H-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company with hull sub-contracted to Vickers-Armstrong at Newcastle under 1934 Programme on 13th December 1934. The ship was laid down on 28th February 1935 at same time as sister ship HMS HEREWARD. This ship was launched on 10th March 1936 as the 10th Royal Navy warship to carry this name. It was introduced for a 3rd Rate in 1759 and last used for a Turret Ship in 1885, sold in 1907. HMS HEREWARD was also launched on this date. The build completed on 21st October 1936 at a tender price of £249,858 excluding Admiralty supplied items such as guns and signalling outfits. The ship served with the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean until the outbreak of war, apart from a refit at Portsmouth in mid-1939. In February 1942 following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign she was adopted by the civil carnality of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. This destroyer was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943 and was renamed HMCS CHAUDIERE.

 

The photoraphs that follow are courtesy of David Sutherland, whose father served on HMS Hero

HMS HERO entering Venice in 1938 still in peace time colours.

Shortly after, she departed on Spanish Patrol

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

QUIBERON 1759 - BELLEISLE 1761 - PORTO PRAYA 1781 - SADRAS 1782 - PROVIDIEN 1782 - NEGAPATAM 1782 - TRINCOMALEE 1782 - CUDDALORE 1783 - CALDER'S ACTION 1805 - STRACHAN'S ACTION 1805 - BASQUE ROADS 1809 - NARVIK 1940 - NORWAY 1940 - CALABRIA 1941 - SPADA 1940 - GREECE 1940 - CRETE 1941 - MEDITERRANEAN 1941 - LIBYA 1941-42 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42 - SIRTE  1942

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field  Red. a hand and arm Proper holding a wreath Green.

 

M o t t o

Fortes Adjuvat Fortuna: 'Fortune favours the brave'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e   a s   H M S    H E R O

 

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

 

  

1 9 3 9

 

September

 

3rd - Deployed at Malta with 2nd Destroyer Flotilla for Contraband Control duty and screening of major Fleet units.

 

October

 

Transferred to Force K based at Freetown for search in Atlantic for interception of surface raiders and blockade runners with HM Destroyers HARDY, HOSTILE and HASTY.

 

5th - Sailed from Gibraltar to join search.

 

 

left - HERO's tracking chart while searching for GRAF SPEE

right - in Freetown November 1939, while search continues

 

November

 

Atlantic deployment for trade defence in continuation.

 

December

 

Atlantic deployment in continuation and based briefly at Pernambuco.

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

 

Under repair at Gibraltar.

 

February

 

Nominated for refit in UK and took passage. Deployed for convoy defence in Atlantic.

 

7th - Deployed with HM Destroyers BROKE, VELOX, VERSATILE, WINCHESTER and HM Sloop ENCHANTRESS as escort for outward Convoy OG17F on passage into Gibraltar from Liverpool.

 

 Passage to Portsmouth.

 

15th - Taken in hand for refit at Portsmouth.

 

March

 

Under refit.

 

16th - On completion of post-refit trials took passage to rejoin Flotilla in Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for Fleet screening and patrol duties.

 

31st - Nominated to carry out simulated minelay off Bud, North Norway with sister ship HMS HYPERION (Operation WILFRED).

 

April

 

5th - Joined HM Battlecruiser RENOWN with HM Destroyers GREYHOUND, GLOWWORM and HYPERION as screen.

 

6th - Detached to refuel before sailing for Bud. Encountered heavy weather which delayed transit.

 

8th - Carried out simulated lay using oil drums. Carried out patrol in area to warn shipping. Returned to Sullom Voe to refuel after HM Nor. Ship Sleipner arrived.

 

9th - German invasion of Norway confirmed. Rejoined Home Fleet units on passage in North Sea for support of Norway landings after refuelling. (Operation RUPERT).

