THE importance of minesweepers in the battle to win the Second World War is often overlooked.

But Darlington sailor John Barron is determined their roles before, during and after D-Day should be remembered.

Mr Barron served on HMS Loyalty during the conflict - part of an eight-strong fleet that led the way for the landings on Gold Beach.

The minesweepers disposed of 22 explosives on the night before D-Day, but HMS Loyalty suffered a tragic loss more than two months after June 6.

It was hit by a U-Boat torpedo on August 22 and sank with the loss of 20 crew.

Mr Barron, who was given seven days survivors' leave and was at home for his 19th birthday, said: "By about 2.30am on June 6, we were through the minefield and could see the coast.

"We turned east a couple of miles, then westward to make an anchorage for the bigger ships to bombard the coast.

"During this period, we were steaming at about 7.5 knots, expecting at any time for the German guns to open up on us, but thank goodness they didn't.

"When the bombardment began, the noise and the blast from the big guns was terrific.

"We stayed in the Normandy area for several weeks, going back to the UK for a couple of days.

"On August 22, while sweeping our sweeps, we fouled and had to remain behind. We then cracked on at 16 knots to catch up. At 4.10pm, there was a violent explosion under the stern. We had been torpedoed by U480.

"Within four minutes, we had capsized and sank with the loss of 20 of my shipmates."