One of my favourite pieces from my own collection of treasure because it just oozes WW2 Royal Navy. The chair, made crudely but beautifully by crew onboard the Unicorn for the Captain. 

Own and sit in the chair from where battle orders were given on one of the Royal Navy’s important Aircraft Carriers.

HMS Unicorn (I72) was a unique Royal Navy vessel, designed before the Second World War as the Navy’s first purpose-built aircraft maintenance and repair carrier. Built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, she was laid down in 1939, launched in 1941, and commissioned in 1943. Unlike later support ships, Unicorn combined extensive repair facilities with a full flight deck, allowing her to operate aircraft as a light carrier when required.  

During the war, she provided air cover for the Allied landings at Salerno in 1943 before serving with the Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean and later supporting the British Pacific Fleet during operations against Japan, including the Okinawa campaign. Her ability to repair and supply aircraft close to the front greatly improved fleet endurance.  

Recommissioned in 1949, Unicorn served in the Korean War, transporting aircraft, troops and supplies. She also became the only aircraft carrier known to have conducted a wartime shore bombardment using her own guns. After returning to reserve, she was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1959.  

Originally from the famous Ferrers Walker collection.