Dates: 1932 - 1949
HMS Orion was a Leander class light cruiser which served with distinction in the Royal Navy during World War II. She won 13 battle honours, a record only exceeded by one other ship, and matched by two others
She was built by Devonport Dockyard (Plymouth, U.K), Vickers-Armstrong (Newcastle-on-Tyne, UK).
HMS Orion was commissioned on 18 January 1934, for service with the Home Fleet but she was transferred to the American and West Indian Station in 1937 where she was with the 8th Cruiser Squadron. The cruiser conveyed the ashes of Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor-General of Canada, back to England in February 1940.
In June 1940 she was transferred to the Mediterranean. She was with the 7th Cruiser Squadron as Flagship. She took part in the bombardment of Bardia, and the Battle of Calabria in July 1940. During the rest of 1940 she escorted Malta convoys and transported troops to Greece. In the early part of 1941 she was in the Crete and Aegean areas and was also at the Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941.
On 29 May 1941, during the evacuation of Crete, she was badly damaged after being bombed. Many of her crew lost their lives. She was taken to Simonstown, South Africa where she had temporary repairs and was then sent to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in the USA for major repairs.
Orion returned to the Mediterranean in 1943. This time she was with the 15th Cruiser Squadron. She was involved in the invasion of Sicily. Orion spent the rest of the war around the Mediterranean. She also took part in the Normandy Landings in June 1944.
HMS Orion ended service in 1947, was sold for scrap to Arnott Young (Dalmuir, Scotland) on 19 July 1949 and was scrapped in August 1949.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Orion
" Old Ships There must be some "Old Salts" out there who remember their old ships. Talk to me you old Guzz lads and tell me if you were on HMS Comet 1954 to 1955. Or did you ever serve time on HMS Ramehead 1952 or HMS Roberts 1953. On your cap tally you would have worn ..."
Click For More
" Quoting: robert wells got to admit nigel even though pay was not great// train tickets/ uniforms // all helped in making sure most of money was for enjoyment // remember seeing the eagle a few times // bulwark and ark always seemed around us// when i first joined remember on a few occassions ..."
Click For More
