RFA Brambleleaf (1)
RFA Brambleleaf (1) entering Grand Harbour, Malta
Previous name Rumol
Official Number: 140287
Class: 5,000T FAST LEAF (ex TEXOL) CLASS Fleet Attendant Tanker
Pennant No: X 50 / Y7.182 / X 08
Signal Letters: JPNR (1919)
Laid down:
Builder: Russell, Port Glasgow
Launched: 28 December 1916
Into Service: April 1917
Out o f service: 15 September 1944
Fate: April 1953 broken up at Spezia
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: All ordered in 1915, the six Admiralty-designed vessels in this Class were very advanced ships for their day. They were designed to act as Escorts on Atlantic Convoys during WW1, whilst also bringing cargoes of oil fuel from the U.S. to Britain. They were fitted with six boilers and four powerful cargo pumps with a pumping rate of 2,000 tonnes per hour, which for many years was too high to be used by HM ships. They were originally planned to be named after oil bearing countries with the now usual OL suffix, but their military appearance and naval names caused difficulties with the U.S. Neutrality Act, so various modifications were made and they were then placed under commercial management and given LEAF names in common with other converted ships running as Admiralty tankers under commercial management
16 September 1916 Engineer Lieutenant William Whetstone RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
26 October 1916 launched by Russell & Co, Port Glasgow as Yard Nr: 702 named RUMOL
16 April 1917 Captain Percival Skone-Rees RFA appointed as Master
Captain Percival Skone-Rees RFA
23 April 1917 ran trials and registered at London as BRAMBLELEAF at 82/17 in the Registry Book
1 May 1917 completed at a cost of £279,850. Placed under management of Lane & MacAndrew Ltd, London as an oiler transport
10 June 1917 sailed Portsmouth for Southampton
18 June 1917 sailed Southampton for Sabine, Texas
2 July 1917 arrived Sabine, Texas and loaded cargo
6 July 1917 at Beaumont Texas Carpenter John Small, Bosun John H Tripp, Able Seaman J Hanrahan, Able Seaman M Maclean & Able Seaman N Campbell drunk and refused to unmoor the ship – each fined 5/-
Bosun John Hartley Tripp
7 July 1917 Able Seaman M Maclean & Able Seaman N Campbell were ashore during working hours without leave – each fined two days pay. Bosun John H Tripp under the influence of alcohol – fined 10/-. Able Seaman H White was ashore during working hours without leave – fined two days pay. All fines above remitted for good behaviour. The ship sailed from Sabine, Texas for Queenstown
23 July 1917 arrived Queenstown and discharged cargo
27 July 1917 sailed Queenstown for Sabine, Texas
9 August 1917 arrived at Sabine, Texas
August 1917 sailed Sabine, Texas for Queenstown
26 August 1917 arrived at Queenstown and discharged cargo
3 September 1917 sailed Queenstown for Sabine, Texas
16 September 1917 arrived at Sabine, Texas
September 1917 sailed Sabine, Texas for Norfolk, VA
23 September 1917 arrived at Norfolk, VA
September 1917 sailed Norfolk, VA for Halifax, NS
28 September 1917 arrived at Halifax NS. In fog in collision with the tug W A Murray. The tug sank and one of its crew was drowned
29 September 1917 sailed Halifax N.S in a convoy of eight ships and escorted by the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS COLUMBELLA. A ninth ship of the convoy did not sail. The convoy formed into three columns
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS COLUMBELLA
4 October 1917 at sea, under escort in a convoy with HM Troopships with 2nd Officer N Young on watch with Able Seaman P Green as helmsman. The 2nd Officer ordered the helmsman to keep the ship on her course as she was heading for the leading ship in the starboard hand column. The helmsman made an obscene retort and did not put the helm as required but replied he would put his fist in the 2nd Officers face if he did not shut up. The 2nd Officer called for another helmsman and had AB Green relieved. No fine was imposed as under the extraordinary circumstances the ship was in and the neglect of this man to obey the order at once thereby endangering HM Troopships in the vicinity the Captain left the case to be tried under the Defence of the Realm Act.
