Laid down 25 August 1942 and intended for the US Navy as USS Bastion CVE-37, HMS Trumpeter was transferred to the Royal Navy whilst under constructions. Launched on 15 December 1942 she was commissioned on 4 August 1943.
From commissioning until August 1944 HMS Trumpeter escorted North Atlantic convoys and ferried aircraft to the UK. She was then assigned to the Home Fleet and embarked 846 Naval Air Squadron equipped with Grumman Avenger and Wildcat aircraft. Until December 1944, Trumpeter took part in strikes on Enemy shipping, including Operation Goodwood, an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz.
Trumpeter was returned to United States’ custody 6 April 1946, stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 19 June 1946 and sold into merchant service as Alblasserdijk (later renamed Irene Valmas). She was sold for scrap in Spain in 1971.
HMS TrumpeterHMS TrumpeterHMS Trumpeter in heavy winter weather in the Barents Sea whilst on her way to Russia.HMS Trumpeter 1945HMS Trumpeter in the Atlantic Jan 1944Snow on North American P-51 Mustang fighters on HMS Trumpeter in Jan 1944North American P-51B Mustang fighters on HMS Trumpeter in Jan 1944A motor-boat from HMS Trumpeter being assisted through the ice by a Russian Naval tug at Kola Inlet Mar 1945A motor-boat from HMS Trumpeter working its way through the ice Kola Inlet Russia Convoy Jw65 Mar 1945MS Trumpeter Sep 1943 firing a 5″ inch gunAnti-aircraft guns on HMS Trumpeter Jan 1944Hauling in head rope on leaving harbour 23 May 1944 HMS TrumpeterTesting the twin Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns 23 May 1944 HMS TrumpeterChristmas cheer in one of the decorated mess-decks of HMS Trumpeter
Aircraft Operations
Fairey Barracuda
Rocket-assisted take-off by a Fairey Barracuda on board HMS Trumpeter
Grumman Avenger
Grumman Avenger Mk.I from 846 NAS assigned to the escort carrier HMS Trumpeter (D09)Grumman Avenger G of 846 NAS returning to HMS Trumpeter after a strike against enemy shipping off the coast of NorwayGrumman Avengers on HMS Trumpeter Sep 1943. HMS Slinger in the backgroundGrumman Avenger taking off from HMS Trumpeter Sep 1943Grumman Avenger landing on from HMS Trumpeter Sep 1943Grumman Avengers on HMS Trumpeter Sep 1943Grumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm lands on HMS TrumpeterGrumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm lands on HMS TrumpeterGrumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being catapulted off HMS TrumpeterAvengers on Trumpeter are in the foreground as the HMS Nabob can be seen down at the stern after being hit by a torpedo Aug 44An Avenger flown by the Squadron C/O, returning with the starboard half of its undercarriage blown off by flakAn Avenger takes off from HMS Trumpeter 9 Dec 1944 HMS Implacable in backgroundSub Lieut J H Lloyd (left), the observer, with his pilot brother, Petty Officer E W Lloyd, on the flight deck of the TrumpeterSub Lieut J H Lloyd (left), the observer, with his pilot brother, Petty Officer E W Lloyd, on the flight deck of the Trumpeter
Grumman Wildcat
Grumman Wildcat fighters on HMS Trumpeter prior to a strike on enemy shipping 9 Dec 1944 Implacable in the backgroundGrumman Wildcat taking off HMS Trumpeter for a strike on enemy shipping 9 Dec 1944Grumman Wildcat pilots who took part in the strike on enemy shipping 9 Dec 1944 HMS Trumpeter Grumman Wildcat damage from a strike on enemy shipping 9 Dec 1944 HMS Trumpeter Grumman Wildcat fighters on HMS Trumpeter during a convoy to Russia 1945Vought Corsairs flying over HMS Trumpeter with Wildcats of 846 Squadron parked on deck
Vought Corsair
Vought Corsair returning to land on board HMS TrumpeterVought Corsairs flying over HMS Trumpeter with Wildcats of 846 Squadron parked on deck
