D or DEFENDER-Class Fleet
Destroyer ordered from John I Thornycroft at Woolston, Southampton on 2nd
February 1931 under the 1930 Programme. The ship was laid down on 25th June
1931 as Yard No 1108 and launched on 7th June 1932 as the 5th RN ship to carry
the name, introduced ion 1810. It had previously used by a destroyer lost in
collision in 1904. Build completed on 17th January 1933 at a cost
£225,236,excluding Admiralty supplied items such as guns, ammunition and communication
outfits. This destroyer initially served with the Mediterranean Fleet but in
early 1935 went to the Far East and later the Indian Ocean until the outbreak
of war in September 1939. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings
campaign in January 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Shipley
then in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
ASHANTEE 1873-74 - ALEXANDRIA
1882 - MEDITERRANEAN
1940 - CALABRIA
1940 - GREECE 1941 - CRETE 1941 - LIBYA 1941-42 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42 - ATLANTIC 1942
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field Green, a Hawk's lure gold.
M o t t
o
Cave quod celo: 'Beware what
I hide’.
D e t a i l s o f
W a r S e r v i c e a s H M S D E C O Y
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 3 9
September
Transferred with 21st Destroyer Flotilla to Mediterranean. Took passage
to Malta with ships of Flotilla.
October
Deployed for Mediterranean contraband control and interception duties.
November
Taken in hand for refit at Malta. (Note: Major corrosion of bulkheads
between engine and boiler room required attention to make ship seaworthy. Extensive
machinery defects dealt with.)
December
Under refit. Hull survey carried out. Nominated
for transfer to Freetown for convoy defence and the
interception of commerce raiders.
1 9 4 0
January
Detached for duty in Atlantic and took passage to Freetown. (Note: CinC Mediterranean had represented
his concern at this transfer since state of hull would require frequent
dockyard attention).
February
Joined 21st Destroyer Flotilla for convoy escort and patrol duties.
March
Atlantic duties in continuation.
April
Transferred to 10th Destroyer Flotilla and took passage to Malta.
May
Joined Flotilla for convoy escort and Fleet duties.
12th - Escorted military Convoy US2 carrying ANZAC troops to Middle East
with sister destroyer HMS DEFENDER in Red Sea.
June
Resumed Flotilla duties in Mediterranean.
20th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY, HASTY and
STUART (RAN) and screen for French battleship LORRAINE, HM Cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE
and SYDNEY (RAN) during bombardment of Bardia.
27th - Part of screen for HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Battleships
RAMILLIES and ROYAL SOVEREIGN, HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL, NEPTUNE,
ORION and SYDNEY (RAN) with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DIAMOND, DEFENDER, ILEX,
JERVIS, JUNO and VOYAGER (RAN) covering passage of MF1 and MS1 to Alexandria
(Operation MA3). (For details of Mediterranean OPERATIONS see THE BATTLE FOR
THE MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre, ENGAGE THE ENEMY
MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett and MALTA CONVOYS by R
Woodman.)
30th - Returned to Alexandria when MA3 was aborted due
to heavy expenditure of ammunition by cruisers during engagement with four
Italian destroyers, one of which was sunk.
July
7th - Sailed from Alexandria with HM Destroyers MOHAWK, NUBIAN, HERO and
HEREWARD as screen for HM Battleship WARSPITE in Force B to provide cover for
renewed passage of Convoys MF1 and MS1 from Malta. (Operation MAS - a repeat of
MA3.)
9th - Took part in brief engagement with Italian battle fleet off
Calabria. (Note: Italian ships included battleship CAVOUR and CAESAR, 14
cruisers and 30 destroyers. See above references.)
11th - Under air attacks during return passage to
Alexandria.
August
Flotilla deployment with Fleet in continuation.
23rd - Deployed with HMAS SYDNEY, HM Destroyers STUART
(RAN), WATERHEN (RAN) DIAMOND, JUNO and ILEX for support of bombardments in
Gulf of Bomba.