9 October 1917 arrived at Lamlash
October 1917 sailed from Lamlash for Stornaway
13 October 1917 arrived at Stornaway sailing the next day for Scapa Flow
14 October 1917 arrived at Scapa Flow and discharged cargo
October 1917 sailed Scapa Flow for Sabine, Texas
3 November 1917 arrived at Sabine, Texas
November 1917 sailed Sabine, Texas for New York
13 November 1917 arrived at New York
November 1917 sailed New York for Thameshaven
3rd December 1917 arrived at Thameshaven to discharge
7 February 1918 berthed at New York having sailed from the Firth of Forth via Halifax. Captain Percival Skone-Rees RFA as Master with 28 crew – reported in The Sun newspaper, New York
28 May 1918 in a convoy from New York together with RFA PEARLEAF (1) escorted by HMS VICTORIAN
29 May 1918 dropped out of convoy with defective steering
7 June 1918 left convoy with RFA PEARLEAF (1) for destination
27 June 1918 berthed at New York having sailed from the Orkney Islands. Captain Percival Skone-Rees RFA as Master with 69 crew
4 August 1918 sailed Halifax in convoy together with RFA CHERRYLEAF (1) and escorted by HMS ROXBURGH
HMS ROXBURGH
14 August 1918 left convoy with escort for the Bristol Channel
30 November 1918 arrived at Halifax NS when on passage from Port Arthur to Lough Swilly
9 December 1919 at Plymouth
19 January 1920 berthed at No: 10 Dock at Devonport Dockyard
9 February 1920 berthed at No: 10 Dock, Devonport Dockyard
2 June 1920 berthed at Portsmouth Dockyard
3 June 1920 sailed Portsmouth Dockyard
11 July 1920 arrived at Devonport from the Humber
7 August 1920 berthed at Portsmouth Dockyard
8 August 1920 sailed Portsmouth Dockyard
16 September 1920 arrived at Port Said when on passage to Aden
22 September 1920 arrived at Aden
3 October 1920 sailed Aden for Mauritius
16 October 1920 arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius from Sheerness
15 December 1920 at Constantinople alongside HMS TORCH refuelling her with 102 tons of FFO
HMS TORCH
3 January 1921 at Constantinople with HMS APHIS alongside refuelling her with 16 tons of FFO
HMS APHIS
11 March 1921 at Port Said alongside HMS MALAYA refuelling her – 2,069 tons of FFO
12 March 1921 cast off from HMS MALAYA
18 April 1921 at Constantinople with HMS APHIS alongside refuelling her
19 April 1921 HMS APHIS slipped
16 August 1921 at Constantinople
4 October 1921 at Constantinople with HMS TORCH berthed alongside. Supplied her with 140 tons of FFO
16 October 1921 at Beicos with HMS TORCH berthed alongside. Supplied her with 31 tons of FFO1
27 October 1921 at the Fleet Anchorage, Constantinople with HMS TORCH berthed alongside. Supplied her with 25 tons of FFO
13 November 1921 still at Constantinople
26 April 1922 at Gibraltar
1922 to 1925 in reserve at Gibraltar
1925 entered service with the Mediterranean Fleet, based at Malta
1 January 1925 Captain John Ross Gorrie RFA appointed as Master and Mr Charles E Wrate RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain John Ross Gorrie RFA
Chief Engineer Officer Charles E Wrate RFA
13 January 1925 Captain John P Tugwood DSC RD RFA appointed as Master
25 December 1925 to 1 January 1926 in Sliema Creek, Malta with HMS VENOMOUS outboard of her
HMS VENOMOUS
18 January 1926 the Newcastle Evening Chronicle reported …
1 October 1926 at Volos, Greece together with RFA’s MAINE (3), MONTENOL and PERTHSHIRE
22 October 1926 Captain Percival Skone-Rees RFA appointed as Master
March 1927 arrived at Malta from Gibraltar
20 December 1927 Captain Reginald J Harland RFA appointed as Master
24 February 1928 Captain John H Jones RFA appointed as Master
Captain John H Jones RFA
24 February 1928 Mr Frederick C Reynolds RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Frederick C Reynolds RFA
13 April 1928 arrived at Tarragona, Spain sailing the same day for St Raphel, France
29 August 1928 at Grand Harbour, Malta alongside HMS ROYAL OAK to refuel her
HMS ROYAL OAK
21 September 1928 at Malta together with RFA DREDGOL, RFA MONTENOL, RFA PERTHSHIRE
7 February 1930 berthed at Malta from Port Said and Abadan
5 March 1930 Mr Frederick C Pavitt RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 March 1930 berthed at Gibraltar from Palma to discharge
10 December 1930 Mr John Atchison RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
26 February 1931 Captain William T Williams RFA appointed as Master
Captain William T Williams RFA
11 March 1931 sailed Malta with RFA MAINE (3) for Gibraltar
25 November 1931 2nd Engineer Officer John Posgate Sleightholme Husband RFA, aged 37 years, discharged dead – natural causes
2nd Engineer Officer John P S Husband RFA
He is buried in Kalkara Royal Naval Cemetery, Malta
Image courtesy of British War Graves – with thanks
30 June 1932 arrived at Valona Bay with RFA’s PERTHSHIRE and MAINE (3) together with RN ships of the Mediteranean Fleet
23 November 1932 Captain Richard D Williams RD RFA (Commander RNR (Ret)) appointed as Master
Captain Richard D Williams RD RFA
25 November 1932 Mr Clifford N Ansell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 February 1934 Captain John P Tugwood DSC RD RFA (Commander RNR (Ret)) appointed as Master
16 August 1934 Captain John B Hurst RFA appointed as Master
Captain John B Hurst RFA
10 December 1934 at Malta
4 February 1935 at Malta Captain John B Hurst RFA had to relinquish his command through ill health. He returned to the UK on the P & O Liner Ranchi
20 February 1935 Mr Percy E C Ogden RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
5 April 1935 at Malta
16 June 1935 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
21 June 1935 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
