A SAILOR from east Hull has been a part of an historic voyage aboard HMS Edinburgh.
Shaun Willis was on the last of the Royal Navy's Type 42 destroyers as she entered Portsmouth Harbour before officially being decommissioned next week.
It was an emotional journey for the leading chef, who was a member of the ship's company as she undertook a farewell tour of the UK, visiting London, her affiliated city of Edinburgh, and the city where she was built, Liverpool, before heading home to Portsmouth.
Shaun, 26, of Preston Road, said: "This year is my tenth year in the Royal Navy and during that time I've worked across a number of ships, all of them with different characters and capabilities and I would definitely describe my time in Edinburgh as fantastic.
"I've been with Edinburgh for the past year-and-a-half and because she is being decommissioned her recent journeys have been pretty high-profile, meaning, as a chef, I've gained a lot of experience catering for VIPs, which is high pressure but also great fun."
HMS Edinburgh's farewell tour also coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic – the longest fought campaign of the Second World War – with events held in London, Derry-Londonderry and Liverpool.
Shaun described the tour as "emotional" and said: "It's not only because we are saying goodbye to Edinburgh but also because of the Battle of the Atlantic link.
"I've met quite a few war veterans and former sailors who have come up to me onboard and told me their stories and that has been one of the best parts of the journey – we have all learned so much along the way."
Type 42s were built for the Royal Navy in the 1970s and 1980s.
In her lifetime, the ship has clocked up almost 800,000 miles, performing tasks including counter narcotic and counter piracy operations, disaster relief and defence engagement.
Edinburgh is last in class and being decommissioned to make way for new Type 45 destroyers.
Type 42s proved themselves to be a flexible combat ship, however, the new destroyer is larger and more capable than anything in the past. They have a longevity and flexibility that should see the Royal Navy through another 30-odd years.
Upon HMS Edinburgh's decommissioning many of her sailors will be redeployed to one of the new Type 45 destroyers.
Commanding officer, Cdr Nick Borbone, said the tour was a "fitting finale to an illustrious career".
The 30-year-old HMS Edinburgh underwent a £17.5m refit in 2010.
The ship is being decommissioned as part of the Government's Strategic Defence Review announced in 2010, which will see the Royal Navy's surface fleet cut from 23 to 19 ships.
Cdr Borbone said: "We have been able to open the ship to thousands of visitors across the nation, all of whom have had a chance to experience a Type 42 for the final time.
"They have also seen for themselves how the Royal Navy continues to play a vital role in protecting the interests of the UK."