1 9 4 4

 

December

 

Contractors trials and commissioned for service in Western Approaches Command. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander R A Cherry RNR.

 

29th - Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Took passage to Tobermory on completion of trials and storing. Deployed with escort for Escort Carrier during passage.

 

4th - Began work-up.

 

25th - Passage to join 20th Escort Group at Londonderry on completion of work-up. (Note: Temporary attachment with Group made up of COLONY Class Frigates.)

 

28th - Deployed as escort for Gibraltar convoy.

 

February

 

4th - Arrived at Gibraltar with convoy.

 

14th - Passage to UK as convoy escort.

 

20th - Returned to Londonderry and transferred to 24th Escort Group as Senior Officer's ship. (Note: Other ships in Group included sister ships LOCH QUOICH and LOCH TARBERT and two RIVER Class Frigates.)

 

Commanding Officer: Commander V J Waterhouse DSO RN and SO EG24. Deployed with Group for Gibraltar route convoy defence.

 

23rd - Exercised with Group in NW Approaches.

 

March

 

Londonderry deployment in continuation

 

10th - Part of escort for Gibraltar convoy with Group.

 

16th - Arrived at Gibraltar with convoy.

 

25th - Sailed as escort for return convoy to UK.

 

30th - Arrived at Liverpool.

 

April

 

2nd - Part of escort for Gibraltar convoy from Liverpool during passage through Irish Sea and western Approaches.

 

7th - Arrived at Gibraltar.

 

12th - Took passage from Gibraltar as part of escort for UK convoy.

 

17th - Arrived at Liverpool.

 

18th - Passage to Gibraltar as part of escort for outward convoy,

 

23rd - Arrived at Gibraltar with convoy.

 

29th - Sailed from Gibraltar with escort for return convoy to Liverpool. (Note: Sustained slight damage above waterline in collision with HMCS EVENLODE.)

 

May

 

5th - Returned to Londonderry after arrival of convoy in Liverpool.

 

6th - Deployed in NW Approaches for collection of surrendering U-Boats. (Note: U-Boats were taken to Lisahally Assembly Point and later disposed of in NW Approaches (Operation DEADLIGHT), December 1945 - February 1946.)

 

7th - At Liverpool.

 

16th - Nominated for service in East Indies Escort Force and returned to Londonderry to prepare for foreign service.

 

June

 

Docking and refit at Londonderry. (Note: During this period additional Oerlikon guns were fitted on Quarterdeck to improve Close Range defence against air attacks. Some small improvements were made to ventilation, but these were inadequate.)

 

July

 

8th - Took passage from Londonderry with HMS LOCH QUOICH to join East Indies Force.

 

12th - Arrived at Gibraltar

 

27th - Arrived at Aden.

 

August

 

4th - Arrived at Colombo.

 

Took part in preparations for planned landings in Malaya (Operation ZIPPER). (Note: The landings had been postponed for many reasons including delays due to the implementation of the PYTHON Scheme for repatriation of long serving service personnel from South East Asia following VE Day. See Final Report by SEAC Supreme Contender, THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO.).)

 

September

 

Deployed for defence of assault convoys in Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait. Passage to Singapore for convoy defence with ships of East Indies Escort Force.

 

7th - (Note: Ship was at Singapore during formal surrender ceremonies.)

 

9th - Deployed for local patrol and escort based at Singapore.

 

October

 

Local convoy escort and patrol in continuation.

 

November

 

Embarked consular officials and took passage to Bangkok.

 

4th - At Bangkok.

 

11th - Took passage to Singapore.

 

13th - Arrived at Singapore and deployed locally.

 

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander Bidwell RNR.

 

December

 

Nominated for support of military operations in Dutch East Indies.

 

5th - Took passage to Batavia.

 

9th - Deployed at Batavia as Guardship. (Note: Opposition to the resumption of Dutch colonial rule was rife and a Guardship was deployed to assist in maintaining law and order and support military.)

