THE late Lord Montagu was a very good friend of the League of Venturers Search and Rescue. without which we would never have been able to operate our now deceased Inshore Rescue Service at Lepe for over 50 glorious years, which included HRH The Prince of Wales as grand patron, as he provided what money could not buy in the form of a free mooring in the river and two at the entrance.

So I was very pleased to be able to go up to London for his memorial service at Church of St John, Westminster Abbey, which was filled to capacity with some very important people.

Which was probably the reason for the man with a suspicious bulge in his jacket which was probably a glock 9 or similar.

To get there I took South West trains from Brockenhurst, which a cheap off-peak return purchased on the internet for only £45 return.

My daily newspaper had an article saying that SW trains provide the worst service, but I was much impressed with my journey.

Brockenhurst station was clean, with evidence of a recent wash down. The loudspeaker system – which I had in the past likened to Donald Duck – was crystal clear.

It announced the train to Waterloo was due in one minute as it came around the bend towards the station. I had a seat with table, and there was a mobile snack trolley.

I noticed at each station there was a help speaker on a pod. The train came to an unexpected halt, and the driver or guard was quick to inform us they had a red signal due to a level crossing barrier, but would be able to make up time lost, and we arrived dead on time.

The return journey was hassle free.

I had booked en suite room at the very much modernized Forces Union Jack Club which is just across the road from Waterloo Station for £55.

I wonder how many ex-forces realise not only ex-forces use this facility, but includes any relatives making it an ideal port of call for a visit to London.

Captain Philip Pearce-Smith MBE

Address supplied