Dates: 1945 - 1957
H . M . S . L O C H Q U O I C H ( K 6 3 4 )
Second LOCH Class Twin Screw Frigate built by Blyth SB, ordered on 25th January 1943. The ship was laid down as Job No J4793 (Yard No 298) on 3rd December that year and launched on 2nd September 1944 as the 1st R N ship to carry the name. Build was completed on 11th January 1945.
G e o g r a p h i c D a t a
Inland Loch in Inverness
Grid Reference NR0102
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC 1945
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field barry wavy of six White and Blue, a Camel Proper.
(Explanation: From the Arms of Inverness.)
D e t a i l s o f S e r v i c e
1 9 4 4
November Fitted out for service at Bolcow’s Battleship Wharf, Gambols, Sunder land.
Contractors Trials.
December Commissioned for service
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. G MacClelland DSC RN.
Builder presented ship for Acceptance Trials.
Acceptance delayed by defects found on trials.
1 9 4 5
January
11th Accepted for service from builders after further sea trials.
(Note: Embarked party of WRNS during trials in North .Sea.)
Took passage to Tobermory for work-up on completion of trials and storing.
13th Began work-up for operational service.
31st Joined 24th Escort Group in Western Approaches Command based at Londonderry.
February Deployed in Irish Sea for convoy defence.
Involved in collision with HM Frigate DART at Greenock.
During patrol in Irish Sea, BARRACUDA aircraft crashed after making low passes over
the ship.
None of the aircraft crew survived.
(Note: The Pilot was brother of ship’s Navigating officer which caused great distress on
board.)
16th Deployed on convoy defence with UK-Gibraltar route convoys with 37th Escort Group.
March Convoy defence in SW Approaches and Irish Sea continued.).
to Part of escort for Convoys KMF42 outward and MKF41 inward to UK.
April Escorted Convoys KMF43 outward and MKF 43 inward to UK.
May Deployed on A/S patrol in NW Approaches and Irish Sea.
7th Joined ships of 24th Escort Group to meet. three U-Boats which were, in accordance with
surrender terms were remaining on the surface and flying a Black Flag.
Sent boarding party to accept surrender and escorted submarines to Loch Foyle.
Nominated for service in East Indies and refitted at Londonderry
(Note: Six 20mm Oerlikon mountings were fitted and some modifications made to ventilation
system.)
June On completion took passage to Colombo.
August New Commanding Officer Joined ship: Lieut. Cdr. J E B Healey RNVR.
On arrival at Colombo nominated for escort of assault convoys for landings at Port
Swettenham.
(Operation ZIPPER: This operation had been delayed several times due to problems
associated with the implementation of the PYTHON Scheme to return long serving
service personnel to UK and US insistence. See THE F
