HMS Cambrian was launched on 10 December 1943 and on commissioning in July 1944, Cambrian was allocated to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet and took part in Russian and Atlantic convoys.

 In 1945 she was allocated for service in the Far East and joined the Fleet in Trincomalee after VJ-Day

Following the war Cambrian paid off into reserve. Along with other Ca group destroyers, she was selected for modernisation in 1963. 

In January 1964 Cambrian saw operational service off the coast of East Africa, as part of the operation to quell the mutiny by the Tanganyika Rigles. She operated as part of a force, along with the aircraft carrier HMS Centaur, which landed Royal Marines from  45CDO.  Cambrian used her three 4.5-inch guns to provide naval gunfire support

Cambrian was paid off in 1968 and sold for scrapping on 3rd September 1971.