Retd British Navy officials recall memories of 'HMS Hermes'

Retired British Royal Navy officials, while attending the decommissioning of INS Viraat today, recalled their memories about the aircraft-carrier, which was earlier known as HMS Hermes.
INS Viraat was the second centaur-class aircraft carrier which was in service with Indian Navy for 30 years and before that, with UK's Royal Navy for 27 years.
Earlier known as HMS Hermes, INS Viraat was in the Royal Navy from 1959. In the late 80s, Indian Navy purchased it at the cost of USD 65 million and was re-commissioned on 12 May 1987.
53-year-old Andy Trish, a retired airman of British Royal Navy said, "I remember the first day when I stepped on this ship. It was like a home for me. I even celebrated my 19th birthday on this ship, known to us as HMS Hermes."

Trish was one of the 20 contingents who had joined the HMS Hermes as airmen. All were present at the decommissioning ceremony here.
Trish had joined the British Royal Navy as an 17-year-old. He witnessed the British Royal Navy winning the Falklands War.

He also saw sinking of a ship from Royal Navy's fleet, which had his brother on-board.
"David, my elder brother was on another ship during the Falklands war. I knew he was there and one day, during the battle, the ship got sunk. I can not forget the moment, as I lost him forever," recalled Trish.
David Shepherd, who had served on HMS Hermes, said he wished the ship comes back to the UK.

"Yes, we feel, we should just get it back. The way it has been maintained and kept in the same shape, we are overwhelmed with it," he said.