SUSSEX, SOUTHAMPTON and GLASGOW,
screened by ten Fleet destroyers in search for German warships reported on passage
in North Sea. Operation cancelled when German ships reversed passage. During the
return to Scapa Flow HMS GLASGOW was involved in collision with HM Destroyer
IMOGEN which sank.
August
5th Joined military convoy WS2 in Clyde as Ocean Escort during passage to Freetown with
HM Cruiser EMERALD.
(Note: Local Escort by HM Destroyers HARVESTER, HAVELOCK, HIGHLANDER,
HURRICANE, VORTIGERN and WATCHMAN were deployed as Local Escort
during passage from Clyde until detached on 7th July)
8th Remained with SLOW Section of WS2 when convoy divided.
16th Detached from WS2 SLOW Section on arrival at Freetown.
18th Rejoined WS2 SLOW Section on departure from Freetown for Ocean Escort during
passage to Capetown.
25th Detached from WS2 SLOW Section on arrival at Capetown.
30th Joined Convoy WS2 on departure from Capetown as Ocean Escort for passage to
Perim.
September
14th Remained with SLOW Section when FAST Section detached for passage to Suez
escorted by HM Australian Cruiser HOBART, HM Cruiser COVENTRY, HM
Destroyers KANDAHAR and KINGSTON which joined WS2 off Perim
SLOW Section escort was then reinforced by HM Destroyer KIMBERLEY, HM
Sloops AUCKLAND and FLAMINGO.
20th After arrival at Suez with SLOW Section of WS2A detached and took passage to Aden
for convoy defence duties with Red Sea Force.
October Deployed for convoy defence and support of military operations with ships of Red Sea
to Force.
November
December Deployed for Indian Ocean trade defence and took passage to Durban.
16th Joined military convoy WS4B at Durban for Ocean Escort during passage to Aden with
HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE and SOUTHAMPTON.
25th Detached from WS4B on arrival at Aden and resumed Squadron trade defence duties.
1 9 4 1
January Indian Ocean trade defence duties in continuation and passage to Capetown.
21st Joined military convoy WS5A at Capetown to replace HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE
and HAWKINS as Ocean Escort during passage to Durban.
22nd Detached from WS5A on arrival at Durban.
29th Deployed as Ocean Escort for Convoy WS5A with HM Cruiser CERES during passage
in Indian Ocean to Aden.
30th Detached during passage on relief by HM Cruiser ENTERPRISE and took passage to
join HM Cruisers HAWKINS, CAPETOWN, CERES, HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES
and HM Destroyer KANDAHAR as Force “T”.
Owing to outbreak of epidemic on board withdrawn from patrol and planned support
operations. Relieved in Force “T” by HM Cruiser ENTERPRISE.
Arrived at Durban for control of epidemic.
February
3rd Took passage to resume Force “T” deployment
(Note: Some of ships complement reported as fit only for Light Duties after epidemic
had been controlled.)
10th Provided support to military operations in Somaliland with ships of Force “T”
14th Bombarded Italian positions at Mogadicio in support of British advance.
(Note: Heavy damage caused in port area and tanker PENSILVANIA was sunk.)
19th Returned to Durban.
21st Sailed from Durban to rejoin Force “T”.
22nd Joined HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA and CANBERRA, HM Cruisers
GLASGOW, EMERALD and ENTERPRISE to form Hunting Group and carry out
search for German battleship ADMIRAL SCHEER operating in Indian Ocean for
attacks on shipping.
March
2nd Intercepted Vichy French freighter VILLE DE STRASBOURG and taken as Prize.
5th Detached from Hunting Group on relief by HM Armed Cruiser RANCHI and took
passage to Simonstown after replenishment at Durban.
8th Arrived at Simonstown and taken in hand for refit
April Under refit and docking
May
7th Refit completion and prepared for post refit trials.
13th Post refit trials unsatisfactory.
