On September 7th 2017 a Historic Flag was returned to the British Navy during a ceremony at the Pencader Heritage Museum in Newark, Delaware U.S.A.

Commander Richard McHugh RN presenting the history of HMS Sheffield D80 to the Museum audience prior to the acceptance Ceremony....

Former Newark Police Chief Bill Brierley returned to the British people a flag that had been left in his possession four decades ago. A Union Flag that had once flown over HMS Sheffield D80, a British Type 42 destroyer that sank during the Falklands War.

A message from Linda R. Duffy, Curator and the Flag restorer, Pencader Museum, Newark, Delaware:

"I was not sure of the flags rarity, or it's importance as an artifact, but felt in any case it needed attention before being handed over. It was in a rough state after many years of use and storage. I did my best to restore it under less than favourable conditions. Due to it's large size a household bathtub was used to soak and wash it in sodium lauryl sulfate. It was dried outdoors on a cloudy day using a large nylon screen. Several nail holes were repaired using loose threats which had shedded from the seams. I have sent the extra threads along with the flag in the event they were ever needed. I hope the flag finds a good home. It was a privilege to be part of it's restoration, however primitive it was."

On Sunday 6th May 2018 the Union Flag was handed over to Sheffield Cathedral for safe keeping, it's repatriation took place during the annual Memorial Service for Officers and Crew who lost their lives in the South Atlantic on May 4th 1982.

In May next year during the 2019 D80 Memorial service the the Union Flag will be dedicated and sited in Sheffield Cathedral's St Georges Chapel, alongside the Battle Ensign and Union Flag that had flown over the World War Two cruiser HMS Sheffield C24.

All costs for the siting have to be borne by the HMS Sheffield Association, so during the next 12 months monies need to be raised to ensure all costs associated with the design, construction and the installation of a Jack Staff and bracket, along with any necessary adaptations to lighting are met. Sheffield Cathedral have consulted their Cathedral Architect who has estimated that these costs could be somewhere in the region of £5000. (£2500 to manufacture the bracket, £1000 for the staff and £500 for professional fees +VAT).

Your donation will ensure that this Flag is part of a historic Naval legacy that will continue for 200 years or more.

Thank You

Tanzy Lee

HMS Sheffield Association.