S-Class
Destroyer
ordered from John Brown of Clydebank with
the 11th Order of the
1917-18 Build Programme in April 1917. The
ship was laid down on 25th October
1917 and launched on 27th April 1918 as the
15th RN ship to carry the name. It
was first used in 1577 and previously for a
cruiser sold in 1904 Build was
completed on 15th June 19l8. During the
inter-war years she was deployed in the
Mediterranean and after 1928 went to
the China Station. She was still serving
there when war with Germany was
declared in September 1939.
Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National
Savings campaign in December 1941 she was
adopted by
the civil community of Leatherhead.
Surrey.
1 9 3 9
September
3rd
On passage to Singapore
following
conversion for minelaying at
Hong
Kong.
4th
Laid defensive minefield off
Singapore.
10th
Converted back to Antisubmarine
role.
October
Deployed
with Hong Kong Local Flotilla for
contraband control and convoy defence
to
December
1 9 4 0
January
Hong Kong Flotilla deployment in
continuation.
to
August
September
Under refit at Hong
Kong.
to
November
December
Resumed
Local Flotilla duties.
1 9 4 1
January
Local Flotilla duties in continuation.
to
October
November
Under refit and routine docking.
December
8th
After Japan entered war transfer to
Singapore
agreed with US Navy.
Undocked
and took passage.
18th
Deployed with Perak
Flotilla (ROSEFORCE) at Port Swettenham.
Supported
clandestine operations to disrupt
Japanese communications in Straits
of Malacca.
1 9 4 2
January
Returned
to Singapore
when Japanese aircraft prevented further
operations.
Redeployed on local
convoy escort.
February
Escorted
evacuation convoys from
Singapore
to
Batavia.
Transferred
to Western Striking Force of ABDA
Command based at Tanjong
Priock.
25th
Redeployed and joined Eastern Striking
Force with HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN),
DANAE, DRAGON and HM
Destroyer TENEDOS at Soerabaya.
26th
Carried out unsuccessful operation to
intercept Japanese invasion convoy
heading
for western
Java.
27th
After refuelling escorted HMAS HOBART
with HMS DRAGON and HMS DANAE
during
passage to
Colombo.
March
Joined
Force B with HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES,
HM Cruisers
CALEDON
and
DRAGON.
31st
Deployed with Force B to
cover HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM
Aircraft Carriers
INDOMITABLE
and FORMIDABLE of Force A during
unsuccessful search for
Japanese naval force
on passage towards Ceylon.
April
4th
Refuelled at Addu Atoll with Eastern
Fleet Forces A and B.
Remained
at sea during Japanese air attacks on
Ceylon
and then took passage to
Kilindini.
May
Deployed for
screening duty of R-Class
Battleships based at Kilindini.
June
Took passage to Colombo
for refit.
August
Indian
Ocean
convey escort in continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 3
January
Indian
Ocean
convoy escort in continuation.
to
December
1
9 4 4
January
Under
refit at Bombay.
to
Extent
of repair required was found uneconomic
to complete.
May
June
Placed
under Care and Maintenance and used for
accommodation of
personnel
from HM Destroyer Depot Ship WOOLWICH at
Trincomalee.
July
Accommodation Ship role in
continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 5
January
Accommodation Ship role in
continuation.
to
August