Type III
HUNT-Class Escort Destroyer ordered from
Cammell-Laird on 4th July 1940 under the 1940
War Emergency Program and laid
down as Job Number 3766 on 22nd August that
year .The ship was launched on 27th
August 1941 as the first RN warship to carry
the name. She was completed on 5th
February 1942 and after a successful WARSHIP
WEEK National Savings campaign was
adopted by the civil community of Witney in Oxfordshire.
An account of the service of this ship is
given in THE LAST DESTROYER by F A
Mason.
B
a t t l
e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC
1942 - LIBYA 1942 - SICILY 1943 - AEGEAN
1943 - ADRIATIC 1944 - SOUTH FRANCE 1944
H e
r a l d i c
D
a t a
Badge:
On a
Field barry
wavy of 4 White and Blue, in front of
two
battleaxes in saltire
Black an anchor erect Gold.
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
4 2
January
Contractors trials and commissioned for
service.
February
5th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials.
On completion of trials and storing took
passage to Scapa Flow.
Nominated for service in Mediterranean.
March
Deployed with Home Fleet
24th
Joined Military Convoy WS17 in NW Approaches
with HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE, Armed
Merchant Cruiser ALCANTARA, HM Destroyers
CROOME and LOOKOUT as part of escort
during passage to Freetown.
27th
Participated in sinking of U587 with HM
Destroyers LEAMINGTON and VOLUNTEER west
of Ushant in position 47.21N 34.00W.
(Note: See U-BOATS DESTROYED By P Kemp.
This was first U- Boat to be sunk after
source of radio signals had been found by
use of
new wireless direction finding equipment
(H/F D/F).
31st
HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM
Destroyers INCONSTANT and JAVELIN deployed
as Ocean Escort detached from WS17 and took
passage to Gibraltar.
April
1st
Detached to refuel in Azores and rejoined
WS17 on completion.
6th
Detached from WS17 on arrival at Freetown.
8th
Took independent passage to Durban with HMS
GROVE, refuelling off St. Helena.
Called at Cape Town and Durban.
May
Passage from Durban with calls at Mombasa
and Aden.
Medical emergency on board. An Appendectomy
was carried out by the Doctor from
HMS
GROVE.
13th
Arrived at Alexandria.
Joined 5th Destroyer Flotilla for escort
duties and patrol
in
Eastern
Mediterranean.
June
Deployed in support of Tobruk garrison.
11th
Joined HM Cruiser COVENTRY as escort for
Convoy MW11C with HM Escort Destroyers
AIREDALE,
BEAUFORT, CROOME, DULVERTON, ERIDGE,
EXMOOR
and HURWORTH
at Port Said.
(Note: This convoy was made up of four
mercantiles each of which towed a Motor
Torpedo
Boat (HM MTB's259, 261, 262 and 264).
It was intended to decoy major Italian
warships away from the main Malta relief
convoy
(Operation REMBRANDT -The main convoy
comprised two parts, MW11A sailing
from Haifa and MW11B from Alexandria the
next day (Operation VIGOROUS).
12th
Under air attacks during which ss CITY OF
CALCUTTA was damaged.
13th
The three sections of Convoy MW11 merged
Covering force comprising HM Cruisers
BIRMINGHAM. NEWCASTLE, ARETHUSA,
CLEOPATRA,
DIDO, EURYALUS and
HERMIONE joined convoy.
(Note: The WW1 battleship HMS CENTURION
disguised as a KING GEORGE V Class was
part of Convoy MW11B escort).
14th
Under heavy and sustained air attacks.
(Note: The heavy expenditure of AA
ammunition by all escorts became a matter of
concern).
15th
Convoy MW11 ordered to reverse course to
East.
In action against six E-Boats making night
attacks on convoy.
(Note: HM Destroyer HASTY and HM Cruiser
NEWCASTLE were both hit.
HMS HASTY had subsequently to be sunk by HM
Destroyer HOTSPUR).
Drove off S58 and S59 with HMS AIREDALE.
Sustained air attacks continued after
daylight.
Rescued 133 survivors from HM Escort
Destroyer AIREDALE before sinking her by
torpedo.
Convoy MW11 ordered to resume westward
passage after Italian threat lifted.
