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Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (96)

7 Jun 1940

Evacuation of the 'Narvik / Harstad / Tromso area'.

1st Evacuation convoy from Harstad.

The merchant vessels Acrity (403 GRT, built 1934), Blackheath (4637 GRT, built 1936), Conch (8376 GRT (tanker), built 1931), Coxwold (1124 GRT, built 1938), Cromarty Firth (538 GRT, built 1937), Harmattan (4558 GRT, built 1930), Oligarch (6897 GRT (tanker), built 1918) and Theseus (6527 GRT, built 1908).

They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) and sloop HMS Stork (Cdr. A.C. Behague, RN). The destroyers HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN) also briefly escorted the convoy but they were soon detached.

Later the destroyer HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) joined the escort as did the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN).

The convoy arrived at Scapa Flow around 0500/14. It had been attacked by German aircraft on the 9th but no damage was sustained.

10 Jun 1940
In the morning, HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN), joined an evacuation convoy from Narvik to Scapa Flow. They arrived at Scapa Flow with the convoy on the 14th.

[See the event ' 1st evacuation convoy ' for 7 June 1940 for more info on this convoy.] (1)

16 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) departed Scapa Flow to patrol in the Iceland area. (2)

19 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol. (2)

21 Jun 1940
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 0955A/21 to make rendez-vous with the 18th Cruiser Squadron. (2)

22 Jun 1940
Around 1215A/22, HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN), returned to Scapa Flow from patrol. (2)

24 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) conducted exercises in the Pentland Firth. (3)

2 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for a patrol in the North Atlantic. (4)

7 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) arrived in the Clyde from patrol. (4)

9 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0030/9 the troopships Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917) and Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930) departed the Clyde for Iceland. They are escorted by the heavy cruisers HMS Shropshire. (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) and HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN).

They arrived at Reykavik at 2030/11.

Ulster Prince, escorted by HMS Echo departed Reykavik at 1430/12th for Akreyri arriving the following day. They proceeded on to Seidisfjord later on the 13th. They departed Seidisfjord on the 15th and returned to Reykavik.

Both heavy cruisers arrived at Scapa Flow after the operation on the 14th.

At 1030/16 both troopships and the destroyers departed Reykavik to return to the Clyde where they arrived at 0500/18. (4)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow.

27 Jul 1940
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (4)

28 Jul 1940
HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock with damage to her turbines. She was then taken in hand for repairs. (4)

31 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), conducted engine trials in the Clyde area. (5)

2 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), shifted from Greenock to Glasgow where she was to undergo turbine repairs. (6)

23 Aug 1940
In the afternoon, HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), is taken to the King George V dock by tugs.

Later she was moved to Yorkhill Quay, just across the river of the Govan docks. (6)

18 Sep 1940
When nearing completion of her turbine repairs, HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), is hit by a 250lb bomb during an air raid. The bomb exploded near the fuel oil tanks and the aft part of the ship catched fire and started to threathen the magazines. After 24 hours the ship was still on fire and she had to be sunk while still along the wall to extinguish the fires.

Later she was salvaged and was partially rebuilt. She was out of action for almost two years. During repairs she had been paid-off into dockyard control.

Heavy cruiser HMS London (69)

21 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After de-ammunitioning at North Shields, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) is docked at the Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd. at South Shields where she is taken in hand for refit and strenghtening of her hull. (7)

17 May 1943
Having almost completed her refit and strenghtening, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) is undocked at the Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd. at South Shields. She is then moored at the TIC Quay at North Shields for some more work, storing and ammunitioning. (8)

23 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off North Shields. (8)

24 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) proceeded from North Shields to Rosyth. (8)

26 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to Scapa Flow to commence a post-refit work-up period. (8)

4 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises and compass swing trials at Scapa Flow.

She then left Scapa Flow for a range and inclination exercise in the Pentland Firth with HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN). On completion of this exercise HMS London conducted 4" HA gunnery exercises.

