She spent October on post refit trials and then commissioned for service, joining the Nore Command in November to commence convoy defence duties in the English Channel and the North Sea.

[3] She continued in these duties until May 1943, when she was assigned to cover military convoys passing through the Atlantic carrying troops and supplies for the allied invasion of Sicily.

She returned the next day to join the Escort Group in providing anti-aircraft defence of the anchorages off the beach head.

On the successful completion of the landings Woolston returned to the Nore Command and spent the rest of 1943 on convoy defence duty in the North Sea.

Immediately after the end of the war Woolston escorted a number of minesweepers, engaged in clearing minefields prior to the re-occupation of Stavanger.

She remained deployed in the North Sea until August 1945, supporting the military re-occupation of previously German held territories.