In 1941 New Zealanders serving with the Royal Navy were slowly being posted to HMS NEPTUNE, which was to be deployed to the Pacific.  With the North African campaign in full swing NEPTUNE was kept in the Mediterranean and on the night of 19 December, when leading several other ships to intercept a German supply convoy, it ran into a minefield.  After striking four mines the ship sank and the only survivor of the 750 men on board, was not one of the 150 New Zealanders.