Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
The memorial service was held by the Main Mast and was led by HMS Neptune Chaplain, Reverend Mark Allsopp with Base Executive Officer, Commander Jon Fletcher, giving a recount of the sinking. The story of the only survivor was read by Lieutenant Brett Wild.
A minute’s silence was observed followed by Captain HMS Neptune, Captain Elaine Boyd, laying a wreath at the HMS Neptune Memorial Stone.
This year marks 83 years since the Leander-class light cruiser bravely led the Force K fleet to intercept an enemy convoy bound for Tripoli. HMS Neptune would later capsize and sink, losing 737 crew members after hitting four mines, strategically laid by enemy forces.
Cruisers Aurora and Penelope tried helping HMS Neptune but were themselves struck by mines and unable to assist. Destroyers Kandahar and Lively attempted a tow but the former was hit by another mine. Neptune signalled for Lively to stay clear, not wanting to risk another blow to a ship.
Thirty members of crew initially survived the sinking, later succumbing to their injuries, losing their lives in the proceeding days. As a result, 764 crew members lost their lives, 150 of which were from New Zealand.
Able Seaman Norman Walton was the sole survivor of the sinking, escaping by climbing down the ship’s anchor and occupying a nearby raft. He was later captured by an Italian ship, spending 15 months as a prisoner of war.
Last year, a Force K memorial seascape mural was commissioned by the previous Base Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Pete Noblett and was painted by Barry “the Cat” Jenkins. It measures as two meters high and fifty metres in length. A ceremony took place on Monday, August 5, 2023, and was attended by members of the HMS Neptune Association – an association founded by the descendants of those who were lost when Neptune and Kandahar sunk in 1941.
The mural was commissioned as a mark of recognition to the association before they disbanded, having achieved their goal of highlighting the Neptune disaster. Sole survivor, Able Seaman Norman Walton’s daughter attended and laid a wreath. The mural takes pride of place outside of the Supermess within HMS Neptune, the shore-based establishment named after the ship.
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.