SANDBACH TOWN COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

VIMIERA MEMORIAL

Sandbach Town Council’s new caretaker has made a fascinating discovery in the store room of the town hall!

Amongst many other things Steve Hyland, who started recently with the Town Council, has retrieved a plaque, in a state of poor repair, which he then discovered on further research had been presented to the town by the Admiralty in 1942 as a result of the town’s impressive fundraising achievement during ‘Warship Week’

At its meeting on 30 November, Sandbach Town Council were told the history of this amazing plaque.

During the second world war a fund-raising programme was organised across the UK to raise money for the war-effort. Part of this programme was ‘Warship Week’ in which cities, towns and villages throughout the country were given a target, and if successfully achieved the town would be allocated a naval vessel and its crew for adoption. Sandbach was given a target of £120,000 and during the period 30th November to 6th December 1941 the town raised a total of £163,880 and was subsequently allocated H.M.S. Vimiera as our adopted ship. The ship was a ‘V’ Class destroyer and spent most of its wartime service on convoy protection duties in the North Sea and English Channel.

To commemorate the adoption of the ship, the Admiralty presented the town with a plaque displaying a copy of the ship’s badge and an inscribed plate. This was presented by the Admiralty at a ceremony in the town in September 1942.

On 9th January 1942 (just 5 weeks after its adoption by Sandbach) H.M.S. Vimiera struck a mine in the Thames estuary and sank with the tragic loss of 96 of its crew of 126.

The plaque still exists despite having been given little or no prominence since 1942 and has been moved to various storage sites following local government reorganizations in recent years, and had fallen into a poor state of repair. Since 1942 it has moved from Sandbach District Council, Congleton Borough Council, Cheshire East Council, Sandbach Town Council (at the Literary Institute) and has now returned to its original home at Sandbach Town Hall.

The plaque has now been repaired and refurbished to its original 1942 condition.

Sandbach Town Council Mayor said ‘I am looking forward to giving this plaque, which reflects the great efforts of Sandbach Town during the war, its true prominence and am grateful to Steve for his enthusiasm and hard work which has led to this discovery!’

The Council now intends to have the refurbished plaque as well as description of the fascinating story and, subject to the necessary authority, a memorial to all those who died on the ship, with an official unveiling on 9 January, all being well. Further details will follow!

Caption Sandbach Town Council Mayor, and newly appointed caretaker proudly guard the refurbished plaque.