Twin
Screw
Fast
frigate ordered on 19th January 1943 from John
Brown Clydebank and laid down on
8th June 1943 as Job number 1614 (Yard Number
6147. The was Lead Ship of the LOCH
Class and her builder was deliberately selection
as John Brown had a long
history of building ships for the Admiralty and
the introduction of new build
techniques could be easily supervised by the
local Naval Overseer. The ship was
launched on 14th December by Miss Patricia
Piggott and build was completed on
10th April 1944 and was the 1st RN ship to carry
this name. She was adopted by
the civil community of Eastleigh, Hampshire
after the loss of HM Corvette ASPHODEL
which had been allocated in December 1941 after
a WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign.
B
a t t l e H o n o u r s
NORMANDY
1944 - ENGLISH CHANNEL 1945 - ATLANTIC 1945
H
e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field Red.,
seven
keys linked in pile, the wards uppermost White
(Note: One explanation is that there are seven Lochs of
this name in the Scottish Highlands,
but this is now disputed.)
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 4
April
Contractors Trials and commissioned for service
in 2nd British Escort Group based at
Liverpool.
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. BA Rogers RNR.
(Later Cdr, RNR)
(Note: This Group was commanded by Captain F J
Walker RN and had already been
established
as
the
most successful commander of all Anti-Submarine
Groups.
THE FIGHTING CAPTAIN BY A Bum).
14th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials.
took passage to Tobermory after completion of
trials and storing
May
Carried out First of Class Trials
Worked-up at Tobermory for operational service
June
On completion took passage to join Group at
Plymouth.
Nominated for service with Group in Bay of
Biscay based at Plymouth.
(Note: These operations were carried out in
conjunction with RAF aircraft of Coastal
Command).
Deployed with HM Sloops STARLING, WILD GOOSE,
WREN, HM Frigates DOMINICA,
LOCH KILLIN and LOCHY for anti-submarine
operations to prevent entry of U-Boats
into
English
Channel during Normandy landings (Operation
NEPTUNE).
(For details of naval activities prior to and
during landings see LANDINGS IN
NORMANDY,
June
1944 (HMSO) and OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards).
(During this period U333 was sunk by ships of
the Group).
July
Bay of Biscay and English Channel operations
with Group in continuation.
(For details see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC
(HMSO) and HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR
by C Blair.)
August
11th
Took part in operations during which U736 and
U385 were sunk.
See above references and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P
Kemp.
On release from anti-submarine operations
transferred with Group for support of
convoy
defence
in
NW Approaches, based at Londonderry.
September
Deployed with Group for anti-submarine
operations in NW Approaches.
to
Transferred with Group to provide additional
defence for passage of coastal convoys in Irish
November
Sea.
(For
details see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann and
BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by
J
Terraine for changes in U-Boat tactics in this
period.)
December
Taken in hand for hull stiffening at Belfast.
(Note: This was a design weakness discovered
after LOCH Class Frigates had been deployed
operationally).
1 9
4 5
January
Deployed with Group in SW Approaches for
anti-submarine support
February
27th
Sank U1018 in
English
Channel in position 49.56N, 05.20W.
Shared credit for sinking of U327 with HMS
LABUAN, HMS WILD GOOSE and aircraft of US
Navy. in position 49.46N 05.47W without any
survivors.
(Note: The captain of was awarded the DSC and
the RAF presented an inscribed silver bugle
to commemorate these joint operations).
For details of both sinkings see above
reference.
March
Deployment with Group off western coast of UK in
continuation
to
April
May
6th
After VE Day transferred with Group for duty
with Home Fleet in support of the re-occupation
of Norway.
June
Home Fleet deployment in continuation.
Visited Kristiansund
July
Transferred to Rosyth to join Anti-Submarine
Flotilla for training duties.
August
Visited Christiansund and Hamburg. Redeployed in
Clyde for A/S training duties.
A/S Training Flotilla duties in continuation.
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. R H Iterchington
MBE, RNVR.
Taken in hand for repair.
October
Resumed training duties.
Visited Reykjavik.
November
Deployed for A/S Training based at Londonderry
with Flotilla.
December
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. W P Hart RNR.
8th
Took part in destruction of U-Boats in NW
Approaches
Escorted German submarines from Loch Ryan to
Destruction area in NW Approaches.
(Operation DEADLIGHT).
1 9
4 6
January
Participation in DEADLIGHT in continuation.
February
Resumed A/S training duties with Flotilla.
March
18th
Took passage to Devonport for refit.
April
Under refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport.
to
Commanding Officer: Lieut.. Cdr. P C S Black DSC
Royal Navy.
May
June
Post refit trials.
14th
Resumed A/S training duties at Londonderry with
Flotilla.
July
A/S training at Londonderry in continuation.
to
August
September
Transferred to 4th Escort Flotilla when A/S
Flotilla renamed.
A/S training deployment in continuation.
October
Training duties in continuation at Londonderry
November
Training duties in continuation.
to
December
Passage to Devonport for Leave period.
1 9
4 7
January
Resumed A/S training duties at Londonderry.
February
A/S training duties in continuation
to
took part in exercises with Home Fleet ships.
May
June
A/S training in continuation.
Damaged in collision.
July
7th
Taken in hand for repair at Londonderry.
August
Under repair in commercial shipyard.
September
Transferred to Rosyth for refit
(Note: The surface warning radar Type 271 fitted
on build was replaced by modem
Type 277 as fitted in the other ships of the
Class and the communication
equipment was up-dated during the refit)
October.
Under refit.
to
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. F J Rand Royal
Navy.
December
1 9
4 8
January
Under refit at Rosyth
7th
Post refit trials.
Resumed A/S training duties at Londonderry.
February
A/S Training and Fleet exercises in continuation
based at Londonderry.
to
December
1 9
4 9
January
A/S training in continuation.
to
Transferred to 3rd Training Flotilla when 4th
Escort Flotilla renamed.
