A few years ago I recieved an e-mail from John Townsend, an ex-seaman who had served in the Merchant Navy during World War II. He told me all about himself and how he had written his memoirs but didn't know how to go about getting them published.

He asked if I would guide him in getting them published with the same publisher that I had used in getting my book published. From there in a friendship blossomed.

Over the years, we e-mailed each other twice a week, sometimes more and we even spoke on the phone once or twice.

We would chat not only about our love of the Merchant Navy, but about our families and everyday life.

When I wouldn't take any money for my help with his book he sent me & my wife a watch each and our children a small bouncy castle.

When I became ill and was admitted to hospital with Kidney failure he would e-mail my wife on an almost daily basis asking about my recovery. He was a true gentleman and even took the time from his own hospital bed when he took ill to phone me in case I was worried he hadn't been in touch.

It was with great sadness that I learned in a phone call from John's family that he had passed away on Saturday 2nd December 2006. This page is just my own little tribute to a great friend.