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 Ł8.
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
Ł3,000.)
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)