His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, was there to meet Sir Bedivere on the ship's final arrival at the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood in Southampton Water. In his capacity as Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Prince joined the head of the RFA, Commodore Bob Thornton, on board the vessel almost a year to the day since her departure to the Gulf on her last operational mission.
Families of the ship's company embarked Sir Bedivere for the vessel's final entry into Marchwood under Captain David Buck RFA, her last Commanding Officer. 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's outstanding service during deployment was recognised with the award of the RFA's prestigious Wedgwood Bowl for 2007. The Bowl is presented to the RFA ship which has done most over the year to foster international relations or to conduct humanitarian aid.
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.
Sir Bedivere and other ships of her class have been replaced by four much larger and more capable Bay-class vessels.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, displaces 6,700 tonnes and has a complement of 49. She could embark up to 340 troops and up to 50 vehicles, including tanks.