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Shipmates remember lost destroyer
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Royal Navy warships took part in a ceremony to honour the crew of a destroyer which was finally found, 68 years after sinking in the Second World War.
The location of HMS Hunter had remained a mystery until a minehunter found her at the bottom of a Norwegian fjord -during a training operation earlier this week.
She was discovered lying 1,000ft under the scene of the Battle of Narvik, when she was attacked by a German destroyer, sinking on April 10, 1940.
Survivors, now in their late 80s, were disappointed not to be able to attend the ceremony, but spoke of their relief that the resting place of their fellow crew members was finally known.
A procession of ships led by Flag Ship HMS Albion, and including HMS Bulwark and HMS Cornwall held a formal wreath-laying and memorial service, conducting synchronised ceremonies on deck.
They then turned in formation and steamed over the wreck. The 110 crew who perished when HMS Hunter was sunk were toasted in the traditional Navy way, with a tot of rum poured over the side.
Two of the youngest members of the ship's company on HMS Albion, Engineering Technician Joe George and Able Seaman Warfare Specialist Yasmin Thornton, both 17, dropped the wreath over the side on behalf of the ship's company.
Former Able Seaman John Hague, 87, from Manchester, leapt into the icy seas along with many of his colleagues and trod water in blizzard conditions until a German ship arrived and picked up survivors.
"I'm so sorry not to be able to go to the wreath-laying but I will be spending a quiet time at home with my family and thoughts."
And Seaman Fred Ward, 88, said: "I have mixed emotions about the events from over 68 years ago and the loss of so many of my fine friends. "I now have a great sense of relief knowing the final resting place of my comrades and our ship."
