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by Admin
Mon Aug 30, 2021 11:10 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 632
Replies: 9
Views: 23605

Re: MTB 632

Hello Paul Thank you for your enquiry. Could you confirm if Bill Mccann was your grandfather, or someone else, and if so, whether your grandfather was a member of crew. I will contact you via email, if you don’t mind, about getting a good quality photo of the plaque, and arrange to pass on resources...
by Admin
Wed Aug 11, 2021 9:51 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: George Leslie Edwards
Replies: 3
Views: 15144

Re: George Leslie Edwards

Katrina I am sorry to hear the Birmingham Nautical RNA have disposed of your Dad's medals and glassware, which is a very wrong thing to have done with a bequest! I believe it is possible to apply to have medals replaced, but that is not the same as having the originals, and the other items are irrep...
by Admin
Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:41 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18518

Re: ML in Falmouth

There were a number of Warrigton-Smythes involved in Helford. Oddly enough I’ve just been reading about them. I happen to have a small publication by Landfall Publications entitled Operation Cornwall 1940-1944: The Fal, the Helford and D-Day . It states part of the original SOE contingent on the He...
by Admin
Fri Jul 30, 2021 12:17 am
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Action off Catania on 11th July 1943
Replies: 22
Views: 46547

Re: Action off Catania on 11th July 1943

Graham

Thank you for the photo. That is one book I don't have so I will have to look out for a copy. I have conducted a thorough search of everything I have, and have looked online in the IWM etc, but have not managed to find anything at all.

Admin
by Admin
Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:22 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18518

Re: ML in Falmouth

Roger It appears HMY Kiloran was an armed yacht, and I have managed to unearth this image, which seems on the face of it to be Kiloran functioning as a ferry at Torquay, so I wonder if this is the Kilora n, then that means any Fairmile B would only have been Kiloran II and up? kiloran-at-torquay.jpg...
by Admin
Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:04 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18518

Re: ML in Falmouth

Roger The plot thickens again! I have just been looking through some documents I have on the Dartmouth, Falmouth and Helford River Flotillas, which were the SOE and SIS run operations to Brittany using Coastal Forces units, and French Fishing Vessels, some of which were specially constructed by the ...
by Admin
Tue Jul 27, 2021 4:40 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Action off Catania on 11th July 1943
Replies: 22
Views: 46547

Re: Action off Catania on 11th July 1943

Hello Graham Thank you for the crew photograph. I believe from similar crew photos I have seen that this is Weymouth where the original Coastal Forces working-up base was located. New boats with their crew were sent there to undergo training exercises, including the use of torpedoes. I must contact ...
by Admin
Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:48 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 682 Operating From Mantis
Replies: 4
Views: 16433

Re: MTB 682 Operating From Mantis

Hello Elaine Thank you for your contribution to this post. It is indeed a long time since it was last written to, but the information is always there to be discovered by someone else in the fullness of time. Your Dad’s boat was part of the 55th MTB Flotilla whose Senior Officer was Don Bradford. He ...
by Admin
Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:05 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 790 - need help and info please
Replies: 5
Views: 10861

Re: MTB 790 - need help and info please

Simon The principal references for MTB 651 are Dog Boats at War by Len Reynolds, which is still in print, Flag 4 by Dudley Pope, and then there is the privately published memoir of one of the Commanding Officers of MTB 651, Kenneth Horlock, entitled Our Lady of the Pirates . In addition there was an...
by Admin
Fri Jul 23, 2021 6:32 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 790 - need help and info please
Replies: 5
Views: 10861

Re: MTB 790 - need help and info please

Hello Simon Thank you for your enquiry concerning your grandfather's service with MTBs 651 and 790. I took the liberty of rotating your image of the service record, added your later amendment to your original post, and then removed the duplicates. MTB 651 served in the Mediterranean as part of the 3...
by Admin
Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:25 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 350
Replies: 5
Views: 16138

Re: MTB 350

Apologies Bernie, this one has slipped through the net somewhat. There are references to MTB 350, part of the 11th MTB Flotilla in Len Reynolds' Home Waters MTBs & MGBs which I will compile for you. There are a series of awards for the boat noted in the awards database along with one casualty . ...
by Admin
Mon Jun 21, 2021 2:01 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 356, 549 and 256
Replies: 7
Views: 13529

Re: ML 356, 549 and 256

Hello Lucas

Welcome to the forum. I'll look forward to learning what materials you have in your possession, which I'm sure will help add to the story here.

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Fri Jun 18, 2021 11:14 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 609
Replies: 1
Views: 10555

Re: MGB 609

Hello Jock Thank you for your post. MTB 609 started off life as MGB 609 so I have renamed your post and moved it to the MGB section for clarity to aid anyone else searching the subject in future. MGB 609 was part of the 17th MGB Flotilla and comprised MGBs 601, 603, 604,605,606, 607, 609, 610 and 61...
by Admin
Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:57 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 357 History Required
Replies: 31
Views: 74580

Re: ML 357 History Required

This photo of the crew of ML 357 was forwarded me by David (Carter) who had in turn been contacted by Peter Turner, the son of crew member William Turner (see messages above).

ml-357-1.jpg
Crew of ML 357 (@ Peter Turner)
by Admin
Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:36 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 357 History Required
Replies: 31
Views: 74580

Re: ML 357 History Required

Hello Bee Thank you for your response. I’m sorry to hear you lost what you were writing. Just for future reference there is the ‘Save draft’ facility at the bottom of the text input frame, and then below that again you will see a button marked ‘Attachments’ and that is what you can use to upload ima...
by Admin
Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:29 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 356, 549 and 256
Replies: 7
Views: 13529

Re: ML 356, 549 and 256

Hello

Yes I have the email you used to sign up, so I will write to you at that and make the correction for you.

