Horsted Keynes businessman raises cash for lifeboats

Just over three decades after HMS Illustrious served during the Falklands War, the ship’s former air traffic controller David Rogers brought together his fellow shipmates for a day of celebration.

The veterans, who had not seen each other since the war in 1982 met at Portsmouth’s Guildhall.

The day was marked by the former shipmates being awarded the South Atlantic medal by the ship’s then captain, Admiral Sir Jock Slater.

Originally, the medals had been posted, before Mr Rogers thought it more fitting to organise a long overdue reunion.

He said: “It was good to see the chaps again and catch up after 33 years.”

The ceremony on the South Coast was informal, but included a black tie gala in the evening which Mr Rogers said had a good atmosphere.

Sales of pictures from the ceremony raised £582, which was donated to the RNLI Forest Row branch by the former sailors.

The RNLI, founded in 1824, will use the funding to aid its operations at Tower Hill lifeboat station and along the Sussex coast.

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