In March 1935 HMS Bridgewater was based on the Cape Station and was first docked in the Selborne dry dock at Simonstown, South Africa on the 18th of this month. She often used the facilities provided at Simonstown prior to the outbreak of war.

In September 1940, HMS Bridgewater in company with HMS Milford were summoned from the South Atlantic to proceed to Freetown and then on to the Mediterranean, to team up with the fleet involved in operation "Menace". This was the plan to prevent the Vichy French fleet from entering Dakar. British naval forces attacked Dakar to prepare a landing by the Free French troops. Bridgewater and Milford formed part of the British unit, with Vice Admiral Cunningham in overall charge.

On New Years Day 1942 convoy WS-14 arrived in South Africa from the U.K. with reinforcements. The convoy consisted of 18 ships. Bridgewater in company with the light cruiser HMS Ceres were responsible for the escorting of this convoy. On 19 March convoy WS-16 arrived in South Africa from the U.K. with reinforcements. The convoy consisted of 14 ships and HMS Bridgewater assisted with the escorting of this convoy. In September 1943 HMS Bridgewater was serving in the Atlantic in company with Milford and formed a unit of the 40th escort group, involved in escorting convoys on the U.K. - Gibraltar route and was based at Freetown. On 22 May 1947 Bridgewater was sold to Howells, Gelleswick Bay for breaking up.

Commanding Officers:
Cdr. R.C. Hardy, RN
2 June 1939 – 17 December 1939

A/Cdr. Henry Fawcus Gerrans Leftwich, RN (retired)
17 December 1939 – 23 February 1942

Cdr. Nelson W.H. Weekes, OBE, RN (retired)
23 February 1942 - ???

Lt. P.J.H. Hoare, RN
??? – February 1944

Cdr. Richard Herbert Mack, RN (retired)
February 1944 – 4 April 1945

Cdr. Michael Wentworth Ewart-Wentworth, RN (retired)
4 April 1945 – 23 June 1945

Lt.Cdr. David Drummond Bone, RN
23 June 1945 - still in command in October 1945 according to the Navy List