Admin,
I noticed in this thread a reference to a photo of MTB650. I am keen to see any photo of 650, is it possible for you to put one up here or is there some other way I could get hold of it?
Many thanks
Roger
I read an article about Robin Knox Johnston's 1969 achievement. On his return he was accompanied by the Isles of Scilly steamer with the Press on board and by "MTB HMS Fathomer" as the article said. This latter had his parents on board. I am interested in Fathomer but I can find nothing mo...
Hi
My understanding is that this is the action where DFS Gould was killed. If that is the case then this is also when 639 was sunk. It had fired its torpedoes but not at the Italian torpedo boat. You may well have read Reynolds Motor Gunboat 658 if not then it will tell you a lot of 633 and 639.
Roger
Penny, thank you for posting the picture of MGB 318 in post-war guise. I have read much of the exploits of 318 in Brooks Richards' book " Secret Flotillas". The copy I have has pictures of 318 on the dust cover. This book sets the multitude of Operations with the SOE in context and present...
Hi
I wonder if you have looked at the various Facebook Groups that concern themselves with Coastal Forces? Two come to mind: Spitfires of the Sea; Coastal Forces MTB's, MGB's, ML's, ASR's, HSL's of WW2. The first is run by Peter Scott, the second deals mainly with models.
Roger
Hi Admin Kiloran is a fine looking vessel. Thank you for the picture. The Torquay connection makes sense of Kiloran II. There were a number of Warrigton-Smythes involved in Helford. The father as SO in residence and two sons each heading up one of the "secret" services. I got to be familia...
Hi Admin
Thank you for looking through those documents. I wonder if HMY Kiloran explains why the ex ML294 was called Kiloran ll? Am I correct in believing the flotilla in Dartmouth consisted of largely French manned boats?
Roger
Hi SimonR, Your mention of MTB 790 caught my eye. This was one of the Fairmiles my grandfather built at Boat Construction in Falmouth. It was launched in July 1945 and joined its flotilla in Portland at HMS Attack. Later it was rebadged as MTB 5003 and later still as a Fast Patrol Boat P3002. There ...
Hi Admin Thank you so much for the update. The plot thickens! Fascinating reading about possible confusion between ML 253, ML 294, MTB 253. The die stamped 294's discovered by RoyK under Admiralty Grey provide compelling evidence. The connection with St Mawse and river Fal cruises all point to the 1...
An update on the name: a further source, acknowledged by one of the others as more reliable, says she was called "Killian". I am no further forward in finding her number.
Does anyone know whhat ML is in the picture. This is Falmouth in 1965? I have two sources saying that in this guise as a pleasure craft she was called Killoran. However I have got no further than that.
I came across a picture of Poole Belle on Facebook. The author said she was a Fairmile B previously named Matapan. Along with another two called Anzio and Dunkirk they plied out of Poole to Swanage and Isle of Wight. Can anyone fill in any more of their stories, e.g. what were their numbers?
Peter, thank you for this cutting about ML137. This was the first Fairmile my grandfather at Boat Construction built. I have been researching the histories of each one. I thought I had unearthed much of 137's life but nothing of the Chigwell adoption had come to me. Do you have any idea where I can ...
Sincere appolgies, 650 did become a long range rescue craft for the RAF, but LRRC 020 not 004 which was the fate of MTB5006 (another of my grandfather's Dog boats). The older boats of the 55th Flotilla were either paid off or recommissionedafter the pounding they had taken protecting the Eastern fla...
I read today, 12.08.2020, of the acquisition of the Dry Dock in Appledore which will be used to safely restore S130. Much is made of the restoration of the E boat. Are there any Dogs around that could sit proudly with the rival? In particular does anyone know what happened to MTB650 of the 55th Flot...
Katy
... there are several nentions of 661 on MGB 647 in the MGB Forum, many of these are those I recognise from Reyold's book.
On the photo's ... the one with K K E ( kappa kappa epsilon I think iit is) written behind the guys suggests somewhere in Greece?
Roger
PS thanks for the photos.
Katy I have found references to 661 besides her setting sail for the Malta. Len Reynold's book Dog Boats at War has several. If you can't get a copy I will let you have the details. She was under quite colourful leadership and in common with the Dogs in the Mediterranean changed flotilla and command...
Hi Herve
MGB659 was built by my grandfather and I am researching all the ww2 boats he built. I managed to get hold of a limited edition print of 659. It is by the artist Nick Bareis in a series called Jack's Taxi. The address is 77 Tonbridge Road Maidstone ME16 8JN
Cheers Roger
Katy, I am researching the Fairmile boats ny grandfather built in WW2. One was MGB 659 which sailed with MGB 661 and MGB 662 on 4th June 1943 for the Mediterranean. I believe that the boats often worked together but not necessarily in the same flotilla. Is it too much to ask if you have anything whi...
Bob
Thanks for the message, I cannot find the email you mention but I am interested, I too have often grabbed at mentions of 466 thinking it was 446 ... I guess I am saying I am interested, I have collected info from a wide field.
Roger
Thank you so much for the link to the oral history. I did not know about the Appeldore link nor the brush with an E-boat. I look forward to others who may have a link to a photo.
ML446 was built by my grandfather. The only operation she took a part in was Chariot. Her fate was to be scuttled by one of the Hunt class frigates charged with ensuring the safety of that brave flotilla. I am trying to compile a history of each of the MLs, MGBs, and MTBs grandfather built. Sadly I ...