22 June 1935 Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA appointed as Master
Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA
24 June 1935 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
21 July 1935 sailed Plymouth for Malta with HM Tug ROBUST in tow
HM Tug ROBUST
14 January 1936 at Grand Harbour, Malta Leading Fireman Greaser Francesco Galea discharged dead
1936 to 1939 undertook Station Oiler duties at Oran during the Spanish Civil War
5 March 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta
11 March 1937 Mr Frederick W Howell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Frederick W Howell RFA
5 May 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta
20 May 1937 took part in the King George VI Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead – the only RFA ship to do so
21 May 1937 Captain John Gow RFA appointed as Master
Captain John Gow RFA
22 May 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
12 June 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Portsmouth Harbour in ballast
10 July 1937 at No 1 Ground Marsa, Malta HMS LONDON’s cricket team beat a RFA Brambleleaf eleven. HMS LONDON 117 for 5 wickets declared. RFA Brambleleaf (1) 42 runs all out
HMS LONDON
8 August 1937 at Grand Harbour, Malta the ship won the Valenzia lifeboat race Cup beating a boat crew from RFA MAINE (3) the holders of the cup over the previous two years into third place. The crew from RFA CHERRYLEAF (1) came second
11 March 1938 anchored at Gibraltar Bay with HMS IMOGEN and HMS ISIS alongside being refuelled
18 March 1938 anchored at Gibraltar Bay with HMS IMOGEN and HMS ISIS alongside being refuelled
3 October 1938 at Alexandria alongside HMS MANCHESTER to refuel her
HMS MANCHESTER
29 January 1939 at Malta
7 February 1939 Captain Robert T Duthie FRGS FRAS RFA appointed as Master
Captain Robert T Duthie FRGS FRAS RFA
10 March 1939 the Hampshire Telegraph newspaper reported –
16 March 1939 at Malta
24 April 1939 at Grand Harbour, Malta alongside HMS WARSPITE refuelling her
HMS WARSPITE
April 1939 Captain Robert M Shaw RFA appointed as Master
19 May 1939 at Malta refuelling HMS WARSPITE in Grand Harbour
22 May 1939 at Alexandria, Egypt
28 July 1939 Mr Percy E C Ogden RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
3 September 1939 at Malta on the outbreak of WW2
5 September 1939 at Alexandria alongside HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS COVENTRY to refuel them
19 September 1939 at Alexandria, Egypt alongside HMS ILLUSTRIOUS to refuel her
20 September 1939 at Alexandria alongside HMS COVENTRY to refuel her – 332 tons of FFO supplied
HMS COVENTRY
4 October 1939 at Alexandria alongside HMS COVENTRY to refuel her – 180 tons of FFO supplied
5 January 1940 at Alexandria. Egypt
29 October 1940 sailed from Alexandria, Egypt
31 October 1940 arrived Suda Bay in Crete along with RFA OLNA (1) and was escorted by the cruiser HMS COVENTRY to establish a fuelling base there
4 November 1940 arrived at Alexandria, Egypt
5 November 1940 sailed from Alexandria, Egypt for Suda Bay. Crete
30 November 1940 at Suda Bay, Crete with HMS GLOUCESTER alongside being refuelled
3 December 1940 arrived at Alexandra, Egypt
5 December 1940 sailed Alexandria in convoy AN9
7 December 1940 arrived at Suda Bay, Crete
24 December 1940 sailed Suda Bay, Crete to Port Said in convoy AS9/1
27 December 1940 arrived at Alexandra, Egypt
6 January 1941 to 13 January 1941 served with Force A from Alexandria in Operation Excess, a convoy operation to 13/01/41 Piraeus and Malta
3 February 1941 sailed Piraeus in escorted convoy ASF14 to Alexandria arriving 5 February 1941
17 February 1941 at Alexandria alongside HMS VALIANT refuelling her
25 February 1941 at Alexandria alongside HMS VALIANT refuelling her – casting off the next day
HMS VALIANT
4 March 1941at Alexandria alongside HMS VALIANT refuelling her
18 March 1941 at Alexandria alongside HMS VALIANT refuelling her
April 1941 Captain Herbert A Shacklock RFA appointed as Master
Captain Herbert A Shacklock RFA
22 April 1941 Mr Albert S Own RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
24 April 1941 sailed Alexandria, Egypt escorted by HM destroyers HEREWARD, HERO, HOTSPUR and ISIS
26 April 1941 arrived at Suda Bay, Crete (as reported in the Supplement of the London Gazette of 19 April 1948)
27 April 1941 at Suda Bay, Crete with HMAS PERTH alongside to refuel
29 April 1941 sailed from Suda Bay, Crete in Convoy GA15 via Kaso (as reported in the Supplement of the London Gazette of 19 April 1948)
1May 1941 arrived at Alexandra, Egypt
30 May 1941 Mr G A Calvert RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
8 November 1941 Mr Robert Blacklock RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 February 1942 Able Seaman Paul Micallef discharged dead. He died in 64 General Hospital, MEF. He is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
Image courtesy of British War Graves – with thanks
9 June 1942 sailed Alexandria, Egypt in unescorted convoy AT49 to Tobruk
10 June 1942 at 05.50am while part of convoy AT49 at 31°12N 28°10E attacked and damaged by a torpedo fired by German U Boat U559 – commanded by Kapitanleutnant Hans Heidtmann
Entry in the War Diary of U559 logging the attack on RFA Brambleleaf
3rd Engineer Officer Ronald J Lubbock, 4th Engineer Officer Francis Sullivan, Donkeyman George Blye, Carpenter Rosario Cauci, Galley Boy A Minamoui, Greaser Joseph Bulhagiar and Fireman Joseph Vella killed. The Master and the rest of the crew were saved and landed at Alexandria by RHS Vasilissa Olga (D15) – a Greek Destroyer. The ship was towed to Alexandria where she was used as an oil hulk.
