The Leamington branch of the Royal Naval Association will mark its 60th anniversary on Sunday at its Riverside headquarters in Adelaide Road.

Members and their families also look forward to a dinner dance to mark the occasion on February 23.

The association was formed after 40 ex-matelots took a vote at a meeting on January 18, 1948.

It was born as the Royal Naval Old Comrades Association on February 3 at the Carpenters Arms, Chandos Street, to become the Royal Naval Association two years later.

The inaugural meeting was led by general secretary Harry J Smith, and attended by chairman Joe Tilley, vice chairman W Pegg, secretary P Vass, treasurer F R Clark, social secretary J R Prestidge and committee members J R Bloxham, R C Pullin, W H Noon and A D Hancock.

The first women’s section was started later that year by chairman Ena Morton, secretary Olive Frost and committee members Frances Dumbleton, Maria Wilson, Glad Webb and Freda Blackwell.

During the early years of the branch, regular ‘bell bottom’ balls were held in Leamington, with dancing to John Collins New Music and the Royal Marine band, known as the Royal Blues.

Social secretary Ian Frost said: “As our branch is one of the largest in the country, Leamington is ‘home’ to many Naval veteran reunions - its central location in the Midlands makes it ideal.

“Sadly reunions are now in decline due to the advancing years of the members, but many proud veterans still make the journey to meet and remember old comrades.”

Mr Frost added: “Many of these associations have adopted Leamington as their ‘home port’ and over many years they have lain wreaths of remembrance to fallen and departed shipmates at the Leamington war memorial.”

A written history of the Leamington branch is due to be completed by the end of the year.