Dates: 1929 - 1943

HMS Arrow was an A class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War before being damaged while fighting a fire on an ammunition ship and written off in 1943.

Arrow was ordered on 6 March 1928 under the 1927 Naval Estimates. She was laid down on 20 August 1928 at the yards of Vickers-Armstrongs, Barrow-in-Furness, as Yard No 642. She was launched a year later on 22 August 1929 and was commissioned on 14 April 1930. She was adopted by the civil community of the Rural District of Blackwell, Derbyshire in February 1942 following a successful Warship Week National Savings Campaign.
On the outbreak of the Second World War, Arrow was deployed at Portland with the 18th Destroyer Flotilla for Anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence duties. She carried out these duties into October, and on 24 October put into Devonport Dockyard to undergo repairs to fix turbine defects. These repairs lasted until December, and on her return to service in January Arrow was nominated to join the 16th Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth. She joined the flotilla on 10 January having completed her post refit trials, and the following day was, with her sisters HMS Achates and Anthony, detached to escort the battleship Royal Sovereign part of the way on her journey to Halifax to cover the Atlantic convoys .Arrow was detached on 30 January and returned to Devonport to undergo repairs to her machinery.

Memories of HMS Arrow

HMS Sheffield, Just after jumping on HMS Arrow in 1982
Written by CHAS WAKEMAN
Contact this person >>

"Had abandoned Sheffield and had jumped from hangar roof onto Arrow, as I walked along someone said I was leaving wet footprints on the deck, on checking the soles of my shoes they had melted and I was in socks just about. Someone on Arrow gave me a pair of trainers to wear which I did until I arrived home. Wrote to the Arrow boys but no one could identify who gave me the trainers. Would have liked to have replaced them for him. Thanks again whoever you are. "

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Arrow

" We have lost touch with my brother, whose name is Graeme Cooper and have no idea where he might be. He is ex-navy - serving in HMS Arrow at the Falklands, HMS Dundas and HMS Newcastle among others.  His rank was Petty Officer when he left the service.  He was born and brought up in ..."

Click For More

---

" Hi All Being I am a newbie I should introduce myself. I was in the RN from 1962 till 1984 with a 9 month break after 9 years. My last ship was HMS Arrow where I saw my only bit of action down south. I am now 70 years of age and really enjoying life to the full. I go to the GYM at least 3 times a ..."

Click For More

---

"MY Uncle Sub Lieut PETER HOPTON BROWN was killed aboard HMS Arrow on 4 August 1943 whilst going to the aid of another ship in Algiers harbour. Any information would be gratefully received."

Click For More

---

" Morning all. Good phots of the Welcome home for HMS Arrow. I was lucky, I was in Ozz when that incident broke out. They recalled me, but the RAN would not let me go. Sunday morning and lovely sunny day, so will take myself off to Maleny to the markets and go and get a cuddle from one of my ..."

Click For More

---

" Hello every one I have been very busy getting ready for the holiday between games of golf of course. Hello Vicky it was HMS Arrow as you now know returning home. Now renamed at the time HMS Pepper Pot because of all the holes given to us by our friends down south. Bit of a pension trap as they all ..."

Click For More

View your bookmarks