HMS Troubridge (R00)

HMS Troubridge (R00) was an T-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War.

Second World War Service
In 1943, she was sent to the Mediterranean, where she performed screening duties for major naval units. HMS Troubridge was one of the units that performed as a screen for HM Cruisers HMS Aurora (12), HMS Newfoundland (59), HMS Orion (85), HMS Penelope (97) and HMS Euryalus (42), in conjunction with Mediterranean Fleet destroyers and Motor Torpedo Boats for the surrender of Pantellaria on 10 May 1943. She provided support to offensives on Italian warships, provided anti-aircraft support, and was involved in the Allied effort to land in Sicily, Calabria, and Salerno. Other notable events involving HMS Troubridge was the sinking of the German submarine U-407. U-407 was sunk in the Mediterranean south of Milos, in position 36º27'N, 24º33'E, destroyed by depth charges dropped from HMS Troubridge, HMS Terpsichore (R33), and the Polish destroyer ORP Garland. U-407's sinking also marked the disbandment of the 29th U-boat Flotilla. In 1944 Troubridge transferred to the far east and operated under US control. Amongst other engagements, she took part in the battle for Truc. She returned to Portsmouth in 1946.

Post War Service
After the Second World War, she was converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate in 1955, with the new pennant number F09. In 1959 Troubridge took part in 'Navy Days' in Portsmouth during that year. Following this she was deployed to the West Indies.

She recommissioned on 7th September 1964 and was part of the 27th Escort squadron along with Galatea, Agincourt and Carysfort.

Troubridge was the punning inspiration for the fictional "HMS TrouTbridge" in the long-running Radio Comedy The Navy Lark. (The September 1967 episode is entitled Troutbridge's Silver Jubilee, which exactly accords with Troubridge's own September 1942 launch date). Troubridge also supplied the landing crew which rescued the marooned children at the end of the 1963 film version of William Golding's Lord of the Flies.

In a very different role, HMS Troubridge was used to depict the interior of the fictional "USS Bedford" in the 1965 cold-war film drama The Bedford Incident. British military equipment is visible in several shots, including a rack of Lee-Enfield rifles. Troubridge's novel forward-sloping bridge windows are also to be seen in the Bridge shots. (The Type 15 frigate used for the opening scenes is F159: HMS Wakeful).