FROM Frank Sinatra to Harry Belafonte and Joe Louis to Bette Davis, all the world's mid 20th century glitterati sailed on board the original Queen Mary.

For the ship's crew the sight of stars such as Walt Disney walking up to the bar to order a drink was commonplace.

This Thursday Her Majesty the Queen will officially name Cunard's new £550 million Queen Mary 2 in Southampton docks.

Yesterday, three days before the ceremony, former Queen Mary crew members gathered in Southampton to share their memories and celebrate the imminent maiden voyage of the ship's successor Queen Mary 2.

From nurses to barmen and quartermasters to waiters, more than 70 ex-crew gathered at the Cowherds pub on the Common - and there were plenty of tales to be shared.

Barman Brian Wardle, 67, followed his father, a gym instructor, on to the Queen Mary. From 1958 until the ship's final voyage in 1967, Mr Wardle, of Orchards Way, Highfield, Southampton, met all the stars of the screen and stage.

He now has a tie pin in the shape of Queen Mary made from the ship's propeller.

He said: "We had four really competitive darts teams on board. We used to play against all the big stars like Bob Hope who came down to the crew quarters.

"I remember Robert Stack running up a bar tab - which we were not meant to do - of $2,500. He gave me $3,500, that was my biggest tip."

Former Southampton mayor John Minto, 77, from Shirley was a waiter - or "winger" as they were called - in the first class restaurant. He described a time he received a $400 dollar tip from the singer and scholar Paul Robeson, who would always come for dinner at 7.30pm on the dot.

Meanwhile Bill Herdman, 69, a chief room steward from 1953 to 1967 remembered playing table tennis against Shirley Bassey.

"She said she would get me fired if I didn't play against her," he said.

Queen Mary chef George Thompson, 84, recalled a tragic incident in 1942 when the ship collided with HMS Curacao, resulting in the loss of more than 300 people.

Queen Mary had been transporting American troops when the accident happened in broad daylight and was kept secret from the public until after the Second World War.

Mr Thompson, from Chandler's Ford, said: "It completely cut her in two. It was a horrendous."

Tragedy also struck when in July, 1957 Queen Mary was called to the aid of the USS Somersworth, which had suffered an explosion on board.

Nurse Jean Edward, 73, recalled treating four American servicemen who had been caught in the blast and taken aboard the Queen Mary for treatment.

What was clear from those present was approval of Queen Mary's successor Queen Mary 2.

Former Queen Mary electrician Keith Bullmore, 67, from Sholing, was the only ex-crew member to have been on Queen Mary 2, in his role working in security at Southampton Docks.

He said: "She's magnificent, very tastefully done up."

Reunion organiser and former ship's nurse Sylvia Mitchem had been expecting around ten people, but with such a strong turnout it was decided that the get-together would become an annual event with the establishment of an official association.

To become involved in the association contact John Hall on 01491 872897.