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by Pioneer
Sun May 04, 2014 11:55 am
Forum: News & Events
Topic: Coastal Forces gathering at Brixham
Replies: 0
Views: 13147

Coastal Forces gathering at Brixham

An interesting gathering of ex-CF vessels is reported on the BMPT website.
The craft sailed from Watchet Harbour, evidently on their way to Torquay to establish another Home Base.
by Pioneer
Fri May 02, 2014 10:17 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 130
Replies: 15
Views: 35801

Re: ML 130

From our Boat Database (Losses by Date - 7 May 1942) - "ML 130 was sunk off Malta by gunfire from E-Boats". Four recorded deaths - see our Casualty Database
by Pioneer
Wed Mar 26, 2014 8:14 am
Forum: Books & Magazines
Topic: Allied Coastal Forces of WWII: Volume 1
Replies: 6
Views: 28254

Re: Allied Coastal Forces of WWII: Volume 1

Not exactly volume 1 but does anyone have news on volume 3 ? I am researching British Power Boats and volume 3 would be ideal.
Not exactly a book! but you may find that this website could assist you with your research? http://www.yalumba.co.uk/Framesets/Brit ... t%20Co.htm
by Pioneer
Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:52 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Lieutenant John Lloyd
Replies: 0
Views: 13428

Lieutenant John Lloyd

Sad to relate that long time London Branch member John Lloyd has 'crossed the bar'.
Former 1st Lt of HDML 1392
by Pioneer
Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:48 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 466
Replies: 10
Views: 36637

Re: ML 466

From our Boat Database
Fairmile Motor Launch (B ML) Length: 112'
Builder's Yard: Itchenor Shipyard, Itchenor, Essex
Completion Date: 31st March 1942 Loss or Disposal Date: 25th March 1945
Notes: ML 466 was mined off Walcheren on 25 March 1945.
by Pioneer
Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:26 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 415
Replies: 11
Views: 27500

Re: MTB 415

If your interest is wider than the history of RN and Commonwealth Coastal Forces then I would definitely state Yes. The BMPT site caters mainly for interests in the preservation/restoration of ex-military craft, whether RN, RAF or even those belonging to the former enemy, the membership reflecting a...
by Pioneer
Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:37 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Uniform in general use by MTB crews
Replies: 18
Views: 53414

Re: Uniform in general use by MTB crews

Hello 'dutch' Normal sea going rig in Home Waters would be white woollen sea jerseys as worn by submariner's etc. Life jackets would be the pusser's issue as per 'Big Ships' of the RN but, due to the nature of operations in 'small ships' other, probably 'acquired', types were commonly seen. The dist...
by Pioneer
Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:55 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 415
Replies: 11
Views: 27500

Re: MTB 415

Welcome aboard Rolf - hope that you enjoy what the site has to offer. For starters - This boat was ordered in November 1940 as a Motor Anti-Submarine Boat (MASB) but was completed as a Motor Gun Boat (MGB). It was converted for use as a Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB 415) in September 1943, survived the wa...
by Pioneer
Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:21 pm
Forum: Books & Magazines
Topic: Allied Coastal Forces of WWII: Volume 1
Replies: 6
Views: 28254

Re: Allied Coastal Forces of WWII: Volume 1

Volume 3 has never been published. John Lambert, one of the two authors of the series, has confirmed that this volume, though completed in draft form, has been put 'on hold' for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, it will eventually see the light of day; in my opinion it would surely have been a grea...
by Pioneer
Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:14 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 622
Replies: 7
Views: 24625

Re: MTB 622

Harry Leader, a former London Branch member, gave me an indepth account of the loss of MTB 622, he being one of only 10 survivors when she was lost off the coast of Holland on the night of March 9th/10th 1943. Taking several high calibre hits, 622 caught fire and eventually exploded. Blown into the ...
by Pioneer
Sun Mar 09, 2014 10:24 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Able Seaman Joseph Drabble
Replies: 0
Views: 13678

Able Seaman Joseph Drabble

It is always with sadness when we record the death of a former Coastal Forces veteran. Joseph Drabble, AB/AA3 served on MTBs 234, 255, 233 and HDML 1080. He held the CFVA membership number of 2153.

We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
by Pioneer
Wed Feb 26, 2014 9:32 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Coastal Forces, the lost experiences of WW1
Replies: 1
Views: 10674

Re: Coastal Forces, the lost experiences of WW1

A very interesting website Dave, many thanks for posting the link. Having read through most of the internal links within the site, it baffles me to read that such large orders were placed abroad at a time when real hardship (through lack of orders) was being experienced in our own boat building indu...
by Pioneer
Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:18 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 262
Replies: 3
Views: 12930

Re: MTB 262

Hello David The tragedy that befell MTB 262 is fully described in “Mediterranean MTB’s at War” by L.C. Reynolds and H.H. Cooper Basically; she was on an independent Mine laying operation off the Coast of Galita Island. This was a ‘working up’ exercise after major repairs when, to the CO’s horror (Lt...
by Pioneer
Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:46 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Leading Stoker Leslie Fish
Replies: 2
Views: 15625

Re: Leading Stoker Leslie Fish

It is always very sad to hear of the departing of our Coastal Forces members. Please accept our sincere condolences Tina, our thoughts are with you and the family at this sad time.
by Pioneer
Sun Feb 02, 2014 7:31 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Motor Launch at Galmpton Creek, Dartmouth
Replies: 8
Views: 29611