Location of where RFA Brambleleaf was torpedoed
3rd Engineer Officer Ronald J Lubbock, 4th Engineer Officer Francis Sullivan, Donkeyman George Blye, Greaser Joseph Bulhagiar and Fireman Joseph Vella are all buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery while Carpenter Rosario Cauchi and Galley Boy A Minamoui are remembered with pride on the Tower Hill Memorial, London
Donkeyman George Blye Greaser Joseph Buhagiar
Images courtesy of British War Graves – with thanks
The Tower Hill Memorial remembers with pride those with no known grave but the sea
RFA Brambleleaf’s official log book report on being torpedoed
10 April 1943 Chief Officer J Bottomley RFA appointed as Chief Officer in Command
28 July 1944 at Quay 71, Alexandria, Egypt with USS Tatum (DE789) alongside to port and USS Haines (DE792) to starboard to refuel
15 September 1944 while as an oil hulk she suddenly sank at her moorings and was later declared a total loss.
9 August 1946 transferred to the MoT for disposal
1953 was refloated, and after tightening, she was towed to Italian breakers
3 April 1953 arrived Spezia for demolition
RFA Brambleleaf (2)
Previous name: London Loyalty
Subsequent name: Mayfair Loyalty
Official Number: 185961
Class: SECOND LEAF CLASS Support Tanker
Pennant No: A81
Laid down: 26 May 1952
Builder: Furness, Haverton Hill
Launched: 16 April 1953
Into Service: 22 May 1959
Out of service: 1972
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: In June 1956 the London Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference discussed Britain’s future naval strategy and the vulnerability of static bases in the face of world-wide change. Consideration was given to the provision of Fleet Trains to supply warships at sea and the Admiralty announced plans to build up a force of such ships. So began a period of major Fleet modernisation with the bare-boat chartering of eight motor tankers for freighting duties that reintroduced the LEAF names to the Fleet. These eight vessels were all broadly similar and were bare-boat chartered as replacements for the DALE and WAVE Classes. Although primarily intended for freighting duties, most of them were also capable of replenishment at sea
16 April 1953 launched by Furness Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Haverton-Hill as Yard Nr: 454 named LONDON LOYALTY for London and Overseas Freighters Ltd, London by Mrs C Clore wife of one of the Company’s directors
LONDON LOYALTY
23 June 1953 arrived at the River Tyne under tow
7 January 1954 after engaging a crew at North Shields Shipping Office sailed the River Tyne on trials
10 January 1954 completed at a cost of £1,027,642 and sailed the River Tyne
18 June 1954 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing west bound
3 October 1954 passed Dover sailing west
8 December 1954 sailed Pulo Sambu for Singapore
30 June 1955 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing east bound
18 September 1955 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing west bound
22 August 1956 sailed Helsingborg for Rotterdam
24 August 1956 arrived N. Waterweg
20 September 1956 arrive at Frederica
24 September 1956 arrived Thameshaven
28 September 1956 anchored at the Mersey Bar
14 October 1956 arrived at Curaçao
28 October 1956 sailed Port Arthur, Texas for Singapore
2 November 1956 transitted the Panama Canal
26 December 1956 arrived Pulo Bukom
28 December 1956 sailed Pulo Bukom for the Persian Gulf
4 November 1958 arrived at Falmouth
9 December 1958 sailed Bombay for Mena Al Ahmed
20 May 1959 Mr E Smeaton RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
22 May 1959 bareboat chartered by the Admiralty and renamed BRAMBLELEAF (2)
28 May 1959 sailed Falmouth on her first voyage to Trinidad
8 June 1959 arrived at Trinidad
3 August 1959 sailed Trinidad
15 August 1959 arrived at Devonport
17 August 1959 sailed from Devonport for Trinidad
10 September 1959 Captain Sydney S F Dalgleish OBE RFA appointed as Master
10 October 1959 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
13 October 1959 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
22 February 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
23 February 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
