Laid down as HMS Larne (F 63), launched as HMS Gurkha (G 63).

At 06.17 hours on 29 Sep, 1941, HMS Gurkha (G 63) got a radar contact with the surfaced Italian submarine Diaspro (Dotta) in 37°32N/06°45E and was shortly thereafter missed by two torpedoes, which passed under the destroyer. Together with HNMS Isaac Sweers (G 83), she engaged the submarine, but without result. The destroyers were part of the Force H (Adm Somerville), returning from escorting a Malta convoy during Operation Halberd.
On 30 Sep, 1941, HMS Gurkha (G 63) and HMS Legion (F 74) sank the Italian submarine Adua off the coast of Algeria.

At 07.35 hours on 17 Jan, 1942, HMS Gurkha (G 63) (Cdr C.N. Lentaigne, RN) was hit by one torpedo from U-133 and caught fire from bow to stern. HNMS Isaac Sweers (G 83) towed the destroyer clear of the burning oil on the surface. The most crew members were then transferred to the Dutch destroyer by boats and were landed at Tobruk in the evening. The burning destroyer had to be scuttled north of Sidi Barrani.

HMS Gurkha (G 63) was escorting the Malta convoy MW-8B (four fast transports covered by Admiral Vian´s Mediterranean Fleet cruiser force), which arrived Malta on 19 January without further casualties.