From Suez to a tumble dryer: Crisis averted as ex-Royal Marine gets new beret

Two Royal Marines have been on a special mission - to present a veteran with a replacement green beret after his iconic piece of headgear was damaged in a tumble dryer.

Eighty-seven-year-old Bert Preece earned his original beret serving with 45 Commando between 1956-57.

He now lives in a care home in New Malden in Surrey where the beret ended up being ruined in the dryer.

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"It was a real pleasure to be able to meet a fellow Bootneck and do something that clearly meant a great deal to him," said Sergeant Major Jon Grasham, who presented him with the new beret along with Lieutenant Colonel Sam Fearn.

Mr Preece served as a Marine First Class as part of his National Service, sailing with MHS Theseus and HMS Cumberland to Malta, Italy and Egypt during the Suez Crisis.

The veteran has fond memories of his two years with the Royal Marines.

"Every other person was joining the Army. I didn't want to be like everyone else and wanted some action in my life," he explained.

When Mr Preece moved into the care home he initially found the change difficult, however, sharing stories of old times as a marine helped lift his mood.

Nursing manager Fiona Larkin helped arrange the visit to issue the replacement beret after the mishap with the dryer.

"Fiona and the team are doing an amazing job, and we feel honoured to have met Bert and given him his green lid," said Lt Col Fearn, the Commanding Officer of Royal Marines Reserve London.

Lt Col Fearn brought more special treats for Mr Preece - a bottle of Royal Marines Corps Cellar Port and a copy of the Globe & Laurel, the Corps' magazine.