 

28th - Passage to Singapore with call at Padang (Note: RN frigates were deployed to escort landing craft and other vessels carrying civilians interned by Japan in 1941 to Singapore for repatriation. These were identified as RAPWI. See SEAGULLS IN MY BELFRY by C C Anderson.)

 

 

1 9 4 6

 

January

 

Deployed for convoy defence in Malacca Strait and Bay of Bengal.

 

12th - At Vizgapatan.

 

21st - Returned to Singapore. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander ACD Leach DSC RN

 

26th - At Vizgapatan.

 

February

 

Returned to Singapore. Nominated for Air-Sea Rescue duty.

 

12th - Passage to relieve HMS LOCH ACHRAY on Station.

 

14th - Deployed for ASR duty (Note: Air-Sea Rescue ships were deployed to provide emergency aid to aircraft carrying personnel to and from India and Malaya.)

 

22nd - Took passage to Singapore.

 

23rd - Returned to Singapore.

 

Nominated for return to UK and for reduction to Reserve status

 

25th - Took passage to UK

 

March

 

Passage to UK with HMS LOCH TARBERT

 

April

 

Passage in Mediterranean

 

23rd - Sailed from Gibraltar for Portsmouth

 

29th - At Portsmouth

 

May

 

Paid-off, destored and reduced to Reserve.

 

June

 

Accepted into Category B and laid up in Reserve at Portsmouth

 

July to December

 

Laid-up at Portsmouth (Note: Docked for routine inspection of underwater fittings.)

 

 

1 9 4 6

Laid-up at Portsmouth

 

 

1 9 4 7

 

Laid-up at Portsmouth. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to F625. Offered to Royal New Zealand Navy and sold for £234,150 in 1948. (Note: To be refitted prior to commissioning. Original name selected was TARAWA but this was changed to ROTOITI before formal renaming.)

 

Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Portsmouth.

 

---

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s   H M N Z S    R O T O I T I   (F 6 2 5)

 

H e r a l d i c    D a t a 

Badge: Or, two huia feathers crossed per saltire proper, in pale a sprig of akatea vine proper of the second, all bound with a

fillet or and gules.

(Note: Approved in February 1951 after rejection of original complex

design based on a proverb relating to a Maori Chief, Rangitihi

whose head wound was bound up with akeata vine.

 

M o t t o

Takaia: 'Bind together'

 

 

1 9 4 9

 

January to March

 

Under refit.

 

April

 

Post refit trials.

 

May

 

7th - Commissioned into RNZN service at Portsmouth. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander A M Seymour DSC RN.

 

16th - Formally renamed HMNZS ROTOITI by Mrs W H Jordan, wife of the NZ High Commissioner

 

June

 

Called at Gibraltar. Commenced work-up with Mediterranean Fleet ships.

 

July

 

7th - On completion of work-up took passage to Aden with HMNZS TUTIRA.

 

Commenced RNZN operational use.

 

August

 

Passage in Indian Ocean to Auckland with call at Singapore. Joined 11th Frigate Squadron at Auckland.

 

September

 

2nd - Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander ACB Bloomfield.

 

October

 

Deployed for patrol in SW Pacific. Visited Raoul.

 

November to December

 

Return passage to Auckland. Deployed with local exercises.

 

 

1 9 5 0

 

January

 

Local deployment at Auckland in continuation.

 

February to March

 

Deployed for patrol and visits in North and South Island of New Zealand.

 

April

 

Deployed at Auckland.

 

May to July

 

Carried out Pacific islands patrol with visits to Suva, Ocean Island, Tarawa. Return passage to Auckland with call at Suva.

 

August

 

Took part in Flotilla exercises in Hauraki Gulf.

 

September

 

Prepared for detached service with UN naval Task Force in Korean waters. (Note: On 29th June 1950, in response to an appeal from UN, New Zealand had made two frigates available for UN service.)

