1 9 1 8
November Contractors trials
18th Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials
December On completion commissioned for service in Harwich Force
1 9 1 9
January Paid off and reduced to Care and Maintenance.
February Nominated for Foreign service on China Station in 5th Light Cruiser Squadron.
March
1st Commissioned at Chatham.
April Passage to China Station
to May
June Deployed with 5th LCS and carried out programmed visits and exercises
to December
1 9 2 0
China Station service in continuation.
Returned to UK to recommission.
1 9 2 1
January
1st Re-commissioned at Chatham for further service on China Station.
Prepared for foreign service
February Passage to China Station
to March
April Deployed with Squadron on China Station.
to December
1 9 2 2
China Station deployment in continuation.
1 9 2 3
January Return passage to UK
February
3rd Re-commissioned for service on China Station
March Passage to resume foreign service
to April
May Deployed with Squadron on China Station.
to December
1 9 2 4
China Station deployment with Squadron
Nominated to recommission on Station.
(Note: Ships company took passage in commercial ship to Hong Kong.
1 9 2 5
January Deployed with Squadron on China Station.
to September
October
22nd Re-commissioned at Hong Kong for further service in LCS5.
November Deployed with Squadron on China Station
to December
1 9 2 6 t o 1 9 2 7
China Station deployment with LCS5 in continuation.
1 9 2 8
January China Station deployment in continuation.
to June Nominated for return to UK to refit and recommission.
July
16th Sailed from Hong Kong to Chatham to refit
August
31st Arrived at Chatham.
September Paid off.
12th Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham
October Under refit
to December
1 9 2 9
January Under refit
to August Nominated for further foreign service.
Manning Division changed to Devonport.
September New ships company joined from Devonport Division
3rd Re-commissioned for service in 6th Light Cruiser Squadron on South African Station.
Refit work completed and commenced post refit trials in Thames area.
Took passage to Devonport to prepare for foreign service.
20th Sailed from Devonport to join Squadron at Simonstown as replacement for HM Sloop
LOWESTOFT.
October On arrival deployed with Squadron for visits and exercises in South Atlantic and
Indian Ocean.
November Squadron duties based at Simonstown in continuation.
to December
1 9 3 0 t o 1 9 3 1
Deployed with ships of LCS6 for Squadron duties on Station.
1 9 3 2
January Prepared for return passage.
Took passage to Devonport.
February Arrived at Devonport.
Nominated for further service on South African Station with newly designated
6th Cruiser Squadron.
March
1st Re-commissioned for service in CS6
April Passage to Simonstown to join Squadron
May Deployed with Squadron on Station
to December
1 9 3 3
Squadron deployment on Station in continuation.
1 9 3 4
January Deployed with Squadron on Station.
to July Nominated for further foreign service on South Africa Station
August Passage to Devonport
September
5th Re-commissioned for service in CS6 on South Africa Station.
October Passage to Simonstown for Squadron duties on Station.
to December Deployed with Squadron on arrival.
1 9 3 5 t o 1 9 3 6
Squadron deployment in continuation.
1 9 3 7
January Deployed with Squadron on Station.
to February Nominated for reduction to Reserve status on relief by HM Cruiser NEPTUNE
March
16th Sailed from Capetown on relief by HMS NEPTUNE.
April Passage to Devonport to Pay-off
March Paid-off and destored at Devonport
to August
September Laid up in Reserve at Devonport.
to October
November
4th Approved for conversion to Anti-aircraft cruiser.
December Laid-up at Devonport.
1 9 3 8
Deployed at Devonport as Boys Training Ship.
Conversion by HM Dockyard Devonport to commence in January 1939
1 9 3 9
January Taken in hand for conversion.
to August
D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search
September
3rd Under conversion at HM Dockyard Devonport for use as an Anti-aircraft cruiser.
(Note: Being fitted with an Army Type GL Mark 2 radar for detection of
aircraft at long ranges. This equipment was designated Radar Type 280
when used by the RN. Only two other warships, both Auxiliaries, had this
particular equipment. For details of development and use of radar in RN
see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse)
October Under conversion
to November Nominated for service in Home Fleet as an AA ship
December Post refit trials and commissioning.
1 9 4 0
January
12th Conversion completed and carried out sea trials.
Prepared for radar trials in Mediterranean based in Malta.
February
1st Took passage to Malta for work-up and to carry out sea trials on the new radar
outfit. See above reference.
(Note: This equipment was found to be very suitable for shipborne detection
of aircraft at long ranges).
March On completion of radar trials took passage to return to Scapa Flow.
Joined 1st AA Squadron and deployed in Humber Force, Home Fleet.
