Only days earlier, on Friday 2 April 1982, Canberra was happily steaming homeward through the Mediterranean Sea on the final leg of a world cruise. She received a strange message asking for the ship's Expected Time of Arrival at Gibraltar. A further message talked of an "interesting assignment".

Although the Royal Navy was normally supported on most of its normal peacetime operations by the ships and personnel of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the scale and distances involved in the Falkland Conflict made it clear that there was an urgent requirement for further shipping. Requisitioning began and became known as Ships Taken Up From Trade, or STUFT.

During the Conflict almost 70 ships were taken up from trade and came from all parts of the merchant fleet �?from the giant Queen Elizabeth II to small tugs.

In order to make them suitable for their new roles, significant and rapid refitting work was necessary. This was probably most marked in passenger liners such as Canberra which needed accommodation changed to suit troops rather than cruise passengers, the fitting of improvised flight decks, refuelling rigs and improved communications.

The massive task of preparing ships such as the Canberra and Hospital ship Uganda fell to the dock yard workers and engineers, the unsung heroes who worked around the clock to get them ready for their new roles.

One such hero is David Monument MBE, P&O Hull Superintendent, who was responsible for supervising Canberra's transformation. David would argue he was just doing his job but we think differently.

Remarkably, David was asked to locate and fit two new helicopter pads to Canberra. His solution was unique and involved utilising the Bonito Pool bottom. Who would have thought it.

In fact, before she was even back in Southampton, Vosper Thornycroft had been given detailed plans of the Observation Deck and Crow's Nest, and of the Bonito pool and surrounding area. These two locations were rapidly transformed into helicopter decks. David described the experience:

"As Canberra docked alongside Southampton on Wednesday 7 April 1982, and before the passengers had even started to disembark, the dismantling of superstructure and public rooms had begun at 0800 hours. Work continued until the Canberra sailed complete with troops at 2130 hrs on Good Friday 9 April."

Roughly 2,000 troops from 3 PARA, 40 Commando and 42 Commando were onboard when Canberra sailed and crowds gathered to wish her well and her 'passengers' good luck. A group of Vosper Thornycroft workers went with her to finish the forward flight deck. History was made the following day, when an RAF Sea King helicopter made the first of many landings on the newly constructed mid-ships flight deck.

Canberra returned to Southampton 93 days later to an overwhelming welcome, some 35,000 well-wishers gathered to cheer her back to Southampton. Affectionately known as the "The Great White Whale", her contribution as troop transport under-fire and her repatriation of over 4,000 Argentinian prisoners of war, won the hearts of a nation.

It is only fitting that the man who transformed Canberra and the Uganda, David Monument, should have the final word:

"When Canberra returned to Southampton the Royal Marine Bands were all mustered on the flight deck. The Marines played beautiful music, including 'Abide By Me' and 'Land of Hope and Glory'. It was tear-jerking and very emotional. Such was the atmosphere onboard no camera or video could capture the moment.

"When we examined the accommodation after the troops disembarked in Southampton, we noticed that not one piece of malicious damage had been done; all those sailors onboard and no damage, graffiti or anything. They really looked after her."

David Monument was awarded the MBE for his contribution to the Falklands Conflict.