Category Archives: Cruiser –

The NZ Division, Royal Navy – HMS Achilles Light Cruiser 1933 – 41 HMS/HMNZS Achilles (70) was a Leander-class light cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Second World War, the second of five in the class.

Originally constructed by the Royal Navy, she was loaned to New Zealand in 1936 before formally joining the new Royal New Zealand Navy in 1941. She became famous for her part in the Battle of the River Plate, alongside HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter and notable for being the first Royal Navy cruiser to haveContinue reading “The NZ Division, Royal Navy – HMS Achilles Light Cruiser 1933 – 41 HMS/HMNZS Achilles (70) was a Leander-class light cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Second World War, the second of five in the class.”

HMNZS Black Prince (81)

HMS Black Prince was a Dido-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, of the Bellona subgroup. The cruiser was commissioned in 1943, and served during World War II on the Arctic convoys, during the Normandy landings, and as part of the British Pacific Fleet. In 1946, the cruiser was loaned to the Royal New Zealand Navy, becoming HMNZS Black Prince. The cruiser was docked for modernisation in 1947, but in April,Continue reading “HMNZS Black Prince (81)”

Gisborne WWII hero Ken Gordon reflects on service, honoured by King Charles

By Wynsley Wrigley Central government, local government and health reporter·Gisborne Herald· 24 Apr, 2025 05:00 PM6 mins to read SaveShare Gisborne’s last surviving World War II veteran, sailor Ken Gordon, third from left, is pictured as a seaman boy during the war. Royal New Zealand Navy veteran Ken Gordon has received a letter from King CharlesContinue reading “Gisborne WWII hero Ken Gordon reflects on service, honoured by King Charles”

Cruiser – HMS Neptune – Special mention.

Loss of HMS Neptune HMS Neptune was a Leander-class light cruiser which served with the Royal Navy during World War II. Early in 1941 the New Zealand Government responded to an Admiralty request for sailors to man an additional cruiser. Neptune was selected and was expected to leave the United Kingdom for New Zealand in May. However, because of the loss of cruisers during the Crete campaign Neptune was instead attached to AdmiralContinue reading “Cruiser – HMS Neptune – Special mention.”