April Deployed in North Sea for AA defence.
9th After German invasion of Norway deployed with Home Fleet in support of allied
military operations (Operation RUPERT/R4).
17th Sailed from Rosyth with troops of MAURICE FORCE for passage to Andalsnes
with HM Cruisers GALATEA, ARETHUSA and CURACOA
(Operation SICKLE).
18th After landing troops relieved the Sloop HMS BLACK SWAN as AA Guardship in
Romdalsjord. Later shared AA guard duties at Molde with H M Cruiser CURACOA
HM Sloops BLACK SWAN and BITTERN.
20th Arrived at Andalsnes for AA Guardship duties.
22nd Transferred to Namsos in continuation.
28th Deployed at Namsos as AA Guardship.
(For details of the disastrous naval operations off Norway see the Naval Staff
History, THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams, NARVIK by D. MacIntyre
and CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton).
29th Passage to Skel Fjord to refuel
30th Resumed AA Guardship duties at Namsos
(Note: HM Sloop BITTERN deployed for AA defence had to be sunk after
sustaining major damage in air attacks.)
May
1st Flagship and AA Guardship during Namsos evacuation with H M Cruisers
DEVONSHIRE and YORK,
Ordered to sea to ensure available for evacuation duty.:
2nd Unable to re-enter Namsos by fog and sailed to join HMS DEVONSHIRE on
passage off Norway for evacuation.
Embarked troops after nightfall. For details see Naval Staff History.
3rd Sailed for UK with HMS DEVONSHIRE, HM Destroyers AFRIDI, GRENADE,
IMPERIAL and French destroyer BISON.
Under heavy and sustained air attacks during which BISON was sunk
. See Naval Staff History for details.
5th Arrived at Scapa Flow,
11th Returned to Norwegian coast with HM Destroyer ZULU to intercept ship reported
taking German reinforcement troops to Narvik area but failed to arrive in time
to take any action.
18th Transferred to Mediterranean Fleet.
Took passage to Malta from Devonport with HM Destroyers JAGUAR and JAVELIN
for service with 4th Cruiser Squadron.
24th Passage to Alexandria from Malta with 4 K-Class destroyers.
June Nominated for AA defence of Red Sea convoys in view of threat of attacks from
Italian aircraft during hostilities.
Passage to Aden for duty as Flag Officer Red Sea Force.
11th In action with Italian aircraft during air raid at Aden.9 aircraft destroyed by ship
and shore defences.
July Deployed on convoy escort between Aden and Port Sudan.
Visited Djibouti, French Somaliland..
August
15th Assisted with the evacuation of troops and civilians from Berbera with other
warships including HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN), CALEDON, CERES and
HM Destroyer KANDAHAR.
18th Passage to Aden with passengers.
September Under refit at Colombo.
October Returned to Aden for AA Guardship duty and convoy escort.
November Red Sea deployment in continuation.
12th Escorted ss CITY OF LILLE with HM Sloops AUCKLAND and PARRAMATTA
(RAN) to join military convoy WS3 off the port.
Joined Ocean Escort HM Cruiser DORSETSHIRE with the two Sloops to provide
anti- aircraft defence during passage of WS3 in Red Sea.
14th Detached from WS3 with HMS DORSETSHIRE during passage after vulnerability
to air attack was no longer likely. Took passage to Aden.
December Deployed at Aden.
18th Joined military convoy WS4 at Aden with HM Cruiser PERTH (RAN), H M Sloops
INDUS (RIN), YARRA (RAN) and HM Destroyer KINGSTON as escort during
passage in Red Sea.
20th Detached from WS4 with HMIS INDUS and returned to Aden.
(Note: HMS PERTH and HMS KINGSTON remained with convoy.
25th Joined military convoy WS4B at Aden with HM Destroyers KANDAHAR and
KIMBERLEY for escort during passage in Red Sea.
(Note: H M Cruiser SOUTHAMPTON which had been part of Ocean Escort from
Durban remained with convoy until arrival at Suez on 28th.)
27th Detached from WS4B with HMS KIMBERLEY and returned to Aden.
(Note: During this period defect developed in propeller shaft which reduced the
speed normally possible.)
1 9 4 1
January Red Sea Force deployment in continuation.
Defect in one propeller shaft and repair arranged at Bombay.
Repair deferred and required for service in Mediterranean
February Passage to Mediterranean.
Remained at Suez as FO Suez Area until aircraft laid mines in Suez Canal were
cleared.
March Deployed at Suez pending completion of minesweeping operation to allow transit
through Suez Canal.
7th Passage to Great Bitter Lake and experienced further delay.
