This week’s article concerns the Royal Navy, in tribute to the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. I think that this story from WWII would also have appealed to the Duke’s celebrated sense of humour.

The Fighting Forty-Two

One Friday in mid-October 1943, a huge crowd, including children from the local schools, gathered outside Amersham railway station to welcome 20 sailors who had been invited to spend the weekend here.

The sailors were from a British submarine which had just been adopted by the town. During Warship Week the previous year, Amersham had pledged savings of over £500,000 to support the war effort.

1941 had been a terrible year for the Royal Navy with several ships lost. The whole nation had been stunned by the tragic loss of life and whilst new recruits rushed to replace the dead sailors, replacement ships were extremely expensive.

A major Government National Savings initiative took place in early 1942 and each area was given a target, based on population, to fund a particular type of warship.

The Commanding Officer was informed when the target had been achieved and his ship successfully adopted. Adoption Associations were founded, and plaques, photographs, and artefacts exchanged. HMS Trusty (N45) was adopted by Aylesbury and HMS United (P44) was adopted by Berkhamsted.

Amersham Rural District Council was notified that the town had been assigned HMS Unbroken, a U-class submarine built by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness. At the time of the notification, the submarine was in Britain, having just returned from serving 18 months in the Mediterranean.

Called the Fighting Forty-Two by the crew, it had the unenviable record of being the most heavily depth-charged British submarine.

This small submarine had protected numerous convoys off Malta and was responsible for sinking more than 50,000 tons of enemy shipping.

Hearing that they were on-shore, the council immediately decided to invite the crew to the town for rest and recreation, and to exchange the commemorative plaques in person. This appears to have been unusual.

At the Aylesbury ceremony that same month, the Admiralty was represented by just one officer, Lieut. Commander Edward Balston, the former commanding officer of HMS Trusty.

A warm welcome

It is easy to imagine the town’s excitement preparing to welcome the brave submariners.

The Amersham Girls’ Training Corps lined the platform to cheer the crew’s arrival. Carrying the Jolly Roger flag, they were led off the train, by their tall, handsome commanding officer, Lieutenant Bruce John Bevis Andrew.

After greeting the huge crowd waiting for them outside, chocolates were handed out to the children and exercise books signed. The visitors were then taken off to meet their hosts at a reception tea at Dr Challoner’s School.

The Jolly Roger
It was explained that the Unbroken’s skull and crossbones flag was proudly displayed on the submarine when it returned to harbour if a ‘kill’ had been made. The bars represented ships sunk or damaged.

The stars represented gunnery action including the successful bombardment of coastal railways in Italy. The daggers represented “special duties” which were covert operations such as putting agents ashore in enemy held territory.

The hosts

Lieut. Andrew and his new wife, Rosemary, stayed at Longwood, South Road, the home of Alfred Woodley the chairman of the council (see Nostalgia March 5, 2021). Although only 24, this was Lieut. Andrew’s third submarine as commanding officer.

He had joined the Navy as a cadet in 1936 and volunteered for the submarines as he suffered horribly from seasickness and found there was far less movement below the waves! By 1943 he had already been awarded the DSC (Distinguished Service Cross) for devotion to duty, and Mentioned in Dispatches.

Four other sailors in the ship’s company also had awards for bravery.

The submariners’ hosts included the Fennimores of Weedon Lane, the Wrights of Old Amersham, the Gibsons, and Dora Bowmaker, and her brother William, of 18 The Ridgeway, Stanley Hill.

In a photograph from the weekend Miss Bowmaker can be seen spoiling Stokers Lancelot and Monkhouse with breakfast in bed!

Entertainment

The following day, amongst other gifts, the sailors were presented with newly knitted socks, a gramophone and records.

They were challenged to a game of bowls by the local team, and after walking round the town, chatting to the children, they had lunch at the Mill Stream Restaurant (now Ambers).

The highlight of the weekend was a dinner dance at the British Restaurant (possibly at Barn Hall from the photographs), to exchange the ceremonial plaques which are an important part of the museum collection today.

The Amersham Girls Training Corps served a dinner of soup, pork chops, two vegetables and beer which was presumably the best that wartime Amersham could offer with rationing!

Able Seaman Jim Mullet piped “Hands to Clean” with a silver whistle presented by Alfred Woodley, and the Home Guard put on a show.

There were various speeches of thanks and Chief ERA (Engine Room Artificer) L Manuel said “it has been one rush of excitement, the kindness that people have showered upon us has left us properly dazed – but grateful. It’s been a grand weekend”. The following morning the ship’s company left to return to their ship with “the cheers of the Amersham people still in their ears”.

We would love to know if anyone remembers this momentous event in the town’s history or whether pen pal relationships were established, or even romances? Please email me at info@amershammuseum.org if you can help.