Current Information:

HMS Conquest was a light cruiser and part of the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Harwich Force which patrolled the North Sea, guarding the English Channel and the Straits of Dover. On 25th April, 1916, in an incident known as the Lowestoft Raid, German ships crossed the North Sea and bombarded the coastal towns of Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The 5th Light Cruiser Squadron was the only Royal Naval force close enough to offer any opposition to the German ships but they were outgunned and could do little to prevent the bombardment. During the course of the short action a 12 inch shell hit HMS Conquest which destroyed her aerials and killed 25 members of her crew. One of those killed was Percy Packham.