HMS Monkton

Ship: HMS MONKTON
Pennant No: M1155
Laid Down: 16th December 1953
Built by: Herd & Mackenzie, Buckie, Banff. Yard Number 124
Completed: 27th February 1957
Time to Build: 38 Months
Commissioned: April 1959 for Vernon Training Squadron (VTS) based Portsmouth
Conversion: to Patrol Vessel at Devonport for service in Hong Kong September & October 1971
Years Fully Operational: 26

Outline of Operational Career:

• May 1959 Arrived Portsmouth to join Vernon Squadron
• 1960-1965 Local exercises, and visits in N European waters
• 1 Oct 1962 Vernon Training Squadron renamed 5th MSS
• Dec 1965 Transferred to 1st MCMS based Port Edgar
• 1966-1968 Exercises and visits in North European waters
• 1 Jan 69 Transferred to Plymouth Command for SAR duties
• 1 Sep 71 Conversion to Patrol Craft at Devonport.
• Jan-Apr 72 Passage to Hong Kong in company
• 1972-85 Hong Kong Patrol Craft Squadron as P1055

Significant Events:

• Nov 62-Jul 63 Ships Company transferred to THAMES, then BEACHAMPTON due long term shaft defects
• May 1968 Operation NEW BROOM based Borkum
• Sep 1971 Conversion to Patrol Craft- Additional Bofors and Machine guns; some armour plating: Minesweeping gear removed

Paid Off: 17th April 1985
Disposal: 23rd May 1985. Sold to Hing Fat Metal Co for break up at Hong Kong

VILLAGE

3 villages found in England, 2 in Wales, 1 in Scotland plus Canada and USA

It is not clear which village the Ship Naming Committee may have intended for the ship, as all are small settlements and none has any significant historical events recorded.

In the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales:

Monkton Priory is near Cardiff. In mediaeval timesthe village of Comeston grew up round a fortified manor near what is now Penarth.The manor was constructed in the 12th  Century by the De Costentin family, descended from Bretons of the Cotentin Peninsula in Brittanywho accompanied William the Conquerorin1066.

In Pembroke :

Name in Welsh is Ci-Maen. A priory was founded in 1098 across the river from Pembroke Castle.

Currently the area has been designated one of deprivation

In Devon :

On the river Otter, 2 miles NE of Honiton in the Blackdown Hills. Name derives from the Saxon "Monk's Farmstead".

In Kent ;

South West corner of the Isle of Thanet. Mentioned in the Domesday Book. Has a 12th century church.

Surrounding chalk hills are noted for rare native orchids

Following a large explosion in 2007, thevillage was largely evacuated. 

In South Ayrshire:

Borders on Prestwich airport, near Glasgow. Originally known as "Prestwick Monarchum".

On Tyne and Wear :

Part of Hebburn on Tyne, whose name derives from Saxon "Heah Byrgen" - a burial site on high ground near water.

First mentioned in 8th century when a fishermen's settlement was plundered and burned by Vilkings.

A noted former centre for ship building; both merchant and warships (Hawthorn Leslie) c.f. the story of HMS Kelly, Lord Mountbatten's ship.

Significant coalmining in the area from 17th Century to 1930's. Remember the Jarrow Marchers of 1932; unemployed men from this area who marched to London seeking work and assistance for their families.