30th - Part of screen for HMS EAGLE, HM Battleships MALAYA and WARSPITE,
H M Cruisers GLOUCESTER, KENT, LIVERPOOL, ORION and SYDNEY (RAN) with HM
Destroyers IMPERIAL, ILEX, JANUS, MOHAWK, NUBIAN, VAMPIRE (RAN), VENDETTA (RAN)
and Polish destroyer ORP GARLAND to cover passage of Convoy MS2 to Malta (Operation
MB3).
September
2nd - After arrival of MS2 in Malta deployed with Mediterranean Fleet
screen to meet HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Battleship VALIANT, HM
Cruisers CALCUTTA and COVENTRY joining Fleet at Alexandria (Operation
HATS).
3rd - Deployed with HM Cruisers ORION and SYDNEY for
bombardment of Scarpanto.
4th - Engaged two Italian MAS craft with HMS ILEX sinking MAS 537.
October
8th - Part of screen for HMS EAGLE, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS MALAYA,
RAMILLIES, VALIANT, WARSPITE, HM Cruisers AJAX, GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL, ORION, SYDNEY
and YORK with HM Destroyers DAINTY, IMPERIAL, JANUS, JERVIS, JUNO MOHAWK,
STUART (RAN) and VAMPIRE (RAN) to cover passage of Convoy MF3 to Malta and
Convoy MF4 to Egypt (Operation MB6).
11th - Detached to tow HM Destroyer IMPERIAL to Malta
after mine damage.
November
6th - Part of screen for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Battleships MALAYA, RAMILLIES,
VALIANT, WARSPITE, HM Cruisers AJAX, GLOUCESTER, ORION, SYDNEY (RAN) and YORK
to give Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MD3 to Malta (Operation MBS).
10th - Deployed with HMS RAMILLIES, HMS COVENTRY, HMS
DEFENDER. HMAS VAMPIRE and HMAS WATERHEN as escort for return Convoy ME3 to Egypt
from Malta. (Part of Operation COAT).
13th - Hit by bomb during air raid on Alexandria and sustained major
structural damage.
14th - Under temporary repair in Alexandria.
December
Passage to Malta for permanent repair. Taken in hand
by HM Dockyard.
1 9 4 1
January
Under repair in Malta.
19th - Sustained further damage from bomb splinters in Malta during
repair.
February
On completion of post refit trials rejoined Fleet at Alexandria.
21st - Deployed with HM Destroyers HOTSPUR, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO,
HASTY, ILEX, JERVIS, JANUS and JAGUAR as screen for HM Battleship VALIANT, HM
Aircraft Carrier EAGLE and HM Cruiser COVENTRY to provide cover for passage of
HM Cruisers ORION, AJAX, COVENTRY, HM Destroyers NUBIAN and MOHAWK taking
troops and equipment to Malta from Alexandria (Operation MC8). (Note: HM Supply
Ship BRECONSHIRE and ss CLAN MACAULAY returned to
Egypt concurrently.)
25th - Landed Commando unit on Castelorizo
in Aegean Sea with HM Destroyer HEREWARD. (Operation ABSTENTION). Italian
garrison surrendered. (Note: HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER
and BONAVENTURE were also deployed.)
26th - Italian troops landed to recapture island.
27th - Embarked troops at Alexandria to form British
garrison at Castellorizo. (Note: HM
Destroyer HERO also embarked troops). Sailed from Alexandria with HMS
BONAVENTURE, HMS PERTH, HMS HASTY and HMS JAGUAR.
28th - Evacuation of Commando ordered and operation terminated. Provided
cover. On arrival re-embarked Commando and sailed for Suda
Bay with army units and Commando,
March
Landed Commando and took passage to land Army units at Alexandria. Resumed Flotilla deployment in Eastern Mediterranean. Escorted
convoy to Greece (Operation LUSTRE)
20th - Deployed with HM Destroyers DEFENDER, GRIFFIN, GREYHOUND, HASTY,
HERO, HEREWARD, HOTSPUR, HAVOCK, ILEX, JERVIS, JANUS, JAGUAR, MOHAWK and NUBIAN
as screen for HM Battleships WARSPITE, VALIANT, BARHAM, HM Aircraft Carrier
FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER, YORK, BONAVENTURE, ORION, AJAX and PERTH
(RAN) to provide cover for passage of Convoy MW6 from Egypt to Malta (Operation
MC9).