2 April 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
7 April 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
20 May 1960 at Rosyth damaged by the dockyard tug Impetus during berthing operations when the tug’s rudder jammed
17 June 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
20 June 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
13 August 1960 at Auckland, New Zealand
23 October 1960 Mr J S Aitken RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
24 October 1960 at Tilbury
12 January 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
13 January 1961 at Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty, Devonport
16 January 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
31 January 1961 the Liverpool Echo newspaper reported –
25 February 1961 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta
28 February 1961 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta
29 April 1961 at Immingham
4 May 1961 Captain Denis A C Butler RFA appointed as Master
23 June 1961 at Glasgow
26 June 1961 at Glasgow
19 July 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
20 July 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
18 August 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
20 August 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
15 September 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
17 September 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
12 October 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
13 October 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
18 January 1962 Commodore Thomas Elder DSC RFA appointed as Master
19 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
22 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Graves End Mooring
23 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Graves End Mooring to Plymouth Sound
11 November 1962 Captain A Jackson OBE RFA appointed as Master
8 April 1963 suffered an engine breakdown in the Persian Gulf and had to return to Bahrain for repairs
4 August 1963 Doctor from HMS RHYL onboard to treat member of the crew in need of urgent medical aid while in the Mediterranean
5 August 1963 the Times newspaper reported –
17 August 1963 at Malta Captain Denis Alfred Codrington Butler RFA discharged dead. He died of liver failure at the Naval Hospital.
17 November 1963 Mr Charles H Gurr RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 January 1964 sailed Port Said at a reduced speed due to an engine defect
13 January 1964 provided assistance to a Russian vessel
25 January 1964 at Devonport discharging cargo
23 March 1964 Captain W F Carlett RFA appointed as Master
26 March 1964 at Greenwell’s, River Wear in refit
15 May 1964 Mr J A Ferguson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 June 1965 Refuelled HMS HUBBERSTON (M1147)
2 August 1965 Captain C W Rennels RFA appointed as Master
9 August 1965 Mr R W Cann RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 March 1966 off One Fathom Bank refuelled HMAS GULL
19 April 1966 sailed Malta for the UK
2 May 1966 Captain J Coull RFA appointed as Master
19 October 1966 Mr S P Awati RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
18 March 1967 the Liverpool Echo newspaper reported –
23 May 1967 Mr P W Jacobs RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 July 1967 Captain R W Wilkinson RFA appointed as Master
17 May 1968 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
17 June 1968 Captain J McCulloch RFA appointed as Master
20 June 1968 berthed at Rosyth
18 August 1968 Mr O G P Wells RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
11 September 1968 at Birkenhead
2 December 1968 at Plymouth
June 1970 was diverted to Durban to embark additional dispersant chemicals in the wake of the loss of RFA ENNERDALE (2) off the Seychelles
15 to the 18 August 1971 visited Pitcairn Island, Pacific. Brought Commissioner C E Dymond on an official visit
15 March 1972 arrived Rosyth on her final freighting run as an RFA
13 April 1972 returned to her owners on the expiry of her charter and was transferred to their subsidiary Mayfair Tankers Ltd, London and renamed Mayfair Loyalty to be laid up in the River Blackwater
