Local veteran highlights Westbury’s historic naval connection

A former Royal Navy serviceman has shed light on the town’s historic connection to HMS Aphis – a Royal Navy gunboat that served in both world wars.  

Barry Manley, a member of the Trowbridge and District White Ensign Association, came across the story while researching a ship’s crest on display in Sutton Veny church. 

“A friend of mine who lived in Sutton Veny one day asked me if I knew anything about a ship’s crest in the church,” said Barry. “After taking a look, I was still none the wiser so I started to look into it. To cut a long story short, it turned out to be the crest of HMS Aphis — a gunboat that had been adopted during Warship Week in February 1942 by the communities of Warminster and Westbury.” 

Warship Week was a nationwide fundraising campaign during the Second World War where communities were encouraged to raise funds to support the Royal Navy. In recognition, towns were symbolically ‘twinned’ with warships. HMS Aphis’s motto was ‘hostibus hostis’ — Latin for ‘a foe to our foes.’ 

“The ship itself had a very active life and gained many battle honours through both world wars, but eventually was sold for scrap in Singapore in 1947,” said Barry. 

The crest of HMS Aphis was later presented to Warminster Town Council and is now on public display at the Warminster Civic Centre. 

Barry, who served in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy until 1982, said he hopes local people take pride in the town’s historic naval connection.  

Barry joined the Trowbridge and District White Ensign Association in 2004 after being introduced to the group by a fellow ex-Navy friend. “I never looked back,” he added. 

The association was founded in 1936 to offer camaraderie and support to former sailors, marines, and their families. It also welcomes those who served in the Merchant Marine, as there is no separate association locally.  

Alongside a social programme, the group has a strong fundraising tradition, donating over £1,000 each year to naval charities and providing welfare support to ex-Naval personnel in West Wiltshire. It also supports local Sea Cadet units, with many committee members of TS Achilles also belonging to the White Ensign Association. 

Members meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 8pm at Lovemead House Conservative Club in Trowbridge. 

For more details, email: geoffsam@outlook.com