River Gunboat ordered from John I Thornycroft at Woolston and launched on 8th December 1938. She was the 2nd RN ship to carry this name, first used for a destroyer in 1906 which was sold in 1920. This ship was able to make the journey to China and under own power.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

None

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  On a Field Blue, a Dragonfly gold.

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 3 9

 

September                  Passage to join Yangtse Flotilla.

 

October                      Deployed ON China Station for river patrol and to assist British communities.

to                                (Note:  China was at war with Japan and communist elements in China were in

December                               conflict with the Chinese government forces resulting in incidents  

                                                which frequently involved safety of British nationalists.)

 

1 9 4 0

 

                                   Patrol and assistance duties in continuation.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                       Patrol and assistance duties in continuation.

to

November

 

December                   After outbreak of war with Japan transferred to Singapore for support duties in

                                   support of  military defence of  Malaya.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                       Deployed with HM River Gunboat SCORPION in support of military units

                                    during the retreat from Johore area..

                                    Embarked soldiers of 15th Brigade which had been cut off during retreat.

                                    Passage to Singapore.

 

February                      Assisted in evacuation from Singapore.

               14th               Damaged by air attacks off Rusuk Buaja Island, east of Sumatra.

                                     Ship abandoned and later sank at anchor. (Casualty List - note on casualties)