The moment of rescue

In 1943 Colin Armitage’s ship was torpedoed in the South Atlantic. He and 13 others scrambled aboard a life raft. 50 days later HMS Rapid rescued him, only he and one other still alive.

Colin was the grandfather of Louise Beech, the playwright. 64 years after his ordeal Louise’s daughter, Katy, was diagnosed with diabetes. In order to distract her during insulin injections Louise began to tell the story of Colin’s bravery and determination to survive.

Katy has said that Grandpa Colin’s story inspired her to carry on when she wanted to give up and die: “If Grandpa Colin can be survive an ordeal like that, I can do anything. I can do these injections”.

The scenes in the play How to be Brave alternate between the life raft and Katy’s house in Hull. Playwright Louise Beech is Colin Armitage’s grand daughter.