HMS Richmond returns to UK after seven-month deployment

The Cox family were among hundreds of people welcoming back the crew

Hundreds of people have welcomed back crew members on HMS Richmond which has returned to the UK after a seven-month deployment. 

The type 23 frigate arrived at Devonport, Plymouth, after travelling just under 50,000 nautical miles.

It was deployed in May with the Carrier Strike Group in support of the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

They worked in the South China Sea, around South East Asia, Guam, Sasebo in Japan, Montenegro and Malta.

The type 23 frigate arrived at Devonport, Plymouth, after travelling just under 50,000 nautical miles

The vessel returned to Plymouth after being deployed since May

Commanding Officer, Commander, Hugh Botterill said: "My crew have had very little time away from the ship and have often been confined onboard due to in-country restrictions."

About 800 people were waiting on the jetty for the homecoming. 

Jess Cox was among them and said it had been a particularly hard deployment waiting for her husband, Petty Officer Cox, to return.

"It's been harder to wait for him knowing that he couldn't go everywhere they were supposed to go because of Covid," she said.

The family said the first thing they would do when they were reunited was to hug him.

About 800 people were waiting on the jetty for the homecoming

Lt Pippa Wesley, hydrographic officer, said: "It's been a really tough deployment but the people have kept us going and it's just been amazing"

HMS Richmond worked in the South China Sea, around South East Asia, Guam, Sasebo in Japan, Montenegro and Malta