HMS Boxer was built as a Landing Ship, Tank [LST(1)] at Harland & Wolff.

Launched in December 1942 and commissioned the following April, she saw service as part of the Allied invasion of Italy.

[2] Boxer had only two sister ships, as plans to build more in the United States led instead to the Landing Ship, Tank#LST Mk.2 a simpler though slower design capable of similar capacity but with a much shallower draught.

In 1953 she took part in the fleet review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, was placed in reserve in 1956 and scrapped at Barrow-in-Furness in 1958.

[3][4] Boxer carried the writer, musician and comedian Spike Milligan from North Africa to Italy, when he served with the 56th Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery.