S-Class
Destroyer ordered from John Brown of Clydebank with the 11th Order of the
1917-18 Build Programme in April 1917. The ship was laid down on 25th October
1917 and launched on 27th April 1918 as the 15th RN ship to carry the name. It
was first used in 1577 and previously for a cruiser sold in 1904 Build was
completed on 15th June 19l8. During the inter-war years she was deployed in the
Mediterranean and after 1928 went to
the China Station. She was still serving there when war with Germany was
declared in September 1939.
Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in December 1941 she was adopted by
the civil community of Leatherhead. Surrey.
1 9 3 9
September
3rd On passage to Singapore following
conversion for minelaying at
Hong Kong.
4th Laid defensive minefield off
Singapore.
10th Converted back to Antisubmarine
role.
October Deployed
with Hong Kong Local Flotilla for contraband control and convoy defence
to December
1 9 4 0
January Hong Kong Flotilla deployment in continuation.
to
August
September Under refit at Hong Kong.
to
November
December Resumed
Local Flotilla duties.
1 9 4 1
January Local Flotilla duties in continuation.
to
October
November Under refit and routine docking.
December
8th After Japan entered war transfer to
Singapore agreed with US Navy.
Undocked
and took passage.
18th Deployed with Perak
Flotilla (ROSEFORCE) at Port Swettenham.
Supported
clandestine operations to disrupt Japanese communications in Straits
of Malacca.
1 9 4 2
January Returned
to Singapore
when Japanese aircraft prevented further operations.
Redeployed on local convoy escort.
February Escorted
evacuation convoys from
Singapore to
Batavia.
Transferred
to Western Striking Force of ABDA Command based at Tanjong
Priock.
25th Redeployed and joined Eastern Striking
Force with HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN),
DANAE, DRAGON and HM Destroyer TENEDOS at Soerabaya.
26th Carried out unsuccessful operation to
intercept Japanese invasion convoy heading
for western Java.
27th After refuelling escorted HMAS HOBART
with HMS DRAGON and HMS DANAE
during passage to
Colombo.
March Joined
Force B with HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES, HM Cruisers
CALEDON and
DRAGON.
31st Deployed with Force B to
cover HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft Carriers
INDOMITABLE
and FORMIDABLE of Force A during unsuccessful search for
Japanese naval force on passage towards Ceylon.
April
4th Refuelled at Addu Atoll with Eastern
Fleet Forces A and B.
Remained
at sea during Japanese air attacks on
Ceylon and then took passage to
Kilindini.
May Deployed for screening duty of R-Class
Battleships based at Kilindini.
June Took passage to Colombo for refit.
August Indian Ocean convey escort in continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 3
January
Indian Ocean convoy escort in continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 4
January Under
refit at Bombay.
to Extent
of repair required was found uneconomic to complete.
May
June Placed
under Care and Maintenance and used for accommodation of
personnel
from HM Destroyer Depot Ship WOOLWICH at Trincomalee.
July Accommodation Ship role in continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 5
January Accommodation Ship role in continuation.
to
August
