The Mayor of Derby, Cllr Barbara Jackson, attended a dinner held during the annual four-day reunion for 50 veterans of HMS Kenya at The Legacy Aston Court Hotel in Midland Road.
People in Derby raised around £2 million to adopt the ship, which served during the Second World War and the Korean War, and paid for the hull and other vital machinery.
John Rickwood, the secretary of the HMS Kenya Association, said the ship had fought and won many battles before it was sold to be broken up in 1962 at Faslane in Scotland.
“HMS Kenya was launched in 1939 and she survived many storms on the Northern Seas during successful raids in the Second World War,” he said.
“Operation Pedestal was a grimly fought battle when all the ships were subject to air attacks including parachute mines. Submarines were a constant menace and four torpedoes were launched at HMS Kenya but she escorted five of the 14 ships in the convoy which got through.
“In total throughout the commissions, HMS Kenya covered 193,000 miles before returning home for a re-fit.
“HMS Kenya also served in the Korean War and took part in exercises with the Pakistan and Indian navies and also served in East Africa and Jamaica.
“The good citizens of Derby collected the sum of just under £2 million which paid for the hull and the machinery when they adopted the ship during the Second World War.
“When the HMS Kenya Association was formed, we agreed we would hold our annual meeting in Derby and would help and support a Derby Sea Cadet each year to go on a week’s adventure course.
“When we fold, which will probably happen in the next five years as our members become older, we will leave the money we have remaining to The Sea Cadets in Derby.”
Rita Woodcock, deputy manager at The Legacy Aston Court Hotel, said it was always a pleasure to welcome Mr Rickwood and his members.
“As well as having the meal with the Mayor, the members discussed a wide range of matters including how they could help the ship’s widows if they are struggling to make ends meet,” she said.
“It is a terrific organisation and it was great to see them all again.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
Legacy Hotels and Resorts currently operates and manages The Legacy Falcon Hotel in Stratford-upon-
Legacy Hotels and Resorts has seven associate hotels, The Wild Pheasant, The Bryn Howel and The Chainbridge Hotels in Llangollen, The Abbey Hotel near Chepstow The Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli, and The Normandy Hotel and The Erskine Bridge Hotel in Glasgow, and has an alliance partnership with the Hotel Cortijo Salinas in Southern Spain.
For more information about Legacy Hotels and Resorts log on to www.legacy-hotels.co.uk
Media enquiries;
Dan Donovan
Advent Communications
2 Edison Building
Electric Wharf
Sandy Lane
Coventry CV1 4JA
Tel: 024 7663 3636
http://www.advent-
