HMS Kirriemoor

[cardboard city]

Father Served On This Vessel But I Have Been Unable To Find Any

Information On Her

[kc]

HMS Kirriemoor was a 4970 ton vessel launched in 1935. Hired by the Royal Navy as a boom carrier from August 1940 - June 1946. Armed with 2 - 12pdr. Hope that is helpful information for starters :) As far as I know there was no other vessel by this name.

[Batstiger]

The only thing I can add to the above is that her pennant number was Z.199

[stontamar]

Hi - to add to what others have already post KIRRIEMOOR is listed by Arnold Hague as having sailed in the following convoys;

Convoy HG.12 departed Gibraltar 24 December 1939 with a cargo of jute and general to Liverpool arrived 2 January 1940

Convoy FS.88 departed Tyne 5 February 1940 to Southend arrived 7 February 1940

Convoy OA.92 departed Southend 15 February 1940 to Dispersal Point (British port section) on 18 February 1940

Convoy OB.113 departed Liverpool 19 March 1940 - Formed OG.23F at 4924N 0652W on 21 March 1940 (destination Port Said)

Convoy OG.23F formed from OB.113 at 4924N 0652W 21 March 1940 to Gibraltar arrived 28 March 1940

Convoy SL.40 departed Freetown 16 July 1940 to Liverpool arrived 8 August (note KIRRIEMORE with a cargo of wheat was classed as a straggler from this convoy)

Convoy WN.40 departed Clyde 17 November 1940 to Methil arrived 20 November (listed as HMS)

Convoy EN.57/1 departed Methil 15 January 1941 to Oban arrived 17 January 1941

Convoy MKS.49G departed Gibraltar 20 May 1944 - Rendezvous with SL.158 on 21 May 1944 (listed as HMS)

Convoy MKS.49G/SL.158 Rendezvous of SL.158 with MKS.49 on 21 May 1944.to Liverpool arrived 4 June 1944 (listed as HMS)

Convoy EBC.54 departed Barry 27 July 1944 to Seine Bay arrived 29 July 1944 (listed as HMS)

Information would need to be verified by reference to The National Archive records held in BT 389/18 Board of Trade: World War II, British Merchant Shipping Movement Cards.

It is interesting that the first mention of her as HMS appears in the list against Convoy WN.40 and that she 'disappears' from the convoy lists after 17 January 1941 when she arrived at Oban and does not reappear until 20 May 1944 when she departed from Gibraltar.

I would suggest you consult The National Archive files to find out where she was between January 1941 and May 1944;

ADM187 Pink List – List showing stations and movements of Allied and RN Ship

ADM208 Red List – Lists of Minor War Vessels

I have also attached a pre-war photograph of KIRRIEMOOR in W.Runciman & Co colours. Built by Doxford, Pallion Yard Number 614 - Official No. 164461, completed in May 1935 she was after the war was named TRANSIC (1955) - 61 KALLIOPI D.LEMOS (1961) and E.MYRTIDIOTISSA (1965). She was finally
wrecked on 1 October 1965 in position 64.41.12N/39.47E (north of Arcangel).

Regards - stontamar

[james_harvey]

HMS Kirriemoor between 1941 and 1943 was in south africa and ceylon.

On naval history site is the war diaries for the eastern fleet, several time kirriemoor is mentioned sailing from serria leone to ceylon.

My Grandfather served on kirriemoor in april 1944-september 1944,

Previous to that he was on HMS Barmill and port t.

After kirriemoor he served in the thames boom defence at isle of sheppey attached to HMS Wildfire.

Regards

james

[john g]

HMS KIRRIEMOOR update:

In answer to the query about where HMS Kirriemoor was between January 1941 and May 1944:-

Information provided by Alfred Maxwell Jones, B.E.M., Shipwright, who served on her between 1940 and 1943. He joined the ship on Convoy WN.40 which departed Clyde on 17th November 1940 to Methil, arrived 20th November, where the ship was commissioned to HMS Kirriemoor.

“HMS Kirriemoor “disappears” from the convoy lists after 17th January 1941 when she arrived at Oban and does not reappear until 20th May 1944, when she departed from Gibraltar”:-

She was commissioned to HMS Kerriemoor on 17th November 1940 and sailed from Oban on her own, due to being too slow for the rest of the convoy. She sailed for the Cape and the next port of call was Hifer/Highfer/Hipher in the Mediterranean. She left the Mediterranean for the Indian Ocean in 1941 for Columbo, Ceylon, and Trinca Malee, where she laid boom defences. Then she sailed for the Maldive Islands to lay boom defences. She returned to Mombassa after being driven out by Japan, with survivors of HMS Cornwall. Laid boom defences in Mombassa, then on Thursday 17th December 1942 she left Kilindini, Mombassa, for Diego Suarez, Madagascar. She arrived in Diego Suarez on 22nd December 1942.

Following this trip, Alfred was drafted home, in 1943. It took 3 months to get home as the ship went to Durban on the way.

Alfred also mentioned that he saw a moon rainbow in Madagascar, a rare sight.

Photo is from Alfred, and is from 1942 on HMS Kirriemoor, making a peg-top buoy to carry the opening wheel to the gate for the boom defences. On the far right of the picture is Alfred, Shipwright Jones, PMX 526417. He doesn’t remember the identity of the other two crew members who helped him.

Alfred is now 96 years young (!) and living in Gosport, Hampshire. He would dearly love to hear from anyone who served with him, or relatives who have an interest in the history of his old ship. Should anyone be interested in writing to Alfred, please contact me on JGoodyear82[at]aol.com.

[qprdave]

Hifer/Highfer/Hipher

I think that it might be Haifa, then Palestine now Israel

Great to hear that Alfred is still with us at that grand age. Lets hope he has a good few more years to go

[astraltrader]

I think it is absolutely wonderful that a 96 year old gentleman should still be interested in receiving letters from anybody who knew the navy as existed when he was in service.

I realise that it is virtually impossible that any members of the crew of Kirriemoor will be around to read this, but if there is any one of our senior ex-RN forum members who would like to write to Alfred - one seaman to another - I understand it would greatly be appreciated.

His address can be found by contacting the link shown a couple of posts above.

[john g]

Thankyou for your kind replys with Regard to Alfred, I printed them all out so he can read them, and its made his day.

[banditman]

I bought some books from an auction was this book Nories Nautical Tables of 1934, Please see photo's attached as they make reference to M/V kirriemoor and Glenmoor. I would love any information as to D. Williams and the address on first page. Also are other items of interest including Admiralty Fleet order from Gibraltar 1955. Many thanks Bill.

[Bee]

Hi Bill,

All the best with finding some more information. I'm sure that there'll be someone who will be able to help out.
I have an Aunty who was a D. Williams....but I'm pretty sure that's not the D. Williams on your book. :rolleyes: (I think that "Williams" is a fairly common surname in England.)

Sorry, I can't be more helpful.

Cheers,
Bee