HMS Queen Elizabeth is returning home in time for Christmas after being to the other side of the world and back. And among those on board was Borderer Flt Lt Claire Crichton (39) who attended Melrose Grammar School and Earlston High School.

A keen horse rider, she took part in competitions working as an instructor at Dryden Riding Centre.

She then qualified as Physiotherapist and worked at the Borders General Hospital before joining the RAF in 2011.

Flt Crichton led the ‘Forward Rehabilitation Team’ on board HMS Queen Elizabeth as an Aviation Medical (AvMed) specialist physiotherapist which involved providing key support to all aviators to ensure they were fully fit for their flying duties.

She said, ‘I find the job satisfaction from my role is excellent as we can keep individuals fit for the duration of their time onboard and reduce, in many instances, the need to send them home for rehabilitative care. The variety of cases that come through the doors on a daily basis is vast and keeps me on my toes!’

Flt Lt Crichton comes from strong military family background, with many family members working with the RAF - her Grandfather was a spitfire pilot, her Grandmother was in the Women’s RAF (WRAF), uncle was a Navigator, and father was a doctor. She also has a cousin who is in the Royal Navy as a Petty Officer.

‘Experiencing the maritime environment as an RAF Officer has been a real eye opener, she added. I feel very privileged to have been part of such a significant marker in Royal Naval history and the memories of my time aboard HMS QNLZ will sit fondly in my mind for quite some time’.

When asked about returning home Flt Lt Crichton said, “I am looking forward to returning home to see my family and friends in Scotland and Oxfordshire, walking my dog in the countryside and even having time to relax on a comfy sofa”

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy has been described as a ‘floating city’ with just over 1600 personnel and has led the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group on her first operational deployment which began in May and since then has steamed over 48,000 nautical miles which has taken her to the other side of the world and back again.

The task group has exercised and engaged with over 40 different nations during her time away including Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Oman and Singapore to name a few as well as demonstrating the capabilities of the modern Strike Group to other on-looking nations.

Having moved around a number of RAF bases in the UK, Flt Lt Chrichton is currently based at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Stanford Hall, Loughborough.