Page 14 - CAMPAIGN Spring 2021

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CAMPAIGN Spring 2021
Reader’s Story by Andi Jones, Montebello Rep. H.M.S Diana D126 Daring Class Destroyer
Launched 8th of May 1952, displacement 2,830 tons, full load, 3,820 tons. Built by Yarrow and Co. Ltd, Clydebank, 390ft long, 43ft wide, draught 13ft. Commissioned 29th March 1954, Ship’s company = 308 for 1956 Commission 3. Was originally going to be named HMS Druid, changed to HMS Diana, during build. Capable of 30 plus knots, with 6 x 4.5” completely radar controlled gun. Certo Dirigo Ictu [I aim with a sure Blow].
Commission 3 go sailing!!!
The journey starts at Devonport on the 29th of March 1956. HMS Diana left and headed towards Gibraltar. From thereafter picking up supplies, they headed to Malta. They then headed towards the Red Sea and on to Aden. They were only there for a few hours before departing for Colombo; strangely they were only there for six hours and then left and headed for Singapore. En route to Singapore they only stopped for one day,
which was Sunday 29th of April 1956, to pay tribute to King Neptune as they crossed the line.
This is taken from the Moonshine magazine, but I could not find an author to name. King Neptune came on board just after dark on the 28th of April last, in order to confirm the horrible
rumour that here was a ship bearing large numbers of uninitiated into his realm. His challenge was commanding; that left none in doubt the challenge came from King Neptune (see page 13, right).
That was the initial opening of the crossing the line ceremony. From there, HMS Diana sailed on to
Singapore, and arrived at Montebello on May the 3rd. There were problems at Montebello, so they sailed to Fremantle on the 6th of May and arrived on the 8th, spending four days there. They sailed back to Montebello on the 12th of May in readiness for the G1 bomb test, Operation Mosaic on May the 16th.
After the bomb test, they headed back to Singapore, where they stayed for a few weeks, awaiting the 2nd test. They then sailed from port, back to Montebello islands on the 3rd of June, stopping off at