 

10th - Carried out depth charge attacks on submarine contact which was reported as having been sunk. (Note: Later identified as U50 but post war analysis established this U-Boat had been sunk by a mine on 6th April. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

 

13th - Escorted HM Battleship WARSPITE with HM Destroyers ICARUS, FOXHOUND, COSSACK BEDOUIN, PUNJABI, KIMBERLEY, FORESTER and ESKIMO during 2nd Battle of Narvik. (See Naval Staff History (HMSO-2001) and NARVIK by D Macintyre).  Sank German destroyer HANS LUDEMANN in Rombaksfjord by torpedo after it had been abandoned without fuel and ammunition.

 

24th - Part of screen for HMS WARSPITE during Narvik bombardment.

 

left - B-Gun crew in Narvik April 1940, Donald Sutherland second from left

right - Torpedo launch by HERO at the Second Battle of Narvik - possibly the torpedo mentioned above

 

May

 

Deployed with Fleet off Norway for screening and patrol duties. Returned to Scapa. Transferred to Mediterranean with Flotilla.

 

17th - Took passage from Plymouth with other destroyers to join Fleet at Alexandria.

 

June

 

Deployed with Fleet units and on A/S patrol in Eastern Mediterranean.

 

July

 

9th - Participated in action with Italian force threatening passage of military convoy from Gibraltar to Middle East.

 

Escorted HMS WARSPITE during engagement off Calabria.

 

17th - Deployed on A/S search in Eastern Mediterranean north of Crete.

 

19th - Sighted Italian cruiser force and lured these ships towards HM Australian Cruiser SYDNEY which was carrying out an offensive sweep in the area with HM Destroyer HAVOCK. Participated in subsequent engagement during which cruiser BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI was sunk (Battle of Cape Spada - See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D. Macintyre, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and the Naval Staff History (HMSO-2001).)

 

 

Alexandria, July 1940, Donald Sutherland

hanging out the washing

 

August

 

22nd - Transferred to Force H at Gibraltar with HM Destroyers HOSTILE, NUBIAN and MOHAWK to assist with defence of transit of reinforcements for Fleet at Alexandria.

 

28th - During passage rescued survivors from HMS HOSTILE which had been mined off Cape Bon and sank the abandoned ship by torpedo. Took survivors to Malta and resumed passage.

 

30th - Deployed for escort of Force F during passage from Gibraltar to reinforce Fleet at Alexandria. (Operation HATS - Covered by Force H for transit to Sicilian Channel. Note: Force F comprised HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS. HM Battleship VALIANT and HM Cruisers COVENTRY and CALCUTTA).  Joined HM Destroyers JANUS, MOHAWK and NUBIAN as screen for Force A.

 

September

 

Passage with Force F.

 

2nd - Met units of Mediterranean Fleet off Pantellaria.

 

October

 

Under refit in Malta.

 

November

 

Rejoined Flotilla on completion of post-refit trials.

 

6th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER, HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HYPERION, ILEX, JANUS, JERVIS, JUNO, MOHAWK and NUBIAN as screen for HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Battleships MALAYA, VALIANT, WARSPITE, HM Cruisers AJAX, GLOUCESTER, ORION, SYDNEY (RAN) and YORK to provide cover for passage of Malta Convoy MW3 (Operation MB8. Note: Part of Operation COAT, the transit of reinforcements to Alexandria.)

 

10th - Detached as escort for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS with HM Destroyers HAVOCK, HEREWARD, JERVIS and JUNO.

 

11th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS during air attack on Taranto. (Operation JUDGEMENT - See above references and MALTA CONVOYS by R Woodman.).

 

14th - Returned to Alexandria with Fleet.

 

23rd - Sailed from Alexandria with HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK, HYPERION, ILEX HM Australian Destroyers VAMPIRE, VENDETTA and VOYAGER to join Convoy MW4 as close escort during passage to Malta. (Operation MB9 - Part of Operation COLLAR the transfer of HM Battleship RAMILLIES, HM Cruisers BERWICK and NEWCASTLE from Mediterranean Fleet following the air attack on Taranto, and passage of HM Cruisers SOUTHAMPTON and NEWCASTLE to join Fleet at Alexandria.)

