Photographs of HMS Renown during her service from 1916 until 1948. Photographs have been sent in by various sources only some of these photographs may be purchased.

HMS Renown was a Battle cruiser built at Fairfield and re engined at Cammell Laird. she was launched on the 4th march 1916. Between the wars HMS Renown has a major refit at Portsmouth in May 1923 to August 1926. She had her belt armour increased, (using the plate armour intended for the Chilean battleship Almirante Cochrane). Her horizontal armour was increased from 1-inch to 1.5 inch.

HMS Renown served in all major theatres during world war two. During September 1939 she served in the north sea and during October 1939 took part in the search for the German surface raiders Admiral Graf Spee and Deutschland. During August 1940 the renown exchanged fire with the German Battle Cruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst  but only received slight damage. During the rest of 1940and 1941  HMS Renown served with Force H. Renown also took part in the pursuit of the Bismarck, during May 1941. During November 1942 she supported the Allied Landing in North Africa.  During early 1944 HMS Renown joined the British eastern Fleet supporting the carrier raids, and also the bombarding of Surabaya.  At Durban she had a refit and then returned to home water in March 1945.  Due to her poor condition HMS renown was put into reserve and was finally scrapped at Faslane, Scotland on August 1948. (Above left photograph is of Renown in the lock at the Panama Canal).

MORE PHOTOS OF HMS RENOWN 1930

The Prince of Wales Leaving Renown at Portsmouth, On His Return From Australia, October 1920.

HMS Renown with King Edward VIII on board. Ship is flying the Royal Standard.

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HMS Renown pictured c.1930s showing a seaplane on her catapult and her crane jib is up.

HMS Renown.

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HMS Renown served at Gibraltar from September 1935 until January 1936, she then served at Alexandria from January until May 1936.

HMS Hood and HMS Renown at Gibraltar, illuminated for the wedding of the Duke of Gloucester on 6th November 1935. 

HMS Renown looking aft while she served at Gibraltar in 1935.

HMS Renown on high speed manoeuvres off Alexandria in 1936. 

Some crew from HMS Renown while she was in for a refit at Durban. 

Crew members from HMS Renown at Durban

The monument