IT was an honour to hear from HMS Sidon survivor David Bartlett, who is hoping to get in touch with more survivors from the Portland submarine disaster.

Mr Bartlett, who lives in Farlington, Portsmouth, served on HMS Sido aged 21 and joined her in Birkenhead following her refit in 1954.

After the disaster he returned to general service and completed 34 years in the Royal Navy, the last 16 years in the Mine, Warfare and Clearance Diving branch before leaving the service in 1983 as a lieutenant commander.

On Thursday, June 16, 1955, one of HMS Sidon’s torpedoes exploded, wrecking the torpedo tube and devastating the forward compartments.

Twelve men in the forward compartments died in the explosion. And when Sidon sank, a 13th victim died.

A memorial for HMS Sidon was placed next to Portland Heights on the 50th anniversary of the disaster in 2005.

Every year a ceremony is held at the memorial.

Mr Bartlett writes: "Unfortunately I have lost touch with other survivors. Tansy Lee who was my main source of information passed away in 2015, consequently I did not hear of the remembrance service last year.

"My wife Dorothy and I were at the 50th anniversary when the memorial stone was placed in the grounds of the Portland hotel."

*You can get in touch with David by calling 023 9264 9313.