Oxfordshire could become linked to Royal Navy ship

The potential partnership with HMS Diamond will be discussed during a meeting on January 21.

Oxfordshire County Council, the Lord Lieutenant, and the Royal Navy discussed the proposal last year.

Such connections have been common throughout the history of the navy and many current ships already have links with places in the UK.

One example is Wantage being affiliated with HMS Queen Elizabeth.

HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer, has a 240-strong crew, including a Royal Marines boarding team, and has an existing affiliation with Coventry.

The ship has a broad remit, including air defence, counter-narcotics operations, and humanitarian aid.

Its latest mission saw it protecting merchant shipping lanes from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Should cabinet approve the recommendation of officers to go ahead with this proposal, it would strengthen the bond and support between the Royal Navy and the local community, and reaffirm the council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and our significant armed forces communities.”

All major Royal Navy ships have affiliations, connecting their crews to UK land through a variety of relationships.

These affiliations often involve cities, hospital trusts, cadet units, army regiments, air force squadrons, or counties.