O or ORIBI-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Fairfield of Govan on 3rd September 1939 with the 1st Emergency Flotilla. She was laid down as Job No J1112 on 15th January 1940 and was to be named HMS OBSERVER which had been used for a WW1 destroyer sold in 1921. However after the build was being sponsored by the South African government, in November 1940 the selected name was changed and the ship was renamed HMS ORIBI when launched on 14th January 1941. Despite the change a premise by the proprietors of the SUNDAY OBSERVER was still honoured and the newspaper supplied without charge to the ship throughout her war service. The build was completed on 5th July 1941 and she was the first ship of the Class to enter service. Four ships of this Class, including HMS ORIBI, were not designed for use as a minelayer. In March 1942 after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign the ship was adopted by the civil community of Havant, Hampshire.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

NORWAY 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941 - ATLANTIC 1942 -43 - NORTH AFRICA 1942 - ARCTIC 1942-44 - NORMANDY 1944

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Blue, an oribi passant Proper.

 

 

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)

 

 

(courtesy George Knight)

 

1 9 4 1

 

July                         Contractors trials and commissioning.

                5th          Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

                                (Note: The renaming ceremony in January had been carried out by Lady Dollan, wife the

                                Provost of the city of Glasgow.)

                                During First of Class trials a speed of 34 knots was obtained.

                                On completion of Acceptance and First of Class trials carried cut torpedo trials in Loch Long.

                                Joined 6th Destroyer Flotilla for work-up at Scapa Flow.

                                (Note: Attached to this Flotilla pending arrival of remaining ships of Class to form 17th

                                Destroyer Flotilla.

                                During work-up landed Norwegian agents in Norway).

 

August

                4th          Embarked Prime Minister at Scrabster for passage to Scapa Flow to join HM Battleship PRINCE

                                OF WALES.

                                (Note: Escort was provided by two HUNT Class Destroyers.)

                5th          Joined escort for HMS PRINCE OF WALES with HM Destroyer LAFOREY to mid-Atlantic.

                                (Note: Prime Minister was embarked in the battleship for Atlantic Charter meeting with President

                                Roosevelt in Argentia Bay, Newfoundland).

                12th        Transferred to 19th Destroyer Flotilla.

                17th        Met HMS PRINCE CF WALES in Atlantic with HM Destroyers TARTAR, PUNJABI, ECLIPSE

                                and ESCAPADE.

                21st         Detached and returned to Clyde for repair.

 

September             Under repair.

                                Nominated for detached service with Malta relief convoy.

                17th        Joined escort of Malta convoy WS11X for passage to Gibraltar.

                                (Note: HM Battleships PRINCE OF WALES and RODNEY, HM Cruisers KENYA,

                                EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD, EURYALUS, HM Destroyers DUNCAN, GURKHA,

                                LEGION, LANCE, LIVELY and FURY, HM Escort Destroyers FARNDALE

                                HEYTHROP, LAFOREY, the Polish destroyers ORP PIORUN, ORP GARLAND and

                                Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS were also part of the escort.)

                19th        Detached from WS11X as escort for HMS PRINCE OF WALES to Gibraltar.

                23rd        Rejoined WS11X after refuelling.

                24th        Joined HM Cruisers KENYA, EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD, HERMIONE and EURYALUS, HM

                                Destroyers COSSACK, ZULU, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, LAFOREY and LIGHTNING, HM

                                Escort Destroyers FARNDALE and HEYTHROP in Force X on arrival at Gibraltar.

                                (Operation HALBERD).

                                (Note: Force X formed escort for passage of convoy through to Malta.

                                For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Maclntyre and Naval

                                Staff History).

                27th        Detached with HMS HEYTHROP to tow mv IMPERIAL STAR which had been was disabled

                                by air attacks on convoy. Towing operation unsuccessful and attempt to sink by depth charges

                                failed.

                                (Note: See ARCTIC DESTROYERS by G C Cornell, mv IMPERIAL STAR, 10,700 tons GRT

                                of Blue Star Line was later reported still afloat. It is understood she was later sunk by

                                scuttling but this is to be confirmed.)

