These Hull Letters from HMS Rhyl were removed prior to Her scuttling and preparation for being target practice in 1985. Large heavy set chromed bronze letters mounted on later board.

Following commissioning in 1960 Rhyl served in the Far East, Mediterranean and East Africa, including being diverted to stand-by off Goa following the Indian invasion in 1961. In 1964 the Tanganyikan Army mutinied, and the British intervened on the side of the Tanganyikan government, with HMS Rhyl supporting landings of Royal Marines from the aircraft carrier Centaur.

She served, along with HMS Ark Royal and HMS Lowestoft, on the first Beira Patrol, and then in 1966–7 served in the Mediterranean as Captain D 23rd Escort Squadron with squadron elements HMS Lowestoft, HMS Dainty and HMS Defender. In April 1982, HMS Rhyl was ordered south for Operation Corporate, but mechanical failure prevented the deployment, so she acted as Ascension Island guardship until July 1982. HMS Rhyl deployed to the United States and West Indies in the first few months of 1983, returning to Portsmouth in April 1983 where she was expected to take her place in the Orient Express deployment led by HMS Invincible later that year.