LOCH Class Twin Screw Fast Frigate ordered on 25th January 1943 from Smiths Dock, Shipbuilders at Middlesbrough and laid down on 13th December 1943 as Job Number 4781 (Yard Number 1130). The ship was launched on 7 July 1944 as the 1st Royal Navy ship to carry this name. Build was completed on 1st Feb. 1945.

 

G e o g r a p h i c   D a t a

Loch in Perthshire   (Grid Reference NN5106)

Gaelic Name: Ath Chrathaig  ('Ford of shaking')

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1945

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Only ships of this Class which remained in service or re-commissioned

after 1950 were officially given Crests. Many which served during WW2

did have an unofficial Badge. often  having an association with the Clan

of the area in which the namesake was geographically placed.

 

 

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

 

  

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Contractors trials and commissioned for service. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander L H Stammers RNVR. (Note: Ship's company provided mainly from Portsmouth Depot.)

 

Allocated for service with 8th Escort Group in Western Approaches on completion.

 

February

 

1st - Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

 

6th - On completion of trials and storing took passage to Clyde

 

9th - Under repair at Clyde commercial shipyard

 

March

 

7th - On completion of repair took passage to Tobermory to work-up for operational service.

 

28th - Passage to Greenock to join Group on completion of work-up. (Note: Other ships in Group were HM Frigates AIRE, NATAL (SANF), LOCH MORE and LOCH GLENDHU.) |

 

April

 

Deployed for convoy defence in Irish Sea and SW Approaches. (Note: Commander J H Eaden DSC RN joined ship as Senior Officer 8th Escort Group. During this period SCHNORKEL fitted submarines were making attacks on coastal waters shipping. See SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackman which also has details of weapons used,. BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by John Terraine and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett give further information.)

 

Visited Belfast.

 

11th - Deployed with ships of 8th and 25th Escort Groups for an anti-submarine search operation in Irish Sea (Position 54.02N, 05.03W).

 

12th - After submarine was detected by HMS LOCH GLENDHU took part in joint anti-submarine operation. Submarine forced to surface and engaged by surface gunfire from main and close range armament. Crew abandoned submarine which was identified as U1024. Submarine taken in tow by HMS LOCH MORE after being boarded. (Note: 37 of crew survive. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

 

13th - U1024 sank during tow in position 53-39N 05.53W west of Anglesey after weather conditions deteriorated.

 

20th - Convoy defence and patrol with Group in continuation.

 

28th - Deployed with Group in Irish Sea and Western Approaches to supplement escort of joint convoy OS129/KMS99 during passage to Gibraltar.

 

May

 

Nominated for foreign service in Indian Ocean with Eastern Fleet.

 

1st - Detached from OS129/KMS99 and returned to Clyde.

 

6th - VE Day. In Clyde.

 

19th - Part of escort for joint convoy OS129/KMS1103 to Gibraltar.

 

20th - Detached during passage and returned to Belfast to refuel.

 

21st - Nominated for escort of German submarines during passage from Scapa Flow to Assembly point at Loch Ryan (Operation DEADLIGHT). (For details of U-Boats surrendered see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C. Blair.)

 

June

 

DEADLIGHT deployment in continuation.

 

4th - Escorted ten U-Boats from Scapa Flow.

 

5th - Detached on arrival at Loch Ryan.

 

6th - Taken in hand for refit in Clyde commercial shipyard prior to foreign service.

 

27th - Lieut. Commander C J Aldridge RNR appointed in command.

 

July to August

 

Under refit

 

September

 

On completion of post refit trials prepared for foreign service in Clyde.

 

26th - Sailed from Clyde for passage to Colombo.

 

October

 

On passage in Mediterranean and Red Sea after call at Gibraltar

 

November

 

On passage in Indian Ocean.

 

7th - Arrived at Colombo for service in East Indies Escort Force. (Note: Lieut. Commander H G Chesterman DSC RNR had been appointed in command on 28th September and may have joined in Colombo. Other ships in Escort Force included HM Frigates LOCH CRAGGIE, LOCH ECK, LOCH KATRINE, LOCH SCAVAIG and LOCH TARBERT which were all to be deployed in Singapore for service in support of military operations and to assist with repatriation of allied civilian and service personnel captured or interned by Japanese in the Dutch East Indies. These were known as RAPWI.)

