Naval History Homepage and Site Search. SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2. HMAS NEPAL G 25 , ex-NORSEMAN - N-class Destroyer including Convoy Escort Movements. N-Class destroyer ordered from John I Thornycroft of Woolston, Southampton on 15th April under the Programme. Allocated Yard No the ship was laid down on 9th September During construction on 18th December the hull structure sustained major damage by a direct hit and two other near misses during an air raid.
The subsequent repair work delayed launch until 4th December Although intended to be sold to the Royal Netherlands Navy another ship of this Class was selected and this destroyer was renamed HMS NEPAL in January and was the 1st RN ship to bear the name. Following the loss of HM Destroyer GURKHA ii in January , this change fulfilled a promise by the 3rd Sea Lord to continue the recognition of the great services rendered by Nepal to the War Effort and thus to maintain the association of the Royal Navy with both the Kingdom and the Gurkha Regiment which dates from Transferred on loan to the Royal Australian Navy this ship was commissioned on 11th May before completion of build on the 29th which included fit of degaussing gear as well as 20mm Oerlikon guns to improve defence against close range air attacks.
Note: Prior to transfer the ship had been adopted as HMS NORSEMAN by the civil community of Hartley Witney, Hampshire following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign kin February. BURMA - OKINAWA Crest: On a Field barry wavy of six White and Blue a Kukri and trident. Gold, in chief a star of seven points also Gold. Contractors trials. On completion of trials and storing took passage to Scapa Flow to work-up with ships of Home Fleet.
Passage to Clyde for rectification of defects prior to operational service. Under repair in commercial shipyard. Nominated as part of escort for military convoy during passage to Indian Ocean. Note: Both destroyers were taking passage to join 7th Destroyer Flotilla which was also to include sister ships HMAS NIZAM, NAPIER and NORMAN. Note: Convoy AS4 was escorted by US Navy warships and was made up of ships carrying supplies to Alexandria via Cape of Good Hope.
Nominated for support of final occupation of Madagascar. Operations STREAM, LINE and JANE —See WAR WITH JAPAN, Volume III HMSO. Note: Naval Gunfire support was not required as landings were not significantly opposed. Note: Planned bombardment was cancelled in favour of an air demonstration and ship movements within sight of shore.