 

26th - Arrived in Malta with ships of MW4 and close escort. (Note: The escort was not deployed with the other units of the Mediterranean Fleet which were providing distant cover for the passage of the convoys in the eastern Mediterranean and then meeting ships coming from Gibraltar. See references. For that reason did not take part in Battle of Cape Spartivento. See also DESTROYER LEADER by P. Smith.).

 

These other Fleet units also escorted a convoy to Suda Bay, and carried out air attack on Rhodes before covering return convoy ME4 to Egypt from Malta.

 

December

 

Mediterranean deployment in continuation.

 

16th - Part of screen for Fleet units covering passage of convoy MW5 to Malta, Convoy ME5 to Egypt, air operations, bombardments and transfer of HMS MALAYA to Gibraltar (Operations MC2, MC3 and joint Operation HIDE with Force H.).

 

20th - Nominated for detached duty at Gibraltar and joined HM Destroyers HYPERION. HEREWARD, ILEX and HASTY as escort for HMS MALAYA and two empty supply ships for passage through Sicilian Narrows to Gibraltar (Convoy MG1).

 

22nd - Remained with Convoy MG1 after passage through Narrows. (Note: HMS HYPERION was sunk off Cape Bon after striking a mine off Cape Bon.)

 

24th - On arrival at Gibraltar deployed with 13th Destroyer Flotilla.

 

25th - Participated in search for merchant ships from Convoy WS5 after attack by German cruiser HIPPER.

 

HMS Hero in 'war paint'

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

 

1st - Intercepted Vichy French convoy with ships of Flotilla off Oran and escorted them to Gibraltar.

 

7th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, JAGUAR, HEREWARD, HASTY and HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE as Force F. (Part of Operations EXCESS and MC4 with Force H - The passage of supply convoy to Malta and Piraeus covered by Force H as far as the Sicilian Channel. See above references).

 

10th - Rejoined Mediterranean Fleet with Force F. Under heavy and sustained dive-bombing attacks by German Fliegerkorps X, west of Malta. (Note: HMS ILLUSTRIOUS was badly damaged in these attacks. See above references). Escorted mercantile ss ESSEX into Malta (one of Gibraltar convoy).

 

11th - Deployed with Fleet screen and under heavy and sustained air attacks. (Note: HMS Cruisers GLOUCESTER and SOUTHAMPTON were hit, the latter was sunk by HM Cruiser ORION after fires on board were out of control.)

 

15th - Returned to Alexandria with Fleet.

 

20th - Escorted HM Cruisers ORION and BONAVENTURE during bombardment of Tobruk. (Note: One source suggests this was aborted.)

 

February

 

Fleet operations were restricted by the lack of a modern aircraft carrier.

 

19th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DECOY, HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HOTSPUR, ILEX, JAGUAR, JANUS and JERVIS as screen for HM Battleships, BARHAM VALIANT, HMS Aircraft Carrier EAGLE and HM Cruiser COVENTRY to provide cover for passage of HM Cruisers ORION, GLOUCESTER and AJAX during passage to Malt with troops to reinforce garrison (Operation MC8).

 

21st - Arrived in Malta.

 

23rd - Sailed to Alexandria and covered return passage of two empty mercantiles.

 

25th - Arrived at Alexandria.

 

 

Ship's company, Alexandria 1941

 

 

Donald Sutherland and 4.7in turret,

also at Alexandria, 1941

 

March

 

Deployed with screen for Fleet units providing cover and escort for Convoy MW6 to Malta (Note: Operation MC9, passage of Convoy MU6 to Malta was covered in this period. As this ship did not take part in the Battle of Matapan it may be assumed she was not operational.)

 

April

 

18th - Sailed from Alexandria with HM Destroyers JAGUAR, HASTY, HAVOCK, HERO and HOTSPUR as screen for HMS WARSPITE, HMS BARHAM, HMS VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE and HM Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE during passage to Suda Bay to provide cover for transit of Convoy ME7 from Malta to Egypt (Operation MD2). (Note: HMS BRECONSHIRE detached at Suda Bay after refuelling the destroyers and took passage to Malta under escort with much needed oil and aviation fuel for Malta.)