                                During subsequent passage to rejoin convoy wore Italian colours so as to confuse

                                marauding Italian aircraft. This proved successful.

                28th        Returned from Malta with Force X covering passage of 3 ships to Gibraltar.

 

October

                1st           Passage to UK with Home Fleet ships.

                5th          Rejoined Home Fleet as Scapa Flow.

                8th          Joined 17th Destroyer Flotilla on formation.

                10th        Deployed In NW Approaches for Flotilla duties.

                31st         Detached with HM Destroyers OFFA and ONSLOW for escort of HM Auxiliary Minelayers

                                MENESTHEUS and PORT QUEBEC of 1st Minelaying Squadron for minelay at southern end

                                of Faeroes - Iceland section of Northern Barrage (Operation SN83A).

 

November              Flotilla duties in continuation.

                                (Note: Period Included repair of manoeuvring steam valve possibly due to sabotage.

                                See ARCTIC DESTROYERS.)

                24th        Passage to Iceland with HM Destroyers ONSLOW and HMS OFFA to join HM Cruiser

                                BERWICK as escort for Russian Convoy PQ5

                                (For details of Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA Ruegg, THE

                                RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, CONVOY ! by P Kemp, ARCTIC CONVOYS by

                                R. Woodman and ARCTIC DESTROYERS by G C Connell).

                27th        Sailed to join Russian Convoy PQ5 but failed to find them because of wrong data from CinC

                                Home Fleet staff.

                                Continued search with HMS ONSLOW and HMS OFFA.

 

December

                3rd          Joined PQ5 and towed trawler which had run out of coal.

                12th        After refuelling at Vaenga returned independently with HMS ONSLOW.

                23rd        Joined escort for Commando raid on Vaagso with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, OFFA and

                                HM Escort Destroyer CHIDDINGFOLD as screen for HMS KENYA (Operation ARCHERY).

                                (For full details see ARCTIC DESTROYERS and THE WATERY MAZE by B Fergusson).

                26th        After assisting in repairs to landing ships in Sullum Voe sailed for Vaagso.

                                Embarked 100 Commandos for landing at Rodberg.

                                Provided gunfire with HMS KENYA prior to landings.

                                In action against two enemy convoys during which 2 escorting patrol vessels were boarded and

                                vital information obtained including an ENIGMA coding machine.

                                Plan to sail captured patrol vessel back to UK abandoned.

.                               See ARCTIC DESTROYERS).

                28th        Returned to Scapa Flow on completion of landings with above ships.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Home Fleet deployment with Flotilla in NW Approaches in continuation.

 

February                Boiler clean in Clyde with HMS OFFA.

                23rd        Joined Russian Convoy PQ12 at Loch Ewe for escort during passage to Iceland.

 

March

                1st           Lost two seaman overboard in rough weather.

                4th          Joined escort of Russian Convoy PQ12 with HMS OFFA,

                7th          Sustained damage bow structure due to ice.

                                (Note: Two man were lost overboard in rough weather conditions.

                                See ARCTIC DESTROYERS.)

                10th        Detached from PQ12 and took passage to Murmansk.

                12th        Under repair In dry dock at Rosta, Murmansk.

                23rd        On completion deployed with HM Fleet Minesweeper HARRIER two Russian destroyers

                                and other RN Minesweepers for Local Escort of outward Convoy QP9 .

                29th        Joined incoming Russian Convoy PQ13 with Russian destroyers and RN Minesweepers

                                as Eastern escort after attacks by German destroyers and threat from heavy German units

.                               Offer to tow damaged TRINIDAD refused and remained with convoy

                30th        Detached from PQ13 after arrival at Kola Inlet.

 

April                       Deployed at Kola Inlet.

                10th        Joined Ocean Escort for returning Convoy QP10 with HM Destroyers FURY, MARNE,

                                ECLIPSE PUNJABI and two trawlers.

                12th        Under attack by U-Boats.

.               21st         Detached from QP10 on arrival at Reykjavik.

                22nd       Deployed for convoy defence based at Havalfjord.

