The author extends sincere thanks to everyone who gave me their time, shared their memories, provided images and access to personal papers, opened their archives, loaned me material and took the trouble to answer my questions.
I am particularly grateful to those who lost loved ones on HMS Affray and were prepared to revisit that time and speak to me about their memories and feelings. Sincere thanks in particular to Mary Henry (widow of Lieutenent Derek Foster), Joy Cook (widow of Leading Seaman George Cook), Robin Andrews (brother of Marine Sergeant Jack Andrews) and Georgina ‘Gina’ Gander (daughter of Able Seaman George Leakey). Thanks also to Margaret Goddard, whose husband, Leading Seaman John Goddard – who retired from the Royal Navy as a lieutenant – was one of the men discharged from the submarine before she sailed and who later did much to keep the story of Affray alive.
I also wish to thank three special people at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum at Gosport – a visit to which is highly recommended to people of all ages, especially those who want to actually go on board a submarine – for their patience and interest shown in my research for this book: Commander Jeff Tall, OBE, MNI, RN (former Director), George Malcolmson (Archivist) and Debbie Corner (Keeper of Photographs/Temporary Exhibitions Coordinator).
Many other people also took the trouble to contact me by telephone, letter and e-mail and I am grateful to: Dave Lowe, Dave March, Gordon Selby, Bernard Kervell, Brian Collis, Gordon Chatburn, Val Clements, Roma Maw, Ron Leakey, David Dyer, Alice Graham, Richard Pilgrim, Douggie Elliott, Mike Draper, Geraint Ffoulkes-Jones, W. Rosse Stamp, Peter Stephens, Captain W.H. Kett, DSC, RD, RNR, Michael Kenyon, MBE, BEM, John Rogers, Leonard Lowe, E.V. Bugden, Peter Sampson, Jeffrey Barlow, Roy ‘Tug’ Wilson and ‘MJS’.
Finally, I extend my appreciation to the unseen backroom ladies and gentlemen at The National Archives, Kew, and the British Library Newspaper Library, Colindale, whose swift efficiency ensures that researcher and authors always get what they have requested in the fastest possible time.