 

20th - Deployed as part of Force B with HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HOTSPUR, JAGUAR, JANUS, JERVIS and JUNO as screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Battleships WARSPITE, BARHAM, VALIANT and HM Cruiser GLOUCESTER for bombardment of harbour at Tripoli (Operation MD3).

 

21st - On completion of bombardment by capital ships took passage to Alexandria with screen except J-Class destroyers which were detached to take passage to Malta. (For details see Naval Staff History and above references.)

 

23rd - Arrived at Alexandria.

 

26th - Deployed at Kalamata, Greece with HMS PHOEBE, HMS DEFENDER , HMS HEREWARD, HM Sloop FLAMINGO and two mercantiles for evacuation of British troops from Crete. (Note: For details see Naval Staff History. 7,000 troops were left.)

 

27th - Under air attack during return passage to Alexandria. (Note: One mercantile was sunk without casualties.)

 

28th - Deployed at Kalamata, Greece for evacuation with HM Destroyers HEREWARD, KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY, KINGSTON, NUBIAN, DEFENDER, DECOY and HASTY. (Note: Troops were embarked from wharves and taken to HM Cruisers PHOEBE and PERTH (RAN) lying off-shore.)

 

29th - Returned to Alexandria.

 

May

 

6th - Joined Fleet units covering passage of convoys in eastern Mediterranean. (Operation TIGER). Deployed with HM Destroyers GRIFFIN, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HOTSPUR, JERVIS, JUNO, NIZAM. KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY, KINGSTON and NUBIAN as screen for ships of Mediterranean Fleet including HM Cruiser ABDIEL and HMS BRECONSHIRE. (Operation MD4 part of TIGER covered passage of Convoy MW7)

 

9th - Screening deployment continued during cover of military TIGER convoy bringing tanks for 8th Amy to Egypt.

 

12th - Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.

 

20th - Deployed in defence of Crete against invasion by German troops.

 

22nd - Detached to embark King of Hellenes and other officials for passage to Alexandria from Crete.

 

23rd - Disembarked passengers at Alexandria.

 

24th - Landed Special Service troops in Suda Bay area.

 

June

 

Deployed with Fleet wits in support of military operations in Syria (Operation EXPORTER).

 

July

 

Transferred for duty with Inshore Squadron on supply and support of Tobruk.

 

10th - Made first supply trip to Tobruk. (Note: During later trip sustained slight damage in air attack and was repaired within short period.)

 

August

 

Inshore Squadron detached service in continuation.

 

September

 

Inshore Squadron deployment in continuation.

 

24th - Detached from Squadron for escort of HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH during diversionary operation in Eastern Mediterranean to cover passage of Malta support convoy WS11 from from Gibraltar (Operation HALBERD).

 

30th - Resumed Tobruk support duty.

 

October

 

Inshore Squadron deployment in continuation.

 

25th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ENCOUNTER and EXPRESS, as escort for HM Cruisers ABDIEL and LATONA carrying troops and supplies to Tobruk. Under heavy air attack during which HMS LATONA was disabled and set on fire. Whilst alongside HMS LATONA to evacuate her crew, was subject to further air attack with three near misses which caused structural damage.

 

November

 

Under repair at Alexandria. (Note: Damage caused in the air attacks reduced maximum speed and future use for Fleet duties no longer practicable).

 

December

 

Deployed on convoy escort duties In Eastern Mediterranean.

 

left - A and B-guns from the bows, Sliema Creek, Malta

 right - B-gun breech, Mk 9 4.7in 45 calibre Quick Firer

 

 

 left - Vickers Quadruple 0.5in MG, possibly a Mk3, fired a 1.3 ounce bullet, rate of fire 600 RPM from

4x200 round magazines, max range 1,500 yards, max elevation 80 degrees with 360 degree firing

right - Iron deck, portside looking aft, also in Sliema Creek.

The other two images above, also appear to have been taken in Sliema Creek

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

 

16th - Part of escort for Malta Convoy MW8A from Alexandria with HM Destroyers ARROW, GRIFFIN, HASTY and HM Cruiser CARLISLE (Operation MF3).

