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by Pioneer
Mon Nov 09, 2015 3:40 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Dennis Reeve
Replies: 0
Views: 14197

Dennis Reeve

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dennis Reeve. A gentle person but one of London Branch's stalwarts, having held the CFVA membership number of 61. He was one of the original Branch members at its formation - way back in 1976. He served on ML 208 and MTB 647 during WW 2 - He wil...
by Pioneer
Sun Aug 30, 2015 5:35 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Alan Phillips MBE
Replies: 0
Views: 14129

Alan Phillips MBE

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Alan Phillips MBE. Ex Royal Navy, he rose to the rank of Lt Cdr in the Sea Cadet corps; for his unstinting hard work and dedication to the Sea Cadet movement he was awarded the MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours List of 2011. A loyal supporter o...
by Pioneer
Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:39 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 616 (Formerly MGB 616)
Replies: 4
Views: 13197

Re: MTB 616 (Formerly MGB 616)

Hello Richard
I have let Steve Borne know of your request - he will be in touch shortly via e-mail.
Regards
Pioneer
by Pioneer
Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:07 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 81
Replies: 17
Views: 55706

Re: MGB 81

A fairly recent shot of '81' off the I.O.W. (4th June 2015) on her way to France for the D-Day Remembrance celebrations.
Still going strong and now sporting a twin Oerlikon abaft the Bridge. - no mention of her being laid up just yet (fingers crossed!!)
mgb-81 (2).jpg
Photo; R. Hellyer
mgb-81 (2).jpg (26.34 KiB) Viewed 50610 times
by Pioneer
Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:57 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Lieutenant Commander G S Knowles RNVR
Replies: 0
Views: 13861

Lieutenant Commander G S Knowles RNVR

It is sad to relate that we have been informed of the death of CFVA member (286) Geoffrey Stafford Knowles. Lieutenant Commander RNVR Rtd. He was Navigator aboard MTB 725, then First Lieutenant on MTB 5013.

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Lest we Forget
by Pioneer
Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:17 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: A/B Telegraphist Wallis Randall
Replies: 0
Views: 13578

A/B Telegraphist Wallis Randall

Very sad to report that A/B Tel. Wallis Randall, former London Branch Vice Chairman and CFVA Librarian, crossed the bar peacefully on the 9th June after a very long illness. The funeral service for Wallis will be held at The Parish Church of St Nicolas, Chipping Hill, Witham Essex CM8 2JS at 2pm, 2n...
by Pioneer
Wed Jun 10, 2015 6:08 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: SGB 7 scuttled and onwards to Marlag POW camp
Replies: 7
Views: 31052

Re: SGB 7 scuttled and onwards to Marlag POW camp

Hello Nigel Welcome aboard. I saw your post a couple of days ago and I have since been awaiting a reply from Dr Andrew Weir - the son of Lt Weir MID RNVR, the officer in charge of the scuttling operation. I have been given permission to pass on his contact details - and have sent you a Private Messa...
by Pioneer
Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:29 pm
Forum: News & Events
Topic: D-Day Anniversary + 1
Replies: 0
Views: 14818

D-Day Anniversary + 1

D Day Anniversary + 1

This well known clip states it all IMO.

by Pioneer
Tue Feb 10, 2015 9:03 am
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: Building Little Ships (1943)
Replies: 0
Views: 19323

Building Little Ships (1943)

An interesting film of building wooden boats in 1943. Very nostalgic opening with a slow start but eventually an RML takes centre stage. Best viewed full screen.

by Pioneer
Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:02 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 219
Replies: 9
Views: 30992

Re: MTB 219

Very impressive - thanks for posting, well done
by Pioneer
Sat Jan 31, 2015 5:18 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 219
Replies: 9
Views: 30992

Re: MTB 219

She has made a BBC news item - well done the Childs Team.
by Pioneer
Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:05 pm
Forum: News & Events
Topic: 70th D-Day Anniversary Little Ships Voyage
Replies: 0
Views: 14255

70th D-Day Anniversary Little Ships Voyage

Short clip of MGB 81 on the voyage from Portsmouth plus the Little Ships slow trip through Caen

by Pioneer
Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:24 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 219
Replies: 9
Views: 30992

Re: MTB 219

An update on the proposed launch proceedings can be read from Here (scroll down to bottom of page)
by Pioneer
Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:12 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 219
Replies: 9
Views: 30992

Re: MTB 219

A quick update on this major challenge to restore MTB 219 to its former glory. A superb effort being made by the Childs family, with a planned re-launch at the end of the month (Feb/March 2015).
MTB 219.jpg
MTB 219.jpg (28.85 KiB) Viewed 29285 times
mtb 219.jpg
by Pioneer
Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:35 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Sub-Lieutenant Peter Stepto RNVR
Replies: 0
Views: 14007

Sub-Lieutenant Peter Stepto RNVR

London Branch has learned of the death of Peter Geoffrey Stepto who 'crossed the bar' peacefully on the 3 January, 2015. He joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman serving on RMLs, MGBs and later SGB 9, the Grey Goose . He then transferred to General Service and later achieved a commission as Su...
by Pioneer
Wed Dec 31, 2014 9:07 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Able Seaman Eric Hirst
Replies: 0
Views: 15102

