The crew of HMAS Choules was visiting as part of the annual Morisset Meals on Wheels ‘Lunch with a Sailor’ initiative.

Ex-serviceman Horace ‘Taff’ Davies, of Bonnells Bay, was all smiles, and clearly rapt to spend time with the crew.

“It’s been great, especially since I spent a lot of time in the (Royal) Navy in 1945,” Mr Davies said.

He spoke to the crew about his missions aboard a gun boat, and motor torpedo boats during World War II.

“We were in the English Channel, patrolling against the Germans,” he said.

Mr Davies said he was proud to give the HMAS Choules crew a copy of his book, My Journey Through Life.

“I’ve presented this book to the ship for their library,” he said.

Able Seaman David Farr said Mr Davies had “a wealth of knowledge”. He said talking with the ex-servicemen had been “quite an experience”.

Once each year visiting sailors join the Meals on Wheels volunteers on the morning run, delivering meals to local clients in their homes.

They then return to the Morisset kitchen to serve a barbecue lunch to other clients, and to spend a few hours in their company.

For 15 years, the crew of HMAS Tobruk had supported the Morisset Meals on Wheels kitchen. But that ship was decommissioned last July, so the crew of HMAS Choules has adopted the kitchen as its charity.

Lieutenant Andrew McDonald said HMAS Choules was a landing ship dock (LSD) classified as an amphibious support ship.

It has the ability to operate with landing craft in the open sea, without the need to anchor. It can carry the full range of military vehicles, including tanks required for an amphibious assault, as well as up to 330 troops in full fighting order.

“The ship is named after former Chief Petty Officer Claude Choules who passed away in May, 2011, at the age of 110,” Lt McDonald said.

Australian Navy ships are often named after cities, ports, rivers and campaigns.

So having a ship named after a Navy man was unusual. But Mr Choules was no ordinary man.

“Mr Choules served with the Royal Navy in World War I, then emigrated to Australia and fought with the Royal Australian Navy in World War II,” Lt McDonald said.

The HMAS Choules followed a similar journey to Mr Choules.

It was built in England and started life in the Royal Navy, in England, as RFA Largs Bay. It was then purchased by the Australian Navy and commissioned in 2011, when it was renamed.

Ltn McDonald said the local Meals on Wheels clients had been “very welcoming” when they opened their doors to his crew.

“A few former Navy members were most happy to see us arrive, and most appreciative of the work of Meals on Wheels,” he said.

He said engaging with ex-servicemen was a valuable learning experience.

“For me, it’s a matter of learning from their experiences and showing empathy towards what they’ve done.

“To hear their stories just reminds you of the importance of being able to serve this country and maintain our free and open style of life.”

He said it was important for the young and healthy sailors in his crew to give back to the community and support the work of Meals on Wheels.

At the lunch in the Morisset kitchen, Able Seaman Aaron Hammond was engrossed by the photo albums of ex-serviceman Ed Skelton, 94, of Cooranbong.

“Mr Skelton went all over the world, and he has another two photo albums that depicts the whole period of the war,” AB Hammond said.

Mr Skelton said he’d enjoyed “explaining a few things” to the young sailors.

“I was in the RAAF in England, and we were there when Germany capitulated,” he said.

“We had to escort their submarines as they came into Londonderry, in Northern Ireland.”

Morisset Meals on Wheels manager Toni Bull said it was nice to see the faces of clients light up when in the company of the sailors.

“We think it’s important that we add value to their lives, other than by just turning up with a meal,” Ms Bull said.

“The meal run always takes twice as long when the sailors are involved because the clients like to sit down and talk to them.”

Lt McDonald said he looked forward to welcoming Ms Bull aboard the HMAS Choules some time this year.