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by Admin
Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: AB Roy Shepherd (CFVA 2672)
Replies: 0
Views: 203

AB Roy Shepherd (CFVA 2672)

Coastal Forces Veterans were informed of the death of Roy Shepherd on 10 February 2024, aged 98. The CFVA membership list records him as being Able Seaman with ML 578 of the 28th ML Flotilla based at HMS Nile at Alexandria. Roy’s flotilla is shown in the February 1945 Red List as operating in the Ae...
by Admin
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: AB/Radar Roy Wickham (CFVA: 509)
Replies: 0
Views: 167

AB/Radar Roy Wickham (CFVA: 509)

Coastal Forces Veterans have learned of the death of Roy Wickham, on 24 February, 2024 aged 99. Roy was just a few weeks shy of his 100th Birthday on 17 March this year. The membership lists records him as an AB/Radar on MTBs 348 and 504, and that he earned a Mention in Despatches. MTB 348 was part ...
by Admin
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML488 (Q488) INFORMATION REQUIRED
Replies: 3
Views: 757

Re: ML488 (Q488) INFORMATION REQUIRED

Hello mlQ488 Thank you for your enquiry concerning your late father and ML 488, and welcome to the forum. I don't have a copy of the minelaying operations referenced in the piece on Minewarfare Heritage web site, but I have copies of the Admiralty Diaries downloaded from the American Archives from w...
by Admin
Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: News & Events
Topic: Holocaust Memorial Day
Replies: 1
Views: 855

Holocaust Memorial Day

On this day, 27 January, the Coastal Forces Veterans web site is marking Holocaust Memorial Day, as it has done over several years now. Now more than ever, it is imperative to do all in our power to uphold the rule of law, in respect of life and liberty, in respect of the means (including territory)...
by Admin
Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:50 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Fathomer and Robin Knox Johnston
Replies: 1
Views: 5507

Re: Fathomer and Robin Knox Johnston

Hello Roger Bit of a mystery I'm afraid. I managed to have a look at a copy of Jane's Fighting Ships for 1969–70 but there is no HMS Fathomer for any navy. The Royal Navy by that date only had the two Fast Patrol Boats, Brave Borderer and Brave Swordsmen, plus two of the old Dark Class still retaine...
by Admin
Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 666
Replies: 9
Views: 23037

Re: MTB 666

That is indeed the remains of the boat which were lifted dockside after the explosion.
mtb-666-19.jpg
The bow section of MTB 666 at Ijmuiden (courtesy Jacques Bartels)
by Admin
Mon Mar 06, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Medal record interpretation AB Allan Guy Robinson
Replies: 5
Views: 11297

Re: Medal record interpretation AB Allan Guy Robinson

I'm not sure Bernie. The descriptions and eligibility page makes mention of a clasp with the title of the second star earned worn on the first, so I don't know if this is the same as a silver rosette, or if that something 'unofficial' or ungazetted? If your father has three stars, then it can't be a...
by Admin
Sat Mar 04, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Medal record interpretation AB Allan Guy Robinson
Replies: 5
Views: 11297

Re: Medal record interpretation AB Allan Guy Robinson

Hello Bernie The Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility page on the GOV.UK web site confirms the findings of the earlier post about only the first star being issued where there is eligibility for two, with a clasp for the second worn on the first instead. The same holds true of the Burma an...
by Admin
Sat Mar 04, 2023 11:53 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 532/1032
Replies: 1
Views: 13921

Re: MTB 532/1032

Hello Paul

Thank you for the photograph of your father and the crew of 532. Do you have a year in which this photo was taken by any chance?

