Crew of HMS Affray remembered at service

FRIENDS and relatives of the submariners who died onboard HMS Affray in 1951 laid wreaths at a memorial in Alderney yesterday.

The event, also attended by Alderney States members, church leaders and former servicemen, was held 62 years after the vessel's unexplained loss, 7.5 miles north-west of Alderney during a training exercise.

It took place at the granite memorial, unveiled at Douglas Quay on the anniversary last year, which commemorates the 75 sailors who died.

The group was due to go out on a boat to lay wreaths at the spot where the submarine still lies, but conditions proved unsuitable for the sailing to take place.

States President Stuart Trought, whose father was a submariner, was joined by States chief executive Roy Burke and members Paul Arditti, Ray Berry, Neil Harvey and Louis Jean at the gathering.