A White Ensign that was getting ragged with age has been ‘retired’ and a new one has taken its place.

The standard was thought to have been the ensign on destroyer HMS Aldenham which, in December 1944, struck a mine while at sea and sank with the loss of five officers and 116 ratings.

For many years the ensign has flown at Aldenham Church where there is also a Book of Remembrance in which is written the names of those who were killed in action and a stained glass window picturing the ship and its badge.

But age has meant that the ensign was getting ragged and as there was no information about why it was in the church and its provenance, the HMS Aldenham Association agreed to replace it with a new ensign and have a parchment placed near it with an explanation of its significance and provenance.

The old one has now be placed under the Book of Remembrance in its cabinet which have been moved to a new position under the HMS Aldenham window.

This year’s HMS Aldenham service saw the dedication of the new ensign. Archdeacon Jonathan Smith performed the dedication and among the guests were members of the St Albans Sea Cadet Corps under their leader Steve Heard.

As in previous years, there was a two minute silence, preceded by Last Post and followed by Reveille, both played by John Parker,