Hi,
I was extremely interested in your website re "EMPIRE BROADSWORD". My father was in fact the captain of this LSI, and I myself was on board her in the Solent the week before D Day.

The R.Jones, of the letter in your possession, was in fact a soldier and not a sailor. He was a bombadier in the 1st Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery. The original letter was written to Lieutenant D.A.G. Bourne, of the Royal Observer Corps, who was seconded to the ship for the invasion, holding the temporary rank of Petty Officer Royal Navy, for this secondment. I knew Bourne who lived in Eastbourne, and I would be most interested to hear how you came to be in possession of the letter, of which I have a copy. I also have a photograph of Bombadier R. Jones, which may be of interest to you. Incidentally, the official report states that she hit two mines, killing seven men whilst 170 were rescued.

On a more personal note, I too was in the Royal Navy.

Hope to hear from you in due course.