H .  M .  S .   E X E   ( K 9 2 )

 

RIVER-Class Frigate ordered on 11tgh February 1941 under the 1940 War Programme from Fleming & Ferguson at Paisley. The ship was laid down on 16th May 1941 as Job No 1418 (Yard No 579) and launched on 19th March 1942. Build was completed on 6th August 1942 and the ship was adopted by the civil community of Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1942-44 - NORTH AFRICA 1942

 

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

 

1 9 4 2

 

August                  Contractors Trials and commissioned for service.

                6th          Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

                                On completion of trials and storing took passage to Tobermory.

 

September             Passage to join Western Approaches Command for deployment in escort of Atlantic convoys

                                on completion of work-up for operational service.

                                Part of escort for military convoy MKF1 taking troops for the landings in North Africa.

 

October                  Nominated for escort of military convoy to Gibraltar in preparation for planned allied landings

                                in North Africa (Operation TORCH).

                26th        Sailed from Clyde with HM Cutter HARTLAND as part of escort for military convoy MKF1

                                during passage to Gibraltar (Operation TORCH).

 

November              Detached from MKF1 on arrival and deployed at Gibraltar for escort and support during

                                TORCH.

                                (Note : See Naval Staff History, RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute, and ENGAGE THE

                                ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett and for information about all mercantiles and

                                warships BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.

 

December              Gibraltar deployment in continuation

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Nominated for return to UK

                                Passage to resume Atlantic convoy defence.

 

February                Joined 44th Escort Group for North Atlantic convoy escort.

                                Part of escort for Tanker Convoy UC1 from Caribbean to UK.

 

March                    Atlantic convoy defence with Group in continuation

to                            Nominated for operations in Bay of Biscay with 40th Escort Group.

June

 

July                         Joined 40th Escort Group.

 

August

                23rd        Deployed with Group in joint anti-submarine operations off Spanish coast.

                                (Note : The objective was to deny use of these waters by U-Boats on passage to

                                and from Atlantic

                                Ships of 5th Escort Group were also involved and HM Cruiser BERMUDA

                                provided cover against surface attack from German ships.)

                                (Operation PERCUSSION).

                25th        Under attack by radio controlled Hs 293 Glider Bombs.

                28th        Relieved by ships of 1st Support Group

 

September             Part of escort with ships of 40th Escort Group for outward joint convoy SL136/MKS24

                                during passage to Gibraltar.

 

October                  Atlantic convoy defence in continuation on UK-Gibraltar route.

 

November

                14th        Deployed with Group for escort of outward joint convoy SL 139/MKS30 to Gibraltar.

                15th        Assembly of SCHILL Group U-Boats of SCHILL sighted by air reconnaissance.

                18th        Attacked and rammed U333 which managed to escape and return to harbour.

                                See HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.

 

December              Continued convoy escort deployment after repair.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Deployed on escort of UK-Gibraltar route convoys as Senior Officers ship of 40th Escort

to                            Group.

November

 

December              Transferred in continuation to 3rd Escort Group.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Continued deployment as Senior Officer of 3rd Escort Group and was deployed in Home

to                            waters.

August

  

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS EXE was Paid-off after VJ-Day and after de-storing was reduced to Reserve status. She was laid-up in Reserve until 1956when placed on the Disposal List. Sold to BISCO for demolition by T W Ward and arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard in Preston, Lancashire on 20th September 1956.