Help understanding Convoy Numbers for Royal Navy

[emfranky]

I have found information about the HMS Woolston which my Great-Grandpa was a Leading Seaman on for the duration of the Second World War. Here's an example:

Date Convoy Sailed    Join Convoy as Escort     Convoy Number     Left Convoy      Date Convoy arrived
     3/11/39                         3/11/39                        FS0031                5/11/39                5/11/39

The bit i am struggling with is the actual number - i know FS means where it set off from to the destination (Forth South, Firth of Forth to Thames) but i have no idea about the number (0031) next to it. Is it the number of the ship it was escorting? Is it the number of the trip? I don't know... If anyone is able to help me understand this, i would be greatly appreciated. 

[seaweed]

FS/FN convoys are difficult to interpret and difficult to explain because they were numbered in phases rather than dates. Further complicated by an FS series sailing Scapa to Norway. Researchers often give their own designations such as 1/31 which means convoy 31 in the first phase but as you can see your information gives it as 0031
You are correct in that FS convoys sailed Methil to Southend and reverse as FN convoys. but from late 1939 until early 1940 these convoys sailed Tyne to Southend and reverse, Methil to Tyne were designated  MT southbound and TM  reverse. Convoy FS 31, in 1939, sailed Methil to Southend.
The website convoy.web gives good information but this is often flawed. For example Arnold Hague (considered to be the main man concerning convoy research) says FS31 in 1939 had no naval escorts.
I have attached a couple of pages which may help you understand the phases.
Like I say difficult to explain.

[fedagent]

Good afternoon. I have a similar question. My Dad was a WW 2 prisoner of war, who was transported from North Africa in 1942 to Liverpool. It would have been in September or October 1942. I'm trying to find information on the convoy he might have been in. Thanks much. 

[seaweed]

The HG series of convoy ran from Gibraltar (HG.7 - 9 from Port Said) to the UK from September 1939 until the advent of Operation Torch in September 1942. During this period, occasional, additional convoys, designated SLG also sailed. The HG series did not restart but was replaced by the MKS series from November 1942.

Try searching this website. Not 100% accurate but the best there is.
http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/
Also http://warsailors.com/convoys/index.html More precise but not as large. Scroll down for info on HG and MKS convoys
What you really need is the name of a ship.

[fedagent]

Thank you for the information. My Dad couldn't remember the name of the ships. Apparently he sailed in several ships from the time he was taken prisoner in the desert in July 1942 to Liverpool sometimes in late September or October1942. Also, assuming I were able to narrow it down to  a few ships, are there lists of the passengers/prisoners on board? Thanks.

[seaweed]

Also, assuming I were able to narrow it down to  a few ships, are there lists of the passengers/prisoners on board? Thanks.

I doubt very much if any lists of prisoners have survived. I note from your other post that he was an Italian. Have you tried Italian sources or the Red Cross?