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
