GRIMSBY-Class Sloop ordered from HM
Dockyard Devonport under the 1934
Programme on 1st March 1935 and
laid down on 12th June 1935. The ship
was launched
by the Lady Provost of the city, Mrs E
Watt on 22nd January
1936 as the 2nd RN ship to carry
the name previously used by a WW1
trawler. Build was completed
on
17th September
1936- During build this ship was
fitted for use as Despatch Vessel
for the use of the CinC
Mediterranean
Fleet. After
commissioning at Devonport she worked
up at Portland
before a visit to Aberdeen. All
her pre-war
service was in the Mediterranean
and she was recalled to UK
for convoy defence duties after the outbreak
of WW2. This ship was
adopted by the civil community of Ramsbottom,
Lancashire
after a successful WARSHIP WEEK
National Savings campaign in March
1942.
B
a t t l
e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC
1939-45 - NORTH
AFRICA 1942
H
e r a l d i
c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field Red, a triple
towered castle surrounded
by
a double treasure all Silver.
M
o t t o
Bon
accord:
'Good fellowship'
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 3 9
September
Deployed in Mediterranean as
Despatch Vessel.
3rd
Recalled to UK for convoy defence
duties and took passage from Malta.
October
Deployed with 1st Escort Division of
Western Approaches Command for
convoy escort duty
in English Channel and SW
Approaches.
November
Convoy defence duties in SW
Approaches in continuation.
to
(Note: CinC Western Approaches was
based at
Plymouth and convoys were formed
in SW
December
Approaches controlled from his
headquarters.)
1 9 4 0
January
Channel and SW Approaches convoy
defence in continuation.
9th
Joined inward Convoy HG14F of 15
mercantiles as escort during passage
from Gibraltar
to Liverpool in SW Approaches
(Note: Other ships in escort were HM
Sloops BIDEFORD, LEITH, HM Destroyers WITCH,
WANDERER and WARWICK.
12th
HMS LEITH detached from escort.
15th
Detached from HG 14 in Irish Sea and returned to Plymouth.
18th
Joined outward Convoy OG15F of 50
ships on formation in SW Approaches
for escort with
HM Destroyer DOUGLAS during passage
to Gibraltar.
22nd
Detached from OG15 before arrival at
Gibraltar and joined HM Destroyer ACTIVE and
WHITEHALL as escort for inward
Convoy HG16 of 42 ships during
Atlantic passage to
Liverpool.
27th
Detached from HG16 in Irish Sea on relief by HM Destroyer VANOC and took passage to
Plymouth.
February
19th
Deployed as escort for outward
convoy OG19F of 34 ships on
formation in SW Approaches
for escort with HM Sloop DEPTFORD
during initial stage of passage in
Atlantic.
25th
Detached on arrival of OG19F at
Gibraltar.
(Note: Tanker BRITISH ENDEAVOUR in
OG19F was sunk by U 50 on 22nd.).
Joined inward Convoy HG20 of 37
ships at Gibraltar and sailed from
Gibraltar as escort with
HM Sloops DEPTFORD and HM Destroyer
WISHART during Atlantic passage to Liverpool.
March
3rd
Detached from HG20 on relief by HM
Destroyers VENETIA and WILD SWAN and
took
passage to Plymouth in SW
Approaches.
25th
Joined outward Convoy OG23 of 51
ships with HM Destroyers CAMPBELL,
VOLUNTEER,
WALKER and WANDERER on formation in
SW Approaches as escort during
Atlantic
passage
to
Gibraltar
27th
Detached from OG23 during passage
and returned to Plymouth.
April
6th
Joined outward Convoy OG25F of 57
ships with HM Sloops ROCHESTER,
WELLINGTON
and HM Destroyer VIMY as escort
during passage to Gibraltar on
formation in SW
approaches.
9th
HM Destroyer WISHART joined escort.
16th
Detached from OG25F on arrival at
Gibraltar without loss.
May
Atlantic convoy defence in
continuation.
Pennant Number for visual signalling
purposes changed to U97.
June
Transferred to Rosyth for escort of
convoys in North Sea and NW
Approaches.
(Note: This redeployment was made
consequent on the re-routing of
Atlantic convoy traffic
from
Channel
because of the German occupation of
France).
July
Deployed for convoy defence in North
Sea and NW Approaches.
to
October
November
Transferred to Liverpool Sloop
Division for Atlantic convoy escort.
(Note: Headquarters of CinC Western
Approaches Command had transferred
to Liverpool
from
Plymouth.)
December
Atlantic deployment in continuation.
