The Harold Thorpe Page
Harold Thorpe In The Early years (1940) and Still A Proud Seaman At The Age of 82 (2001)
My Grandfather, Harold Thorpe, from Langley Mill served aboard the HMS Duke of York on the first commission from 1940, when the great ship first launched, up until 1944. During his time on board he witnessed many historic events such the transportation of the Prime Minister Winston Churchill from Britain to America. He also took part in the sinking of the Scharnhorst, a decisive victory in the campaign at sea, in December 1943. Now he is still a proud sailor and also a proud Derby county supporter and still to this day partakes in the national poppy appeal collecting funds for the veterans across the country. He is married to Jean Thorpe and is a father of two and grandfather to three, me being his proud grandson.