In April 1944, HMS SUNFISH, together with several U Class submarines, was transferred to the Soviet Union and renamed V-1 (written ‘B-1’ in Cyrillic script). V-1 left Rosyth with a Russian crew and one British submariner embarked as liaison to assist the Russians.

Unfortunately, aircraft of Coastal Command bombed V-1, which sank. It was claimed that V-1 was out of her designated safe area and dived instead of firing recognition signals, causing her to be misidentified.

This explanation was never accepted by the Soviets who put the sinking down to pro-Fascist elements in Britain. Others blamed the RAF Liberator for sinking V-1 when it was, itself, in error navigationally.

It was during this incident that Petty Officer Telegraphist Sidney Ravensdale lost his life. Petty Officer Ravensdale is commemorated at the Plymouth Naval Memorial (Column 3 Panel 88) and at the Submariners’ Memorial in Dundee.