March
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. P W B Ashmore
MVO, DSC RN.
(Later Vice Admiral Sir Peter Ashmore KCB, KCVO,
DSC).
April
Under refit at Rosyth.
to
(Note: Captain D G F W Macintyre, a renowned
Battle of the Atlantic escort
August
commander
became Senior Officer
of Flotilla in this period.
He was the author of a
number of
authoritative books on WW2 naval
activities).
September
Resumed A/S training duties with Flotilla at
Londonderry
to
(Note: Ship complement was reduced because of
severe manning problems affecting
December
the RN during 1949).
1 9 5 0
January
A/S training duties at Londonderry in
continuation.
to
New Commanding Officer: Lieut. Commander T F
Page RN.
September
October
Under refit by HM Dockyard, Rosyth November
Post refit trials.
November
3rd
Towed disabled trawler LETTID into Leith.
Minimal salvage awards paid later.
Captain's share was £8.
December
18th
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Commander R J E
Cundall RN.
1 9
5 1
January
Deployed with Flotilla for A/S training at
Londonderry
to
March
April
Detached with ships of Flotilla to join search
in English Channel for the sunken submarine
HMS AFFRAY.
May
Channel deployment in continuation.
June
On release resumed A/S training duties at
Londonderry.
to
August
September
Took part in Horns Fleet exercises and visited
Horsa and Kiel (Exercise ASSESS).
to
October
November
A/S training duties with Flotilla at Londonderry
in continuation.
to
December
1 9
5 2
January
Londonderry deployment in continuation.
to
Nominated for modernisation and to be reduced to
Reserve status.
March
To be relieved by HM Destroyer TYRIAN in 3rd
Training Flotilla.
April
Passage to Portsmouth to reduce to Reserve
status pending modernisation.
Placed in Care and maintenance at Portsmouth.
May
Laid up at Portsmouth in Reserve Fleet pending
modernisation. December
to
December
1 9
5 3
January
In Care and Maintenance at Portsmouth.
to
September
October
Taken in hand for modernisation by HM Dockyard
Portsmouth.
(Note: Extensive
changes were made to weapon and radio
equipment fit to suit
deployment with other ships.)
November
Under modernisation at Portsmouth.
to
December
1 9
5 4
January
Under modernisation at Portsmouth.
to
(Note: Ship upper deck equipment to be preserved
prior to re-entry into Reserve.
May
June
Post refit trials.
July
Towed to Barry for dehumidification prior to
entering Reserve
August
Dehumidification equipment being installed.
to
December
1 9
5 5
January
Dehumidification installation in continuation.
Selected for operational service and to be taken
out of Reserve.
February
Towed to Portsmouth to prepare for operational
service.
March
Preparing for General Service Commission
to
Commanding Officer: Commander M L C Crawford
DSC* RN.
May
(Note: In June 1954 the policy relating to
foreign service had changed and ships were no
longer
to remain overseas for 2 years and 6 months. The
period spent abroad was to be 24
months for a Foreign Service Commission. If
combined with a period of service in Home
waters the period abroad was to be only twelve
months and to be known as a General
Service Commission.)
June
21st
Commissioned for service.
28th
Carried out sea trials and Shakedown for
service.
July
2nd
Worked-up at Portland for service with Home
Fleet.
22nd
Returned to Portsmouth to give Leave.
August
Sailed from Portsmouth to join Home Fleet.
September
4th
Deployed with ships of Home Fleet for exercises
based at Invergordon.
18th
Passage to Portland for NATO Exercise with Home
Fleet ships.
26th
Deployed in Channel for exercises.
October
3rd
Passage to Oslo for Home Fleet visit.
6th
Berthed in city centre alongside HM Australian
destroyer QUEENBOROUGH.
Open to visitors.
10th
Embarked HM Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to
Norway
and the British Naval Attache.
Sailed from Oslo with HM Depot Ship Tyne after
delay by fog.
Landed passengers at Drombak.
13th
Withdrawn from Exercise because of machinery
defect.
Planned visit to Ipswich cancelled and took
passage to Portsmouth.
November
9th
Sailed from Portsmouth for foreign service on
completion of docking and repairs.
13th
Arrived at Gibraltar after rough passage in Bay
of Biscay.
15th
Took passage from Gibraltar to Malta.
21st
Took passage from Malta to Port Said.
(Note: Carried out exercises during passage.)
24th
Transit of Suez Canal.
(Note: HM Sloop FLAMINGO being relieved was met
during transit.)
31st
Arrived at Aden.
December
2nd
Sailed from Aden for Bahrein.
8th
Called at Khor Kuwai
9th
Arrived at Bahrein. Joined HM Frigate LOCH
KILLISPORT
17th
Patrol with Senior Officer Persian Gulf
embarked.
to
Visited Daz, Yas and Dalma.
21st
Diverted during patrol to provide medical
assistance to RFA
WAVE MASTER.
Doctor transferred and ship returned to Bahrein.
22nd At
Kuwait for R&R period.
27th
Returned to Bahrein.
1 9 5 6
January
1st
Provided Guard for Annual Reception given by
Ambassador to Ruler of Bahrein.
3rd
Deployed for patrol in north of Persian Gulf.
to
Visited Basra and Bandar Mashur where visits
were arranged to oil installations
18th
and sporting programme against local teams.
20th
Deployed for patrol in souther Persian Gulf with
visit to Banda Abbas.
22nd At Khor
Kuwai.
26th
Arrived at Bahrein after patrol.
February
Annual Inspection at
Bahrein. Sea Inspection in company with HMS
LOCH LOMOND.
10th
Deployed for patrol and visits to Trucial
States.
to
Call made at Abu Dhabi and visit to Dubai
postponed because of weather.
24th
At Khor Kuwai and landed maintenance party.
Exercised main armament in Elphinstone Inlet.
Resumed patrol with calls at Dubai and Aljman.