 

18th - Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander E E Turner DSC RNZN. (Later Commodore RNZN)

 

October

 

7th - Took passage from Auckland to Hong Kong with call at Darwin to refuel. Passage from Hong Kong to Sasebo.

 

November

 

5th - Relieved sister ship HMNZS PUKAKI (Ex HMS LOCH ACHANALT) for UN service. Passage to Inchon for convoy escort and harbour control duties.

 

December

 

Deployed for 'Cigarette Route' Patrol. Deployed off Inchon for 'Clockwork Mouse' patrol.

 

Assisted South Korean refugees to reach safety.

 

Embarked senior UN officers and US news correspondent during visit to Han River. (Note: These patrols were shared with HMNZS TUTIRA (Ex HMS LOCH MORLICH).

 

 

1 9 5 1

 

January

 

Deployment off west coast of Korea with other Commonwealth warships continued. (Note: When Inchon and Chinampo were evacuated deployed to intercept shipping attempting to supply or reinforce enemy troops by sea.)

 

February to June

 

Resumed shipping control duties and continued patrol in coastal waters after the re-occupation of Inchon. (Note: Maintenance and leave periods were spent at Kure but UK naval operations were controlled at the US naval base in Sasebo, Japan.)

 

July

 

17th - During patrol in the approaches to Chinnampo harbour carried out attack on enemy gun position at Sogon-Ni Point. Assault Party of 14, supported by gunfire from the ship was landed. Two soldiers were captured and brought back on board as PoW.

 

August

 

25th - Carried out second raid on gun positions at Sogon-Ni. Landed shore party from ship (Note: Party included Royal Marines provided by HM Cruiser CEYLON.) During assault at Gorln Chiki, landing party came under fire and an Able Seaman was killed. Assault party then returned on board. (Note: This casualty was the only sustained by the RNZN casualty during the Korean War.)

 

September

 

Patrol and support bombardment duties off west coast of Korea in continuation.

 

October

 

Completed first tour of duty with UN. (Note: In May 1952 awards were made to the ship's company for their Korean service. These included DSC to the Captain, two to other officers and two DSM. A Mention in Despatches was awarded to the Petty Officer Telegraphist. Able Seaman Marchioni was awarded a Posthumous Mention in Despatches.)

 

23rd - Took passage from Kure to Hong Kong

 

25th - During passage received distress message from British ss HUPEH which had been boarded and taken over by pirates in the Yangste estuary. (Note: Mercantile was carrying women and children.). Sighted ss HUPEH and illuminated by starshell.

 

26th - After threat of reprisals if ss HUPEH were boarded, the pirates agreed to leave ship if they were granted safety during their evacuation to an island near-by. To avoid bloodshed this was accepted. Resumed passage to Hong Kong after pirates left ss HUPEH. (Note: Ship was presented with a Rose bowl by the owners of ss HUPEH in March 1952 at a ceremony en board mv ANSHUN at Auckland.)

 

November

 

After call at Hong Kong, took passage to Auckland with calls in North Borneo and at Brisbane, Australia. Arrived at Auckland. (Note: Lieutenant Commander BE Turner was later awarded the US Legion of Merit for his services during UN service. He was the only RNZN officer to be awarded this American distinction. Statistics - 51,000 miles steamed since October 1950.)

 

30th - Paid-off and re-commissioned for service in 11th Frigate Flotilla. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander G O Graham DSC** RN.

 

Nominated for further detached service with UN in Korea.

 

December

 

Prepared for further service with UN off Korea.

 

 

1 9 5 2

 

January

 

Trials and exercises prior to operational service.

 

7th - Sailed from Auckland for Second UN Tour. Passage from Hong Kong after calls at Raoul and Suva.

 

February

 

2nd - Relieved HMNZS HAWEA (Ex HMS LOCH ECK) at Sasebo for service in UN Task Force.

 

12th - Passage to west coast of Korea on completion of exercises off Sasebo.

 

15th - Deployed for patrol and support duties.

