The design of the stamp which depicts the warship HMS WARSPITE is taken from a photograph by a crewmember aboard HMS HOLMES named McNaughton.
Part of the rail and a signal lamp of the HMS HOLMES is depicted in the foreground of the stamp, with in the background HMS WARSPITE bombarding coastal enemy positions, during D-Day.
She was built as a destroyer escort by Bethlehem Hingham, Hingham MA, USA for the USS Navy as DE-572, on 27 October 1943.
18 December 1943 launched as one of the Buckley class.
Displacement 1.347 standard, 1.725 full load. Dim. 306 x 36.9 x 13.6Ft. (draught)
Powered by General Electric turbines, 12.000 shp., speed 24 knots.
Bunker capacity 350 tons, range by 15 knots, 5.500 mile.
Armament 3 – 3inch AA guns, 2 – 40mm AA, 8 – 20mmAA guns, 1 Hedgehog mortar, depth charges.
Complement 186.
31 January 1944 under Lend Lease Base handed over to the U.K. as HMS HOLMES (K-581) one of the captain class as a frigate.
During D-Day she escorted, Bombarding Force D/Assault Convoy S6, which left the Clyde on the 2 June 1944 and arrived at the Normandy beach 6 June.
03 December 1945 handed back to the US Navy.
October 1947 sold for scrapping.
An other stamp of this set, depict the H.M. Landing Craft, Tank vessel SILENT KNIGHT LCT858.
Built by the Sir William Arrol yard at Alloa, for the Royal Navy.
Dim. 187.5 x 38.75 x 4ft. (draught).
Two Davey Paxman motors, speed 10 knots.
She took part in the Normandy landings. (More info on her welcome.)
Great Britain 1994 25p sg 1825, scott 1563 (HOLMES)
Great Britain 1994 25p sg 1826 scott 1564 SILENT KNIGHT)
Sources: The D-Day Ships by John de S. Winser. Watercraft Philately Vol 42/42. British Escort Ships by H.T. Lenton. http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/572.htm