HMS London then returned to Scapa Flow. (9)

7 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)

11 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)

12 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted compass swing trials at Scapa Flow following which she conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)

14 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted exercises with aircraft at Scapa Flow. (9)

17 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (9)

18 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. J. Terry, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (10)

23 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)

24 Jun 1943
In the morning and early afternoon, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Norfolk (A/Capt. J.S.S. Litchfield-Speer, RN), conducted towing exercises at Scapa Flow.

On completion of these exercises HMS London ran over the D/G range several times and she then conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

HMS Norfolk proceeded to the Pentland Firth where she conducted gunnery exercises. (11)

25 Jun 1943
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Norfolk (A/Capt. J.S.S. Litchfield-Speer, RN) and HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (12)

28 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow, most likely with the submarine HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN).

Following these A/S exercises, 4" gunnery calibration trials were carried out.

HMS London then proceeded to the Pentland Firth for 4" gunnery exercises with aircraft. (9)

30 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) to HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN). (13)

2 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

In the afternoon she was joined by HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) for rangefinding and inclination and gunnery exercises. (14)

5 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

In the afternoon she proceeded to the Pentland Firth where gunnery exercises were carried out with HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN). (15)

6 Jul 1943

Operation Camera.

The object of this operation was to pin down enemy forces in Norway before the Sicilian campaign commenced.

Four Forces were deployed during this operation, these were; ' The Battlefleet ' to provide cover for the operation. It was made up of the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), USS South Dakota (Capt. L.D. McCormick, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), USS Ellyson (T/Cdr. E.W. Longton, USN), USS Rodman (T/Cdr. J.F. Foley, USN), USS Emmons (T/Cdr. E.B. Billingsley, USN), USS Macomb (T/Cdr. J.C. South, USN) and USS Fitch (T/Cdr. K.C. Walpole, USN).

' Force Q ' was made up of the light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN, Senior Officer ' Force Q ' ), heavy cruisers HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN), HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN).

' Force R ', which was representing a convoy was made up of the destroyers HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN, Senior Officer ' Force R '), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), trawlers HMS Bressay (T/Lt. J.E. Wilmot, RNVR), HMS Cape Barracouta (Skr.Lt.(Retd.) A. Flaws, DSC, RNR), HMS Cape Nyemetzki (T/Lt. A. Flaaten, RNR), HMS Hamlet (T/Lt. J.C. Boyd, RNVR), HMS Hawthorn (T/Lt. G.W. Fox, RNVR), HMS Larch (T/Skr. J.G. Mackay, RNR), HMS Macbeth (T/Lt. A. Parker, RNR), HMS Oak (A/Skr.Lt. P. Buchan, DSC, RNR), HMS Skye (T/Lt. W.G. Burt, RNR), HMS Sycamore (Skr. G. Reaich, RNR) and the Motor Launches HMML 276 (T/Lt. E.W. Lovelady, RNVR), HMML 286 (T/Lt. J.R.T. Ward, RNVR), HMML 345 (T/Lt. A. Priestly, RNVR), HMML 445 (T/Lt. B.W. Kelly, RNVR), HMML 452 (T/Lt. P.L.K. Wait, RNVR), HMML 466 (T/Lt.Cdr. D. Wilkie, RNVR).

' Force S ' which was made up of the heavy cruisers HMS Berwick (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN, Senior Officer ' Force S '), HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) and the destroyer HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN).

On 6 July ' Force S ' left Hvalfiord, Iceland for position 'A' (66°13'N, 12°05'W) and then to position 'B' (66°40'N, 10°01'W).

On 7 July ' Force R ' left Scapa Flow for position ' W ' (61°15'N, 01°25'W) and then to position ' X ' (61°40'N, 01°00'E).

' Force Q ' (besides HMS Obdurate) left Scapa Flow for position ' T ' (62°20'N, 05°30'W) where it was joined by HMS Obdurate coming from Skaalefiord, Faeroer, and then to position ' V ' (62°20'N, 01°00'E).

