Kent entered service in 1928 and spent much of the interwar period with the Fifth Cruiser Squadron on the China Station. While serving as a flagship, she attended the 1934 Far Eastern Naval Conference in Singapore before returning to Britain for a refit. Her successive changes included high-angle control, an aircraft catapult, additional 4-inch guns, machine guns, and then a major 1937 refit. The later work added protection around machinery, fan compartments, dynamos, and fire-control spaces while improving close-range anti-aircraft defence. A stronger catapult allowed operation of the heavier Supermarine Walrus. No hangar was added because it would officially have pushed the ship beyond treaty limits, showing how the treaty still affected modernisation after the original design was complete.
Chapter · 45:57-49:12
HMS Kent’s interwar station service and refit
HMS Kent served on the China Station, gained aircraft and anti-aircraft equipment, then received major armour and air-defence improvements in the late 1930s.