The ship’s company of HMS Ledbury visited the market town which shares its name to participate in a Service of Remembrance for Iraq.

The Hunt-class MCMV, currently in refit in Rosyth, was part of the coalition minehunter group operating in the Khaw Abd Allah waterway.

Ledbury herself was responsible for destroying four Iraqi mines, and thus made a vital contribution to the operation of clearing the way for humanitarian relief ship RFA Sir Galahad on March 28.

And the fact that she is now out of the front line and up on blocks in dry dock – and the trial ship for a new procedure of ‘unmanned refits’ – meant her entire crew were available to visit the Herefordshire town for a two-day period.

An advanced party conducted school visits on the first day School, receiving a warm welcome from pupils before giving talks on the ship’s role and activities.

That evening, the ship’s rugby team played the town in a match that would always ensure Ledbury won.

The remainder of the crew arrived on the second day, and undertook tours of the town, as well as visiting the Ledbury Hunt from which the ship draws her name.

That evening the ship’s company marched through town en route to the church, drawing large crowds of onlookers.

The crew were joined by the local British Legion, local Army and Sea Cadets, as well as cadets from TS Ajax in Methil, the ship’s affiliated Sea Cadet Unit, who had travelled all the way down from Scotland to take part.

The Mayor and Commanding Officer took the salute at the War Memorial.

Also present in the Mayor’s party was the Commanding Officer 23 Pioneers, the ship’s affiliated regiment, who were based in Umm Qasr while the ship was operating in Iraq.

The Service of Remembrance followed the lines of the national service the week before.

Members of the ship’s company gave readings, and the Commanding Officer delivered a eulogy on the ship’s experiences in the Gulf as well as honouring those who fell.

Afterwards, a reception held by the town council provided further opportunity for crew and local town’s people to meet.

Said Lt Cdr Olive: “The visit has gone extremely well. I thought it important that with limited places available in St Paul’s, all my crew should have the opportunity to participate in a service of this nature, and pay tribute to those comrades who fell.

“When I suggested the service to the mayor, the town sprang immediately into action. It has been quite incredible. The relationship between town and ship has never been stronger.”