' The Battlefleet ' left Scapa Flow for position ' Y ' (62°52'N, 01°45'W) and then to position ' Z ' (61°20'N, 01°00'E).

In the afternoon of 8 July all forces commenced to withdraw having been sighted by enemy aircraft as had been the idea.

Martlets from HMS Furious shot down one BV 138 aircraft which was shadowing the ' Battlefleet ' and ' Force R '.

On 9 July, HMS Obdurate was detached from ' Force Q ' to return to Skaalefiord.

The ' Battlefleet ' and later ' Force Q ' returned to Scapa Flow.

' Force R ' arrived at Sullom Voe, sailing again P.M. for Scapa Flow.

On 10 July, ' Force S ' returned to Hvalfiord and ' Force R ' returned to Scapa Flow. (16)

17 Jul 1943
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord, Iceland.

En-route towards Iceland, exercises were carried out near Rockall with aircraft from HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) which was on passage from the Clyde to Scapa Flow. (17)

20 Jul 1943

Exercise X.C.M.

Exercises were carried out off Iceland. HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), coming from Scapa Flow, portrayed the German battleship Tirpitz trying to break out into the Atlantic.

Weather conditions were good and the icefield was well to the south leaving only a narrow gap to pass through and the ' Tirpitz ' (HMS London was soon intercepted by the cruisers on the Denmark Strait patrol (HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN)) which led the Battlefleet, made up of the battleships HMS Anson (Rear-Admiral H.R.G. Kinahan, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN) and USS Alabama (Capt. F.D. Kirtland, USN) escorted by the destroyers USS Ellyson (T/Cdr. E.W. Longton, USN), USS Rodman (T/Cdr. J.F. Foley, USN), USS Emmons (T/Cdr. E.B. Billingsley, USN), USS Macomb (T/Cdr. J.C. South, USN) and USS Fitch (T/Cdr. K.C. Walpole, USN) on to the 'German' vessel. These ships had departed Hvalfjord on 19 July 1943 except for HMS Norfolk which had departed Akureyri on 18 July to first carry out a reconnaissance of the ice edge.

After the exercise was completed all ships proceeded to Hvalfjord arriving on the 20th. (18)

22 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) conducted exercises off Hvalfjord. (19)

25 Jul 1943

Operation Governor.

The object of this operation was again to pin down enemy forces in Norway and try to get the large German warships to intervene.

Five Force took part in the operation;
' Force A ', which was made up of the battleships HMS Anson (Rear-Admiral H.R.G. Kinahan, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN) and USS Alabama (Capt. F.D. Kirtland, USN), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), USS Rodman (T/Cdr. J.F. Foley, USN), USS Emmons (T/Cdr. E.B. Billingsley, USN), USS Macomb (T/Cdr. J.C. South, USN) and USS Fitch (T/Cdr. K.C. Walpole, USN).

' Force B ' which was made up of the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), USS South Dakota (Capt. L.D. McCormick, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN), HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN), HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN).

' Force C ' representing a convoy, was made up of the destroyers HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN, Senior Officer ' Force C '), HMS Ripley (Lt. L.G. Toone, RN), trawlers HMS Cedar (T/Skr. B. Godfrey, RNR), HMS Hawthorn (T/Lt. G.W. Fox, RNVR), HMS Larch (T/Skr. J.G. Mackay, RNR), HMS Lilac (T/Skr. J.W. Brown, RNR), HMS Oak (A/Skr.Lt. P. Buchan, DSC, RNR), HMS Skye (T/Lt. W.G. Burt, RNR), HMS Switha (T/Lt. L.H. Green, RNR), HMS Willow (T/Lt. J.E.W. Graves, RNVR), Motor Launches HMML 252 (T/Lt. T.R. Neale, RNVR), HMML 286 (T/Lt. J.R.T. Ward, RNVR), HMML 442 (T/Lt. R.W. Dunn, RANVR), HMML 445 (T/Lt. B.W. Kelly, RNVR), HMML 473 (T/Lt. J.C. Sargeant, RNVR), and the landing craft HMLCI(L) 167 (?).