(Note: This was subject to availability of
adequate ammunition stocks and fuel
essential for
defence of convoy passage to Malta. This was
not the case)
Operation abandoned after further E-Boat and
air attacks.
16th
Escort of returning MW11 in continuation
(Note: During attack by U205, HMS HERMIONE
was torpedoed and sunk
.
For full details of this disastrous and
operation and its ill-direction by the shore
authorities see BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN
by D Macintyre, ENGAGE
THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett)
and MALTA CONVOYS by
R Woodman
17th
Arrived at Port Said with convoy and
returned to Flotilla duties at Alexandria.
22nd
Resumed duties with Flotilla in Alexandria.
30th
Carried out Anti-submarine patrols off
Alexandria after HM Submarine Depot Ship
MEDWAY
had been torpedoed and sunk by U372.
July
Deployed in Eastern Mediterranean with
Flotilla.
11th
Took part in bombardment of Mersa Matruh
with other ships of Flotilla during which an
ammunition ship was sunk.
20th
Escorted HM Cruisers DIDO and EURYALUS with
HM Escort Destroyer DULVERTON
during further bombardment of Mersa Matruh.
29th
Bombarded El Daba with HM Escort Destroyers
ERIDGE, CROOME and HURWORTH.
In action with E-Boats during which HMS
ERIDGE was hit by torpedo and disabled.
Towed disabled destroyer to Alexandria and
under air attacks.
August
Deployed with Flotilla in Eastern
Mediterranean for patrol and support of
Tobruk garrison.
Provided screen for ships of 15th Cruiser
Squadron during searches for German supply
convoys
to North African ports.
September
Nominated for support of assault on Tobruk
(Operation AGREEMENT).
12th
Joined HM Escort Destroyers BEAUFORT, EXMOOR
and HURWORTH.
Embarked Royal Marines and took passage for
Tobruk with HM Destroyers SIKH and
ZULU.
13th
Deployed in support of attempted landings at
Tobruk.
Under heavy and sustained air attacks with
shore fire..
14th
Detached to refuel at Alexandria and on
completion sent to support return from
Tobruk of
damaged destroyer HMS ZULU with HM Escort
Destroyer BELVOIR and HM Tug BRIGAND.
Recalled after HMS ZULU had sunk.
(For full details of this ill-conceived and
totally failed operation costing many lives
and several
ships, see MASSACRE AT TOBRUK by P Smith and
ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY.
October
Eastern Mediterranean support and escort
duties in continuation.
November
16th
Part of escort for
Convoy MW13 to
Malta
(Operation STONEAGE).
18th
Under sustained air attacks during which HM
Cruiser ARETHUSA was torpedoed and
badly
damaged with many casualties.
After return to Alexandria carried out sea
burial of some of those killed in HMS
ARETHUSA
during defence of Convoy MW13.
December
Deployed with Flotilla for escort of ships
of 15th Cruiser Squadron.
1st
Part of escort for Malta relief Convoy MW14
(Operation PORTCULLIS).
5th
Convoy arrived in Malta without loss.
(Note: Air cover was available from
Tunisia.)
On return to Alexandria escorted merchant
ships from Malta..
Escorted Supply Convoy to Benghazi and on
completion went to Malta for return of
convoy to
Alexandria.
1 9
4 3
January
Deployed on escort of convoys to Tripoli.
February
Eastern Mediterranean convoy defence in
continuation.
2nd
Carried out search for survivors from HM
Minelaying Cruiser WELSHMAN which had
been torpedoed and sunk off Tobruk on 1st
February.
March
Embarked army personnel and Maltese
civilians at Alexandria for passage to Malta
and
deployed in Eastern Mediterranean for
anti-submarine and convoy interception
patrols..
(Note: Between December 1942 and March 1943
steamed more miles than any other ship in
the
5th Flotilla).
April
On completion of Boiler Clean and
maintenance in
Alexandria embarked Maltese civilians for
passage to Malta and escorted convoy.
Detached to cover passage of merchant ship
with engine trouble to Tobruk.
Grounded in Gulf of Sollum, 160 miles East
of Tobruk.
