WHISTLES and rounds of applause rippled along Portsmouth’s Sheer Jetty last night as HMS Albion brought home hundreds of soldiers and civilians.

After a 40-hour crossing of the Bay of Biscay and Channel, the assault ship arrived in the naval base in the fading light of a beautiful spring day for one of the most unusual homecomings the city has witnessed.

Aboard were 450 or so Service personnel from a mish-mash of units and Forces – soldiers, sailors, airmen, medics, a handful of Australians serving with the UK military – plus 265 civilians.

They were rescued from the northern Spanish port of Santander as they desperately tried to make their way home to the UK by any possible means when ash from the Icelandic volcano brought European air travel to a halt.

Albion’s ship’s company gave up their bunks where possible to make life more comfortable on the crossing from Spain, while her galley prepared an extra 2,500 meals to feed the unexpected guests.

The ship’s Commander Logistics, Cdr Geoff Wintle, said there had been “a real party atmosphere” aboard.

He added: “It was absolutely magnificent, helped by some wonderful weather and by frequent sightings of dolphins which the children particularly enjoyed.

“It’s given civilians a real insight into life aboard a Royal Navy warship and a chance to mix with people returning from theatre.

“We had people all over the ship – sleeping in the vehicle deck, 200 people on camp beds. Every space on Albion was filled.

“It’s been a unique experience.”

There was nothing but praise for the RN from civilians – whose luggage was carried off the assault ship by a human chain of sailors and who received ration packs to sustain them on their onward journeys.

“What a journey,” enthused architect James Stacey. “The navy made us feel right at home and it was a privilege to share a ship with the people coming back from Afghanistan

Stanley Johnson, father of London Mayor Boris Johnson, and his wife who were heading home from a trip to the Galapagos Islands said the trip aboard Albion had been “an extraordinary couple of days”.

He continued: “I would like to congratulate most enormously the Royal Navy for the way they have handled it.

“It has been a humbling experience because of the politeness, consideration and professionalism with which we have been treated by the navy personnel.”

Picture: An injured passenger is carried off Albion. Picture: LA(Phot) Jay Allen