HMS Zambesi was one of three ships to carry evacuees from the Island of Soroya, in Norway, back to Murmansk, in Russia, where they were separated around a number of freighters for passage to Scotland.

In March 1945, my father (stationed on the destroyer HMS Zealous)left Russia and travelled in convoy with HMS Zest, Zambesi, and the Canadian destroyer Sioux. Their destination was Soroy Island ...

Mr Beaven had served as a stoker on the HMS Zambesi, and joined hundreds of navy personnel in rescuing 525 Norwegians who were in hiding from the Nazis on the Island of Soroy.