HMS London de-ammunitioning and de-fuelling at Sheerness 6th. September 1949.

The "Lovely London" returned to Chatham on 8th September 1949 after her deployment to the British Pacific Fleet, Far East Station. Almost two years to the day of having left she had steamed 48,900 miles, visited many countries, was involved in the Yangtze Incident and left an indelible impression on all those who served on her.

Prologue:

As a small boy in the 50's and early 60's I spent many fascinated hours looking at the 'photo's my father Derek had of his time on HMS London. On London's return to the UK Dad was a Leading Writer in the Captains Office, having started in the Pay Office, and typed many of the reports covering the Yangtze Incident.

About 20 years ago I tried to find out more about the "Lovely London", (who first coined that wonderful phrase), but with little success. I found the naval photographers Wright & Logan but that was about it. In 1994 Dad showed me a letter in the "News of the World" from the HMS London 1947- 49 Association about a planned Commemoration. Dad joined the Association and we attended the 45th Yangtze Incident Anniversary Commemoration at Portsmouth in April of that year.

This year (1999) is the 50th. anniversary of the Yangtze Incident and this site is for the men who served on HMS London and their families.

It is my hope that some of the those who visit this site will have their curiosity stimulated. It is an undeniable fact that for many years we have failed to teach and inform our young people about our recent history. Most have little comprehension of the two World Wars this century or some of the other "minor conflicts" since 1945 or of the suffering and sacrifice involved.

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