In October 1940 he was transferred to the cruiser as commanding officer. His command was moved to the Mediterranean in 1941 and together with and destroyers and formed Force K based in Malta. Commodore Agnew commanded Force K during the destruction of the Duisburg convoy on 8 November 1941 and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath for this action. In June 1943 the "Aurora" was used to convey King George VI to Malta and Agnew was created a Companion of the Royal Victorian Order for this service.