D or DEFENDER-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Palmers on 2nd February 1931 under the 1930 Build Programme. The ship was laid down on 20th June 1931 at the same time as sister ship HMS DUCHESS. She was launched on the 16th June 1932 as the 12th RN ship to bear the name, introduced in 1757, although it had been borne by a mercantile which fought against the Armada. It was last used in 1895 for a cruiser built in 1895 and sold in 1920.Her Build was completed on 21st December that year at cost of £229,502 excluding the Admiralty supplied equipment such as the weapons and the communications equipment . This ship served in the Mediterranean and in 1934 refitted at Sheerness for service on the China Station in 8th (later 21st) Destroyer Flotilla until September 1939.

 

Battle  Honours

 

ARMADA 1558 - LOUISBERG 1758 - QUEBEC 1759 - PORTO PRAYA 1781 - BURMA 1824-26 - NORWAY 1940

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Blue, a crescent Moon Silver.

 

Motto

Certo Dirigo ictu:  ‘I aim with sure blow’

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f    W a r    S e r v i c e   a s   H M S   D I A N A

 

(for more ship information,  go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

September

 

3rd - Took passage with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, DARING and DAINTY to join the Fleet in the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria. (Note: The 8th Destroyer Flotilla in China was renumbered 21st in April 1939).

 

October

 

Arrived in Mediterranean for contraband control and Fleet screening duties.

 

November

 

Taken in hand for repair at Malta to remedy defects caused by corrosion.

 

December

 

On completion resumed duty with Flotilla. Nominated for return to Home waters and took passage to UK.

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

 

Joined 3rd Destroyer Flotilla in Home Fleet. (For details of naval activities in Home waters during early 1940 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett and the Naval Staff History.)

 

February

 

Home Fleet screening and patrol duties in continuation.

 

15th - Escorted HMS DUNCAN under tow by tugs from Invergordon to Forth for repair.

 

March

 

Home Fleet screening and convoy defence duties in continuation.

 

April

 

8th - After German invasion of Norway deployed for escort of troop convoy in Norway.

 

On arrival deployed with screen for major Fleet units, patrol and support of shore operations.

 

May

 

1st - Part of destroyer screen for HM Cruisers MANCHESTER and BIRMINGHAM during evacuation of allied troops from Andalsnes and Molde.

 

14th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS from Clyde for return to operations off Norway . (Operation ALPHABET). Transferred 'leave breakers' embarked at Glasgow back to GLORIOUS.

 

June

 

Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL from Norway with HM Destroyers ACHERON and HIGHLANDER. (Note: For details of the disastrous operations in Norwegian waters see NARVIK by Donald Macintyre, CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton, THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by T Adams, NORWAY 1940 by F Kersaudy) and Naval Staff History (HMSO-2001).)

 

Future transfer to Royal Canadian Navy under discussion

 

July to August

 

Taken in hand for refit and repair in London. Transfer to RCN approved. Post Refit trials.

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s   H M C S   M A R G A R E E

 

September

 

Transferred to RCN as replacement for HMCS FRASER and renamed HMCS MARGAREE.

 

October

 

Work up for operational service completed.

 

17th - Joined Convoy OL8 in NW Approaches as escort during passage to Canada.

 

22nd - Sank after collision with ss PORT FAIRY in position 450 miles NW Ireland in position 53.24N 22.50W. 34 survivors rescued by PORT FAIRY. 142 lives were lost. (Note: HMCS FRASER (ex-HM Destroyer CRESCENT) was also lost in collision. She sank after colliding with HM Cruiser CALCUTTA off the Gironde in the Bay of Biscay on 25 June 1940 whilst assisting in the evacuations from French ports.)

 

 

S p e c i a l   N o t e

 

This name was carried forward in 1950 for a DARING Class Fleet Destroyer, originally to be HMS DRUID but renamed. She served with the Fleet at Home and abroad until 1971 when sold to Peru.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENT of  HMS DIANA

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)