HMS Kenilworth Castle (K420) explained

HMS Kenilworth Castle was a of the Royal Navy.

History

She was built by Smiths Dock Company at South Bank, North Yorkshire, launched on 17 August 1943, and commissioned on 14 November 1943.

In World War II, she served as a convoy escort and took part in the sinking of two U-boats:

• was sunk by,,,,, and Kenilworth Castle on 6 March 1944
• was sunk south of Ireland by,, and Kenilworth Castle on 11 November 1944 – all in the 30th Escort Group under Commander Denys Rayner.

Kenilworth Castle was scrapped at Llanelli in June 1956.^[1] Her bell was given to The Bugle Inn, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

In media

Lt. Cmdr. James Joseph Allon (1 May 1910 – 31 May 2004) commanded Kenilworth Castle in the Second World War. Shortly before he died, he wrote some reminiscences of his Merchant Navy and Royal Navy career which are included in the BBC's online archive WW2 People's War here:

• Web site: Corvette commander on North Atlantic anti submarine duty (Part One) . Allon . Bill . WW2 People's War . . 29 June 2004 .
• Web site: Corvette commander on North Atlantic anti submarine duty (Part Two) . Allon . Bill . WW2 People's War . . 29 June 2004 .
• Web site: Corvette commander on North Atlantic anti submarine duty (Part Three) . Allon . Bill . WW2 People's War . . 29 June 2004 .
• Web site: Corvette commander on North Atlantic anti submarine duty (Part Four) . Allon . Bill . WW2 People's War . . 29 June 2004 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kenilworth Castle . Tees Built Ships . Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust . 19 August 2022.