22nd
Sustained slight structural damaged
in collision with HM Corvette
COLUMBINE but ship
remained operational.
1 9 4 1
January
Atlantic convoy defence in
continuation.
to
Nominated for refit.
February
March
Under refit.
Carried out post refit trials and on
completion of post refit trials
resumed Atlantic convoy
escort
duty.
April
Deployed as part of escort for
Convoy OG57 to Gibraltar.
11th
Arrived at Gibraltar and took
passage to Halifax.
May
Deployed at Halifax.
6th
Joined escort for Convoy HX125 to
UK.
22nd
Detached from HX 125.
June
Transferred to 41st Escort Group
based at Londonderry for defence of
convoys between UK
and Freetown.
July
Atlantic convoy defence on Freetown
route in continuation
to
(Note: Other ships in Group included
HM Sloops IBIS, ENCHANTRESS, HM
Cutters
December
WALNEY and HARTLAND (Ex US Navy) and
HM Destroyer CLARE (Ex US Navy).)
1 9 4 2
January
Atlantic convoy defence with Group
in continuation.
to
(Note: During this period surface
warning Radar Type 271 and HF D/F
equipment was fitted
September
for detection of radio transmissions
from surfaced submarines to locate
their positions
in conjunction with other ships
fitted with this equipment.
See RADAR AT SEA by D Hawse and SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann)
October
Nominated for defence of military
convoys to Gibraltar in support of
the landings in North
Africa (Operation TORCH)
26th
Deployed as part of escort for
military convoy KMF1.
(Note: This was part of the
preliminary build-up for TORCH
landings)
November
Deployed at Gibraltar to prepare for support of planned landings.
Nominated for support of landings on
Arzue Beach at Oran.
8th
Deployed off Oran for support of
landings.
For details of TORCH see Naval Staff
History and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY
by C Barnett.
Deployed for escort of follow-up
convoys.
14th
Sailed from Gibraltar as part of
escort for return military Convoy
MKF1Y.
20th
Detached from MKF1Y on arrival in
Clyde.
Nominated for refit at Tyne
commercial shipyard.
December
Passage to Tyne.
4th
Taken in hand for refit at Tyne
shipyard.
1 9 4 3
January
Under refit.
(Note: During this refit an ahead
throwing mortar for attacks on
submarines was fitted.
See SEEK AND STRIKE).
February
Post refit trials
23rd
Took passage to Tobermory for
work-up prior to resuming Atlantic
convoy defence.
March
Joined 40th Escort Group and took
passage to St Johns, Newfoundland.
Part of escort for Convoy HX229A to
UK.
10th
Took part in four days of A/S action
in defence of attacks on Convoy
HX229 by U-Boats
of RAUBGRAF, STURMER and DRANGER
Groups with other escorts including
ships
of British 4th Escort Group.
(Note: Ships in 40th Escort Group
included HM Sloop HASTINGS HM
Cutters LULWORTH
and LANDGUARD (Ex US Navy), HM
Frigates MOYOLA and WAVENEY).
This defence took place during the
most crucial stage of the Atlantic
war.
The mercantile losses during passage
of this convoy as well as those in
the coincident
Convoy SC122 were so extensive that
the whole future of convoy escort
policy was
threatened)
9th
Whilst escorting Convoy HX229 ran
aground on the ice-edge and
sustained damage to hull
structure including loss of
underwater fittings for the
submarine detection equipment.
See SEEK AND STRIKE and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO).
(Note: For details of U-Boat
deployments during this period see
U-BOAT WAR IN THE
ATLANTIC (HMSO) and THE BATTLE CF
THE ATLANTIC by D Maclntyre).
26th
Taken in hand for repair in
Liverpool.
April
Under repair.
(Note: During this period an
additional radar for surface and
aircraft detection (Type 291)
was fitted as well as VHF radio
telephone equipment for
communication with other
escorts and with aircraft).
Nominated for deployment at Freetown
for Atlantic convoy defence.
May
Post refit trials.
30th
On completion went for work-up at
Tobermory.
June
Passage to join West African
Command.
July
Deployed at Freetown for coastal
convoys and local escort for OS/SL
convoys.
August
Freetown deployment in continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 4
January
Freetown deployment in continuation.
to
February
March
Nominated for return to UK to refit
and give leave.
(Note: Living conditions were
particularly adverse in all ships
deployed in West Africa.)
April
Joined escort for Convoy SL154
during passage to
UK.
May
Taken in hand for refit
Additional repair work required and
return to service in West Africa postponed.
June
On completion of shipyard work to
allow ocean passage sailed to Bermuda for completion
of refit work by HM Dockyard.
