TRIBUTE has been paid to a "true hero" Navy man who died earlier this month.

Barry man Colin Foley has been described as "a great shipmate and a true friend" by fellow Royal Navy Association members, following his death at the age of 81 on March 22.

Colin was a sick berth attendant in the Royal Navy from 1951 to 1961, serving aboard several ships. He was attached to the Royal Marines in 42 Commando and at 3 Commando HQ. and was therefore an honorary member of the Commandos, wearing his Green Beret with pride at every ceremony he attended.

On leaving the Royal Navy Colin spent some time with the Royal Australian Navy and during this time he was extremely lucky to miss a draft to HMAS Voyager just before it was in collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne in 1964, when more than 80 sailors were killed.

Since there is no active Royal Naval Association (RNA) branch in Barry, Colin became a member of the Cardiff RNA and attended monthly meetings, without fail, until illness curtailed his travels.

A Royal Navel Association spokesman said: "It says much of his character that, even though unwell, he insisted on attending two funerals of shipmates who had ‘crossed the bar'."

Cardiff Royal Naval Association spokesman Ransford Rogers said: "In the early hours of Sunday, March 22 Mr Colin Foley, succumbed to Cancer after a heroic fight which was typical of the man that his family, friends and shipmates knew him to be.

"Colin represented all that the Armed Services Associations stand for in loyalty and comradeship.

"He would not ask for help even if it was needed and believed that such help should be given to those whose need was greater.

"It was thus quite late before anyone outside his family was aware of his illness, which he bore with great stoicism and courage.

"Colin was a true hero in every sense of the word and we who had the privilege of knowing him have lost a great shipmate and a true friend."

A funeral service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, April 7 in Crossways Road Methodist Church, Barry followed by a service at Barry Crematorium.

Members of the Royal Naval Association and Royal Marines will be present and the standards of both associations will be paraded.