Pulled clear and then was towed to
Alexandria by HM Destroyer JERVIS screened
by the
Minesweepers BOSTON and SEAHAM. Taken in
hand for repair.
Docking showed damage to shaft and
propellers.
Defective items replaced from HM Escort
Destroyer BRIDGE that had been declared a
constructive loss after being damaged in
August 1942.
During post repair trials embarked a party
of WRNS.
May
Took part in blockade of Cape Bon to prevent
enemy evacuation.
To ensure recognition by allied aircraft
upper deck and superstructure amidships were
painted
red (Operation RETRIBUTION).
Bombarded Kelebia and intercepted Italian
Hospital ship carrying troops which was
escorted
back to Tunisian coast.
Landed party on Island of Zembra, Tunisia
and took captured German and Italian
prisoners to
Malta.
June
Eastern Mediterranean convoy defence in
continuation.
Nominated for service with Escort Group P in
Support Force East during planned allied
landings
in Sicily
(Operation HUSKY – See Naval Staff History
and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by
J de Winser.)
July
5th
Sailed from Port Said as part of escort for
military convoy MWF36.
6th
Detached to refuel.
7th
Deployed with Escort Group P.
8th
Lead convoy of Tank Landing Craft from Malta
to beachhead.
9th
Carried out Anti-submarine Patrol off
beaches.
10th
Deployed off Beach head with HM Escort
Destroyer BEAUFORT.)
Escorted HM Monitor EREBUS for shore
bombardment of gun batteries
12th
Provided assistance to HM Destroyer ESKIMO
after bomb attack.
Transferred wounded to Hospital Ship ABBA.
13th
Escorted HMS EREBUS with HM Escort Destroyer
ROCKWOOD for bombardment of Cap
Da Croce.
Rescued British Paratroops from rafts after
their US aircraft crashed.
14th
Deployed on support and patrol duty off
Sicilian coast.
August
Sicilian support and patrol in continuation.
6th
Detached from Escort Group and returned to
Alexandria
7th
On passage rescued German airman from raft.
September
Deployed with Force Z for allied occupation
of Taranto after Italian surrender.
During passage passed Italian naval units en
route to Malta.
Returned to Alexandria for support of
military operations in Aegean to prevent
German
replacement of Italian garrison.
October
Deployed on escort of convoys to reinforce
British troops in Aegean.
Carried out interception patrols with
cruisers and destroyers from Alexandria.
Subjected to sustained air attacks and
constrained by fuel limitations.
(For details of the disastrous attempt to
occupy Cos, Leros and other islands see WAR
IN THE
AEGEAN by Peter Smith and E Walker, and THE
LAST DESTROYER).
1st
Sailed from Alexandria with Greek escort
destroyers THEMISTOCLES and MIAOULIS
for patrol of Kaso Strait
3rd
Due to shortage of fuel unable to attack
invasion craft reported by aircraft and had to return to
Alexandria.
4th
Passage Limassol after refuelling with HMS
ROCKWOOD and Greek THEMISTOCLES
and
MIAOULIS for operations in defence of Cos.
8th
Deployed on interception patrol in Aegean.
14th
Bombarded Alinda, Leros with HM Destroyers
PENN and BLENCATHRA.
16th
Bombarded Cos with HMS PENN.
Nominated for support of planned allied
landings in South France.
(Operation DRAGOON – See Naval Staff History
(HMSO, 2001).)
22nd
Deployed with HM Cruiser PHOEBE and HM
Escort Destroyer HURSLEY to carry out a
diversionary sweep during reinforcement of
Leros garrison.
23rd
Embarked troops from HM Destroyer PETARD for
daylight stay in Turkish waters.
24th
Landed troops after nightfall.
November
Aegean deployment in continuation.
13th
Passage to Turkish waters for daylight stay.
14th
Reinforced destroyer force at Leros with HM
Destroyers PENN and BLENCATHRA after
daylight stay and bombarded German
concentration in Alinda-Gurna area with HMS
BLENCATHRA and HMS PENN.
Under Glider Bomb attack during subsequent
search for landing craft.
Returned to Turkish waters.
15th
Carried out further search for enemy
build-up convoys overnight and came under
shore fire after
dawn.
Retired to Turkish waters.
