Navy veteran goes swimming for first time since surviving sinking ship

Roger Roberts, who lives at Foley Grange care home in Kidderminster, joined the army when he was just 16 years old.

He later enrolled in the Royal Navy in 1943, boarding the HMS Charybdis, a Dido-class cruiser launched in 1940.

In October 1943, the HMS Charybdis was hit by German torpedo boats in the English Channel.

Mr Roberts during his time in the navy (Image: Family handout)

Working in the engine room at the time of the strike, Mr Roberts was told to abandon the quickly sinking ship.

"I was lucky. I was a good swimmer," Mr Roberts said.

"We went into the water and had about two hours in the water trying to find planks of wood”.

He eventually found a raft and was rescued by a British ship and taken to Davenport.

More than 400 men were lost and Mr Roberts was one of around a hundred others to survive. He had not been swimming ever since.

When he moved to Foley Grange in January 2022, the care staff were amazed to hear his story.

Mr Roberts, who has one daughter, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, said it was on his bucket list to get back in the water as he had always been a strong swimmer.

Mr Roberts in uniform with fellow care home resident Roger James (Image: Foley Grange)

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The care home got in touch with Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, which invited Mr Roberts to the pool.

Mr Roberts added: "My motto in life is ‘never give up and keep on going’, and that’s what made me want to get back in the water.

"I was also very glad that this time I was in the water, the water was warm."

Foley Grange’s home manager Hannah Atkinson said: "When I watched Roger getting back in the water, it was a very heartfelt moment and brought tears to my eyes.

"Thanks to the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, we’re now able to offer swimming sessions to our residents every Tuesday. Roger is a regular attendee."