Royal Navy's HMS Chiddingfold is waved off for Middle East mission by families gathered in Old Portsmouth

Victoria Ryan, travelled with her husband Richard and son Matthew from Wales, to see off her boy Lieutenant William Gunter, who is the Royal Navy ship’s navigator.

She said: ‘This is his first deployment. There have been a lot of tears over the weekend but I’m really excited for him.

‘He has every emotion running through his body. He’s been excited and nervous. It’s the first time he has had to plan a route for the ship.’

Former Royal Engineer Tony Peach, 58, was there to wave off his old army friend’s son, Evan Floyd.

Tony, who was a Warrant Officer and served 31 years in the army, knows how tough long deployments can be.

He said: ‘Being in the army for 31 years I know how important farewells can be. My mate wasn’t able to make it down so he asked me to wave his son off as I live in Portsmouth. I’m so proud to be here.’

Carolann Hemy, 51, travelled from Northern Ireland to wave off her son Able Seaman Dylan Dreyer.

The deployment will be the 19-year-old’s first since transferring from the Royal Navy Reserves last year – and will see him celebrating his 20th birthday in the Gulf next month.

Carolann said: ‘This has been his dream since he was in school. He always wanted to join the navy. We’re so proud of him.’

Dylan’s younger brother Adam, 12, added: ‘I’ve got mixed emotions. I’m really happy he is deploying but I’m still sad to see him go.’