RAF personnel from RAF Sharjah visited ship at
Dubai
(Note: HM Frigate LOCH KILLISPORT returned to UK
on relief by HMS LOCH LOMOND).
March
Programmed departure for docking at Colombo
postponed due to local disturbances.
Landing party provided to aid civil power.
(Note: Civil demonstrations were planned to take
place during visit to Bahrein
by Mr Selwyn Lloyd, Foreign Secretary.)
2nd
Ship's divers retrieved 211 drums of scrap metal
from a sunken barge at Sitra oil fuel depot.
4th
Programme again changed and ship sailed with
despatch for Aden.
During passage diverted to Mombasa.
(Note: The machinery problems experienced during
later service were then stated
to be a direct
result of this high speed passage).
11th
Arrived at Mombasa and refuelled
Sailed to meet HM East African Ship ROSALIND.
12th
Embarked Archbishop Makarios who was to be taken
to the Seychelles for detention.
(Note: Archbishop Makarios, Bishop of Kyrenia,
Cyprus was being detained because
of his political activities).
14th
Archbishop disembarked at Port Victoria, Mahe
for detention.
17th
Passage to Colombo for interim, docking and
refit.
23rd
Arrived at Colombo for docking.
April
Under refit at Colombo.
(Note: Ship's company spent period at Dyatalawa
Rest Camp.
Admiral Mountbatten visited ship.)
May
Operational service delayed by engine defects
during post refit trials.
2nd
Passage to Trincomalee on completion of repair.
Planned participation in the Atomic Weapon
trials at Montebello, Australia cancelled
because of earlier dib version to Seychelles.
3rd
Arrived at
Trincomalee.
Took part in exercises with East Indies Squadron
including HM Cruiser SUPERB.
SQUID firing demonstration failed due to batch
of faulty mortar bombs.
28th
On release from Fleet exercises took passage to
Cochin.
29th
Passage to Cochin.
June
1st
Visited RIN Training Establishment at Cochin.
Calls exchanged with RIN officers
Extensive programme of entertainments arranged.
5th
Passage to Bombay with heavy monsoon swell.
8th
Visited Bombay.
13th
Took passage to Karachi.
15th
At Karachi where further entertainment had been
arranged but the visit was marred
somewhat
by the effects of the local water supplies !
20th
Took passage to Aden.
26th
Arrived at Aden.
Met HMS LOCH ALVIE taking passage to UK.
Experienced severe sandstorm conditions at Aden.
July
6th
On receipt of Admiralty signal ordered to assist
ss CORABANK which had reported
running short of fuel
near
Socotra.
7th
After delay in making contact with ss CORABANK
led mercantile to safe anchorage
to
at Bandar Delisha, Socotra and remained until
RFA WAVE SOVEREIGN arrived.
8th
Took passage to Bahrein to resumed Persian Gulf
duties.
13th
Joined HMS LOCH FYNE on arrival at Bahrein.
20th
Deployed on patrol in north of Persian Gulf with
visits to Fao and Basra in the
Shatt-el-Arab.
to
30th
31st
Took passage from Basra to Bahrein.
August
Deployed at Bahrein to provide aid to civil
power in rotation with HMS LOCH FYNE.
12th
Carried out patrol in south of Persian Gulf and
visited islands of Bu Mjsa and
Tumb.
to
13th
14th
Dismantled equipment from base at Khor Kuwai for
return to Bahrein.
16th
Deployed at Um Said to assist civil power if
required.
(Note: Civil unrest was anticipated because of
Suez Canal crisis).
18th
Returned to Bahrein.
20th
Carried out Trucial coast patrol.
21st
At Um Said.
23rd
At Khor Kuwai.
(Note: Exercised armament during patrol.)
26th
Resumed patrol and visited Dubai, Yaz and Damar.
September
2nd
Returned to Bahrein.
10th
Deployed for patrol and visited Hallul, Daz and
Sir Abu Nair.
to
13th
14th
Returned to Bahrein.
15th
Final visit to Basra.
22nd
Returned to Bahrein.
24th
Took passage to return to UK after calls at Bu
Mjsa, Tumb and Kassab.
26th
At Khor Kuwai. Relieved by HMS LOCH KILLISPORT.
27th
Sailed from Khor Kuwai for Mombasa.
October
5th
At Mombasa.
7th
At Zanzibar.
8th
At Dar-es-Salam.
16th
At Simonstown
28th
At Freetown
29th
Sailed for UK from Freetown.
November
8th
Arrived at Portsmouth to pay off and refit.
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard,
Portsmouth. Later entered dry dock
December
Under refit
5th
Re-commissioned with Royal Marines Detachment.
Ship's Company accommodated in RNB.
Commanding Officer: Commander D A Loram
MVO Royal Navy.
1 9 5 7
January
Under refit.
25th
HMS LOCH ALVIE called at Portsmouth on passage
to the Persian Gulf from Chatham.
February
Under refit
18th
Ship's Company began living on board.
March
Post refit trials.
4th
Commenced sea trials.
7th
Service of Dedication held on board.
9th
Sailed from Portsmouth for work-up at Portland.
11th
Commenced working-up.
April
Work-up in continuation.
8th
HRH Prince Michael of Kent began 5 day visit to
ship.
May
Easter Leave period and preparation for foreign
service.
17th
Took passage for Bahrein via Cape of Good Hope.
Returned to Portsmouth for machinery repair.
19th
Sailed from Portsmouth after repair work
completed.
29th
Arrived at Freetown
June
11th
Arrived at Simonstown.
21st
Arrived at Das-es-Salaam.
Met HM Cruiser CEYLON, Flagship of East Indies
Squadron.
CinC visited ship.
July
1st
Arrived at Khor Kuwai after rough passage from
Das-es-Salaam
2nd
HMS LOCH ALVIE and HMS LOCH KILLISPORT arrived,
4th
Arrived at Bahrein.
11th
Deployed for visit to Basra.
12th
Placed in quarantine because of outbreak of
Asian Flu.