 

22nd - Anchored in Han River estuary to provide gunfire support during planned raid on enemy positions. Came under heavy fire from three shore batteries and withdrew without casualties.

 

March to April

 

Deployment off west coast of Korea in continuation. Maintenance and rest periods in Kure.

 

May

 

3rd - During patrol in Kirin-Do Channel provided counter battery fire in support of military operation. (Note: 16 rounds fired with good effect).

 

During this patrol an appendectomy operation carried out on Cook rating by ship Medical Officer.

 

June

 

Patrol and support duties in continuation. Passage to Hong Kong for maintenance period.

 

July

 

On completion resumed UN duties and returned to Sasebo.

 

August to September

 

Patrol, military support and escort of friendly coastal traffic in continuation off west coast Korea. Maintenance period in Kure. (Note: Duties rotated with HMNZS TAUPO.)

 

October

 

6th - Returned to Kure from patrol.

 

11th - Visited by First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Roderick MacGrigor at Kure.

 

20th - Patrol and support duties in continuation.

 

November

 

Deployed in turn with HMNZS HAWEA for west coast duties.

 

December

 

Returned to Kure for Xmas Day.

 

26th - Passage to resume west coast duties.

 

28th - Deployed in support of Korean gunboats carrying cut inshore attacks on enemy shore positions.

 

 

1 9 5 3

 

January

 

Returned to Sasebo on relief by HMNZS HAWEA. Resumed west coast escort duties after rest period.

 

February

 

Final patrol duty off west coast of Korea.

 

28th - Took passage from Sasebo for Hong Kong.

 

March

 

Passage from Hong Kong to Sydney, Australia. During stay at Sydney met HMNZS KANIERE on passage to join UN Task Force.

 

19th - Arrived at Auckland.

 

April

 

Paid-off and prepared for refit. (Note: Three awards of Mention in Despatches were made. One to an officer and two to ratings for services during UN service in Korean War. Statistics: Steamed 58,000 miles during detached service.)

 

May

 

Taken in hand for refit and by HM New Zealand Dockyard, Auckland.

 

June to December

 

Under refit (Note: Ship was not refitted to Full Modernised RN LOCH standard. Radar Type 277Q was installed in place of earlier design Type 277P.)

 

 

1 9 5 4

 

On completion of post refit trials ship was reduced to Reserve status. Laid-up at Auckland.

 

 

1 9 5 5

 

Laid up in Reserve.

 

 

1 9 5 6

 

Nominated to re-commission for further service. (Note: Ship was required to support nuclear weapon trials at Christmas Island. (Operation GRAPPLE).)

 

 

1 9 5 7

 

January

 

Preparing for operational service. at Auckland.

 

February

 

Re-commissioned at Auckland.

 

March

 

On completion of acceptance trials after Reserve period took passage to join the GRAPPLE Squadron at Christmas Island.

 

31st - Joined HMNZS PUKAKI at Christmas Island.

 

April to May

 

Deployed for nuclear trials monitoring at Christmas Island. (Note: Carried out monitoring patrol duties in rotation with HMNZS PUKAKI.)

 

June

 

25th - Took passage for return to Auckland with HMNZS PUKAKI.

 

July

 

Arrived at Auckland for maintenance and leave period.

 

August

 

Deployed at Auckland and prepared for further GRAPPLE duties off west coast of Korea. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander L E Hodge RNZN.

 

September

 

Return passage for GRAPPLE tests at Christmas Island.

 

October

 

Deployed for nuclear monitoring patrol duties at Christmas Island.

 

November

 

On release from GRAPPLE duties took passage to Auckland.

 

December

 

Took part in joint RNZN/RAN exercises in Australian waters with RNZN ships.

 

 

1 9 5 8

 

January to February

 

Deployed for Squadron duties based at Auckland.

 

March

 

Taken in hand for docking and interim refit at Auckland. Nominated for detached service with 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet in the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.

