HMS Richmond has just sailed from London after a highly successful visit to celebrate Armed Forces’ Day and her many links with the capital.
HMS Richmond is proud to be affiliated with the Royal Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames, the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers, Goodwin Sea Cadets unit, the London Nautical School, the Royal Star and Garter Home Richmond for ex-servicemen and many other organisations.
Strengthening the links started even before Richmond arrived in London, as the Mayor of the Borough of Richmond, a former Mayor of Richmond, Yorkshire, the Clerk to the Basketmakers, Sea Scouts and potential candidates for the Royal Navy were hosted onboard as the Ship transited overnight from Portsmouth.
Berthing in the West India Dock just by Canary Wharf enabled the Ship’s Company to welcome many hundreds of people onboard, including during an official reception and a period when the Ship was open to visitors.
Besides the affiliates and the general public the Ship was also proud to host members of the Royal British Legion, supporters of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust, MPs and a number of Defence Attachés.
In return members of the Ship’s Company visited the Royal Borough of Richmond, the Royal Star and Garter Home, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.
Sailing early on Sunday the Ship left to conduct final trials and preparations for her forthcoming seven month deployment. She has recently conducted Operational Sea Training, and is now ready for operational tasking anywhere in the world.
[mappress] Press Release, July 5, 2013; Image: Royal Navy