Pelican was ordered on 19 March 1937 under the 1937 Building programme from JI Thornycroft at Woolston, Hampshire.

[2] After commissioning and working up Pelican was assigned to Fishery Protection, and at the outbreak of the Second World War joined convoy defence duties in the North Sea.

[2] After repairs and a refit Pelican was appointed senior officers ship to 1st Support Group, tasked with reinforcing convoys under attack.

[6] In June 1944 Pelican was part of Operation Neptune, escorting troops and supplies to and from Normandy until withdrawn for refit prior to joining the British Pacific Fleet.

[2] On passage to the Far East Pelican was accidentally damaged at Aden and spent the next year at various dockyards under repair.