80th anniversary service for sunk Newbury warship

A special service will be held for a forgotten piece of wartime history next month.

Newbury joined in the nationwide 'Warship Weeks' in 1942 to bolster the Royal Navy's arsenal, adopting HMS Tigris, a T-class submarine.

But Axis forces sunk the ship a year later – killing all 63 crew onboard. A ceremony will be held for the 80th anniversary of the sinking on Sunday, March 5.

HMS Tigris launched in October 1939 and served in the North Sea and the Mediterranean.

In February 1942, Newbury raised an astonishing £431,243 to adopt the ship – surpassing its initial target of £425,000.

The town achieved this feat through hosting concerts and dances at the Corn Exchange.

Local children also curated an exhibition called 'The British Navy through the Ages'.

The HMS Tigris left Malta on patrol on February 18, 1943.

But after the ship failed to report to Algiers on March 10, it was presumed lost by enemy action.

It is commonly believed the German submarine chaser UJ-2210 sunk the ship some six nautical miles off the coast of Capri Island, Italy, on February 27, 1943.

An annual remembrance service for sinking has been held in Newbury on the closest Sunday to February 27 almost every year since.

This year's service will commence from 11am at the Newbury Royal British Legion, with refreshments provided in the Pelican Lounge afterwards.

All are welcome to attend the service.

The service is organised and supported by the Newbury Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association and Submariners Association. The Sea Cadets will lead the honour guard.