Transcribed from several documents received from Roger Griffiths (Advance Sailing Telegram and A 1 form) - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.

For info, some of the ships in this convoy later returned with Convoy ON 3 on July 31.

Notes:
Commodore was Vice Admiral L.L.P. Willan in Greystone Castle (Captain K.D. Lane), Vice Commodore F.R. Elliot in Lancastrian Prince.

21 ships sailed from Halifax, 13 from Sydney and 20 from Bermuda. Average speed - 8.39 knots.

The Norwegian Don was unble to maintain speed and at 11:00 on June 27, position 42 26N 59 33W she was ordered to Sydney to join slow convoy.
Empire Woodcock dropped out with steering gear disabled on June 26 (time illegible) in 41 10N 57 09W, returned to Halifax.

The Dutch Stad Tramachem, belonging to Convoy SL 78 which had been dispersed on June 26 following a U-boat attack, was making for rendezvous when sighted and told to join HX 135 at 12:00 on July 8, 52 40N 23 09W. (This means 53 ships were present at local rendezvous). This ship picked up 15 survivors from German M/S Elbe on July 1 in 34 47N 30 20W, sunk by aircraft from aircraft carrier.

The Norwegian Vav (A.A. Olsen) was leaving a heavy oil track on July 3, having pumped out oil bilges in daylight.

Commodore says:
Fine passage, no incidents. Ships seem to be suffering by want of proper periodic overhauls due to war. On sixteen occastions ships had to stop or go dead slow on account of engine or steering gear defects, once leading to collision. The convoy had to be constantly reducing speed on this account. The Norwegian Tungsha was the worst offender falling out 5 times to effect repairs. Was ordered to Glasgow for repairs before proceeding to an east coast port.

Suggest that Halifax, Bermuda and Sydney convoys should all keep the same time as that of Halifax so that when the three portions meet ships will be keeping the same time.
Foreign ships in convoy should be made to have two sets of flags.

Commodore's Report on Collision at 20:40 on July 5-1941 (45 47N 29 21W):
The following is the report made to me by Captain of HMS Londonderry, which closed ships to ascertain damage and whether assistance was required.

Grey County was astern of station and only a ship's lengths ahead of Newbrough. Newbrough was a little to port. Grey County's helm jammed with port helm and she went full speed astern blowing 3 blasts to avoid running in to adjacent column. Tried to blow 3 blasts a second time, but lanyard parted. Newbrough went hard a Port and full astern. Grey County scraped all way down side of Newbrough, starting plates which caused a small leak in No. 2 hold, and a certain amount of damage to structure. Grey County sustained slight damage to guard rails. Both ships resumed station again and returned with convoy without further trouble.

Ocean Escort: HMS Londonderry from Halifax to U.K.
Other Escort Vessels: HMS Culver, HMS Fishguard, HMS Hartland, HMS Banff (all sloops), HMS Douglas, HMS Skate, HMS Saladin, HMS Broke (all destroyers), HMS Hussar (minesweeper), HMS Veronica, HMS Abelia, HMS Anemone (all corvettes), and armed trawlers HMS St. Zeno, HMS St. Helston and HMS St. Kenan.

Local escort joined as follows:
At 12:00 July 1 - 2 coastguard cutters.
At 20:00 on July 4 - 2 coastguard cutters.
At 20:30 on July 6 - Minelayer and 2 corvettes.
At 11:15 on July 7 - 1 corvette, 3 armed trawlers in 49 54N 25 37W.
At 20:30 on July 7 - 4 destroyers in 50 11N 24 40W.

Air Escort: From 11:30 till 23:00 on July 10 - 55 46N 13 27W, and from 07:05 till dark on July 11.

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