Devonport Launch of HMS Cleopatra

Mrs Peter Walker proudly names this ship at its launch from Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth.

HMS Cleopatra with pennant F28 was a Leander class anti submarine frigate built at HM Dockyard Devonport in Plymouth and launched on 25 March 1964 by Mrs Peter Walker (later to become Lady Walker) with the Lord Mayor of Plymouth H M Pattinson and Rear Admiral R S Hawkins. On the insignia is Invicta ut olim meaning unconquered as ever.

The new ship had been fitted with long-range air warning radar, the Seacat anti-aircraft guided missile system, improved anti submarine protection equipment and a lightweight helicopter armed with homing torpedoes. In 1975 the ship was fitted with Exocet missiles and in 1982 underwent a further refit before being decommissioned in 1992. HMS Cleopatra was affectionately known as Cleo and the ship that never dies.