HMS Bodenham (originally planned to be named Green Chaffinch) was ordered from Brooke Marine of Lowestoft on 29 September 1950 as part of the first series of Ham-class inshore minesweepers.

[1] They were propelled by two Paxman diesel engines, with a total of 1,100 brake horsepower (820 kW), giving a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).

15 tons of oil were carried, giving an endurance of 2,350 nautical miles (4,350 km; 2,700 mi) at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph).

[2] The Ham class were too small to carry modern minesweeping equipment and in particular, lacked the electrical generating capacity to power acoustic and magnetic sweep gear, so saw little active use with the Royal Navy.

[6] In 1967, South Yemen became independent from the United Kingdom, and three Ham-class minesweepers (Bodenham, Blunham and Elsenham) were transferred to the newly established nation's navy.