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by Peter
Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:57 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Action of MGB 647
Replies: 3
Views: 22098

Re: Action of MGB 647

Hi Linda, Thank you for joining the Coastal Forces site,when I saw your message I thought I would be some help. Sadly I never knew your Uncle, he was killed just before I joined MGB 647. I can recall the attitude of the crew when I joined, was one of deep sadness at the loss of all those killed duri...
by Peter
Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:13 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 647
Replies: 34
Views: 115290

Re: MGB 647

MGB 647 Final Action Coastal Forces Mediterranean 1943-1945 Scanning through my copy of the log recordings of HM MGB 647, kindly presented to me some years ago by our 1st Lieut. Teddy Lonsdale, also mentioned in my story Pirates of Dalmatia, I am reminded if I can ever forget the night MGB 647 and ...
by Peter
Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:43 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667
Replies: 35
Views: 99959

Re: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667

i St Anne,s.jpg Wow ; What a post to lift the "Stay at Home" blues and help with the pain of lock down for us all at this for me, yes it is stay calm for us all and we will beat this hidden enemy as we did with the enemy of 1945 May I reflect on the post with "I was there" in th...
by Peter
Sun Feb 09, 2020 6:05 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Action off Catania on 11th July 1943
Replies: 22
Views: 46544

Re: Action off Catania on 11th July 1943

I am delighted to add to the story of German U Boats off Catania. I was a Member 24th Flotilla and I recall the action portrayed in the book History of the 24th Flotilla by 'Bert' Cooper (whom I knew well within the CFVA) of the activity by U-boats in the Messina Straights on the night of 13/7/43. I...
by Peter
Wed Jan 08, 2020 11:29 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: Fairmile 'C' Gunboats
Replies: 4
Views: 19963

Re: Fairmile 'C' Gunboats

Great pictures having served on D Boats in the Mediterranean, it is great to see "live" footage of Coastal Forces craft serving in WW2
I also think that there were B class ML's in the footage
by Peter
Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:58 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 665 Fate of the Crew
Replies: 7
Views: 21973

Re: MTB 665 Fate of the Crew

Dear Jeffrey
It is a pleasure to reply to your post. The book "Dog Boats at War " by Len Reynolds whom I new well, contains the details of the sinking of your Dad's boat, I am happy to attach a page from his book detailing the sinking of MTB 665
by Peter
Fri Nov 01, 2019 5:38 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 670
Replies: 111
Views: 382246

Re: MTB 670

It is with great interest I view the picture of that Radar equipment on a platform supported by 4 legs on what was a D Boat perhaps doing trials This Radar type was designed for small ships in the 1970's by the Company that I was working after my release from the RN, Kelvin Hughes later Smiths Indus...
by Peter
Mon Oct 28, 2019 5:50 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 670
Replies: 111
Views: 382246

Re: MTB 670

Dear Stanbridge
I am happy to send to you the 2 pages of Dog Boats at War that gives details of the action of MGB 670 ' The pages also include the last action of MGB 647 on which served as Radar operator. I also new the author of that book
Cheers
Peter Bickmore
by Peter
Thu Oct 10, 2019 8:03 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 663
Replies: 0
Views: 22550

MGB 663

Reading the In Memorial list this day October 10th it is with a deeper sympathy that I view the loss of MTB 663 and the death of Reg together with James Rowley and George Thakram. Reg I knew very well as a shipmate we both served on MTB 243 and when MTB 243 paid off we both were given drafts: for Re...
by Peter
Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:16 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Use of Aldis lamp
Replies: 5
Views: 38870

Re: Use of Aldis lamp

This is a very interesting post re the Aldis Lamp. Having served aboard MTB 243 70'ft Vosper and MGB 647 D Boat in the Adriatic Campaign I cannot recall any times that this method of communication was used,' except during the time of the Greece campaign with the vast assembly of Allied Ships heading...
by Peter
Mon Sep 09, 2019 4:42 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 661
Replies: 18
Views: 43865

Re: MGB 661

Hi All Sorry a re write on my photo attached , I am 3rd from the right
2nd row , I am still trying to remember the name of the other shipmate
Cheers
Peter
by Peter
Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:50 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 661
Replies: 18
Views: 43865

Re: MGB 661

Good Morning Katy It is a pleasure to reply to your post re the adventures of your Granddad. I would think that my memories will be of those that he has . I served aboard MGB 647 during the (Yugoslavia) Island campaign of 1943/45and their must have been times when our boats operated together. An act...
by Peter
Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:09 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: French 23rd Flotilla Vosper MTBs Kingswear 1943
Replies: 3
Views: 18019

Re: French 23rd Flotilla Vosper MTBs Kingswear 1943

It is with interest I read the details of the 23rd Flotilla, having served aboard MTB 243 in the MED, how was it decided which boats were allocated to form the 23rd & 24th Flotilla's MTB- 81-85-86-89-97-226-242& 243 = 24th Flotilla MTB- 90-91-92-94-96-98- 227& 239 = 23rd Fl0tilla attache...
by Peter
Sun Jul 21, 2019 12:36 pm
Forum: Forum & Web Site Feedback
Topic: MTB 633
Replies: 0
Views: 27722

MTB 633

It is with deep sadness I read the Memorial today, July 21st.in memory of Arthur Arnold and others . I was aboard MTB 633 in Augusta and experienced for the very first time the reality of death in conflict. For me and others the effect it had was the strengthening in us all the experience and knowle...
by Peter
Thu Jun 13, 2019 5:08 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 295
Replies: 26
Views: 73414

