A UNIQUE tribute commemorating the Barry Merchant Seamen who died during World War Two has been recognised as a memorial in its own right.

The Imperial War Museum, in London, has officially registered the Barry Merchant Navy Roll of Honour in the UK National Inventory of War Memorials, following efforts by Wyndham Street resident George Hortop to get his late brother Fred¹s painstaking research recognised.

Royal Navy veteran Fred, a former carpenter who died in 2007, spent more than five years compiling the 361-name roll of honour in memory of those who perished during the 73 months of war at sea.

To qualify as a memorial, the research needed to be displayed as a Book of Remembrance.

Copies of the roll are held at the Memorial Hall, the Vale Civic and Town council offices and Barry library, as well as at the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen in Cardiff.

Fred Hortop, speaking to the Barry & District News in 1993, said: "This is my tribute to the men who died at sea in the Merchant Service, and particularly those who were called upon to bear the brunt of the Battle of the Atlantic.

"I spent my war as a depth charge operator helping to sink U-boats, while my brothers' ships were being sunk in what was the longest and most vital battle of the Second World War."

George said: "I approached the Imperial War Museum in 2006.

"I'd like to thank Barry Town Council for making the leather-bound Remembrance Book, which is now in the Memorial Hall, and I'd like to thank Gareth Howe for his help with that issue."