HMS Whimbrel

Shipping Lines: Whimbrel campaign taken to PM, by Peter Elson
Jul 6 2009
by Peter Elson, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL?S HMS Whimbrel Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Ship campaigner John Livingston scored a major coup when he spoke to prime minster Gordon Brown at the Armed Forces Day reception at No 10 Downing Street on June 26.

As guest of Riverside MP Louise Ellman, John was introduced to the PM to give him documents about saving this last BoA warship as a permanent memorial in Canning Dock.

John said: ?Mr Brown was very interested in what I had to say and did not pass on my file to his aides, but kept it with him.

?I am confident this meeting will move the project forward to a new level and help to reopen negotiations with the Egyptians who now own the ship.?

Plans to buy HMS Whimbrel for Liverpool stalled when the Egyptian defence minister quadrupled the original ?250,000 asking price.

SEVERAL readers have called asking again about the details for the Royal Marines Scotland Band concert on HMS Illustrious for the 100th anniversary of Royal Navy flying on Saturday October 24. You must write asking for an application form with an SAE to Pamela Brown, 35 Winston Drive, Noctorum, Birkenhead CH43 9RU.

READERS who missed seeing the megaliner Crown Princess during her debut visit to the Mersey last Monday request future arrival dates. She will be back on July 22 (docking at 5am), August 16 & 28. Her departure will be at 7pm

ANY shipping news? Contact Peter Elson on 0151-472 2502; or email peter.elson@liverpool.com

Source: Liverpool Echo

Bringing the Whimbrel Home

We need to raise ?2m to bring back to the UK the last remaining World War II escort.

Liverpool has been chosen as the site for The Battle of the Atlantic memorial as it was the prime UK port for the delivery and despatch of cargoes, and the Headquarters Western Approaches - from where the Battle of the Atlantic was commanded - was in the city. Furthermore, HMS WHIMBREL was herself based in Liverpool during the Battle of the Atlantic.

? To establish a living memorial commemorating all those who served in the Battle of the Atlantic from 1939 to 1945, but especially those who lost their lives.

? To educate, to inspire and to give enjoyment to present and future generations by providing a permanent tangible example of a ship that fought in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Our fundraising campaign is aimed at purchasing the ship, to get her refitted, and then to transport her back to the UK.

See www.hmswhimbrel.org