Able Seaman Eric Hirst

We have heard of the passing of A/B Eric Hirst who crossed the bar on the 29th December aged 90 years.
Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very sad time.
"Lest we Forget"
by Pioneer
Fri Nov 28, 2014 8:46 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: The Packard Motor
Replies: 0
Views: 14162

The Packard Motor

An interesting American wartime propaganda film of the production of the well known Packard Engine.

by Pioneer
Fri Nov 07, 2014 3:31 pm
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Wren Betty C Smith
Replies: 0
Views: 13722

Wren Betty C Smith

We have been informed of the death of Wren Betty C Smith (nee Peate).
Having served at HMS’s St Christopher, Eaglet, Monck; she ‘crossed the bar’ during August 2014. A long time member of the CFVA (1555) she will be sadly missed by family and friends.
by Pioneer
Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:31 am
Forum: Obituary Notices
Topic: Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Charles Stanley Rundle MID
Replies: 0
Views: 13840

Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Charles Stanley Rundle MID

Sad to hear that Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Charles Stanley Rundle MID (Mentioned in Dispatches) crossed the bar on the 27th September 2014 after a short illness. Charles served on MTB 298 (sunk Med July 1943) then on MTB 298 (which later transferred to the Royal Indian Navy). ‘Lest we Forget’
by Pioneer
Sun Nov 02, 2014 8:21 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 45 S3
Replies: 1
Views: 15810

Re: MGB 45 S3

Hello 'Jerry' Welcome aboard. I would suggest that you make contact with Paul Childs, or his son Owen, owners of several CF craft now based in Torquay. You can send Owen a Private message from this site or make contact through their website http://www.militaryboats.org/ A very approachable team who ...
by Pioneer
Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:42 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MASB 27
Replies: 2
Views: 11327

Re: MASB 27

I see that Owen Childs has posted some very interesting photos of the progress with the restoration of MASB 27. They can be seen HERE
by Pioneer
Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:11 pm
Forum: Television or Film Production
Topic: Tiffy - Post War
Replies: 0
Views: 15776

Tiffy - Post War

An interesting film of the RN in the late 1940's/early 1950's. The ERA's are seen in various rolls - Engineering - Electrical - Ordnance - Aircraft - Submarines, plus a short sequence of their work with CF - MTB's and Gun Boats etc.

by Pioneer
Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:06 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 647
Replies: 34
Views: 115255

Re: MGB 647

Peter Bickmore BEM has asked that I try to post a copy of a page from 647's Log Book.
October 1943 - March 1944. Peter was not aboard 647 until June 1944
Log book page 30001.jpg
by Pioneer
Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:45 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 269
Replies: 25
Views: 82971

Re: ML 269

A/B W. McNemeny's death is recorded in our database also if you make your selection by Casualties - Unit - ML - 904. Note the slight difference in the spelling.
Regards
by Pioneer
Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:45 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: IWM compilation
Replies: 1
Views: 14539

IWM compilation

A compilation of well known footage skilfully amalgamated into a most watchable video.
by Pioneer
Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:37 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Vosper MTB 74
Replies: 4
Views: 12856

Re: Vosper MTB 74

Hello 'GCU Grey Area' A belated 'Welcome Aboard':) There a couple of images of the paint scheme of a model of MTB 74 at http://www.bmpt.co.uk/mtb-74_topic235.html . Although a 'model' - I know Dave Abbot, met him several times at the Luton Model Boat Club, and would vouch for his research (and obvio...
by Pioneer
Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:55 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 81
Replies: 17
Views: 55706

Re: MGB 81

A beautiful shot of 81 returning from France after the recent D-Day commemorations (flying a White Ensign??)
mgb-81-aa.jpg
Photo: R. Hellyer
by Pioneer
Thu Jun 12, 2014 9:09 am
Forum: News & Events
Topic: 5 Admirals aboard the 'Medusa'
Replies: 3
Views: 18058

Re: 5 Admirals aboard the 'Medusa'

The person talking to HRH, the Princess Royal, in the above photo is ex-Ldg Seaman Douglas Withey. He was the Oerlikon gunner aboard ML 1387 on D-Day - and had a grandstand view of the first landings on the Omaha beachhead. ML 1387 had been detailed to act as a guiding ‘radio beacon’ for the followi...
by Pioneer
Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:00 am
Forum: News & Events
Topic: 5 Admirals aboard the 'Medusa'
Replies: 3
Views: 18058

5 Admirals aboard the 'Medusa'

Admiral and Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy, HRH Anne Princess Royal, aboard ML 1387 'Medusa' during the recent 70th anniversary D-Day celebrations.
d-day6.jpg
Photo: D. Carter
by Pioneer
Sun May 18, 2014 8:19 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: HMS Dark Biter's 40mm Bofors
Replies: 2
Views: 17946

Re: HMS Dark Biter's 40mm Bofors

Hello 'Chrisdy' Welcome aboard Although the Dark class never saw action, you are correct, there were two main components to a 40mm Gun crew (with possibly a third to bring ammunition from a ready use Locker). The Gun Layer/Trainer/Firer would be seated on the Port Side with the Gun Loader standing o...

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