C-in-C, Mediterranean, ADML A. B. Cunningham, signalled HMAS NESTOR:- ‘I hasten to add my congratulations and those of all in Force H. Another good piece of work by NESTOR. You have done so much for the common weal of substance’. NESTOR, (CMDR A. S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), stood by the damaged merchant ship SYDNEY STAR, which had been torpedoed by Italian E boats north of Pantellaria. Under continuous air attack and the threat of further E boat attacks, NESTOR went alongside the SYDNEY STAR, and took off 467 troops and her crew of 231. The transfer was hampered by a lifeboat snagged alongside; although it was dark LS R. J. Anderson and AB J. S. McLeod leapt into the water, and physically removed the boat, allowing the ships to come together for the transfer. The two sailors were awarded the DSM. NESTOR later took the merchant ship in tow, and for 72 hours fought off air and E boat attacks until Malta was reached. CMDR Rosenthal was awarded the DSO.
HMAS VOYAGER departed Alexandria to return to Australia. The destroyer passed through the Suez Canal on the 25th