HMS Periwinkle (K55)

After working up, Periwinkle was assigned to the Western Approaches Escort Force for service as a convoy escort. In this role she was engaged in all the duties performed by escort ships; protecting convoys, searching for and attacking U-boats which attacked ships in convoy, and rescuing survivors. In 23 months service Periwinkle escorted 41 North Atlantic, 10 Gibraltar and 10 South Atlantic convoys[3][4] assisting in the safe passage of over 1500 ships. She was involved in three major convoy battles: In September 1940 Periwinkle was part of the escort for SC 2, which was attacked by a U-boat pack, losing 5 ships sunk.[5] In October 1940 she was with HX 77, which lost six ships sunk.[6] In June 1941 Periwinkle was with OB 329, which saw 4 ships sunk and one U-boat (U-147) destroyed; Periwinkle shared in its destruction.[7][8] In September 1941 she was with HG 73, which lost nine merchant and one warship sunk.[9]

Following the entry of the United States into the war the US Navy was in need of anti-submarine warfare vessels, and to meet this need a number of ships were transferred from the Royal Navy as part of a reverse Lend-Lease arrangement.[10] Periwinkle was commissioned into the USN on 15 March 1942 as USS Restless. After an overhaul Restless was employed as an escort on convoys between New York and the Caribbean. In August 1945 she was decommissioned and returned to the Royal Navy.[11]