大象传媒

This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Storygatherer Robin. D. Bailey on behalf of author Victor 'Donald' Delves. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.

If you have read Part 1 of my story, you will see how HMS Warspite came to our aid by shelling the enemy during the Salerno Invasion in September 1943, where I was serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment. How she was put out of action by German wireless guided bombs and had to be towed back to Malta.

After being demobbed, our paths were to cross again. Me, back in civvy street and she, my friend, having broken her tow on the way to a scrap yard on the Clyde.

On 23rd April 1947, my friend HMS Warspite "The Grand Old Lady" broke her tow and came ashore at Cudden Point, Prussia Cove in Mounts Bay.

I worked on her during her stay there and cut off her front turret which weighed some 700 tons.

Each day I was doing this I kept thinking "I am cutting up my friend who helped me at Salerno Bay". She seemed almost human to me. I can't explain it but it was heartbreaking to destroy this fine Warship.

At the end of July, 1950, she was refloated to go to a breakers yard in South Wales, but shortly sprang a leak in her boiler room and had to be towed to Marazion, quite close to St. Michaels Mount, and beached. She was taken away piece by piece and by the end of August 1956, HMS Warspite was no more.

My friend at Salerno was finally gone and it left me very sad. There was no warship like her.

If there is a heaven for people, there could be for ships. I know the Lord will take her into his midst.

p.s. Storygatherer's Note:

A fine granite stone memorial to HMS Warspite and those who served in her, stands by the slipway to the Mounts Bay Yacht Club's dinghy park, in the shadow of the new Lifeguard Lookout Station at Marazion.

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