 

December

 

Prepared for support duties.

 

16th - Took passage for Singapore to join support operations.

 

Deployed in Java and Sumatra for escort of craft carrying RAPWI. Carried out duty as Guardship at Batavia.

 

 

1 9 4 6

 

January

 

Returned to Singapore. Nominated for Air-Sea Rescue duties off Gwadar. (Note: Ships of East Indies Escort Force were deployed for this duty to provide emergency aid to aircraft carrying personnel to UK for repatriation.)

 

February

 

Took passage to Air Sea Rescue Station and relieved HM Frigate LOCH GORM. On relief by HM Frigate LOCH KATRINE resumed support duties in East Indies.

 

Nominated for return to UK and to be reduced to Reserve status.

 

March to May

 

Visited Port Blair in Andaman Islands on passage to Singapore from Trincomalee for support duties. Lieutenant Commander C C Anderson RN joined ship in command. (Later Rear Admiral, CB).

 

Deployed at Singapore in continuation of Guardship and support duties. (Note: During this period visited Rangoon and Penang.)

 

June

 

Returned to Trincomalee to prepare for return passage to UK

 

10th - Sustained minor damage in collision with HM Frigate LOCH SCAVAIG during passage to Trincomalee in Malacca Straits.

 

16th - Sailed from Trincomalee for return passage to Portsmouth.

 

July

 

Passage in Mediterranean with calls at Malta and Gibraltar.

 

On arrival at Portsmouth paid-off and reduced to Reserve status.

 

August to December

 

Laid-up in Portsmouth Reserve Fleet. 

 

 

1 9 4 7

 

Laid-up in Portsmouth Reserve Fleet. 

 

HMS LOCH ACHRAY was sold to New Zealand with five other LOCH Class Frigates in 1948. 

 

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H M N Z S   K A N I E R E 

 

LOCH ACHRAY was renamed HM New Zealand Ship KANIERE by Lady Willis, wife of CinC Portsmouth. After work-up in Malta with three of the other LOCH Class also being transferred she arrived in Auckland in January 1949.

 

HMNZS KANIERE was again brought forward in 1953 for service with the UN Task Force off Korea and deployed off the east coast for support of military operations. She remained with RN ships based at Hong Kong after the cease-fire in July 1953 and continued service with the UN until 1954 when she returned to New Zealand.

 

This ship remained in commission and was detached for service at Singapore with the 3rd Frigate Squadron for two periods between 1955 and 1957. She then was used for sea training duties mainly in coastal waters although deployed periodically for visits to Pacific islands. By 1961 she had been withdrawn from sea duties and placed in Reserve. Used for harbour training until placed on the Disposal List in 1966 she was sold to Hong Kong Rolling Mills and arrived at the breaker's yard in tow during February 1967.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

KOREA  1953

 

H e r a l d i c    D a t a

The Badge was designed by the ship and features one of the world's rarest birds.

In former times the Kakapo was abundant on the shores of Lake Kaniere. The chief of

the Maori Kai Taku snared this bird in this area. Some of the feathers obtained were

used to make a special garment for his daughter. The Kapako was a ground dwelling

bird and the Badge shows a green field to represent this feature.

 

M o t t o

Kia Maia: 'Be firm'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 4 8

 

January to May

 

Laid-up at Portsmouth. (Note: Sale of the ship to New Zealand was agreed at a cost of £232,750 and the ships was to be refitted prior to transfer to the RNZN.)

 

June to August

 

Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Portsmouth. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to F 426. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander BE Turner.

 

September

 

Carried out harbour trials

 

27th - Commissioned into RNZN service and renamed HMNZS KANIERE by Lady Willis, wife of CinC Portsmouth. (Note: The original choice of her new name was HMNZS HAIPO but this changed before the ceremony.)

 

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant T W Stocker RN.

 

October

 

Carried out post refit trials and calibrations. On completion took passage to Malta to work-up for operational service with the ships of the Mediterranean Fleet. Commenced work-up in Malta.

 

November

 

Took passage to New Zealand on completion of work-up. Transit of Suez Canal.

 

December

 

Passage in Red Sea and Indian Ocean with call at Aden. At Singapore,

 

 

1 9 4 9

 

January

 

Passage from Singapore to Auckland. Joined 11th Frigate Flotilla on arrival.

