Simon Hayhurst (Grandson of Stoker,2nd Class,Frederick William Paskell)
'When my Mum and I arrived at Heathrow, at the start of our journey, I must admit that I was slightly wary of going on this trip. I have not been involved with the Neptune Association and I didn't know anyone else, apart from my Mum.

I thought it would be likely that I would be the 'baby' of the group, at 40 years of age! And so it was. On arrival at the check-in I felt like I was going on a SAGA package holiday and true enough, there was a lot of beige being worn!

I soon found, however, a wonderful group of people who were extremely warm and engaging with each other. All sorts of people from all walks of life,brought together by this one common factor. The trip could have been very sombre, but it was full of joy as well.

I made some great friends. I recall walking down to Sliema for a few bevies with my two mates, Frank and Geoff. Just 3 lads having a saunter, chatting and telling jokes.( Not to be repeated here!). But of course, one of them was there in 1941, another lost his Dad and the third, his Grandad. What an extraordinary connection, but also how normal to just be getting along so well.

My Mum and I also got along fantastically which I never doubted anyway. The first time we had been away together since I was a child. My Dad was going to come along but felt it more appropriate if it were just us two. He has attended meetings and services.

I found the trip out on the Jarif very emotional. I might just explain how I felt. Since I've been a small child, I've been brought up with the story of my Grandad who died in the Med. A working man of 23 from London, recently married and with a 2 year old daughter. He wasn't highly educated. His life revolved around working, looking after his family and having a few pints. Undoubtedly. he would probably never have heard of Malta, Tripoli or even the Med, and then all of a sudden, soon after joining up, he's dying in the Med off the coast of Libya. It is this sacrifice that I feel is so moving.

Whilst I was away for the one week I was missing my two year old son and his mother. My son also being 2, and being out at sea, albeit on a dredger for only a day, and in peacetime, and in the same location, really made me appreciate what Fred and his shipmates were doing at that time.

One funny recollection I have is of looking down from the bridge and seeing the ladies preparing the flowers aft of the dredging compartment. The three sisters and two more ladies sitting resolutely with the ship rolling, water sloshing, preparing the delicate flowers. To my mind it looked like a WI meeting at sea, and indeed I did ask where the jam and the sponge cakes were! It seemed to me to demonstrate in a small way, that indomitable spirit, even eccentricity and bloody-mindedness of the British and our Commonwealth allies.
That evening, after going out on the Jafid, we enjoyed a great meal and entertainment. In effect it was like a wake. The musicians were very loud and the dancing girls were very .................... as well. I put aside my normal reticence to dance and followed Keith Evans example when I saw him dancing like a Red Indian. If this how we were to round off the day after we had paid our respects, so be it. I know from what I have been told that an old-fashioned working class London wake would be quite a rowdy affair. So I'm sure my Grandad would have found it fitting.

That week away felt like a lifetime. So much in such a short time. Literally, with all the tours etc but also the emotion and meeting so many new friends.

How must our lads have felt as part of a ship's company after months together. Their mates would have become their family at sea.

This I find a comforting thought'.


Diana Clayton ( Daughter of Sergeant William Henry Crocker, Royal Marines)

An extract from my diary, Thursday, April 26th 2007

'We were now to go to sea in a dredger, much bigger and more stable than the little 'Barbarousse' which had been the first choice. The weather overnight had become calmer than yesterday, for which we were grateful. We set out at about 11 am, local time. The conditions became more choppy after we had cleared the breakwater, but there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

As we neared the site where we believe Neptune to lie, the ship slowed down and stopped.

The service began with prayers and readings. Then, the Naval Hymn. I knew I would not be able to sing this hymn with any sort of composure, so I turned away, and looked out at the sea and sang as loudly as I could into the elements. I looked at the sea, which looked much like any other stretch of sea we had sailed through, and I wondered what was beneath us. I hoped so much we were over Neptune.

The service continued with immense dignity whilst we held the Silence, said prayers, and began our tributes.

The White Ensign was lowered into the sea by John McGregor and Nick Wright, then Royden and Sandie Thomson lowered the New Zealand ensign. Wreaths were laid in the water for the men of HMS Neptune and HMS Kandahar followed by those from other organisations. Individual tributes of single flowers were cast into the sea in memory of relatives and friends of those present, and of those who were unable to make the journey with us.