Re: Motor Launch at Galmpton Creek, Dartmouth

Hello Steve, welcome aboard. I think that the boat you are referring to is former RML 535 . She was the first of the Western Lady ferry boats situated on the River Dart. There is an image of her on the Simplon Postcards site. Scroll down the page a little to see her very sorry state as seen in 2007....
by Pioneer
Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:31 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Lieutenant Hugh Arnold DSC
Replies: 0
Views: 13708

Lieutenant Hugh Arnold DSC

Hugh Arnold, survivor of the raid on St Nazaire in which he won the DSC, died on the 17th December 2013.
A full Obituary can be read in the The Daily Telegraph
by Pioneer
Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:23 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: MTB 2016 trip after WW2
Replies: 1
Views: 14967

Re: MTB 2016 trip after WW2

Yes, post war there were several trips made by RN vessels around the UK to 'show the flag' as a recruitment drive. With the demob of Hostilities Only personnel there were fears of a shortage of manpower, the Cold War having just begun. MTB 2016, a Camper Nicholson design, had several changes to her ...
by Pioneer
Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:06 am
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Any information on Operation Biting?
Replies: 1
Views: 14864

Re: Any information on Operation Biting?

Hello Colin, welcome aboard. Operation Biting is reported in some detail on the Combined Operations website, as you will probably know, but the RN's CF contingent is not identified. Some of our readers may not be able to view your father's Service Record as The World Naval Ships Forums require you t...
by Pioneer
Wed Jan 01, 2014 10:08 am
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: MTB 256 action 26 July 1944
Replies: 13
Views: 38833

Re: MTB 256 action 26 July 1944

L C Reynolds book ‘Home Waters MTB’s & MGB’s at War 1939 -1945’ ISBN 0 7509 2518 3 has the following action on the 26th July 1944. The reference is quoted as being from MO 9084; ADM 199/264; report of CCF (Channel). …A lull during eight nights of bad weather provided a breather from the 19th- 26...
by Pioneer
Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:31 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: MTB 256 action 26 July 1944
Replies: 13
Views: 38833

Re: MTB 256 action 26 July 1944

Hello 'Conundrum' Welcome aboard. For starters , MTB 256 was allocated to the 14th MTB Flotilla. This Flotilla had two Senior Officers (SOs) between 1942–1944. SO 1 Lt F. E. MacVie RN. SO 2 Lt D. G. Shaw RN. Temp Sub Lt John Ainsley Peters RNVR was awarded the DSC – London Gazette 10th October 1944 ...
by Pioneer
Sun Dec 22, 2013 9:51 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 81
Replies: 17
Views: 55643

Re: MGB 81

This is a recent clip from BBC News (22/12/2013). Unfortunately it may not be viewable to those outside of the UK.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25483778 if you can see it, best viewed full screen.
by Pioneer
Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:15 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 81
Replies: 17
Views: 55643

Re: MGB 81

Another fine shot of MGB 81 underway
by Pioneer
Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:45 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 608
Replies: 3
Views: 23058

Re: MGB 608

Able Seaman Roy Eric Dearing was awarded the DSM, his citation can be read in the London Gazette (scroll down his name appears on the right).
by Pioneer
Mon Nov 25, 2013 12:43 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: Information please about MGB 57
Replies: 5
Views: 24770

Re: Information please about MGB 57

Hello ‘gerald’ Welcome aboard. If you visit our Boat Database (just type in the boat number – ie 57) you will find the basic details of the craft. Originally laid down as an order for the French Navy being requisitioned by the RN whilst still on the stocks. She was constructed as an MASB (Motor Anti...
by Pioneer
Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:42 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: HDML Medusa
Replies: 6
Views: 18660

Re: HDML Medusa

A celebration for Medusa's 70th birthday can be seen at this PDF presentation
by Pioneer
Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:19 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Petty Officer Wren Phyllis Ward (nee Luke)
Replies: 0
Views: 14188

Petty Officer Wren Phyllis Ward (nee Luke)

Petty Officer Wren Phyllis Ward (nee Luke)

We have been informed of the death of the above CFVA member (2617) who died on the 28th August 2013.
by Pioneer
Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:03 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 243
Replies: 12
Views: 36911

Re: MTB 243

Hello 'MBiggs', welcome aboard. The fate of MTB 243 is precisely documented in our Boats database as having been sunk as a target on 22nd August 1944. Her immediate history can be read in Mediterranean MTBs at War by L.C. Reynolds and H.F. Cooper. …For these reasons the role of the 24th Flotilla was...
by Pioneer
Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:24 am
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: HDML 1392 12" model
Replies: 8
Views: 36005

Re: HDML 1392 12" model

Hello 'Johnk'

Not sure if you are aware but images of further superb models by Christian can be seen on Flickr - Here
by Pioneer
Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:29 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: The British 'Dark' class
Replies: 31
Views: 113073

Re: The British 'Dark' class

Another rare image, courtesy of Dave Mills, that gives a true impression of the size of a Napier Deltic motor. Not sure of what craft this is being fitted but would suggest possibly an early 'Dark'
by Pioneer
Thu Aug 22, 2013 12:18 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Coastal Forces Maintenance Units
Replies: 4
Views: 22850

Re: Coastal Forces Maintenance Units

Hello ‘dcrfan’ I do like your detective work – the identifying of the Horche truck - well done. The Med CF mobile units certainly do need further research. Our Mediterranean Map page give a very brief outine but still has many gaps. The importance of Naval Parties (NP’s) in the initial stages of CFM...

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