LIST OF CAPTAINS
15 Oct. 1945 Capt. W.G. Agnew C.B, C.V.O.,D.S.O.
29 Mar. 1947 Capt. F.R.Parham D.S.O.
28 July 1949 Capt. G.V.Gladstone
18 Aug. 1950 Capt. D.H.Hall-Thompson
21 Dec. 1951 Capt. J.S.S. Litchfield O.B.E.
18 Jan. 1953 Capt. R.A. Ewing D.S.C.
12 May 1954 Capt. Sir St. J. Tyrwhitt
RESERVE FLEET
1 Jan. 1955 Cdr. H.G.Barnard
9 Jan. 1956 Cdr. J.N Garnett D.S.C.
1 Dec. 1956 Capt. A.G.Poe (S.O. Reserve Fleet)
3 July 1958 Capt. N.W.Fisher (S.O.Reserve Fleet)
The ninth Vanguard was a product of World War II, the order to build her having been given to John Brown & Co. of Clydebank on 14th March 1941.
Her keel was laid on 2nd October the same year, on the slip next to that on which the liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were built a few years earlier. She was originally designed for a light displacement of 40,000 tons, on an overall length of 820 feet and a beam of 108 feet, but the many lessons of the war which were incorporated in her design, and the fitting of additional equipment that became necessary with wartime weapon development, resulted in a considerable increase in this tonnage. It was a small coincidence that this Vanguard was as broad as the first, was long.
Her armament consisted of eight 15-inch, sixteen 5.25 inch and many close range anti-aircraft guns, with the most modern fire-control and radar systems.
1944
The ship was launched by Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth on 30th November 1944.
Strenuous efforts were made to complete her fitting out in time for her to take part in the final assault on Japan, but the unexpectedly sudden surrender of the Eastern enemy deprived her of this experience. Some compensation accrued, however, as the final few months of her fitting out was less rushed and some relaxation had been possible in the austerity of war-time finish.
She commissioned for trials on 25th April, 1946 under the command of Captain W. C. Agnew, C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O.*
1947
The first few months of the newly commissioned Vanguard were very quiet until it was announced that the ship would be used to take the Royal Family to South Africa in early 1947. As the Vanguard was to be used as a 'Royal Yacht' the voyage required some considerable alterations to the accommodation for the Royal Family and their retinue. The visit was a complete success and on the return voyage a visit was made to the island of St. Helena and a stop was made just off the coast of Ascension Island. Shortly after arriving back in England in May 1947 a cargo of gold bullion was delivered to The Bank of England.
1948
A further quiet period in Plymouth ensued until the summer of 1948 when it was announced that another Royal Tour would be made from January to July 1949 ; this time to Australia and New Zealand. After spending sometime in the Mediterranean, Vanguard returned home to Plymouth to prepare for the journey and shortly after her arrival received the news that in view of the King's health the proposed tour had been cancelled.
1949
In February 1949 Vanguard joined the Mediterranean Fleet and visited a number of ports including:- Algiers, Toulon, Naples, Malta, Tripoli, Venice, Palermo, Famagusta, Port Said, Beirut and Athens.
1951
A lengthy period followed during which time Vanguard changed between being the Flagship of the Training Squadron and Flagship of the Home Fleet a number of times. In between times Vanguard performed all manner of duties from 'showing the flag' to escorting various Royalty and Heads of State. Finally in 1951 it was announced that Vanguard would be Flagship of the Home Fleet.
At the end of 1954 Vanguard went into Devonport for a refit and on completion at the end of 1955. was placed in reserve instead of returning to the Home Fleet as anticipated. In October 1956 Vanguard became flagship of the Reserve Fleet. During her time in the reserve fleet moored in Fareham Creek, scenes for the film " Sink the Bismarck" , were filmed on board. Also during this time there was controversy over her future. It came on 9th October, 1959 when it was announced that the Vanguard would be scrapped the following year. Vanguard was sold for scrap for £560,000.
1960
When the day came, 4 August, 1960, for her to be towed from Portsmouth to the breakersyard at Faslane, Scotland the whole of Southsea sea front was packed with people to see her leave port. However, she did not go quietly. As she was being towed towards the harbour entrance ,she slewed across the harbour to the Still & West public house and went aground. She was eventually pulled off by tugs and finally and made her exit from Portsmouth. Five days later she arrived at Faslane and by the spring of 1962 Vanguard ceased to exist.