(Note: Defects included sudden excessive vibration in starboard turbine and starboard
outer condenser due to perforated tubes contaminating water in all boilers.
Ship unable to steam and taken in tow to Simonstown for repairs.
18th Under repair
June
8th Took passage to Freetown.
14th At Freetown.
(Note: Embarked German prisoners of war for passage to UK under guard.)
21st Passage to UK for service with Home Fleet
(Note: Relieved in 4th Cruiser Squadron by HM Cruiser MAURITIUS.)
July
5th Arrived at Scapa Flow and joined 1st Cruiser Squadron.
(Note: Prisoners were disembarked.)
25th Sailed from Scapa Flow to Hvalfjord on completion of exercises.
28th Passage from Hvalfjord for Denmark Strait patrol.
(Note: During this period provided cover for ships of Home Fleet were carrying Operation
EF for air attacks from HM Aircraft Carriers VICTORIOUS and FURIOUS on
Tromso and Kirkeness and passage of HM Cruiser ADVENTURE for
delivery of mines to Archangel.)
August
1st Sailed from patrol area for Havalfjord with call at Akureri.
18th Took passage from Hvalfjord to Scapa Flow with HM Battleships PRINCE OF
WALES, RAMILLIES, HM Depot Ship HECLA and screen of five Home Fleet
Destroyers.
(Note: HMS PRINCE OF WALES was taking Prime Minister Winston Churchill
back to UK from the Atlantic Charter meeting with US President Franklin
Roosevelt)
23rd Deployed at Scapa Flow after call in Clyde to disembark passengers from meeting.
27th Nominated for refit at Chatham.
(Note: Originally intended to begin in September this was delayed by Home Fleet
operational requirements
30th Deployed as escort for HMS ARGUS, screened by HM Destroyers MATABELE,
PUNJABI and SOMALI during passage to Archangel.
(Note: HMS ARGUS was taking HURRICANE aircraft and RAF personnel for
duties in North Russia. (Operation STRENGTH). Cover was provided by
HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE screened
by HM Destroyers ECLIPSE, ESCAPADE and INGLEFIELD.)
September
6th Took passage to Seidisfjord with escort after launch of aircraft to airfield near Murmansk.
10th Passage from Seidisfjord to Scapa Flow to resume Home Fleet duties.
14th Arrived at Scapa Flow.
28th Passage to Archangel for escort of return convoy from North Russia.
October
2nd Joined HM Cruiser LONDON, HM Destroyers ELECTRA and ACTIVE in escort for
Convoy QP1 during passage from Archangel.
10th Detached from QP1 off Orkneys and returned to Scapa Flow.
11th Passage to Sheerness
(Note: Ship was to be Paid-off prior to refit and transfer to RAN on completion.).
17th Paid-off and taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham
November Under refit
to
December
1 9 4 2
January Post refit harbour trials.
30th Passage to Sheerness to ammunition and carry out Post refit sea trials.
31st Trials unsatisfactory due to failure of star board outer turbine.
February Returned to Chatham for repair.
(Note: Decision made for ship to only use three shafts.
Repair to be undertaken by Harland and Wolf at Scotstoun, Glasgow,
16th Passage to Clyde for repair.
20th Under repair at Scotstoun.
(Note: One official records states that Radar outfits were fitted:
Type 281 for aircraft warning.
Type 273 for surface warning.
Type 285 for Secondary armament fire control.
Type 282 for Close range AA armament fire control)
March On completion to be deployed for Atlantic convoy defence
21st Passage to Clyde from Belfast.
23rd Joined military convoy WS17 in Clyde for Ocean Escort during passage to Freetown
with HM Armed Merchant Cruiser ALCANTARA, HM Destroyers ALDENHAM,
GROVE and LOOKOUT.
April
6th Detached from WS17 on arrival at Freetown where convoy split into two sections.
