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1/ So we're at that stage of Thompson's "The Battle for Singapore" where Force Z meets its fate off the Malayan coast.
Amongst the tragedy is the remarkable tale of William 'Bill' Tennant, who captained Repulse on that day.
Amongst the tragedy is the remarkable tale of William 'Bill' Tennant, who captained Repulse on that day.
2/ The loss of Repulse wasn't in fact Tennant's first experience of being sunk, having survived HMS Nottingham's loss in 1916.
(Picture of Nottingham's sister ship Lowestoft).
(Picture of Nottingham's sister ship Lowestoft).
3/ Tennant had a successful career in the interwar period, culminating in his command of the cruiser Arethusa.
He shot to fame at Dunkirk, where he was appointed senior naval officer ashore. Kenneth Barranagh's character in Nolan's 'Dunkirk' is inspired, in part, by Tennant.
He shot to fame at Dunkirk, where he was appointed senior naval officer ashore. Kenneth Barranagh's character in Nolan's 'Dunkirk' is inspired, in part, by Tennant.
4/ After Dunkirk, Tennant was posted to Repulse where he proved a popular and well respected captain. Tennant fought Repulse magnificently during the Malaya debacle, even attempting to come to Prince of Wales' aid during the aerial assault.
(Photo of Repulse in happier times)
(Photo of Repulse in happier times)
5/ (As an aside Repulse is, for my money, one of the handsomest ships to have ever been commissioned by the Royal Navy).
6/ Tennant survived the loss of Repulse and continued to serve throughout the war. Having served at Dunkirk, he also served on D-Day and was responsible for, amongst many other tasks, the Mulberry Harbours and Pluto pipeline.
7/ A brave and remarkable officer, he deserves to be better remembered in Britain today.
Sorry meant to tag in the SWPA gang (my bad!) @ErnestMalley, @DWB55, @madeofstone71, @DanJBray & @olly2518
