The ship was built by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company from 1941 to 1943, and was launched on 25 March 1943 and completed on 25 December 1943.

Serapis operated with the Home Fleet during the Second World War, escorting Arctic Convoys and taking part in the Invasion of Normandy in 1944.

[2] The S class were War Emergency Programme destroyers, intended for general duties, including use as anti-submarine escort, and were to be suitable for mass-production.

615 tons of oil were carried, giving a range of 4,675 nautical miles (5,380 mi; 8,658 km) at 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h).

[12] After commissioning and workup, Serapis joined the 23rd Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet based at Scapa Flow.

[13] After Normandy duties ended, Serapis returned to the Home Fleet, escorting the aircraft carriers Fencer and Trumpeter as their aircraft carried out anti-shipping strikes and minelaying operations off the coast of Norway on 14–15 October and the carriers Trumpeter and Campania for more air strikes and minelaying operations off Norway on 24 October.

[18] From 7–12 December 1944, Serapis took part in Operation Urbane, a minelaying and anti-shipping survey by the carriers Implacable, Premier and Trumpeter.

[21][22] Carrier sweeps against Norwegian coastal waters continued, with Serapis taking part in Operation Cupola (escorting Searcher, Premier and Queen) from 19 to 21 March and Operations Muscular and Prefix (escorting Searcher, Puncher, Queen and Nairana) from 24 to 29 March 1945.

[23] From 31 March to 17 June 1945, Serapis was refitted at Immingham and then returned to the Home Fleet, carrying out occupation duties at Wilhelmshaven in July.