8th Resumed transit with HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Destroyers
JANUS, GRIFFIN and HM Sloop GRIMSBY.
10th Arrived at Alexandria.
Taken in hand for repair after arrival at Alexandria
(Note: Defective shaft was taken to Malta by submarine for repair in HM Dockyard.)
20th Deployed for escort of Convoy MW6 with HM Cruisers BONAVENTURE,
CALCUTTA and COVENTRY during passage to Malta (Operation MC9)
(Note: Ship was without one shaft,
Cover was provided for transit by HM Battleships BARHAM, VALIANT
and WARSPITE, HMS FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers GLASGOW and
YORK with screen of nine Fleet destroyers.)
23rd Under heavy and sustained air attacks on arrival in Malta with MW6.
24th Passage to Suda Bay for AA Guardship duties.
26th Arrived at Suda Bay.
(Note: In an attack by Italian explosive motor boats HM Cruiser YORK was hit
and sustained serious damage on 25th)
March Deployed at Suda by for defence of military convoys on passage between Egypt
and Greek ports for transfer of British personnel and stores for defence against
invasion of Greece (Operation LUSTRE – See Naval Staff History.)
(Note: Did not take part in the Battle of Cape Matapan as not operationally
available for Fleet duties involving major units.)
April Returned to Alexandria.
24th Sailed from Alexandria as escort for Convoy AG14 to Greece with HMS KINGSTON
and HMS KANDAHAR.
25th Diverted from escort of Convoy AG14 to evacuate allied troops from Greece.
(Operation DEMON - See Naval Staff History and ENGAGE THE ENEMY
MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).
26th Assisted with the evacuation of NZ troops and some civilians from Greek port of
Raphtis with HMS KANDAHAR, HMS KINGSTON and ss SALWEEN
. Because of a machinery defect secured alongside HMS KANDAHAR.
1,410 passengers were taken to Suda Bay although only 500 had been expected.
(Note: For full details of Raphtis evacuation with names of all ships involved
with totals see Naval Staff History.)
29th Sailed from Greek waters-as escort for Convoy GA15 (6 ships) with HM Australian
Cruiser PERTH, HM Sloop AUCKLAND, HM Destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER
and KANDAHAR.
Passage to Alexandria.
May
1st Arrived at Alexandria with GA15.
5th Deployed with HM Cruiser COVENTRY, HM Corvette GLOXINIA, HM Whaler
SWONA (SANF) and HM Tug ST ISSEY as escort for Convoy MW7A to Malta.
(Operation MD4)
(Note: Part of Operation TIGER involving ships of Force H at Gibraltar to pass
a military convoy from Gibraltar and passage of convoys MW7A and
MW7B from Egypt to Malta. For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE
MEDITERRANEAN and Naval Staff History.).
6th Remained with escort when Convoy MW7B merged with Convoy MW7A.
9th After arrival of Convoy MW7 in Malta formed part of escort for TIGER convoy to
Alexandria with HM Cruisers CALCUTTA, COVENTRY, DIDO, NAIAD
PHOEBE and HMS ST ISSEY screened by destroyers of Mediterranean Fleet..
12th Arrived in Alexandria.
Taken in hand for repair in Dry Dock at Alexandria.
21st Undocked before completion of work to rejoin Fleet in defence of Crete.
Speed restricted because of lack of shaft awaiting installation.
Deployed for offensive patrols off Crete to intercept invasion craft with H M
Cruisers NAIAD, PERTH (RAN), CALCUTTA and Fleet destroyers (Force C).
Came under heavy air attacks.
22nd Supplemented AA defence for HMS NAIAD which was short of ammunition.
Subjected to dive bombing attacks causing some damage and casualties including
Captain who was killed.
23rd On arrival at Alexandria had little ammunition left.
25th Resumed repair at Port Said with No 2 AA mounting replaced.
(Note: Repaired shaft had been delivered by submarine from Malta.)
June Under repair during which shaft was replaced.
July On completion of repair deployed as AA Guardship at Haifa and with Fleet units
operating off Syrian coast (Operation EXPORTER)
(See RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute and Naval; Staff History for details).
6th Carried out bombardment near Damur in support of military operations with
six destroyers
18th At Beirut with HMS COVENTRY
Deployed at Suez for AA defence
(Note: This was required following increase in enemy air raids during period
when reinforcements were arriving for 8th Army. See Naval Staff History.)
August
29th Relieved HMS COVENTRY as AA Guardship to provide defence at anchorages
F and H in Suez Bay used by troopships.
September Deployed for escort of convoys in support of Tobruk garrison.
to October Transferred to Suez for AA defence with HMS COVENTRY.
