HMS Bildeston

Ship: HMS Bildeston
Pennant No: M1110
Laid Down: 18th May 1951
Completed: 28th April 1953
Built By: D S Doig Ltd, Grimsby
Time to Build: 23 months
Commissioned: 28th April 1953 for Vernon Training Squadron (VTS) based Portsmouth
Years Fully Operational: 24 – First TON to be declared operational (August 1953)

Outline of Operational Career:

• May 1953 Joined Vernon Training Squadron
• 1954 Refit Portsmouth correcting major defects found in the first operational Ton
• 1954 Joined the 50th MSS (Trials) based at Port Edgar
• 1958-68 Reserve at Hythe, fully arked then major refit
• 1 Nov 68 Commissioned for 1st MCM Squadron, remaining operational at Rosyth for the next 15 years
• 1968-86 Operations, exercises and visits
• 1 Jan 84 Transferred to new 3rd MCM Squadron at Rosyth

Significant Events:

• Sept 53 Exercise MARINER - the first NATO Exercise involving a Ton Class ship.
• Sept 69 Visit to Gothenburg - Crw boarded MV 'Cooranga', adrift and a danger to shipping in hurricane force winds, and secured her safety.
• 28 Jun 77 Silver Jubilee Review at Spithead

Paid Off: Dec 1986
Disposal: Sold to Pounds Breakers, Portsmouth 20th July 1988 then sold on to Spanish Shipbreakers

VILLAGE

Affiliated with TCA. Ship's bell and ensign still hang in the parish church.

10 miles North West of Ipswich, Suffolk. Name derives from "Bild's Hamlet", so presumably from a Danish invader.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village economy boomed with the Wool Trade during 15 and 16 centuries but declined when the King increased export taxes.

Recent revival for classy dining and hospitality.  Favoured location for East Anglian society weddings.