THE BROTHER of a World War II veteran in Bournemouth has commended the actions of Winston Churchill, and the work of staff Royal Bournemouth Hospital, for saving and extending his brother’s life.

Albert Collins, who lives in Boscombe, enrolled in the navy in 1942 at the age of 17, before being deployed upon the HMS Belfast, Britain's most significant Second World War warship.

His brother Ray Collins, from Stafford, said: “Albert signed on in the Royal Navy at the age of 17. He told them that he was 18.

“Within ten weeks of training, he joined the HMS Belfast, a cruiser which is now docked in the Thames, London.

“He along with many others made many trips along the North Sea convoy to Russia and back.

“Because of the radar technology on board, put on by the request of Winston Churchill, the technology avoided getting sunk and that brought Albert back alive at the end of the war.”

Albert and the rest of the crew onboard HMS Belfast took food ammunitions to Russia to fight the Germans, but the ship was badly damaged in 1939 by a magnetic mine which damaged the bow of the ship.

Ray added: “Many MPs suggested breaking the ship up so Winston Churchill, who I give many thanks to, said that it would be repaired and equipped with the most up-to-date technology.

“Because of this, the HMS Belfast was able to track down the largest battleship called the Scharnhorst, which Hitler thought was unsinkable.

“The Belfast got the message to the other battleships, and they sank it.”

Albert has since received three medals, including ones from Russia and France, for his service onboard the light cruiser during Wold War II.

Now 95 years old, Albert has had his own battles to deal with, having had issues with his heart, lungs and prostate.

However, thanks to the NHS staff at Guys Hospital in London and Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Albert has been given prolonged life, to which his brother Ray is “eternally grateful” for.

“The Russians wanted Albert to go to London to pick up his medal, but it took him all his time to get to the supermarket and back, so they sent a distinguished Russian to his home to present him with the medal,” said Ray.

“I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the National Health Service, especially the surgeons, anaesthetists and nursing staff at the Guys Hospital where they performed a triple bypass 25 years ago and gave him an extended life.

“I would also like to thank all the consultants and all the nursing staff who have helped Albert with his prostate, asthma and other problems he has had at the Bournemouth Hospital, and the carers that are attending to him at present.”