A HEREFORD sailor is following in her father’s footsteps on a Royal Navy deployment to the Far East.

Lieutenant Commander Caroline Clark, aged 32 and formally of Credenhill, is aboard HMS Bulwark heading for south-east Asia, via the Middle East, as part of the Taurus 09 deployment.

The journey mirrors that of her father, Lt Cdr John Clark, who served on the previous HMS Bulwark from 1973 to 1974. Caroline’s role is to look after stores, catering and personnel requirements.

“I am so proud to be continuing our family’s naval heritage and when I was given the opportunity to serve in HMS Bulwark, I grabbed it with both hands,” said Caroline. “I know my parents are very proud of the fact that I am serving in Bulwark as my father did.

“We have been planning this deployment for 18 months and to finally set off is really exciting.”

The trip will involve multi-national jungle warfare practice in Brunei plus training with the Bangladeshi navy.