Frank Arthur Woodward

PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 44, Column 3.

HMS Neptune

HMS Neptune was a Leander-class light cruiser. Built by Portsmouth Dockyard, the vessel was laid down on 24 September 1931, launched on 31 January 1933, and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 12 February 1934. In December 1939, Neptune was patrolling in the South Atlantic in pursuit of German surface raider pocket battleship (heavy cruiser) Admiral Graf Spee before re-deployment to the Mediterranean.

Force K was sent out on 18 December 1941, to intercept a convoy bound for Tripoli, right after the brief fleet engagement at sunset known as Sirte. On the night of 19–20 December, Neptune, leading the line, struck two mines, part of an Italian minefield laid by an Italian cruiser force in June 1941. The first struck the anti-mine screen, causing no damage. The second struck the bow hull. The other cruisers present, Aurora and Penelope, also struck mines.

While reversing out of the minefield, Neptune struck a third mine, which took off her propellers and left her dead in the water. Aurora was unable to render assistance as she was already down to 10 knots (19 km/h) and needed to turn back to Malta. Penelope was also unable to assist.

The destroyers Kandahar and Lively were sent into the minefield to attempt a tow. The former struck a mine and began drifting. Neptune then signalled for Lively to keep clear. (Kandahar was later evacuated and scuttled with a torpedo by the destroyer Jaguar, to prevent her capture.)

Neptune hit a fourth mine and quickly capsized, killing 737 crew members including Petty Officers George Kenworthy from Nottinghamshire and William Lynes from Linby, Coder Ian Hyem, Leading Seaman Jack Aspinall from Nottingham, Stoker 2nd Class Leslie Mee from Arnold, Able Seaman John Priestley fom Barton in Fabis and Lieutenant Frank Woodward from Nottingham.

30 initially survived the sinking but only one was still alive when their carley float was picked up five days later by the Italian torpedo boat Achille Papa. The sole survivor, Norman Walton, spent 15 months in an Italian prisoner of war camp. In 1991, Walton travelled to the small city of Nelson, New Zealand, to unveil a memorial to Neptune. Of the 736 that perished, 150 were New Zealand sailors, including four from Nelson. A memorial service to Neptune and her crew is held each year in Nelson. The ship also carried a large contingent of seconded South African personnel. (Wikipedia)

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