Mettle: A new play to commemorate those who served on the Atlantic convoys

Written and performed by Nicholas Collett

HMS Vanessa is detached from Convoy HX213 to join Convoy SC107. The convoy is attacked by a wolfpack of U-boats – over 4 days they sink 15 ships. It is the heaviest loss of ships from any trans-Atlantic convoy through the winter of 1942-43…

Gordon Collett is 19, from Sheffield – the city of Steel, Determined to join the fight against the advancing forces of fascism, he volunteers for the Royal Navy in February 1940. He serves on HMS Vanessa and in November 1942 they are sent to escort Convoy SC107…

I know this because I am his son – and I’m going to tell you his story.