July
Under refit in Bermuda.
to
August
September
Carried out post refit trials and
sailed to Freetown to resume convoy
defence in West
African waters.
October
Deployed for convoy defence based at
Freetown.
1 9 4 5
January
Freetown convoy defence in
continuation.
to
April
May
After VE Day remained at Freetown
for local patrol and air sea rescue
duties.
to
(Note: Extensive air traffic was
being used for return of US service
personnel from
July
Europe.)
Nominated for reduction to Reserve
status at Gibraltar
August
Passage to Gibraltar to pay off into Reserve.
P
o s t W a r N
o t e s
HMS
ABERDEEN was kept in Reserve at
Gibraltar
until the end of 1946 when the ship
was placed on the Disposal
List. After tow to
Devonport she was sold to BISCO
on 16th December 1948 for
breaking-up by
T W Ward at Hayle,
Cornwall where she arrived on 19th
January 1949.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
ABERDEEN
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
07/09/39
|
14/09/39
|
GREEN
1
|
16/09/39
|
18/09/39
|
20/09/39
|
21/09/39
|
BLUE
002
|
30/09/39
|
30/09/39
|
08/10/39
|
08/10/39
|
GREEN
4
|
17/10/39
|
17/10/39
|
04/12/39
|
04/12/39
|
OA
047
|
07/12/39
|
08/12/39
|
22/12/39
|
22/12/39
|
OA
058
|
25/12/39
|
25/12/39
|
31/12/39
|
31/12/39
|
OG
013F
|
07/01/40
|
07/01/40
|
05/01/40
|
09/01/40
|
HG
014F
|
15/01/40
|
15/01/40
|
18/01/40
|
18/01/40
|
OG
015F
|
22/01/40
|
23/01/40
|
21/01/40
|
22/01/40
|
HG
016F
|
27/01/40
|
28/01/40
|
09/02/40
|
09/02/40
|
AXS
012
|
11/02/40
|
11/02/40
|
19/02/40
|
19/02/40
|
OG
019F
|
25/02/40
|
25/02/40
|
25/02/40
|
25/02/40
|
HG
020
|
03/03/40
|
06/03/40
|
07/03/40
|
07/03/40
|
OA
105G
|
unknown
|
11/03/40
|
25/03/40
|
25/03/40
|
OG
023
|
27/03/40
|
31/03/40
|
06/04/40
|
06/04/40
|
OG
025F
|
12/04/40
|
12/04/40
|
29/04/40
|
29/04/40
|
HG
028
|
06/05/40
|
09/05/40
|
08/05/40
|
19/05/40
|
HX
041
|
23/05/40
|
23/05/40
|
24/05/40
|
26/05/40
|
OA
154
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
17/05/40
|
30/05/40
|
SL
032
|
03/06/40
|
03/06/40
|
03/06/40
|
04/06/40
|
OA
161G
|
05/06/40
|
05/06/40
|
05/06/40
|
05/06/40
|
OG
032
|
10/06/40
|
10/06/40
|
08/06/40
|
10/06/40
|
HG
033
|
17/06/40
|
18/06/40
|
19/06/40
|
19/06/40
|
OA
171G
|
21/06/40
|
21/06/40
|
25/06/40
|
27/06/40
|
OA
174
|
28/06/40
|
unknown
|
16/07/40
|
02/08/40
|
SL
040
|
08/08/40
|
08/08/40
|
24/09/40
|
24/09/40
|
OA
219
|
28/09/40
|
28/09/40
|
17/09/40
|
29/09/40
|
HX
074
|
21/09/40
|
02/10/40
|
08/10/40
|
08/10/40
|
OA
226
|
11/10/40
|
11/10/40
|
27/09/40
|
13/10/40
|
SL
049
|
17/10/40
|
17/10/40
|
22/10/40
|
22/10/40
|
OA
233
|
24/10/40
|
24/10/40
|
16/10/40
|
27/10/40
|
HX
081
|
01/11/40
|
02/11/40
|
08/11/40
|
08/11/40
|
OB
240
|
12/11/40
|
13/11/40
|
19/12/40
|
19/12/40
|
OB
261
|
22/12/40
|
22/12/40
|
10/12/40
|
24/12/40
|
HX
095
|
26/12/40
|
27/12/40