                25th        Joined destroyer screen for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V, US Battleship USS

                                WASHINGTON, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser KENYA, US cruisers

                                TUSCALOOSA and USS WICHITA providing Distant Cover for the passage of Convoy

                                PQ15 and the returning Convoy OP11.

 

May

                1st           With covering force when HMS KING GEORGE V sank HMS PUNJABI after a collision

                                during fog.

                                (Note HMS KING GEORGE V was badly damaged and relieved by HMS DUKE OF YORK).

                                NIGERIA to provide cover for return of damaged cruiser HMS TRINIDAD from Murmansk.

                13th        Deployed with HM Destroyers ECLIPSE, ESCAPADE, FAULKNOR, FURY,

                                ICARUS, INGLEFIELD, MARNE, ONSLOW, HM Escort Destroyers BLANKNEY,

                                LAMERTON, MIDDLETON and WHEATLAND as screen for HMS DUKE OF YORK.

                                HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers NORFOLK, KENT, LIVERPOOL, LONDON and

                                NIGERIA.)

                14th        After sinking of HMS TRINIDAD covering force remained in area with screen.

                23rd        Part of screen for HM Cruisers KENT, NIGERIA, NORFOLK and LIVERPOOL with HM

                                Destroyers MARNE and ONSLOW to provide cruiser cover for passage of Convoy PQ16.

                26th        Returned to Scapa Flow with cruiser covering force. Home Fleet

                30th        Taken in hand for refit at Immingham.

 

June                        Under refit

                                (Note: During this refit steps were taken to reduce displacement to compensate

                                for additional items fitted. See BRITISH DESTROYERS by E March).

 

July                         Under refit.

                27th        Passage to Scapa Flow from Immingham.

 

August                  Further repair required and arranged at Clyde shipyard.

                8th          Passage to Clyde.

 

September             Under repair.

                13th        On completion of trials took passage to Scapa Flow.

                14th        Resumed Home Fleet Flotilla duties.

                                Carried cut Flotilla exercises with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ONSLAUGHT, OPPORTUNE

                                and OFFA.

 

October                  Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in NW Approaches and North Sea in continuation.

                29th        Detached for service in Mediterranean in support of planned allied landings in North African.

                                (Operation TORCH).

                31st         Joined military convoy WS24 in Clyde with HM Destroyers OFFA, ONSLOW,

                                ROTHERHAM, HOLCOMBE and US Navy Seaplane Tender USS BARDEGAT as escort

                                during passage.

 

November

                2nd         Detached from WS24 to search for Portuguese ship GIL EANNES suspected of carrying

                                a German spy to Lisbon from USA with knowledge of allied invasion plans.

                3rd          Boarded ss GIL EANNES and arrested Radio Officer.

                                Boarding Party was left on board and later taken off by RN Frigate before neutral mercantile

                                entered Portuguese waters

                                Detained man landed at Gibraltar for questioning by Intelligence Officer

                                (See ARCTIC DESTROYERS).

                5th          Deployed with Force H based at Gibraltar.

                8th          Deployed with screen for Force H major units providing cover during landings.

                                (Operation TORCH. See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval Staff History.

                25th        On release from TORCH detachment took passage to Scapa Flow.

                28th        Rejoined Flotilla.

 

December              Flotilla duties with Home Fleet in continuation.

                25th        Joined escort of Russian Convoy JW51B with HM Destroyers ACHATES, OBEDIENT,

                                ORWELL OBDURATE and ONSLOW.

                                After extreme icing. on all upper. deck fittings had caused 55 degree rolls contact lost with

                                convoy and other escorts. Gyro Compass. was out of action

                26th        Made independent passage to Kola Inlet.

                                (Note: This convoy was under threat of attack from German cruiser HIPPER

                                and the Armoured Ship LUTZOW (Ex DEUTSCHLAND) escorted by destroyers.

                                The escort was in action against these ships. HMS ACHATES was sunk by LUTZOW,

                                HMS ONSLOW badly damaged by HIPPER during defence of Convoy JW51B.

                                (Battle of the BARENTS SEA - For full details see 73 NORTH by D. North.)

                                HMS ACHATES and a Fleet Minesweeper HMS BRAMBLE were sunk.

