A snapshot of life on board a wartime destroyer unearthed on HMS Chiddingfold

A trove of wartime mementoes, detailing life aboard the original Second World War destroyer HMS Chiddingfold, has been rediscovered by the crew of the ship's modern-day namesake, as they prepared for her 40th anniversary in the Gulf.

The collection includes an unfinished letter, a postcard, photos from the 1940s and '50s, and newspaper clippings from the destroyer's later transfer to the Indian Navy.

These artefacts were part of a scrapbook donated to today's HMS Chiddingfold, then forgotten until now.

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Compiled by an unknown crew member of the original Chiddingfold, the scrapbook is a detailed account of the ship's wartime activities, later expanded with clippings and memorabilia that trace her post-war journey and transfer to the newly-independent Indian Navy and her eventual decommissioning in the late 1970s.

When today's HMS Chiddingfold joined the fleet in the 1980s, some of the scrapbook was donated to the minehunter.

Navigator Lieutenant Max Renouf described the items as a poignant reminder – particularly during the period of Remembrance – of past sacrifices and deeds, and the ties which today's sailors have with their wartime forebears.

"As the person served during the war it makes it even more special as there is no telling the horrors and tribulations he went through whilst on board.

"While people and technologies may change, the values and standards that have driven excellence have not changed."

These items will be handed over to the Royal Navy's official historians at the Naval Historical Branch in Portsmouth for preservation.

There are no detailed notes or explanations to accompany the scrapbook, just a few spidery captions.

The crew of the 'cheery Chid', as the minehunter is affectionately known, are eager to learn more about its origins and the stories behind the items, and are hoping someone with information could get in touch. 

On her 40th anniversary, HMS Chiddingfold's crew held a Remembrance service for sailors of both ships, and commemorative coins were presented by the minehunter's first commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander David Sandiford.

Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, the ship's 43rd Commanding Officer, praised her history and legacy: "As the 43rd Commanding Officer of HMS Chiddingfold, it gives me great pleasure to lead this remarkable ship into her fifth decade.

"This milestone is a testament... to the dedication of more than 1,000 officers and sailors who have served in her."

Currently, HMS Chiddingfold is one of four Royal Navy warships deployed from Bahrain, supporting maritime security across the Middle East. When in UK waters, she operates from Portsmouth.