Navy pals recreate photo after 'surreal' discovery

Two Royal Navy helicopter engineers have discovered their fathers also served together a quarter of a century ago.

Harvey Lewis and Sam Skelson, who are based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, were maintaining a Wildcat helicopter aboard frigate HMS Iron Duke when Harvey made the discovery.

He spoke to his father, Gaz Lewis, about his squadron, who mentioned the surname rang a bell as he had served with Andrew Skelson aboard HMS Exeter in 1999.

Harvey said it was a "surreal" feeling, with the pair going on to recreate a photograph of their fathers from 26 years ago.

The original photograph shows Gaz and Andrew posing in front of a Lynx Mk3 helicopter.

HMS Exeter had been deployed to the northern Gulf on Operation Bolton - helping to enforce a no-fly zone over Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

Harvey said: "I think some people are lucky enough to experience stepping into their father's shoes, but the fact that Sam and I were able to literally capture something from 26 years ago definitely felt very special."

The 24-year-old added: "I think it's fair to say that I've got the proudest dad in the world and I'm sure Sam would be able to say the same thing.

"It's definitely brought myself and Sam a lot closer to our fathers," he added.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.