A very short commission

[Frank Schofield]

H.M.S/M Vandal was built in Barrow in Furness in 1942. She was commissioned on 20th February 1943. four days later 24th February she failed to surface after d1ving trials. Despite a search she was not found. All 37 personnel on board were lost. In 1994 her wreak was found and damage to her stern was reported. Her position was near where a spotter plane  reported an oil slick in the original search. The full story is on Wikipedia.
The attached letter written in 1941 from Egypt, from Able Seaman Harold Shepherd, C/JX 187092 who was on board when she was lost.

Frank Schofield

[Michael Dobbs]

Thanks Frank, a very poignant reminder of the fatalities of war and of what we can learn in collecting the postal history of the time.
It also shows what good research can bring forth.

Mike