HMS York was the lead ship of her class of two heavy cruisers (HMS Exeter) built for the RN by Palmers Shipbuilders of Jarrow, commissioned in 1930.

Between 1931 and 1934 she served as the flagship of the 8th Cruiser Squadron on the North America and West Indies Station based at Bermuda. After a short refit, York was detached to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1935 - 1936 for the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, before returning to the American Station, where’s she stayed until 1939.

The ship moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in August of 1939, for convoy escort duties and by October York was assigned to “Force F” at Halifax, which was active in hunting for commerce raiders and protecting convoys.

After thorough refit in 1940, she was assigned to the 1st Cruiser Squadron of Home Fleet, where she intercepted the German blockade runner “Arucas” in the Denmark Strait near Iceland.

In early April 1940, York, and the rest of her squadron, were assigned to carry troops under Plan R 4, the British plan to invade Norway. The troops were disembarked on 8 April when the British learned of the imminent German invasion of Norway, she was also one of the ships used to evacuate British and French troops from Namsos.

By August 1940, York was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet, joining the 3rd Cruiser Squadron in Alexandria after escorting a convoy around the Cape of Good Hope.

Whilst there she participated in Operations MB.5 & MB8, Operation Judgment, Excess and Lustre, where she protected troop convoys from Egypt to Greece.

Sadly in March 1941, York was targeted by two Italian explosive motorboats of the Italian Regia Marina and was put out of action. The ship was run aground to prevent her from sinking, and the submarine HMS Rover was used to supply electrical power to operate the cruiser's guns for anti-aircraft defence, until Rover was severely damaged by air attack and had to be towed away for repairs. In May, further damage was inflicted by German bombers and the ship was damaged beyond repair. Her main guns were wrecked by demolition charges when the Allies began to evacuate Crete. York's wreck was salvaged in February 1952 by an Italian shipbreaker and towed to Bari to be broken up.

This exceedingly rare original ships solid bronze boat badge is in fine fettle and came direct from a serving member of the ship, along with his “HMS York” smoking paraphernalia. Its well presented on solid mahogany, bolted on to the rear and retains the original paintwork (8” x 7”)

£495

Local delivery, UK & international shipping available with collections welcome

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