Naval History Homepage and Site Search

 

 

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2
by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2005

HMS LOCH QUOICH (K 434) - Loch-class Frigate including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Loch Veyatie, sister-ship  (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham, click to enlarge)

return to Contents List   

 

Second LOCH Class Twin Screw Frigate built by Blyth SB, ordered on 25th January 1943. The ship was laid down as Job No J4793 (Yard No 298) on 3rd December that year and launched on 2nd September 1944 as the 1st R N ship to carry the name. Build was completed on 11th January 1945.

 

 G e o g r a p h i c    D a t a

Inland Loch in Inverness

Grid Reference NR0102

 

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

 

Badge: On a Field barry wavy of six White and Blue, a Camel Proper.

(Explanation: From the Arms of Inverness.)

 

 

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

 

November              Fitted out for service at Bolcow's Battleship Wharf, Gambols, Sunder land.

                                Contractors Trials.

 

December              Commissioned for service

                                Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. G MacClelland DSC RN.

                                Builder presented ship for Acceptance Trials.

                                Acceptance delayed by defects found on trials.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

                11th        Accepted for service from builders after further sea trials.

                                (Note: Embarked party of WRNS during trials in North Sea.)

                                Took passage to Tobermory for work-up on completion of trials and storing.

                13th        Began work-up for operational service.

                31st         Joined 24th Escort Group in Western Approaches Command based at Londonderry.

 

February                Deployed in Irish Sea for convoy defence.

                                Involved in collision with HM Frigate DART at Greenock.

                                During patrol in Irish Sea, BARRACUDA aircraft crashed after making low passes over

                                the ship.

                                None of the aircraft crew survived.

                                (Note: The Pilot was brother of ship's Navigating officer which caused great distress on

                                board.)

                16th        Deployed on convoy defence with UK-Gibraltar route convoys with 37th Escort Group.

 

March                    Convoy defence in SW Approaches and Irish Sea continued.).

to                            Part of escort for Convoys KMF42 outward and MKF41 inward to UK.

April                       Escorted Convoys KMF43 outward and MKF 43 inward to UK.

 

May                        Deployed on A/S patrol in NW Approaches and Irish Sea.

                7th          Joined ships of 24th Escort Group to meet three U-Boats which were, in accordance with

                                surrender terms were remaining on the surface and flying a Black Flag.

                                Sent boarding party to accept surrender and escorted submarines to Loch Foyle.

                                Nominated for service in East Indies and refitted at Londonderry

                                (Note: Six 20mm Oerlikon mountings were fitted and some modifications made to ventilation

                                system.)

 

 June                       On completion took passage to Colombo.

 

August                  New Commanding Officer Joined ship: Lieut. Cdr. J E B Healey RNVR.

                                On arrival at Colombo nominated for escort of assault convoys for landings at Port

                                Swettenham.

                                (Operation ZIPPER: This operation had been delayed several times due to problems

                                associated with the implementation of the PYTHON Scheme to return long serving

                                service personnel to UK and US insistence. See THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J

                                Winton, WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) and for information about all mercantiles and

                                warships taking part BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.)

 

September             Deployed for escort of assault convoys during passage to Beach Head.

                                On release from ZIPPER deployed at Singapore for support of military operations

                                and repatriation of allied nationals in Dutch East Indies (RAPWI)

 

October                  Embarked British Embassy official for passage to Bangkok.

to                            Escorted HM Landing Ship PERSIMMON taking troops including Lincolnshire

November              Regiment to accept formal surrender of Sumatra.

                                On completion continued deployment in Dutch East Indies and escorted landing

                                craft carrying RAPWI from ports in Sumatra and Java and Bali to Singapore.

                                Stationed periodically at Sabang as Guardship.

                                Carried out patrols to prevent arms reaching Indonesian dissidents who were determined

                                to prevent the return of the Dutch colonial authorities.

 

December              Carried out rescue mission to Bengkulu in Sinatra to collect Dutch doctor.

                                (Note: On arrival found the doctor had already been taken to safety by an RAF aircraft.

                                The civil population were most unfriendly).

                                Transferred to Trincomalee for duty with East Indies Fleet for Indian Ocean and

                                Persian Gulf patrol duties.

                                Took passage to Trincomalee.

                                Nominated for routine docking by HM Dockyard Bombay before commenced new duties.)

                                Passage to Bombay..

 

1 9 4 6

 

January                  Transferred to Karachi for Air-sea Rescue duties in Indian Ocean off Gwadar with HM

                                Destroyer PETARD, HM Frigate TAFF and other LOCH Class frigates.

