L+M Class Destroyers

Destroyer histories. Royal naval L and M class destroyers. Destroyer website dedicated to the history of HMS Laforay, HMS Lance, HMS Gurkha, HMS Legion, HMS Lightning, HMS Lively, HMS Lookout, HMS Loyal, HMS Milne, HMS Mahratta, HMS Marne, HMS Martin, HMS Matchless, HMS Meteor, HMS Musketeer and HMS Myrmidon from their launch to their participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of L and M Class destroyers.
HMS Gurkha (ex Larne) F.63	8th July 1940		Sunk on 17th January 1941.
HMS Laforey F.99	15th February 1941		Sunk on 30th March 1944.
HMS Lance F.87	28th November 1940		Constructive loss 9th April 1942.
HMS Legion F.74	26th December 1939		Sunk on 26th March 1942.
HMS Lightning F.55	22nd April 1940		Sunk on 12th March 1943.
HMS Lively F.40	28th January 1941		Sunk on 11th May 1942.
HMS Lookout F.32	4th November 1940		Broken up 1948.
HMS Loyal F.15	8th October 1941		Broken up 1948.
HMS Mahratta G.14	28th July 1942		Sunk on 25th February 1944.
HMS Marne G.35	30th October 1940		Transferred to Turkey 1959.
HMS Martin G.44	12th December 1940		Sunk 10th November 1942.
HMS Matchless G.52	4th September 1941		Transferred to Turkey 1959.
HMS Meteor G.73	3rd November 1941		Transferred to Turkey 1959.
HMS Milne G.14	30th December 1941		Transferred to Turkey 1959.
HMS Musketeer G.86	2nd December 1941		Broken up 1955.
Orkan (ex HMS Myrmidon) G.90	2nd March 1942		Became Polish navy Orkan 1942 and Sunk on 8th October 1943.
HMS Lively
HMS Lively. A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker Archive. Order Code PHD521
HMS Lookout
HMS Lookout, November 1945. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP2031 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP2031
HMS Loyal
HMS Loyal, May 1948. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP2032 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP2032
HMS Loyal, Algiers, 1943. Contributed by David Walker.		HMS Loyal, departing Taranto in August 1943. Contributed by Peter Smith, whose father Joe Smith was an ERA on HMS Loyal.
Crew of HMS Loyal, including Joe Smith, father of the contributor.		Crew of HMS Loyal, including Joe Smith, father of the contributor.
HMS Marne
Maresal Fevzi Cokmak (ex - HMS Marne), May 1959. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP2033 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP2033
HMS Matchless
HMS Matchless, 1944. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP2034 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP2034
HMS Milne
HMS Milne, 1947. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP2035 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP2035
HMS Musketeer
HMS Musketeer, laid up, July 1950. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP2036 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP2036

Specifications for L and M Class Destroyers Displacement : 1920 tons except HMS Laforey and HMS Milne - 1935 tons. Speed 36 knots. Complement 221 - 226. Armament : Six 4.7in DP, Eight 4in. AA, Four 2pdr AA, Two 30mm AA, Eight 5in AA guns, Eight 21in TT.

Our message board system has now been upgraded to a discussion forum at worldnavalships.com. Any messages on this page are now archive messages kept here to service those who left the messages originally. Click Here to go to the new Forum
Naval Historians, Crew & Family Noticeboard L & M Class destroyers, Message Board for naval enthusiasts and crew descendents of L & M Class Destroyers. This website is not part of any governmental body or official websites of L & M Class Destroyers. MESSAGES HMS METEOR.. My grandfather served on the HMS Meteor from shortly after she was commissioned until January 1943 under Lieutenant Commander Jewitts. He would like to know what happened to her during the rest of WW2 after he left. If anyone has any information can they contact me via anna@gardenrescuers.co.uk ALEXANDER CHRISTIAN SLATER.. I am trying to find out something about my father's time on the Meteor. According to his service record, he was a P.O on the ship from 15th May 1942 until 26th July 1945. At some point during his time on the Meteor he was awarded the Croix de Guerre and I would like to know how that came about. My father died in 1968 and although he told me something of the tale, I no longer recollect the details and have been unable to find anything published on the matter. HMS MARTIN.. JOSEPH SHEAN.. Hi I am trying to find some information about HMS Martin. My fathers elder brother Joseph Shean was lost when the ship sank, any information would be greatly appreciated. thank you David Shean. SIDNEY E HAYWOOD... Sidney E Haywood.....Lost his life on this ship. This would have been my grandfather. Any info or photos? Please contact me Simon Haywood at I am after information and photos of HMS Martin which was sunk by a U-boat on 10th November 1942 off the coast of Africa. HARRY JAMES HEPTINSTALL: My Grandfather was lost when HMS martin was sunk. was their any survivors? and does anybody remember him, He was also on HMS Rodney before transferring o HMS Martin HMS GURKHA.. CYRIL MARTIN.. My Father served on HMS Gurkha (formerly Larne) when it was damaged then scuttled in early 1942 and he is looking for any surviving shipmates. HMS MARNE.. My father in Law served on HMS Marne and is interested in any information on contacts on the ships and crew. HMS LOYAL. ANTHONY MARKS. My dad served on HMS Loyal during WW2. I would like to hear from anybody who may have served on HMS Loyal or has information on this ship. including any crew lists would be appreciated. contact. HMS LANCE SAMUEL EDWARD CLEE.. My father served as Captains Steward on Lance HMS LIGHTNING JOHN STONES.. I had an uncle John who served as a Petty Officer Cook on HMS Lightning. He died when it went down. Does anyone have any more information about him? HMS LIVELY. THEOPHILUS WILLIAMS.. Official number KX108414. Anyone with any information on this man could you email me as I have been asked to do some research by his grandson. I think Theo was on Lively between 11th July 1941 and 11th May 1942. Any help would be much appreciated. As a side note on his documents there is a column with 'time forfeited' and then some letters P, D, C, CP and WT- does anyone know what these mean? JOSEPH RIDLEY .. My father served on HMS Lively as a stocker when it was sunk, he was picked up by HMS Jackal which was also sunk the following day. Are there any survivors of HMS Lively, and does anyone know Harry Green. I would love to see any photos of HMS Lively and contact and ex ships company of HMS Lively. HMS LOOKOUT: ALBERT (BUNNY) MATON: Can anyone remember Albert who served on HMS Lookout from 1942-46. He was Captain's Steward and his action station was in a gun magazine. My friend is putting together a family memorial to his grandfather and would love to hear from anyone who can help with information.