V-Class
destroyer ordered with the 1917-18
Program (9th
Order) V from Swan Hunter at Wallsend
on
30th Jura
1916. The ship was laid down in October
that year and launched on 22nd June 1917
as the 2nd RN warship to carry this
name, first used for a Prize captured in
1808. Build was completed on 19th
September and after service during WW1
remained in commission after November
1918. She was placed in Reserve as
indicated in the General Information
page.
This destroyer was selected for
conversion to an Escort Destroyer
(WAIR) with an increased anti-aircraft
and anti-submarine armament as
part of the naval rearmament programme
before outbreak of war in September
1939. Following a successful WARSHIP
WEEK National Saving campaign in
December 1941 She was adopted by the
civil
community of Sandbach,
Cheshire. Her association was
short lived owing to her loss a few
weeks later. In 1945 the name was to
have
been given to a new ship but build was
cancelled.
1 9
3 9
September
Under conversion.
to
(Note: Pennant Number for visual
signalling purposes changed to L29
to conform with
identity
December
used
for convoy escort destroyers.
Carried
out post refit trials and
commissioned for service.
(Note:
For details of conversion see
BRITISH DESTROYERS by
E. March)
1 9
4 0
January
Joined
Nore Command for convoy escort duty:
February
Deployed
on coastal convoy escort in
North Sea and English Channel.
to
March
April
Transferred
to Dover Command for duty in support
of military operations.
10th
Deployed at
Dunkirk
to provide additional AA
defence (Operation FA).
May
12th
Assisted in
evacuation of allied personnel
from
Flushing.
16th
Provided naval gunfire support to
military at Escault
with HM Destroyer WOLSEY
19th
Rescued survivors from HM Destroyer
WHITLEY.
.
22nd
Escorted ships taking two Guards
Battalions to
Boulogne.
23rd
Assisted in
evacuation from Boulogne.
Carried
out bombardment of
Calais
with HM Destroyer
WESSEX
and Polish destroyer ORP
BURZA.
Sustained
alight damage in air attacks.
22nd
Deployed with HM Destroyer WHITSHED
to
support defence of Boulo
Sailed
from Dover as escort for mercantiles
BIARRITZ
and QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
taking
troops of Guards Brigade and stores
to Boulogne.
(Note:
The two mercantiles
embarked wounded soldiers and
medical staff before return.)
Remained at Boulogne
to assist in
evacuation.
24th
Embarked troops and returned to
Dover
with HMS WHITSHED.
Despatched
from Dover to assist in defence and evacuation operations at
Calais
with HM
Destroyer
WOLFHOUND, WESSEX
and Polish
ORP BURZA.
Under
fire from shore battery which was
returned by the other destroyers
Came
under heavy air attacks during which
HMS WESSEX was sunk and ship shaken
by six
near
misses.
Embarked
survivors from HMS WESSEX and
returned to
Dover
with ORP BURZA.
Speed
limited by effects of air attacks.
25th
Taken in hand for repair
(Note:
Ship was not therefore deployed for
evacuation of
allied troops from
Dunkirk
(Operation
DYNAMO - See Naval Staff History
(HMSO-2002.)and
BEF
SHIPS by J de Winser.)
June
On
completion of repair resumed convoy
defence in
North
Sea.
July
Deployed
for convoy defence and patrol in
North Sea.
August
Carried
out anti-invasion patrols in
North Sea.
to
(See
THE BATTLE FOR THE
EAST
COAST
by J P Foynes)
September
October
Resumed
east coast convoy defence duties
November
Deployed
in North
Sea
to
December
1 9
4 1
January
Deployed
in North
Sea
in
defence of East Coast convoys.
to
December
1 9
4 2
January
9th
Sank after
striking a mine in the
Thames
estuary.