One of last sailors to see destruction of the Bismarck finally gets medal aged 105
One of the last men to see Second World War German battleship the Bismarck in action has been rewarded for his wartime service by the Royal Navy.
On his 105th birthday, former serviceman and World War Two veteran James Donovan was presented with the Arctic Star, a veteran's badge and a personal letter of gratitude from the head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key.
"We love hearing dad's stories from his time in the Navy, in particular the social side, the people he met and the places he has been," said Mr Donovan's daughter Trisha McDevitt.
On 27 May 1941, Mr Donovan was on board HMS Ark Royal after she successfully damaged the German navy's flagship.
On his birthday, held in Londonderry, he was joined by his friends, family, and other veterans where he was presented with his award and gifts.
Also in attendance was the Lord Lieutenant of County Tyrone Robert Scott, four members of the Londonderry branch of the Royal Naval Association and Commander Rob Milligan, the Royal Navy's senior officer in Northern Ireland.
Cdr Milligan said: "One of the best parts of my job is to facilitate an event such as this, and to meet veterans and their families.
"I was absolutely honoured to present a personal letter from the First Sea Lord to Mr Donovan – he must be one of the oldest naval veterans still alive.
"It's getting less common these days to find a World War Two veteran, let alone one who served in the Royal Navy, and extremely rare finding one who served a full career, not just war service.
"Mr Donovan had some amazing stories to tell us about his wartime service, along with producing some great photos of his time in the Arctic and being at the sinking of the Bismarck."
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