Re: MTB 295

Very interesting post re MTB 295, there are some pictures that remind me of my time on board MTB 243 also with the Partisans and the escorting the Italian Fleet on surrender into Malta. The Bari raid also brought many memories, the exploits of MTB 295 are detailed in "MTB's At War" by Len ...
by Peter
Mon Jun 10, 2019 5:00 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Action of MGB 647
Replies: 3
Views: 22098

Action of MGB 647

4 Page 33 Memoires.jpg
Todays book of Remembrance includes the action of MGB647 when 3 of her crew were lost . I attaché a page from my memoires that reveals that action
by Peter
Sat Jun 08, 2019 9:46 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 207
Replies: 72
Views: 184399

Re: ML 207

What a great story relating to the Service of ML 207, it has the makings of a very interesting book. Having served on MTB's and MGB's in Mediterranean I can visualise the drama, yes and the comradeship that was ours serving on these Little Ships.
Cheers
Peter
by Peter
Thu May 30, 2019 11:58 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 674
Replies: 0
Views: 20771

MTB 674

Within today's Memorial page it is with clear memory of the action in which Sub Lt Thomerson was mortally wounded. I was aboard MTB 243 along with MTB 84 and MTB 674 returning to Komiza after an all night patrol when MTB 674was attacked from the air by a German fighter. Sadly Lt Thomerson was the on...
by Peter
Wed Apr 10, 2019 5:21 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667
Replies: 35
Views: 99959

Re: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667

It is in remembrance of todays Memorial List ( April 10th) of those of crew of MTB 710 lost in the Adriatic campaign, that I contacted George Chandler one of the few survivors of that boat, and to convey my thoughts. We then chatted about the photograph on view, and our many visits to Croatia as the...
by Peter
Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:27 am
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Command structure within Nore Command
Replies: 8
Views: 32598

Re: Command structure within Nore Command

Another interesting page re Command structure , I attaché the page of my Service sheet showing my route through Coastal Forces of which I am very proud to have been part of. Basic Seamanship training at HMS Collingwood in Fareham Hants, Selected for RDF (Radar)training in the Isle of Man HMS Valkyri...
by Peter
Tue Feb 19, 2019 4:10 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 611 Crew
Replies: 16
Views: 36154

Re: MTB 611 Crew

Good Afternoon All To add to the post re MTB 633 to which we seem to have advanced ahead some what , I am interested in the last post of the boats moored in Malta and attaché a painting of 3 Boats of the 28th flotilla which were American built Vosper's to create the 28th Flotilla which replaced the ...
by Peter
Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:00 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 611 Crew
Replies: 16
Views: 36154

Re: MTB 611 Crew

It is a great pleasure to read of the MTB 611 especially that spirit of comradeship that was evident in pictures shown , having served 2 years on a D Boat in the Mediterranean I can fully appreciate what this means, I can see from the picture we all had our comedians aboard (front row centre) and al...
by Peter
Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:22 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667
Replies: 35
Views: 99959

Re: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667

Good morning All. Continuing the post of MTB's, when I first saw the post I recalled the name Ledson a name that with some research and dusting down my library of pictures and stats. I discovered Ledson William CFVA Member No 553 along with other Members -Inc. the Lindfield Brothers with whom I met ...
by Peter
Wed Jan 02, 2019 5:32 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667
Replies: 35
Views: 99959

Re: MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667

Good Afternoon, I am pleased to join in the current subject on the above boats although some of the titles could be incorrect I am certain they were not all MTB's. I can recognise MGB 634. Having served in the Italian and then on to the Dalmatian Islands it was pleasing to read the blogs over the Ne...
by Peter
Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:11 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Breda guns, MTB 61
Replies: 2
Views: 14302

Re: Breda guns, MTB 61

It is with great interest that I read of the topic Breda Guns. As Radar Operator aboard MTB 243 from May 1943 , I can recall the fitting of the Breda Gun which had a somewhat up beat on our Skipper Lt Du Bouley who took great offence at the removal of the torpedo tubes and the fitting of the Breda G...
by Peter
Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:39 pm
Forum: News & Events
Topic: Research on MTB 651, 84 and 406
Replies: 13
Views: 65013

Re: Research on MTB 651, 84 and 406

Hi Simon Sorry for the delay in answering your query, could you check your Fathers boat numbers, checking through records of CFVA members your Dad was Membership No 492 (a very early member) and his boat No's recorded are MTB 81-MTB 651- MTB 406 , so poor old MTB 84 has again fallen through the page...
by Peter
Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:04 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 658
Replies: 82
Views: 414163

Re: MGB 658

Hello Maureen Yes the HMS Hornet Memorial Parade is on Sunday Nov 11th at 11-00 am I attach further information from Len Reynolds book Dog boats at War quoting MGB 658, It must be very interesting for you and your Family to read about your Dads movements during the War. Later I will point out the du...
by Peter
Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:40 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 658
Replies: 82
Views: 414163

Re: MGB 658

Good Morning Maureen
Hope you rested well , sorry I lost the files hope to include them now
all this tech, difficult to keep up with at 94
by Peter
Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:30 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 658
Replies: 82
Views: 414163

Re: MGB 658

Hello Maureen Glad that you found us, will find on this site that I have previously been able respond to information re MGB 658. I knew and have met Len Reynolds many times during the reign of the Coastal Forces Veterans Assoc.I served aboard MGB 647 as Radar Operator in the same area at the same ti...
by Peter
Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:23 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 647
Replies: 34
Views: 115290

Re: MGB 647

Good Afternoon Rampus and David, It is good to be in contact with you both having also served on MGB 647 I knew them both , I have pleasure in sending you a picture of our boat that was painted by a colleague, and proudly hangs on the wall over the fire place ,I have many photo's and write ups that ...

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