ONE of Barry’s newest housing developments has been officially named in memory of the local Royal Navy veteran who honoured the town's lost merchant seamen.

Newydd Housing Association held a plaque unveiling ceremony at its 20 rental affordable home development, in Main Street, Cadoxton, to declare Cwrt Hortop – named after Fred Hortop – open.

Local historian Tom Clemett had suggested the name in a letter to the Barry & District News, and Newydd successfully gained the Vale Council’s permission to proceed with the naming.

Fred, a depth charge operator on The Destroyer HMS Hesperus, spent more than five years compiling a detailed and unique roll of honour in memory of the Barry merchant seamen who died during the 73 months of war at sea, from 1939 to 1945.

He also cited the 897 men who died during World War One. London’s Imperial War Museum has recognised the Barry Merchant Navy Roll of Honour in the UK National Inventory of War Memorials, following the efforts of Fred’s brother George to get it national recognition.

Fred died in 2006.

Newydd chief executive, Paul Roberts said: "The naming was down to a letter to the Barry & District News from Tom Clemett, in which he was having a bit of a moan about the loss of heritage and history in new developments that tend to be called bland names like Oak street or Acacia Avenue.

"He made a few suggestions.

"Tom told me this site used to be a quarry and it was renowned for really hard rock.

"I think our contractors would have welcomed that information really early on!"

Cwrt Hortop resident David Moore, 48, said he thought naming the development after Fred Hortop was a very good idea.

He said: "It stands for something.

"People should be remembered for what they have done for the community."