Dates: 1942 - 1943

P or PALADIN-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered with 2nd Emergency Flotilla in October 1939 from the Vickers Armstrong shipyard at Newcastle. She was laid down on 26th December 1939 with two sister ships HMS PENN and HMS PETARD. Despite damage during an air raid the ship was launched as had been programmed on 10th June 1941. She was the 10th RN ship to carry this name, introduced in 1740 for a Sloop. It was last used for a pre WW1 built destroyer sold in 1921. Build was completed on 31st August 1942 at a cost of ?408,200, which excluded Admiralty supplied equipment such as weapons and communications outfits .After a successful WARSHIP WEEK for National Savings in March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Thurrock, Essex.

IN December 8th of 1942 Deployed with HM destroyers ANTELOPE. VANOC, BOREAS and Polish ORP BLYSKAWICA as escort for troopship ss OTRANTO, HM Depot Ship MAIDSTONE and ss TEGELBUG during passage from Gibraltar to Oran and was under submarine attack and hit by torpedoed by U602 70 miles NNE in position 35-55N 40.00E. Sustained major structural damage with flooding. Casualties included seven killed or missing and three wounded.

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