FOUR former schoolmates recently met up to discuss old times including when they were members of a Greenock High rowing crew.

Pictured at the get-together are, from left, Gordon Oakley, Sam Brown, Iain Mackail and Arthur Kirkpatrick.

The second photograph goes back 52 years and shows the crew — standing in the same order — at the Royal West Boat Club on the Esplanade.

Iain, 69, said: “We were a novice crew at that time. Most of our competitions took place at Glasgow Green but we did travel as far as Durham and Hexham in the north east of England.

“Prior to our recent reunion the last time all four of us were together was in 1962. We hope to have another reunion a couple of years from now.” Gordon joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1963.

He retired in 1996 with the rank of Commander but retains an advisory role with the RCN. Gordon still has family locally and he comes over to visit from time to time.

Sam, who lives in London, was a teacher and has an interest in rowing on the Thames.

Largs resident Arthur was involved in civil engineering and is a former vice-commodore of Fairlie Yacht Club.

Former mechanical engineer Iain was employed with Tate & Lyle in Greenock for 17 years before working for the company overseas. He spent 11 years in Zambia, followed by seven years in the South American country of Guyana and then seven years in Barbados.

Iain, who lives with his wife Evelyn in Inchinnan, was President of Inverclyde Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1977/78.