Construction of Belfast began in December 1936 and she was commissioned August 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany, but in November 1939 she struck a German mine and spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Belfast returned to action in November 1942 with improved firepower and equipment and saw action escorting Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union during 1943. Then in December 1943 she played an important role in the Battle of North Cape, assisting in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944 Belfast took part in Operation Overlord supporting the Normandy landings. In June 1945 Belfast was redeployed to the Far East to join the British Pacific Fleet, arriving shortly before the end of the Second World War. Belfast saw further combat action in 1950–52 during the Korean War and underwent an extensive modernisation between 1956 and 1959. A number of further overseas commissions followed before Belfast entered reserve in 1963.

She is now part of the Imperial War Museum, and we are fortunate to have a Naval Officer give us a guided tour around a remarkable piece of Britain's maritime history.