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Type I HUNT Class Escort Destroyer ordered on 21st March 1939 from Swan Hunter at Newcastle as part of the 1939 Programme with 9 other Type I. She was laid down on 29th June 1939 and launched on 8th February 1940 as the third RN ship to bear the name, that of a fox-hunt in Yorkshire. It was first used for a Cutter captured in 1779 and lastly by a minesweeper in WW1. Build Completion date was 10th August 1940. The ship was adopted by the civil community of Amman Valley, Wales after a National Savings WARSHIP WEEK campaign in March 1942.

B a t t 1e   H o n o u r s

          BALTIC 1918-19 - NORTH SEA 1942-45

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Red,

a fox's mask holding in the mouth a hunting horn gold.

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

1 9 4 0

August                  Contractors trials and commissioned for service in 21st Destroyer Flotilla based at Sheerness.

                10th        Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

                                Passage to Scapa Flow to work-up for operational service.

                                (Note: Work-up at Portland was changed because of extent of enemy activities in Channel.)

September             Deployed at Scapa Flow for work-up.

                                On completion took passage to Sheerness.

                5th          Joined Flotilla for convoy defence in North Sea and Channel.

                16th        Detonated mine during patrol but sustained little damage.

                                Remained in service.

October                  Flotilla deployment in continuation including anti-invasion patrols.

to

November

December              Detached for escort duty in Western Approaches.

                                Took passage to Plymouth.

                11th        Escorted HM QUEEN ELIZABETH from Plymouth to Clyde after major refit.

                16th        Resumed duties with Flotilla in tore Command.

1 9 4 2

January                  North Sea convoy defence and patrol in continuation with Flotilla..

to

February

March

                10th        Destroyed Ju88 aircraft in Thames Estuary.

                14th        In action against E-Boats attacking FS Convoy in North Sea.

April                       North Sea deployment in continuation.

to

June

July

                5th          Detonated mine and sustained major structural damage.

                7th          Under repair.

August                  On completion rejoined Flotilla for North Sea duties.

September             North Sea patrol and convoy escort in continuation

to

December

1942

January                  Deployed in North Sea.

February

                30th        Interception patrol for protection of Convoy FS29 in North Sea

                                In action with E-Boats near Hearty Knoll with HM Destroyers MENDIP and PYTCHLEY

                                escorting FS29 from Forth.

                                Two E-Boats were sunk and S53 disabled.

                                Closed S53 to capture the vessel whose crew detonated her demolition charges.

                                Salvage proved impossible and the boarding party had to withdraw because of outbreak of

                                fire.

                                (Note: Eighteen of German crew were made prisoners.

                                                For details see THE BATTLE OF THE EAST COAST by J P Foynes.)

March

                14th        In action with HM Destroyers PYTCHLEY and WALLACE against E-Boats attacking

                                North Sea. See convoy FN55.

                                See above reference.

April                       North Sea patrol and convoy escort in continuation.

to

December

1 9 4 3

January                  Deployed for North Sea interception patrols and convoy defence

to.                           Based at Sheerness with 21st Destroyer Flotilla.

November

December

                5th          Sustained major structural damage after detonating mine off Cromer.

                                Flooding and extent of damage prevented Immediate passage to harbour and ship beached off

                                Harwich near Parkestone Quay.

                8th          Remained beached awaiting tow to London for repair.

                                Taken in tow to Millwall Docks, London. for repair in commercial shipyard.

1 9 4 4

January                  Under repair by Green and Silley Weir.

to April

May                        Post repair trials and worked-up for operational service.

June                        Resumed Flotilla duties.

                                (Note: Did NOT take part in escort of military convoys to Normandy during Assault                          

                                and Build-up Phases (Operation NEPTUNE).

                                See LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, JUNE 1944 (HMSO) and for details of all ships

                                taking part D Day Ships by J de Winser.)

July                         Flotilla duties in continuation. Deployed for convoy defence and patrol in North Sea.

to

December

1 9 4 5

January                  North Sea deployment with Flotilla in continuation.

to                            (Note: During this period German minelaying and attacks on convoys increased

April                       and existing escorts were supplemented. See HOLD TRUE NARROW SEA by P.

                                Smith and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett)

May                        Transferred to Nore Local Flotilla after VE Day when North Sea convoys were no longer

                                required

June                        Deployed for local training and support duties in Nore Command.

to

August

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

HMS HOLDERNESS remained in commission after VJ Day and continued service at Chatham in the Local Flotilla until 1946 when the Paid-Off and reduced to Reserve status.  She was laid-up at Harwich and in 1953 before transfer to Barrow her armament and other equipment were preserved. This ship was placed on the Disposal List in 1956 and sold to BISCO for demolition by T W Ward at Preston where she arrived in tow on 20th November 1956.

Addendum

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS HOLDERNESS

by Don Kindell

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)