HMS Nelson's construction began on December 28th, 1922, at Armstrong-Whitworth's shipyard in Newcastle-on-Tyne. She was launched on September 3rd, 1925, and commissioned on August 15th, 1927.
During the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Nelson served as the flagship of the Home Fleet. In March 1941, Nelson supported the landing raid on the Lofoten Islands, Norway, targeting German factories producing fish oil and glycerine. Later that year, Nelson moved to the Mediterranean, participating in one of the Malta Convoys. In November 1942, Nelson played a role in the "Operation Torch" landings in French North Africa. In July 1943, Nelson supported the Allied invasion of Sicily, known as "Operation Husky," and the Salerno landing in September 1943. On September 29th, 1943, aboard Nelson, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on behalf of the Allies, and Marshal Badoglio of Italy signed the Italian surrender agreement.
In 1944, Nelson participated in the Normandy landings, then moved to the Indian Ocean to contribute to the war effort against Japan in August and September 1945. The Japanese surrender of Malaya was signed aboard Nelson on September 3rd, 1945.
After the war ended in 1945, Nelson was retired from active service and utilized for training purposes until 1947. Eventually, she was designated as a bombing target before being sold for scrap in 1948.