 

April

 

On completion of docking prepared for detached service. Took passage to work-up with RAN at Sydney.

 

May

 

Passage from Sydney to join RN Squadron at Singapore.

 

June to August

 

Deployed with Squadron for exercises and visits programme. During this period visited Hong Kong and Japanese ports. Carried out Joint exercises with US Navy off Japan.

 

September

 

Routine docking and maintenance period at Singapore. On completion deployed for anti-piracy patrols off North Borneo.

 

October to December

 

Deployed with Squadron for exercises in Singapore area and at Hong Kong. Returned to Singapore

 

 

1 9 5 9

 

January

 

Deployed with RN Squadron at Singapore.

 

February

 

Docking period at Singapore. Nominated for guardship and escort duties during Royal Visit to Tarawa in Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

 

Passage to Hong Kong.

 

March

 

Escorted HM Royal Yacht BRITANNIA with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh embarked during passage to Tarawa. HRH transferred by jackstay for brief visit to ship. Deployed as guardship at Tarawa during Royal visit.

 

April

 

On release from Royal Yacht escort took passage to Auckland to resume RNZN duties.

 

May

 

Deployed at Auckland with 11th Frigate Squadron.

 

June

 

Took part in RNZN exercises with Squadron.

 

July

 

Taken in hand for extended refit by HM Dockyard, Auckland.

 

August to December

 

Under refit. (Note: Completed modifications to same standard as modernised RN LOCH Class including fit of UHF radio equipment. Accommodation improved and electronic warfare outfit fitted. Two Bofor mountings fitted in place of obsolescent 2pdr Pom-pom.)

 

 

1 9 6 0

 

January

 

Carried out Post Refit Trials. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander R L Harding RNZN.

 

February

 

Nominated for further detached service with 3rd Frigate Squadron RN in the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve at Singapore. Took part in joint RAN/RNZN exercises with 11th Frigate Squadron off Sydney.

 

March

 

Passage from Sydney to Singapore to Join Far East Fleet.

 

April

 

Took part in Exercise SEALINK with RN ships in South China Sea. Visited Bangkok with Far East Fleet ships.

 

May to June

 

Deployed with Squadron ships for Fleet Visits and Exercise programme. Visit to Hong Kong and carried out exercises with US and other Navies in Japanese waters. Visited Kobe.

 

July

 

Returned to Singapore.

 

August

 

Deployed in Malayan sea area and visited Parang.

 

September

 

Docking and maintenance period at Singapore.

 

October

 

Deployed for Flotilla duties and Fleet exercises in Malayan area. Visited Langdau, Port Swettenham and Pangkor.

 

November

 

Passage to Hong Kong for Fleet exercises and visited Bangkok.

 

December

 

Returned to Singapore. Passage to Hong Kong.

 

 

1 9 6 1

 

January

 

Took part in Fleet exercises with US Navy and visited Tokyo. Return passage to Singapore with call at Manila.

 

February

 

Took passage to return to Auckland with calls at Port Moresby and Noumea.

 

March

 

Arrived at Auckland.

 

April

 

Resumed deployment with 11th Frigate Squadron.

 

May to August

 

Deployed with Squadron for exercises and visits in New Zealand.

 

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander Q A Lawrence RNZN.

 

September

 

Routine docking and essential repair at Auckland.

 

October

 

Resumed RNZN Squadron duties.

 

November

 

Took part in RNZN exercise and visits programme.

 

December

 

(no information)

 

 

1 9 6 2

 

January to March

 

Squadron deployment in continuation. Visited Raoul Island.

 

April

 

Visited Sydney and took passage for Pacific Islands patrol.

 

May

 

Visited Suva and returned to Auckland.

 

June

 

Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Auckland.

 

July to August

 

Under refit.

 

September

 

Carried out post refit trials. Prepared for DEEP FREEZE patrol deployments. (Note: This was a US operation in the Antarctic to investigate meteorological conditions and carry out survey work.)

