Dates: 1936 - 1959
H . M . S . F L E E T W O O D (L 4 7 )
GRIMSBY-Class Sloop ordered under the 1934 Programme from HM Dockyard Devonport on 1st March 1935 with HM Sloop ABERDEEN. The ship was laid down on 14th August 1935 and was launched on 24th March 1936 by Lady Plunkett Ernle-Earl-Drax. This name was used by a Royalist Ship, captured in 1653 and renamed HMS WEXFORD. The last ship to use the name was a WW1 minesweeper which was renamed HMS FORD in 1918. Build was completed on 19th November 1936 and manned by the Portsmouth manning depot. This Sloop was selected as trials ship for the new dual-purpose 4in mounting to be used for future builds of this type of escort. On completion of trials in November 1937 she refitted before being deployed for foreign service in the Red Sea. The ship returned to UK after the outbreak of WW2 so that her improved AA armament could be used for convoy defence in Home Waters. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign during March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Wells, Somerset.
B a t t le H o n o u r s
NORWAY 1940 - ATLANTIC 1940-44 - NORTH AFRICA 1942-43 -MEDITERRANEAN 1944 - ENGLISH CHANNEL 1945
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge : On a Field Blue a martlet Gold.
M o t t o
’ Onward’
D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e
1 9 3 9
September Deployed in Red Sea based at Aden.
3rd Passage to Port Said for contraband control duties in Mediterranean.
October Mediterranean deployment in continuation.
Recalled to Hone waters for convoy defence and took passage to Portland.
11th Arrived at Portland and transferred for convoy escort duty in North Sea.
November Under refit in Dundee.
December
21st On completion resumed escort of East Coast convoys between Methil and Southend.
1 9 4 0
January North Sea convoy defence duties in continuation.
to
March
April
21st Transferred to Home Fleet for AA defence duties in Norwegian waters with units deployed
in support of allied military operations. To be deployed as AA Guardship at Namsos and
Andalsnes. Passage with HM Sloop PELICAN.
22nd Detached from HMS PELICAN and took passage to Andalsnes. Rejoined damaged HMS
PELICAN and established tow. (Note : HMS PELICAN was hit aft by a bomb whilst on
passage to Namsos and stern structure demolished.
23rd Towed damaged Sloop HMS PELICAN to Lerwick.
28th Return passage to Andalsnes for AA Guardship duties in place of HMS BLACK SWAN.
29th Under aitr attacks at Andalsnes.
30th Relieved as Guardship by HM Sloop AUCKLAND,
Embarked 340 personnel for evacuation and took passage to UK
May
1st Passengers disembarked on arrival.
Replenished ammunition.
2nd Passage to resume AA Guardship duties.
11th Deployed with HM Cruisers ENTERPRISE,
CAIRO, HM Destroyer HESPERUS and ss MARGOT taking Scots Guards and equipment
to Mo, south of Narvik. Heavy expenditure of ammunition,
12th Under air attacks during disembarkation lasting several hours.
(Note : Air cover was provided during passage but none was available during period at Mo.)
25th Deployed with HM Destroyers AMAZON and VOLUNTEER as escort for damaged HM
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