Widow's delight as war ship comes home

Ethel Taylor's husband, Jack, served on HMS Whimbrel for more than two-and-a-half years during the war.

It protected merchant ships, which were carrying vital food and raw materials from North America to Britain, from German U-boats.

HMS Whimbrel is the last surviving ship to have served in the Battle of the Atlantic Ocean during the war.

After the war, it was sold to the Egyptian Navy. But now they have no further use for it, the ship will be brought home to be berthed outside Liverpool's Liver Building as a memorial to those who lost their lives at sea.

It is hoped the ship will be fully restored and ready for visitors by the summer of next year.

Sadly Jack, who was born in Bulwell, died in 1977, at the age of 56. But his wife Ethel (87), who lives on Lime Tree Road, Hucknall, believes he would have loved to have seen his old ship again.

"I think it's wonderful it's being brought back as a memorial," explained Ethel. "It's a shame my husband can't see it. It will be nice for my great grandson to see and I'm hoping to visit it when it arrives in Liverpool."

By 1943, nearly 4,500 merchant ships had been sunk by U-boats as the Germans attempted to cut off Britain's only supply line.

HMS Whimbrel was one of several vessels from the British, American and Canadian Navies that were sent out into the Atlantic to battle against the U-boats.

In 1944, it also helped with the Normandy landings and was transferred to the Pacific for the final months of the war against Japan in 1945.

It was sold to the Egyptians, who later decided to dispose of it, and it has been kept in dry dock in Alexandria, Egypt ever since.

When a handful of Navy veterans saw the ship was for sale, they formed a charity, The HMS Whimbrel Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Project, to investigate whether it could be returned to Britain.

Once negotiations and essential repairs are completed, the vessel will be carried back to Britain by floating barge.

The cost of the whole project will be about 4 million. But it has attracted some high-profile supporters, including the Duke Of Westminster, who has made a significant six-figure donation.

Former Naval chief, Vice-Admiral Mike Gretton, whose father commanded an escort group in the Battle of the Atlantic Ocean, said: "It might not have been the most glamorous of campaigns but it was vital to Britain's survival.

"If we'd lost the Battle of the Atlantic, the war would have been over. That's why it's so important that the sacrifices of all those who took part are finally recognised. In HMS Whimbrel, they will have a fitting memorial."

It is believed another Hucknall man, Alex Brown, who lived on Carlingford Road, also served on the Whimbrel.