HMS Gurkha (G63)

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For other ships of the same name, see HMS Gurkha.

HMS Gurkha (F63/G63) was an L class destroyer in Britain's Royal Navy during World War II. She was originally to be named Larne in line with her class letter. However after the Tribal-class Gurkha was sunk in April 1940 the officers and men of the Gurkha Regiments each subscribed one day's pay to replace her and Larne was renamed before launching.

Her only commanding officer (Commander C N Lentaigne) was brother of Joe Lentaigne who was an officer in the 4th (Prince of Wales' Own) Gurkhas.

She was laid down on 18 October 1938, launched on 8 July 1940 by Mary, daughter of Winston Churchill, and completed on 18 February 1941.

She fought at the Lofoten Islands (1941), guarded Malta Convoys (1941), destroyed the Italian submarine Adua, and guarded United Kingdom to Gibraltar convoys.

She was torpedoed by U-133 off Sidi Barrani on 17 January 1942 and sank after 90 minutes.

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L and M class destroyers
L class
Laforey  · Gurkha  · Lance  · Legion  · Lightning  · Lively  · Lookout  · Loyal
M class
Mahratta  · Marne  · Martin  · Matchless  · Meteor  · Milne  · Musketeer  · Myrmidon
List of destroyers of the Royal Navy