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Cline Bay MooringsFairmiles at anchor in Cline BayML 296 at seaRMS Queen Mary at Freetown

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Veterans News

London Branch

April Newsletter

The April edition of the London Branch newsletter contains an update on the May gathering on the Belfast which, all things being well, should go ahead as planned, given the announcement by the IWM on their web site of the reopening of the ship on 18th May. There is also a reminder for any last calls for the proposed visit of Medusa to London, which is taking place this summer as part of the Jubilee celebrations.

London Branch April 2012

Imperial War Museum Collection

Motor Torpedo Boats, including MTB 29, and crews at quayside

On the bridge of MTB 32, somewhere in the English Channel. Left to right: Lieutenant N S 'Norrie' Gardner, RNVR; the unnamed Coxwain of the vessel; Lieutenant Peter Dickens, Commanding Officer of 21st MTB Flotilla. Lt Dickens was also in charge of operations from Felixstowe. © IWM (D 12527)

Kenneth Parkin Nicholson

Kenneth Nicholson News has reached us from Colin Severn of the former North Midlands Branch of the CFVA, that shipmate Ken Nicholson has ‘crossed over the bar’. Ken was called up in 1943 and served as an Electrical Artificer in …Continue reading →

Scratch Built Fairmile D

Roy Skeates' inspiration for modelling this particular craft came from his friend Frank Withers, part of the crew of MTB 681.

MTB 681 Scratch Built Model

Book Review: Stretchers Not Available

Written by the son of Dr Jim Rickett, this book recounts the work his father performed in tending to the wounded amongst British Forces fighting from the Island of Vis in the Adriatic. Casualties treated included those from Coastal Forces boats active in the region such as MTB 651.

Stretchers Not Available

55th MTB Flotilla

If I Only Had Known

Ken Forrester served aboard MTBs 606, 632 and 771 as part of the 55th MTB Flotilla out of Great Yarmouth. Ken's time in Coastal Forces included numerous fierce engagements with the enemy and encompassed several defining moments in the history of Coastal Forces. Read Chapter 3 of If I Only Had Known

In Memoriam

During the period of the Second World War—and in the weeks following the end of hostilities—some 200 or more boats of Coastal Forces were lost in action, with over 1,290 casualties officially recorded, and many more injured. Where the anniversary of a death occurs for the current date, both the name and unit of the deceased will be recorded on this panel.

There are no known deaths recorded for 20th May.

View the Book of Remembrance

poppy wreath
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

Mess Deck

Articles

The articles section contains accounts written by veterans detailing aspects of their service in Coastal Forces during the Second World War.Read our articles

Coastal Forces Craft

Find information on a specific Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB), Motor Gunboat (MGB), Motor Launch (ML) or Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML).Search the database

Veterans Area

Visit the veterans area to get up-to-date news and information from the world of Coastal Forces Veterans by reading the latest branch newsletters.Visit the veterans section

Gallery

The photo gallery forms a visual record of the history of Coastal Forces and contains many records of the working environment of boats and their crews.View the photo gallery

Map Room

The Maps Room employs Google map technologies to chart the location of all former Coastal Forces bases world-wide with a note on the history of each.Visit the Map Room

War Reports

In the War Reports section you can read official war reports written during the Second World War that offer revealing insights into the role of Coastal Forces.Read the War Reports