Great painting! I went aboard this Daring Class Destroyer early in 1962 when, whilst on sea trials, she called in at Wilhelmshaven on the north coast of Germany. I was a pupil at the nearby (British Forces) Prince Rupert School. Huge excitement for a 12 year old boy! I lost count of the number of stairways, from one deck to another. I still have the autographs of several crew members. I believe the ship ended her days in Peru in the 1970s?
Great painting, having served on Decoy from 1967 - 1970 prior to sale to Peru. I was pleased to see this painting. Still a member of the Decoy association and off to Torquay in 2 weeks for the annual reunion.
served onboard 57/59 in the med /first cod war lived back aft as a jme2 [the very bottom of the heap]
Added by Luke Short on 27 December 2010.
A very good painting of the Decoy, one I have not seen before. As the 'killick bunting' from 68 - 70 and also secretary of the 'Decoy Association' It is good to see the name kept alive by such paintings. To date (Dec 2010) and to the best of our knowledge, she is still afloat as a Peruvian naval museum under the name of 'FERRE'. Not bad for a ship laid down and launched just after the second world war!
Further to my entry on 4 June 2009 and in response, as a landlubber (and bean counter), to Capt Bruntoin, to be fair the ship was probably assembled hurriedly as a utility vehicle. Just as we had utility furniture in the post-war years. However, we had prodigious (dare I say awesome) numbers of such vessels, which served their purpose. Compare and contrast with the size of the Royal Navy fleet today....... But nice to know that HMS Decoy has been spotted in Australia!
I have this painting as it was commitioned by Mr I Fenwick to be presented to me on my retirement as CO of TS Scylla as I had served on this ship 1967 to 1970 and had served the sea cadet corps 26 years the painting now hangs above the fire place in my living room in Dyce Aberdeen
I served on her for three months as a Leading Steward, just before we sold it to Peru. She'd had a refit and then we took her out for trials. I remember her turning at high speed (with only a short warning!), with no time to stow gear, the wardroom and pantry looked like they had taken a direct hit from a six inch shell! She was a real ship and I wished I had served in her for longer.
Added by Andrew Wright on 30 March 2007.