LEUT B.M. MacFarlane, RANVR along with LEUT Jack MARSDEN RANVR was lost when midget submarine X-22 was rammed and sunk by HMS SYRTIS during exercises in Pentland Forth, Scotland. LEUT MacFarlane commanded X-8 in the attack on the German battleship TIRPITZ, but was forced to withdraw when X-8 parted her tow.
RADM Crutchley’s flag was hauled down in HMAS AUSTRALIA and transferred to HMAS SHROPSHIRE. SHROPSHIRE was the cruiser gifted by the RN to Australia to replace HMAS CANBERRA which had been lost at the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942.