Here is a link to an article about the role of escort carriers and their aircraft during the Arctic Convoys.
Typically they would carry fighters for air defence, protecting the convoy or other force beyond the range of the ships' guns, and Swordfish for an anti U boat role, working with long range aircraft and frigates and destroyers with ASDIC and weapons like Hedgehog or Squid. In the Atlantic the air threat was not from Stukas and the like, but from long range aircraft that could attack shipping and doing reece for the U boats. The escort carrier was indispensable in protecting both Atlantic and Arctic Convoys. Did they get enough publicity post war?
The need to protect shipping and naval forces with organic fighters and multiple ASW helicopters saved RN carrier aviation, and led to the
Invincible with Sea Kings for ASW and Sea Harriers for dealing with Soviet Naval Aviation aircraft such as Bears. The larger US carriers could perform the same roles.
Why can people not accept our carriers will be able to provide defence for crisis response shipping or amphibious forces, with F-35B Lightning and Merlin HM2? In any operation with a major need for AAW or ASW capabilities, then you need a carrier.
When is NATO doing another Exercise
Deep Blue? This time we can provide not only the flagship, ASW helicopters, frigates, and an SSN, but we will be able to intercept simulated hostile aircraft.