Hello James, welcome aboard. From this sites data base: "...Leading Seaman George Alfred KERBY Service No: D/SSX 17953 MGB 606 Mention in Despatches For skill and daring in a successful action in enemy coastal waters while serving in light Coastal Craft: London Gazette: 21st December 1943...&qu...
A very powerful message Admin.
The World appears to be at a dangerous juncture, according to most mainstream media. Although not a wartime Vet, my early years were growing up in London and I do have some vivid memories of that conflict.
As you say - 'Lest we Forget'.
Peter Bickmore BEM, a founder member of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association (CFV 29). It is with great sadness that we belatedly report the passing of Peter. just one month away from his 99th Birthday. (D. 22.50 on 23rd August 2023) Our sincere condolances to his family at this very sad time. Th...
Hello again Steve49 An excellent work that lists all ships and boats that took part in Operation Jubilee, can be found at https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Battle_Summary_33.pdf A comprehensive account in PDF format, that on page 59 lists SGB5 and ML346 as being attached to Group...
Welcome aboard 'Steve49' SGB 5 (HMS Grey Owl) is listed as having 1 fatal casualty in the site's Research database. Able Seaman KENNETH MORPHET Service No: P/JX 295548 Navy: Royal Navy Unit: H.M.S.G.B. Grey Owl Date: 5th September 1943 Age: 22 Burial or Memorial: NELSON CEMETERY (Spec. Memorial.) Ne...
Congratulations to our Chairman and former Secretary Mr Eddie Dibley having been awarded the French highest order of merit, The Legion of Honour ((French: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) for his service in WW2 on board MTB 757. Eddie we remember, kept the London Branch alive almost single han...
A/B Ken Gadsdon - CFVA 2500 It was a very sad day when learning of the passing of dear Ken Gadsdon He served in the Adriatic Sea aboard MTB 651; invalided out of the RN in 1943, he carried the results of very serious war wounds with dignity until his dying day. He will certainly be remembered for ha...
Hello Chrisnye, welcome to the Forum. There is mention of an action during 18/19 May 1944, in Leonard Reynolds excellent work - ‘Dog Boats at War’, in which MGB 661 was involved. Although not mentioning your relative AB Bruce Peters by name, it does describe this action in some detail without the in...
A rarely seen image has surfaced of the Bridge of HMS Gay Carabineer The image was sent by Mike Harrison from New Zealand who is currently building a large scale model of HMS Brave Swordsman - see here > https://cfv.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=633 < Prominent in the image is the Port side ...
An earlier shot (Dec 2019) of the model's Hull with the display board of finished fittings.
This view can be linked to an earlier image, giving a good impression of the large scale and Mike's modelling skills.
Another illustration from Mike, (from down under). I am truly in awe of this gentleman - the attention to detail for this model is fantastic, even down to 'rifling' (within these Rocket Flare Launch Tubes) I'm so pleased that he has been able to restart with the build of HMS Brave Swordsman , especi...
Hello 'timbiller' Welcome aboard. Have you seen this> https://www.lsars.org.uk/site/medal-rolls.php#close Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal Date: 17 April 1945 Case number: 59153 Occupation: T/Sub Lieut RNVR HM MTB 658 Location: North Adriatic RHS Report: 1945 The Case number may assist with gaining...
Hello RogerFentem Thank you for the Post, you have added a little further info on MTB 650, I was not aware that she had travelled to the Suez and ended up as a 'luxurious Houseboat', do you have any further details ie Houseboat name? Sadly no survivors of the famous 'D' are known to exist, the rumou...
Hello 'corkerrys' I do have a copy of Ken's autobiography and I will dig it out (from somewhere :-) and could send scans via private message or e-mail, if you wish. I was very friendly with Ken (over the phone) but unfortunately never got to meet him or his lovely wife Harriet. I do miss having the ...
Hello John A little late with a reply to your post but have you managed to read the article on the loss of SGB 7 ? https://cfv.org.uk/research/history/article/loss-of-sgb-7 A little way down within the narrative of the discovery of the wreck, there is a rather fuzzy image of what may be S 306 (SGB 6).
A very recent image from Mike in New Zealand.
After a lengthy break from the modeling of HMS Brave Swordsman this image illustrates the attention to accurate detail he manages to achieve.
A very interesting image of the Fore-deck of one of the Brave's on the background board.
Only one Helm - within the Wheelhouse. If being 'conned' from the 'cockpit' it would need instructions given by word of mouth shouted down through the 'cockpit'.
The image of MASB 37 shows Coxswain at the Helm.
I think that you may be slightly mistaken with the layout of the MASB Bridge structure. With the restoration of MASB 27, the reconstruction of the bridge clearly shows that the craft has two 'open cockpits' immediately behind the wheelhouse. The view taken of MASB 37 gives a false impression - the t...