Family concerned about health of missing Royal Navy veteran from Gosport

Neil Vidler, who served for 30 years in the Royal Navy after joining when he was 18 years old, was last seen at his family home in Alverstoke, Gosport at 5.30am on Tuesday.

The former navy engineer is diabetic, and his family are concerned that he has not taken his diabetes medication.

His daughter, Margaret Vidler, said he appears to have switched off his mobile phone and his disappearance is ‘very much out of character.’

She said: ‘He hasn’t said anything or seemed out of character recently.

‘But this is very much out of character – it’s definitely not like him.’

‘His work thought he was on annual leave, but he told us he was going to work.’

He currently works as an engineer for Babcock, and he is believed to be wearing a long sleeve t-shirt, black trousers, and grey hiking shoes.

Southsea-based All Call Signs, a charity that supports veterans, put out a beacon alert to spread the word about Neil’s disappearance.

A statement from the organisation said: ‘Neil's family are growing increasingly concerned.

‘He is often known to walk from the HMS Sultan area and may possibly be heading to Bishops Waltham.’

Neil may travel to visit his mother, who lives in the Bishop’s Waltham area.

Anyone with information regarding Neil's whereabouts are asked to call the police on 101 quoting reference number 865-03/03/202.