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by Admin
Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:16 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Victor Ernest Robinson MTB 639
Replies: 5
Views: 14240

Re: Victor Ernest Robinson MTB 639

Did you recognise your Uncle in the the crew photograph?
by Admin
Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:57 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Victor Ernest Robinson MTB 639
Replies: 5
Views: 14240

Re: Victor Ernest Robinson MTB 639

Hello Alastair, and welcome to the forum MTB 639 belonged to the 32nd MTB Flotilla, and there is information on 639 and other boats in the flotilla in other threads in the forum which I list below. The official Admiralty listing of vessels lost at sea during the Second World War gives attack by airc...
by Admin
Mon Nov 08, 2021 10:26 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: 9th MTB Flotilla
Replies: 1
Views: 11368

Re: 9th MTB Flotilla

These images supplied by Jacques Bartels are of 'blood' flags for the Dutch 9th MTB Flotilla, one of which is held by the Royal Netherlands Naval Museum at Den Helder. It is thought the graphics and number possible depict statistics for the flotilla. There are 10 ships, separated into two sections o...
by Admin
Mon Nov 08, 2021 10:07 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: 9th MTB Flotilla
Replies: 1
Views: 11368

9th MTB Flotilla

The 9th MTB Flotilla, MTBs 201, 202, 203, 204, 229, 231, 235, 236 & 240 was initially a part Dutch, part Royal Navy flotilla, but became entirely Dutch crewed by 1943. The flotilla was based at Dover (Wasp) and Dartmouth (Cicala) Boat Types: MTB 201 = White 27.11.41 MTB 202 = White 12.01.42 MTB ...
by Admin
Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:03 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26872

Re: ML 119

You’re welcome Ian. If I come across anything more that’s specific to your father’s boats, I’ll add it to the thread.

Admin
by Admin
Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:06 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26872

Re: ML 119

I neglected to include links for these relevant resources already on the web site in case they haven’t already been seen.

MLs versus E-Boats

Navigational MLs on D-Day

11th ML Flotilla

11th ML Flotilla 1944-1845
by Admin
Sun Oct 31, 2021 2:24 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26872

Re: ML 119

Thanks Ian I notice the addition of torpedo tubes which must date from around the summer of 1940 when some MLs were equipped with tubes from old American destroyers I believe to serve in a defensive capacity while the threat of possible invasion — Operation Sealion — was at its height. I just did a ...
by Admin
Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:42 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26872

Re: ML 119

Hello again Ian I would say the navigational MLs would still have required a telegraphist as the signals would have been in encoded morse. In fact it's possible they carried two, with a signaller as well, since they would have formed vital communications hubs. The December 1944 Red List gives the 11...
by Admin
Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:25 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Gordon Beckett
Replies: 2
Views: 7487

Re: Gordon Beckett

Hello Shipwright and welcome to the forum. I'm afraid I haven't been able to turn up much so far. He does not appear in our awards database which could have provided a boat number, nor have I found any reference to his having joined the former Coastal Forces Veterans Association (CFVA), which are th...
by Admin
Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:38 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26872

Re: ML 119

Hello Ian Thank you for the additional information. Here is the summation of what I've managed to find thus far. ML 147 A Mc Ward is shown as in command in the October 1943 Navy List with Lt Cdr D W S Arnaud in command in April 1944. He also took command of ML 164 later, so the crew photo I have fro...
by Admin
Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:13 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Norwegian 'Dog' Boats and their crews at Lerwick
Replies: 0
Views: 15187

Norwegian 'Dog' Boats and their crews at Lerwick

This interesting film produced in 1973 and set against a backdrop of the then contemporary deployment of MTBs by the Norwegian Navy, traces the use of the motor torpedo boat by the Sjøforsvaret and the work of the Norwegian Coastal Forces units based at Lerwick during the Second World War. Although ...
by Admin
Fri Oct 08, 2021 1:07 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 119
Replies: 19
Views: 26872

Re: ML 119

Hello Ian Welcome back to the forum and thank you for your father's service details, and for the photograph of the crew. I will conduct some research over the weekend, and put together some notes. I have some related resources for some of the boats mentioned which I think you'll find interesting. Re...
by Admin
Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:55 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 632
Replies: 9
Views: 23577

Re: MTB 632

Paul That’s a very interesting plaque, and fairly unique I would imagine. I wonder if Bill McCann might have been a signwriter by trade prior to the war? Crew member Ken Forrester we know all about as he was a distant member of London Branch for many years, and we have an extract from his autobiogra...
by Admin
Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:58 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 578
Replies: 1
Views: 7866

Re: ML 578

The only information I have managed to find on the boat is that it formed part of the 28th ML Flotilla, along with MLs 232, 295, 307, 341 & 483. The flotilla was based at Alexandria (December 1944), and tasked with minesweeping and anti-submarine duties.
by Admin
Fri Sep 03, 2021 2:56 pm
Forum: Forum Announcements
Topic: General Data Protection Regulation
Replies: 1
Views: 33290

Re: General Data Protection Regulation

Dear Forum Members In a long overdue update of the forum I have implemented the use of ‘cookies' to enable compliance with GDPR regulations within the EU, or in the case of the UK, compliance with legislation still in effect. This now allows for the reinstatement of notifications on forum threads yo...
by Admin
Mon Aug 30, 2021 11:10 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 632
Replies: 9
Views: 23577

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: 15120

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: 18499

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: 46509

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: 18499

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: 18499

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: 46509

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: 16431

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: 10858

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: 10858

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: 16107

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: 13519

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: 10542

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: 74481

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: 74481

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...

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