' Force D ' was made up of the light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN).

' Force E ' which was made up of the heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN).

On 25 July, ' Force C ' departed from Scapa Flow for Sullom Voe where it arrived the following day.

On 26 July ' Force A ' departed from Hvalfiord to pass through position ' N ' (66°30'N, 08°00' W) and then through position ' P ' (66°00'N, 01°30'E).

On 27 July ' Force E ' departed from Hvalfiord for position ' M ' (67°20'N, 02°00'W).

' Force B ' departed from Scapa Flow to pass through position ' W ' (61°40'N, 04°40'W) and then through position ' T ' (61°30'N, 01°30'E).

' Force C ' departed from Sullom Voe to pass through position ' U ' (61°45N, 00°50W) and then through postition ' S ' (61°50'N, 01°00'E).

' Force D ' (minus both destroyers) departed from Scapa Flow to proceed to position ' V ' (62°15'N, 05°20'W) where they were to rendezvous on the 28th with the destroyers coming from Skaalefiord, Faeroer Island and then to position ' R ' (62°00'N, 00°30'E).

On 28 July ' Force D ' was sighted and reported by enemy aircraft. The other forces were apparently not sighted by the Germans.

Beaufighters shot down two BV 138's in the vicinity of ' Force D ' and damaged two others.

Martlets from HMS Illustious shot down two BV 138's in the vicinity of Forces ' A ' and ' D '.

' Force D ' joined ' Force A ' in position ' Q ' (63°10'N, 01°30'E). The two destroyers from ' Force D ' were then detached to return to Skaalefiord where they arrived on the 29th.

All forces commenced to withdraw.

' Force C ' arrived at Sullom Voe, sailing PM for Scapa Flow.

' Force B ' arrived at Scapa Flow.

Forces ' A ' and ' D ' (less the two destroyers) arrived at Scapa Flow.

On 30 July ' Force C ' arrived at Scapa Flow and ' Force E ' arrived at Hvalfiord. (18)

5 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN) conducted exercises off Hvalfjord. (20)

8 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow. (21)

10 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Hvalfjord. (21)

13 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Scapa Flow, His Majesty, King George VI, made a short visit to HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN). (22)

19 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (23)

24 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (21)

29 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN, struck his flag on board HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN). (22)

30 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN, hoisted his flag on board HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN). (22)

4 Sep 1943
The battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) aircraft carrier USS Ranger (Capt. G. Rowe, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN), USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN), USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. J.B.W. Waller, USN), light cruiser HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), ORP Orkan (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN), USS Corry (T/Cdr. L.B. Ensey, USN), USS Hobson (T/Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN), USS Isherwood (T/Cdr. R.E. Gadrow, USN), USS Bell (T/Cdr. L.C. Petross, USN) conducted large scale tactical exercises off Scapa Flow. (24)

7 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with (most likely) HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN).

These were followed by gunnery exercises off Scapa flow.

in the early afternoon, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN), conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.

She then too, left Scapa Flow and then HMS London and HMS Spartan conducted rangefinding and inclination exercises. These included night exercises and both cruisers returned to Scapa Flow early the following day. (25)

8 Sep 1943
As enemy ships were reported off Spitsbergen ships from the Home Fleet went to sea around 1615A/8 from Scapa Flow to try to intercept. These were the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), aircraft carrier USS Ranger (Capt. G. Rowe, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN), USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN), USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. J.B.W. Waller, USN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), ORP Orkan (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN), USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN), USS Corry (T/Cdr. L.B. Ensey, USN), USS Hobson (T/Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN), USS Isherwood (T/Cdr. R.E. Gadrow, USN), USS Bell (T/Cdr. L.C. Petross, USN).

The light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) and the destroyer HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN) sailed from Hvalfjord, Iceland around 1645Z/8 to make rendezvous north-east of Iceland.

As it would be impossible to be on time to intercept the German before they would be back in their anchorages in Northern Norway all ships set course to return to their ports of origin in the afternoon of September 9th.