14th
Took passage to Bahrein
18th
Embarked ammunition for delivery to Trucial Oman
Scouts at Dubai.
19th
Deployed for patrol to intercept Dhows known to
be smuggling arms and personnel to support
insurgent operations.
August
4th
RM Detachment landed at Bahrein to assist civil
power until arrival of military
units from
Kenya.
(Note: Units were also landed by the other two
LOCH Class Frigates based at Bahrein).
Deployed for Batina coast patrol with visit to
Dubai.
Refuelled at Khor Kuwai from RFA GOLD RANGER.
10th
RM Detachment rejoined ship at Dubai.
September
Deployed on Batina coast patrol and visited
Muscat.
During call at Um al Quawain the Captain and
officers were entertained by the
local Sheik
which included a Kusi (‘Mutton Grab’).
October
Batina coast patrol in continuation with
refuelling at Khor Kuwai.
Stood by Costa Rican mercantile ss ADLAI which
had grounded in Gulf of Oman.
Remained with disabled ship which had extensive
flooding until tug arrived.
(Note: Mercantile was towed by tug to Karachi.
No salvage payments were made).
10th
Visited Umm Said on Qatar Peninsular.
Excursion arranged for officers to Dakhan oil
field by air.
Local installations under construction including
oil discharge terminal were also
visited.
Returned to Bahrein after visit.
November
4th
Deployed for patrol in northern Gulf with visit
to Fao in Shatt-el-Arab.
14th
Sailed from Fao after hospitable reception by
oil company.
On arrival at Bahrein prepared for CENTO
exercises in Indian Ocean.
23rd
Arrived at Karachi after carrying out Batina
coast patrol.
25th
Took part in CENTO Exercise (CRESCENT) off
Karachi with HMS LOCH ALVIE,
to
HM Cruiser
GAMBIA
and Indian, Pakistan, US and Turkish warships.
30th
(Sea serials included convoy defence against air
and submarine attacks, surface
gunnery
firings
and damage control).
December
Exercise
CRESCENT deployment in continuation
1st
Deployed with CENTO warships.
to
Diverted from programmed visit to Trincomalee
for Christmas.
10th
(Note: Required for service in north of Arabian
Sea in case of further unrest in Oman.)
11th
Took passage to Aden from Karachi.
(Note: This diversion prevented ship taking part
in review of CENTO warships
by President
of Pakistan)
On arrival carried out patrol off Batina coast.
17th
Arrived Aden and joined HM Cruiser GAMBIA.
18th
Deployed at Aden.
(Note: This was ship’s first visit and every
advantage was taken to buy items on sale at
prices
far lower than in UK. Estimated expenditure by
ship
£3,000.)
1 9
5 8
January
Aden deployment in continuation.
Extensive hospitality offered by service messes.
7th
Visited Djibouti, French Somaliland.
9th
Relieved HMS GAMBIA at Berbera, British
Somaliland to provide aid to civil power.
(Note: Civil Authorities feared threat of strike
and civil unrest
.
RM Detachment landed and released after two
days.)
12th
Called to Aden to collect fodder, embarked two
heifers at Socotra for passage to Bahrein for
Ruler's herd.
(Note: Presence on board made necessary changes
to the normal 'Clean Ship' routine but were
a great novelty for an ship’s company.)
16th
Disembarked cows at Sitra and took passage to
Karachi for self refit and docking.
25th
Docking period at Karachi enabled previous
contacts to be renewed and the British community
to
were again most hospitable. Ship's dinghies
entered Karachi Yacht Club dinghy sailing
contest
31st
and won the Mauritius Cup.
February
1st
Docking period at Karachi in continuation.
to
8th
10th
Passage from Karachi to resume Persian Gulf
duties.
Carried out Batina coast patrol during passage.
16th
Arrived at Bahrein and prepared for further
patrol.
Deployed for Batina coast patrol.
Returned to Bahrein and deployed in north of
Persian Gulf for patrol.
March
Patrol
duty in continuation and prepared for Annual
Inspection.
11th
Sea Inspection off Muscat with LOCH RUTHVEN as
consort.
On return to Bahrein Harbour Inspections
completed.
Prepared for passage to Mombasa and deployed for Batina coast patrol before ship
took passage.
Called at Muscat.
30th
Sailed
from Muscat but returned after medical
emergency.
Landed Gunnery Officer and then took passage.
Diverted to carry cut search for Norwegian
mercantile SKAUBRYN which was on fire
in Indian Ocean. Ship was carrying emigrants
from Bremerhaven to Australia.
April
Deployed in search for ss SKAUBRYN.
2nd
Mercantile found deserted and taken in tow.
(Note: 1,288 passengers and crew were rescued on
31st March by ss CITY OF SYDNEY
and ship abandoned).
4th
Tow handed over to Dutch tug CYCLOPS and passage
to
Mombasa resumed.
(Note: ss SKAUBRYN foundered during tow on 6th
April.
No salvage awards made.)
8th
During visit to Mombasa diverted with despatch
to assist in security duties after local
disturbances.
(Note: Whilst at Aden two ratings, ERA
Spreadborough and LM(E) Williams were injured in
a bomb throwing incident whilst ashore. They
recovered in due course but did not
return to UK on board.)
23rd
On release from duties at Aden took passage to
Portsmouth vie Red Sea.
May
Passage to Portsmouth in continuation.
2nd
At Malta.
9th
At Gibraltar
14th
Arrived at Portsmouth to Pay-off, re-commission
and refit.
June
Under refit
to
July
August
Under
refit
6th
Re-commissioned for service in Persian Gulf
Commanding Officer: Commander D E P George RN.
September
Post Refit trials
Passage to Portland for work-up.
October
Work-up in continuation.
17th
Returned to Portsmouth to prepare for service.
Under repair.
November
Under repair.
17th
Sailed for foreign service from Portsmouth
December
Passage in Red Sea.
5th
At Aden.
