HMS Keith – This destroyer had a short but active war. Initially, she was engaged as a flotilla leader, escorting convoys in the Western Approaches and then operating from Harwich. She took part in the operations to evacuate the Netherlands' gold reserves and Allied troops in early May 1940.
Having evacuated civilians from the port of Boulogne on the 21st May, she returned to the port on the evening of the 23rd May, 1940 to evacuate British troops and civilians. While moored at the Gare Maritime, she was exposed to intense artillery, mortar and small arms fire from German forces infiltrating the port area. Her captain, David Simson, was killed by a sniper and several crew members and a dozen soldiers were also killed. The ship moved out of the harbour stern first at some speed and returned to Dover, pausing only to bury her dead.
Active during operation Dynamo, she was sunk off Dunkirk by German air attacks on the morning of 31st May, 1940.