I HAD a surprise phone call yesterday from an old school friend who I had not seen or heard of for nearly 60 years.

She was then called Nancy Pitt and lived in Dilmore Lane, Fernhill Heath.

Her eldest brother joined the Royal Navy at 18 in 1939. In January, 1940, his ship, HMS Exmouth was torpedoed in Moray Firth and sank with all hands. She told me that researchers had recently located the wreck and a memorial ceremony is being planned.

Mrs Bateman as she now is, lives at Loughborough, Leicestershire and she asked if I could make enquiries to see if there are any families in the Worcester or Hereford area who had a relative lost on the ship.

She can be contacted on 01509 266773, or myself on 01905 352377.

O J BARTON,

Albert Road,

Worcester.