                                (Note: These were required to provide an emergency facility in the event of any accident

                                involving aircraft, being used for return of personnel from Far East and India to UK.)

                                Mail was delivered by RAF.

 

February                Air Sea Rescue deployment continued.

                21st         Present at Karachi during RIN Mutiny and sailed to Bombay to support RN presence after the

                                mutiny on RIN ships in the port.

                27th        Sailed for Karachi with HM Destroyer PETARD.

 

March

                3rd          Began 3rd ASR Duty.

                10th        Relieved by HM Frigate LOCH MORE and returned to Karachi

                                Deployed for patrol between Bombay, Colombo and Trincomalee.

                                New Commanding Officer appointed as Senior Officer (Frigates), East Indies:

                                Commander J E Fentor RN.

 

April

                6th          Towed Yacht WHITE BEAR from Colombo to Kilindini.

                                (Note: This ship had been requisitioned in 1939 for survey work.)

                15th        On return the owner refused to accept WHITE BEAR because of its condition.

                26th        Towed WHITE BEAR back to Colombo.

 

May

                5th          Arrived at Colombo.

                8th          Escorted tug CROCODILE for passage to Cochin.

                10th        Took CROCODILE in tow.

                11th        Returned to Trincomalee.

                24th        Commenced refit in Colombo.

 

June                        Under refit.

 

July                         Deployed for first time in Persian Gulf as SO (Frigates) -for patrol duty

to                            and support, of colonial administration.

December              Calls made at Basra and Bahrein.

                                Returned to Trincomalee on relief.

                               

1 9 4 7

 

January                  Deployed with East Indies Squadron at Trincomalee.

 

February                Under refit by HM Dockyard, Singapore.

to                            New Commanding Officer appointed as SO (Frigates):

March                    Commander S S Stamwich RN.

 

April                       Passage to Trincomalee with call at Penang.

to                            Deployment in Persian Gulf in continuation..

August                  Calls made at Basra, Kuwait, Muscat and Khor Kuwai in Straits of Hormuz.

 

September             Carried out Self maintenance at Colombo.

 

October                  Under refit in Singapore.

to

December

 

1 9 4 8

 

January                  Carried out patrol duty in Indian Ocean.

 

February                Diverted to assist civil power for security duties at Mogadiscio.

to                            On release resumed Indian Ocean patrol duty and took part in Squadron exercises.

March                    Calls made at Lamu, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Seychelles.

 

April                       Joined combined RN/RIN exercises in Ceylon sea area.

 

May                        Deployed in Persian Gulf.

to                            New Commanding Officer appointed as SO (Frigates): Commander GFM Bsst (?), RN.

December              Based at Bahrein and calls made at Basra, and Abadan during series of patrols.

                                Pennant number for visual signalling purposes changed to F434.

 

1 9 4 9

 

January                  Persian Gulf duty based at Bahrein in continuation.

to                            Calls made at Lingah, Khor Kuwai, Muscat and Kuwait.

February                Nominated for extended refit.

 

March                    Passage to Singapore with call at Trincomalee.

 

April                       Under extended refit.

to

October

 

November              New Commanding Officer appointed as SO(F): Commander E T L Dunsterville RN

                                Completion was delayed due to addition defects found on survey.

 

December              On completion of post refit trials took passage to Trincomalee.

 

1 9 5 0

 

January                  Deployed on patrol duty in Indian Ocean.

to                            Called at Mombasa

March

 

April                       Attended ceremonies at Mogadishu on return to Italian administration

                                Passage to Colombo for self refit period.

                                New Commanding Officer appointed as SO(F): Commander E F S Back DSC RN

 

May                        Deployed for patrol off Indian Coast with visits to Madras and Calcutta.

to

July

 

August                  Deployed for Indian Ocean patrol off East Indies with calls as Port Andaman

 to                           and Cocos.

September

 

October                  Joined Joint RN/RIN exercises off Cochin.

 

November              Passage to Singapore with calls at Galle and Cocos.

 

December              Under refit at Singapore.

 

1 9 5 1

 

January                  Under refit at Singapore including docking in AFD10.

                                Approval given for ship to be retained in East Indies.

 

February                On completion of post refit trials took passage to Trincomalee with calls at Penang,

                                Nicobar, Calcutta and Vizgapatam.

                                (Note: Investigation carried out into missing pistol)

 

March

                1st           On completion of post refit trials deployed for patrol in Bay of Bengal with calls at Calcutta

                                and Vizgapatan

 

April                       Bay of Bengal Patrol in continuation

                25th        At Colombo

                28th        Sailed for patrol in Indian Ocean.

