"Saintes" remained Captain of the 3rd Destroyer Squadron until she went for a major refit in 1956 at Rosyth when her crew transferred to her sister ship . On completion of her refit in 1958, "Saintes" again took over as Captain of the Squadron, this time as part of a General Service commission spending a part of the time with the Home Fleet and part of the time with the Mediterranean Fleet. In 1960, "Saintes" recommissioned with the 1st Destroyer Squadron, again having spells with the Home and Mediterranean Fleets.