HMS Fencer (D64) British Escort Carrier

HMS Fencer (D64)

HMS Fencer (D64/R308) was an American-built Attacker-class escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Built as a Bogue-Class escort carrier for the United States Navy she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as Fencer on 1 March 1943, under the Lend-Lease agreement.

She spent most of her career escorting convoys in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, during which Fairey Swordfish of 842 Sqn sank four German U-boats. She transferred to the British East Indies Fleet (with a change in pennant number to R308)in October 1944 transporting Mosquitoes of 618 Sqn RAF to Australia in preparation for them to use the Highball bouncing bomb against Japanese shipping.

Post war she was transferred back to the US Navy where she was sold into civilian use as SS Sidney.