Skip to content
Back to search results

Captain BERNARD ARMITAGE WARBURTON-LEE

Regiment & Unit/Ship

Royal Navy

H.M.S. Hardy.

Date of Death

Died 10 April 1940

Age 44 years old

Buried or commemorated at

BALLANGEN NEW CEMETERY

British Plot IV. B. 9.

Norway

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross, Mentioned in Despatches
  • Additional Info Norwegian War Cross. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Warburton-Lee, husband of Elizabeth Warburton-Lee, of Cringletie, Peeblesshire.
  • Personal Inscription FOR THEIR WORK CONTINUETH GREATER THAN THEIR KNOWING
  • Additional Citation note

    The citation in the London Gazette for 7th June, 1940, gives the following information: For gallantry, enterprise and daring in command of the force engaged in the First Battle of Narvik, on 10th April, 1940. On being ordered to carry out an attack on Narvik, Captain Warburton-Lee learned that the enemy was holding the place in much greater force than had been thought. He signalled to the Admiralty that six German destroyers and one submarine were there, that the channel might be mined, and that he intended to attack at dawn. The Admiralty replied that he alone could judge whether to attack, and that whatever decision he made would have full support. Captain Warburton-Lee led his flotilla of five destroyers up the fjord in heavy snow-storms, arriving off Narvik just after daybreak. He took the enemy completely by surprise and made three successful attacks on warships and merchantmen in the harbour. As the flotilla withdrew, five enemy destroyers of superior gunpower were encountered and engaged. The Captain was mortally wounded by a shell which hit the bridge of H.M.S. Hardy. His last signal was "Continue to engage the enemy".

FOR EVERMORE: STORIES OF THE FALLEN
FOR EVERMORE: STORIES OF THE FALLEN

Introducing For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen - the exciting new way to read and share stories of the Commonwealth's war dead. Got a story to share? Upload it and preserve their memory for generations to come.

Share and read stories
Download certificate

Buried or commemorated at