Admin
by Admin
Tue May 18, 2021 10:37 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 356, 549 and 256
Replies: 7
Views: 13529

Re: ML 356, 549 and 256

Hello 'Lee' Welcome to the forum and thank you for the photos. The Navy List for June 1944 lists Sedulous with Chief Skipper D Main RNR, and also lists Doonie Bra e with Skipper H A Hodds RNR. Reflect and Tweenways are also listed but have no officers shown. One reference on the web states Doonie Br...
by Admin
Wed Apr 28, 2021 10:47 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18518

Re: ML in Falmouth

This web site mentions a Kiloran II, formerly Cambrian Prince. Kiloran II suggests there may have been a Kiloran, with both belonging to a local Ferry company? Might your Killian be Kiloran, or are you familiar with Kiloran as a boat name?

In fact our forum mentions Kiloran II was ML 253
by Admin
Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:57 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 207
Replies: 72
Views: 184440

Re: ML 207

Hello Gray

Thank you for all the additional research you have added to the thread which has made for interesting reading. Keep up the good work!!

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:55 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18518

Re: ML in Falmouth

Hello Roger

I have not found any reference to Killian in the only source I have, which is John Lambert and Al Ross’s volume Allied Coastal Forces: Volume 1. It may have had an earlier name if you were able to look up its history within the Lloyd’s Shipping Register.

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:38 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: George Leslie Edwards
Replies: 3
Views: 15144

Re: George Leslie Edwards

Hello Katrina There is a good book on the subject called Gunboat Command which is still in print that essentially contains the auto-biography of Robert Hichens, with additional commentary provided by his son Antony. To upload a photograph you can post a reply within this thread and then beneath the ...
by Admin
Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:35 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: MGB / MTB / ML sunk close to Berck Buoy
Replies: 1
Views: 10304

Re: MGB / MTB / ML sunk close to Berck Buoy

Hello Jay Thank you for your enquiry. The figures for maximum beam I have for Fairmile 'A' and 'B' class are 17' 5" and 18' 3" respectively, and that of the larger 'D' class is 21' 3", but I don't have reliable figures for the stern width of each type. Our boat database shows all the ...
by Admin
Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:10 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26887

Re: ML 119

His signals board book was printed in 1937. He could only have joined up in 1941 when he was 18 Thanks for the clarification. It was a question about medals from family that started this research. Depending on whether he saw any overseas service, they would likely be the standard war medals awarded...
by Admin
Wed Feb 24, 2021 2:12 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26887

Re: ML 119

Hello again Ian If your father joined in 1937 then he would have been Regular Navy as opposed to Hostilities Only personnel, and may have joined up for twelve years?? A lot will depend on precise timeframes for his various postings, so if you do not have his copy of service record which would have b...
by Admin
Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:52 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26887

Re: ML 119

Hello Ian Thank you for your enquiry concerning your father Harold Sylvester. The December 1981 edition of the former Coastal Forces Veterans Association newsletter shows him as a new member, with the membership number of 799. The brief details of his service supplied show him as having served with ...
by Admin
Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:01 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: ML 482 and MGB/MTB 613
Replies: 1
Views: 9321

Re: ML 482 and MGB/MTB 613

Hello David

Thank you for the kind offer of the photos. You can post the using your login and creating a new reply and using the Attachments tab below the text input window. If you need further assistance just give me a shout

Regards
Admin
by Admin
Tue Jan 26, 2021 1:20 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Herreshoff MTBs 287-294
Replies: 4
Views: 15142

Re: Herreshoff MTBs 287-294

Thanks much for the detailed information. For MTB 291-294 with service in the Royal Indian Navy, they are listed as having gone back to the USN in March 46 and then to the "State Department Foreign Liquidation Commission" in 1948 I am not aware of the eventual fate of these specific boats...
by Admin
Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:46 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: PO Clarence Cuthbert KEEM C/JX607977 DSM
Replies: 2
Views: 10643

Re: PO Clarence Cuthbert KEEM C/JX607977 DSM

Hello David Thank you for your enquiry concerning your grandfather Clarence Cuthbert Keem. I believe I have managed to track down some information which may be of interest, including a strong candidate for the action for which he may have been awarded his earlier DSM. The October 1943 Navy List list...
by Admin
Mon Dec 21, 2020 2:52 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 149 / ML(A) 3 and ML 919 information
Replies: 8
Views: 28934

Re: ML 149 / ML(A) 3 and ML 919 information

Hello and welcome to the forum. Thank you for the photos of your grandfather. To answer your question about his service record, all the ships shown are shore bases, as was the case for all Coastal Forces personnel. Collingwood is the basic training camp at Fareham Drake was the main barracks Plymout...
by Admin
Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:11 am
Forum: Group Portraits
Topic: MTB 5009 and MTB 5007
Replies: 1
Views: 31191

Re: MTB 5009 and MTB 5007

Crew Identification MTB 5009 George Heard sixth row, third from the right Sam Stewart third row, fifth from left Wilfred Watkins third row, third from left Ken LeVoi third row, sixth from left Allan Robinson front row, second left MTB 5007 Donald Milner third row, seventh from left (later BBC India...

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