VC by Nazi captain who sunk his ship

one German gunner at his post and puncturing two fresh water tanks. After ramming the Hipper, the Glowworm was able to pull clear and, under heavy fire, launch a final salvo against the enemy vessel. By this point the Glowworm was starting to sink – her bow wrecked, a major fire amidships and all steam pressure lost.

Roope gave the order to abandon ship and was last seen standing on the vessel’s keel talking to Petty Officer Townsend about them not playing cricket together any more before opening the ship’s sea cocks to speed up her sinking. The KM Hipper’s Captain Helmuth Heye stopped his vessel to rescue survivors from the Glowworm. Roope was not among them but Petty Officer Townsley and one of the Harris twins were and they spent the rest of the war in a prisoner camp.

Glowworm saw the silhouette of the 10,000 ton warship, the KM Hipper – a heavy cruiser with eight 8” guns and twelve 4” guns, vastly outmatching the Glowworm.

Roope ordered his crew to make smoke so an enemy sighting signal could be sent and fired two torpedoes at the Hipper.

HMS Glowworm was struck several times by 8” and 4” projectiles and Roope gave the order: ‘Stand by to ram’.

Using the smoke as cover, the Glowworm made a final charge, all guns firing and sirens wailing. The Hipper was struck amidships, tearing away 100ft of armour plating on the starboard side, killing

After the war, Townsley became a postmaster on Portland. Through the Red Cross, Captain Heye sent a letter to the Royal Naval Admiralty recommending Roope for a Victoria Cross, stating that he saw him as a very brave man.

In July 1945, a posthumous VC was issued to Lt Cdr Roope’s widow.

Ten new changing places to be installed at public loos

Ten new ‘changing places’ for people who need extra support and equipment when using public toilets will be installed throughout Dorset. The county council secured a total of £654,250 to provide the facilities, with £454,250 of that cash coming from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The new changing places will be installed at the West Bay All Inclusive Play Area and at Bridport bus station and visiting coach park, in partnership with Bridport Town Council, and at West Bay Holiday Park, in partnership with Park Dean resorts. The new facilities will also be installed at Castle View at Corfe Castle, in partnership with the National Trust, and at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park at Organford, as well as at North Beach Car Park in Swanage, in partnership with Swanage Town Council, and at Knoll Beach Car Park in Studland, in partnership with the National Trust.