Trying to trace dad war service

[Jeffa4444]

Hello
My father who is still alive served part of the war in the Med on the following craft ML 283, 289 - MTB 84, 490, 529 and for a time was on the Alaunia. Other ships he was on include HMS Gambia & HMS Devonshire he was a Stoker. I have his service number although Im not sure Im supposed to post it here. He served from the following UK bases HMS Drake, HMS Osprey and HMS Hornet and whilst in the Met was at the following Gib, Malta, Brindisi, Bari & Yugoslavia. His name is Thomas (Tom or Tommy) Arthur George Allen. He is 86 now but still has a clear memory of that period although doesnt remember most of his ship mates names.
Anyone remember him please let me know or can throw up any details that he will find interesting.

[Brian Holmes]

ML_283 H J Percival, Horning, Norfolk 25/9/41

Wind up of the war in Europe (Gazette Date - 11/12/45)
MID Tlt Arthur Bowen-Gotham RNVR
MID LMtrMch Francis Richard Brierley P/MX636184

Known Crew
MID Tlt Arthur Bowen-Gotham RNVR
MID LMtrMch Francis Richard Brierley P/MX636184

Wartime Activities
25th ML Flotilla
Mediterranean
11/42 Operation Torch - Invasion of Algeria
4/43 Anti Submarine patrols based on Algiers and operating from Bougie
9/9/43 Operation Avalanche Salerno Landings
25th ML Flotilla
ML 238, ML 273, ML 283

Post War Fate
10/12/45 Italian Navy

ML_289 Bay Yacht, Wallasea 15/8/41
Known Crew
TSLt Robert John Scott RNVR Commanding Officer ML 289 8/1244 HMS St Angelo (Malta) 1946

Wartime Activities


Post War Fate
11/45 For disposal at Freetown, Sierra Leone

[Brian Holmes]

MTB_84 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 13/7/42
For Operation Husky - Invasion of Sicily
DSM LSea Dennis William Charles Evetts P/SSX26584
MID TLt Granville Roland Smith RNVR
MID Sto1 Peter William Lifford D/KX127226

For services during an air attack in the Mediterranean 30/5/44
DSC TSLt Fred Alan Gilpin RNVR

Known Crew
TLt Granville Roland Smith RNVR (Commanding Officer 08/07/42)
TSLt N L Ilett RNVR (Commanding Officer 01/08/43)
TSLt Fred Alan Gilpin RNVR Commanding Officer 03/10/43
TSLt R Aitchison RNVR First Lieutenant 09/0742
TASLt N H Evans RNVR First Lieutenant 03/10/43
LSea Dennis William Charles Evetts P/SSX26584
Sto1 Peter William Lifford D/KX127226

