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Memorial dedicated to lost submariners from HMS Umpire
22 July 2025
Submariners have been successful in their campaign to honour the 16 Royal Navy deeps who tragically lost their lives when HMS Umpire sank off the Norfolk coast in 1941.
After raising funds and obtaining all necessary permissions, the Norfolk Branch of the Submariners’ Association dedicated a lasting memorial at All Saints Church in Mundesley, ensuring the bravery and sacrifice are never forgotten.
HMS Umpire, a newly commissioned submarine, was enroute for operational duty, when it was involved in a tragic collision with the armed escort trawler, the Peter Hendriks, in the dark waters of the North Sea, off Blakeney on July 19.
Despite rescue efforts, 16 crew members perished, including Sub-Lieutenant Stephen Anthony (Tony) Godden DSC, who successfully escaped the sinking vessel but drowned before being rescued. He is buried at Mundesley Church, near where his body was recovered.
To date, over 80 years later, there has been no formal acknowledgment of this loss. The Norfolk Submariners’ Association is proud to have rectified this by dedicating a memorial, facing out to sea, in the graveyard of All Saints Church, Mundesley.
The tribute is made of Portland stone, engraved with the submarine badge and the names of those lost, crafted by memorial mason Nick Hindle.
“This memorial was long overdue and it was crucial that we recognised the bravery of these men and ensured their sacrifice was not forgotten,” said Pete Cudby, Chairman of the Norfolk Submariners’ Association.
“The choice of the black stone and the rounded shape of the stone perfectly suits a submarine memorial.”
The dedication service was held in All Saints Church, Cromer Road, Mundesley, on the 84th anniversary of the tragedy.
After being led from the church by a parade of standards from the various ex-service organisations the service was led by The Revd Dr. Sally Myers.
The history of Umpire was given by Mr Cudby, followed by the official unveiling of the memorial by Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder. Cdr Tom Herman read both the Submariners Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.
The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Michael Gurney read the dedication, before Peter Houston, President of Norfolk Submariners Association read a roll call of the names of the 16 submariners who perished in the tragedy.
Guests at the service included representatives from HMS Vengeance, various ex-service associations, Lifeboat, Landmine clearance and Sea Cadets from TS Nelson in Norwich and TS Eliza Adams in Wells-next-the-Sea, as well as members of the public who supported and contributed to the campaign.