MORE than 200 sailors and aircrew helped to save the electricity supply to thousands of homes in flood-stricken Gloucestershire.

Personnel were drafted in from across the south-west to assist the huge relief operation along the Severn valley as waters threatened to engulf two sub-stations at Walham and South Meads.

After an initial batch of 100 sailors from Devonport – chiefly HM Ships Ocean and Northumberland – arrived at the weekend, a further 100 personnel were dispatched from RNAS Yeovilton as the crisis deepened.

They were immediately split into teams of 25 to fill sand bags and place them around the two sub-stations.

The sailors worked through the night and the walls of bags they erected helped to ensure the flood waters did not subsume the electricity installations.

The teams were initially not hopefully. “When I arrived at Castle Mead, it was worse than I imagined – even the goal posts in one field were submerged,” said AB Ross Gemmell.

But once the sailors got to work they were amazed by the ‘blitz spirit’ of everyone working to a common aim.

“It was a hard job that needed to be done,” said AB Ricky Stenning. “We were fed on-site by the Salvation Army and by an Army field kitchen when we got back – cold and wet.”

Cdr Stuart Borland, normally HMS Ocean’s Weapon Engineer Officer, but now coordinating the RN’s relief operation around Gloucester, praised the united effort which saved the power.

“Despite the rising water and uncomfortable conditions, the RN teams and local fire brigade worked through the night into the early hours and helped make good the defences,” he said.

“It became apparent at first light that the teams had successful safeguarded the electricity sub-stations supplying a large part of Gloucester.