                                HM Destroyers; ONSLOW, OBEDIENT and OBDURATE ware also damaged and had

                                many casualties)

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Deployed at Kola Inlet

                8th          Board of Enquiry held on board relating to losses of HMS ACHATES and HMS BRAMBLE.

                14th        Took passage for Iceland with HMS ORWELL.

                17th        Refuelled at Seidisfjord and sailed for UK with HMS ORWELL.

                20th        Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet.

                30th        Joined HM Destroyers OBEDIENT, INGLEFIELD and Polish ORP ORKAN in screen for

                                HMS ANSON and HMS SHEFFIELD providing Distant Cover for return Convoy RA52

 

February

                2nd         Returned to Iceland with Fleet units.

                                Passage to Hull for refit in commercial shipyard.

 

March                    Under refit

                19th        On completion of post refit trials returned to Scapa Flow to resume Flotilla duty.

                                Transferred with HM Destroyers IMPULSIVE, OFFA, OBEDIENT, ORWELL and

                                ONSLAUGHT for defence of North Atlantic convoys and deployed as 3rd Support Group.

                                (For details of Atlantic convoy defence see THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by Donald

                                MacIntyre, SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann, BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by J

                                Terraine and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

                                Passage to Liverpool for Western Approaches service.

                23rd        Sailed for Londonderry with Group.

                27th        Took passage with Group for support of Convoy SC123 under threat from the SEEWOLF

                                U-Boat Group.

                28th        Following anti-submarine search ahead of convoy detached to join Convoy HX230.

                29th        Carried cut unsuccessful anti-submarines searches in hurricane conditions.

                to            (Note: Structural damage was sustained in many escorts.)

                30th        Detached and returned to Londonderry.

 

April                       Atlantic convoy defence duties with Support Group in continuation.

                17th        Deployed for support of Convoy HX233 under attack by SEETEUFEL U-Boat Group.

                18th        Joined escort for convoy HX233 with HM Destroyers OFFA, PENN and PANTHER of Group.

                                Took part in anti-submarine operations against U264, U226 and U382 which were not

                                able to continue their attacks.

                                (Note: Only one ship in HX233 was lost.)

                29th        Took passage from Iceland to supplement escort of Convoy ONS5 under heavy attacks by

                                FINK and AMSEL 1 U-Boat Groups

                30th        Joined escort for ONS5 in extreme weather conditions.

 

May                        HM Destroyers OFFA, IMPULSIVE, PENN and PANTHER of Group joined ONS5 from St

                                Johns.

                5th          Took part in anti-submarine operations during which 6 mercantiles are sunk.

                6th          Rammed U125 during defence of ONS5.

                                (Note: Submarine which was damaged and could not dive was later sunk in position 52.13N

                                44.50W by HM Corvette SNOWFLAKE. There were no survivors.

                                See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

                                Major damage cause to bow structure and one propeller lost.

                                (Note: The defence of this convoy resulted in the sinking of six U-Boats out of a total of sixty

                                which were taking part in joint attacks.

                                12 mercantiles of the 36 in convoy were sunk.

                                This was the turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic.

                                See above references and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO).).

                7th          Detached from convoy and took passage to Boston for repair.                 

 

June

                26th        Passage to Bermuda on completion of repair.

                30th        Took passage from Bermuda to Plymouth.

 

July

                11th        Arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth.

                                Resumed Home Fleet Flotilla duties and carried out anti-submarine search in NW Approaches.

                               (Operation SF).

                30th        Deployed with HM Destroyer ORWELL for A/S search and on completion both ships took

                                passage to Iceland.

 

August                  Atlantic convoy defence deployment in continuation.

                15th        Present at Royal visit by HM King George VI to Hone Fleet at Scapa Flow and took part in

                                demonstrations with ships of Flotilla on following day.

 

September             Detached for Atlantic convoy support and joined HM Destroyers MUSKETEER, ORWELL

                                and Polish destroyer ORP ORKAN

                                Deployed for support of Atlantic convoys as 10th Support Group.

