F. S. Bell Falkland Islands. The captain, eight officers and 79 members of the crew were given the Freedom of the City of Exeter on 29 February 1940, and were welcomed by a crowd of 50,000 cheering residents. The crew marched through the streets with fixed bayonets, carrying HMS "Exeter's" shell-torn White Ensign through the streets. Bell also commanded in 1945. He retired from the Navy owing to ill health on 8 January 1948. In the 1956 film "The Battle of the River Plate", Bell was played by John Gregson. During the film, Bell's nickname of 'Hookie', because of his distinctive nose, is
HMS Royal George (1756) today, for the North Wing of Burghley House. Timber salvaged from the "Royal George" was also used to make the coffin for the famous menagerie owner George Wombwell who died in 1850. Several of the salvaged bronze cannon were melted down to form the base of Nelson's column in London's Trafalgar Square. A 24-pounder from the ship is part of the Royal Armouries collection and is on display at Southsea Castle. a. "Royal George"s usual complement was 867. HMS Royal George (1756) HMS "Royal George" was a 100-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Woolwich