November Returned to Alexandria for Fleet duties in support of Tobruk garrison
(Operation AGGRESSION)
22nd Sailed from Alexandria with three destroyers as escort for HM Supply Ship
GLENROY taking military personnel with stores for passage toTobruk.
23rd Under air attack on passage.
HMS GLENROY hit by torpedo and seriously damaged.
Took HMS GLENROY in tow which was later transferred to HM Escort
Destroyer FARNDALE.
(Note: HMS GLENROY was beached west of Mersa Matruh and later
refloated and taken in tow by Tugs from Alexandria.)
December
7th Deployed with HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN) and GALATEA with two
destroyers to meet HMS BRECONSHIRE in eastern Mediterranean as relief
for escort from Malta, covered by HM Cruisers NEPTUNE and AJAX. during
passage to Alexandria.
8th Arrived in Alexandria with HMS BRECONSHIRE.
15th Escorted Supply Ship HMS BRECONSHIRE taking relief supplies to Malta
with HMS NAIAD, HMS EURYALUS, HM Destroyers DECOY, HASTY,
HAVOCK, JERVIS, KIMBERLEY, KIPLING and NIZAM deployed as Force C
16th Detached. from Force C when operation under threat of attack by Italian major
warships and made radio transmissions to suggest presence of Major Fleet
units available for cover of this operation.
Returned to Alexandria.
(Note: Ships of Force C later took part in brief engagement with Italian units which
withdrew after threat of torpedo attacks.
1st Battle of Sirte. See Naval Staff History, BATTLE FOR THE
MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre and NAVAL WAR IN THE
MEDITERRANEAN by J Green and A Massignani.)
1 9 4 2
January
16th Joined H M Destroyers ARROW, GRIFFIN, HASTY and HERO as escort for
Convoy MW8A, ss AJAX and ss THERMOPYLAE, covered by HM Cruisers
DIDO, EURYALUS and NAIAD with destroyer screen (Operation MF3)
18th After Convoys MW8A and MW8B merged came under air attacks.
Detached with HM Destroyers FOXHOUND and HOTSPUR to escort
ss THERMOPYLAE because of machinery defects. Destination was later
changed to Alexandria.
19th HM Corvette GLOXINIA joined escort.
In action against aircraft which sank THERMOPYLAE off Derna.
21st Arrived at Alexandria.
24th Escorted HMS BRECONSHIRE with HM Cruisers NAIAD, DIDO and
EURYALUS screened by eight destroyers for passage to Malta as Force B.
26th After HMS BRECONSHIRE escort was handed to Force K from Malta returned
with the ships of Force B escorting two empty
mercantiles to Alexandria.
28th Arrived at Alexandria
February
12th Joined HM Destroyers LANCE, AVONVALE, ERIDGE and HEYTHROP as
escort for Convoy MW9A, ss CLAN CAMPBELL and ss CLAN CHATTAN,
to Malta from Alexandria.
(Operation MF5 covered by HM Cruisers EURYALUS, NAIAD and destroyer
screen).
13th Convoys MW9A and MW9B merged.
Under air attacks during which CLAN CAMPBELL was damaged and sent to Tobruk.
In later air attacks CLAN CHATTAN was sunk by HM Destroyer DECOY after
she had caught fire and been abandoned.
(Note: For details of this disastrous operation in which no merchant ship was
able to reach Malta see above references).
After the operation was cancelled escorted return Convoy ME10 from Malta to
Alexandria with HM Cruisers NAIAD, DIDO and EURYALUS. During passage
The main steam pipe in the Engine Room fractured disabling ship.
During the repair work AA defence was provided by 3 HUNT Class destroyers.
Near missed in later air attacks.
15th Rejoined convoy and returned to Alexandria.
March
20th Part of close escort for Malta supply convoy MW10 with HM Destroyers
HASTY, HERO, HAVOCK, LIVELY, SIKH and ZULU of 22nd Destroyer
Flotilla.
(Note: Convoy comprised HMS BRECONSHIRE, ss CLAN CAMPBELL,
ss PAMPAS and ss TALABOT).
Cover provided by HM Cruiser CLEOPATRA, DIDO and EURYALUS
screened by HM Destroyers JERVIS, KIPLING, KELVIN and KINGSTON
of 5th Destroyer Flotilla (Operation MG1).)
22nd Under attack from torpedo and bomber aircraft after escort reinforced by Force
K from Malta.
After Italian battle squadron comprising the battleship LITTORIO and 3 cruisers
with ten escorting destroyers, intercepted MW10,
Detached with 7 HUNT Class Escort Destroyers as escort for mercantiles and
positioned to SW of covering warships which engaged the Italian cruisers.
