Pictured is Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Ben 'Smudge' Smith, a former pupil of Tenby's Greenhill School, who is currently serving with the Royal Navy on HMS Monmouth.

Twenty-one-year old Ben is currently patrolling the Arabian Gulf helping conduct maritime security operations and training exercises off the coast of Iraq.

He joined the Royal Navy in 2008, serving with his first ship the HMS Bulwark before joining his current ship.

The son of Jane Smith and Steven Smith, of Saundersfoot, Ben's brother Jamie, is also a serving member of the Royal Navy; he is a Leading Weapon Engineering Artificer on board HMS Ocean.

"I would love to serve with Jamie, but only as long as I was in charge," joked Ben, who assists in the maintenance of the shafts, gas turbines and steering on the ship.

He has visited Gibraltar, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi so far in the Royal Navy and looks forward to visiting even more interesting places.

Highlights of the trip so far have been the flight deck barbeque evenings and the exciting places he has visited.

Away from his family for the first time this Christmas, he looks forward to returning with an OP TELIC medal next year.