Вооружение и история корвета «Пири» времен Второй мировой войны.

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3 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannons (1 later removed)
1 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun (installed later)
Machine guns
Depth charges chutes and throwers
|Ship notes=Taken from: The vessel was initially envisaged as having a displacement of approximately 500 tons, a speed of at least , and a range of The opportunity to build a prototype in the place of a cancelled Bar class boom defence vessel saw the proposed design increased to a 680 ton vessel, with a top speed, and a range of , armed with a 4 inch gun, equipped with asdic, and able to fitted with either depth charges or minesweeping equipment depending on the planned operations: although closer in size to a sloop than a local defence vessel, the resulting increased capabilities were accepted due to advantages over British designed mine warfare and anti submarine vessels. Construction of the prototype did not go ahead, but the plans were retained. The need for locally built 'all rounder' vessels at the start of World War II saw the "Australian Minesweepers" (designated as such to hide their anti submarine capability, but popularly referred to as "corvettes") approved in September 1939, with 60 constructed during the course of the war: 36 ordered by the RAN, 20 (including Pirie) ordered by the British Admiralty but manned and commissioned as RAN vessels, and four for the Royal Indian Navy. The corvette was initially fitted with a 12 pounder gun as primary armament; this was later replaced by a .

The corvette was initially assigned to escort duties in the South West Pacific Area.

On 11 April 1943, Pirie was escorting the British supply ship SS Hanyang from Milne Bay to Oro Bay. The ships were from their destination when they were attacked by Japanese dive bombers. The bomb penetrated the armoured bridge canopy, deflected off the helmsman's station, killed the gunnery officer, then struck the foredeck plating and detonated, where it killed six of the seven men on the main gun. Had it not struck the bridge first, the bomb would likely had penetrated the magazine before detonating and destroying the entire ship. Mills also treated both sailors and subordinate officers with contempt: as the only member of the Permanent Navy (as opposed to the Reserve or 'Hostilities Only' recruits), he considered himself superior to all else aboard. Mills also took to wearing a sling, despite not being wounded. On coming alongside in Maryborough, the personnel of Pirie found that only some of their expected mail had arrived, and there was no sign of their pay. The commander himself moved ashore to a hotel, but visited the ship daily to take local dignitaries on tours and spoke of the attack. Mills' wife had travelled to Maryborough, and the ship's men were expected to salute her as if she was a naval officer. Repairs were completed on 18 May, and Pirie sailed to Townsville to await reassignment. An expected leave period before resuming duties did not eventuate. They wanted to highlight their grievances and requests—a short period of shore leave while Pirie was inactive, their overdue mail to be sent to the ship, and their pay to be delivered—and resolved that the next morning, instead of reporting for duty, half the junior sailors and half the stokers would, instead of reporting for duty, "sit here and see what happens". Older sailors and anyone above the rank of able seaman were not allowed to participate, so the corvette could deploy immediately if necessary and to ensure there were no repercussions for those who had families to support and might wish to continue their naval career after the war. Another pipe, this time for all personnel to assemble aft, was made, and again, the 45 sailors stayed where they were. Although attending the midday meal, the 45 sailors did not report for afternoon duties, and it was not until 1720, with the NOIC aboard, that they obeyed an order to fall in with the rest of the ship's company on the aft quarterdeck. During the afternoon, an armed guard was stationed on the dock alongside Pirie, and the ship's 12 pounder had been disabled. Twenty four sailors were called before the Inquiry, and had to testify without formal representation. This was despite the Articles of War prohibiting charges of mutiny being laid without a court martial, and no opportunity to defend themselves or request clemency was offered. Pirie continued on convoy duties until sailing to Sydney for a refit in December. During his final months in command, Mills attempted to reassert his authority through the use of increasingly frequent disciplinary punishments for minor breaches, such as failing to properly lash hammocks, or washing clothes in the wrong place. Mills' replacement, Lieutenant Commander D. L. Thompson, noted a dramatic improvement in the attitude and discipline of the ship's company when he took command.

After the December 1943 refit, Pirie was assigned to patrol and escort duties out of Darwin. Piries wartime service is recognised by three battle honours: "Pacific 1942–45", "New Guinea 1943–44", and "Okinawa 1945".

Pirie returned to Sydney in February 1946.