16th
Embarked wounded brought from Cos by small
craft.
Covered tow of HM Escort Destroyer ROCKWOOD
to Alexandria by HMS BLENCATHRA.
December
4th
Relieved HM Destroyers JERVIS and PENN with
HMS EXMOOR as escort for the damaged
Greek destroyer ADRIAS under tow to
Alexandria by HM Tug BRIGAND.
6th
Arrived at Alexandria to massive reception
for heroic Greek captain.
Under repair in Alexandria and resumed local
patrol duty.
1 9
4 4
January
Transferred to 22nd Destroyer Flotilla and
took passage to Algiers.
Deployed on escort of military convoys in
central Mediterranean.
February
Convoy defence duties in continuation.
to
March
April
Withdrawn for refit and maintenance at
Haifa.
On completion returned to rejoin Flotilla at
Algiers and escorted convoy from Alexandria
May
Convoy escort in continuation and deployed
for support of operations in Adriatic
to
including attacks on bases for E-Boats which
attacked allied shipping.
June
Engaged and sank E-Boat attacking HM Escort
Destroyer ATHERSTONE during defence
of convoy.
July
Nominated for support of allied landings in
South of France under US command.
(Operation DRAGOON - For details see
INVASION OF SOUTH FRANCE (HMSO).
Deployed as part of escort for convoys to
Naples, Syracuse and ports in Southern Italy
in
preparation
for DRAGOON
August
Passage to Naples for convoy escort duty.
13th
Sailed with HM Escort Destroyers BLACKMORE,
BEAUFORT, EGGESFORD, BELVOIR,
WHADDON
and LAUDERDALE and
the Greek destroyer PINDOS as escort for
military
convoy SM2
from
Naples.
15th
Arrived in Assault area.
17th
Returned to RN control at end of first phase
of DRAGOON.
Passage to resumed duties in Adriatic with
call at Naples.
Resumed deployment in Adriatic with
Flotilla.
September
Escort and patrol duties in support of
partisan operations in continuation.
Carried out shore bombardments and landed
parties for covert missions.
Passage to Malta for refit.
October
1st
Taken in hand for
refit by HM Dockyard
Malta.
On completion of post refit trials deployed
in Malta.
Embarked Vice Admiral Malta for visit to
Tunis.
Returned to Malta
November
Resumed duties in Adriatic with HM
Destroyers ATHERSTONE, AVON VALE,
BROCKLESBY, LAMERTON, LAUDERDALE, QUANTOCK,
WHEATLAND, WILTON and Greek
PINDOS.
Carried out Shore Bombardments, interception
patrols and support of Partisans.
Under attack by Explosive Motor Boat near
Lusspicoolo which failed.
During Rest and Recreation Period at Ancona
deployed for interception of German
Hospital
Carrier BONN which was taken and escorted to
Ancona.
(Note: During later search, naval and
military personnel were found on board.)
December
Adriatic deployment in continuation.
9th
Deployed with HIS ATHERSTONE for bombardment
duties in support of Partisans.
Bombarded target on Rab Island
13th
Deployed with HMS ATHERSTONE for support of
Partisans.
Embarked Partisan Senior Officer at Vir Bay.
Bombarded gun battery with (M Destroyer
ATHERSTONE at Karlobag and supported a
14th
Landed Partisans at Pag Town. (Operation
EXTERMINATE)
During return passage detonated mine in
position W.30N 14.50E (NW of Planik Is,
off Velebit
Planina.
Ship sank quickly with many casualties.
(Note: Out of a complement of 189 only 67
survived.
65 were rescued by HMS ATHERSTONE and one
each by HM Landing Craft (Gun) 12
and HM Motor Launch 1162.
HMS ALDENHAM was the last Royal Navy
Destroyer sunk during WW2.
Free French LA COMBATTANT (Ex HUNT Class
Escort Destroyer HALDON, on loan
to Free French Navy was
sunk on
23rd
Feb. 1945).
