Almost 50 years after passing out, a former Royal Marine is trying to track down an old comrade who may be living in Mill Hill.

Dereck Double, 67, is hoping to trace David Warder who he remembers coming from the area when they began their training as part of the 685 squad in 1958.

The pair were joined by 43 others on the course, although only 27 completed it, and Mr Double is now hoping to arrange a reunion in Blackpool with as many old military mates as possible, in June.

"David and I, along with all the other recruits, became very close throughout the long and sometimes extremely demanding endurance courses, but we all moved on and went around the World," said Mr Double, who now lives on the Isle of Wight.

"My hope is that he either returned to Mill Hill to live after completion of service or, if that was not the case, that possibly a relative or friend might know of his current whereabouts."

Their training began in February, 1958, and took place at the Depot Royal Marines in Deal, Kent.

They progressed on to Lympstone in Devon, then to Bickleigh, also in Devon for commando training, before moving on to Portsmouth for seamanship courses and finally they passed out as a Royal Marine Commando at Eastney Barracks near Portsmouth.

Mr Double said that the recruit squad were posted around the world, and this was the last time he saw Mr Warder.

"Currently we have found 10 of those who joined up all those years ago and completed training and one will be coming all the way from Australia to be with us," he said.

"We have all been very busy but it will great to meet up with him again and I'm sure it will be just like old times."

Anyone who can help Mr Double can call him on 01983 884506 or email him at patsydeedouble@hotmail.com