HMS GURKHA

(originally called GHURKA)

GURKHA'S departure for the Mediterranean Sea in December 1938 was delayed while gunsights and other items were fitted, repairs carried out and final trials completed. Eventually arriving at Malta on 20th December 1938, GURKHA was assigned to the 1st Sub- Division of the 1st Tribal Destroyer Flotilla. For most of the time thereafter, GURKHA worked closely with AFRIDI although there were occasions when she was on her own or with other ships. Examples of these joint operations were: the Albanian Crisis, the visit at Athens, the Red Sea foray and the French troop convoys. For a while GURKHA was employed on North Sea escort duty and in the Humber Striking Force. She then served with the Home Fleet and was almost continuously at sea escorting capital ships on their sweeps in the Atlantic.

The year 1940 began well for GURKHA. On 8th February she and NUBIAN hunted a U-boat off Scapa Flow. Later, on 21st February, she and the French destroyer LE FANTASQUE shared in the depth-charging and destruction of the 753 ton Gernman submarine U-53. The next event was most unfortunate. On a snowy 9th March, GURKHA and NUBIAN were escorting a southbound convoy off the Shetlands when they met a northbound Norwegian convoy. GHURKA'S propeller guard gashed a hole in HMS KELLY'S bow when the two ships connected momentarily. Immediately, KELLY'S signalman sent the message "Have been hit by mine or torpedo. Am uncertain which". GURKHA'S signal came in clearly, "That was me, not a mine."

GURKHA participated in the very first moves of the Norwegian Campaign sailing with AFRIDI and a force of cruisers and destroyers from Rosyth, England on 7/8th April 1940. On the 9th April at 1400, the force was attacked by Ju88 and He111 bombers. One bomb hit her aft end and blew a 40 foot hole in the starboard side. The stern caught fire and the after magazine had to be flooded. Soon the stern was awash and GURKHA had a 45 degree list to starboard. All the lights were out but the wounded were brought up and laid on the fo'c'sle. Many were blinded by fuel oil and everyone had to cling to the guard rails or anchor chains to keep from falling overboard. Some made it to the boats and Carley floats.

It was now getting dark and cold. Useable guns fired air bursts to attract anyone's attention. AURORA arrived on the scene. She stopped 200 yards away and lowered her boats. GURKHA heeled over onto her side. Those men who had not lost their hold on the fo'c'sle clambered through the guard rails and sat on the port side. At 1900, she rolled right over and sank. AURORA managed to pick up 190 survivors. They were treated and eventually ended up in Devonport, England and given survivors leave. GURKHA was the first Tribal and first British destroyer to be sunk by air attack.

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