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Mon Feb 27, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 633
Replies: 12
Views: 28309

Re: MTB 633

If anyone has any more information about the operation at Kelibia Point, please post all you know. I have found contradictory information in a number of sources, such as the claim that the Italian TB Sagittario was sunk by MTB 639 torpedoes...was MTB 633 damaged during this operation? Thank you for...
by Admin
Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:20 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 361, MTB 261, MTB 60, MTB 57, ML 911
Replies: 3
Views: 9922

Re: ML 361, MTB 261, MTB 60, MTB 57, ML 911

Hello Jimmy and welcome to the forum. I have managed to compile the following information, which is all I have at this time. MTB 60 7th MTB Flotilla 71' Vosper MTB MTBs 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65 MTB 57 Casualty: Able Seaman James Arthur George P/SSX 28995 15/7/1943 Award: Able Seaman Norman William...
by Admin
Thu Nov 10, 2022 7:07 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: SGB 5 during operation Jubilee
Replies: 6
Views: 14790

Re: SGB 5 during operation Jubilee

Looking again at the one known casualty for SGB 5 (Grey Owl) I now realise that occurred in September 1943, which is over a year later than Dieppe. Apparently the source for the claim of one casualty may derive from an extract of the report by Commander D.B. Wyburd, RN, Appendix 7 to Enclosure 13, p...
by Admin
Wed Nov 09, 2022 6:43 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: SGB 5 during operation Jubilee
Replies: 6
Views: 14790

Re: SGB 5 during operation Jubilee

Hello Steve Just to add some thoughts. It's possible the casualty we have listed for SGB 5 succumbed to wounds gained on the 19th August, but if there was one definite casualty on the day then the CWGC brings up some additional twenty-five odd casualties for Victory, Drake, Pembroke and Excellent, b...
by Admin
Sat Nov 05, 2022 3:22 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 5009 crew photos
Replies: 5
Views: 15688

Re: MTB 5009 crew photos

Hello Mr Spigot Welcome to the forum, and thank you for the identification of your late father-in-law in the crew photos above. I have a couple of photos of MTB 723 which I will email you, if you don't mind my corresponding with you, as I would also like to learn more about the wartime diary you men...
by Admin
Tue Aug 09, 2022 3:17 pm
Forum: Books & Magazines
Topic: Our Lady of the Pirates by Kenneth Horlock - HM MTB 651
Replies: 10
Views: 53751

Re: Our Lady of the Pirates by Kenneth Horlock - HM MTB 651

Hello Jon Welcome to the forum, and thank you for the suggestion regarding Ken Horlock's book. Unfortunately, no one can scan it and sell it, since the work is copyright the author. His daughter had created artwork to accompany the booklet, so that, and the book, are hers and the family's copyright,...
by Admin
Sun May 22, 2022 6:49 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Richard John Mulrooney MTB 606
Replies: 3
Views: 14388

Re: Richard John Mulrooney MTB 606

Hello again I have just amalgamated the previous post and its reply into this thread to keep the messages together and avoid any confusion, and also placed it under the Personnel category rather than MTB. I have found his CFVA number which was 495, and his original new member details in the March 19...
by Admin
Sun May 22, 2022 12:49 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Thomas Watkins — MGB 56
Replies: 4
Views: 9408

Re: Thomas Watkins — MGB 56

Hello Qed296 Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately I do do not have any photos of MGB 56, which was originally building for the French Navy, and entered service first as a Motor Anti-Submarine Boat (MASB 56). It was part of the 4th MGB Flotilla, comprising MGBs 50–57, MGBs 50, 51, 52 & 57 be...
by Admin
Sun May 22, 2022 11:46 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Richard John Mulrooney MTB 606
Replies: 3
Views: 14388

Re: Richard John Mulrooney MTB 606

Dear Mike Thank you for your enquiry. To answer your questions, LMtrMch stands for Leading Motor Mechanic, and the service number P/MX99486 comprises 'P' for Portsmouth as his assigned Port Division, which was one of three — the others being 'D' for Devonport at Plymouth, and 'C' for Chatham. The 'M...
by Admin
Mon Apr 04, 2022 9:53 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: 12th MTB Flotilla (MTBs 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 345)
Replies: 5
Views: 17495

Re: 12th MTB Flotilla (MTBs 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 345)

Thank you for the notification of your new book Torpedoes, Tea, and Medals. I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to works on the subject of Coastal Forces, and I wish you every success with it!
by Admin
Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:50 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Bernard (Barney) Trueman DSM
Replies: 13
Views: 41157

Re: Bernard (Barney) Trueman DSM

Hello Terry

Thank you for your helpful confirmation of this crew photo as that of ML 116. I have just placed a reply on your early thread on ML 116 itself.