|
05/01/41
|
06/01/41
|
OB
270
|
08/01/41
|
08/01/41
|
22/12/40
|
09/01/41
|
SL
060
|
13/01/41
|
13/01/41
|
18/01/41
|
18/01/41
|
OB
275
|
22/01/41
|
23/01/41
|
11/01/41
|
23/01/41
|
HX
102
|
28/01/41
|
29/01/41
|
09/02/41
|
09/02/41
|
OB
284
|
12/02/41
|
14/02/41
|
31/01/41
|
15/02/41
|
SC
021
|
16/02/41
|
18/02/41
|
27/02/41
|
27/02/41
|
OB
292
|
06/03/41
|
06/03/41
|
18/02/41
|
06/03/41
|
SC
023
|
09/03/41
|
09/03/41
|
27/03/41
|
27/03/41
|
OG
057
|
11/04/41
|
11/04/41
|
06/05/41
|
06/05/41
|
HX
125B
|
22/05/41
|
22/05/41
|
08/06/41
|
11/06/41
|
OB
331
|
18/06/41
|
19/06/41
|
20/06/41
|
24/06/41
|
HX
134
|
08/07/41
|
09/07/41
|
20/06/41
|
24/06/41
|
SC
035
|
08/07/41
|
09/07/41
|
22/10/41
|
31/10/41
|
HG
075
|
03/11/41
|
03/11/41
|
07/11/41
|
08/11/41
|
OS
011
|
26/11/41
|
28/11/41
|
30/11/41
|
02/12/41
|
SL
094
|
20/12/41
|
30/12/41
|
05/01/42
|
06/01/42
|
OS
016
|
20/01/42
|
23/01/42
|
27/01/42
|
29/01/42
|
SL
099
|
16/02/42
|
16/02/42
|
04/03/42
|
04/03/42
|
OS
021
|
21/03/42
|
24/03/42
|
24/03/42
|
26/03/42
|
SL
104
|
12/04/42
|
12/04/42
|
22/04/42
|
23/04/42
|
OS
026
|
09/05/42
|
09/05/42
|
13/05/42
|
13/05/42
|
SL
110
|
04/06/42
|
04/06/42
|
21/06/42
|
21/06/42
|
OS
032
|
08/07/42
|
08/07/42
|
15/07/42
|
15/07/42
|
SL
116
|
03/08/42
|
04/08/42
|
20/08/42
|
20/08/42
|
OS
038
|
07/09/42
|
07/09/42
|
14/09/42
|
14/09/42
|
SL
122
|
06/10/42
|
06/10/42
|
26/10/42
|
26/10/42
|
KMF
001
|
08/11/42
|
08/11/42
|
21/11/42
|
21/11/42
|
MKS
001Y
|
30/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
09/03/43
|
15/03/43
|
HX
229A
|
22/03/43
|
26/03/43
|
16/06/43
|
19/06/43
|
OS
050KM
|
27/06/43
|
27/06/43
|
27/06/43
|
27/06/43
|
KMS
017G
|
29/06/43
|
29/06/43
|
04/08/43
|
04/08/43
|
TS
049
|
10/08/43
|
10/08/43
|
18/08/43
|
18/08/43
|
ST
074
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
19/09/43
|
19/09/43
|
LTS
002
|
24/09/43
|
24/09/43
|
27/09/43
|
27/09/43
|
STL
002
|
02/10/43
|
02/10/43
|
05/10/43
|
07/10/43
|
LTS
003
|
10/10/43
|
10/10/43
|
15/10/43
|
15/10/43
|
STL
003
|
22/10/43
|
20/10/43
|
01/11/43
|
01/11/43
|
TS
053
|
05/11/43
|
05/11/43
|
12/11/43
|
12/11/43
|
SL
140
|
15/11/43
|
24/11/43
|
09/11/43
|
17/11/43
|
OS
057
|
18/11/43
|
19/11/43
|
25/12/43
|
25/12/43
|
TS
055
|
30/12/43
|
30/12/43
|
02/01/44
|
02/01/44
|
STL
009
|
07/01/44
|
07/01/44
|
30/01/44
|
30/01/44
|
LTS
009
|
05/02/44
|
05/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
LTS
010
|
19/02/44
|
19/02/44
|
09/03/44
|
09/03/44
|
STL
014
|
15/03/44
|
13/03/44
|
20/03/44
|
20/03/44
|
LTS
014
|
27/03/44
|
27/03/44
|
01/04/44
|
01/04/44
|
SL
154
|
11/04/44
|
11/04/44
|
11/04/44
|
11/04/44
|
SL
154MK
|
19/04/44
|
23/04/44
|
18/09/44
|
18/09/44
|
LTS
030
|
22/09/44
|
25/09/44
|
04/10/44
|
04/10/44
|
ST
087
|
08/10/44
|
08/10/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)