In 1947 HMS VANGUARD, the last British battleship took the King & His family to South Africa. TOP SECRET MOD files, only declassified in late 2025 reveal a very different story about how the ship came close to open mutiny - with MI5, the Admiralty and the King all involved...

VANGUARD was launched by HRH Princess Elizabeth in 1944, and commissioned too late for WW2. In 1947 she was converted for service as a Royal Yacht to take the King to South Africa for the first visit by the Monarch. This was a high profile visit amid austerity of post war UK. The photo was taken in Jan 47, just before she sailed.

The ship arrived in Cape Town in Feb 1947 under the command of Rear Admiral Agnew (her first CO, holding local rank of Captain). Over 1700 crew were embarked for the tour. The Royal Party disembarked to conduct their tour, with the ship then conducting a local programme off the South African coast. (image ©National Museum of the Royal Navy.)

VANGUARD had an unhappy early life. The crew had many 'hostilities only' ratings awaiting demobilisation, and other new barely trained conscripts onboard. Sailors complained about the cramped living conditions, poor quality food and sense of 'us and them' divide between the Officers and Ratings. The cafeteria messing system, new to the ship, was seen as a source of considerable angst by many of the Ratings. Some sailors had written to the left wing journalist Hannen Swaffer, who had written about the poor conditions onboard. His articles were used by some of the crew to stir up discontent over the state of crew accommodation and the poor feeding arrangements.

On 22 March the CINC South Atlantic Station (Vice Adm Moody) embarked for 2 nights. The CO briefed Moody that he had received anonymous letters from sailors complaining about the ship, their programme and messing conditions onboard. In particular the stay in Saldhana Bay for 14 days without leave upset many crew.

The CO reported 46 sailors asked to see him to complain about the poor messing facilities. Morale was also low due to lack of shore leave and the poor facilities on offer in Simonstown. The ship was in an increasingly poor state, and needed proper leave.

The original intention was to put into Port Elizabeth, but CINC was concerned that this was reduced to 10hrs stay due to "discontent among the ships company". The CINC saw this would have a huge impact on bilateral relations, but felt he couldn't interfere.

Onboard VANGUARD the CO was formally advised by his Commander and Chaplain that discontent over lack of leave was significant and "they could not guarantee the discontent would not take open form" (e.g. mutiny) if leave was not granted. This was a remarkable warning - the CO was being told by his most senior team that if he didn't change let his crew go ashore, they could not guarantee that discipline would hold aboard the ship - which was due to shortly embark the King, Queen and the Princesses for passage back to the UK. This is utterly unprecedented in Royal Navy history

Thankfully, the CO heeded the warning and amended his plans accordingly. Leave was granted and the mood lifted slightly. The CINC signalled the CO on 06 Apr, asking if discontent had lifted and if he felt confident the ship could continue her programme. On both counts the CO answered 'yes'. Despite this, the CINC signalled 1SL to warn him and ask for advice on what to do next.

In London there was concern. How close was the Flagship to open mutiny? The decision was taken to inform the Prime Minister and dispatch a senior MI5 Officer to carry out a full investigation in Cape Town to determine if there was any signs of subversion.

The MI5 officer sent was 'Major' HF Boddington. A former infantry officer in WW1, turned MI5 officer, in 1945 he 'liberated' Hitlers clock from the Reich chancery and gave it to Worcester museum. His story featured in a 2019 episode of the 'Antiques Roadshow' https://worcesternews.co.uk/news/17652708.worcestershire-regiment-soldiers-story-featured-antiques-roadshow/…

The CINC was also authorised to personally brief Sir Alan 'Tommy' Lacelles (the Kings Private Secretary) on the situation in VANGAURD as it was noted "I feel it is possible the subject matter might reach him and others from other sources that I feel are undesirable".

Boddington joined the ship in Cape Town and carried out a full investigation. He briefed the CINC and it was agreed that he would fly back to London, not stay on passage with the ship on her return (with the King embarked), and provided a full verbal debrief to 1SL on his return.

Boddingtons report highlighted multiple concerns. The poor quality of the accommodation, the angry crew and a difficult run ashore in Gibraltar lent a sense that many of the Ships Company should not have been embarked for the voyage. Messing arrangements were notably poor, with concerns raised that sailors were missing meals and that they needed a complete rebuild to make sense.

The decision to nearly cancel leave in Port Elizabeth went down badly. The news that the ship would not on return have long leave in Portsmouth (her base port), before going to Devonport made many crew who would be denied seeing their family for first time in months very angry. It was seen as a real risk that if this occurred, they would join with the angry junior ratings and the ship would not sail (e.g. mutiny onboard).

The report noted concerns with the very poor relations between the Officers and Ratings. Many were angry at the wardroom luxury compared to mess deck misery. Honours were contentious, with the proposed awards for the deployment not recognising junior rates or 'old hands'.

Overall the Officers 'had little contact or knowledge of their men' and 'discipline and moral' were not good. This was not a happy ship and urgent leadership at all levels was needed to resolve the crisis before she sailed for home.

The Navy responded quickly. The King was made aware of the situation and personally authorised 3 days extra leave to allow the crew time in Portsmouth. The honours list was resubmitted later to allow time to properly recognise efforts.

The First Sea Lord directly briefed the Prime Minister on the situation, setting out his concerns and the actions taken to date. It was clear VANGUARD needed major updates to her fixtures to be used again in any role.

On the return to Portsmouth on 14 May Boddington was present to observe the mood. He noted a sense of unease, but "I am quite satisfied from my own observation and from many conversations with ratings, families, girl friends, etc., that the Ship’s Company of H.M.S. VANGUARD are not in any way disloyal to the Royal Family and that if anything their affections turn more to Their Majesties and the two Princesses than perhaps the Captain and Officers of their Ship."

The Kings decision to address the Ships Company in person to award 3 days extra leave went down well. "His talk was well received and comments were passed that he stood up and faced the men, whereas the Captain... had broadcast on 2 occasions a lot of flannel".

The investigation continued, but it was unclear if the ringleaders were found. Of note was the defacement of the Ships Bade, with the Motto "we lead" having 'a dogs life' added to them!

1SL recommended that the best result for VANGUARD would be a clean start. She was to be paid off to repair major fire damage to her weapons, and "a new crew provided for her". The King was briefed on slippages to the Honours list and approved a delay to its issue.

Thus ended the near mutiny on the VANGUARD. The ship was paid off into refit and never again served as a Royal Yacht. The file on the incident remained TOP SECRET until mid 2025.

This thread on the 1947 near mutiny on HMS VANGUARD, the top secret MI5 investigation and the role of King George 6th in calming events may interest: @Dr. Dan Lomas @Dr Phil Weir @Kate ✨️ @On This Day RN @Cold War Conversations Podcast @Mark Philip Rennie @Mark Urban @Shashank Joshi @Dr Helen Fry | WWII Historian @Dr. Dan Lomas @Rory Cormac @Navy Lookout @Steve Prest ⚔️ 🛠️⚡⚓🍓 @Paul Beaver @ Beaver Westminster @JamesFennell MBE @Scott Bateman MBE @BenH @Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall | The Spy Historian @George Allison @Tom Egan among many others!