Dates: 1942 - 1964
"ORIBI" Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from William Denny at Dumbarton on 3rd September 1939 with the 1st Emergency Flotilla. .She was laid down on 25th April 1940 and launched on 19th February 1942 as the 2nd RN warship to carry this name previously used for a destroyer sold in 1921 .Build was completed on 3rd September 1942 and she was designed for use as a.minelayer if .required. In February `1942 following a successful WARSHIP WEEK campaign for National Savings the ship was ‘adopted’ by the civil community of Warrington. then in Lancashire
Badge : On a field Blue, a mule statant white
Memories of HMS Obdurate
HMS Obdurate - Murmansk & Dunkirk repatriation in 1942Written by Peter Selwyn RIchardson -
"My Father served onboard HMS Obdurate in the Convoys to Murmansk. He also served onboard HMS Scorpion. He served in the Convoy where the Battleship York takes claim for sinking the German Battleship (Which I cannot remember the name of).
He was a Gunner by the name of Peter Selwyn Richardson. Peter was from Abercynon, Glamorgan and believed to have enlisted under conscription letter in 1941.
Peter served onboard HMS Scorpion, HMS Obdurate and a Submarine for one tour after which he requested and got a transfer back to above water craft. Peter survived two ships sinking under him and rescued twice.
We have in our possession a few photos and would like to pass on copies of these.
We know that Peter was awarded at least 3 medals, one in the shape of a star, however in 1964 these were given to my elder brother and his son lost them whilst playing in a field. Therefore we have no knowledge of his War Service number nor details of his service. Peter Selwyn Richardson was born in 1914 and died in 1969."