Ships from the Home Fleet returned to Scapa Flow around 1215A/10 except for HMS London and the American ships which had been detached for exercises around 2000A/9. They returned to Scapa Flow around 1630A/10.

HMS Belfast and HMS Impulsive arrived back at Hvalfjord around 1500Z/10. (26)

15 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 15/16 September 1943, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (25)

22 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN) and USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN) departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord. (27)

25 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN) and USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN) arrived at Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow. Heavy weather had delayed them on passage. (27)

2 Oct 1943

Operation Holder.

Passage of three destroyers to and from Northern Russia with stores, mail and personnel.

Around 0830Z/2, the heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN), USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN) and the destroyer HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN) departed Hvalfjord to provide cover for the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) which were to proceed from Skaalefjord, Faroer Islands on 2 October 1943 to the Kola Inlet with stores, mail and personnel. They had embarked these stores, mail and personnel at Scapa Flow from where they had departed on 1 October having arrived at Skaalefjord early the next day.

HMS Impulsive was topped off with fuel by HMS London in the afternoon of the 3rd.

The cruisers and HMS Impulsive patrolled an area bounded by 76.30'N, 74.30'N, 01.00'W, 03.00'E until 2300A/7 when course was set to return to Hvalfjord where they arrived around 0730Z/10.

The three destroyers arrived in the Kola Inlet early on the 6th. They then disembarked the stores, mail and personnel and departed again later the same day having embarked personnel for the return trip for Skaalefjord where they arrived on the 10th to fuel. They then continued on to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 11th disembarking their passengers there. (28)

18 Oct 1943
The heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN), USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Akureyi. (29)

19 Oct 1943
The heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN), USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) arrived at Akureyi from Hvalfjord. (29)

23 Oct 1943

Operation FR.

Sailing of Russian small craft (American built) from Iceland to Northern Russia as well as escorts for an upcoming convoy operation from Northern Russia.

On 23 October 1943, ' Force 3 ', which was made up of the Russian minesweepers T-111, T-113, T-114, T-115 and the submarine chasers BO-201, BO-202, BO-203, BO-204, BO-206 and BO-210. These were former US minesweepers of the Admirable-class and SC-class submarine chasers. These ships were escorted by the destroyer HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), corvette HNoMS Eglantine (?) and the minesweepers HMS Harrier (Cdr. H.E.H. Nicholls, RN) and HMS Seagull (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.W Ellis, DSC, RNR).

On 30 October 1943 the Russian ships were detached off the Kola Inlet escorted by a Russian destroyer which has come out to meet them.

The British escorts then proceeded to Archangelsk arriving there on 31 October.

On 24 October 1943, ' Force 4 ', which was made up of the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) departed Seidisfjord to proceed to the Kola Inlet. They were to provide close cover for ' Force 3 ' during its passage. ' Force 4 ' arrived in the Kola Inlet on 28 October 1943.

On 25 October 1943, ' Force 5 ', which made up of of the heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN) and USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN) departed Akureyri to provide distant cover for ' Force 3 ' and ' Force 4 '.

Having completed this objective USS Augusta arrived at Hvalfjord on 29 October 1943 and HMS London arrived at Scapa Flow on 30 October 1943. (26)

8 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN, struck his flag in HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), which then departed Scapa Flow for Plymouth. (30)

10 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Scapa Flow. (31)

9 Dec 1943
Around 1600/9, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis ( Capt. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Gibraltar or Malta.

Around 0915/10, the were joined by the escort destroyers HMS Croome (Lt. H.D.M. Slater, RN) and HMS Tetcott (Lt. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RNR). These ships parted company around 1545/10.

Around 0400/11, HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Taylor, RN) and HMS Inglefield (Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN) joined.

Around 0415/11, HMS Penelope, HMS Jervis, HMS Pathfinder and HMS Penn parted company to proceed to Malta where they arrived around 0700/11.

