Ship: HMS CROFTON
Pennant No: M1216
Laid Down: 3rd September 1956
Completed: 22nd August 1958
Built By: John I Thorneycroft, Woolston, Southampton. Yard Number 4173
Time to Build: 23 Months
Commissioned: 27th August 1958 for 108th MSS based at Malta
Years Fully Operational: 26

Outline of Operational Career:

  • 3-14 Nov 58 Passage to Malta. Joined 108th MSS
  • Nov 58-Jan 59 First Cyprus Patrol
  • 1959 4 periods of Cyprus Patrol
  • 1960-61 Exercises and visits in Mediterranean
  • Jul-Aug 61 Kuwait Emergency. 108th MSS to Bahrain and back
  • 1 Oct 62 108th MSS became 7th MSS
  • 1962-68 Exercises and visits in Mediterranean
  • 31 Mar 69 7th MSS left Malta for Gibraltar for the last time
  • Apr 69 Paid off Gibraltar and transferred to RNR (10th MSS)
  • 5 May 69 Commissioned to HMS SOLENT based Southampton
  • 1 Jan 76 Reverted to HMS CROFTON Channel Group RNR
  • 1978 Reallocated to North West Group based EAGLET
  • 1981 Reallocated to North East Group based CALLIOPE

Significant Events:

  • Jun-Jul 67 Six Day War. Completed 2 periods Cyprus Patrol
  • Jan 68 Trapani (Sicily)Earthquake relief
  • 14 Apr 69 CROFTON'S first return to UK in 11 years
  • 24 Jun 78 Present at Jubilee Review at Spithead

Paid Off: 1984
Disposal: 25th March 1987. Sold to Shipbreaking Queenborough, Cainryan for break up.

VILLAGE

Four villages found in Engand; Cumbria, London, Hampshire and Yorkshire, plus one in USA

In Cumbria, 6 miles South West of Carlisle. Seat of the Brisso family (Bretons from Norman Conquest) for 580 years.

Owned sugar plantations on St Lucia, so slave owners

In London, within Orpington, site of a refurbished Roman Villa, inhabited from 140-400 AD.

In Hampshire, near Stubbington. mentioned in Domesday Book

In Yorksire, 4 miles South East of Wakefield. mentioned in Domesday Book. Coal mining from 1800's - 1980.

Crofton Castle was a Gothic Manor House built in 1853 and used as Prisoner of War camp for Italians during WW2. Burned down in 2004. Runis rumoured to be haunted by a Grey Lady.

No significant  history in any of the four locations.

Photos
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