Sherbrooke spent nearly two decades in battleships, cruisers, and a monitor before receiving his first destroyer command. His performance in HMS Hereward impressed Andrew Cunningham and redirected his career toward Wakeful, Cossack, Afridi, and Matabele. Commanding three Tribal-class destroyers gave him the experience that led to the 17th Destroyer Flotilla and the Barents Sea action. Later appointments in amphibious material and shore command used that operational judgment more broadly. Wartime performance had revealed a command specialization that his earlier postings had not predicted.
Chapter · 35:45-41:25
Robert Sherbrooke finds his calling in destroyers
Sherbrooke's unusually late move from capital ships and cruisers into destroyers leads to repeated Tribal-class commands and flotilla leadership.