The HMS Argyll story ends with iconic bell loaned to namesake Scottish duke

Former captains, affiliates and supporters of the Type 23 frigate gathered at Inveraray Castle in Scotland – ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell – to celebrate HMS Argyll’s achievements and to hand over the ship’s bell.

The presentation of the bell – which will now go on display for visitors to the stunning castle on the shore of Loch Fyne – symbolically brings the proud story of HMS Argyll to a fitting end.
Based in Plymouth, HMS Argyll was the third of 16 Duke-class frigates built for submarine-hunting and general-purpose duties.

Commissioned in 1991, the ship was withdrawn from service last year. With no sailors assigned to her at the time, there was no formal decommissioning ceremony which has typically allowed crew members past and present, families and affiliates to bid farewell.

The frigate was stripped of all things of use to the Fleet or of historical value before being towed to Portsmouth to await disposal.

Among the many items removed, the ship’s bell. Historically used to sound the changes of watch on board, in modern times it’s fulfils a ceremonial role, notably being used for christenings – the upturned bell serving as a makeshift font and the names of those christened inscribed inside.

In fact, given the frigate’s lengthy service, so many youngsters were christened an extra board was created to list the names.

One of the names on the bell’s inner casing is Lady Charlotte Mary Campbell, born in 2008, the youngest child of Torquhil Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll.

The Duke has taken a close personal interest in the ship and the deeds of her 200 men and women since he inherited the title from his father, the 12th Duke in 2001.

So his castle – which, as well as frequently appearing in period dramas such as Downton Abbey, is open to the public – is an apt home for the bell.

It was formally presented when His Grace invited some of those associated with the frigate to a lunch celebrating HMS Argyll’s achievements.

Five former Commanding Officers – Rick Wellesley, Ewan Kelbie (plus his wife Claire), Nigel Chandler, Gavin Pritchard (and his wife Kirsty) and Charlie Wheen ­– joined the broader ‘Argyll family’.

That included friends and representatives of the frigate’s affiliates associated with the frigate – the Commanding Officer of 5 Scots, members of the Worshipful Company of Paviors, the Royal Naval Club Argyll, the Provost of Argyll and Bute Councillor Dougie Philand and the county’s Lord Lieutenant Jane MacLeod.

“The Duke’s gracious invitation to host the decommissioning event at the castle meant that we were able to celebrate the ship’s extraordinary achievements with the wider HMS Argyll family,” said Commander Wheen, the frigate’s 18th and final commanding officer, for whom the bell has equally-treasured memories; his son Bertie was christened using it in 2014.

“The ship’s affiliates provided enduring support and patronage throughout the ship’s life and it was fitting that we were gathered together to mark her 30-plus years of service.

“The ship’s vell will go on display at Inveraray castle – a visible reminder of the Ship’s proud heritage that will be seen by the tens of thousands of visitors to the castle each year.”

Sixteen of the ship’s former Commanding Officers will hold a farewell dinner next month at London’s Caledonian Club, joined by the ship’s Sponsor, Wendy, Lady Levene and her husband The Lord Levene, plus a number of past masters of the Worshipful Company of Paviors.