8th
Arrived at Bahrein.
23rd
Visited Abadan for Xmas period.
28th
Passage to Bahrein.
1 9 5 9
January
2nd
Deployed
for Batina coast patrol.
15th
Returned to Bahrein.
February
Deployed for patrol and visited Banda Abbas,
Horeramz and Banda Mashur.
18th
At Mina al Amadi (Kuwait) for R&R.
Continued patrol with visits to Gannaveh,
Bushire and Kharg.
24th
Returned to Bahrein.
March
7th
Deployed for Batina coast patrol with calls at
Das and Muscat.
21st
Returned to Bahrein.
April
Carried out Batina coast patrol
13th
Returned to Bahrein.
14th
Took part in exercises with HMS LOCH ALVIE until
16th.
20th
Deployed for patrol in southern Gulf.
22nd Visited
Abu Dhabi.
23rd
Returned to Bahrein to prepare for passage to
Karachi for docking.
29th
Arrived at Karachi.
May
Docking period in continuation.
27th
Passage to resume Persian Gulf patrol duties.
June
1st
Arrived at Bahrein
8th
Passage to north Persian Gulf.
9th
Visited Abadan.
12th
Resumed patrol and passage to Bahrein with call
at Kisim.
16th
At Bahrein.
19th
Took part in exercises at Khor Kuwai with other
ships of Squadron.
26th
Withdrawn from exercise due to defective
propeller shaft..
Took passage to Karachi for docking to examine
shaft.
(Note: Relieved on Station by HM Destroyer
CAPRICE from Singapore until arrival of
HMS LOCH KILLISPORT.
July
7th
Shaft examination in Karachi showed extensive
repair required and withdrawn from service.
Took passage to UK via Aden.
August
On passage in Red Sea.
13th
Transit of Suez Canal.
30th
Sailed from Gibraltar for Portsmouth.
September
Passage in Atlantic.
9th
Arrived at Portsmouth.
Paid-off and taken in hand for repair and refit.
October
Under repair
to
(Note: Planned completion date 5th January 1950
Ex Trials)
December
New Commanding Officer appointed: Commander R R
Whalley RN.
1 9
6 0
January
Under repair.
6th
Carried out harbour trials.
19th
Re-commissioned at Portsmouth for service in
Home Fleet and Persian Gulf as part
of 6th Frigate Squadron.
February
On completion of sea trials took passage to
Portland for work-up.
March
Work-up completed and prepared for Home Fleet
service.
19th
Passage to Iceland area for Fishery Protection
duties.
20th
Deployed off Iceland.
April
Iceland Patrol in continuation.
9th
Passage to UK on relief from Iceland Patrol
duty.
Deployed with Home Fleet.
May
Prepared for foreign service at Portsmouth.
10th
Took passage to Gibraltar.
16th
Sailed from Gibraltar for visit to Messina.
20th
At Messina.
24th
Sailed for Port Said.
June
Passage in Red Sea.
2nd
Called at Perim Island for investigation of
wrecked destroyer KHARTOUM.
(Note This warship was beached after an
accidental explosion on 23rd June 1940.)
3rd
At Aden.
Somali ratings joined ship.
Repair on fractured
steam pipe carried out by repair ship HARTLAND
POINT.
Accident in Gemini Dinghy involving SBS
personnel.
7th
Carried out Dhow Patrol on passage to Bahrein
with call at Muscat
SBS party, Staff Intelligence Officer and
National Guard officer embarked
8th
Steering Gear defect.
Reverted to emergency mode using hands pump.
(Note: Ship was Not Under Control in shipping
lane.)
10th
Landed SBS party at Darsait
11th
Took part in CASEX with ships of Squadron.
13th
Arrived at Bahrein.
15th
Commodore Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf on board.
16th
Deployed for Dhow patrol and visited Little
Quoin Island
18th
At Muscat.
20th
RM Detachment carried out Exercise MUDLARK 7.
30th
Returned to Bahrein en completion of patrol.
July
R&R Period at Mina al Amadi (Kuwait) before
further Batina coast duty.
Generous hospitality afforded.
On completion carried out Batina coast patrol
and called at Dubai and Muscat.
(Note: Harbour at Dubai was under construction
by Dutch firm).
Deployed of Trucial coast after return to
Bahrein and called at Dubai.
Problems experienced with mail deliveries.
23rd
Returned to Bahrein from patrol and began
Maintenance Period.
August
At Bahrein under maintenance.
4th
Port engine main bearing defect and only one
shaft available.
5th
Mercantile ss STEEL RECORDER found aground but
assistance not required.
Returned to Bahrein for repair to Port Engine.
15th
Took part in exercises with HMS LOCH LOMOND.
22nd Rear
Admiral Fitroy Talbot, Flag Officer Middle East
embarked for visit to Dubai
and Sharjah.
Deployed on Truncial coast patrol off Musandam
Peninsula.
27th
Deployed for Batina coast patrol
September
Batina coast patrol in continuation with visit
to Muscat and Abu Dhabi.
3rd
Took part in Squadron exercises with HMS LOCH
LOMOND at Jebel Danna
to
14th
17th
Returned to Bahrein.
24th
Deployed for patrol in central Gulf area and
visited Banda Mashur and Dubai.
30th
Returned to Bahrein.
(Note: Defective Sonar Recorder repaired after
arrival of HMS LOCH RUTHVEN with
replacement
item from
UK)
October
5th
Took part in exercises with HMS LOCH LOMOND in
Bahrein area.
to
10th
Deployed for Batina coast patrol and visited
Muscat.
20th
Carried cut further exercises with HMS LOCH
LOMOND.
24th
Joined Exercise MIDLINK III at Karachi with HMS
LOCH LOMOND.
(Note: This was a multi national exercise with
warships of CENTO powers)
November
Exercise MIDLINK III in continuation.
10th
On completion took passage to Bombay for visit.
12th
At Bombay for visit.
Generous hospitality from British community.
