The Otago Military History Group, the Royal New Zealand Navy, Naval Reserve HMNZS Toroa, the Otago Officers’ Club and Volunteer Reserve Association are joining forces to plan a reunion to be held from December 8-10, and are calling for families and descendants of the men to sign up.
Otago Military History Group member Peter Trevathan said the HMS Neptune sinking, early on December 19, 1941, had a major impact on many families across the country, particularly in Auckland and Otago.
The planned reunion in December would be a chance for families and historians to gather, look back at the extraordinary events surrounding New Zealand’s worst naval disaster, and share memorabilia, Mr Trevathan said.
"We are planning a Friday night get-together at HMNZS Toroa, and we are hoping that families will be able to bring along photos and other memorabilia.
"We also have copies of original recordings of some of the sailors before they deployed, which were done in Alexandria in Egypt shortly before they embarked on the ship.
"It will be fascinating to listen to those."
Royal New Zealand Navy Chief Petty Officer Tina Scadden said the reunion weekend would also include a formal dinner at the Mosgiel RSA and a Sunday church service at HMNZS Toroa, led by the Rev David Crooke.
Plans were also in place for a wreath-laying ceremony at the HMS Neptune memorial, located at Dunedin’s Steamer Basin, which would include music from the Dunedin RSA Choir and Mosgiel Brass Band, as well as Last Post and reveille.
"We are keen to put the word out to descendants and families across New Zealand, in the hopes that we can bring together a large gathering of people to commemorate the HMS Neptune sinking," CPO Scadden said.
New Zealand's worst naval disaster
The loss of Royal Navy cruiser HMS Neptune early on December 19, 1941 — after it struck enemy mines off the coast of Libya and sank — remains New Zealand’s worst naval tragedy.
The World War 2 disaster resulted in the deaths of 764 men, including 150 New Zealanders. Among them were 30 sailors from Otago.
In early 1941, New Zealand provided crew for the light cruiser HMS Neptune, which was to serve alongside the New Zealand-crewed HMS Achilles and HMS Leander.
On the night of December 18, the ships moved to intercept an Italian supply convoy, and sailed into an uncharted deep-water minefield.
HMS Neptune triggered a mine and then, reversing to get clear, exploded two more.
Rescue attempts failed and just after 4am on December 19, HMS Neptune struck a fourth mine and sank within minutes.
Only 16 men from its complement of 765 sailors managed to reach a life raft. Over the next five days, they died one after the other, leaving Able Seaman Normal Walton as the sole survivor.
The names of the 30 Otago men lost in the sinking are recorded on a memorial plinth at Dunedin’s Steamer Basin.
- MEN FROM OTAGO LOST IN THE NEPTUNE SINKING — DECEMBER 19, 1941:
Ashton L.R.
Baskett R.G.
Biggs H.W.
Campbell A.V.
Colins T.
Cormack C.A.
Dennison G.S.
Denton L.R.
Dyer R.F.
Gillan R.C.
Hook R.D.
Kennedy I.A.
Knewstubb J.W.
Leckie J.C.
McCabe G.
MacDonald R.A.
MacIntosh I.W.
McLeod A.J.
McPherson B.E.
Morley R.
Mosley T.J.P.
Peat R.
Perry R.J.
Petherick J.D.
Scott J.G.
Simpson A.G.
Sturgeon A.V.
Thomson B.M.
Toomey A.K.M.
Walkinshaw L.R.
- People who are interested in attending the HMS Neptune reunion in December are invited to contact Peter Trevathan to register. For more details, phone (027)501-8224 or email peterbond58@hotmail.co.nz
