HMS Enterprise has contributed to a major rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean, working under an Italian-led EU mission.

As the nearest ship to the scene the Royal Navy hydrographic ship identified four small vessels and safely brought aboard 453 people. They were later transferred to the German frigate Schleswig Holstein and taken to the southern Italian port of Taranto.

Several other European ships were involved in last weeks rescue off the coast of Libya, where more than 20 vessels had issued distress calls and around 4,400 people were saved. It was the largest operation of the mission so far to take place in a single day.

HMS Enterprise, a Survey Vessel Hydrographic and Oceanographic (SVHO), began her current role on 3 July when she replaced HMS Bulwark. She is well suited to the current stage of the EU operation, aimed at better understanding and tackling the criminal gangs responsible for the people smuggling. The ship is contributing to the range of capabilities required by the Italian operational commander and is building a picture of how the operation will go on to seize and disrupt smugglers assets.

It is with great sadness that I have been informed that Mr James (Jim) Hargreaves MBE passed away at the weekend, Jim was a stalwart of the Royal British Legion and will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

THE following are being specially remembered at Bradford Cathedral this week: Harold Montrose, John Douglas Morgan, Arthur Morrell, Hartley Morrell, Kenneth Mortimer, Kenneth Mortimer, Lionel Mortimer, Neil Morton, John Mosley, Albert Ronald Moss, John Mottershead, Allan Percival Mountain, Charles Denis Mountain, Ernest Moxon, Maurice Mull, Harold Duncan Murray, Jack Myers, Norman Myers, James Arthur Marsden, Frederick George Mossman, Joseph Maloney, Leonard Henry Matthews.

DIARY DATES

Today: The Parachute Regiment Association meets at 20.00hrs at Thornbury Barracks.

Tomorrow: The Royal British Legion, Bingley Branch, meets at 19.00hrs at 20 Heath Street, Bingley.

Thursday: The Royal Military Police Association meets at 20.00hrs at Pudsey Royal British Legion.

Friday: The RAF Regiment Association meets at 19.30hrs at Thornbury Barracks.

Saturday: The Borneo and Malaya Veterans Association meets at 14.00hrs at Headingley Club.

Monday: The Royal Naval Association, Skipton Branch, meets at 20.00hrs at The White Rose Club, Skipton.