Bell from HMS LIZARD, 1942

Solid brass bell from the ship H.M.S LIZARD, engraved “LIZARD 1942”. Lizard was the commissioned name of a Royal Navy Combined Operations Landing Craft Base established at Shoreham in October 1942, serving as a key training, repair, and support establishment for landing craft and their crews during the Second World War. The base provided seamanship and survival training for Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel, prepared landing craft flotillas for operations including Dieppe and the preparations for the Normandy invasion, and supported logistic and maintenance activities throughout the war. After VJ Day, the establishment was reduced to care and maintenance status and its bell was presented as a memento to the Borough of Hove in October 1945 as a tribute to the service and community relations fostered there. 32 lbs. 13"H x 13"Diameter