Mayfair Loyalty
9 September 1974 arrived at La Spezia and laid up.
27 February 1976 sold at La Spezia for breaking up
July 1976 demolition begun at La Spezia by Ditta Loti SpA
RFA Brambleleaf (3)
Reproduced with permission of the MOD
RFA Brambleleaf
RFA Brambleleaf entering Portsmouth Harbour in 1990
Previous name: Hudson Deep
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 388293
Class: THIRD LEAF CLASS Support Tanker
Pennant No: A81
Laid down: 23 July 1974
Builder: Cammell Laird, Birkenhead
Launched: 22 Jauary 1976
Into Service: 20 February 1980
Out of service: 2009 – laid up at Portsmouth
Fate: Broken up at Ghent
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data:
On 27 October 1978 it was announced that the MoD (N) was to charter 2 laid up STaT 32 standard product tankers which had originally formed part of a 4-ship order for commercial owners. After 3 of the ships had been laid down, the owners ran into financial difficulties and found that they were unable to accept the new ships. As they were the only mercantile order then in hand, the builders completed the 3 ships, and after running trials, they were laid up, 2 at Liverpool and 1 at Birkenhead. After some time had elapsed, the builders took over ownership of the ships by forming 3 subsidiary companies which then offered the ships for sale or charter. These eventually became RFA’s APPLELEAF (3), BRAMBLELEAF (3) and ORANGELEAF (3). Some years later, the 4th ship from this original order was built as RFA BAYLEAF (3). All 4 ships had additional accommodation and full RAS capabilities fitted and became useful units in the Fleet. Later on, a 5th vessel was chartered and was renamed RFA OAKLEAF(2), but she differed considerably from the earlier 4 Leafs
30 April 1973 ordered as part of a 4-ship order valued at around £20 million
September 1973 a loan of £4,356,160 was secured with Williams and Glynn Bank for her construction
22 January 1976 launched by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd, Birkenhead as Yard Nr: 1365 named HUDSON DEEP for John Hudson Fuel and Shipping Ltd (Hudson Steamship Co Ltd, Managers) Brighton
22 January 1976 the Liverpool Echo newspaper reported –
1976 ownership transferred to Oakspine Ltd, a subsidiary of the builders
February 1977 completed and laid up at Liverpool without running acceptance trials
27 October 1978 plans announced for her charter by the MoD (N)
December 1978 purchased by Finance for Shipping Ltd (Matheson & Co Ltd, Managers) London
1979 converted by her builders for her new role
10 December 1979 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her
20 February 1980 officially bareboat chartered by MoD (N) and was renamed BRAMBLELEAF (3)
29 February 1980 Captain G P Overbury RFA appointed as Master
2 April 1980 at Birkenhead
12 April 1980 sailed Birkenhead
15 April 1980 berthed at Portland on the Outer Coaling pier
19 April 1980 at Portland RFA GREEN ROVER berthed to her port side
24 April 1980 sailed to Portland’s Exercise Area
26 April 1980 sailed Portland to the Isle of Grain No 2 Jetty BP refinery
27 April 1980 at the Isle of Grain loaded 8,905 tons of diesel as cargo
28 April 1980 sailed the Isle of Grain to Portland and secured alongside – discharged 8,406 tons of diesel
2 May 1980 sailed to Portland Exercise Area
10 May 1980 sailed Portland to the Isle of Grain No 2 Jetty BP refinery
11 May 1980 at Isle of Grain loaded 14,960 tons of diesel
12 May 1980 sailed Isle of Grain to Spithead and anchored
13 May 1980 berthed at the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
14 May 1980 discharged 6,944 tons of diesel ashore
16 May 1980 sailed Gosport
19 May 1980 arrived at Gibraltar – and secured at berths 49/50
22 May 1980 sailed Gibraltar
29 May 1980 arrived at Port Said
30 May 1980 transitted the Suez Canal
31 May 1980 anchored in Suez Bay
10 June 1980 sailed Suez Bay
18 June 1980 arrived at Bahrein berthing on Sitra No 2 jetty
20 June 1980 loaded 17,911m³ diesel and 13,140m³ FFO sailing the same day for Mombasa
21 July 1980 RASed with RFA RESOURCE (2)
29 September 1980 berthed at Sembawang, Singapore
14 October 1980 at Singapore
November 1980 together with RFA BLUE ROVER deployed on the Armilla Patrol supporting HMS’s ANTRIM and NAIAD
1 June 1981 at Plymouth
6 August 1981 at Wallsend on Tyne
27 January 1982 at Portsmouth
5 April 1982 diverted from Armilla Patrol duties in the Arabian Gulf to proceed round the Cape of Good Hope for service during Operation Corporate – the Falklands Conflict. Embarked wives were landed at Mombasa
13 April 1982 off the Cape of Good Hope enroute to the TEZ
19 April 1982 entered the TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) around the Falkland Islands having encountered severe weather in the South Atlantic causing bow damage which led to some of her tanks becoming contaminated with seawater
23 April 1982 joined Operation Paraquat- the retaking of South Georgia. Proceeded 200 miles off South Georgia with RFA TIDESPRING (1) for a pump over which had to be abandoned due to a submarine alert which turned out to be the Argentinian SANTE FE
24 April 1982 completed the pump over (3,505 tons of diesel and 1,200 tons of FFO) and sailed for the U.K.
7 May 1982 sailed Ascension Island to Portland
22 May 1982 arrived Portland to tank clean and for repairs
1 June 1982 passed her Lloyds Freeboard and Annual Survey
2 June 1982 sailed Portland on her 2nd tour in the South Atlantic
7 June 1982 berthed at Gibraltar on No 48 berth
8 June 1982 sailed Gibraltar for the South Atlantic
24 June 1982 berthed at Gibraltar
25 June 1982 sailed Gibraltar for Portland
1 July 1982 anchored in Weymouth Bay
2 July 1982 berthed at Portland
5 July 1982 anchored in Weymouth Bay
8 July 1982 deployed to Portland Exercise Area returning to anchor in Weymouth Bay
10 July 1982 berthed alongside at Portland and loaded 2,040 metric tonnes of diesel
23 July 1982 sailed Portland to Devonport berthing on Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty the same day
24 July 1982 and 25 July 1982 on Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty loading 4,541 metric tons of FFO, 5,782 metric tonnes of diesel and 4,524 tons of AVCAT
2 August 1982 sailed Devonport to Ascension Island
14 August 1982 crossed the equator at 19:50hrs
17 August 1982 reached Ascension Island and sailed south to the Falkland Islands
22 August 1982 the Chief Officer and the Bosun were injured while attending to repairs to an accommodation ladder which was breaking away.
