TWO DECORATED war heroes from Bridgwater, who served during World War II together, have now been reunited after 60 years apart.

Morris Jones, 88, and Leonard Mead, 89, served in the Royal Navy around the world in the 1940s - with their paths occasionally crossing.

The pair, who have eight War medals each, fought during the Siege of Malta and were awarded the George Cross for their bravery.

They met while serving in the Special Services in the deserts of the Suez and their leave coincided so they could enjoy nights out in Eastover on their return.

But whereas Len stayed in his hometown after the war, Morris continued to travel and finally met his wife in Canada in 1963, where he settled.

Len said: “I was so pleased to see Morris, we are lifelong friends. We had a lot to share about the good old days. It was coincidence we got our leave together during the War and would have a pint in Eastover. We grew up in the same town - I knew his mother and father - we were in the same service, with the same ambition and he's a nice chap.”

Morris said: “We recanted some of the old days - it was so long ago since we were last together. Len's changed a little bit, but looks well!

“We were in the same war, but different theatres. I was on a destroyer, whereas Len was on a cruiser. But we bumped into each other serving in the desert. We were both petty officers and electricians in Malta. It's quite remote that two Bridgwater boys would be in Malta at the same time, part of the guns crew.

“We escorted convoys with food to keep people alive on the island. We used to come under sever attack by the Italian forces trying to get in and we stayed in caves over night to stay safe - as we figured we could lose ships, but not the crew.”

Len added: “I felt a sense of pride we could help, play are part and make a difference. We brought the Maltese supplies and when it settled down, they were so grateful and made us so welcome.”

A 19-year-old Morris was on the HMS Zulu when it was sunk by a German destroyer in September, 1942, in Libya. He jumped onto the nearby HMS Croome and was taken to safety in Alexandria, Egypt.

He said: “I just had to jump for my life - the alternative was the sea, but you don't want to do that if you can avoid it. We didn't look on life in the same way as we do now we're older. We didn't seem to realise the mortal danger we were in. I had a few tight spots and just thought 'I hope I go quickly'.

“A quietness came over everyone before the guns came out and it would all start. Then we were more relaxed - it was a strange sensation.

“It was 'them or you' if you wanted to live. It was better to get on with it, as distasteful as it was. We feel lucky to have lived to the age we are, still with fingers and toes. Many didn't make it, many were damaged.”

Photos by Jeff Searle. To buy copies of these photos, visit bridgwatermercury.co.uk/photosales.co.uk or call 01278-727 958.