Resistencia, City of Sculptures, Argentina

The judges were particularly impressed with the “live add-on” in the form of Mr. Keith Douglas who volunteered to answer any questions. Mr. Douglas is a Falklands War veteran whose ship, HMS Coventry a destroyer, was bombed. She was hit by 3 bombs, one of which did not explode.

He was left floating in the freezing South Atlantic until rescued by shipmates. Within 20 minutes Coventry had been abandoned and had completely capsized. Nineteen of her crew were killed and 30 injured. While waiting to be rescued, the crew sang “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python’s Life of Brian. We are certain that Moe may not have placed so well if it wasn’t for Mr. Douglas.

‘Four Weeks in May by David Hart Dyke (the captain) is the story of the sinking of HMS Coventry.