REGULAR readers of the Gazette letters page may recall my letter in 2015 explaining the camaraderie of those who had served in the Royal Navy.

I explained this could be relived at the various reunions held around the country and that these were listed on the www.rnshipmates.co.uk site under “Reunions.”

Well, thank you to all of the local newspapers; you have certainly made a lot of ex-servicemen think back again. They have emailed me on royalnavyreunions@gmail.com and the secretaries of various associations have contacted me. Consequence? A lot more reunions have been held and a lot more old shipmates reunited to relive their past experiences!

With Christmas and the New Year celebrations behind us, reunions are again on the agenda, therefore could I ask reunion organisers and secretaries to let me have details of your reunion for listing. This is a free service and can be done by themselves on www.rnshipmates.co.uk site under “Reunions” or by emailing the details to me on royalnavyreunions@gmail.com

Does a letter to the editor work? The printed word stays, as this message shows: "Dear Mike, six months ago we were packing to move house. I used pages from the local newspaper to pack the glassware. I have just unpacked the last of the glasses and I have just read your letter on one of the straightened out pages."

Mike Crowe

RN Shipmates

Sandown, Isle of Wight