FORMER shipmates are searching for a Tavistock sailor they haven't seen for more than 50 years.
Eddy Nettleton was last reported living on a farm in the Tavistock area in 1946. It was here that he and his family helped Isadore Gold, HMS Veryan Bay's radar mechanic, through his convalescence after he was injured during the war.
Eddy was a seaman petty officer on the ship with Isadore in 1945 when it was stationed in the Mediterranean.
Colin Dean, vice president of the HMS Veryan Bay (1944-59) Association has contacted the Times for help in tracking Eddy down.
'I appreciate 52 years is a long time, but the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II awakened many of us to the value of the friendships we made and Mr Gold wants to take this opportunity, before it's too late, to further thank the Nettletons for their invaluable help when it was most needed,' he said.
Isadore is nearly 80 years old and Eddy would be in his late 70s.
'Maybe Eddy is no longer alive, but hopefully someone in Tavistock may remember him or or the Nettleton family and be able to put us in touch in time for our next reunion in Plymouth in April 2000,' said Mr Dean.
Please contact Alan Gregory at the Times on 01822 613666 if you have any information.