Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frigate, in service 1943-1966. The Gascoyne was a River-class frigate. She was laid down (i.e. construction began) in July 1942, launched in February 1943 and commissioned into service in November 1943. As a frigate, the Gascoyne was intended primarily for escort and anti-submarine duties.

She was 92 metres long and displaced 2120 tons when fully loaded. The Gascoyne carried two 4-inch guns and two 50mm Bofors cannons as well as six 20mm Oerlikon AA guns, a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar and depth-charge throwers. The official complement was 140 officers and sailors.

The Gascoyne spent most of 1944 on escort and anti-submarine duty near New Guinea. From October 1944 to January 1945 she mostly served around the Philippines and was repeatedly in action, especially against Japanese aerial attacks. In July 1945 she supported the Australian naval invasion of Borneo at Balikpapan. Finally, the Gascoyne was present at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945.

The Gascoyne was put into reserve in 1946 and recommissioned in 1959 for oceanographic research. In 1966 she was permanently removed from service and in 1972 sold for scrap.