Maurice Pink, Royal Marines Bandsman, 13th May 1922 - 27th October 2019 He cheated death twice during the war, when his ships were sunk in enemy attacks Maurice Pink, of the Royal Marines Band Picture: Pink family archive Teenager Maurice Pink should never have survived. He was in the communication room of HMS Repulse - three decks down and hatches bolted shut - when the battlecruiser was sunk. No-one held out much hope for the unfortunates on his deck, and most did perish. B

Sinking of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales Royal Marines on HMS Repulse (http://www.nicholasbest.co.uk/tag/royal-marines/) Force Z comprised the battleships HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales. The only two capital ships in the region had left the port of Singapore to steam up the coast of the Malaysian peninsula to confront Japanese forces invading from Thailand. The Naval force lacked an Aircraft carrier, HMS Indomitable had been due to join them but had been damaged. D