 

18th - Escort transferred to ships of Force K from Malta. Returned to Alexandria.

 

February

 

Transferred to 22nd Destroyer Flotilla when Destroyer Flotillas reorganised. (Note: Other ships in this Flotilla were HM Destroyers SIKH, ZULU, LEGION, LANCE, LIVELY, HAVOCK and HASTY. HMS HERO was the only ship of Flotilla to survive WW2).

 

22nd - Deployed with Flotilla (except HMS LIVELY and HMS LANCE) as Close Escort for Malta Convoy MW10 from Alexandria covered by Force B (HM Cruisers CLEOPATRA, DIDO and EURYALUS) (Operation MG1).

 

After passage threatened by Italian surface force. Took part in engagement with Italian battleship LITTORIO. (2nd Battle of Sirte – See above references). Returned to Alexandria with cruiser force.

 

March to April

 

Patrol and convoy escort in Eastern Mediterranean.

 

May

 

Eastern Mediterranean patrol deployment in continuation. Part of escort for convoy AT47.

 

28th - Detached to carry out search for submarine reported in locality by aircraft. Participated in sinking of U568 with HM Escort Destroyers ERIDGE and HURWORTH in position 32.42N 24.53E), NE of Tobruk. After 30 hour hunt submarine surfaced and scuttled when subjected to gunfire. All 47 crew were rescued. (See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp for details.)

 

June

 

Eastern Mediterranean deployment in continuation. Escort and support convoys to Levant ports.

 

13th - Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, NESTOR (RAN), NIZAM (RAN), NORMAN (RAN), PAKENHAM, PALADIN for HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, BIRMINGHAM, CLEOPATRA and NEWCASTLE as escort for Convoy MW11 to Malta (Operation VIGOROUS).

 

14th - Joined convoy and subjected to sustained air attacks. Under threat from Italian force of major warships.

 

15th - Under attack by E-Boats during which HMS NEWCASTLE was torpedoed and HMS HASTY disabled and had to be sunk. Air attacks in continuation. Operation abandoned after series of conflicting orders from CinC at Alexandria. Remnants of convoy and escort returned to Egypt. (Note: For details of this particularly disastrous operation see Naval Staff Histories and above references).

 

16th - Arrived at Alexandria.

 

30th - Took part in rescue of survivors from HM Submarine Depot Ship MEDWAY with HM Destroyer ZULU. The two destroyers picked up 1,105 survivors. (Note: HMS MEDWAY was sunk by torpedo from U372 whilst on passage from Alexandria to Haifa because of the threat of advance of German army into Egypt - Operation ROBERTSBRIDGE.)

 

July

 

Deployed for convoy escort and support of garrisons in Levantine ports.

 

August

 

17th - Rescued survivors from troopship PRINCESS MARGUERITE torpedoed during passage to Cyprus.

 

September

 

Transferred to Aden for convoy defence in local area including Red Sea.

 

October

 

Deployment at Aden in continuation. Recalled to Alexandria and took passage with HM Destroyer TETCOTT.

 

30th - Participated in hunt and subsequent sinking of U559 with HM Destroyers PAKENHAM, PETARD, DULVERTON, HURWORTH and WELLESLEY aircraft of 42 Squadron RAF, in position 60 miles NE of Port Said. (Note: This submarine was boarded before sinking and invaluable ULTRA information obtained. See BREAKING THE ENIGMA by D Kahn and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp).

 

November to December

 

Escort and patrol deployment in continuation but ship in need of refit.

 

Refit arranged in UK.

 

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

 

Prepared for return to UK via Cape of Good Hope. Sailed from Alexandria.

 

February

 

Deployed as escort between Perim and Socotra for military convoy taking ANZAC troops back to Australia after service in 8th Army (Operation PAMPHLET).

 

 March

 

On release from PAMPHLET Convoy took independent passage to UK via Cape of Good Hope. Future loan service in Royal Canadian Navy under consideration.

 

April

 

Paid-off on arrival at Portsmouth and taken in hand for refit including conversion for use as an anti-submarine destroyer. (See BRITISH DESTROYERS by E March.)

