Diomede was launched in 1919, too late to take part in World War I. She spent the inter-war years on the China Station then served from 1925 to 1935 in New Zealand as a training ship alongside HMS Dunedin to replace HMS Chatham which had been with the New Zealand Division since 1921. Diomede rendered assistance to Napier after the massive 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake.
Diomede’s crew were part of the force of bluejackets sent over immediately from HMS Philomel to help the Police quell the riot in Queen Street, the smashing of nearly every shop window and the looting on the night of April 14, 1932 which followed a demonstration by 15,000 unemployed people marching to the Town Hall. The bluejackets fixed bayonets at times, but ammunition was not issued. It did polarise some dislike of the Navy. On the other hand, my parents were in Queen Street that night and were thankful for the presence of the Navy and the sailors’ restraint.
