WWII Destroyer HMS Hunter wreathlaying ceremony

[trekz 7]

Royal Navy Warships Conduct Memorial Service & Wreathlaying Ceremony

8th March 2008

 

Royal Navy warships today conducted a formal wreath-laying and memorial service over the war grave of the newly discovered last resting place of the WW 2 Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Hunter. The Exercise Task Group of ships steamed over the wreck in formation have been taking part in Exercise Armatura Borealis 08 off the North West Norwegian coast, supporting up to 1500 men of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines ashore conducting Arctic survival training.

 

Sailing in formation HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark, HMS Cornwall, RFA Mounts Bay and NOCGV Andenes crossed the site of HMS Hunter conducting synchronised ceremonies on their decks. The ships then turned in formation before conducting a ‘Steam Past’ of the Flag Ship.

 

The procession of warships from the Royal Navy showed their respects by laying wreaths and toasting the fallen by the traditional Navy method of pouring a tot of rum over the side. Led by the Flag Ship HMS Albion and attended by Vice Admiral Reksten Royal Norwegian Navy and Major General G S Robison, the Commandant General Royal Marines, the formed line of ships sailed over the spot where HMS Hunter lies 305m below.

 

Two of the youngest members of the ship’s company on HMS Albion, 17 year olds Engineering Technician Joe George and Able Seaman Warfare Specialist Yasmin Thornton dropped the wreath over the side on behalf of the ship’s company. In traditional form, with signal flags, HMS Albion flew the last order of Captain Warburton-Lee the Commander of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla who died leading the naval attack: “Continue engaging the enemy”.

 

As the Royal Navy sailed from the fjord for home, it signalled back by Morse: “Farewell, we’ll meet again.”

 

HMS Hunter had remained undisturbed for 68 years until the Norwegian Mine hunter HNOMS Tyr located her using her echo sounder. On dispatching a remote operated submersible rover to investigate, it became clear that this was the long lost HMS Hunter when the rover located and filmed the ship’s crest. Over several years the Norwegians have identified all the other sunken ships involved in the Battle, yet HMS Hunter remained elusive until this week.

 

“We went to the area where we thought it was most likely to lie and found the wreck after about 14 hours searching.” said Capt Tom Thorgrimsen from the HNOMS Tyr.

 

Norway officials confirmed with the British Embassy on 1st March that they had located the wreck of the H class Royal Navy destroyer, sunk in action with the German navy in 1940 after bravely fighting during the Battle of Narvik; an action that would result in the first Victoria Cross of WWII being awarded. Of the 145 crew on board, 110 sailors from the ship lost their lives when the ship slipped into the deep waters to rest 305m (1,000ft) down on the seabed near Ofotfjorden.

 

The Commander of the United Kingdom's Amphibious Force, Major General Garry Robison led the marks of respect from HMS Albion in a joint ceremony at 1600 local time on March 8th 2008, almost 68 years to the day that the ship went down at 0530am on 10 April 1940.

 

Back in the UK, several survivors were notified of the discovery and have given their reactions to the find.

 

John Hague (87) from Manchester was a 19 year old able seaman serving in the shell room below decks when he realised the ship had been hit following a hard jolt and the ship began to tilt alarmingly. Along with many of his comrades he had no choice but to leap into the icy seas during a blizzard where he trod water until a German ship arrived and picked up survivors. Of the discovery of the ship’s wreck he said:

 

“I am so pleased and overwhelmed to know that after so many years HMS Hunter has been found and my fellow shipmates have a known resting place. I’m so sorry not to be able to go to the wreath- laying but I will be spending a quiet time at home with my family and thoughts, also my daughter in Cornwall will be laying flowers at sea for me dedicated to my shipmates.”

 

Another survivor Seaman Fred Ward (88) spoke of his great sense of relief that the wreck had been found:

 

“I would like to thank the Norwegian people and the Royal Navy for their very kind tributes following the discovery of my old ship” he said. “I have mixed emotions about the events from over 68 years ago and the loss of so many of my fine friends. I now have a great sense of relief knowing the final resting place of my comrades and our ship. My only sadness is that I cannot attend the ceremony on Saturday to pay my own personal tribute.”

 

Former Able Seaman James Renshaw - said he found news of the wreck very upsetting.

 

"I have spent all my life wondering where she was and what had happened to her," the 89-year-old said. It's unbelievable to know she has been found. It just doesn't seem real. I'm shocked. It is upsetting but for me the chapter will never close until I see evidence she is down there. I lost 100 friends and “family” members when she went down. Not a day has passed that I have not thought about her and people we left behind."