A group of old American sailors fly to Bermuda next week to revive Second World War memories.

The men were crew members of the USS Wadleigh destroyer which sailed from America to Bermuda on its maiden voyage.

And this year marks the 50th anniversary of the trip to the US Naval Annex.

The ship was put through its sea trials in Bermuda for up to 10 days.

USS Wadleigh reunion group members will stay at Southampton Princess Hotel from Tuesday to Sunday.

About 15 of the original 282-strong crew will be coming with their wives.

One of them is 72-year-old former torpedoman Mr. Lee Kenney, from Massachusetts.

Speaking from his Cape Cod, Massachusetts home he recalled the Boston-commissioned vessel's 1943 journey to Bermuda.

"It was the first time the ship had gone out. We were members of what is called the shakedown crew.

"The ship was put through its sea trial, lasting between a week and ten days.'' Mr. Kenney added the Fletcher class ship's firepower, including anti-submarine weapons, was thoroughly tested.

"The ship was checked all over.'' Mr. Kenney said USS Wadleigh was badly damaged during the invasion of a Japanese Island in the Pacific.

It was later sent back to the US and "put in mothballs'', before seeing action again in the Korean War.

"It became part of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, and was later sold to the Chilean Navy. That is where it ended its days, before being eventually scrapped.'' Mr. Kenney said the ship originally had 300 crewmen and officers, some of whom, of course, were now dead.

"Some members of our reunion group have been back to Bermuda, but the majority haven't,'' he added.