A SPECIAL church service is set to pay tribute to dead comrades of Swindon Burma Star Association members.

Former Merchant Navy officer Stanley Binns, of Capital Close, Stratton St Margaret, is the last active member of the group and he is now disbanding it.

The 86-year-old, who is a great grandfather-of-four, hopes many people will come along to the service at Christ Church, in Old Town, on Sunday, February 7 at 9.30am, where the group’s standard will be laid to rest He said it would be sad to see the group disband after 51 years but the time was right to close it down as it is proving unmanageable by himself.

“I’m one of just three members left but really the only active one,” he said.

“It’s sad to see it go but I’m afraid time has just caught up with us.

“I’m hoping at least 25 people will come to the service.”

Stanley served his country from 1941 to 1946 as a radio officer decoding information on ships all over the world, including the Far East, He was one of three radio officers in a ship’s wireless room.

He would have to decode signals using BAMS – the code book of British Allied Merchant Ships and he was on watch for four hours at any one time.

The ships he was travelling on were delivering troops and ammunition.

He visited many countries while on service, including Italy, Singapore and Burma.

He was in the first landing force in Sicily and later was in North Africa and was twice on board ships which were sunk – the Clan McArthur, which was hit by torpedo and the Empire Path, which hit a mine.

The former engineer was also at many of the key events of the Second World War, including the Salerno beachhead and he later served in Egypt, India and Burma.

He was awarded Burma Star and the Pacific Star medals during the Far Eastern campaign.

The Burma War was fought by troops from Britain, India and West Africa against Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945.

Stanley said: “I’d like to thank all our widows and friends who have supported the branch during the past years and I’d be pleased if they could join me for the special service.”

For more information about the Burma Star group, visit the website at www burmastar.org.uk.