St. Kitts was built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited on the Tyne.

In 1948, St. Kitts deployed to the Arctic to join the aircraft carrier Vengeance, along with a variety of other ships, including other Battle-class destroyers during experiments in that region.

In 1953, St. Kitts took part in the large Fleet Review at Spithead to celebration the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

During Operation Musketeer, the invasion of Egypt, St. Kitts performed a variety of duties, including escorting the carrier Eagle, as well as participating in the naval bombardment of Port Said.

That same year, St. Kitts, along with the rest of the Flotilla, left the Mediterranean to join the Home Fleet.