23.09.1937:

Launched by the Countess of Cromer, wife of a P&O Director.

10.03.1938:

Delivered without official trials.

18.03.1938:

Maiden voyage London/Brisbane.

24.06.1938:

Arrived in London after her maiden voyage and spent the summer months cruising.

04.02.1940:

Requisitioned by the Ministry of Shipping (later Ministry of War Transport) for service as a troop transport.

01.11.1942:

Took part in Operation Torch – the first Algerian landings in the North African campaign.

12.12.1942:

Sailed from the Clyde on her second trip to Algeria, as commodore vessel of a convoy bound for Oran. She was carrying 4,000 British and US troops and 250 Queen Alexandra’s nurses.

21.12.1942:

Torpedoed by the German submarine U562 in bright moonlight and fine weather shortly after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar about 75 kilometres (45 miles) off Bougie. She was hit in the engine room on the port side at 2.25 am, two engineer officers and two Indian engine-room crew being killed in the explosion, but no other lives were lost. The nurses and 1,000 troops were picked up by the destroyer HMS Verity and another destroyer, HMS Laforey, took Strathallan in tow. With the help of the salvage tug Restive it was hoped that she might reach Oran, but her list increased and the remainder of the troops were taken off by escorting destroyers. At 1.15 pm she caught fire, and once it reached her cargo of rockets and ammunition, the rest of the crew were taken off by Restive.

22.12.1942:

Sank 19 kilometres (12 miles) off Oran at 4 am.