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by Mark_E
Wed Feb 05, 2020 4:11 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hello
No I haven't actually. I did do a bit of digging initially but didn't get anywhere. I'll try again...
by Mark_E
Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:44 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Thanks you so much for posting this update, and for your efforts at the PRO in Kew. I really do appreciate it. Even a negative outcome is helpful in ruling things out definitively. the search goes on...

Thank you, once again
Mark
by Mark_E
Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:36 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hi Sarah I'm very glad that this thread has been helpful (is that the right word?) for you. It can be so difficult to really find out about the experiences of our family (I am accepting now that I never will with regard to my own father) so it's good that this thread has been able to shed some light...
by Mark_E
Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:07 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: 657, 678, 663
Replies: 10
Views: 38169

Re: 657, 678, 663

Thanks Brian
by Mark_E
Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:06 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: 657, 678, 663
Replies: 10
Views: 38169

Re: 657, 678, 663

Sorry for this being off topic, but Brian where do you get the 'known crew' information from?

Thanks, Mark
by Mark_E
Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:09 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hi all. A brief update from me. The one benefit of moving house and packing and unpacking all your stuff is that you get to have a look through all your stuff! I recently moved home and rediscovered some photocopies of dad's papers. There are maybe ten or so short stories recounting tales from his e...
by Mark_E
Mon Feb 20, 2017 1:33 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Thanks Kevin, yes I'll keep up the search. I feel that somewhere there must be a breakthrough. My father's sister passed away a few years ago, and being the last of my father's blood relatives of that generation means we have little to go on. I think we'll revisit her papers though and see if there ...
by Mark_E
Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:53 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

I think my Dad's war experience can be summed up by 'one close shave after another'. He was unharmed, yet went on one of the roughest the arctic convoys (JW53), D-Day, Scheldt, and then island of Bangka. Interestingly enough my dad served in an Arctic Convoy aboard HMS Venus (JW58 - I think) before...
by Mark_E
Thu Jan 12, 2017 1:51 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hello all Wow what a fascinating thread this has become! Stuart I'm very pleased you have found some new information on your father, even after all these years. I read with interest the COPP mission to Gold beach. Maybe that is a part of my family history, and maybe not. Either way it is extremely f...
by Mark_E
Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:27 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Sorry for the late reply but thanks - I'll have a look at that :)
by Mark_E
Mon Oct 31, 2016 12:53 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Thanks everyone for contributions. There's quite a lot of info appearing these past few days for a layman such as me to digest! The comment about radar not (often) being a part of MLs but was in use in MTBs is interesting as my mother was visiting this weekend (I promise that's not an irrelevant com...
by Mark_E
Fri Oct 28, 2016 2:57 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Thanks Admin. I think I knew the Albert was based around Hamburg. I'm pretty sure I have seen photos marked as Buxtehude and I remember dad spoke about the devastation he witnessed in Hamburg from the bombing. It looks as though he was in Newcastle for around four months or so doesn't it. I apprecia...
by Mark_E
Fri Oct 28, 2016 1:46 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

... Sorry not to be of more assistance. Admin Hi admin Thanks for the note. I agree RNTU suggests training doesn't it. I did conduct a brief online search the other day for RNTU Newcastle but haven't really gotten into it yet. I agree there isn't much to suggest what role (if any) he ahd in coastal...
by Mark_E
Fri Oct 28, 2016 1:39 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Haven't fully digested this yet, but can't help but notice that he appears to have been promoted Acting Able Seaman (If I've read the handwriting correctly) 72 years ago today!
Good spot!!
by Mark_E
Fri Oct 28, 2016 8:32 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

OK I've managed to convert some pages to jpg, a scan of one half the service record page (not very legible unfortunately) and the pay and victuals ledge which is legible but doesn't tell me much (I think) about his early service. Is does record the Naval Party he joined in Germany at the end of the ...
by Mark_E
Thu Oct 27, 2016 5:19 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

OK I have it and scanned it as a pdf but it seems I can't upload a pdf so I'll need to re-scan to output as an image!
by Mark_E
Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:25 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hi Steve
Yes of course. I'll have to bring them in to work and scan them here so it'll be a day or so. I'm not holding out much hope but of course there's a whole heap of expertise on these boards :-)
by Mark_E
Mon Oct 24, 2016 5:25 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hello An update, I have heard back from the RN/MOD and they have provided me with some very limited information. His service record is, essentially, blank so they included info from the pay and pensions folk. This is basically a list of periods spent 'attached' to shore-based facilities such as Vict...
by Mark_E
Tue Oct 18, 2016 1:47 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hi Steve Thanks so much for checking out for me. Not much to go on there is there! I'm waiting on the RN/MOD to get back to me regarding dad's service record so hopefully that will suggest a new line of inquiry for me. I shall report back whatever the outcome. Thanks again - I really do appreciate i...
by Mark_E
Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:21 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Thanks Steve, that really is very kind
by Mark_E
Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:25 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

That would be fantastic, thanks very much. If it's no trouble, I should say.

I suppose the worst that could happen is that we rule out that he was on this particular ML. Which is still a step forward!
by Mark_E
Fri Sep 30, 2016 8:22 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Of course the National Archives!
by Mark_E
Thu Sep 29, 2016 4:32 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hi Stephen Thanks for coming back to this subject! That is a good thought. It's possible isn't it? I suppose it's also possible they could have asked for fire to come down on German batteries that were targeted on the Marines. Coincidentally yesterday I sent off my application for dad's service reco...
by Mark_E
Wed Aug 31, 2016 11:34 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Thanks Admin It's interesting to know that some boats were converted by removing the tubes. I can't say with confidence anymore (and less than before!) what sort of Coastal Forces vessel he served on. The things I recall, apart from the story regarding the overnight clandestine beach landing, are th...
by Mark_E
Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:07 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

Re: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hello Apologies it's taken me a few days to respond, I was on some downtime over the bank holiday weekend. I wanted to say thanks so much for taking the time to respond with your research and knowledge. It does look like some of the assumptions I had previously made are incorrect and/or my recollect...
by Mark_E
Fri Aug 26, 2016 3:09 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?
Replies: 96
Views: 385008

A Long shot - ML 916 and ...?

Hello there I am trying to find some information about my late father, Charles Elkins. He joined the Royal Navy in (we think) 1943 aged 17, served on HMS Venus on an Arctic convoy, before moving to Coastal Forces. I recall him telling a tale of zipping over to France overnight, pre D-Day with scient...

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