26th - Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.
April
18th - Part of screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HMS BARHAM, HMS
WARSPITE, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA, GLOUCESTER, ORION and PHOEBE with HM Destroyers
ENCOUNTER, HAVOCK, HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO, JAGUAR, JUNO, DECOY, DEFENDER,
GREYHOUND and ILEX providing cover for passage of HM Supply BRECONSHIRE to Malta
and return Convoy ME7 of empty ships from Malta (Part
of Operation MD3).
24th to 28th - Participated in evacuation of
allied troops from Greece (Operation DEMON). (For details see Naval Staff
History (HMSO –2002).)
May
Deployed with Fleet in Eastern Mediterranean. Embarked HM King of the
Hellenes for passage to Alexandria.
25th - Carried troops to Suda Crete but
transferred them to HMS ABDIEL when unable to land them.
26th - Assisted in support of defence
of Crete after German invasion.
28th - Took part in evacuation of Heraklion
with HM Cruisers AJAX, DIDO and ORION, HM Destroyers JACKAL, IMPERIAL, HOTSPUR,
KIMBERLEY and HEREWARD as Force B. Under heavy air attacks.
31st - Sustained slight damage by near miss during
evacuation operation at Heraklion. (For details
see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval Staff History).
June
Deployed in support of military operations in Syria and carried out
patrols to intercept Vichy French destroyers and submarines attempting to
interfere with allied landings and bombardments (Operation EXPORTER).
( For details see RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute).
On release from EXPORTER
transferred to Inshore Squadron for support of Tobruk
garrison. Deployed for convoy defence and transfer of
troops and stores. Came under frequent attacks by aircraft
July
Tobruk support in continuation
9th - Under air attack and had near miss during convoy escort.
August to October
Tobruk convoy defence
and support in continuation.
November
Tobruk support in continuation
17th - Resumed Fleet screening duties.
24th - Part of destroyer screen for HM Battleships QUEEN ELIZABETH,
BARHAM and VALIANT with HM Destroyers JERVIS, JACKAL, NIZAM (RAN) and four
others during operation in eastern Mediterranean in search of enemy supply
convoys.
25th - Deployed with HM Destroyer JERVIS as part of screen for HM
Battleship BARHAM when this battleship was hit by torpedo from U331 and sank
with heavy loss of life. Took part in anti-submarine search operations. (For
details see TUBAL CAINE by D Muspratt and above
references.)
December
15th - Joined HM Cruisers CARLISLE, EURYALUS and NAIAD with HM Destroyer
HASTY, HAVOCK, JERVIS, KIMBERLEY, KIPLING and NIZAM (RAN) as Force C to escort Supply
Ship HMS BRECONSHIRE during passage to Malta to replenish oil stocks . (Operation MF1). (For details see THE BATTLE FOR
THE MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre and ENGAGE THE ENEMY
MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)
17th - Remained as escort for HMS BRECONSHIRE with HMS HAVOCK when other
ships detached to attack Italian warships threatening passage of BRECONSHIRE (First Battle of Sirte - See above
references).
18th - After Italian warships withdrew joined by HM Cruisers AURORA and
PENELOPE, HM Destroyers LANCE and LIVELY (Force K) to complete passage.
1 9 4 2
January
Under repair to collision damage in Malta.
February
8th - On completion resumed deployment with
Force K in Malta and rejoined HM Cruiser PENELOPE.
