Trumpeter 05333 HMCS Huron Destroyer 1944

 

HURON served Canada honourably during the latter part of the Second World War. Commissioned 19th July 1943, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, she was assigned like HAIDA to the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla of the British Home Fleet.

As part of Operation Holder, she made a trip in October of 1943 to Murmansk with technical personnel and special naval stores. For the rest of the year, HURON escorted convoys to and from North Russia. In February 1944, after one more trip to Murmansk, she joined the 10th Flotilla for pre-invasion duties spending the next seven months in the Channel. On April 25/26 1944, HURON was involved in a 'scrap' with German Elbing class destroyers in the English Channel. After the action, she and ASHANTI collided and the results damaged HURON's port hull and the main bulkhead between #1 and #2 boiler rooms.HURON managed to return safely to Plymouth and repairs were completed on 7th May, just in time for D-Day operations. HURON arrived in Nova Scotia for a refit on 13th of August 1944. It was completed and her sea trials were over by 20th November. She arrived at Cardiff for new radar and target indication equipment. During February and March 1945, she was assigned to escort duties in the Western Approaches. In April, HURON, HAIDA and IROQUOIS escorted their last convoy to Russia. After sharing in the liberation of Scandinavia, all three returned to Halifax in preparation for service in the Pacific. Their refits were suspended in August and HURON was placed in reserve. She was paid off  9th March 1946.