On 1 August 1942, "Montrose" was detached to the Home Fleet to replace destroyers sent to the Mediterranean for the important Malta Convoy, Operation Pedestal. "Montrose" formed part of the distant covering force for the Arctic convoys PQ 18 and QP 14 in September 1942, while in December 1942 – January 1943 was part of the distant escort of convoys RA 51 and JW 52. On 1 February 1943, she left Scapa for the Nore Command, resuming coastal patrols and convoy escort duties off the east coast of Britain. On the night of 17/18 February 1943, "Montrose" and the Hunt-class destroyer were on patrol when they encountered several German E-boats that were laying a minefield off Lowestoft. In the resulting engagement, one of the German torpedo boats, "S71", was immobilised and then rammed and sunk by "Garth". On 24 October 1943, "Montrose" collided with the Hunt-class destroyer , badly damaging "Cotswold", which was under repair for over 6 months.