F-Class Fleet Destroyer built by John Brown at Clydebank under 1932 Programme. She was laid down on 15th August 1933 and launched on 12th October 1934 as the 6th RN ship to carry the name. It was introduced in 1806 and last used for a pre WW1 destroyer sold in 1920. Build was completed on 21st June 1935 and the Tender cost was £247,234, excluding Admiralty supplied equipment such as weapons and communications equipment. Before the outbreak of war she was part of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla and served in Home waters and in the Mediterranean. The Flotilla was re-numbered 8th in April 1939 After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in January 1942 this ship was adopted by the civil community of Epsom and Ewell, Surrey.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

BASQUE ROADS 1809 -  DARDANELLES 1916 - ATLANTIC 1939-41 - NARVIK 1940 - NORWAY 1940 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941 - MEDITERRANEAN 1941

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Red, a Foxhound's head proper

 

M o t t o

 Acar in venatu :   'Keen in the chase'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e   a s   H M S   F O X H O U N D

 

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

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

September

 

Part of 8th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet.

 

3rd - Deployed on escort of Fleet units in Home waters.

 

14th - During deployment as escort for HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL shared credit with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and FIREDRAKE for sinking of U39 in position 58.32N 11.39W in NW Approaches. 43 survivors were rescued. (Note: This was the first U-Boat kil1 of WW2).

 

October to December

 

Deployed with destroyer screen of major Home Fleet units during North Sea and NW Approaches operations. (For details of naval activities in Home waters see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett and Naval Staff History.)

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

 

4th - Escorted HM Battleship NELSON from Loch Ewe to Portsmouth after mine damage.

 

February

 

11th - Rescued survivors of Swedish ship ORANIA in position NE of Shetlands.

 

March

 

Home Fleet patrol and screening duties in continuation.

 

April

 

8th - Deployed with Home Fleet in support of military operations in Norway. (Operation WILFRED/R4).

 

13th - Participated in 2nd Battle of Narvik with Home Fleet units. Sank German Destroyer ERICH GIESE with HM Destroyer COSSACK. (For details see NARVIK by D MacIntyre and Naval Staff History (2001).).

 

May

 

Norwegian support duties in continuation.

 

1st - Detached for escort of HM Battleship WARSPITE to Gibraltar.

 

8th - Escorted HM Cruisers GLASGOW and BERWICK carrying Royal Marines for the British occupation of Iceland.

 

Retained temporarily in Iceland.

 

June

 

5th - Part of destroyer screen for HM Battlecruisers RENOWN and REPULSE during a search for two unknown vessels in Faeroes-Iceland Gap.

 

8th - Search abandoned and returned to Scapa Flow.

 

Transferred with Flotilla to join Force H at Gibraltar.

 

July

 

2nd - Part of destroyer screen for HM Battlecruiser HOOD, HM Battleships RESOLUTION and VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESTER, FORESIGHT, ESCORT of 8th Flotilla and destroyers of 13th Flotilla for passage to Oran (Note: Captain Holland, Royal Navy was embarked for negotiations with French Admiral,.)

 

3rd - Present for negotiations in relation to future deployment of French warships. Attempt to avoid inevitable bloodshed failed (Operation CATAPULT) (For details see THE DEADLY STROKE by Warren Tute).

 

6th - Part of destroyer screens for HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE with HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FORESTER, ESCORT, WISHART, VIDETTE, VORTIGERN and WRESTLER for air attack on French battleship DUNKERQUE (Operation LEVER).

 

8th - Part of destroyer screen for HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS RESOLUTION, HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, DELHI and ENTERPRISE with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESTER, ESCORT, DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, VELOX, VORTIGERN and WRESTLER to cover air attacks on Cagliari, Sardinia (Operation MA5).

 

Operation abandoned after ships came under air attack south of Majorca.

 

31st - Joined HMS HOOD, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS ENTERPRISE as destroyer screen for Group 1 with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER and FORESIGHT for air attacks on Cagliari (Operation CRUSH).

 

August

 

4th - Passage to UK with Force H ships.

 

September

 

Under refit at Sheerness.

 

October

 

On completion took passage to rejoin Flotilla at Gibraltar. Deployed en convoy defence in Atlantic based at Gibraltar.

 

 November

 

9th - Joined Force B with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ISIS, FORESTER, FIREDRAKE, FAULKNOR and FURY as destroyer screen for HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD to carry out air attack on Cagliari (Operation CRACK). (For details of operation in western Mediterranean in 1940 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett and Naval Staff History (2001).).

 

15th - Joined Force B with HM Destroyers, FAULKNOR, FORTUNE, FORESTER and FIREDRAKE as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD to provide cover for aircraft delivery by HMS ARGUS and a diversionary air attack on Alghero (Operation WHITE - This attack was cancelled because of weather conditions).

 

20th - Joined escort for Gibraltar - West Africa convoy.

 

29th - Delayed at Takoradi by condenser trouble.

 

December

 

Rejoined Flotilla at Gibraltar.

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

 

Deployment with Flotilla in Force H in continuation.

