Dominic Tweddle appointed to Wellington Trust Board of Trustees

Former Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy joins the Board of Trustees of the Wellington Trust 

The Wellington Trust is pleased to announce that Professor Dominic Tweddle FSA FSA Scot has been appointed as a Trustee to the Board of The Wellington Trust. The Trust owns and maintains the former HMS Wellington, based on the River Thames at Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, London.

Professor Tweddle has recently retired as Founder and Director General at the National Museum of the Royal Navy (the NMRN) which is based in Portsmouth’s historic Dockyard and was created by bringing together a number of smaller Naval museums. 

During his tenure, Professor Tweddle led his team in rescuing or further restoring several warships and and other vessels for the nation including Admiral Lord Nelson’s Flagship HMS Victory, the first ironclad warship HMS Warrior (1860) in Portsmouth, the First World War light cruiser HMS Caroline in Belfast, and HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool. Professor Tweddle was also involved in saving and restoring the D-Day landing craft tank LCT 7074, which was awarded National Historic Ships UK's prestigious Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award in 2021. 

The former HMS Wellington is a heritage vessel of national and international historical significance. Built in Devonport as a 1200 ton Grimsby Class Sloop in 1934, she is the last surviving convoy escort vessel in Britain from the Battle of the Atlantic (1939-45) and has been a well-known icon on the Thames since her arrival there in December 1948. 

The Wellington Trust was established in 2005 with both a conservational and educational role for the former HMS Wellington.  Professor Tweddle has joined the Board at a critical moment in the ship’s life.  Commenting on his appointment, he said:

“Very few historic warships now survive outside national collections and of them, Wellington is by far the most important.  She is the last survivor of a very elegant ship type and is magnificently located in the Nation's capital.  It is vital that Wellington survives for future generations to enjoy and learn from.  I am, therefore, thrilled to be joining Wellington's Board of Trustees and look forward to playing my part in ensuring her future.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Wellington Trust, Alastair Chapman said:

“ In these days of massive financial and HR challenge for so many charities, it is imperative to preserve this ship for today’s and tomorrow’s generations, not least as a living memorial to those who perished in or survived, a crucial period in our nation’s maritime story... I welcome greatly the benefit and strength of Dominic’s extensive heritage ship conservation experience, and wisdom he will bring to the Board of Trustees, as we strive to meet this challenge.”

HMS Wellington is one of two surviving WWII British Royal Navy warships permanently moored on the Thames, and the last remaining Grimsby Class Sloop. She is credited with escorting 103 Atlantic convoys during WWII.  In 2004, HMS Wellington was granted World Ship Trust status and was listed on the National Historic Ships Register No. 502.  In 2005, the Wellington Trust was created and is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1109066.

2024 marks the 90th anniversary of HMS Wellington and she will fully reopen to the public shortly following an extended period of essential maintenance works.  A number of events are planned to celebrate this significant anniversary. These will be announced over the coming weeks.  More information can be found by visiting the website www.thewellingtontrust.org or follow The Wellington Trust on Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin.

Source: Wellington Trust press release

Photo: Dominic Tweddle (left) and Alastair Chapman (right), supplied by Wellington Trust.