HMS HOUGHTON Ship’s Bell

Joanne Driver recently contacted the TCA Website to enquire if we knew of the disposal of the ship’s bell of HMS HOUGHTON.

Joanne was christened aboard the ship on 26 Feb 1967 and her name was engraved inside the bell. She would now like to find a photograph of the bell, possibly one showing the engraving, for her family history. Her father was Radio Operator Ian  Driver.

At that time HOUGHTON was still leader of the 6 Mine Sweeper Squadron, based in Singapore. Might any of her ship’s company at that time remember the occasion and perhaps be able to provide a photo ?

Or does anyone recall what happened to the bell when the ship was paid off for scrapping in 1969, having returned to UK via the Pacific in company with WILKIESTON ?

Please send any information to TCA Webmaster Peter Down at

Visit "Further Information" page to see the new section about the RNXS - the unpaid volunteers who manned unarmed vessels , including some HAM class Inshore Minesweepers, training to take control of ports and anchorages in times of emergency.

We have started to collect photos illustrating their work and would like to receive dits from former members to tell their story more fully.

The Group met in York on 17 Jan and we had the best turn out for a while, with Terry Foreman, Clive Dennison, Trevor Dixon, Phil Fluke, John Rogers, Alan Hewitt, Dave Parrish, Pincher Martin and myself (Buster Brown)..Jim Virgo travelled up from Saltash and we welcomed a new member Graham Brayshaw - a Lancastrian bravely venturing into Yorkshire. Afterwards, our wives joined us for a meal.

Terry, Clive, myself, and possibly Dave, intend to attend the March Committee meeting.

Jim gave a quick update on the last Reunion and thoughts for the next one.

After Phil showed some artifacts for us to ponder on. He informed us on the proposed restoration of a WW 2 anti-submarine patrol boat in Norfolk. He has been asked to advise on caulking. We had a whip round to send a donation. If the project gets off the ground, Alan Hewitt had the idea of a weekend away to visit . This is up for discussion at the next meeting.

Next meeting will be 13.00 Saturday 11th  April in the Premier Inn, York North West. Contact ; 

The family of the late Pancho Brett has kindly donated his cap to the Group and it has now been adorned with the cap tally of HMS YORK.  It joins the White Ensign donated by Phil Fluke to form an impressive Top Table for our meetings [see below]. Phil also brought more curios from his collection, inclding a World War 1 Range Fnder, similar to the much smaller device used on the bridge in our days for station keeping and items of interest to line fishermen.