AFTER 60 years, a North-East man has just returned from the spot in the seas around Greece where his father, and 723 of his crewmates, died during the Second World War.

HMS Gloucester - or Fighting G, as she was known, because of her ability to get caught up in the most dangerous of escapades - sunk on the afternoon of May 22, 1941, succumbing after a two-hour aerial bombardment from as many as 70 German aircraft.

Her 807 crewmen spewed out into the sea off the Peloponnese, and the aircraft then turned their fire on them. Only 85 made it ashore.

Ken Otter's father, Fred, the chief yeoman of signals, was one of those who did not make it. But a fortnight ago, to commemorate the 60th anniversary, Ken was taken by HMS Northumberland to the spot 13 miles offshore, where the Gloucester went down.

Also on board the Northumberland, which is Newcastle's adopted warship, were six survivors and 40 relatives of other crewmen.

"It was incredibly moving just to be there," Mr Otter said yesterday from his home in Bishop Auckland, "throwing wreaths and poppies on to the site. It was very emotional, but afterwards we all said there was a great inner peace.

"It was like rounding the circle. Everybody felt very good about it. Not many people get the chance to go out to the actual spot where all those fellows died."

Mr Otter was just seven months old when his father, who was born in Robin Hood's Bay, died.

Since retiring from the police force, Mr Otter has become the official historian of the Gloucester.

He did a degree at Durham University before publishing a book about the City class cruiser which was published in 1998 and is about to be reprinted.

Mr Otter was one of the organisers of the anniversary visit, which also included the presentation of a medal to 75-year-old Nicos Sotorchos, who played a vital role in assisting the survivors 60 years ago.

They came ashore on the German-occupied island of Kythira, and found the enemy was in no mood to take prisoners.

The Germans had just been on the receiving end of some brutal punishment from the British in the Mediterranean.

The survivors were locked up without food in a house, but two local teenagers distracted the guards while their friend, Mr Sotorchos, daringly smuggling supplies in through the back door.

Despite his life being at risk, Mr Sotorchos also quietly collected food from other islanders, and kept the illicit supply line running until the Germans relented and allowed their prisoners to be fed.

The anniversary commemoration included erecting a plaque on the house, and honouring Mr Sotorchos with a medal inscribed: "He who dared".

Through an interpreter, Mr Sotorchos said: "We were young - we didn't think about the danger. These men had come to help us and now they needed our help.

"I am only glad that we were able to do something. It is very touching that they remember. Today I am a very proud man."