Looking after Navy families

THIS year there will be something missing from Scarlette and Amber’s Christmas… their Daddy.

- CLARE AINSWORTH

Like thousands of other children of Royal Navy personnel, their family will be separated as dad James Snell is away on deployment.

The girls’ mum, Reanne said although they are hugely proud of their dad, it is really hard for the family not to be together at Christmas. She said: “My husband, James, has served in the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer since 2006.

“It’s a very rewarding and important career and we’re all very proud of him, but it’s still really tough every time he goes back to sea. James is currently away at sea and he’s not due home until late January, which means he’ll be away for Christmas. Naturally, it’s our two young daughters, Scarlette and Amber, who get most upset.

“The goodbyes are always really hard and, as soon as that front door closes, the girls are in tears,” she added.

“He won’t see the girls open their Christmas presents, he won’t be around to cook the turkey and we won’t snuggle up on the sofa together to watch Elf.”