HMS Kirkliston

Ship: HMS KIRKLISTON
Pennant No: M1137Laid Down: 3rd February 1953
Built by: Harland & Wolff, Belfast. Yard Number 1518
Completed: 21st August 1954
Time to Build: 18 Months
Transferred: 25th October 1954 to 101st (RNVR) MSS as HMS KILMOREY based Belfast
Conversion: to Minehunter at Chatham December 1962 to September1964
Years Fully Operational: 26 years

Outline of Operational Career:

• 25 Oct 54 Arrived Belfast as tender to Ulster RNR
• 1954-1960 Home waters as RNR Ulster Tender
• Aug 1960 Reverted to RN. Conversion to Deltic Engines.
• 7 May 1962 Commissioned for 50th MSS based Portland
• 1 Oct 1962 50th MSS renamed 3rd MSS
• 22 Nov 62 Decommissioned for conversion at Chatham
• Oct 1964 Joined 1st Minehunting Squadron at Port Edgar as SO
• 1966 Joined 6th MSS based Singapore
• 1970 Moved base to Hong Kong
• 22 May 72 Sailed for UK – arrived Portsmouth 29 Aug 72, then transferred to 1st MCMS at Lochinvar
• Oct 73 - Oct 74 Long Refit at Gibraltar (No Ships Company)
• 1974 – 81 Transferred to 10^th MCMS for Forth Division RNR. First RNR Minehunter
• 1981 – 85 transferred to 2nd MCM Squadron. Served in Standing Naval Force Channel mid 1981 – mid 1982 – Information provided by Cdr Simon Nicholson 

Significant Events:

• 18 Jul 67 Holed below waterline while recovering a steel US aircraft bombing target. 3 months repairs at Singapore.
• Sep-Oct 68 Deployment to NE Australia (Mackay & Cairns)

• 1971 Awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace for sustained personal efforts made by all members of her Ship's Company for helping with construction and social projects among communities in and around Hong Kong. Particular recognition was given to the rescue on16/17th August, in hurricane force winds and sea conditions, of  four survivors of the crew of 88 of MV FATSHAN, which had capsized to the east of the island of Lantau. KIRKLISTON also rescued 37 seamen from another ship in difficulties in the same area, eventually landing all survivors on the island by Gemini, where shore authorities took over relief.

          It is believed that this is the ONLY instance of the Award of the Sword of Peace to a TON.

          -  Information provided by WO (Eng) David Shipley

• Oct-Dec 84 Operation HARLING in Red Sea - see details in TCA book Life in the TONs

Paid Off: 5th December 1985
Disposal: 20 Oct 91 to Brugse Scheepssloperji, Bruges, for break up