 

7th - Joined screen for HMS RENOWN, HM Battleship MALAYA, HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESIGHT, FURY, FIREDRAKE, FORTUNE and DUNCAN to cover transit of military convoys to Malta and Piraeus. (Operation EXCESS - For details of 1941 operations see above references).

 

31st - Joined Group 2 with HMS Destroyers FEARLESS, FORESIGHT, FURY, FIREDRAKE and JERSEY as screen for HMS RENOWN, HMS MALAYA, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD during an air attack on Tirso Dam, Sardinia (Operation PICKET).

 

February

 

6th - Joined Group 2 with HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FORESIGHT, FURY, ENCOUNTER and JERSEY as screen for HMS RENOWN, HMS MALAYA, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD during a combined minelay off Spezia and bombardment of Genoa (Operation GROG).

 

March

 

Deployment with Force H in continuation.

 

25th - Joined escort for Convoy WS7 in NW approaches with HM Destroyer ECLIPSE.

 

28th - Detached from WS7 with HMS ECLIPSE and took passage to rejoin Force H.

 

30th - Joined HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD, HM Destroyers FURY, FEARLESS, FORESTER and FORTUNE with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and FORESIGHT to intercept a Vichy French convoy. (Note: This was unsuccessful and resulted in air attacks on British ships during return passage).

 

April

 

Detached with HM Destroyer DUNCAN for escort of WS7.

 

1st - Rejoined escort for WS7 with HMS DUNCAN.

 

4th - Detached from WS7 with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, VIDETTE and WISHART on arrival at Freetown.

 

6th - Took part as screen for Force H units during search for German warships reported in Atlantic.

 

7th - Joined escort for WS7 with HM Destroyers DUNCAN and VIDETTE.

 

9th - Detached from WS7 and took passage to rejoin Flotilla at Gibraltar.

 

May

 

19th - Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FURY, HESPERUS and BRILLIANT as screen for HMS RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL and ARGUS and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation SPLICE).

 

24th - Deployed with Flotilla as screen for Force H for cover passage of Atlantic military convoy in case of attack by German warships BISMARCK and PRINZ EUGEN. Diverted with Force H to prevent return of BISMARCK to Brest. Part of screen for HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS RENOWN with HMS FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FORTUNE and FORESIGHT.

 

25th - Detached with other destroyers because of fuel shortage for high speed operation.

 

June

 

5th - Part of screen for HMS RENOWN and HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER and FORESIGHT for Malta aircraft delivery (Operation ROCKET).

 

13th - Escorted HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS RENOWN and HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS for Malta aircraft delivery with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESIGHT, WISHART and HESPERUS (Operation TRACER).

 

17th - On return from TRACER deployed in Atlantic with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESTER and FURY.

 

18th - Shared credit for sinking of U138 in position 36.04N 07-29W with same ships. (Note: This was during A/S operations north of Gibraltar. 27 survivors were rescued. For details see U-BOATS DESTROYED by P. Kemp and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

23rd - Intercepted German supply ship ALSTERTOR in position 41.22N 13.10W with ships of 8th Flotilla. Enemy vessel scuttled en approach and survivors taken to Gibraltar.

 

30th - Escorted HMS FURIOUS and HM Cruiser HERMIONE for Malta aircraft delivery with HM Destroyers FEARLESS and LEGION (Operation RAILWAY II).

 

July

 

21st - Joined Force X as screen for HM Cruisers EDINBURGH, MANCHESTER, ARETHUSA and HM Minelaying Cruiser MANXMAN with HM Destroyers COSSACK, MAORI, SIKH. NESTOR, ERIDGE, AVONVALE, FARNDALE, FEARLESS and FIREDRAKE during passage of Malta supply convoy.

 

25th - Deployed in minesweeping role during entry into Malta.

 

August

 

Withdrawn from Force H with ships of Flotilla and took passage to UK for refit.

 

September to October

 

Under refit. Nominated for service with 2nd Destroyer Flotilla in Eastern Mediterranean.

 

November

 

Post refit trials.

 

December

 

Part of escort for military Convoy WS14.

 

9th - Joined escort for military convoy WS14 in Clyde with H M Destroyers GURKHA and NESTOR.

 

13th - Detached from WS14 and took independent passage to rejoin Flotilla.

 

15th - Deployed for anti-submarine operation off Gibraltar prior to departure of Convoy HG76 for UK. Shared credit for sinking U127 with HM Destroyers CROOME, GURKHA (ii) and NESTOR (RAN) in position 36.28N 9.12W. There were no survivors. Deployed for anti-submarine patrol off Gibraltar.

 

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

 

Joined 2nd Destroyer Flotilla at Alexandria for Fleet escort duties.

 

16th - Part of escort for HM Cruisers NAIAD, DIDO and EURYALUS covering passage of Convoy MW8B to Malta from Alexandria (Operation MF3).

 

February to March

 

Deployed with destroyer screen for a series of convoys to Malta from Port Said.

 

April

 

Transferred to Eastern Fleet to reinforce destroyer strength. Passage to Indian Ocean.

 

May

 

Deployed with Eastern Fleet for convoy defence In Indian Ocean.

