A Royal Navy sailor serving on HMS Lancaster whose father was tragically killed in one of the Fleet Air Arm’s worst accidents has paid a moving visit to his memorial in Kenya.

Chief Petty Officer Mark Potter died in May 1989 when the Lynx helicopter he was in crashed en route to Mombasa Airport, killing all nine people on board.

Thirty-five years later, his son David, who followed in his footsteps and is now also a Chief Petty Officer, finally got to see the memorial to the Lynx crash.

At the memorial service, David paid tribute to his father and a memorial service was held with the air and ground crew who operate the successor to the Lynx on board HMS Lancaster, the Wildcat, of 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton.

It was an emotional experience, but also a relief for David, who said: “It was honestly the greatest honor of my career to be here today and represent the families and shipmates in memory of those we have lost.”

“It has been 35 years since that terrible day and the loss never diminishes, but knowing that she is still being remembered in this way after all this time brings me and my family enormous comfort and pride.”

The Lynx of 829 Naval Air Squadron was en route to Mombasa Airport to meet family and friends who had flown in from the UK while HMS Brilliant took a break from her patrol in the Gulf.

About 18 miles from the destination, the cabin door broke off when it was opened due to two missing ball bearings and hit the tail rotor, causing the rotor pillar to break off.

The helicopter was no longer controllable and crashed into the bush near Vipingo. All passengers died.

Also losing their lives: Lieutenant Commander Chris Fessey, Lieutenant Jon Williams, Chief Petty Officer Simon Banks-Popple, Chief Petty Officer Paul James, Chief Petty Officer Colin Simpson, Leading Seaman Colin Roy, Leading Regulator Philip Stevenson, Able Seaman John Savage

A memorial corner was erected in their honour, with a large marble plaque flanked by white flags and pictures of the fallen men. It has become a place of pilgrimage for the crews of Royal Navy warships when they visit Kenya.

HMS Lancaster, based in Portsmouth, is on a long-term mission in the Gulf region.

Operating from Bahrain, the frigate conducts regular patrols in the Gulf and Indian Ocean to ensure security in the region and prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs from the Middle East.