Patterson Ford salesman Bill Bailey is one of the survivors of a Falklands War tragedy who will gather this weekend to mark the 25th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Ardent.

Twenty two men were killed and 37 injured when the Type 21 Frigate was repeatedly hit by 500 pound Argentinian bombs. Bailey, who was a Petty Officer, escaped serious injury when the crippled warship was beached. Four out of his team of nine died.

Bailey left the Royal Navy in 1986 after 23 years of service and joined Patterson’s sales team the following year. He works at Patterson’s Shiremoor showroom.

Ashley Winter, managing director of Patterson Ford, said: “He was a very proud serviceman and has shown tremendous loyalty to our company. We know how much this weekend means to Bill. We’ll be thinking of him.”