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Bridgend dad surprises son with promotion aboard Royal Navy warship in South Korea
5 September 2025
Bridgend sailor Dan Trebble was promoted by his dad Allan – who flew half-way around the world to join his son on the Royal Navy’s flagship deployment.
The Trebbles, from Ogmore Vale, had not seen each other since April – but HMS Richmond’s few weeks in Busan for a period of maintenance at the half-way point of her eight-month mission was the perfect opportunity for a family reunion.
Dad Allan – who is a petty officer based at HM Naval Base Devonport (also Richmond’s home port) – is part of a specialist team of engineers who fly around the globe to provide support and assistance to warships from Plymouth when they are deployed far from home.
HMS Richmond is part of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s Operation Highmast deployment. It is her first duty to protect the nation’s flagship – aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales – from hostile submarines and surface threats.
In addition, the ship has represented her nation in promoting the UK in foreign ports such as Busan in South Korea, where her 200 crew took part in a string of events either hosting VIPs aboard or attending ceremonies ashore.
So far the mission has taken the frigate to the Mediterranean, Indonesia, Australia and now the Republic of Korea, working with international allies and partners in llarge-scale exercises demonstrating the UK’s commitment to global security and prosperity.
It’s the job of Dan – known as ‘20’ by his shipmates – to maintain the frigate’s many weapons systems and sensors so that they are always ready for operation/action.
While deployed with HMS Richmond he’s earned promotion to the rank of Engineering Technician 1st Class, which dad Allan – nicknamed ‘Taff’ – presented in front of the warship’s main gun.
Complementing the family reunion, Dan’s eldest brother Kai, a trauma and orthopaedic nurse at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Ynysmaerdy, also made the 11,000-mile round trip to South Korea.
Dan – who is one of six Trebble children – joined the Royal Navy as a weapon engineer, marching through the gates of training establishment HMS Raleigh exactly 23 years to the day his dad did the same.
Despite Allan’s long hours working alongside the ship’s engineers in Busan to rectify any faults, the family carved out precious moments together — from swapping stories to enjoying a rare chance to catch up face-to-face.
“To be able to present my son with his badge on active service, so far from home, is something I’ll always cherish. It was a proud moment not just for me as a father, but also as a sailor,” the senior rating said.
His son is now making his way towards Southeast Asia on the next leg of the task group’s deployment. He’ll be reunited with his family again when the mission ends before Christmas.