Please can anyone give me any information about the following Tank Landing Craft Mark 8, which were at Suez 1956:
HMS Redoubt L4001
HMS Rampart L4037
HMS Citadel L4038
HMS Parapet L4039
HMS Bastion L4040
HMS Counterguard L4043
HMS Portcullis L4044
HMS Sallyport L4064
HMS Buttress L4099        

All replies will be answered.  Many thanks in anticipation!

Chick Fowler

Any info?

I can offer the following –

LCT (8)
657 tons (895 tons fully loaded)
231.3 ft x 39 ft
Davey-Paxman 12 - cylinder diesels / two shafts = 12.5 knots
range: 2,500 miles at 10 knots
armament: 4 x 20mm
complement - 25
Lift - capable of carrying 8 x 30 ton tanks or 13 x 3 ton lorries

187 vessels ordered between April 1944 and January 1945, but only 110 (?) actually completed between 1945 and 1947
None of the LCTs carried names until 1956.


REDOUBT built by Stockton Construction, Thornaby, launched 27.07.1945
In 1956 in commission at Malta as part of the Amphibious Warfare Squadron
At Suez carried Centurion tanks of C Squadron 6th Royal Tank Regiment
Remained in commission until paid off 01.1965 into reserve
Fate: sold 1966 for conversion to a train ferry, renamed Dimitris-S


RAMPART built by Arrol, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in commission in Home waters
At Suez carried Centurion tanks of C Squadron 6th Royal Tank Regiment
Remained in commission until 08.1965 when paid off into reserve
Fate: transferred to the army 1967, renamed AKYAB she was manned by Royal Army Service Corps; sold out for mercantile use 1988 as Rampart-II


CITADEL built Arrol, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in reserve at Malta; commissioned from Reserve for Suez in 08.1956, but suffered considerable damage to her bow doors in loading and she was withdrawn – she did not take part in the Suez Op.
Apparently returned to the reserve in 01.1957
Fate: sold to Pounds, Portsmouth in 06.1970 for scrapping


PARAPET built Arrol, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in reserve, UK and commissioned from Reserve 31.07.56; sailed Devonport 20.08 arrived Malta 31.08
At Suez carried Centurion tanks of C Squadron 6th Royal Tank Regiment
Returned to reserve 01.1957; re-commissioned 09.1960 to pay off 09.1965 into reserve
Fate: sold 1966 for mercantile conversion

BASTION built by Arrol, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in commission at Malta as part of the Amphibious Warfare Squadron
At Suez carried 4 3-ton trucks, 4 field guns plus associated stores and ammo.
She seems to have remained in commission until 01.1963 when she went into reserve.
Fate: transferred Zambian government 09.1966


COUNTERGUARD built by Arrol, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in reserve, UK and commissioned from the Reserve 31.07.56; sailed Devonport 20.08 arrived Malta 31.08
At Suez, carried vehicles
Apparently back into reserve 01.1957; re-commissioned 07.1958 to pay off for last time 12.58
Fate: transferred to Malaysia 1965, renamed Sri Langkawi; scrapped 1968


PORTCULLIS built by Aroll, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in reserve, UK and commissioned from the Reserve 31.07.1956; sailed Devonport 20.08 and arrived Malta 31.08
At Suez carried ‘priority vehicles’
Paid off 01.1957 to remain in reserve
Fate: sold Pounds, Portsmouth 06.1973 for scrapping


SALLYPORT built by Arrol, Alloa, launched during 1945
In 1956 in reserve, UK and commissioned from the Reserve 31.07.1956; sailed Devonport 20.08 and arrived Malta 31.08
At Suez employed as an HQ ship, loaded with radio control vans “and a plantation of swaying whip aerials”.
Paid off 02.1957 back into the reserve
Fate: sold 04.1966 mercantile conversion, renamed Phaedra

BUTTRESS built by Fairfield at Chepstow, launched during 1945
In 1956 in reserve, UK and commissioned from the Reserve 31.07.1956; sailed Devonport 20.08 arrived Malta 31.08
At Suez carried Centurion tanks of C Squadron, 6th Royal Tank Regiment
Apparently back into reserve after Suez?
Fate: sold French Navy 05.1966 renamed Issole (L.9061); transferred Comoro Island government 1976 as Ville de Nimachova; scrap (?) 1994