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HMS Warwick Commemoration Service

On Tuesday, 20 February, Warwick School’s Buglers were called back out into the local community. On this occasion, The Royal Naval Association hosted a service to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the sinking of HMS Warwick, held at the memorial inside the grounds of Warwick Castle.

This was a dignified and poignant commemoration in recognition of a significant Anniversary and the loss of 66 of her crew. Chris (Year 12), accompanied by Mr Tibbitts (Head of Brass), was invited to perform the Last Post and Reveille to remember these fallen war heroes and was such a fantastic ambassador to Warwick School and the Music Department. The service was attended by The Mayor of Warwick, Councillors, and other civic dignitaries, along with Royal Naval Association branch members, the National and Area Chairman’s, and members from The Family & Friends Association of HMS Warwick.

HMS Warwick (D25 - Admiralty W-Class Large Destroyer) was commissioned at Devonport on 24th September 1938 and was later adopted by Warwick Town in February 1942. Unfortunately, the ship was hit on the stern by a torpedo fired by the German Submarine U-413, southwest of Trevose Head on the North Cornish coast and sank within minutes, after the engine room bulkhead collapsed. 66 men perished and the last of the survivors "crossed the bar" earlier this year (2024).

 

You can read more about this event on the Warwickshire World website - credit Kirstie Smith: https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/people/in-pictures-warwick-community-gathers-to-commemorate-80th-anniversary-of-the-sinking-of-hms-warwick-4527869