11th Joined military convoy WS17B on departure as Ocean Escort with HM Sloop
MILFORD
23rd Detached from WS17 B on arrival at Capetown and deployed for trade defence in
Indian Ocean.
29th Returned to Simonstown after patrol including call at Durban.
May
12th Resumed trade defence duties.
25th Returned to Capetown.
June
2nd Sailed from Capetown to join military convoy WS19 as Ocean Escort during passage
to Durban from Cape of Good Hope.
5th Provided Ocean Escort to WS19 during passage to Durban.
9th Arrived at Durban with WS19.
12th Escorted WS19 during passage from Durban in Indian Ocean
18th Detached from WS19 on relief as Ocean Escort by HM Cruiser MAURITIUS.
Took passage to relieve HM Battleships RODNEY and NELSON as Ocean Escort for
military convoy WS19P.
26th Relieved HM Battleships NELSON and RODNEY as Ocean Escort for WS19P
during passage from Freetown to Capetown.
July Nominated for return to UK for Home Fleet service.
1st Remained as Ocean Escort for WS19P to Durban on arrival off Cape of Good Hope.
4th Detached from WS19P on arrival at Durban and resumed trade defence.
12th Arrived at Simonstown.
14th Deployed in Cape area.
16th Returned to Simonstown.
August Deployment restricted to Local Escort by CinC South Atlantic.
Escorted convoy to Durban.
28th Returned to Simonstown.
September
1st Taken in hand for docking and emergency defects by HM Dockyard, Simonstown.
8th Offered to Royal Australian Navy as replacement for HM Australian Cruiser
CANBERRA which had been sunk after damage in an action against Japanese
warships at Savo Island on 9th August 1942.
22nd Resumed operational duties on completion of dockyard work.
25th Joined military convoy WS22 off Capetown as escort for passage to Durban.
29th Detached from WS22 on arrival at Durban,
30th Took passage to Capetown.
October Deployed at Simonstown and nominated for escort of convoy to UK.
20th Passage to UK,
November Transfer to RAN confirmed. RAN Captain to be appointed.
2nd At Freetown.
16th Arrived in Clyde
20th Took passage to Sheerness.
22nd De-ammunitioned and prepared to Pay-off prior to refit and transfer to Royal
Australian Navy.
(Note: Ship had steamed 220,000 miles since September 1939.)
December Under refit and RAN personnel joined the ship
Single 4” Secondary armament mountings replaced by Twin mountings.
Close range AA defence supplemented by 20mm single Oerlikon guns.
Aircraft facilities removed.
1 9 4 3
January Refit work in continuation
to
March
April Refit completion date programmed for end of May, Ex Trials
20th Commissioned as HMAS SHROPSHIRE.
June Harbour trials and Sea Trials in Thames area.
16th Trials completion and prepared to work-up with Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.
July Deployed at Scapa Flow for work-up
August Nominated for Ocean Escort of military convoy to Indian Ocean on completion.
13th Joined joint military convoy KMF22 to Mediterranean and WS33 in Clyde as
Ocean Escort with HM Escort Aircraft Carrier HUNTER, HM Destroyer
WRESTLER, HM Sloops CHANTICLEER, WESTON and NARBADA (RIN).
24th Detached from WS33/KMF22 on arrival at Gibraltar and took independent passage
to Fremantle with call at Simonstown.
September
24th Arrived at Fremantle.
October Nominated for service with Task Force 74 under US Navy command.
Taken in hand for refit on arrival at Sydney.
On completion prepared for service with 7th US Navy Fleet in SW Pacific
30th Joined HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA and HOBART at Brisbane as part
of Task Force 74.
November Passage to Milne Bay, Papua with HMAS AUSTRALIA for support of planned
military operations.
5th Deployed for patrol with ships of TF74 off New Hebrides.
11th Supported assault on Bougainville at Point Purvis.
17th Passage to Milne Bay.
December Deployed with TG74.