12th - Sailed from Malta with HMS PENELOPE, HM Destroyers ZULU, SIKH,
LEGION, LIVELY and FORTUNE as escort for HMS BRECONSHIRE ss
AJAX, ss CITY OF CALCUTTA and ss
CLAN FERGUSON as Convoy ME 10 during passage to meet Convoy MW9 whose escort
would take these ships to Egypt (Operation MF5).
14th - On meeting ships from Alexandria remained with ME10 and
transferred to Force B from Alexandra with HMS FORTUNE. Sank hulk of ss CLAN CHATTAN which had been
part of Convoy MW 9 and abandoned after being set on fire during air attacks
before convoys met. (Note: Convoy MW9 had been subjected to heavy and sustained
air attacks. None of the mercantiles arrived in
Malta. See above references for details.)
15th - Convoy ME9 under attack by Italian submarine TOPAZIO
which failed.
16th - Detached from ME9 on arrival at Port Said and
returned with Force B ships to Alexandria.
March
Transferred to Eastern Fleet at Colombo and took passage.
31st - Joined 2nd Destroyer Flotilla.
April
Allocated to Force B as destroyer screen for HM Battleships RAMILLIES,
REVENGE, RESOLUTION and ROYAL SOVEREIGN with HM Destroyers FORTUNE, GRIFFIN, NORMAN
(RAN), ARROW, VAMPIRE, SCOUT and Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS. Took part in
search operations for Japanese warships on passage to Ceylon for a series of
air attacks. (For details see OPERATION PACIFIC by E Grey and WAR WITH JAPAN
(HMSO).)
6th - At Addu Atoll with Force B and took
passage to Kilindini with Force B. (Note: Force B was
transferred to Kilindini because of the Japanese air
threat. These battleships of WW1 vintage were only deployed in convoy defence).
May to August
Deployed with Flotilla for screening of Force B units and convoy defence in the Indian Ocean.
Nominated for return to UK
for refit.
September
Passage to Freetown via Cape of Good Hope.
October
Retained at Freetown for convoy defence in
Atlantic. On release from West African Command took passage to Greenock.
29th - Arrived at Greenock. (Note: First return to UK after continuous
service abroad since 1934)
November
3rd - Taken in hand for refit at Palmer's Tyneside shipyard at Jarrow.
December
Under refit
1 9 4 3
January to February
Under refit. (Note: Radar Type 271 fitted
for surface warning and Direction Finding Outfit for detection of submarine
wireless transmissions. Radar Type 291 for air warning installed. For details
of development and use of radar in RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse
and SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann).
March
Under refit.
Transfer to Royal Canadian
Navy approved.
April
Under refit.
12th - Commissioned into RCN and renamed KOOTENAY.
S e r v i
c e a s H M C S K O O T E N A Y
On completion of post refit trials took passage to Tobermory to work-up.
May
Allocated for service in 5th Canadian Escort Group for Atlantic cornvoy defence. Passage to join
Group for mid-Atlantic service on completion of work-up.
June
Deployed with Group for Atlantic convoy escort.
15th - Transfer to RCN made permanent.
July to September
Deployment with Group in continuation. (See SHIPS OF CANADA'S NAVAL FORCES).
October to December
Under repair at Halifax.
1 9 4 4
January
On completion of repair rejoined Group in continuation.
February to April
Atlantic convoy defence in
continuation.
May
Transferred to 11th Escort Group in Home waters. Joined HM Canadian
Destroyers CHAUDIERE, GATINEAU, OTTAWA and ST LAURENT for duty in Plymouth
Command to support planned allied landings in Normandy. (Operation NEPTUNE -
For details of activities prior to and during landings see LANDINGS IN
NORMANDY, June 1942 (HMSO) and OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards).
June
Deployed for anti-submarine operations in SW Approaches and English
Channel to intercept U-Boats attempting to interfere with landings and
cross-Channel convoys.
18th - Transferred to Portsmouth Command in
continuation.
July
Channel deployment for support of military operations and convoy defence in continuation.
6th - Took part in sinking of U678 south of Brighton with HMCS OTTAWA
and HM Canadian Corvette STATICE (Position 50.32N 00.23W). There were no
survivors from the submarine. (See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)
August
Deployed in SW Approaches for anti-submarine operations with Group.