 

October

 

8th - Took passage from Auckland to Lyttelton for briefing at Expedition Headquarters.

 

20th - Arrived on Station.

 

November

 

1st - Took passage to Dunedin for R&R period.

 

12th - Resumed duties on Station.

 

21st - Passage to Wellington on relief from DEEP FREEZE patrol.

 

December

 

Deployed for meteorological and Oceanographic duties off west coast of South Is.

 

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander DJ Cheney, RNZN (Note: Captain was promoted Commander RNZN during Commission).

 

11th - On arrival in Omeha Bay painted ship for return entry to Auckland.

 

12th - Returned to Auckland. (Note: 31 trainee seamen ratings were embarked during DEEP FREEZE duties.)

 

 

1 9 6 3

 

January to March

 

Flotilla duties in continuation in New Zealand waters. Attended Waitangi Day celebrations (February).

 

April

 

Took part in RNZN Fleet exercises.

 

May

 

Deployed for local duties based at Auckland.

 

June to July

 

Carried out Pacific Islands patrol with visits to Apia, Lifuka, Atufu. Wallis Is, Home Island and Suva. Returned to Auckland.

 

August

 

Carried out Pacific patrol including visited Fakofa and Apia.

 

September

 

Routine Docking and Maintenance at Auckland. Nominated for further meteorological reporting and Air-Sea Rescue duty in support of US Operation DEEP FREEZE. (See above)

 

October to November

 

Flotilla duties with detachment for DEEP FREEZE patrols.

 

December

 

Returned to Auckland from DEEP FREEZE patrol duty. Nominated for Guardship duty during forthcoming visit to New Zealand by HM The Queen Mother. (Note: HMNZS PUKAKI deployed in place of ship for planned DEEP FREEZE patrol duty.)

 

 

1 9 6 4

 

January

 

Deployed at Auckland and prepared for Royal escort duty.

 

February

 

3rd - Took passage to Fiji to join HM Royal Yacht BRITANNIA as escort during the Royal visit to Fiji and New Zealand.

 

10th - Joined HMS BRITANNIA at Latoka.

 

Return passage to New Zealand as escort for HMS BRITANNIA.

 

14th - Deployed as escort during visits to Wellington, Timaru, Bluff and Dunedin.

 

28th - Detached from HMS BRITANNIA on departure from Lyttelton, South Island when HM The Queen Mother had disembarked for air transit to Australia.

 

March to April

 

Future deployment to be as a training ship for New Entry Seamen ratings (Note: Ship was not required for further detached service with Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.).

 

May

 

Training duty including period with HMNZ Cruiser ROYALIST at Suva. (Note about 30 trainees were embarked for sea experience.)

 

June to July

 

Deployed for Pacific islands patrol including visits to Raoul, Lautoka, Rotuma, Funfuti, Land Harbour, Lambasa. Return passage to Auckland via Suva.

 

August

 

Maintenance Period at Auckland.

 

October

 

Deployment for training in continuation

 

November to December

 

Under refit at Auckland.

 

 

1 9 6 5

 

January

 

Resumed Training duties. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander K C H Cadman RNZN.

 

February

 

Training deployment in continuation. Carried out rubber dinghy trials off North coast, North Island with HMNZ Cruiser ROYALIST. (Note: Dinghy was fitted with VHF radio beacon to assist in location. Trials were sponsored by Civil Aviation Search and Rescue authority.)

 

March to July

 

Training duty in continuation. Nominated for reduction to Reserve status.

 

August

 

Paid-off and reduced to Reserve at Auckland.

 

 

F i n a l    P h a s e

 

HMNZS ROTOITI was laid up at Auckland until 1966 when placed on the Disposal List. The ship was sold to the Hong Kong Rolling Mills for demolition. She was towed to Hong Kong where she arrived in February 1967. The name was carried forward when given to an RNZN Patrol Craft built in UK.

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS LOCH KATRINE

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)