FOR many she will be remembered as providing the greatest of childhood adventures. Others will always be thankful for her.

And for an army of ex-servicemen the 12,615 ton Dunera, which had an association with Southampton lasting 30 years, will figure in their happiest memories.

The Glasgow-built ship had two distinctly different careers, each closely linked with the city. Firstly, for 24 years, Dunera sailed the world’s oceans as a troopship and then, for a shorter time, she broke new ground as Britain’s first permanent schools cruise liner.

With her sister ship, Dilwara, she was designed from the beginning as a troopship, unlike many previous vessels which had been converted passenger carriers. Dunera’s maiden departure was from Southampton in September 1937, when she had a full complement of troops destined for Hong Kong.

During the Second World War, Dunera’s operations were a closely guarded secret but when peace returned it was revealed she had taken part in several major actions including the evacuation of Singapore, where, despite all the dangers, she came through unharmed.

In the following years it was from her decks that thousands of servicemen saw their last sight of England for many years as they set sail for a long overseas posting but the ship also brought many back home for joyful family reunions.

Throughout her official charter Dunera was operated in the highest traditions of the merchant navy but in 1961 she completed her government service and her owners, British India Steam Navigation Company, embarked on a bold experiment and converted her to school cruising.

Altogether Dunera was to make 122 educational cruises carrying more than 90,000 children and teachers. She became so popular that one enthusiastic ex-passenger even changed his name to Dunera by deed poll as a tribute to a great ship. By 1967, with three decades in her wake, the end came and she was taken to Spain to be broken up.