[9] While previous ships of the class had been built with a gun armament of 4.7-inch (120 mm) low-angle guns, designed for use against surface targets, by 1934 it was realised that attack from the air posed a significant risk to shipping, and it was decided to fit the sloops of the 1934 programme with an improved anti-aircraft armament.

[8] Aberdeen was fitted with the originally planned third 4-inch gun in 1939,[12][10] with four Oerlikon 20 mm cannon added during the war.

[8] The ship's depth charge loading increased from 15 to 60–90 during the war,[10][13] while a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar was fitted in 1942, replacing the forward 4-inch gun.

[10][14] Aberdeen was fitted for use as despatch vessel during construction, and was used by the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, replacing the First-World War vintage sloop Bryony in the role from November 1936.

during the defense of convoy HX229A HMS Aberdeen ran aground on the ice-edge and sustained damage to hull structure including loss of underwater fittings for the submarine detection equipment.

repair work required was extensive and in June she was made seaworthy to take passage to Bermuda to have her refit completed there.

After tow to Devonport she was sold to BISCO on 16 December 1948 for breaking-up by T W Ward at Hayle, Cornwall where she arrived on 19 January 1949.