Captain and Officers attended Tea Party given by
Mayor at short notice.
18th
Took passage to Cochin.
24th
Sailed for docking period at Karachi.
28th
Commenced Routine Docking at Karachi naval
dockyard.
December
Docking and self refit period at Karachi.
27th
On completion sailed for Bahrein to resume
Squadron duties.
(Note: HMS LOCH LOMOND sailed for UK on 29th).
30th
At Bahrein and prepared for Squadron exercise.
1 9 6 1
January
2nd
Took part in Exercise ASPEX 7 with HMS LOCH
FYNE, HMS LOCH RUTHVEN and ships
to
of
Amphibious Warfare
Squadron based at Bahrein.
12th
(Note: During this exercise a disaster was
avoided by the prompt action of one
of ship's
officers
when a Landing Craft disembarking troops slipped
away from beach).
17th
Official visit to Dubai flying Flag of FOASPG to
attend enthronement of the new Ruler Said,
to
who replaced his father .
20th
Later visited Sharjah
21st
Deployed for Air-Sea Rescue duties in Arabian
Sea during Royal Flight to India by HM Queen
Elizabeth and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
25th
Self-maintenance Period at Bahrein
February
At Bahrein for self-maintenance.
10th
Deployed Batina coast patrol.
Towed RHINO Ferry from Bahrein to Muscat for
collection by the Commando Carrier
HMS BULWARK.
Carried out patrol and called at Socotra before
taking departure for Mombasa.
22nd At
Mombasa.
25th
At Tanga
(Note: This period was remarkable for several
reasons including the exceptional arrangements
made by British residents for all the ship's
company. Visits were made to an inland
Malaria Control Centre and a logging camp.
Compared with the period in the Persian Gulf the
increase in leave breaking was
a notable feature because of the extensive
shore-going attractions.
As the ship had to anchor off shore this
situation brought particular problems calling
for
especial vigilance.)
March
Passage from Tanga.
1st
Visited Lindi.
(Note: Chart found out of date.
Captain visited Logging Camp by air to a site 90
miles away.
Further outstanding hospitality from European
residents.
3rd
Visited Mtwara and had an alongside berth.
(Note: Excellent arrangements and splendid
fishing.)
6th
Visited Das-es-Salaam.
7th
Returned to Mombasa. Station leave granted.
(Note: First signs noted of the departure of
Asian community).
16th
Took passage from Mombasa to Aden with call at
Lamu on 17th.
24th
At Aden. Somali ratings disembarked.
Met HMS LOCH ALVIE.
(Note: Extensive purchases by ship's company.)
27th
Embarked District Commissioner and family for
visit to Perim.
On return sailed for official visit to Massawa
to the Ethiopian naval base and the military
academy.
(Note: An Army coup had just taken place in
Addis Ababa).
29th
At Massawa and official calls exchanged with
naval and military authorities.
April
lst
Russian activities noted in Red Sea.
2nd
Visited Port Sudan. Hospitable welcome by Oil
Company personnel.
(Note: Port facilities not impressive.
Yugoslav nationals appear to be running
Coastguard
organisation).
8th
Transit of Suez Canal.
10th
Arrived at Tobruk for 20th Anniversary of the
Siege of Tobruk.
Anchored off shore.
.
11th
Joined in rehearsals for Anniversary programme.
Provided two Officers, Seamen and RM for
to
ceremonial parade.
12th
14th
Fired Gun Salute for King Idris of Libya who was
attending.
(Note: This event was attended by Australian
veterans who had travelled in rms
ORONTES,
specially chartered for this occasion.
Parade included Platoons from the
Royal Navy and Royal
Marines with the British Army
represented by contingents from The Black Watch
and Royal Scots.
An RAF VULCAN aircraft did a flypast.)
23rd
Called at Gibraltar.
27th
Arrived at Portsmouth.
May
Passage to Chatham to Pay-off and for Long
Refit.
Reduced to LRP Complement.
Transferred to Reserve Fleet to await Dockyard
attention.
24th
Taken in hand for Long Refit by HM Dockyard,
Chatham.
June
Under refit at Chatham
to
(Note: Extensive work carried out included the
installation of a centralised air conditioning
December
system for all forward structure compartments.
Her radars, weapons and wireless
communication equipments were also modernised.
1 9
6 2
January
Under refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham
to
May
June
Carried out post refit harbour trials.
26th
Re-commissioned for service in Far East with 3rd
Frigate Squadron.
Commanding Officer: Commander W H Hart AFC RN(P)
(TAS).
July
4th
Carried out Sea Trials in Thames estuary and
North Sea.
7th
Arrived at Portsmouth to prepare for work-up.
16th
Commenced work-up at Portland.
20th
Returned to Portsmouth and carried cut further
trials in Thames Estuary.
26th
Resumed work-up.
August
Worked -up at Portland.
September
Work-up in continuation.
17th
Returned to Portsmouth.
Taken in hand for repair.
October
3rd
On completion of repair prepared for foreign
service.
8th
Took passage to Gibraltar.
12th
At Gibraltar.
15th
Took passage to Aden with call at Malta.
28th
Arrived at Aden.
31st
Took passage to Colombo.
November
Diverted from Programme to remain available in
Indian Ocean.
8th
At Colombo.
10th
Deployed in Indian Ocean and called at Diego
Garcia.
(Note: During this period there was political
unrest in the Maldives being used
by the USA as a base.
A Guardship was deployed at Gan which was an RAF
Staging Post
used by
military flights to and from
UK
to Singapore.
Planned programme in Far East was not
implemented and ship was retained
in the Indian Ocean).
December
Indian Ocean deployment in continuation.
6th
Deployed at Male, Maldives to aid civil power.
7th
Took passage from Can to join Squadron at
Singapore.
13th
On arrival taken in hand for repair.
(Note: Confrontation (KONFRONTASI) operations in
Borneo commenced on 8th
December.)
1 9
6 3
January
Under repair at Singapore.
