HMS India – War, Loss and Memory

Speaker: Rebecca Clarke
INDIA BW PC

In October 1915, the armed merchant cruiser HMS India was sunk off the Norwegian coast after an encounter with a German U-boat. The loss of the ship and her crew is a powerful but often overlooked story of the First World War at sea.

In this talk, Rebecca Clarke explores:

• The role of armed merchant cruisers in the early war

• The events leading to the sinking of HMS India

• The human stories behind the loss

• How memory, commemoration, and historical research have brought this story back into focus

Drawing on detailed research and a strong interest in remembrance, this talk brings together operational history with personal stories of those involved.

About the Speaker

Rebecca Clarke is an experienced historian and speaker with a particular interest in remembrance, naval history, and the stories of individuals affected by war. Her talks combine detailed research with accessible storytelling.

🎟️ Visitors welcome- you don't have to be a WFA member to attend.

🍺 Bar available

Event organiser: Southend on Sea branch
15 June 2026 20:00 to 15 June 2026 22:00
Royal Naval Association (Southend) , 73-79 East St, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6LQ
Branch contacts
Alistair Hollington
(Branch Chairman)
Email Alistair Hollington

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