War Memorial - Lochranza, North Ayrshire, Scotland


HMS/M Vandal sank 1½ miles north west from here on 24^th February 1943. She and her crew lie there still.


The memorial before and after the unveiling.

War Grave Lt. J. S. Bridger RN Commanding Officer
AB J. W. Allison AB K. Allerton ERA W. C. Andrews AB W. R. Aries SIG W. W. P. Berry AB A. Bettany AB J. W. Coffee PO G. V. Cowlam TEL R. G. Coulhard L/STO T. Dodson RFR L/STO T. G. Dowde L/SEA R. S. Earles	Lt. M. S. Ebel GM RNVR L/TEL J. Firth L/SEA A. F. Fox STO L. G. Frappell S/Lt. J. H. Hickley RNVR O/SEA J. W. Higgs CPO/TEL A. C. Hinds DSM AB J. Hutchison POTEL L. D. Jacobs STO T. Jakins SPO C. E. Jones O/SEA C. J. Menzies	AB E. F. Miller ERA S. Moss TEL G. Oxley PO J. H. Phillips Lt. J. B. Portman O/SEA F. Revington AB H. Shepherd ERA H. W. J. Shepherd STO W. H. Stanton O/SEA R. R. Stapleton AB W. Williams STO D. J. Wood
"We will remember them" Erected by the Submarine Old Comrades Association


Presented to the guardians of Lochranza by the Submarine Old Comrades Association 1997

The "Navy News" reported in June 1997:

Tribute paid to lost submariners
Memorial cairn unveiled
A memorial to the submariners who died while testing a new vessel during the war has been unveiled on the Isle of Arran.
The ceremony was attended by Larry Gaines, the oinly survivor from the HMS Vandal - he was placed sick ashore just before the submarine sailed.
Vandal and her crew of 36 were lost while exercising in the Firth of Clyde while on initial sea trials after being built by Vickers in Barrow.
After Vandal had sailed on February 24 1943, a smoke candle - a sign of distress - was seen in the area of Lochranza Bay, but despite a thorough search no sign was found of the missing submarine.
Her final resting place remained a mystery until 1994 when a Navy minehunter, HMS Hurworth, found her in 90 metres of water lying at an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical on her port side.
And now, 54 years on, her final resting place is marked by a two-ton memorial cairn, donated by Coop monumental masons in Glasgow, and placed at Lochranza overlooking the spot where she sank.
Mr. Gaines, now 74, attended the unveiling and dedication of the memorial by Flag Officer Submarines, Rear Admiral James Perowne.
A ferry carrying the official party stopped above the wreck, now a war grave, to allow a wreath to be laid. HM Submarine Triumph was in attendance.
"It's an eerie feeling being the sole survivor," said Mr. Gaines, who lives in Perth.
"I became great friends with three or four other lads who joined the sub at Barrow to sail for Dunoon to commence trials."
Lockers
"But at the last moment I had a pain in my ears and I was sent to sick bay with an ear infection. My hammock and kit bag must still be in one of the lockers."
The memorial was the idea of Dave Barlow, secretary of the Scottish branch of the Submarine Old Comrades Association, who said: "We are at least able to honour their hitherto unmarked contribution to the war effort. We have never forgotten them - and now there will be a focal point overlooking the site at which the public can pause for a moment and, if they wish, reflect on the tragedy."
Although the 740-ton boat has been found, there are still no clues as to why she sunk.

This page is dedicated to the 10 million victims of World War I and 60 million victims of World War II.
We should always remember the immense grief and loss each war brought to the world.