February
Resumed Flotilla duties.
1st
Deployed at Labuan for support of military
operations.
17th
Returned to Singapore.
March
Deployed for patrol in Pacific.
9th
Arrived at Manus, Admiralty Islands.
11th
Sailed for Suva.
18th
At Suva.
29th
Passage to Phoenix Island for Air-Sea Rescue
duties.
April
3rd
Deployed at Air-Sea Rescue station during Royal
Flight.
On release took passage to Guam.
13th
At Guam.
16th
Took passage to Hang Kong from Guam.
23rd
Arrived at Hong Kong for Self Maintenance
Period.
May
9th
Deployed for visit to Japanese ports and took
passage from Hong Kong,
13th
At Moji, Kyushu.
18th
At Marzuru.
24th
At Muroran, Hokkaido
28th
Took passage for Tawau from Muroran.
June
5th
At Tawau, Sabah, Borneo for support of military
operations and piracy patrol.
19th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
July
Deployed at Hong Kong.
27th
Passage to Tawau for KONFRONTASI support and
patrol duties.
August
Support and patrol duty in continuation.
Deployed at Tawau, Lahad Data and Kuching with
call at Singapore.
29th
Passage to Hong Kong from Kuching.
September
Deployed at
Singapore.
16th
Passage from Hong Kong for Exercise DOVETAIL off
Singapore.
20th
On completion of DOVETAIL took passage to
Singapore.
October
Deployed at
Singapore in
support of KONFRONTASI operations.
13th
Carried out KONFRONTASI support based at
Kuchin..
19th
Deployed at Tawau in continuation.
28th
Passage to Singapore.
November
Prepared for refit and recommissioning.
11th
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard,
Singapore.
18th
Recommissioned for service in 3rd Frigate
Squadron.
(Commanding Officer: Commander M C Evelegh, RN
(C).
December
Under refit.
1 9 6 4
January
Under refit
29th
Commenced post refit trials.
February
Completed post refit trials.
Shakedown and passage to Hong Kong.
13th
Passage to Singapore.
28th
At Singapore and prepared for Exercise JET.
March
Took part in multi national exercise in Indian
Ocean.
19th
Resumed Flotilla duties at Singapore.
April
Nominated for detached service in Indian Ocean.
2nd
Passage to Gan for Guardship duty.
9th
Deployed as Guardship.
14th
Passage to Mombasa for visit and maintenance.
26th
Deployed for patrol off Zanzibar
to
Embarked Kenyan Police personnel and Landrover
at Lamu for excercise.
30th
May
2nd
Returned to Mombasa. HM Frigate GURKHA in
company.
14th
Carried out Independent exercises to prepare for
future exercises.
SQUID Mortar firing failed due to defective
projectiles.
29th
Took part in exercises with HM Commando Carrier
CENTAUR, HM Destroyer
CAVENDISH and RFA TIDEREACH
June
1st
Took passage to
Aden.
Embarked SQUID projectiles from RFA FORT
LANGLEY.
4th
At Aden.
Visited by Flag Officer, Middle East.
Leading Radio Operator disrated and sent to
RNDQ.
6th
Passage to Bahrein and refuelled from RFA WAVE
CHIEF.
12th
Deployed at Bahrein. Maintenance period.
21st
Embarked Pilotless Target Aircraft for use
during exercises.
June
22nd Took
part in Exercise FOMEX 18
Serials included firing against Pilotless Target
Aircraft and main armament for
shore bombardments.
26th
Landed PTA at Bahrein.
28th
Steering Gear defect.
29th
Took part in anti-submarine exercises with HM
Submarine AENEAS
to
(Exercise FCMEASWEX)
30th
Carried cut Fast Replenishment with RFA WAVE
CHIEF.
Carried out shoot against target towed by HM
Frigate MOHAWK.
July
Exercise in continuation including
anti-submarine serials.
3rd
Returned to Bahrein on completion of Exercise.
6th
Took part in exercise with Amphibious Warfare
Squadron and 3 Para at Yaz Island.
10th
Under repair at Bahrein.
21st
Resumed operational service.
22nd Carried
out Jackstay transfer with RFA APPLELEAF for
training film.
23rd
Deployed on Enow patrol.
29th
Took part in Amphibious exercise at Yaz.
31st
Returned to Bahrein.
August
At Bahrein.
3rd
Under repair at Bahrein
to
Ship at Extended Notice because of machinery
problems.
9th
(Note: This may have been due to time away from
dockyard support and conditions.
10th
Resumed patrol duties and sailed for Batina
coast Dhow patrol.
14th
On return further machinery repair required.
20th
Resumed patrol duty in southern Persian Gulf and
called at Das.
22nd
Returned to Bahrein.
25th
HMS JUFAIR Families Day.
Open to visitors.
26th
Took passage to Bombay with HMS GURKHA.
31st
Arrived at Bombay after machinery defects on
passage.
September
Under repair at Bombay.
7th
Passage to Gan for Guardship duty.
14th
Passage to Singapore.
16th
At Singapore.
October
Deployed at
Singapore.
Increasing defect load.
28th
Taken in hand for docking and defect repairs.
November
Under repair.
December
Resumed Flotilla duties on completion.
13th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
18th
At Hong Kong for Xmas period.
1 9
6 5
January
2nd
Took passage for KONFRONTASI patrol off Borneo
based at Tawau
25th
Passage to Singapore en completion of patrol.
29th
Arrived at Singapore.
February
Deployed at Singapore.
4th
Re-commissioned for service with 3rd Frigate
Flotilla
Commanding Officer: Commander D Mansell Royal
Navy.
27th
Self Maintenance Period at Singapore.
March
8th
Resumed Flotilla duties on completion of SMP.
13th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
21st
Passage to Borneo for KONFRONTASI support and
patrol.
25th
Deployed at Tawau.
April
Borneo duties in continuation.
21st
Returned to Singapore.
