On commissioning, "Barrosa" joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet, but later in the year, a manpower shortage caused most of the Flotilla, including "Barrosa" to be laid up in reserve. "Barrosa" returned to active duties with the 4th Flotilla in 1948. On 12 November 1949, "Barrosa" collided with the oiler , damaging some of the destroyer's portholes and causing a small split in her hull. In April 1950, "Barrosa" was placed in Reserve, as part of a wider transfer of destroyers to reserve with Loch-class frigates being returned to active service to improve the Royal Navy's anti-submarine capability.