JOHN White got in touch after we reminisced about the bombing of HMS Foylebank on July 4 1940.

Mr White, aged 91, still vividly remembers that Thursday morning of the sinking.

In his words, he says: "I was a a 16-year-old apprentice engineer at Vickers Armstrong torpedo factory, where the Downclose housing estate is now.

"We had several yellow warnings during the morning which meant German aircraft were in the area, and then at about 11am the sirens sounded, the red warning meaning aircraft were very close and we had to get to the air raid shelters as quickly as possible.

"These were situated in the Vickers sports field where the Downclose housing estate is now.

"I went out the side gate overlooking the harbour and Portland and really all hell had broken loose!

"There were quite a number of anti-aircraft guns in Portland and Weymouth. I know one was on the top of Portland where the Portland Heights Hoel is now.

"Another was at the end of my home road, Cove Cottages and we had one very close in the Vickers sports field, all manned by soldiers."

Mr White said he watched the line of Stuka dive bombers come over the Verne from the south, diving down onto the Foylebank and releasing the bombs.

He added: "The Stuka was a very noisy aircraft when diving and this, together with the gunfire, made it absolute bedlam!

"I stood for what seemed a long time taking it all in but I expect it was only a minute or two.

"When the machine-gunning was too close, I dived under a railway truck and then quickly made my way up to the shelter.

"All very exciting for a 16-year-old, especially as I had just joined the Air Training Corps and was very much into aircraft."

Mr White said it was a long time ago but he does think of those who lost their lives on the Foylebank.

Thanks Mr White, for sharing their memories.