May
Took part in multi-national exercises in Gulf of
Thailand with Commonwealth, US
and Thai warships.
4th
Visited Bangkok.
8th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
13th
Arrived at Hong Kong.
19th
Passage to Singapore.
24th
Prepared for refit.
31st
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard,
Singapore.
June
Under refit.
to
August
September
Transferred to 26th Escort Squadron when 3rd
Frigate Flotilla disbanded.
5th
Commenced post refit trials and Shakedown for
service.
30th
Deployed for Squadron duties on completion of
Shakedown.
October
7th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
12th
At Hong Kong.
Under repair.
25th
Return passage to Singapore.
30th
Arrived at Singapore
November
Deployed at Singapore.
December
9th
Took passage for KONFRONTASI support and Borneo
patrol.
14th
At Cebu.
20th
At Tawau.
1 9
6 6
January
KONFRONTASI support and Borneo Patrol based at
Tawau in continuation.
(Note: This was final KONFRONTASI deployment).
8th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
12th
Self Maintenance at Hong Kong.
24th
Took passage to Singapore.
29th
Arrived at Singapore.
February
Deployed at Singapore.
28th
Taken in hand for docking and repair.
March
Under repair.
April
Re-commissioned for service with 26th Escort
Squadron at Singapore.
Commanding Officer: Commander W H Barnard RN
(P).
7th
Resumed Squadron duties at Singapore.
May
Deployed with Squadron at Singapore.
13th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
18th
At Hong Kong.
27th
Took passage to Singapore.
July
2nd
Deployed at Singapore with Squadron.
15th
Carried out work-up exercises with Squadron.
24th
Self maintenance at Singapore.
August
Resumed exercises with Squadron.
26th
Completed exercises.
September
3rd
Took passage to Hong Kong.
8th
At Hong Kong.
21st
Return passage to Singapore.
October
Deployed locally at Singapore
8th
At Penang.
12th
Left Penang for Squadron duties.
31st
Arrived at Singapore and prepared for refit.
November
Under refit.
to
December
1 9
6 7
January
Under refit
12th
Post refit trials and on completion resumed
Squadron duties at Singapore.
February
Deployed at Singapore with Squadron.
18th
At Penang for final visit.
22nd Sailed
from Penang for Squadron duties.
March
Deployed with Squadron.
April
Squadron duties in continuation.
24th
Passage to Hong Kong.
29th
At Hong Kong.
May
1st
Took passage from
Hong
Kong for visits to Japanese ports and exercises.
6th
At Simizu, Honshu.
10th
At Yokohama till 15th.
16th
At Shiogama till 18th.
19th
At Qninato, North Honshu.
20th
At Hakodate, Hokkaido.
24th
Took passage to return to Hong Kong.
29th
Arrived at Hong Kong.
June
3rd
Took passage to Singapore.
9th
Arrived at Singapore.
19th
Self Maintenance Period.
July
10th
Resumed Squadron duties.
25th
At Hong Kong.
August
9th
Passage to Singapore.
13th
Arrived at Singapore and prepared for passage to
UK.
Commanding Officer for return passage:
Lieutenant Commander M J Rogerson RN)).
(Note: Return passage via Mauritius and
Simonstown came as a great bonus and was
much appreciated by the ship's company and a
final accolade before Paying-off
after
23 years service).
21st
Took passage to Gan from Singapore.
28th
At Gan.
31st
Passage to Mauritius.
September
2nd
At Mauritius
4th
Passage to Simonstown.
12th
At Simonstown.
16th
Took passage to Gibraltar
October
5th
At Gibraltar.
7th
Took passage to Portsmouth
11th
Arrived at Portsmouth to pay off and reduce to
Reserve status
F i n a l P h a s e
HMS LOCH FADA was placed on the
Disposal List after reduction to Reserve. The
ship was lent to the British
Aircraft Corporation (now BAe) in 1968 for
trials of the SEAWOLF
missile, then under development. On 5th November
1968 she broke away from her
moorings in Luce Bay, near Stranraer and drifted
into the Irish Sea. The ship
was later recovered and towed to Pembroke Dock
where she was found unusable
for further trials. This frigate lay at Pembroke
Dock until sold to BISCO for
breaking-up by Metal Industries at Faslane where
she arrived on 28th May 1970.
(Note: By strange coincidence, 17 years later in
1985 on the same date, the Trials
Vessel LONGBOW being used by BAe for Development
Trials of the Vertical
Launched SEAWOLF System by the RN, also broke
away from her mooring in Cardigan
Bay.)
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of HMS LOCH FADA
by
Don Kindell
These convoy
lists have not been cross-checked with the text
above
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date convoy sailed
|
Joined convoy as
escort
|
Convoy
No.
|
Left convoy
|
Date convoy arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29/09/44
|
30/09/44
|
ONS
033
|
02/10/44
|
14/10/44
|
|
14/10/44
|
15/10/44
|
ONS
034
|
17/10/44
|
01/11/44
|
|
29/10/44
|
30/10/44
|
ONS
035
|
01/11/44
|
15/11/44
|
|
28/11/44
|
30/11/44
|
ONS
037
|
01/12/44
|
21/12/44
|
|
19/12/44
|
unknown
|
HX
327
|
unknown
|
02/01/45
|
|
23/01/45
|
unknown
|
HX
334
|
unknown
|
06/02/45
|
|
02/02/45
|
03/02/45
|
OS
108KM
|
03/02/45
|
05/02/45
|
|
18/02/45
|
unknown
|
HX
339
|
unknown
|
03/03/45
|
|
07/03/45
|
09/03/45
|
ON
289
|
10/03/45
|
25/03/45
|
|
11/03/45
|
11/03/45
|
MKS
088G
|
19/03/45
|
19/03/45
|
|
03/05/45
|
unknown
|
HX
354
|
unknown
|
18/05/45
|
|
20/05/45
|
20/05/45
|
TBC
164
|
23/05/45
|
23/05/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)
