Entering service in 1941, Nestor spent most of her career as a patrol and escort vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Far East.

In June 1942, Nestor sailed as part of the Operation Vigorous escort force, protecting a supply convoy to Malta.

[3] During sea trials, Nestor was called on to make several deployments north of the British Isles, in poor conditions.

[5] Nestor was transferred to the Mediterranean in July, and was involved in the Malta Convoys, then performed escort duties in the South Atlantic before returning to England for refit in October.

[3] On 12 June 1942, Nestor sailed from Haifa as part of the large escort force for Operation Vigorous, a Malta Convoy consisting of 11 merchant ships carrying food, fuel, and supplies for the besieged island.

[3][5] According to one source, at around 18:00, while off Crete, an Italian bomber attacked Nestor,[3] killing four sailors and seriously damaging the destroyer's engine rooms.

[7] HMS Javelin began to tow Nestor, but by 05:30 on 16 June, the quantity of water taken on by the Australian ship meant that recovery was no longer practical.

[1] Nestor's wartime service was recognised with four battle honours: "Bismarck 1941", "Atlantic 1941", "Malta Convoys 1941–42", and "Indian Ocean 1942".