This month’s image depicts HMS Naiad alongside HMS Belfast in 1980. This photograph was taken and donated by Alain Skelding and is one of a set of four he took almost 44-years ago.

Image of the Month | September 2024

Features and Noticeboard

               Dedicated to the crew of HMS Naiad 1942..   

Welcome aboard HMS Naiad

Thanks for visiting us

We invite you to find out more about the four Naiads that have been commissioned for the British Royal Navy since 1797. The ships have had interesting histories ranging from the Battle of Trafalgar, the WWII Malta Convoys and on to the Icelandic Cod War in the 1970's and Gulf Patrol during the Iran/Iraq war.

The memory of the ships and those who served aboard is being kept alive with the formation of the HMS Naiad Association in 2011.  The association is open-to-all and we welcome all contact and information that will help us honour the ships, men, family, friends and loved-ones of those who served aboard throughout the years.  We particularly welcome anyone with experiences of the latest ships that served in World War II and the most recent Leander class frigate.

Enjoy your visit and feel free to  contact us..
                                                                

Our Charity

In memory of our former shipmate John D’Albert who served aboard HMS Naiad in the 1980’s, the association has adopted The Royal British Legion’s Galanos House & Poppy Lodge as our primary charity.  

Our 2021 charity ride to Cardiff raised over £1,200 for the RBL and, during that year’s Reunion Gala Dinner, we more than matched that amount for donation directly to Galanos House. Our chairman visited Galanos House in November 2021 alongside John D’Albert’s sister Marie to present a cheque to the wonderful people who care for the residents there.

Popular Links & Media

Cod War Leanders

ITN reporting on Royal Naval movements and conflict between the Icelandic shipping fleet and their supporting gunboats; and British trawlermen.

Frigate

Official 1973 Govt film documentary following HMS Sirius during Anti Aircraft and Submarine warfare exercises; and a port visit to Madiera.

 
Warship

A popular BBC TV drama series produced between 1973 and 1977.  The series dealt with life on board a the fictional HMS Hero. It was mainly filmed aboard HMS Phoebe.

Annual Reunion

This year's reunion will be held on the weekend of Friday 27th September. We are recommending attendees stay at the Travelodge.

• Friday 16:00hrs: Meet at The Royal Standard (Ruby's)
• Saturday 12:00hrs  AGM in The Ship Anson.  
• Saturday 19:30hrs Evening meal (location tbc)
  
  

If you are attending, please book the the Travelodge independently and email us at reunion@hmsnaiad.co.uk

The address of the Travelodge is Stanhope Road, Portsmouth, PO1 1FB.  Tel. 08719 846567.

Contact the association for more details of future reunions.

E-mail: reunion@hmsnaiad.co.uk

Facebook: @HMSNaiadAssociation

Visit the reunion page to view all the details

Get In Touch

If you’d like to contact us, we are on some of the most popular social media platforms and hope to expand our presence in the coming months.  Please feel free to get in touch with us either by Facebook or Linkedin.

Alternatively, write to us by e-mail at:
getintouch@hmsnaiad.co.uk

Service Records?

The Association is often asked about service records of former crew members, but it’s important to note that it is a voluntary group and, as such, doesn't hold any official crew lists for any of the Naiad commissions. The National Museum of the Royal Navy holds a limited number of service records but most records are held by the UK’s Ministry of Defence or the National Archives. If you are looking for official information or records on former crew members it’s best to check the following resources:

National Museum of the Royal Navy:

https://www.nmrn.org.uk/research/finding-service-records

The National Archives (UK)

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Ministry of Defence (UK)

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

HMS Naiad WWII Cruiser

Monday 11th March marks the anniversary of the sinking of the World War II cruiser. HMS Naiad had a short 3-year commission, eventually sunk in March 1942 whilst steaming across the Mediterranean bound for Alexandria.  Under constant attack, she was hit by a single torpedo from U-Boat 565 just north of Egypt.

To read more and see images of her in action, plus a photograph of the survivors visit  c93 dido class cruiser..              

Ship’s Flight

During exercises in the Irish Sea in February 1967, HMS Naiad lost it's Wasp after the helicopter's engine shut-down whilst conducting a practice MATCH run (Medium ASDIC Torpedo Carrying Helicopter). Pilot, Tony Mathias was executing a run at a height of 400 ft when the engine shut down and he lost 100 ft before realising what had happened. He commented "if it had been a large bang I would have known immediately something was amiss".

You can read more about that day here.

© HMS Naiad Association