13th Provided cover for landings by 112th US Cavalry at Arawe, New Britain with
HMAS AUSTRALIA and HM Australian Destroyers ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA.
(Operation DIRECTOR).
24th Joined TG74.1 with HMAS AUSTRALIA and took passage from Milne Bay to Cape
Gloucester, New Guinea.
26th Covered landing of US 1st Marine Division with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS ARUNTA
and HMAS WARRAMUNGA.
Bombarded assault beaches with a high standard of accuracy and received praise from
Command (Operation DEXTERITY).
On completion took passage to Buna.
1 9 4 4
January
2nd Covered landing by 32nd US Infantry Division near Saidor, New Guinea with HMAS
AUSTRALIA, HMAS ARUNTA, HMAS WARRAMUNGA and US destroyers
23rd Deployed with TF74 at Milne Bay for patrols and exercises.
27th Passage to Sydney.
30th Leave period in Sydney.
February
9th Sailed for Milne Bay having relieved HMAS AUSTRALIA as Flagship of TF74.
13th Deployed on patrols at Milne Bay.
29th Passage to Sudea to Join TF74.
March
3rd Sailed with TF74 to The Admiralty Islands.
Deployed with US Cruisers PHOENIX and NASHVILLE and bombarded gun positions
on Hauwei and Nbrilo Islands at entrance to Seadler Harbour during the assault on the
Admiralty Islands by 5th US Cavalry.
7th Continued bombardment of same targets with TF74 ships.
Returned to Sudea to replenish.
11th Arrived at Milne Bay with TF74.
April
14th Passage from Milne Bay to Sudest with TF74 for Joint operations under TF77
command for support of landings in Dutch New Guinea
22nd Deployed with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS ARUNTA and two US destroyers to provide
cover during landings at Hollandia and Aitape by US I Corps.
(Operations RECKLESS and PERSECUTION).
Provided naval gunfire support at Tanamera Bay until 30/4
May
4th Returned to Seadler with TF74.
5th Carried out exercises before further support duties.
17th Passage to Sawar and Salmai, Dutch New Guinea.
On arrival bombarded enemy positions and deployed on patrol till 22nd.
23rd Passage to Biak via Humboldt Bay
25th Deployed with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS ARUNTA, HMAS WARRAMUNGA and two
US Navy destroyers in support of landings by 41st US Infantry Division on the south
coast of Biak as Task Group 77.2.
27th Provided naval gunfire support.
28th Propeller shaft defective.
Withdrawn from operations.
Took passage to Sydney for repair and refit
June
3rd In dock at Sydney.
Torpedo tubes removed and additional 20am Oerlikons fitted.
29th On completion took passage to rejoin TF74.
July
6th Arrived Humboldt Bay for operational service.
12th Sailed for Aitape from Seadler to support military operation.
14th Bombarded Japanese positions opposing US advance with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS
ARUNTA, HMAS WARRAMUNGA and US Navy destroyers.
15th Deployed on patrol in Aitape area to support operations by US Navy motor torpedo boats
(PT craft).
25th On completion of patrol returned to Humboldt with HMAS ARUNTA.
30th Covered assault on Cape Sansapor, New Guinea.
August Continued deployment and patrol off Sanaspor and only RAN representative.
September
1st Joined Task Group 75.2 with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS ARUNTA.HMAS
WARRAMUNGA and two US Navy destroyers.
12th Deployed in support of landings by US 31st Infantry Division and 32nd Divn of XI Corps
at Morotai in Moluccas, based at Biak.
15th Provided naval gunfire support at Morotai until 16/9.
18th Transferred to Nios Wundi.
October Allocated to TGT7.2 with HMAS AUSTRALIA, USS BOISE. USS PHOENIX, HMAS
ARUNTA, HMAS WARRAMUNGA and five US Navy destroyers.
11th Sailed fron Manus for Holandia with TG77.2 to support ships of TF78 during the US
assault on Leyte.