 

February to June

 

Deployed at Auckland with Flotilla for exercises. Nominated for Pacific Ocean patrol and visits.

 

July to August

 

Carried out patrol with calls at Suva, Fiji and Samoa.

 

Returned to Auckland.

 

September

 

Deployed at Auckland. Commanding Officer: Commander CC Stevens and Senior Officer 11th Frigate Flotilla.

 

Nominated for joint exercises with RAN.

 

October to November

 

Passage to Sydney Took part in joint exercises in Jervis Bay area Calls were made at Melbourne and Hobart, Tasmania

 

December

 

Return passage to Auckland.

 

 

1 9 5 0

 

January to August

 

Deployed at Auckland and took part in Flotilla and RNZN exercises and visits. Nominated for refit. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant D B Holdsworth RN.

 

September to October

 

Under refit at Auckland by HM Dockyard. (Note: Ship had been intended for exchange service with Mediterranean Fleet Frigate but she was replaced by sister ship HMNZS HAWEA.)

 

November to December

 

Carried out post refit trials and rejoined Flotilla. Deployed for Flotilla duties.

 

 

1 9 5 1

 

January to August

 

Deployed with Flotilla for exercises and visits. Nominated for Pacific patrol Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander J O'C Ross.

 

September to October

 

Carried out Pacific patrol with visits to Apia, Ellice Islands, Rotuma, Suva, Tonga. Returned to Auckland.

 

Nominated for reduction to Reserve status. Commanding Officer Lieutenant A G Rhodes

 

November

 

Paid-off and reduced to Reserve at Auckland.

 

December

 

Laid-up at Auckland

 

 

1 9 5 2

 

January to October

 

Laid-up at Auckland

 

November

 

Re-commissioned for service in 11th Frigate Squadron. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant AG Rhodes

 

December

 

Deployed for work-up and Flotilla duties based at Auckland.

 

 

1 9 5 3

 

January

 

Prepared for operational service and exercised with ships of Flotilla. Nominated for detached service with UN naval Task Group at Sasebo

 

February

 

2nd - Took passage to Sasebo as relief for HMNZS ROTOITI. Commanding Officer L G Carr RNZN.

 

Called at Sydney.

 

March

 

Passage to Singapore.

 

April

 

Passage from Hong Kong to Sasebo.

 

23rd - Arrived at Sasebo to commence UN service.

 

24th - Passage to carry out first patrol of west coast of Korea.

 

May

 

Deployed for patrol and naval gunfire support including cover for minesweeping operation and the evacuation of wounded guerrillas from Chodo Island off west coast. Later provided support to US warship in Regency Channel and came under shore gunfire. Returned to Sasebo before taking passage to Hong Kong

 

June

 

At Hong Kong with HMNZS HAWAE (Note: During this period took part in Commonwealth celebrations including inspection by Commander in Chief , British Forces in Korea.)

 

10th - Resumed service at Sasebo after carrying out anti-submarine exercises during passage from Hong Kong.

 

15th - Resumed patrol duties off west coast of Korea

 

July

 

UN service in continuation including evacuation of partisans from outlying islands above the the 38 parallel of latitude being proposed as future dividing line as well as providing naval gunfire support to military operations.

 

28th - Remained for UN duties based at Sasebo after declaration of Cease-Fire (Note: Rest and Recreation facilities were still to be carried out at Kure which had been used by Commonwealth troops since outbreak of hostilities. Repair facilities were also available in the commercial shipyard at Kure.)

 

August to December

 

Deployed for patrol off west coast of Korea based at Sasebo in continuation

 

 

1 9 5 4

 

January

 

Deployment for patrol and support of UN in continuation

 

Nominated for return to New Zealand. Took passage to Hong Kong

 

February to March

 

Passage to Auckland with call at Suva.

 

April to June

 

Rejoined Flotilla and deployed with 11th Frigate Squadron for Local duties and exercises.

 

Nominated for detached service with Commonwealth Strategic Reserve based at Singapore,

 

July

 

Prepared for detached service. Passage to Sydney

 

August

 

Sailed from Sydney to Singapore with calls at Brisbane and Cairns.

 

September

 

Joined 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet. Nominated for detached service in Japan with UN. Passage to Sasebo with call at Hong Kong.