 

October

                4th          Took part in support for passage of Convoy ONS19

                6th          Detached to reinforce escort for Convoy SC143 under threat of attack by ROSSBACH Group

                                of U-Boats.

                8th          Convoy under attack by U-Boats of ROSSBACH Group.

                               (Note: Polish destroyer ORP ORKAN (Ex HM Destroyer MYRMIDON) was sunk by Homing

                                torpedo fired by U378 during defence of SC143.)

                9th          Took part in anti-submarine operations.

                                (Note: Four submarines were sunk by aircraft and two by the escorts.

                                See above references and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR Volume 2 by C Blair.)

                11th        Detached from SC143 on arrival in Clyde with ships of Group.

                15th        Resumed Flotilla duties in Hone Fleet.

                18th        Deployed with US cruiser USS TUSCALOOSA, US destroyer FITCH, HM Destroyers

                                ORWELL and ONSLAUGHT for evacuation and reinforcement of garrison at Spitzbergen.

                                (Operation FQ)

                19th        At Barentsberg and took passage to Iceland.

                27th        Boiler clean at Greenock

 

November

                3rd          Resumed Flotilla duties at Scapa Flow.

                10th        Detached for support of exercises in Channel based at Plymouth.

                27th        Damaged in collision with HM Landing Craft (Infantry) 178 in SW Approaches during convoy

                                escort.

 

December              Under repair to bow structure at Falmouth.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Under repair at Falmouth. Completion delayed.

 

February

                2nd         Took passage from Falmouth to rejoin Flotilla at Scapa Flow.

                4th          Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet.

                                Nominated for escort of Russian Convoy with Flotilla.

                22nd       Joined HM Cruiser BLACK PRINCE, HM Destroyers MAHRATTA, MATCHLESS,

                                METEOR, MILNE, OBEDIENT, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT, SAVAGE, SERAPIS, SWIFT,

                                VERULAM and VIGILANT for escort of Russian Convoy JW57-

                26th        Detached from JW57.

 

March

                2nd         Joined escort for returning convoy RA 57 with HMS BLACK PRINCE, HM Escort Carrier

                                CHASER, HM Destroyers MATCHLESS, METEOR, MILNE, OBEDIENT, OFFA,

                                ONSLAUGHT, SAVAGE, SERAPIS, SWIFT and VERULAM.

                               (Note: HMS MAHRATTA had been sunk during U-Boat attacks on JW57).

                8th          Detached from RA57.

                29th        Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW58 with HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Aircraft

                                Carriers ACTIVITY and TRACKER, HM Destroyers OBEDIENT, OFFA, ONSLOW,

                                OPPORTUNE, ORWELL, SAUMAREZ, SERAPIS, SCORPION, VENUS and Norwegian

                                destroyer STORD.

                                (Note: Sloops of 2nd Escort Group were also deployed with additional destroyers from

                                Western Approaches to supplement anti-submarine defence.

 

April

                2nd         Carried cut unsuccessful search for submarines with HMS ORWELL.

                4th          Detached with escort from JW58.

                7th          Joined return Convoy RA58 with HMS TRACKER, HM Destroyers IMPULSIVE, OBEDIENT

                                and SCORPION, HM Corvettes, BLUEBELL, HONEYSUCKLE, HM Sloops STARLING,

                                MAGPIE, WILD GOOSE, WHIMBREL and WREN as escort.

                13th        Detached from RA58 after uninterrupted passage.

                15th        Nominated for service in English Channel in support of exercises prior to allied landings in

                                Normandy with ships of Flotilla.

                23rd        Based at Plymouth and deployed as Force 27 for patrols and convoy defence.

                26th        Engaged E-Boats which had attacked Landing Craft on passage from Plymouth for an assault

                                landing at Slapton Sands in Lyme Bay (Exercises TIGER).

                                Several craft were sunk with heavy loss of life.

                                (See LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, JUNE 1944 (HMSO).

 

May

                1st           After release from Channel exercises called at Rosyth during passage to resume service with

                                Home Fleet.

                8th          Returned to Scapa Flow.

                26th        Detached with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ONSLAUGHT and OFFA.

