HMAS Nestor (G02) - Operational History

Operational History

During sea trials, Nestor was called on to make several deployments north of the British Isles, in poor conditions. On 14 May, the sailors aboard mutinied in response to the heavy drinking sessions of the ship's captain and two other senior officers: they locked themselves in their accommodations and refused to man the ship until the officers were removed. The ship's doctor visited the admiral at Scapa Flow (where the ship was based); the admiral sent marines to arrest the three officers, and appointed a new commander to Nestor.

After completing sea trials, Nestor was assigned to escort and patrol duties in the North Atlantic. During May, she was involved in the pursuit of the German battleship German battleship Bismarck, but had diverted to Iceland for fuel when the Allied force encountered and sank the German ship. Nestor was transferred to the Mediterranean in July, and was involved in the Malta Convoys, then performed escort duties in the South Atlantic before returning to England for refit in October. The destroyer returned to service as a Malta Convoy escort in December. On 15 December, Nestor encountered the German submarine U-127 off Cape St. Vincent; the destroyer successfully hunted down and destroyed the submarine with depth charges.

In January 1942, Nestor was reassigned to the Far East. During the voyage, Nestor and several sister ships escorted the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable during attempts to deliver aircraft to Malaya. After this, Nestor joined the British Eastern Fleet, and was based at Colombo. In March 1942, the town of Andover, Hampshire adopted Nestor after they raised £214,467 during a Warship Week. A plaque commemorating this short-lived association can be seen in the Andover Museum. In May 1942, the destroyer was assigned back to the Mediterranean.