Day Stan's ship sank the feared German Scharnhorst.

Byline: BY FIONNUALA BOURKE

STAN Skippings was determined to join the forces. He grew up listening to heroic battle tales from his grandad John King who had served with the Royal Horses Artillery in the Boer War.

So, as soon as he reached 16 years of age, the young Stan signed up for the Royal Marines.

He served 23 years at sea aboard some of the Royal Navy's most famous ships - including HMS Belfast, HMS Implacable and HMS Glory.

His service in the forces brought him into some of the fiercest clashes of World War II.

He proudly served in the Russian convoys to battle the axis forces.

And over the years he has frequently recalled his memories of confrontations with the Germans on board the Scharnhorst during the Battle of the Atlantic.

The enemy crew had sunk many British ships at the beginning of the war.

But the Royal Navy hunted down their bloody battle boat and left it for a wreck at the bottom of the sea in December 1943.

Stan's wife Laura said: "Stan used to say it was the shot from his gun which brought the enemy ship down.

"None of us were ever sure if we fully believed him. But he always enjoyed telling the tale."

And his contribution to the forces was so great Stan went on to be awarded an MBE in 1995.

Now aged 85, and living in Shirley, West Midlands, Stan suffered a stroke around 10 years ago which has left him virtually unable to speak.

But Laura said he is immensely proud of his time in the forces and the victory of the allied troops over their enemies.

She said: "He's got all his medals and memorabilia from the war. It was a very important part of his life.

"He joined the navy a year early so served 23 years instead of the regular 22 and spent most of his time at sea.

"His grandad was in the Boer War and as a young lad growing up in Ipswich he would tell him all about his experiences."

And when Stan came out of the Royal Navy his dedication to the forces did not stop.

He went on to work with the Combined Cadet Force at Solihull School for another 23 years.

While the CCF is not a pre-service organisation it aims to provide disciplined organisation in schools and encourage those who have an interest in the armed forces to sign up.

So Stan was able to continue his passion to serve his country and regularly worked with the Territorial Army during his time at the school.

And it wasn't just through his work that Stan honoured England.

Laura said he also travelled to Canada to take part in target shooting contests.

Laura said: "He didn't win any medals like he did when he was in the navy. But he was delighted to be able to take part. It was a great experience for him."

Stan and Laura will be married for 60 years next year. The couple have one great grandchild, four grandchildren and three children.

Laura said their son joined the Royal Marines for a while, but decided to pursue a career as a chiropractor instead.

"Our son decided he would like to pursue his career elsewhere. He is very proud of his dad's record though and is glad he joined the marines for a while."

And when Stan retired from Solihull School he was President of Birmingham Nautical Club for many years.

Laura said he enjoyed keeping in touch with fellow Royal Navy sailors and felt it was important to continue to commemorate their experiences once the war was over

One of Stan's greatest honours came in 1995 when he was awarded the MBE at Buckingham Palace by the Queen.

Laura said: "He got the award just before he had his stroke. He was awarded it for his services to his country.

"All the family travelled down to London on the train to see him receive it from the Queen. I don't think she said much to him.

"We were all sat in very plush chairs and watched her pin the award to him while he was dressed in his uniform.

"We made a day out of it and enjoyed a nice meal out afterwards.

"I was really proud of him. And so were the kids. It was a great honour for him. He really deserved it.

"He gave a lot of his life to serving his country. He spent most of his life in uniform. He still tries to talk about it now, when he can."

Today Stan will be attending one of the many remembrance services for all the men who gave their lives for their country.

He will be dressing up in his old uniform and donning his many medals with pride to pray for those who lost their lives in service at St Alphege Church in Solihull.

Laura said: "We go every year. All the family gets together for the occasion. Stan enjoys attending.

"Since he has had his stroke he doesn't get the chance to meet up with other ex-servicemen any more. Sometimes it's like he's a forgotten veteran.

"So Remembrance Sunday gives him the opportunity to get out and be part of what he spent most of his life doing - serving his country."

CAPTION(S):

HUNTED DOWN: the Navy eventually sank the Scharnhorst; WAR YEARS: Stan Skippings with his wife Laura now and when they were married and the HMS Belfast, one of the ships he served on