She was laid down by William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton on 28 July 1943, launched on 30 November 1944 and commissioned on 16 June 1945, with the pennant number U33.

[10] Post war, Opossum's close-in armament was revised to 2 twin and 2 single Bofors guns, and a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar was added.

[12][17] In early 1952, Opossum was refitted at Chatham before returning to active service, joining the 3rd Frigate Squadron based in the Far East in May 1952.

[18] In August 1952, Opossum was patrolling off Borneo,[19] and in September 1952 took part in Operation Full Back, a two-day exercise testing the defences of Singapore against attacks by small boats or divers.

On 16 January 1953, Opossum shelled targets near Haeju,[21] and on 10 February 1953, together with sister ship Crane and the New Zealand frigate Hawea took part in a search for a suspected enemy submarine.

On 8 July 1954, Opossum and the New Zealand frigate Pukaki shelled suspected Communist targets in Labu, Negeri Sembilan.