Date of Arrival

Place

Date of Departure

Orders, Remarks etc

2.1.43

At sea

6.1.43

2/1 1235 HARRIER and Seagull met JW51B and led it through fog to Kola.

21.1.43

The Russian Staff reported, late on the 20^th January, that a U-boat had been sighted, and later attacked by A/S craft, off Cape Gorodetski. They asked that the British minesweepers might search the area, and the channel to southward, as minelaying was suspected.

HMS Seagull accordingly left the Kola Inlet on the 21^st accompanied by two corvettes to provide her with A/S protection while sweeping. Boiler trouble in the Seagull made it necessary for MS6 in the HARRIER to proceed the following day, but the Seagull’s defects were temporarily remedied at Iokanka and both minesweepers carried out a search on the 23^rd and 24^th, finding no mines.

These four ships were then kept at Iokanka to provide escort for merchant ships coming from White Sea ports to join convoy RA52. But the merchant ships were delayed by ice, and HARRIER and Seagull and the corvettes were recalled to the Kola Inlet where they arrived on the 27^th to refuel and join the escort of that convoy…
 

Kola

29.1.43

29.1.43

HARRIER and Seagull formed part of Ocean escort for the homeward convoy RA52 (10 ships).

1.2.43

U625 made unsuccessful attack on convoy. This was followed by several other U-boats probing the defences.

3.2.43

At 1415 on 3^rd February the US SS Graylock, rear ship of the port column was torpedoed (by U255). She settled rapidly by the stern until her decks were awash as far as the centre castle. The crew abandoned ship smartly and in good order in four lifeboats. HMS Oxlip closed, carried out an A/S search round the wreck and ascertained that the attack had been from the port side. This information was signalled at 1434 to HMS Musketeer, Senior Officer of ships carrying out operation ‘Artichoke’, and later to the Senior Officer, Escort.

HM Ships HARRIER, Oxlip, Lady Madeline and Northern Wave each picked up one boatload of survivors, consisting 18, 17, 23 and 18 respectively, 76 all told. At 1443 HMS HARRIER fired one depth charge set to 100 feet close to the Greylock’s stern and she sank at 1446. All the rescue ships were in station by 1516.

Source: ADM199/73

5.2.43

At 1115 HM Ships Onslaught, Beagle, Piorun, Musketeer, Matchless. Offa, Bulldog and Icarus parted company and I (Commander Jay, HARRIER) assumed the duties of Senior Officer, Escort.

At 1800, 5^th February, the convoy formed two columns for the passage of QZL51. The Commodore was apparently unaware of the details of this searched channel until informed by me. 

Since intermittent snowstorms were reducing the visibility and the Commodore’s ship SS Daldorch, was apparently not fitted with a gyro compass, I asked the Commodore whether he would like HMS HARRIER (a) to pass in ranges of land abeam every 10minutes, or (b) to act as guide, while passing through the swept channel. At his request I accepted navigational responsibility from position HH to position KK where the convoy reformed in four columns.

Source: ADM199/73

6.2.43

Seagull detached to fuel at Iceland but rejoined on 8/2

8.2.43

After exchanging signals with the Commodore I (Jay) decided that it was desirable to transfer all the survivors from SS Graylock to ships bound for Greenock, if this could be done without unduly delaying ships’ arrival at their destinations. Bad weather precluded the possibility of doing this at sea. I considered taking the ships concerned into Loch Ewe for this purpose, but this would have involved considerable delay and probably difficulty in a crowded anchorage at dark. Accordingly after passing Butt of Lewis at 1700 I turned over the convoy to HMS Blankeney and ordered HMS Middleton, corvettes and trawlers to accompany me to Broad Bay, Lewis, where I hoped to obtain sufficient lee for HM Ships HARRIER, Northern Wave and Lady Madelaine to transfer survivors to HMS Middleton. I found that too much swell was running and caused the damage reported in my 1850A/8^th February. I therefore decided to cancel the operation and since V/S touch with other ships had been lost in darkness and heavy rainstorms I broke RT silence and ordered all ships to abandon the transfer and proceed to their destinations.

Source: ADM199/73

Convoy arrived Loch Ewe between 8/2 and 9/2.

9.2.43

Scapa

13.2.43

14.2.43

Rosyth

14.4.43

HARRIER taken in hand 18/2 by Menzies, Leith for docking and refit. D/C 8/4 (provisional)

?

Scapa

19.4.43

Commander A D H Jay DSO, DSC - Captain during Jan 1942 to March 1943

Awarded Bar to DSC for zeal, efficiency and cheerful devotion to duty during the passage of PQ18, during minesweeping and extended escort duties on North Russian waters and while acting as Anti-Aircraft guard to merchant ships in the Kola Inlet.

'The work of Commander Jay has been particularly creditable. He has shown himself a very able Senior Officer of a Flotilla, both in operational and administrative matters; he is indefatigable in his energy, and his advice has been of the greatest value to me'.

 Rear Admiral Douglas Fisher.

Source:ADM 1/14351 HMS HARRIER Awards Sept 42 to Feb 43

 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPERATIONAL AWARDS 10^th February 1943

The following are recommended for resolution, energy and devotion to duty in HMS HARRIER between 1^st September 1942 and 10^th February 1943. During this period HMS HARRIER acted as escort and rescue ship for Convoy PQ18, carried out minesweeping and extended escort duties in the White Sea and Barents Sea and acted as escort to Convoy RA52.

 

Thomas Roy MACGREGOR, Leading Cook (O) Ty, C/MI62663.

Not previously decorated or mentioned in despatches.

As Leading Cook has been conspicuous for his resource, initiative and untiring energy on all occasions and particularly in providing meals for very large numbers of survivors and passengers on several occasions.

 

Wilfred Arthur Dalglish STREETON, Petty Officer, C/JX126214

Not previously decorated or mentioned in despatches.

As the Senior Petty Officer of the ship, in charge of depth charges and maintenance of electrical gear, has set a high example of efficiency, cheerfulness and hard work.

 

Edward Thomas EMERY, Engine Room Artificer 4^th Class, C/MI64456

Not previously decorated or mentioned in despatches.

Has been conspicuous in his keenness and efficiency, particularly on one occasion when carrying out repair work which involved the removal and replacement of an LP Piston when under way at sea.

 

William Gisby ADAMS, Petty Officer Telegraphist (Ty) C/J42383.

Not previously decorated or mentioned in despatches.

Has set an example of zeal and cheerfulness which has produced an extremely good spirit in his Department.

 

William Henry MEADER, Able Seaman, C/J108158

Not previously decorated or mentioned in despatches.

As one of the few senior able seamen, has set an excellent example to the younger ratings of steadiness in action and loyal service.

 

Thomas George PHILPOTT, Petty Officer, RNR 70440

Not previously decorated or mentioned in despatches.

An RNR Petty Officer who has tackled the duties of Chief Boatswain’s Mate with zeal, energy and unfailing cheerfulness, often under very trying conditions.

22.4.43

Reykjavik

8.5.43

2/5 Leading Seaman Charles Stephen Ray (age 34) died.

11.5.43

Scapa

31.5.43

1.6.43

Londonderry

3.9.43

25/7 During the night Salamander was damaged when SS St Enoch ran into her whilst Salamander was at anchor of Moville. As a result of the damage sustained, Salamander had to proceed up river to Londonderry, and Cockatrice took over her duties as danlayers.

Flotilla delayed sailing until 1100 due to early fog, and then proceeded to area “B Middle”, sweeps were got out at 1200, G formation to Starboard in the order HARRIER, Seagull and Onyx, Cockatrice and Halcyon danning. 

4.9.43

Scapa

12.9.43

 Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F with HMS Gleaner

14.9.43

Seidisfiord

21.9.43

 Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F with HMS Gleaner (anti U-boat patrols by surface forces and aircraft in the Iceland Faroes passage)

25.9.43

Seidisfiord

2.10.43

 25/9 Returned to Seidisfiord

EXTRACT FROM

THE WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET
October 1943

110. Operation S.F.

Operation S F continued throughout October but on a reduced scale owing to the withdrawal of all destroyers after the first week. No Fleet destroyers could be made available owing to increasing commitments elsewhere and the Western Approaches. “S” class which had been lent for this operation were required for miscellaneous duties in their own command and for trials

This reduction left the minesweepers, operating under Commander in Chief, Rosyth, from Seidisfiord, to carry on the patrols to which the 15th Flotilla contributed the majority of ships.

All patrols throughout the month were uneventful but Commander in Chief, Rosyth, informed the ships of the effect which their patrols were having in other areas. Air cooperation throughout October was provided by 18 Group.

