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Last gunship battle veteran dies Last gunship battle veteran dies
(about 1 hour later)
The last remaining survivor of the sinking of WWII battle cruiser HMS Hood in May 1941 has died at the age of 85, his naval association has said.The last remaining survivor of the sinking of WWII battle cruiser HMS Hood in May 1941 has died at the age of 85, his naval association has said.
Ted Briggs, from Hampshire, was one of just three survivors out of more than 1,400 crew after a ferocious gun battle with German battleship The Bismarck.Ted Briggs, from Hampshire, was one of just three survivors out of more than 1,400 crew after a ferocious gun battle with German battleship The Bismarck.
When asked about the sinking he said: "I was not a hero, I just survived."When asked about the sinking he said: "I was not a hero, I just survived."
Mr Briggs once said a sighting of the HMS Hood as a boy had inspired him to join the Navy as a signalman.Mr Briggs once said a sighting of the HMS Hood as a boy had inspired him to join the Navy as a signalman.
The teenager was assigned to the Royal Naval flagship in 1939.The teenager was assigned to the Royal Naval flagship in 1939.
When The Bismark was spotted in the Denmark Strait in May 1941, HMS Hood was sent in pursuit.The Royal Naval flagship was sent in pursuit of The BismarkWhen The Bismark was spotted in the Denmark Strait in May 1941, HMS Hood was sent in pursuit.The Royal Naval flagship was sent in pursuit of The Bismark
During the Battle of Denmark Strait it was bombarded with shells, one of which caused a huge explosion which ripped through the ship sinking it in less than three minutes.During the Battle of Denmark Strait it was bombarded with shells, one of which caused a huge explosion which ripped through the ship sinking it in less than three minutes.
In 2001, she was found 3000m down in the sea between Greenland and Iceland in 2001.In 2001, she was found 3000m down in the sea between Greenland and Iceland in 2001.
Mr Briggs, who was 18 at the time, said the only reason he survived was because he had been caught in an air bubble underwater.Mr Briggs, who was 18 at the time, said the only reason he survived was because he had been caught in an air bubble underwater.
After a short period a leave, Mr Briggs was assigned to another ship to continue his naval career.After a short period a leave, Mr Briggs was assigned to another ship to continue his naval career.
He served for another 30 years before retiring and was later awarded an MBE and became president of the HMS Hood Association. He served for another 30 years before retiring, later becoming president of the HMS Hood Association and an MBE.
Mr Briggs died at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth on Saturday, his friend and the chairman of the HMS Hood Association Peter Heys said.Mr Briggs died at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth on Saturday, his friend and the chairman of the HMS Hood Association Peter Heys said.
Mr Heys described him as a "perfect gentleman".Mr Heys described him as a "perfect gentleman".
He added: "He was a humorous man but he did not like to be reminded of the sinking as he had to pulled out of the freezing water."He added: "He was a humorous man but he did not like to be reminded of the sinking as he had to pulled out of the freezing water."
Midshipman William Dundass, who died in 1965 and able seaman Bob Tilburn who died in 1995, were the other survivors. Mr Briggs is survived by his wife Clare.
Midshipman William Dundass, who died in 1965 and able seaman Bob Tilburn who died in 1995, were the other survivors of the sinking.