A FORMER member of the British Antarctic Survey team, who had an island named in his honour, saw at first hand modern naval techniques when he and his wife visited the naval base at Devonport recently.

John and Jenny Killingbeck, who live near Horsebridge, visited the base as guests of Commander HMS Drake, Malcolm Pollock.  

In the 1960s John was a member of the British Antarctic Survey and in recognition of his outstanding work in the South Atlantic, Killingbeck Island was named after him — the island is located at 67 degrees 32 minutes south, 68 degrees 7 minutes west.

After his work with the British Antarctic Survey, John taught at Kelly College for 22 years and rose to be head of geography. Now 72 and retired he is still very active with the South West Royal Geographical Society.  

John and Jenny toured the Royal Naval School of Hydrographical and Meteorological training. Part of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, this school teaches RN and overseas students all aspects of maritime surveying, oceanography and weather forecasting.  

The officer in command, commander Dave Collins, welcomed John and Jenny to the school, which is run in conjunction with the Royal Navy's training partner, Flagship.  

Commander Collins said it was a 'real pleasure to give John and Jenny a glimpse into modern surveying and predicting techniques'.

'The school provides the very best training, not only for Royal Naval personnel, but also for students from around the world.'

While in the school, John was shown a modern chart of his island by Ian Austin, who said: 'On seeing the chart, John enthralled us with his tales of surveying, using teams of huskies pulling sledges across the frozen sea.'  

After tales of the past, warrant officer Darren Wake demonstrated some of the modern surveying capabilities by showing John a recent survey of the former HMS Scylla, now an artificial reef in Whitsands Bay.

John said of his visit to HMS Drake: 'I had a wonderful time and thank the Royal Navy School of Hydrographical and Meteological Training enormously in giving me the chance to see modern surveying techniques. They were all extremely kind and generous. I was thrilled to see the new charts and maps of the South Atlantic, which brought back so many memories of my own time surveying the area.'

As for having an island named after him he added modestly: 'It's a bit like having a road named after you on land I suppose. It is nice and something for family to remember me by. In fact I said to my children that it would be good if they could visit Killingbeck Island in their lifetime.'