Local MP John McDonnell’s Adjournment Debate about HM Submarine Affray

Local MP John McDonnell yesterday (Wednesday 14th November) discussed HM submarine Affray in an adjournment debate with Mr Bob Ainsworth MP, Minister for the Armed Forces.

The story of the tragedy of Her Majesty’s submarine Affray begins on 16 April 1951, when she made her way into the English channel with 75 officers and ratings on board, dived, and never again resurfaced. To this day questions remain about why the Affray was lost. Not knowing what happens still lies heavily on the surviving families of her crew, who bear to this day, 56 years later, the sadness and sense of loss suffered when their loved ones failed to return home.

One of those families was that of Able Seaman George - known as Ginger - Leakey, who lived in the Hayes constituency. He joined the Royal Navy in 1945 and a year later volunteered to serve on submarines. It is a tragic irony that he was never meant to sail on the Affray that day. He was on official shore leave visiting his wife Eileen who was expecting their second child. However, he received an urgent telegram summoning him back to his boat as another member of the crew had been judged unfit to serve. The daughter Able Seaman Leakey would never see is my constituent, Mrs Georgina Gander, who was at Parliament on Wednesday to witness the Affray adjournment debate.

MP John McDonnell is in support of an investigation using modern technology and diving equipment to finally solve the mystery of why the Affray was lost.

submitted by John on 15 Nov 2007 at 15:35