2 September 1982 anchored in San Carlos water, Falkland Islands
3 September 1982 sailed from San Carlos water to Berkeley Sound and anchored
7 September 1982 sailed Berkeley Sound
17 September 1982 and 18 September 1982 in Berkeley Sound with Requisitioned tanker Scottish Eagle alongside pumping over 2,800 metric tonnes of diesel oil into Brambleleaf
21 September 1982 sailed Berkeley Sound
24 October 1982 sailed Falkland Islands for home with the carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and the frigate HMS AMAZON
16 December 1982 arrived Gibraltar on completion of Operation Corporate duties
February 1983 was purchased by MoD (N)
18 November 1983 sailed U.K. along with the assault ship HMS FEARLESS to support Operation Offcut – naval support for British troops in the multi-national force in the Lebanon – which also included RFA’s BLUE ROVER, GREY ROVER and later RELIANT (3)
29 August 1984 was officially presented with the Falkland Islands 1982 Battle Honour at Portland by Mr A Kemp DST(SF)
January 1986 humanitarian aid – along with the Royal Yacht HMS BRITANNIA involved in the evacuation of British and foreign nationals from Aden after civil war broke out in the Peoples Republic of Yemen
11 January 1986 sailed Mombasa to R/V with the Royal Yacht to accompany her to Sri Lanka
14 January 1986 ordered to sail to Aden on Operation Balsac – the evacuation of British nationals – along with the frigate HMS JUPITER and the destroyer HMS NEWCASTLE
18 January 1986 began her approach to the evacuation beach off Aden to embark British nationals after the attempted coup
21 January 1986 anchored in Aden Harbour and then accompanied the Royal Yacht as previously planned to Sri Lanka
5 July 1986 the Liverpool Echo newspaper reported –
27 July 1986 at Bahrain
31 December 1986 at Gibraltar
3 August 1987 together with HMS’s EDINBURGH and ANDROMEDA transitted the Suez Canal southbound
December 1987 Captain Stuart G Pearce RFA in command
12 December 1987 at Portsmouth
6 February 1988 at Fawley
June 1988 Captain Christopher Smith in command
15 June 1988 at Fort de France, Martinique
18 August 1988 at Portsmouth
1989 was awarded an inscribed plaque from the General Council of British Shipping to commemorate her service on Armilla Patrol between November 1986 and 20 August 1988 when the “Accompanying Policy” was in force. Other recipients were RFA’s APPLELEAF(3), DILIGENCE, OLNA (3), ORANGELEAF (3) and TIDESPRING
30 August 1989 with HMS ALACRITY and US Coast Guards was involved in the seizure of a 65 foot fishing boat which was found to contain 23,000 lbs of marijuana. The vessel was escorted into Key West
17 September 1989 to 24 September 1989 humanitarian assistance – supported the frigate HMS ALACRITY and provided assistance to the islands of Montserrat, St Kitts, Nevis and Tortola in the wake of Hurricane Hugo
13 January 1990 berthed at Portsmouth
27 June 1990 Captain (E) E M Quigley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
June 1992 Captain Ian F Heslop RFA in command
25 June 1992 at Dubai
2 December 1992 at Jebel Ali with Captain Shane Redmond OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Shane Redmond OBE RFA
16 December 1992 berthed at Dubai
22 May 1993 berthed at Dubai
6 May 1994 berthed at North Shields, River Tyne
23 September 1994 at Plymouth
10 November 1994 Humanitarian aid – with the patrol craft HMS LEEDS CASTLE she assisted in the rescue of a French transatlantic yachtsman in the Eastern Atlantic after his yacht had capsized when its keel fell off
February 1995 with HMS BROADSWORD and HMS MONMOUTH visited Bermuda
May 1995 took Mr R J Alston CMG., Governor of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, Mrs Alston and two administration officers, from Mangareva to Pitcairn, then on to Wellington, New Zealand
16 January 1995 Captain Anthony F Pitt DSC RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain A F Pitt DSC RFA
June 1995 visited Wellington, New Zealand with HMS MONMOUTH
16 October 1995 at Dubai (see note 1)
9 February 1996 at Bahrein
12 February 1996 sailed Bahrein
23 February 1996 arrived at Dubai
2 March 1996 sailed from Dubai
31 March 1996 arrived at Dubai
15 April 1995 at Dubai (see note 1)
19 April 1996 sailed from Dubai
23 April 1996 berthed at Jebel Ali
29 April 1996 sailed from Jebel Ali
10 May 1996 anchored at Bahrein
12 May 1996 sailed from Bahrein
19 May 1996 at Muscat
22 May 1996 sailed from Muscat
2 June 1996 at Jebel Ali
9 June 1996 sailed from Jebel Ali
18 June 1996 arrived at Dubai
