MP calls for warship to be called HMS Shropshire
It may be a landlocked country, but one Shropshire MP is calling for the service of the county's naval history to be recognised in the naming of a new ship.
Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin, has called for a ship to be named HMS Shropshire.
A previous ship of that name was built in the 1920s and served for the Royal Navy until 1942 until it was transferred to the Australian Navy where it served for a further seven years.
During its history, the ship was present during the Spanish Civil War and helped with the evacuation of refugees from Barcelona.
The cruiser earned Royal Navy battle honours Atlantic 1941 and Arctic 1941 for its wartime service which saw it service primarily in the South Atlantic.
The ship was the only one to be given the name HMS Shropshire and with a number of new ships being built, Mr Pritchard has begun a campaign to see the name brought back into use.
He raised the issue in the House of Commons.
He said: "May we have a debate on when the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence will once again name a Royal Navy ship after the beautiful county of Shropshire?"
In response, leader of the house, Chris Grayling said: "My honourable friend makes his point in his customary way. He is a great champion for his county. I am sure that the Secretary of State for Defence will have noted what he said."
Speaking after the debate, Mr Pritchard said he felt it was right for the name to be brought back into use to honour the people of Shropshire who have served in the Royal Navy.
He said: "As future Royal Navy ships are built, I hope the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence will strongly consider Shropshire's naval heritage and links; this despite the county being completely landlocked. I will continue to make the case for another HMS Shropshire."
