HMS Chiddingfold (M37)

With more than 40 years service to her credit, HMS Chiddingfold is now being decommissioned, her work continued by the five remaining Hunt-class ships and, increasingly, by new technologies and systems dealing with the latest mine threats.

Role

HMS Chiddingfold was operated by a complement of five officers and 39 Ratings, her ship’s company maintaining a high state of readiness thanks to a rigorous training and maintenance programme.

Initially intended to clear mines from shallow waters, principally in Northern Europe, for the past two decades, 'Cheery Chid' was repeatedly deployed to the Gulf as part of the Royal Navy minehunting forces operating from Bahrain to ensure the safety of shipping and working with regional partners.

Hunt Class

Unit history

1941

Operations in the Fjords

The first HMS Chiddingfold entered the fleet in 1941 and was soon into the thick of the conflict, training for the commando raids on Lofotens in Norway.

1942

Escort duties

Between 1942 and 1944 the ship was involved in escort duties in Scotland between the Clyde and Iceland, before supporting convoys around the Mediterranean.

1945

Returning to Britain

She hunted the submarines and mine laying boats of the Kriegsmarine which tried to disrupt Allied supplies following the D-Day landings.

1983

Today’s HMS Chiddingfold

The current ship was commissioned into the Navy in June 1983, and has served proudly ever since.

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