Hi Emma,

Sorry to be so late replying but have only just found this string. My father served on HMS Vanessa. Sadly he passed away in 2010 but left some memories. I believe he was only on board for one return escort mission. After which, HMS Vanessa was damaged and had to put in for repairs. My father was then transfered to a Covette (HMS Sweetbriar). My father was Sub-Lt Douglas Barons and was on-board Vanessa to gain sufficient experience to perform Officer duties. In his notes he says " Vanessa was part of an escort group for North Atlantic convoys and operated between Liverpool and St.John's, Newfoundland. Conditions on board were grim and the weather was attrocious. When not on watch on the depth charges aft or at action stations, we had to chip the ice off the forecastle as the sea breaking over the bow of the ship froze. The weight caused a problem to the stability of the ship. On return to Liverpool Vanessa had to undergo repairs to the damage she had sustained and I was transferred to HMS Sweet Briar" I believe this was in 1942.

All the best, Andy Barons