Lt-Cdr Chris Nelson and his wife, Nichola, on board HMS Ledbury yesterday. (Pictures by Tom Tardif, 0723978)

HMS Ledbury’s visit to Guernsey marks a welcome return to the island for the commanding officer and his wife.

Lt-Cdr Chris Nelson and his wife, Nichola, regularly visited Guernsey during the 70s.

‘This is my first time in Guernsey under the command of the Ledbury, but we both came here with our parents for summer holidays,’ said Lt-Cdr Nelson, 38.

‘So now we have come back again. It’s great to go to all the places we remember.’

His wife even brought some childhood pictures of Town with her to try to find where they were taken.

It is unusual for a navy ship to permit family members to come along. However, during the Ledbury’s tour of the south coast, families have been allowed to come aboard.

While Lt-Cdr Nelson is often away from home, he tries to spend as much time as he can with his wife and children, Sophia, 5, and Christopher, 3, when not at sea.

‘He’s a wonderful dad and wonderful husband,’ said Mrs Nelson, 37. ‘We are only apart to help his career. Separating is not easy. Whenever he comes home, it’s family time.’