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of HMS ALDENHAM
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
07/04/42
|
07/04/42
|
AS
002A
|
19/04/42
|
19/04/42
|
23/05/42
|
23/05/42
|
TA
044/M
|
25/05/42
|
25/05/42
|
03/06/42
|
03/06/42
|
TA
046/M
|
05/06/42
|
05/06/42
|
11/06/42
|
11/06/42
|
MW
011
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
01/12/42
|
01/12/42
|
MW
014
|
05/12/42
|
05/12/42
|
07/12/42
|
07/12/42
|
ME
011
|
09/12/42
|
11/12/42
|
06/12/42
|
09/12/42
|
MW
015
|
10/12/42
|
09/12/42
|
09/12/42
|
11/12/42
|
MW
016
|
12/12/42
|
12/12/42
|
17/12/42
|
17/12/42
|
ME
012
|
20/12/42
|
20/12/42
|
28/12/42
|
28/12/42
|
MW
018
|
02/01/43
|
02/01/43
|
07/01/43
|
07/01/43
|
MW
019
|
11/01/43
|
11/01/43
|
13/01/43
|
13/01/43
|
ME
015
|
18/01/43
|
18/01/43
|
21/01/43
|
21/01/43
|
MH
003/M
|
26/03/43
|
26/01/43
|
27/01/43
|
27/01/43
|
ME
016
|
01/02/43
|
01/02/43
|
17/05/43
|
22/05/43
|
KMS
014X
|
26/05/43
|
26/05/43
|
24/05/43
|
29/05/43
|
GTX
001
|
30/05/43
|
04/06/43
|
31/05/43
|
08/06/43
|
KMS
015
|
14/06/43
|
14/06/43
|
18/06/43
|
18/06/43
|
XTG
002
|
unknown
|
29/06/43
|
05/07/43
|
05/07/43
|
MWF
036
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
03/08/43
|
07/08/43
|
MWF
039
|
10/08/43
|
10/08/43
|
19/08/43
|
19/08/43
|
MKF
022
|
21/08/43
|
09/09/43
|
06/08/43
|
30/08/43
|
UGS
014
|
01/09/43
|
02/09/43
|
30/08/43
|
30/08/43
|
GUS
014
|
01/09/43
|
26/09/43
|
17/09/43
|
18/09/43
|
MKF
024
|
23/09/43
|
07/10/43
|
15/09/43
|
25/09/43
|
KMF
024
|
29/09/43
|
29/09/43
|
03/01/44
|
03/01/44
|
XIF
007
|
08/01/44
|
08/01/44
|
09/01/44
|
unknown
|
IXF
007
|
unknown
|
17/01/44
|
20/01/44
|
20/01/44
|
MKF
028
|
31/01/44
|
07/02/44
|
20/01/44
|
20/01/44
|
SNF
013
|
22/01/44
|
22/01/44
|
20/01/44
|
20/01/44
|
XIF
008
|
25/01/44
|
25/01/44
|
03/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
NSF
014
|
06/02/44
|
06/02/44
|
07/02/44
|
07/02/44
|
SNF
014
|
11/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
17/02/44
|
17/02/44
|
NSF
015
|
20/02/44
|
20/02/44
|
21/02/44
|
21/02/44
|
SNF
015
|
24/02/44
|
24/02/44
|
21/02/44
|
28/02/44
|
KMF
029
|
05/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
18/02/44
|
01/03/44
|
UGS
033A
|
03/03/44
|
29/02/44
|
11/03/44
|
12/03/44
|
XIF
011
|
16/03/44
|
16/03/44
|
16/03/44
|
17/03/44
|
IXF
011
|
21/03/44
|
21/03/44
|
23/03/44
|
unknown
|
XIF
012
|
unknown
|
28/03/44
|
29/03/44
|
29/03/44
|
IXF
012
|
02/04/44
|
02/04/44
|
15/05/44
|
15/05/44
|
MKF
031
|
22/05/44
|
29/05/44
|
24/05/44
|
24/05/44
|
NSF
023
|
27/05/44
|
27/05/44
|
28/05/44
|
28/05/44
|
SNF
023
|
31/05/44
|
31/05/44
|
06/06/44
|
06/06/44
|
NSF
024
|
09/06/44
|
09/06/44
|
10/06/44
|
10/06/44
|
SNF
024
|
13/06/44
|
13/06/44
|
13/08/44
|
13/08/44
|
SM
002A
|
15/08/44
|
15/08/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)