HMS London, HMS Fury and HMS Inglefield then continued on to Gibraltar where they arrived around 0430/13. (32)

17 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2130A/17, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN), HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN) and HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) departed Gibraltar for the Clyde.

Around 1200A/19, the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN), HMS Termagent (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN) and HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN) joined coming from Horta, Azores.

Around 2000A/19, HMS Grenville, HMS Ulster and HMS Rocket parted company to proceed to Horta, Azores to fuel.

HMS King George V, HMS London, HMS Kempenfelt, HMS Termagent and HMS Obdurate arrived at Greenock around 1830A/22. There HMS King George V and HMS London disembarked the passengers they had been carrying. (33)

23 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Rosyth. (34)

24 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) arrived at Rosyth where she is taken in hand for a short refit before leaving home waters as she is assigned to the Eastern Fleet. (35)

10 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) is docked in No.3 Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (36)

4 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) is undocked. (37)

6 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to Scapa Flow. (37)

10 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (37)

11 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (37)

12 Feb 1944
HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, CBE, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Adm. B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (38)

14 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. She then left Scapa Flow and conducted exercises in the Pentland Firth together with the destroyers HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN). (37)

17 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (39)

18 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. She departed for Gibraltar later the same day. (39)

22 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Greenock. (39)

23 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Gibraltar for Algiers. (39)

24 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Algiers from Gibraltar. They departed for Malta later the same day. (39)

25 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Malta from Algiers. (39)

26 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. (39)

28 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta. (39)

29 Feb 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Alexandria for Suez. (39)

1 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Port Said. They then transited the Suez Canal southbound and arrived at Suez later the same day. (40)

4 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (40)

7 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. (40)

8 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (40)

13 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (40)

17 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (40)

18 Mar 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. Both cruisers now joined the Eastern Fleet. (40)

3 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The cruisers from the Eastern Fleet were split up into two Cruiser Squadrons. HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) became the flagship of the 5th Cruiser Squadron and Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN, hoisted his flag in her at Colombo on this day. (41)

9 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee.

[She made the passage on her own despite the fact that more ships proceeded from Colombo to Trincomalee on this day.] (42)

10 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (42)

21 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Trincomalee. (42)

24 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle, Australia. (43)

2 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Fremantle from Trincomalee. (44)

11 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy US 24B.

This 'convoy' departed Fremantle on 11 July 1944 and arrived at Aden on 28 July 1944.

This convoy was made up of just one troopship the Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930).

Escort was the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) which was detached around 1340FG(-6.5)/20 in approximate position 08°00'S, 70°00'E when the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, DSO, DSC, RN) took over which remained with the Highland Princess until arrival at Aden.

(45)

23 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Colombo from escort duty. (44)

25 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (44)

26 Jul 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. Before entering harbour exercises were carried out. (44)

8 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 8/9 September 1944, HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. On completion of the exercises HMS Cumberland returned to Trincomalee, HMNZS Gambia proceeded to Colombo and HMS London proceeded to Bombay. (46)

12 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Bombay. (47)

14 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) is docked in the Hughes dry dock at Bombay. (47)

23 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) is undocked. (47)

25 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) conducted HA gunnery and bombardment exercises off Bombay. On completion of these exercises HMS London set course for Trincomalee. (47)

28 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Bombay. (47)

7 Oct 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (48)

8 Oct 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. At Colombo she almost immediately entered dock. (48)

10 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) is undocked, ran over the D/G range and then left Colombo for Trincomalee later the same day. (48)

11 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (48)

13 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) conducted bombardment and AA gunnery exercises off Trincomalee. (48)

7 Nov 1944
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) [although he was not on board during the exercises] conducted exercises off Trincomalee. She also acted as target for torpedo attacks by destroyers. These were, most likely, HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN). On completion of these exercises HMS London returned to harbour while these two destroyers remained at sea for night exercises. (49)

8 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. Again she acted as target for torpedo attacks by destroyers. These were, most likely, again HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN). On completion of these exercises HMS London, HMS Queenborough and HMAS Quiberon returned to harbour in company with each other. (49)

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