(Note: The aggressive action by British destroyers resulted in the withdrawal of
the Italian major ships which did not relish any night attacks by a radar
fitted enemy.
2nd Battle of Sirte. For
full details see MEDITERRANEAN MAELSTROM
by GC Connell and above references).
23rd Detached with HM Destroyers BEAUFORT and SOUTHWOLD to escort HMS
BRECONSHIRE into Malta.
Under synchronised air attacks by torpedo and dive bombers. Collided with HM
Destroyer HMS AVON VALE whilst taking avoiding action against aircraft in a
smoke screen. Attempt to tow damaged HMS BRECONSHIRE called off because
of the shortage of fuel and ammunition. One rating killed during an air attack by
an Me 109 fighter when entering Valetta.
25th Passage to Alexandria with HM Escort Destroyers BEAUFORT, DULVERTON,
ERIDGE and HURWORTH
28th Arrived at Alexandria.
April Deployed at Alexandria and prepared for return passage to UK.
Nominated for refit.
May Passage from Alexandria.
Diverted to provide escort for military convoy W318 that had been subjected to
delay due to damage by mines off the Cape of Good Hope.
15th Joined ships of military convoy WS18 at Capetown as Ocean Escort during passage
in Indian Ocean to Durban
18th Detached from WS18 on arrival at Durban and resumed passage to UK.
June Called at Simonstown
Called at Freetown..
On arrival at Plymouth taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport.
July Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport.
August Under refit.
to (Note: Work included the replacement of the aircraft warning radar Type 280
November by Type 281 and installation of surface warning radar Type 273.
AA fire control radars Type 285 for 4" mountings and Type 282 for
Close Range armament were also fitted. See RADAR AT SEA.).
Nominated for service in Mediterranean.
Post refit trials.
December On completion of post refit trials took passage to Scapa Flow.
7th Arrived at Scapa Flow for work-up with Home Fleet
1 9 4 3
January Developed defects and withdrawn from work-up.
Returned to Devonport for repair.
February Under repair.
On completion took passage to Scapa Flow to resumed work-up
March Resumed Work-up in continuation
On completion took passage to Gibraltar.
April
2nd Arrived at Gibraltar and allocated to Force Q for attacks on enemy convoys m
central Mediterranean.
May
19th Deployed as escort with four destroyers for first convoy through Mediterranean
to Alexandria since relief of Malta.
26th Arrived in Alexandria.
June Mediterranean convoy defence in continuation.
July Transferred to 15th Cruiser Squadron for service in Eastern Mediterranean.
Escorted military convoys to Central Mediterranean prior to Sicily landings
10th Part of Support Force East with HM Cruiser NEWFOUNDLAND, UGANDA,
MAURITIUS, ORION, COLOMBO and DELHI during landings of 1st Airborne
Division SW of Syracuse.
Assisted in rescue of survivors from Hospital Ship TALAMBA.
(Operation HUSKY - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval
Staff History).
11th Attempted tow of ammunition ship BAARN off beaches failed after which it had
to be sunk by HM Destroyer TARTAR.
August Deployed in support of military operations off Sicily.
September Transferred to Levant Command to reinforce 12th Cruiser Squadron.
4th Deployed with Squadron in Aegean to intercept invasion craft and support the
military operations to occupy islands after Italian surrender.
October Aegean deployment in continuation.
7th Carried out offensive sweep in Scarpanto Strait with HM Destroyers PANTHER
and PETARD.
Later joined by the destroyers HMS ALDENHAM and Greek THEMISTOCLES
for further sortie in same area. (Operation CREDENTIAL).
8th HM Destroyer ROCKWOOD and Greek MIAOULIS replaced ALDENHAM and
THEMISTOCLES in for a third offensive sweep as CREDENTIAL Force.
9th Came under air attack by Ju87 's during patrol in Scarpanto Strait with HMS
PANTHER and HMS ROCKWOOD. The ship received four direct hits and
several near misses which caused extensive structural damage and flooding
. Starboard shaft and propeller blown off with Port shaft was buckled.
Disabled with 20 of the ship's company killed and 17 wounded.
(Casualty List -
note on casualties)
Stricken vessel was taken in tow to Alexandria by HMS ROCKWOOD.
(Note: During this operation by CREDENTIAL Force HMS PANTHER was
sunk).
16th Under repair at Alexandria.
November Declared a constructive total loss and converted for use as a Base ship for
Escorts at Alexandria.
December Under conversion for new role.
1 9 4 4
January Conversion in continuation
to March Proposal to use at Aden was not implemented.
April Service as a Base ship at Alexandria.
to December
1 9 4 5
January Base Ship service in continuation
to August