 

May to October

 

Under refit.

 

November

 

15th - Transferred to RCN. Re-commissioned and renamed HMCS CHAUDIERE. 

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s   H M C S   C H A U D I E R E 

 

December

 

Work-up at Scapa Flow and Tobermory for A/S escort and support duty.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

 

Completed work-up.

 

February

 

Joined 2nd RCN Escort Group at Londonderry for defence of Atlantic convoys.

 

15th - Deployed with ships of Group for support of outward convoy ON228 during passage to Mid Ocean Meeting Point.

 

On release from support deployed for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

March

 

Escorted convoy HX280.

 

6th - Participated in search and subsequent surrender of U744 in position 52.01, 22.37W west of Cape Clear with HM Destroyers ICARUS, HM Canadian Destroyer GATINEAU, HM Corvettes KENILWORTH CASTLE and HM Canadian Corvettes ST CATHERINES CHILLIWACK and FENNEL. Tow proved impracticable and submarine was sunk by torpedo from HMS ICARUS. (Note: Boarding Party from HMCS CHILLIWACK recovered some documents and equipment.)

 

April

 

25th - Transferred to 11th Escort Group (RCN) for defence of convoys during planned allied landings in Normandy

 

May

 

Deployed for convoy defence in Channel and western approaches. (Note: Ships was not allocated to any of the British or US Assault Groups but deployed for escort of routine convoys because of the extensive deployments of convoy escorts in Operation NEPTUNE. LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, June 1944 (HMSO).)

 

June

 

Deployed at Plymouth with HM Canadian Destroyers GATINEAU, OTTAWA, KOOTENAY and ST. LAURENT of group. Deployed for convoy defence in Channel and SW Approaches.

 

18th - Transferred to Portsmouth Command in continuation.

 

July

 

Channel deployment in continuation.

 

6th - (Note: Not credited with the sinking of U678 off Beachy Head by HMCS OTTAWA (ii), HMCS KOOTENAY and HM Corvette STATICE of Group. The ship may not have been with these ships for other operational reasons or not deployed operationally at the time.)

 

August

 

Deployed with Group in Bay of Biscay for operations against U-Boats attempting to leave French bases.

 

18th - Sank U621 off Rochefort in position 05.52N 02.36W by HEDGEHOG attacks. (Note: This submarine had been under HEDGEHOG attacks by HMCS OTTAWA (ii) or HMCS RESTIGOUCHE (in some sources) and HMCS KOOTENAY. This ship was left at scene and made further attacks which provided further evidence of a kill. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

30th - During return passage to Londonderry carried out depth charge and HEDGEHOG attacks on U984 in position 48.16N 05.33 W, west of Brest with HMCS OTTAWA and HMCS KOOTENAY. Final attack made only with depth charges as HEDGEHOG bombs exhausted. (Note: Loss of U984 was not confirmed until after May 1945.)

 

September

 

Resumed convoy defence duties with Group in NW Approaches based at Londonderry.

 

October

 

Transferred with Group for convoy defence in Iceland area.

 

26th - Withdrawn from service after sustaining weather damage.

 

Passage to Iceland.

 

November

 

Returned to Londonderry with Canadian Escort Group 11 after temporary repair in Iceland.

 

19th - Escorted Convoy ON267 to Halifax.

 

29th - Arrived at Halifax.

 

December

 

Nominated for refit at Sydney, Cape Breton. Arrived at Sydney to await refit.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Awaiting refit.

 

22nd - Taken in hand for refit.

 

February to April

 

Under refit.

 

May

 

13th - Found unsuitable for further service after hull survey. Refit work suspended.

 

June to July

 

Future sale under consideration.

 

August

 

17th - Paid off and placed on Disposal List.

 

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMCS CHAUDIERE remained awaiting sale until sold to Dominion Steel Company during 1948. The ship was broken up at Cape Breton during 1950 after an outstanding and successful career during WW2.

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS HERO

by Don Kindell

 

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

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

---

 

The SERVICE of PETTY OFFICER DONALD SUTHERLAND on HMS HERO

from David Sutherland, his son