 

October to December

 

Deployed at Sasebo for UN Support in Korean waters. Took part in international exercises with US Navy and other warships deployed for UN support.

 

 

1 9 5 5

 

January

 

Took passage to Hong Kong for R&R and maintenance period. Returned to Sasebo to resume UN support duties.

 

February

 

Deployed at Sasebo for UN service.

 

March

 

Passage to Hong Kong for R&R. Returned to Sasebo for further UN service.

 

April

 

UN service at Sasebo in continuation.

 

May

 

On release from UN deployment took passage to Singapore to rejoin Squadron.

 

June

 

Deployed at Singapore with Squadron and took part in Fleet exercise.

 

July

 

Released from detached service at Singapore and took passage to Auckland with calls at Celebes and Cairns. Rejoined 11th Frigate Squadron

 

August

 

Taken in hand for routine Docking and inspection of underwater fittings at Auckland.

 

September to October

 

Deployed with Squadron for Fleet exercises and visits including Wellington, Bluff and Suva. Nominated for refit.

 

November to December

 

Under refit.

 

 

1 9 5 6

 

January

 

Carried out post refit trials. Nominated for further detached service at Singapore in Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.

 

February

 

Passage to Singapore.

 

March

 

Re-joined 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet. Took part in major Fleet Exercises and visits with Squadron

 

April

 

Deployed at Singapore with Squadron. Nominated for detached UN service based at Sasebo.

 

May

 

Passage to Sasebo with call at Hong Kong.

 

June to July

 

Deployed for UN support based at Sasebo. Took part in international exercises.

 

August

 

Released from UN duties and took passage to Singapore

 

September

 

Took part in Fleet exercises with Squadron.

 

October

 

On release took passage to Hong Kong.

 

Deployed for patrol off Borneo in support of military operations against Indonesian insurgency. (KONFRONTASI))

 

November to December

 

Deployed for anti-piracy patrols and military support. Returned to Hong Kong and later to Singapore. Passage to Hong Kong for Christmas

 

 

1 9 5 7

 

January to February

 

Deployed on support duties in Borneo. Returned to Hong Kong for R&R.

 

Resumed duties off Borneo. Took part in major international Fleet exercise.

 

March to April

 

Deployed for Borneo support with R&R at Hong Kong.

 

May

 

Took part in Exercise ASTRA with Squadron based at Singapore. On completion took return passage to Auckland

 

June to September

 

Taken in hand for refit at Auckland. Nominated for deployment as Training ship

 

October to November

 

Deployed for training (Note: During this visit deployed in local area and also for visit to Christmas Island.)

 

December

 

Training duties in continuation and took part in joint exercises with RAN.

 

 

1 9 5 8

 

January to February

 

Deployed for training duties including visits to Melbourne, ports on western coast of New Zealand and Hobart.

 

March

 

Deployed local for training based at Auckland.

 

April

 

Carried out Pacific training cruise with visit to Suva.

 

Nominated for refit.

 

May to June

 

Under refit

 

July to October

 

On completion of post refit trials deployed at Auckland for training duties.

 

November

 

Deployed for training with visits to Lyttleton and Dunedin (Note: Carried out oceanographic research work during this period.)

 

December

 

Deployed at Auckland for training.

 

 

1 9 5 9

 

January to April

 

Deployed for training duties. Nominated for refit.

 

May to June

 

Under refit at Auckland.

 

July to November

 

On completion of post refit trials resumed training duties.

 

December

 

Routine docking for inspection of underwater fittings

 

 

1 9 6 0

 

January to September

 

Training duties in continuation including visit to Sydney.

 

October

 

Embarked RNZVR personnel for training and visited Ngapona.

 

November

 

Took part in Fleet exercises during which involved in collision with HM Submarine ANCHORITE.

 

December

 

Deployed for training based at Auckland. Nominated for harbour training.

 

 

1 9 6 1

 

Deployed for harbour training and paid off. After de-storing deployed for harbour training.

 

 

1 9 6 2   to   1 9 6 5

 

Harbour training in continuation

 

Nominated for withdrawal from use. De-stored and de-equipped. Placed on Sales List

 

 

F i n a l  P ha s e

 

HMNZS KANIERE was sold for demolition in Hong Kong and towed to the breaker’s yard in 1966.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS LOCH ACHRAY

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)