 

May

                3rd          At Maldives

                7th          At Seychelles

 

June                        Indian Ocean patrol in continuation including calls at Mombasa, Tanga, Mauritius and

                                Rodriguez.

                                Returned to Trincomalee.

                                Passage to Colombo for self refit

 

July                         Under self refit.

 

August                  On completion took passage to Trincomalee for duties with East Indies Squadron

 

September             Deployed in Persian Gulf for patrols with calls at Bahrein, Mina al Ahmadi, and Muscat.

to                            (Note: Iraq nationalised oil fields in May 1951 increasing need for an additional RN

October                  presence in the Persian Gulf).

 

November              Passage to Colombo with call at Karachi.

                                Visited Cochin and Cocos Islands.

 

December              Took part in RN/RIN exercises off Cochin.

 

1 9 5 2

 

January                  Deployed for patrol in Bay of Bengal.

                                Called at Chittagong and Port Cornwallis

 

February                Passage for refit at Singapore via Penang.

 

March                    Under refit by HM Dockyard Singapore.

 

April                       Passage to Trincomalee.

                                On arrival detached for escort of Motor Minesweepers from Aden.

 

May                        Met HM Frigate LOCH LOMOND at Aden and took over escort, duty.

                                Passage from Aden to Trincomalee with 110th Minesweeping Flotilla.

 

June                        Deployed on patrol in Indian Ocean.

                                Provided aid to civil power at Mombasa during Mau Mau rebellion.

 

July                         On release from support in Mombasa resumed patrol with calls at Lindi, Mirawa, Reunion

to                            Island (French), Mauritius and Cochin.

August

 

September             Under routine Docking and repair at Colombo.

 

October                  Deployed in Persian Gulf with calls at Muscat

                                Returned to Karachi,

 

November              Carried out Indian Ocean patrol with calls at Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi and Dar el Salaam.

 

December              Returned to Trincomalee via Mombasa.

                                New Commanding Officer appointed as SO (Frigates): Commander J A Harper DSC RN.

 

1 9 5 3

 

January                  Passage to Singapore and patrol in Bay of Bengal.

to                            Calls made at Vizgapatam, Chittagong, Rangoon and Penang.

February                Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Singapore.

 

March                    Under refit.

to                            Refit extended to cover additional work.

May                        Carried out post refit trials on completion.

 

June                        Passage to Trincomalee with call at Cocos.

 

July                         Carried out self maintenance period at Colombo prior to detached service in Persian Gulf.

 

August                  Deployed for final Persian Gulf patrol and support duty.

to                            Calls made at Bahrein, Doha and Basra.

September

 

October                  Passage to Karachi prior to Indian Ocean duty.

                10th        Embarked Governor of Mauritius for visit to Dependencies.

                                Calls made at Agalega, St. Brandan and Rodriques

 

November              Passage to Colombo on completion.

                                Under self maintenance at Colombo.

                                (Note: Relief by HM Frigate LOCH INSH delayed.)

 

December              Passage to Trincomalee.

 

1 9 5 4

 

January                  Deployed for patrol off eastern coast-of India and west coast of Burma.

to                            Called at Calcutta, Chittagong, Port Blair and Nicobars.

April                       During return passage to Trincomalee visited Cocos.

 

May                        On relief took return passage to UK with call at Male before return via Red Sea.

 

June                        Called at Gibraltar and sailed for Portsmouth

                                Arrived at Portsmouth.

                                (Note: Not to be refitted but to pay-off and reduce to Reserve status.

 

July                         De-stored and placed in Category III Reserve

 

F i n a l   P h a s e

 

HMS LOCH QUOICH was de-equipped and placed in extended reserve in October 1955. Placed on the Disposal List in 1957 the ship was sold to BISCO for demolition by Clayton Davies  at Dunston. She arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard in the Tyne at Dunston on 13th November that  year. (Note: An advertisement in NAVY NEWS of December 1957 for offers to buy trophies from ships being disposed of included a Gurkha Knife in good condition from this ship.) 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS LOCH QUOICH

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

 

 

 

 

 

10/03/45

10/03/45

KMF 041

17/03/45

17/03/45

25/03/45

25/03/45

MKF 041

30/03/45

30/03/45

31/03/45

31/03/45

KMF 042

07/04/45

07/04/45

17/04/45

20/04/45

KMF 043

23/04/45

23/04/45

29/04/45

29/04/45

MKF 043

05/05/45

05/05/45

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

back to Contents List
or Naval-History.Net

revised 20/12/10
further editing and formatting is required