THE curtain falls on the magnificent 25-year career of HMS Gloucester tomorrow when she returns from her final deployment.
The veteran destroyer will be greeted by hundreds of families and friends in Portsmouth – plus the lady who has followed the ship from the laying of the keel to this last act: the Duchess of Gloucester.
She’s shown avid interest in the Type 42’s progress through one war (first Gulf), two rededications and 15 captains.
The last of those, Cdr David George, describes himself as a “very lucky man” to be in charge of the Fighting G – a name the ship inherited from her legendary WW2 forebear.
He guided Gloucester throughout her seven-month final tour of duty in the South Atlantic, safeguarding the Falklands and Britain’s interests in the Southern Ocean.
“HMS Gloucester returns in fine fettle after a hugely successful deployment down south. Working hard has kept us occupied – and there have been lots of highlights,” he said.
Among those highlights Gloucester helped snare £4m cocaine when she intercepted a drug-smuggling yacht off the Cape Verde Islands.
That action and the ship’s continued work with the Army and RAF Typhoons in the Falklands during the tour-of-duty helped to earn Gloucester the coveted ‘top destroyer’ tag – the official title is the Fleet Efficiency Award, courtesy of the Flag Officer Sea Training, whose taskmasters are not easily pleased.
The destroyer rounded off her deployment with a weekend in New York where the ship’s company stood to attention as they passed Ground Zero before docking at Pier 88, alongside the American aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, now a museum piece.
During the three-day stay on the Hudson, the Big Apple’s movers and shakers were invited aboard for a reception hosted by the ship and the British Consul.
“To come to New York as a tourist is fabulous enough, but to come here in a Royal Navy destroyer, representing the UK and its Armed Forces, to a country and to a city with whom we stand firm together as allies – that is incredibly special, and a terrific privilege,” said Cdr George.
The Americans appreciate HMS Gloucester especially. During the Gulf War she fired two Sea Darts which knocked Iraqi Silkworm missiles out of the sky; they were bound for the battleship USS Missouri at the time.
That’s in the past. For now, what matters for the 250 Fighting Gs is the sight of loved ones for the first time since August 20.
“Their support has been immense throughout the deployment – it’s been a long time away from home,” Cdr George added.
“I’m very proud too that the Duchess will be able to join us as it conveys to both the sailors and families how valued they and their Service are.”
Gloucester is expected past Round Tower at 10am. She will formally decommission in the summer.
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