Relatives of men who fought in historic battle meet at exhibition

December 18, 2019 - Three women whose relatives were involved in the Battle of the River Plate had a chance meeting at a recent exhibition.

The women - pictured above - were visiting an exhibition at Exeter Guildhall to mark the 80th Anniversary of HMS Exeter's involvement in the Battle of the River Plate in the South Atlantic during the Second World War.

Whilst watching a film as part of the exhibition they got talking. They soon realised that their relatives had been involved in the Battle.

Claire Higginson is the great granddaughter of Charles Cloke, the leading stoker of HMS Exeter. He spent a long period as a Japanese prisoner of war.

Helena Graham (nee Harwood), is the great granddaughter of Commodore Harwood. Her brother, Benjamin Maximilian Henry Harwood Harwood was in recent times awarded Freeman of the City.

Jill Willis, is the great granddaughter of Petty Officer Stocker Leslie Knight, who was wounded in battle and died four years later.

The Battle of the River Plate took place in the South Atlantic on 13 December 1939 and was the first major naval battle of the Second World War.