                28th        Arrived at Portsmouth with HM Destroyers ONSLOW and ONSLAUGHT for support of the

                                allied assault landings in Normandy.

                                (Operation NEPTUNE - For details of naval activities prior to and during landings see

                                OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, June 1944

                                (HMSO)).

 

June                        Deployed at Portsmouth. Established patrol off western boundary of convoy transit ‘Spout’ to

                                intercept craft attempting to attack convoy traffic.

                4th          Operation delayed by 24 hours.

                5th          Patrol duties in continuation

                to

                8th

                9th          In action against E-Boats off Boulogne with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ONSLAUGHT and

                                OFFA and enemy craft withdrew.

                12th        Channel deployment continued during Build-up phase.

 

July                         Channel Patrol duties in continuation.

                31st         In action against E-Boats off Cap d'Antifer with Light Coastal Forces craft.

 

August                  Channel deployment for patrol and interception in continuation.

 

September             Released from Channel detachment and took passage to Cardiff.

                6th          Boiler clean at Cardiff.

                14th        Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

October

                22nd       Formed part of Main Escort for Russian Convoy JW61 as screen for HM Cruiser DIDO with

                                HM Destroyers ONSLOW, OPPORTUNE and ORWELL.

                28th        Detached from JW61 on arrival at Kola Inlet after safe passage of mercantiles.

 

November

                2nd         Joined escort for returning Convoy RA61 with HM Destroyers OBEDIENT, OFFA,

                                ONSLOW, OPPORTUNE, ORWELL, HM Frigates BYRON, CONN, DEAN, FITZROY,

                                REDMILL and RUPERT.

                9th          Detached from RA61 on arrival at Loch Ewe without loss.

                                Resumed Fleet duties with Flotilla.

 

December

                1st           Joined Russian Convoy JW62 as escort with HM Cruiser BELLONA, HM Escort Carriers

                                CAMPANIA and NAIRANA, HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG, CAESAR,

                                CAMBRIAN, CAPRICE, CASSANDRA, KEPPEL, OBEDIENT, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT,

                                ONSLOW, ORWELL and WESTCOTT.

                7th          Detached from JW62 on arrival at Kola Inlet after unscathed passage.

                10th        Sailed with same ships as escort for return Convoy RA62.

                11th        Under U-Boat attacks during which HMS CASSANDRA was hit and had to return to North

                                Russia for repair of damage. Resumed Home Fleet duties.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Deployed in NW Approaches for anti-submarine operations.

                15th        Escorted French troopship ILE DE FRANCE during passage to Clyde in NW Approaches

                                with HM Destroyer CAPRICE

                                Took part in anti-submarine operations after HM Escort Carrier THANE was hit by a Homing

                                torpedo fired by U482

                                (Note: HMS THANE was later towed to Clyde.)

                18th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

 

February                Flotilla deployment in continuation.

to                            (Note: Several offensive operations were carried out off the Norwegian coast in this period

April                       and ships of the Flotilla were used for screening).

 

May                        Deployed in support of re-occupation operations.

                21st         Escorted HM Cruiser DIADEM during passage from Rosyth to Copenhagen

                23rd        At Copenhagen.

 

June

                6th          Took passage from Copenhagen to Rosyth as escort for HMS DIADEM and German Supply

                                Ship NORDMARK.

                8th          Returned to Rosyth.

                                (Note: NORDMARK later entered RN service and was deployed as a Support ship.)

 

July                         Based at Rosyth and deployed with HMS OBEDIENT, OFFA and OBDURATE at Baltic

to                            ports for Guardship duties.

August

  

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS ORIBI paid off in January 1946 and was reduced to Reserve. Following discussions with Turkey she was transferred to the Turkish Navy. This destroyer replaced a ship which was requisitioned in 1939 whilst being built as the Turkish destroyer GAYRET. Renamed HMS ITHURIEL she was badly damaged in an air raid at Bone during 1943 and not repaired. As HMS ITHURIEL was scrapped after WW2. The replacement HMS ORIBI was handed over on 18th June 1946 after refit and served in the Turkish Navy as GAYRET until 1965.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS ORIBI

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)