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:47 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 116
Replies: 2
Views: 19841

Re: ML 116

Hello Terry

I am just picking up on this thread after your recent contribution to the thread on Bernard Trueman.

I have this photo in my records which derives from the US Archives showing ML 116 in the background.

ml-116-1.jpg
PT 504 rescues survivors of USS Rich off Normandy, 8 June, 1944 (@ USN Archives NH 44313
ml-116-1.jpg (311.71 KiB) Viewed 9330 times
by Admin
Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:29 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Operation Postage Able - "ML 205 and ML 190"
Replies: 4
Views: 15433

Re: Operation Postage Able - "ML 205 and ML 190"

Hello again Roger. Apologies for the delayed response but I had other work to catch up on. Thank you very much for all the additional information. If the operational orders are in pdf format could you possibly sent me a copy of it for future reference? Regarding ML 190 : were the 14th ML Flotilla an...
by Admin
Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:30 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB
Replies: 10
Views: 34723

Re: P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB

Rachel I have looked at John Lambert's Allied Coastal Forces Vol II: Vosper MTBs and Us Elcos , and he does have a drawing of CTB 44, which I assume would have been the basis for one of his boat-building plans, if it is still available. The book has a basic side-on view, and shows an upturned dinghy...
by Admin
Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:08 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Crew photo - P8044 - Malta
Replies: 3
Views: 10818

Re: Crew photo - P8044 - Malta

Rachel Just to give you an update. I wasn't able to find any names of possible crew from among the former members of the CFVA. John Lambert gives this boat as a Vosper 73' Type II, ordered in 1943, but only completed in 1947 as a Control Target Boat (CTB 44). I haven't been able to find any referenc...
by Admin
Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:50 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Crew photo - P8044 - Malta
Replies: 3
Views: 10818

Re: Crew photo - P8044 - Malta

Rachel

Thank you for the great crew photo. I will check the records I have for membership of the former Coastal Forces Veterans Association (CFVA), when I get the opportunity, to see if it records any named person(s) and get back to you.

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:45 am
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB
Replies: 10
Views: 34723

Re: P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB

Rachel Thank you for your enquiry. I am currently away from home, and have had to extend my time away so have not had the opportunity to consult the literature I have. I wonder if the model was originally made from a plan by the late John Lambert, who also produced a very good volume on the Vosper b...
by Admin
Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:48 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Operation Postage Able - "ML 205 and ML 190"
Replies: 4
Views: 15433

Re: Operation Postage Able - "ML 205 and ML 190"

Hello Rob Thank you for your enquiry. I am currently away from home so do not have full access to my research materials. The configuration of ‘short’ MTB flotillas can be found in Home Waters MTBs & MGBs by Len Reynolds, and I have some lists of the ML flotillas when I can access them. The Battl...
by Admin
Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:53 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 357 History Required
Replies: 31
Views: 73526

Re: ML 357 History Required

Mark

Congratulations on a well put together web site. It will prove a useful addition to the history of Coastal Forces on the web.

Admin
by Admin
Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:15 pm
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: HDML 1392 12" model
Replies: 8
Views: 35773

Re: HDML 1392 12" model

I could send you a photo of the cabinet but cannot see a way of doing this here.
When you post a reply in the forum, you will see a tab below the text window marked ‘Attachments’, and selecting that will show an option ‘Add files’ which may be used to post an image file.

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:16 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Victor Ernest Robinson MTB 639
Replies: 5
Views: 14145

Re: Victor Ernest Robinson MTB 639

Did you recognise your Uncle in the the crew photograph?

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