While escorting a coastal convoy on January 9, 1942 HMS Vimiera L-29 ran afoul of a mine laid by a German S-boat or R-boat, and sank in the Thames estuary. The Great War era destroyer had been built in 1917 by Swan Hunter had been converted into a fast escort in early 1940. Vimiera was deployed on several combat missions in the North Sea off France and Belgium, but due to damage by German aircraft Vimiera missed the epic evacuation of the BEF at Dunkirk.

The loss of the ship must have come quickly, I have not been able to locate an exact account of what happened, but ninety-six crewmen lost their lives, only fourteen, including the commanding officer, Lt. Cdr. Angus A. McKenzie, survived. Thirty-seven years earlier McKenzie had been given life by his mother, on that cold night his life was spared, a birthday gift from above... perhaps.

There were a number of honours awarded for bravery during the rescue, McKenzie was Mentioned in Despatches, Petty Officer George W. Chapman was awarded the D.S.M. and Sub-Lt. David D. O'Sullivan the O.B.E. The British Empire Medal (B.E.M.) was awarded to five men, Petty Officer James H. T. Errington, Petty Officer (act.) Edmund J. Archer, Able Seaman Stanley A. Adams, Able Seaman Victor R. Benningfield, D.S.M., and Able Seaman Robert W. Briggs.