CROOME (L62)
CROOME spent 7.41 working up at Scapa and she was then allocated to the 12th Escort Group of the Western Approaches Command on general escort and patrol duties until 242. During this period CROOME participated in the sinking of two submarines, the first being the Italian BARACCA on 8.9.41, sunk by gunfire and ramming north-east of the Azores at position 40.15 N 20.55W. CROOME was under repair between 12.9 and 4.10.41 as a consequence of the ramming. The second submarine destroyed was U127, which was attacked and sunk off Cape St Vincent on 14.12.41 by CROOME and the destroyers GURKHA, FOXHOUND and HMAS NESTOR.

Between February and April 1942, CROOME was attached to Force "H' at Gibraltar and served as an escort when Force 'H' undertook three flying-off operations with aircraft for Malta. These operations occurred between 27-28.2.42 (aborted), 6.3-8.3.42 and 20.3-30.3.42.

CROOME then spent the next two months escorting convoys from Freetown but transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in 6.42, serving with the 5th Destroyer Flotilla until 3.43 and then the 22nd Destroyer Flotilla until 9.44. During this period CROOME participated in the Vigorous' Malta convoy operation of 6.42, took part in the sinking of her third submarine (U372) off Haifa with ZULU, SIKH and TETCOTT on 4.8.42 and participated in the bombardment of Daba on 29.8.42. She also took part in the disastrous combined operations attack on Tobruk on the night of 13-14.9.42, when the cruiser COVENTRY and destroyers SIKH and ZULU were be.

The latter months of 1942 were spent on convoying stores to Malta and convoy escort duties were to be her primary role for the rest of her service in the Mediterranean. She did, however, participate in the Salerno Landings of 9.43; the Aegean campaign of 10.43 by landing troops at Leros and the Anzio Landings of 1.44.

CROOME returned to home waters in late 1944, joining the 21St Destroyer Flotilla at Sheerness for three months, until 3,45. She then provided part of the escort for the light fleet carriers VENERABLE, VENGEANCE and COLOSSUS from the UK to the Mediterranean. CROOME was retained in the Mediterranean until 10.45, when she returned to Plymouth and reduced to Category 'B' Reserve.

She was to remain in reserve until her disposal (Category B1' at Plymouth in 1945/7 and later Categories 'B2' and 'C' until 1954, when she transferred to Cardiff and Class Ill Reserve for 1954/5 and finally Extended Reserve). CROOME was handed over to BISCo and arrived on 13.8.57 at T. W. Ward's Briton Ferry yard for breaking up.
hope that help
michel