WW1 Real photograph of HMS Verdun (this is larger than a postcard)

Circa 12cm by 16.5cm this is a larger image than the standard postcard (one is shown against it for comparison in the photo section). Great image of full-steam ahead.

V-Class destroyer ordered from Hawthorn Leslie, Newcastle in the 9th Order, 1916-17 Programme and laid down on 13th January 1917. The ship was launched on 21st August 1917 and was the first RN ship to carry the name which commemorates the heroic defence of Verdun in 1916. Her build was completed on 3rd November 1917. After service with the Fleet during WW1 this ship had the honour of being used to bring the body of the Unknown Soldier from Calais to Dover in 1920 prior to burial in Westminster Abbey as part of the Armistice Remembrance ceremonies that year. Later she went into Reserve at Rosyth as part of the 9th Destroyer Flotilla until 1939 when selected for conversion into an Anti-Aircraft Escort (WAIR). The conversion by HM Dockyard, Chatham began in September that year. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 this ship was adopted by the civil community of Hoylake, in the County of Cheshire.



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Code: 55869