Dates: 1930 - 1970

Originally built in 1930 for the British-India Steam Navigation Co. as the 9,900 ton Kenya. She operated initially between Indian and African ports (Bombay - Durban run), carrying passengers (mainly Indian emigrants) and general cargo, and departed on her maiden voyage to Bombay on 18 December 1931. As built, she was equipped for 66 first-class, 125 second-class, 1,700 third-class passengers, 448,000 cubic feet of general cargo and 13,800 cubic feet of refrigerated cargo. As her service was mostly in tropics, she was purposely built with two open promenade decks.

During the war, she was transferred to the Royal British Navy and in 1941 became the troopship Keren. She returned to the United Kingdom, via the Suez, to be converted to an armed infantry landing ship. Renamed HMS Hydra, then HMS Keren, she participated in several important landings including those of Madagascar, Sicily and North Africa.

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Keren

" Among the units accepted for inclusion in drop-down menus since our last post on this subject (16 November) are: Aden Workshops REME Flag Officer Surface Flotilla Forward Support Unit Mossy Hill HMS Farndale HMS Keren HMS Urania H.Q.Allied Forces Southern Europe [Naples] Joint Services ..."

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