18th - Took part in sinking of U621 off La Rochelle with HM Canadian
Destroyers OTTAWA and HMCS CHAUDIERE (Position 45.52N 02.36W).There
were no survivors from U621.
20th - Took part in sinking of U984 west of Brest with HM Canadian
Destroyers OTTAWA and CHAUDIERE (Position 48.16N 05.33W). There were no
survivors from U984 (See U-BOATS DESTROYED.)
September
Resumed Atlantic convoy defence duties.
20th - Passage to Canada for refit.
October
2nd - Taken in hand for refit at Shelburne Naval
Dockyard, Nova Scotia.
November to December
Under refit
1 9 4 5
January
Under refit.
February
Post refit trials.
27th - Passage to UK for work-up.
March
Worked up for operational service at Tobermory.
April
Deployed in Plymouth Command for convoy defence
in Channel. (Note: German submarines fitted with SCHNORKELS were concentrating
attacks on convoys that had been re-routed through English Channel and
extensive reinforcement of anti-submarine escorts had been made in the Channel
and SW Approaches.).
May
Channel deployment in continuation. Nominated for duty as transport for
returning Canadian servicemen after VE Day.
June
Deployed as transport between Newfoundland and Quebec.
P o s t W a r N o t e s
HMCS KOOTENAY was paid off into Reserve at Sydney, NS on
26th October 1945. The ship was placed on the Disposal List and sold in 1946 for breaking-up at
Hamilton, NS.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS DECOY
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/11/40
|
10/11/40
|
ME 003
|
13/11/40
|
13/11/40
|
18/03/41
|
18/03/41
|
AN 021
|
20/03/41
|
22/03/41
|
04/04/41
|
04/04/41
|
ASF 023
|
07/04/41
|
07/04/41
|
17/02/42
|
17/02/42
|
AT 028/M
|
18/02/42
|
18/02/42
|
07/09/42
|
07/09/42
|
CF 005
|
10/09/42
|
10/09/42
|
03/10/42
|
03/10/42
|
SL 124
|
05/10/42
|
22/10/42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as HMCS KOOTENAY
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/05/43
|
30/05/43
|
HX 240
|
03/06/43
|
04/06/43
|
10/06/43
|
11/06/43
|
ON 188
|
20/06/43
|
26/06/43
|
23/06/43
|
29/06/43
|
HX 245
|
05/07/43
|
07/07/43
|
16/07/43
|
17/07/43
|
ON 193
|
25/07/43
|
31/07/43
|
30/07/43
|
05/08/43
|
HX 250
|
11/08/43
|
12/08/43
|
26/08/43
|
27/08/43
|
ON 199
|
04/09/43
|
09/09/43
|
09/09/43
|
15/09/43
|
HX 256
|
21/09/43
|
21/09/43
|
05/10/43
|
06/10/43
|
ON 205
|
16/10/43
|
23/10/43
|
26/11/43
|
01/12/43
|
HX 268
|
10/12/43
|
11/12/43
|
24/12/43
|
25/12/43
|
ON 217
|
05/01/44
|
10/01/44
|
06/01/44
|
11/01/44
|
HX 274
|
21/01/44
|
21/01/44
|
30/01/44
|
31/01/44
|
ON 222
|
10/02/44
|
16/02/44
|
13/02/44
|
18/02/44
|
SC 153
|
01/03/44
|
02/03/44
|
13/03/44
|
14/03/44
|
ONS 031
|
25/03/44
|
30/03/44
|
28/03/44
|
02/04/44
|
HX 285
|
11/04/44
|
12/04/44
|
16/09/44
|
17/09/44
|
ON 254
|
29/09/44
|
05/10/44
|
19/03/45
|
27/03/45
|
HX 345
|
02/04/45
|
02/04/45
|
07/05/45
|
07/05/45
|
OS 127KM
|
10/05/45
|
13/05/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)