HMS Victorious was laid down on the Tyne in 1937 and launched two years later. Her commissioning was delayed, however, until 1941 due to the greater need for escort vessels for service in the Battle of the Atlantic.

On 24 May 1941, Victorious launched nine of her Swordfish against the Bismarck. The Swordfish flew through foul weather and attacked in the face of tremendous fire from Bismarck's guns. The result was only a single, ineffectual hit to the armoured belt. Aircraft from another carrier, the Ark Royal, contributed to the sinking of the Bismarck three days later. 

In November 1942, Victorious took part in the North African landings. Operation Torch involved 196 RN ships and 105 USN ships. About 107,000 Allied soldiers were landed. Ultimately successful, Operation Torch was the precursor to the later invasions of Sicily, Italy and France. Victoriousprovided air cover during the landings. 

She left for Scapa Flow on 18 November and, while en route, aircraft from Victorious depth charged U-517 and the submarine's structure was badly damaged. She scuttled herself and the surviving crew were rescued by HMS Opportune

Because of American carrier losses at the Battle of Santa Cruz the USN was left with only one fleet carrier, USS Saratoga, operational in the Pacific. In late December, 1942, Victorious was loaned to the US Navy after an American plea for carrier reinforcement. During this time, she was code named (not renamed) as USS Robin.

Victorious arrived at Pearl Harbour in March 1943 and was taken in hand for conversions for the operation of USN Wildcat and Avenger aircraft and the addition of more close range weaponry. She was ready for service by May and sailed with USS Saratoga for the south-west Pacific. She returned to the UK in October

On 2 April 1944, Victorious was involved in an attack on the Tirpitz in Altafjord. This involved Barracudas in two waves, hitting the battleship fourteen times. Although near-misses caused flooding and there was serious damage to the superstructure, the ship's armour was not penetrated. Nonetheless, the attack put Tirpitz out of action for some months. 

In June 1944, Victorious, with HMS Indomitable, left British waters to join the Eastern Fleet at Colombo, where she arrived on the 5th July.

The two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August, respectively, and Japan surrendered on 15 August. By the time of the surrender, the outcome of the war was clear and Victorious left for Manus with TF37 on 12 August and then proceeded to Sydney. This apparently premature departure was in fact a delay to a withdrawal planned for 10 August, to prepare for the anticipated invasion of Japan. 

On 31 August, Victorious' ships' company took part in the Victory Parade in Sydney. Victorious left Australia in September 1945, arrived back in Britain on 27 October.

She was reduced to the reserve in October 1947 but recommissioned on  on 14 January 1958 and joined the Far East Fleet. She remained in Fleet service until 1967.