Wartime Activities
13 - 14/10/42 Operation Bowery. In company with HMS Albrighton and MTBs 49, 52, 55, 56, 86, 95, 229 and 236 intercepted and sank the German raider Komet off Cap de la Hague northern France.
8th MTB Flotilla
Mediterranean
7th MTB Flotilla
6/6/43 MTBs 73, 77 and 84 arrive in Sousse, Tunisia where they are attached to Force K for the capture of the islands of Pantellaria and Lampedusa.
7/6/43 MTBs 73, 77 and 84 spend the day fuelling by hand pump.
8/6/43 Bombardment of Pantellaria.
1120 Cruisers commence bombardment followed by destroyers from closer range. MTB 73, MTB 77 and MTB 84 then close the island, engage specific targets and come under machine gun fire. MTB 77 receives superficial damage. The force returns to Sousse after essentially testing the defences.
11/6/43 Operation Corkscrew Capture of Pantelleria
1100 MTB 73, MTB 77 and MTB 84 report to the Headquarters Ship HMS Largs for assignment. MTB 73 and MTB 84 are assigned to Air Sea Rescue duties and MTB 77 remains with HMS Largs.
MTB 77 ferries the Chief of Staff and a party into the harbour to arrange a surrender and then stands off
1400 MTB 84 ferries a party into the harbour in support of that landed by MTB 77
Whilst returning from a rescue mission, MTB 73 is attacked by two German aircraft. The bridge is shattered by cannon fire which kills the first lieutenant and mortally wounds the commanding officer. The coxswain takes over and brings MTB 73 alongside HMS Royal Ulsterman to transfer the wounded. MTB 73 is holed in the port wing petrol tank and below the waterline. The first lieutenant of MTB 84, SLt R Aitchison, takes over command of MTB 73.
MTB 84 escorts the damaged MTB 73 back to Malta taking her in tow when petrol is found to be leaking into the bilges
10/7/43 Operation Husky
Invasion of Sicily
7th MTB Flotilla
MTB 57, MTB 60, MTB 62, MTB 65, MTB 76, MTB 77, MTB 81, MTB 82, MTB 84 and MTB 95
12-3/7/43 At 1245, MTB 77, MTB 81 and MTB 84 depart Malta for a patrol in the Straits of Messina. Senior Officer, Lt C Dreyer RN, is embarked in MTB 81.
Lying stopped off Raineri point, a U boat is sighted running on the surface close to MTB 81 which goes astern to get into a firing position and sends a sighting report. A second U boat is sighted following astern. MTB 81 fires a torpedo and hits the second U boat (U 561) which explodes showering MTB 81 with debris MTB 77 and MTB 84 engage the first U boat (U 375) with torpedoes. MTB 77 suffers a double misfire. MTB 84 fires but misses as the U boat dives. MTB 77 and MTB 84 drop depth charges. U375 is damaged but reaches Valona.
MTB 81 sights two E Boats and fires her remaining torpedo which misses. The subsequent sighting report results in the E Boats being engaged by other MTBs.
Operation Ferdy – MTB 84 is detailed to remain in Messina as NOIC’s despatch boat. MTB 84 ferries a medical officer to Vibo Valentia to render urgent assistance under heavy fire.
MTB 84 arrives in Malta in a sinking condition due to a leaking stern gland and is paid off for repairs.
2/12/43 MTB 84 is alongside in Komiza

Post War Fate
3/46 Scuttled, Mediterranean

[Brian Holmes]

MTB_490 British Power Boat Co, Hythe Hampshire 25/9/44
Known Crew
TLt Herbert Gaskell BROWN RNVR First Lieutenant 1/42 – 2/43 then appointed to MTB 490 in command 25/1/44 Born 5/1/16 and died in Mid Warwickshire 8/98
TSLt Graham Alexander Wilson RNVR First Lieutenant MGB 604 1/2/44, Third Officer MTB 751 5/44 TLt 11/44 Commanding Officer MTB 490 7/45 Commanding Officer MTB 520 7/3/46
TSLt Stanley Frederick Mortimer First Lieutenant MTB 490 5/45 First Lieutenant MTB 520 7/3/46

Wartime Activities
1st MTB Flotilla

Post War Fate
1946 Target Towing Boat CT 49
1/48 Sold


MTB_529 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 23/5/46
Post War Fate
1949 Denmark = MTB1029
6/53 For disposal

[Jeffa4444]

Firstly my father died late last night unfortunately he has sailed for the last time to his maker.
In going through his things with my mother today we have found a certificate of service which throws some new light and also makes the picture further unclear. I also have many photographs some with small details on them which I will gradually go through. His service record shows he served from 25th Feb 1943 until 23rd Dec 1949 when he was released to reserve force? He started at Devonport.
On 24th April he was posted to Attack but it only shows one of the vessels as MGB 16 which I can find nothing on, from the 5th July 1943 until 23rd December 1943 I don't know which of the vessels he said he was on he served on during this period, but my mother thinks it was MGB 84. From 23rd December 1943 until 14th Sept 1945 he was on ML 283 (St Angelo, Malta). Between 14th Sept 1945 until 18th March 1946 the trail goes cold (it looks like Hamilcar with C or L7 in brackets & Drake as the bases) then 18th March 1946 he is on MGB 526 (Hornet) changing to MGB 529 on the 28th May 1946 until 12th July 1947 when he moves to MGB 750 (Osprey). I know from the photographs that he went to Denmark after the war as he mentions the Royal yacht on the reverse of two with an MTB near by. Unfortunately although their are numerous photographs of or on MTBs etc on none of them can I see the number but he was clearly in Malta, Yugoslavia, Italy etc.
I will come back to the forum when I have studied the photographs better.
His official number was KX179525, port division Devonport. He started as a stoker 2nd class and was discharged as L.S.M.