Firpo’s menu card signed by the crew of HMS Exeter

HMS Exeter was a cruiser that fought in the Second World War. It survived the battle of the River Plate and contributed to the sinking of the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee in 1939.

Following repairs at Devonport, HMS Exeter was sent to escort convoys between Singapore and Malaysia. In 1941 the crew were given shore leave in Calcutta on the way to the Javan Sea. They went to Firpo’s, Calcutta’s most noted restaurant and nightclub.

Only a few weeks later HMS Exeter fought ships from the Japanese Navy in the Battle of the Javan Sea. The ship sank and most of the crew who signed this menu died. Others were held under terrible conditions in prisoner of war camps.

Visual description: A folded menu card yellowed with age and, in places, repaired with tape. The front has a colour illustration of a canal in Calcutta. Just below is an advertisement from the British War Savings Movement promoting the purchase of national savings certificates and two signatures.

Both inside pages and the back are covered in handwritten signatures of different people. The menu is dated Monday the 24th of November 1941. On offer for dinner:  frit sauce tartare; grilled fillet steak, vegetables, roast potatoes; apple tart and cream; cheese; coffee.