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The last of a class of landing ships that played a vital role in the Falklands War and both conflicts in the Gulf, bowed out of service in
February.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Sir Bedivere was met on her final arrival at the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood in Southampton Water by His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex.
Prince Edward, in his capacity as Commodore-in Chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, joined the head of the RFA, Commodore Bob Thornton, on board Sir Bedivere almost a year to the day since her departure to the Gulf on her last operational mission.
Her final tour of duty was recognised by the award of the Wedgwood Bowl, presented annually to the RFA vessel that contributes most to humanitarian aid or sustained contribution to international relations. The award was presented onboard Sir Bedivere to the assembled Ship’s Company by Prince Edward.
Sir Bedivere, now more than 40 years old, is one of six landing ships which began entering service in the 1960s, all named after King Arthur’s knights.
During the Falklands’ War Bedivere was hit by a
1,000lb Argentinian bomb which bounced off the ship without causing casualties and exploded in the sea.
Almost ten years later she saw service in the first Gulf War when she delivered equipment and supplies to 7th Armoured Brigade.
In 2003 she was back in the war zone for the conflict with Iraq.
Families of the ship’s company were embarked in Sir Bedivere for the vessel’s final entry into Marchwood under her last Commanding Officer, Captain David Buck RFA.
He said “Sir Bedivere has served the RFA and her country with distinction in a number of hotspots over the years. I feel hugely privileged to bring the last ship of her class home after such a high-profile, final deployment in which she has played a massive part in developing the effectiveness of the Iraqi navy.”
Sir Bedivere and other ships of her class have been replaced by four much larger and more capable Bay-class vessels. Her role in the Middle East is in fact being taken on by one of them, RFA Cardigan Bay.
RFA Sir Bedivere entered service in 1967. She is 137 metres long, displaced 6,700 tonnes and has a complement of 49. She could embark up to 340 troops and up to 50 vehicles, including tanks. The ship underwent significant reconstruction in 1994-98.
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