TWO Royal Navy veterans have been given a diamond Christmas present – a trip out to sea.
Ben Peacham, who has been serving on HMS Diamond in the Middle East since June, invited two family guests onboard for Christmas.
His father-in-law Dennis Barnard and stepdad Garry Cunningham were given permission to join the ship for the trip from Gibraltar to Portsmouth.
Mr Barnard, of Holderness Road, east Hull, last sailed on a naval ship into Portsmouth in 1974.
He said: "It was great. We were very well received on-board by both officers and crew.
"My lasting memory will be the privilege of entering Portsmouth Harbour on the upper deck of the Navy's latest, most powerful destroyer.
"We got to fly in the helicopter. It was still as nerve-racking when leaving and landing on a moving deck, but the flight and views of the ship in flight still as amazing.
"We also got to fire one of the guns and steer the ship – so just your average day, really."
Although Leading Seaman Peacham said the banter and "work hard, play hard" ethos was probably the same now as it was 40 years ago, he had warned the two new recruits the living conditions and equipment might be a bit different.
Mr Barnard said: "As far as differences since my time, mixed messing was not for the better in my view. Food was similar, inasmuch as it was all the right ingredients, but not necessarily put together in the right order.
"Accommodation was far superior and, best of all, mess deck humour was still as entertaining.
"Live demonstrations of firefighting and damage control while at sea were quite eye-opening."
Leading Seaman Peacham has been away previously over the Christmas period, serving in the Falklands and also on HMS Liverpool.
Mr Barnard said: "Ben and my youngest daughter Hayley got married in Hull at the Guildhall in October last year, so they have both missed their first wedding anniversary.
"This has made his return this Christmas even more special."
The event was part of the Parents And Children At Sea (PACAS), which is a chance for the ship's company to show friends or family members what they do while at sea.
Leading Seaman Peacham, who has served in the Royal Navy for nearly ten years, said: "Having been away from home for over six months, the chance to get my family on board was fantastic and the fact they're both ex-sailors gave them a great chance to reminisce and take them both back to their youth."
