The Wellington Trust recently welcomed aboard HMS WELLINGTON a very special visitor - Dr Peter Toone, son of former Commanding Officer Lt Louis Toone, and his wife Sarah.  Lt Toone was Commanding Officer of HMS WELLINGTON from 24 October 1942 to 4 March 1943.  It was by sheer coincidence Dr and Mrs Toone visited on the 82nd anniversary of his father taking command of HMS WELLINGTON.

Dr Toone's visit was hosted by trustee Jenny Mosely, who is researching the Wellington Story as part of our revitalisation project.  Next year, the Wellington Trust plans to open the ship to the general public and make it more accessible for all to learn about HMS WELLINGTON and the Battle of the Atlantic. Dr Toone's visit provided some fascinating insight into Lt Toone's period as Commanding Officer.

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War,  Louis served in the Merchant Navy, becoming a Master mariner in 1938, and presented the Trust with a copy of his Masters certificate.  After joining the Royal Navy, Lt Cdr Toone originally joined HMS WELLINGTON as Navigating Officer in 1941. Promotion to First Lieutenant came next, with this directly leading to him to take command when the previous Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Seagrave, contracted malaria following a visit to Freetown.

Peter reconnected with HMS WELLINGTON earlier this year after reading about the risk she is exposed to due to the financial challenges faced by the Wellington Trust.  For him, the historical importance of WELLINGTON matters, but obviously, the personal connection is significant.  His father held his wedding reception onboard in 1943, and was again back onboard in 1978 for his retirement party.

Dr Toone describes what it has meant to be onboard HMS WELLINGTON over 80 years since his father had command:

"The highlight of the visit was standing on the bridge that my father stood on.  It gave me an insight that I didn't have before, and an understanding of what it was like to be in the middle of the Atlantic on a small ship,  particularly in rough weather.

Dr Toone also read from his fathers notes, describing a hurricane HMS WELLINGTON weathered mid-Atlantic:

"It was a pretty significant storm and to be caught mid-Atlantic would have been hair-raising.  Someone said they thought control of the ship wasn't in control during the hurricane,  but in reality he said it was in control, and that at times the screws came out of the sea up in the air, but they were still in control."

Reflecting on securing the future of HMS WELLINGTON, Peter added:

"It secures our family history, it secures of the history fo the second world war and it's just a lovely ship to see moored on the Embankment on the Thames, and long may she remain here."

We look forward to hearing more about Lt Toone's time onboard as part of the Wellington Story, and of course welcoming back Dr and Mrs Toone again in the future.