A Royal Navy lieutenant and three retired naval officers joined dignitaries at the unveiling of Sandbach's warship memorial today – 81 years after it sank. 

Ninety-three men lost their lives in the sinking of HMS Vimiera, which had been adopted by the people of Sandbach as part of wartime efforts and which the town raised a significant amount of money for.

Mayor, Cllr Kathryn Flavell, Sandbach Town Council caretaker Steve Hyland and Royal Navy Lieutenant, Antonio Valente.

And the family of one of the crew who lost his life, Norman Tudor (22), was there to see the impressive permanent display unveiled in the foyer of Sandbach Town Hall.

Garage owner, David Adderley and his son, William, from Birmingham, were in Sandbach to attend the official launch of HMS Vimiera display unveiled at the poignant ceremony.

David's uncle, Norman, was one of the crew who sadly lost his life when the ship sank in 1942. David travelled from Brimingham, bringing his late uncle's medals and photographs with him.

He said: "My mother always spoke about her brother and we have kept all his information.

"I hope other families will now come and see this as it's a wonderful thing to remember these men by."

David had brought a photograph of the ship and the medals of his late uncle and was even able to identify him on a photograph in the display of Vimiera crew members at Sandbach Town Hall. 

David Adderley, a relative of one of the crew who died, points at his late uncle.

Sandbach mayor, Councillor Kathryn Flavell, said she was delighted to be unveiling the display which lists the names of all the men who lost their lives on that fateful day.

She said: "It's a tribute to all those men who lost their lives and a very proud day for us."

Lieutenant Antonio Valente, the Royal Navy's Assistant Regional Command, Northern England and the Isle of Man, said he was honoured to be at the event.

"It was a tragic loss. These men gave the ultimate sacrifice and I am so proud of them."

Sandbach town councillors agreed to set up a permanent display for HMS Vimiera after a plaque was found at Sandbach Town Hall by caretaker, Steve Hyland.

Sandbach Town Council discovered that during WWII, a fund-raising programme was organised across the UK to raise money for the war-effort.

Part of this programme was 'Warship Week' in which cities, towns and villages throughout the country were given a target, and if successfully achieved, the town would be allocated a naval vessel and its crew for adoption.

Sandbach was given a target of £120,000 and during the period 30th November to 6th December 1941, the town raised a total of £163,880 and was subsequently allocated HMS Vimiera their adopted ship.

The ship was a 'V' class destroyer and spent most of its wartime service on convoy protection duties in the North Sea and English Channel.

The name of all those who sadly died are now included in the display at Sandbach Town Hall

To commemorate the adoption of the ship, the Admiralty presented the town with a plaque displaying a copy of the ship's badge and an inscribed plate at a ceremony in the town in September 1942.

Sadly, on 9th January 1942, just five weeks after its adoption by Sandbach, HMS Vimiera struck a mine in the Thames estuary and sank with the tragic loss of 93 of its crew of 126.

Sandbach Town Hall where the permanent display is now open

But their lives have not been lost in vain for a memorial marking their amazing work now proudly sits in the entrance to the town hall in High Street and it is hoped more families will come and visit it.