SUPPORTERS of Captain Fryatt from his birthplace of Southampton have backed a campaign for him to be posthumously honoured.

Members of a committee fundraising for a new commemorative plaque in Southampton, where Captain Charles Fryatt was born and attended primary school before moving to Parkeston, have heard about a petition being run by Harwich Town Council and the Harwich and Manningtree Standard.

The campaign is calling for Captain Fryatt, who was executed for attempting to ram a German U-boat in the First World War, to be recognised by the British Government for his courage and bravery.

Despite being given a memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral, in London, attended by the Royal family when his body was returned to England in 1919, there has been no official honour in Britain for his actions, which saw him steer his passenger ship to safety avoiding capture from the enemy on at least three occasions during crossing between Harwich and the Hook of Holland.

Geoff Watts, secretary of the Southampton Captain Fryatt Plaque Project, said: “We, as a committee, fully support the campaign for a national honour for Captain Fryatt.”

Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has also backed the bid.

He said: “I fully support this campaign to have Captain Fryatt recognised for gallantry during the First World War."

To sign the petition visit the Harwich Guidhall in Church Street or town centre shops including Oxley's, Superdrug, Card Corner and Cards 4 U in Dovercourt High Street.