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H . M . S . H O L D E R N E S S ( L 4 8 0 )
Type I HUNT Class Escort Destroyer ordered on 21st March
1939 from Swan Hunter at Newcastle as part of the 1939 Programme with 9 other
Type I. She was laid down on 29th June 1939 and launched on 8th FeBruary 1940 as the third RN ship to bear the name, that
of a fox-hunt in Yorkshire. It was first used for a Cutter captured in 1779 and
lastly by a minesweeper in WW1. Build Completion date was 10th August 1940. The
ship was adopted by the civil community of Amman Valley, Wales after a National
Savings WARSHIP WEEK campaign in March 1942.
B a t t
1e
H o n o u r s
BALTIC 1918-19
- NORTH SEA
1942-45
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge : On a Field Red,
a
fox's mask holding in the mouth a hunting horn gold.
D e t a i
l s o f W a r
S e r v i c e
1 9 4 0
August Contractors trials and commissioned for service in 21st
Destroyer Flotilla based at Sheerness.
10th Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials
Passage to Scapa Flow to work-up for operational
service.
(Note : Work-up at
Portland was changed because of extent of enemy activities in
Channel.)
September Deployed at Scapa Flow for work-up.
On completion took passage to Sheerness.
5th Joined Flotilla for convoy defence in North Sea and
Channel.
16th Detonated mine during patrol but sustained little
damage.
Remained in service.
October Flotilla deployment in continuation including
anti-invasion patrols.
to
November
December Detached for escort duty in Western Approaches.
Took passage to
Plymouth.
11th Escorted HM QUEEN ELIZABETH from Plymouth to Clyde
after major refit.
16th Resumed duties with Flotilla in tore Command.
1 9 4 2
January North Sea convoy defence and patrol in continuation
with Flotilla..
to
February
March
10th Destroyer Ju88 aircraft in Thames Estuary.
14th In action against E-Boats attacking FS Convoy in
North Sea.
April North Sea deployment in continuation.
to
June
July
5th Detonated mine and sustained major structural
damage.
7th Under repair.
August On completion rejoined Flotilla for
North Sea duties.
September North Sea patrol and convoy escort in continuation
to
December
1942
January Deployed in North Sea.
February
30th During interception patrol for protection of Convoy
FS29 in North Sea
In action with E-Boats near Hearty Knoll with HM
Destroyers MENDIP and PYTCHLEY
escorting FS29.
from
Forth.
Two E-Boats were sunk and S53 disabled.
Closed S53 to capture the vessel whose crew
detonated her demolition charges.
Salvage proved impossible and the boarding party
had to withdraw because of
outbreak of
fire.
(Note: Eighteen of German crew were made
prisoners.
For details see THE BATTLE OF
THE EAST COAST by J P Foynes.)
March
14th In action with HM Destroyers PYTCHLEY and WALLACE
against E-Boats attacking
North
Sea. See
convoy FN55.
See above reference.
April North Sea patrol and convoy escort in continuation.
to
December
1 9 4 3
January Deployed for North Sea interception patrols and convoy
defence
to. Based at Sheerness with 21st Destroyer Flotilla.
November
December
5th Sustained major structural damage after detonating
mine off Cromer.
Flooding and extent of damage prevented
Immediate passage to harbour and ship
beached off
Harwich near Parkestone Quay.
8th Remained beached awaiting tow to London for repair.
Taken in tow to Millwall Docks,
London.
for repair in commercial shipyard.
1 9 4 4
January Under repair by Green and Silley Weir.
to April
May Post repair trials and worked-up for operational
service.
June Resumed Flotilla duties.
(Note : Did NOT take part in escort of military
convoys to Normandy during Assault
and Build-up Phases
(Operation NEPTUNE).
See LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, JUNE 1944 (HMSO) and
for details of all ships
taking part D Day Ships by J de Winser.)
July Flotilla duties in continuation. Deployed for
convoy defence and patrol in North Sea.
to
December
1 9 4 5
January North Sea deployment with Flotilla in continuation.
to (Note : During this period German minelaying and
attacks on convoys increased
April and existing escorts were supplemented. See HOLD
TRUE NARROW SEA by P.
Smith and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C
Barnett)
May Transferred to Nore Local Flotilla after VE Day when
North Sea convoys were no longer
required
June Deployed for local training and support duties in
Nore Command.
to
August
P o s t W a r N o t e s
HMS HOLDERNESS remained in
commission after VJ Day and continued service at Chatham in the Local Flotilla
until 1946 when the Paid-Off and reduced to Reserve status. She was laid-up at Harwich and in 1953 before
transfer to Barrow her armament and other equipment were preserved. This ship
was placed on the Disposal List in 1956 and sold to BISCO for demolition by T W
Ward at Preston where she arrived in tow on 20th November 1956.
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