HMS Crofton

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 forst 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.