Visiting their affiliated town of Richmond-Upon-Thames for the last time before entering Refit, HMS Richmond marched through the Streets of the Borough to celebrate the Freedom of the Borough conferred on them in 2002.

Led by the Royal Marine Band Portsmouth, the Guard and Colour paraded through the Town Centre with colours flying and bayonets fixed followed by three platoons of the Ship’s Company.

The people of Richmond-Upon-Thames turned out in force to give a rapturous welcome to welcome the sailors from the ship bearing their name.

The salute was taken by the Mayor, Councillor Pat Parsons, who invited the Ship’s Company to a civic reception afterwards in the town’s Queen Charlotte’s Hall.

During the reception men and women form the ship were able to meet members of the towns folk and exchange stories of life on board and recount their tales from the Disaster relief work during their recent Caribbean deployment, whilst finding out a little more about the ship’s affiliated town.