Homecoming for HMS Torbay
CHEERS from a crowd of around 200 family members and friends greeted the arrival of a Devonport-based submarine after an anti-piracy deployment.
The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Torbay returned to Plymouth following the three-month deployment to the Gulf of Aden.
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During the deployment the 127-man crew helped to reduce the danger of transporting cargo on the high seas.
The UK is taking an active role in helping to end piracy in the Middle East and HMS Torbay has played a key part.
Able Seaman Matthew Peterson (sonar operator) of Torpoint, was greeted by his in-laws from the Isle of Wight and his wife Laura and their children Ryan aged seven months, and Ciaran, aged two.
Laura said: “It’s so good he’s back now.’’
Lieutenant Commander David Filtness, HMS Torbay Operations Officer, who is from Callington, was hugged by his wife Becca as he stepped onto the jetty yesterday.
He said: “It’s brilliant to be back home and see my family again.”
Laura Roberts, from Plymstock, the wife of HMS Torbay Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Mike Roberts, organised the welcome home and group outings for families of the crew while the submarine was deployed.
She was there to greet him with their son Will, aged two, and said: “It’s great to have Mike back.”
Commander Chris Goodsell, HMS Torbay’ Captain, said: “We have done our bit, provided support to the surface ships in the area and helped to prevent pirate attacks.”
11 Comments
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by Christie, Worcestershire
Thursday, June 18 2009, 9:49AM
“Plus, he's about to join the Torbay...
Yay!”
by Christie, Worcestershire
Thursday, June 18 2009, 9:48AM
“My boyfriend's a submariner, and i think that this type of discussion on a comments page is rather childish.
Atleast these guys aren't sat on their backsides on the dole. I'd rather my taxes went on something worthwhile for our country than to pay people to sit at home watching tv etc.
Think about what you say BEFORE you say them.”
by Submariners go deeper, Plymouth
Thursday, May 07 2009, 11:48PM
“The true value of the UK SSN flotilla will never be understood by those outside of the military. Just accept that submarines and their crews earn their keep. Welcome back TORBAY.”
by Rick O'Shay, Aged 12
Sunday, May 03 2009, 8:45PM
“LJ says "O'Shay, leave the schoolboy politics and ill-informed opinions to yourself if you don't mind. "
I do mind, argue your case if you want but don't just get upset when someone says something you don't like. Or maybe you can't defend the use of a submarine for this purpose?
How many countries around the world are using their subs in this way? Is the problem of "protecting cargo on the high seas" so monumental?
I think you will find that the next government will look seriously at "defence" spending and may well decide to do away with these relics of the cold war.”
by LJ, UK
Sunday, May 03 2009, 7:39PM
“I've got to assume O'Shay has very limited knowledge of what the Royal Navy actually does to contribute to anti-piracy & anti-drugs patrols.
Not forgetting also that a lot of the money made from drugs, arms and piracy finds its way into the hands of fundamentalist extremists etc.
O'Shay, leave the schoolboy politics and ill-informed opinions to yourself if you don't mind.
Personnel across all the services work damn hard in whatever theatre of operations they find themselves. When they come home, they deserve our thanks and support.”