The Oxfordshire was designed to carry 1,000 troops, 500 passengers (the families of the troops) in three classes and 409 crew. Standard features in the European quarters included wireless aerials and shaving plugs. She was also equipped with Denny Brown stabilisers - a first for a Bibby Line ship.

Oxfordshire made an average of four trips per year between Britain and the Far East and she also stopped at Ceylon, Aden, Port Said and Suez in Egypt.

The Oxfordshire, along with her sister ship Nevasa, were originally planned for a 15-year charter to the Ministry of Defence. Many of the colonies that the Oxfordshire and Nevasa served soon served gained independence, reducing the number of troops needed in those areas. It was soon conceded that travel by air for the troops was faster and as cost-effective as travel by sea.

By 1960 there were only five British troopships in operation, including the Oxfordshire. In October 1962, only five years after her launch, Oxfordshire was withdrawn from service after she disembarked 500 troops and 20 officers of the 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers, along with 156 family members. Oxfordshire then headed to Falmouth in Cornwall to the County Wharf where her future was decided.

Next: "Conox" - the Conversion of Oxfordshire..