The Making Of A Man.

Floriston and Florence

David's first ton class was called HMS Florist on, he joined it on the 27th of April 1958, he had already started dating his future wife Florence by this time, and I am sure he made comments regarding the name of his new ship

HMS Florist on was based at Manoel Island in Malta, this was the base of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet.

On October 13th 1958, David was transferred to HMS Crofton, still part of the Mediterranean Fleet. Crofton was another TON Class, she was only launched in March that year.

Both HMS Floriston and HMS Crofton were part of the 108th minesweeping squadron sent to Cyprus to assist with the EOKA Crisis. Their task was to prevent the smuggling of arms, ammunition and men to terrorist bands that hid in the mountains by day and strike at British security patrols at night.

David remained in the Mediterranean onboard HMS Crofton up until the 14th of October 1959.

He received a General Service medal for his efforts in Cyprus.

The medal pictured below was awarded for the following:

Entitled personnel for service in the suppression of acts of terrorism during the emergency in Cyprus between 1st April 1955 and 18th April 1959, inclusive

Officers and other ranks of the British Army  who served 120 days or more on the posted strength of a unit or formation in Cyprus.

During his time in the Mediterranean David had written a letter to his parents asking for permission to marry Florence, a letter that his mother kept and gave back to David at a later date and he had kept it all his life.

On his return to Portsmouth David married Florence on the 7th of November 1959.