GREYHOUND-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Fairfield of Govan under the 1933 Programme in March 1934. The ship was laid down on 4th September that year and launched on 7th November 1935 as the 5th RN warship to carry the name that dates from 1799. This name was last used in 1897 when given to a Destroyer sold in 1921. Build was completed on 22nd February 1936 at a cost of £250,364 which excluded Admiralty supplied equipment such as guns, ammunition and radio communications equipment. She served mainly in the Mediterranean until October 1939 when recalled to Home waters.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

DOVER  PATROL 1914-18 - ATLANTIC   1939

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Green a female gipsy's head Proper.

 

M o t t o

'Trust your luck'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

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1 9 3 9

 

September             Deployed with 1st Destroyer Flotilla for patrol and contraband control in Eastern

                                Mediterranean based at Alexandria.

 

October                  Transferred for duty in Home Waters.

                                Took passage to Gibraltar.

                22nd       Sailed from Gibraltar to UK with HM Destroyers GRENADE and GRIFFIN.

                                During passage deployed in SW Approaches for anti-submarine duties.

 

November              SW Approaches deployment in continuation.

                11th        Called at Plymouth during passage to Harwich with HM Destroyer GREYHOUND to join

                                22nd Destroyer Flotilla for North Sea convoy defence and patrol duties.

                12th        Sustained slight damage in collision with HMS GREYHOUND in fog.

                13th        Under repair at Harwich.

                                Rescued survivors from German aircraft in sea off Harwich

                                Detonated mine amidships when leaving harbour for North Sea patrol with HM Destroyers

                                GRIFFIN, KEITH and BOADICEA of Flotilla.

                                Ship broke in two. 30 killed including Captain.

                                115 survivors were rescued by ships in company.

                                (Note: The short career of this ship belied her Motto!)

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e

 

The two sections of the wreck were later beached and were subsequently salvaged. They were broken up during 1940.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS GIPSY

by Don Kindell

 

This convoy list has not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)