David's eight-year-old grandson Joshua wrote to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, asking if he, his grandad and nanny could spend a day on a Royal Navy ship.

And to Joshua's surprise his request came true when they were all invited to go to sea on the fleet's flag ship – the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.

The trip was a surprise 70th birthday present for David, who served in the Royal Navy for 10 years and RN Reserves for 15 years.

He said: "It was a trip down memory lane. Everyone we met was extremely professional, enthusiastic and only too pleased to answer any questions posed.

"It was a fabulous day and I was very impressed and surprised by Joshua's letter."

The family's day out was part of Affiliations Day for HMS Illustrious, where organisations can spend a day at sea with their adopted ship.

Joshua, a pupil at Lindfield Primary School, his grandad and nanny Jackie, who all live at West View, Lindfield, were shown round the ship including the bridge, operations room, main hangar and engine-room control room, by a RN Lieutenant.

The ship sailed from Portsmouth in the morning to the west of the Isle of Wight and returned late afternoon.

David said: "The highlight of the visit was the flying displays. Visitors witnessed superb displays by Merlin and Lynx helicopters and fixed-wing training aircraft performing aerobatics.

"There were also simulated attacks by a flight of three Harrier jump-jet aircraft and two Hawk aircraft – of Red Arrows fame – of the Fleet Air Arm."

The family also saw a fire-fighting display on the flight deck.
David said: "Everyone was of the opinion that the Royal Navy is in very good hands."