HMS Quorn, sailed into Ipswich yesterday, 27th November, for a five-day visit. The Royal Navy minehunter will be open to the public on Saturday 29th November on a ticket-only basis between 9.30am and 4pm with the last entry at 3pm.
The highlight of the visit comes on Sunday 30th November, when the ship’s company will exercise their Freedom of Entry to the Borough by marching through the town centre, led by the pomp and splendour of the Band of her Majesty’s Royal Marines.
Lieutenant Commander Yates and the 45-strong crew of HMS Quorn will be welcomed to Ipswich by the Mayor, Councillor Bill Quinton, who will inspect the ship’s company on the Cornhill.
In February 2011, just three months before deploying to the Gulf, HMS Quorn and her Ship’s company were awarded the Freedom of Entry to the Borough of Ipswich. This granted the Ship’s Company the right to march through the Borough on ceremonial occasions.
Shortly after receiving the Freedom of Entry Award, HMS Quorn deployed to Bahrain as part of the Royal Navy footprint in the area. Over the 3 year period, HMS Quorn conducted Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf to reassure regional nations of the UK’s commitment to security through coordination and conduct of operations and exercises with coalition forces and Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
HMS Quorn’s Ship’s company were then able to enjoy the rare privilege of sailing the ship back to the UK in September 2014 after Quorn was replaced in theatre by HMS Chiddingfold, a rotation of units that takes place once every three years.
The current Ship’s Company joined the ship in January 2014 and conducted an 8 month deployment in the Gulf region, culminating in the 6 week passage home that included braving 18 foot waves of the Indian Ocean Monsoon, a Suez Canal transit and crossing a rough Mediterranean Sea. The ship, which celebrated its 25th birthday whilst in the Gulf, paid visits to Muscat, Salalah, Djibouti, Malta, Toulon and Gibraltar on her long journey home.
During 2014, HMS Quorn has also taken part in numerous multi-national exercises and supported UK industry including participation in the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and an Omani-led multinational exercise Khunjar Hadd. This was followed by post deployment maintenance and sea training before she will make the journey to Ipswich late in November. [mappress mapid=”14563″] Press Release; Image: Royal Navy