24 June 1996 sailed from Dubai
3 July 1996 arrived at Dubai
8 July 1996 sailed from Dubai
16 July 1996 arrived at Dubai
24 November 1996 berthed on the River Tyne and Captain Pat Thompson OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Pat Thompson OBE RFA
24 April 1997 at Plymouth
17 September 1997 berthed at Glen Mallen
17 October 1997 alongside at Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
30 January 1999 to 1 April 1999 supported Operation Magellan in the Persian Gulf – an RN/RFA Group deployed as a precautionary move to counter continuing Iraqi intransigence over compliance with UN Security Council instructions – along with RFA FORT AUSTIN
29 April 1999 berthed at Dubai
19 July 1999 berthed at Wallsend on Tyne
19 May 2001 to 22 May 2001 berthed at Vigo, Spain
26 July 2001 Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA
5 August 2001 to 6 August 2001 berthed at Gibraltar
17 August 2011 to 23 August 2001 berthed at Gibraltar
30 September 2001 to 1 October 2001 berthed at Gibraltar
24 December 2001 on patrol off Kenya together with HMS’s ILLUSTRIOUS, SOUTHAMPTON and HMS/m TRAFALGAR
30 December 2001 at Bahrain. Mr Kenneth Holder RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 March 2002 to 21 March 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
29 April 2002 at Falmouth
11 May 2002 Captain Alistair Swatridge RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
17 June 2002 at Falmouth
7 August 2002 to 9 August 2002 berthed at Algerciras, Spain
11 August 2002 to 15 August 2002 berthed at Vigo, Spain
18 October 2002 at Portsmouth
16 November 2002 to 19 November 2002 berthed at Algerciras, Spain
9 January 2003 to 12 January 2003 berthed at Algerciras, Spain
13 January 2003 berthed at Alicante, Spain
24 January 2003 to 25 January 2003 berthed at Alicante, Spain
15 January 2003 deployed for Operation Telic- the 2nd Gulf War – along with 13 other RFA’s
1 August 2003 at Jebel Ali
7 August 2003 humanitarian aid – rescued 12 survivors from the blazing cargo dhow FATE AL RAMAN at the northern end of the Arabian Gulf and landed them at Dubai
24 October 2003 returned to Portland on completion of Operation Telic duties – the last RFA home
1 November 2003 Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
12 November 2003 Communications Rating 1 Michael James Gray discharged dead
28 November 2003 at Plymouth
9 January 2004 Captain Nigel Budd RFA appointed as Commanding Officer until 27 January 2004
29 June 2004 Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA
17 October 2004 Captain Shaun Jones RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Shaun Jones RFA
9 December 2004 Captain C Fell RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
7 March 2005 at Glen Malan until 14 March 2005
28 March 2005 until 21 April 2005 FOST
16 May 2005 until 30 May 2005 FOST
26 July 2005 arrived at Loch Striven
1 August 2005 arrived at Devonport
29 August 2005 FOST
22 October 2005 at Loch Striven sailing the next day
4 November 2005 at Loch Striven sailing 12 November 2005
February 2006 at Devonport as FOST tanker support
19 March 2006 arrived Loch Striven
29 March 2006 sailed Portsmouth as part of the Aguila 06 Deployment to the Middle East led by the carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS – along with RFA’s DILIGENCE and FORT VICTORIA
30 October 2006 with ships of 24 nations took part in a US – led naval exercise in waters not far from Iran aimed at training forces to block the transport of weapons of mass destruction and related equipment
5 December 2006 berthed at Gibraltar sailing on 3 January 2007
22 January 2007 Captain (E) Robert Smith RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
5 February 2007 arrived Portsmouth for the last time to de-store for disposal
April 2007 announced that she would be reduced to “zero manning” along with RFA OAKLEAF(2)
September 2007 on the Disposal List at Portsmouth laid up
8 July 2009 moved to Lock C, Portsmouth
9 July 2009 moved to Victory Jetty, Portsmouth
16 July 2009 moved to the North West Wall to prepare for being towed away
18 August 2009 left Portsmouth under tow of MULTRATUG 7 and MULTRATUG 17 to Belgium to be broken up by Van Heyghen Recycling at Ghent
20 August 2009 arrived Ghent for demolition by Van Heyghen Freres
RFA Brambleleaf leaves Portsmouth on the way to the breakers
The demise of an elderly lady
© Mark Bontemps
February 2011 breaking up completed
Notes
1. Locations kindly provided by 2nd Cook Ian Fisher RFA (Retired) from his Discharge Book