Famous James Bond destroyer HMS Dragon becomes affiliated with the city of Wrexham

Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has officially been affiliated with the Welsh city of Wrexham.

Recognisable for her roaring Welsh dragons, emblazoned across her bows, the ship played a starring role in the 2021 James Bond film No Time To Die, during which she was seen firing missiles that destroyed a target, apparently killing 007 in the process. 

Wrexham, which was awarded city status to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, takes on the baton of HMS Dragon's affiliation from Cardiff, which is to adopt a new ship in the future.

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The city's link with the destroyer comes more than eight decades since it last affiliated with Royal Navy vessels.

During the Second World War, ships were linked to Wrexham thanks to the Warship Week campaigns, which involved cities, towns and villages adopting military ships by raising cash for the vessels. 

It saw HMS Veteran – sunk in 1942 by a German torpedo – affiliated with Wrexham, while HMS Begonia and HMS Anemone were sponsored by local villages from the surrounding area.

The announcement of the affiliation followed a campaign by local MP and Army veteran Sarah Atherton, who said she had been lobbying the Ministry of Defence to secure the formal connection for more than a year.

Speaking to Forces News, Ms Atherton said: "Drawing on military connections, I'm thrilled that Wrexham now boasts its very own Royal Navy battleship, HMS Dragon.

"Wrexham, with its proud military heritage and a large veterans community, including myself, will undoubtedly welcome this announcement. It's an exciting time for all who serve on board."

Officials from Wrexham celebrated the new affiliation with a ceremony alongside HMS Dragon at Portsmouth Naval Base.

They included Wrexham council’s Armed Forces Champion, councillor Beverly Parry-Jones, who said it was a "huge honour for the city".

She added: "We're so proud to support the men and women who serve our country. They do an incredible job of keeping us safe."

HMS Dragon is currently undergoing a refit which includes upgrades to the destroyer's engines, sensors and weapon systems. The Royal Navy said the uplifts would "bolster her already world-leading capabilities".

The ship's Commanding Officer said the crew of HMS Dragon was "immensely proud to abide by the fine traditions of our Welsh heritage".

Commander Iain Giffin added: "We are honoured that Wrexham has agreed to affiliate with HMS Dragon and are excited to establish a strong and enduring partnership with the city and its people.

"Welcome aboard, Wrexham."

Following HMS Dragon's refit, she is scheduled to undertake trials off the south coast, and it is hoped the ship's company will be able to visit Wrexham in the coming months.