An archaeologist searching for the families of World War 2 sailors on a sunken landing ship found one of them in Plumstead.

John Henry Phillips spent the best part of a year searching for the landing craft of a ship sunk at Normandy during the war.

Mr Phillips said: “I have been searching in order to fulfil a promise to find it that I made to the last survivor, my friend Patrick.

“I also promised Patrick that I would build a memorial to the ship and the friends that he lost that day during the sinking.”

One of Patrick Thomas’ brother-in-arms was Robert Henly Tucker of Plumstead, son of Robert Henly and Mary Ann Tucker.

In the intrepid archaeologist’s search for every person on board that ship, he turned to the people of Plumstead for answers.

He posted on social media and the local Facebook group Plumstead People searching for the remaining family of Robert Henly Tucker and the fine people of Plumstead delivered for him.

Mr Phillips told News Shopper: “I actually managed to find the family through that Facebook post and we have been chatting.

“He told me a wonderful story about how there is a memorial to him in the local cemetery that had been completely grown over and him and his son have found it, uncovered the writing by feeling it with their fingers and have now coloured the words in to be read.”

With the crew on board the ship found, Mr Phillips was able to deliver on his promise to the World War 2 veteran and friend Patrick and unveil a memorial to those on the ship in Normandy earlier this month.