A WINCHESTER couple were special guests at a submarine museum after an unusual discovery.

Local historian Tony Dowland, and his wife Patricia, came across an old photo of Mrs Dowland’s grandfather, James Martin.

The photo is significant because it shows he worked on the Royal Navy’s first ever submarine - HMS Holland 1 – prior to the First World War.

“I think we were more surprised than anything. We were looking for something else. The picture just jumped out at me and I could see it was of some interest.

“I got in touch straight away with the Gosport Museum and they told me they were very excited,” Mr Dowland said.

Mr Martin, of Andover Road, served as a stoker on board the Holland 1, which is now preserved at the Gosport Submarine Museum.

The Dowlands, of Meadowland, Kings Worthy, were invited to the museum as the photo was officially taken into the collection on June 5.

They were joined by Patricia’s cousin, Peter Martin, from Somerset, and were able to stand in the engine room where their grandfather had worked on the submarine’s engines over a century ago.

“We had a great day out and were looked after very well and went all over the whole site,” 78-year-old Mr Dowland said.

The Holland sank on its way to the breaker's yard in 1913 and remained on the sea bed until rediscovered in 1981.

The Holland is now at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport on public display in a specially designed building.