13th Re-designated as Task Unit 77.3.2 and escorted military convoy to Leyte.
Under air attacks
20th Bombarded Leyte beachhead.
21st Replaced damaged HMAS AUSTRALIA as Senior RAN ship.
24th In action with Japanese warships MOGAMI, SHIGURE and YAMASHIRO during Battle
of Leyte Gulf (Surigao Strait)
. All these enemy ships were sunk.
Achieved high rate of 8" gunfire (8 broadsides within 2 minutes).
Took part in an unsuccessful pursuit of other enemy warships.
25th Carried out patrols off entrance to Strait after return from pursuit.
29th Joined Task Group 77.1 with HMAS ARUNTA and deployed in support of landings by
providing naval gunfire support and carrying out patrols to intercept any Japanese attempt
to prevent landings.
November
1st Under KAMIKAZE attacks and near missed by aircraft which then hit and sank US Navy
destroyer USS ABNER READ.
Continued patrol and support till 16th
16th Returned to Manus with USN ships.
December
4th Joined TG74.1 with HMAS AUSTRALIA.
15th Covered landings on Mindoro by 503rd Parachute Regiment and 19th RCT until 21st.
26th Detached for Rest & Recuperation period at Palua Island.
1 9 4 5
January
1st Joined Fire Support Group TG77.2 for support of landings at Lingayen Gulf.
3rd Escorted Carrier Task Group TG77.4 during passage.
6th Provided naval gunfire support prior to landings.
Under KAMIKAZE attacks and again near missed by an aircraft which then hit USS NEW
MEXICO.
A second attacker near missed "B" turret and crashed in sea.
7th Continued bombardment duties till 9th.
10th Took part in operations off Luzon with Luzon Defence Force as cover for US Navy aircraft
Carriers.
Deployed for patrols off Luzon with TG77 ships.
15th Provided fire support at Corregidor with USS PORTLAND and USS MINNEAPOLIS.
16th Deployed off Luzon in support role.
24th Covered landings in West Luzon with USS BOISE and USS PHOENIX as TG74.3.
Landing ships under attack by Japanese submarine Ro46.
February Part of Reserve Force with USS MINNEAPOLIS and USS PORTLAND.
14th Reinforced bombardment force after some ships damaged by mines.
17th Returned to Lingayen.
26th Took passage to Leyte.
March
1st RAN Squadron disbanded and took passage to Manus via Seadler
16th Passage to Sydney.
April Under refit at Sydney
to All 20nm AA guns replaced by 13 single 40mm weapons.
May Surface warning radar Type 273 replaced by Type 293 and Type 277.
Fire control radar for main armament replaced.
June Worked-up for further operational service.
13th Joined Task Group 74.1 at Tawi Tawi
15th Passage to Brunei.
18th Bombarded Labuan Island till 19th
20th Deployed off Borneo in support duty.
26th Passage to Balikpapan for support of assault operation from Tawi Tawi after replenishment.
. (Operation OBOE II).
27th Rejoined TG74.Cruiser Covering Force with HMAS HOBART and 2 USN destroyers off
Balikpapan.
Bombarded shore targets until 1/7.
July
1st Returned to Tawi Tawi to replenish.
5th Passage to Balikpapan to continue bombardment duty.
7th Bombardment of shore targets until 9/7.
9th Passage to Tawi Tawi on completion.
11th Passage to Subic Bay from Tawi Tawi.
14th Arrived at Subic Bay.
19th Passage to Manila for Rest and Recuperation period.
26th Rejoined TF74 at Subic Bay.
August Remained at Subic Bay.
17th After Japanese surrender took passage to Japan via Manila and Okinawa.
Joined Task Group 70.9 with HMAS HOBART, HM Australian Destroyers BATAAN and
WARRAMUNGA and 3 RAN minesweepers.
31st Joined TF38 ships at Sagami Bay with TF70.9
