As Mother’s day approaches, one reader of Navy News has put her thoughts into verse.

Carole Kingsley’s son is serving in HMS Ocean, and her poem – to HMS All Ships – is signed ‘Written by a Mum who waits for her son.’

Protect this ship we beg you please
While on duty on the high seas
The loved ones you carry are part of our life
A daughter a son a husband a wife

They travel the world the oceans they roam
Please bring them back safely we need them at home
Our hearts are so empty we feel so alone
The closest we get is the telephone

The duties they tend carried out with pride
Their longing for home is something they hide
Apprehension, not knowing, a moment of fear
We share all this with you and sometimes a tear

A lifetime away it seems when you sailed
We watched as you left our hearts were impaled
No news is good news but please keep in touch
God bless you all we love you so much

We wait and we watch as we stand on the shore
Just to see your ship sailing to homeport once more
So finish that war and start to pack
As you line the decks we will welcome you back

Carole said: ”I think this mirrors all of our thoughts at this time.

“It was inspired by my concerns and worries for my son and all our loved ones. I do hope it will help others to realise how close it makes us as a nation and bring us closer together in our thoughts and concerns for these brave people. Our armed services are the best in the world.”

Meanwhile, as the ships of the Royal Navy’s Amphibious Task Group wait in the Northern Arabian Gulf, supporting the activities ashore, thoughts of some have turned to Mother’s Day on Sunday – and they spelled it out on the flight deck of helicopter carrier HMS Ocean in a picture beamed back to the UK by LA(PHOT) Angie Pearce.