 

June to September

 

South Atlantic and Indian Ocean convoy defence in continuation. Based at Simonstown.

 

October

 

Deployed with HM Destroyers NIZAM (RAN), ACTIVE, ARROW and HM Corvette ROCKROSE. (Note: An increase in U-Boat activity against convoys in area was causing much concern. See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR.)

 

8th - Took part in search for survivors from mercantiles sunk by U-Boats. Carried out A/S operations.

 

November to December

 

Deployment at Capetown in continuation.

 

 

1 9 4 3

 

January to February

 

Convoy defence in Atlantic and Indian Oceans in continuation.

 

March

 

24th - Joined military convoy WS27 with HM Destroyers QUILLIAM and RACEHORSE during passage from Freetown to Cape of Good Hope for escort in place of HM Destroyers QUAIL, QUEENBOROUGH and RAIDER.

 

26th - Detached from WS27 off Capetown. Rejoined WS27 off Durban with HM Destroyers CATTERICK, NAPIER and ROTHERHAM.

 

April

 

1st - Detached from WS27 during passage to Aden. Took passage to join military convoy WS28.

 

11th - Joined W528 with HM Destroyers QUILLIAM and ROTHERHAM off Capetown for escort of Middle East section.

 

14th - Detached from WS28 on arrival at Durban.

 

May

 

Selected for conversion to Long Range Escort with improved anti-submarine weapon equipment fitted. For details of development and use of radar and new anti-submarine weapons see RADAR AT SEA by D Hawse and SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann). Took passage to UK but diverted for escort of military convoy when at Gibraltar.

 

25th - Escorted military convoy WS30 with HM Destroyers ANTELOPE and CATTERICK during passage to Freetown.

 

29th - Detached from WS30 and returned to Gibraltar.

 

June

 

Deployed at Gibraltar for convoy defence.

 

26th - Joined military convoy WS31 with HM Destroyers AMAZON, BULLDOG and BLACKMORE at Gibraltar as escort for passage to Freetown. (Note: Joint Convoy KMF17 for Mediterranean and WS31 for Bombay had divided at Gibraltar.)

 

July

 

4th - Detached on arrival at Freetown with WS31.

 

6th - Rejoined WS31 on departure from Freetown with HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CORFU, HM Destroyers BLACKMORE, BULLDOG, WOLVERINE as escort during passage to Capetown.

 

12th - Detached from WS31 for independent passage after relief by HM Destroyer RAPID.

 

Rejoined Flotilla at Gibraltar.

 

August

 

Passage to UK for refit. Paid off.

 

September to December

 

Under refit in Humber shipyard. Future deployment under consideration.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

 

Under refit. Transfer to Royal Canadian Navy approved.

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s   H M C S   Q U ' A P P E L L E

 

February

 

8th - Transferred to Royal Canadian Navy and renamed QU'APPELLE.

 

Worked-up for Atlantic convoy defence at Tobermory.

 

March

 

Joined 6th Escort Group at Londonderry as Senior Officer's ship.

 

April

 

Transferred to 12th Escort Group and joined HM Destroyers SASKATCHEWAN (RCN), RESTIGOUCHE (RCN) and SKEENA (RCN) for escort duty in NW Approaches.

 

May

 

Atlantic convoy escort duty in continuation. Nominated with Group for deployment in support of Allied landings in Normandy.

 

June

 

Deployed with Group in SW Approaches to deny access to Channel by German U-boats. Based at Plymouth. (For details of naval activities prior to and during the landings see OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and LANDINGS IN NORMANDY (HMSO).)

 

July

 

Deployed on offensive operations against U-Boat escorts in Bay of Biscay and the English Channel (Operation DREDGER).

 

6th - Sank Flak ships off Brest.

 

August

 

Deployed with HM Canadian Destroyers ASSINIBOINE, RESTIGOUCHE and SKEENA for interception of evacuation shipping in Bay of Biscay (Operation KINETIC).

 

11th - Sank two trawlers. Damaged in collision with SKEENA.

 

14th - Taken in hand for repair.

 

September

 

On completion resumed convoy escort duties In NW Approaches.

 

October

 

Group redesignated 11th Escort Group and transferred to Iceland in continuation.

 

25th - Subjected to extreme weather conditions whilst at anchor off Reykjavik. (Note: HMCS SKEENA also anchored near-by came adrift and grounded. This ship subsequently was declared a total loss.)

 

November

 

Convoy defence in N Atlantic in continuation.

 

29th - Arrived at Halifax to prepare for refit.

 

December

 

Under refit at Pictou, Nova Scotia.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January to March

 

Under refit.

 

April

 

Resumed convoy escort duties.

 

May to August

 

Deployed in Canadian waters. Nominated for duty as troop transport

 

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HM Canadian Destroyer QU'APPELLE was used for bringing Canadian service personnel from Greenock to Halifax until 25th September 1945. She was paid off on 11th October and used for training duties at the Canadian Navy Torpedo School (HMCS STADACONA) in Halifax until 1946 when she was placed on the Disposal List. This ship was sold in December 1947 and broken up at Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1948.

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS as HMS FOXHOUND

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)