Object of the Month - The Repulse Bell
The Repulse Bell, from the Polaris Submarine, HMS Repulse (the 13th vessel to bear that name). She was decommissioned in 1996 with the introduction of the Trident Submarine Fleet. Due to the historical links with the 12th HMS Repulse, a battle cruiser, it was deemed fitting that the bell bearing her name should be housed in the Museum.
In December 1941, the 12th HMS Repulse, sailed to intercept a Japanese troop convoy, but was detected, along with the Battleship HMS Prince of Wales, by Japanese torpedo planes. She was hit with the loss of 794 lives.
Her Royal Marine detachments, together with those from the Prince of Wales, joined the remnants of the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in defence of Singapore Island in February 1942. These combined units became known as the “Plymouth Argylls”, consisting of four rifle companies – A and D Companies made up of Argylls, B and C were Royal Marines, backed up by a mortar platoon, a signals section, 6 armoured cars and carriers.