MITCH MacPherson has written to Hampshire Heritage asking readers for their help with some information about the ship HMS Bluebell.

He writes: “I recently bought a model ship the HMS Bluebell, which I am hoping some of your readers may be able to provide me with a little more information about the warship.

“I have already researched a little and found she was sunk in Feb 1945 with only one survivor being acting petty officer Albert E H Holmes of Southampton.

“According to information available online HMS Bluebell was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy in the Second World War.

“Ordered from Fleming & Ferguson of Paisley, Scotland on July 27, 1939, she was launched on April 24, 1940 and commissioned in July 1940.

“She served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Arctic campaigns, escorting several convoys to Russia, and also took part in the invasions of Sicily and France.

“She was torpedoed and sunk by U-711 under the command of Hans-Günther Lange in the Kola Inlet on February 17, 1945 while escorting the convoy RA-64 from Murmansk.

“Records also state that Holmes had been standing on the starboard side by the engine room when the corvette was struck.

“He was blown overboard and remembered that he was with the commander in the water, but then lost consciousness in the ice cold water and had to be revived aboard HMS Zest.

“I would be interested in contacting any descendants of this man and wondered if your newspaper could perhaps further my research and help me to see what can be found?

“If any information could be forwarded to my email ohwy45@icloud.com I would be most grateful.”