Details of ships taking part in this operation are as follows:

Destroyers:

SCORPION (1st-2nd, 5th-8th)

SAVAGE (1st-2nd, 5th-6th)

SCOURGE (1st-2nd, 5th-8th) 

SARDONYX (1st-4th)

 

Minesweepers

HARRIER (1st-8th) 

HUSSAR (1st-25th)

GLEANER (1st-8th)

SALAMANDER (1st-13th) 

 

FRASERBURGH (7th-31st)

BOOTLE (16th-31st)

LLANDUDNO (9th-31st)  

ARDROSSAN (1st-31st)

LYME REGIS (1st-31st)

WORTHING (2nd-31st)

8.10.43

Scapa

17.10.43

20.10.43

Seidisfiord

23.10.43

23/10 As part of Operation FR (the passage of an escort group to relieve the ships marooned in Russia), HARRIER and Seagull with several destroyers and other ships sailed for Polyarnoe. The escorts were to bring back the merchant ships that had remained there since March when the convoys were suspended. Jason and Britomart were to be relieved by their sister minesweepers.

EXTRACT FROM

THE WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET
October 1943

114. Operation F R

This movement whose object was to sail certain American built light craft (for the Soviet Navy) to North Russia with the close escort for R A 54 A was also carried out according to plan. Opportunity was taken to send reliefs, mails, and stores to North Russia in the escort.

The start of the operation was delayed owing to weather, the general sluggishness of the Russian craft and the usual trouble over visas and passports.

The Commanding Officers of the Soviet light craft (minesweepers and MLs) were briefed by Rear Admiral Brykin, of the Soviet Mission in London, who attended the convoy conference at Seidisfiord before the force sailed.

Detailed movements of the forces involved are as follows:

Force 3

            17th      HARRIER and SEAGULL left Scapa for Seidisfiord

                        EGLANTINE and WESTCOTT left Liverpool for Seidisfiord

            18th      3 Russian minesweepers and 6 Russian motor launches left Reykjavik for Seidisfiord

            20th      HARRIER and SEAGULL arrived Seidisfiord

                        EGLANTINE and WESTCOTT arrived Seidisfiord

                        Russian minesweepers and MLs arrived Seidisfiord

            23rd      Force 3 left Seidisfiord for North Russia

            30th      Russian minesweepers and MLs detached with one Russian destroyer to Kola Inlet, arriving a.m.

            31st      HARRIER, SEAGULL, WESTCOTT, and EGLANTINE arrived Archangel

30.10.43

Archangel

1.11.43

1.11.43

At sea

3.11.43

HARRIER and Seagull formed part of the local escort for RA54A (which included Jason and Britomart).
3/11 Detached from convoy to Kola Inlet, arriving p.m

3.11.43

Kola Inlet

6.11.43

8.11.43

Archangel

10.11.43

Taking advantage of a between convoy period and before the ice closed the River Dvina I (SBNO North Russia) visited Archangel early in November in HMS HARRIER. This gave an opportunity for discussions on the winter programme, meeting the new arrivals and lunching with Golvoko (C in C Northern Fleet).

The return to Kola Inlet was put forward one day due to ice forming in the river, a visit being paid to Iokanka on passage. Unfortunately it was not possible to land owing to the prevailing weather – full gale – and as the ships were dragging, passage was resumed after a general impression of the harbour was made, not, under the circumstances, a favourable one. Iokanka has a bad name in winter with poor holding ground over a considerable area of the harbour. It must however be used on occasions, either by escorts or stragglers, in relation to convoys proceeding to the White Sea after ice has formed there…

Source: 26^th Report of SBNO North Russia

12.11.43

Kola Inlet

23.11.43

HARRIER can be taken in hand by Consolidated Fisheries, Grimsby 21 Dec

27.11.43

At sea

9.12.43

HARRIER formed part of Ocean escort of RA54B (10 ships) from 27/11 to 9/12. The convoy arrived Loch Ewe on 9/12 undetected after a passage in very poor weather.

9.12.43

Scapa

?

11.12.43

Aultbea

12.12.43

12.12.43

At sea

?

HARRIER formed part of local western escort for JW55A (19 ships) which left Loch Ewe on 12/12. Speedwell joined on 15/12.

18.12.43

Faeroes

18.12.43

20.12.43

?

23.12.43

26.12.43

Scapa

27.12.43

28.12.43

Humber

?

HARRIER taken in hand by Consolidated Fisheries 31/12. Completion date 23/2/44