James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Enquiries relating to individual men and women who served with HM Light Coastal Forces; help with interpreting service records, or with tracing former comrades
Karen McRobert
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James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Karen McRobert » Fri Oct 15, 2010 5:57 pm

I am currently searching my family tree and looking for any information for my Grandfather James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer. If anyone can help i would be much appreciated.

Fingers crossed someone can help :(

Karen

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Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Pioneer » Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:08 pm

Hello Karen
Welcome aboard.
So far all I have found is this mention on page 3680 of the London Gazette

COMMENDATIONS.
Those named below have been Commended
for brave conduct when their ships encountered
enemy ships, submarines, aircraft or mines: —
Captain Cyril ALLISON, O.B.E., Master, s.s.
" San Roberto " (Eagle Oil and Shipping
Company Ltd.).
Captain Neil CAMPBELL, Master, s.s. " Gem "
(Wm. Robertson).
Captain Leslie William COOPER, O.B.E.,
Master, s.s. •" Samtucky " (Prince Line
Ltd.).
John Craven DACEY, Second Cook, s.s.
" Birker Force" (West Coast Shipping
Company Ltd.).
James Kirkhope DUNCAN, Esq., O.B.E., Chief
Engineer Officer.


As you will notice he is within a list mainly for Merchant Navy personnel, unfortunately it does not give the name of 'his' ship.
Do you by any chance have the name of any ship that he may have been on?
Regards

Karen McRobert
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Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:11 pm

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Karen McRobert » Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:42 pm

I have been told it may have been MV Gay Viking and mv NONSUCH British. Converted MTB. Ellerman Wilson Line

Does this help any ?

Karen

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Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Pioneer » Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:04 am

Hello again Karen
A brief history of the ships that you mention.
Both, mv’s “Gay Viking” and “Nonsuch” were from a class of 8 diesel powered MGB’s being built for various navy’s (including the RN).

502. Completed as MGB, became MGB 2002 in 1945, mined in Skagerrak 12/5/45

503. Completed as MGB, became MGB 2003 in 1945

504. Completed as “HOPEWELL”, became MGB 504 in 1944 and MGB 2004 in 1945

505. Completed as “NONSUCH”, became MGB 505 in 1944 and MGB 2005 in 1945

506. Completed as “GAY VIKING”, lost 5/2/45 returning from Sweden to UK, operation "Moonshine" (in collision with “Hopewell”). Later raised and refitted. Known to have been in existence in 1970 as a pleasure craft in Bahamas as BAHAMAS VIKING.

507. Completed as GAY CORSAIR, became MGB 507 in 1944, and MGB 2007 in 1945. (Stranded and foundered off Aberdeen 24/5/45).

508. Completed as MASTER STANDFAST, captured by German forces on 2/11/43 during "Operation Bridford".

509. completed as MGB 509, became MGB 2009 in 1945. Converted to gas turbine propulsion (centre shaft) in 1947. (The Worlds first Gas Turbine powered craft)

“Gay Viking” was originally destined for the Turkish Navy but taken over by the Admiralty (whilst still on the stocks at Messrs Camper Nicholson, the builder of the whole class). The 5 craft allocated to the Merchant Navy, (Ellerman Wilson Lines) were manned by volunteer Merchant Navy personnel, and used on the very dangerous ‘ball bearing runs’ across to neutral Sweden becoming known as ‘The Blockade Runners’
The craft were 117ft LOA and powered by 3 Paxman high speed VRB diesel engines – (the fore runner of the Valetta engine that power several naval craft to this day - not forgetting the High Speed locomotives of British Rail).

So much for the History of the craft that your Grandfather served on Karen, I will keep trying to uncover more about the man.
Regards

Karen McRobert
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Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:11 pm

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Karen McRobert » Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:49 pm

Thanks all help is much appreciated

Karen

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Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Pioneer » Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:24 pm

I have been searching around and found that the official ships number for mv "Nonsuch" was 169582 and for "Gay Viking" 168481.
All Merchant Ships have had an official number (since the 1800's at least). These numbers may help you to trace Crew Lists. I have tried the usual free 'on line' lists ie from Greenwich and National Archive etc but have not been succesful - you may be able to get further by making a formal request at the National Archives - may cost a search fee though.
Regards

Thomas Duncan Brown
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Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Thomas Duncan Brown » Sun May 08, 2011 9:03 am

Hi Karen

James Kirkhope Duncan was My Great Uncle.

If you are a relation of above named I take it your parents came from around Hull area?

If so I will await your reply

Pioneer
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Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Pioneer » Sun May 08, 2011 9:13 am

Welcome aboard 'Thomas Duncan Brown'
May I make a suggestion here - that you send 'Karen' a Private Message?
That way she will be made aware, via the automatic notification system of this Forum, that someone (you) are trying to contact her - she may not visit the Forum regularly. Best of Luck

Thomas Duncan Brown
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Posts: 2
Joined: Sun May 08, 2011 8:37 am

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Thomas Duncan Brown » Sun May 08, 2011 7:27 pm

Done that too Pioneer thanks for help

shelleytheaffy
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Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2015 1:41 pm

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby shelleytheaffy » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:37 pm

I am currently searching my family tree and looking for any information for my Grandfather James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer. If anyone can help i would be much appreciated.

Fingers crossed someone can help :(

Karen
My name is Graham Stuart Duncan, and I am 68 years of age. I am youngest son of James Kirkhope OBE who was born 2nd February 1916. If I can be of any any help please contact me. My gmail is mrsu75@gmail.com

Regards

Stuart

Karen McRobert
Seaman
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:11 pm

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Karen McRobert » Sat Aug 01, 2015 9:19 pm

Hi I have tried to email you back but there is a problem with your email address

Please contact me with any more details on him you hay have

thank you

Brian Holmes
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Location: Portsmouth

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Brian Holmes » Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:53 pm

Gay Viking Camper & Nicholson Gosport

For Operation Bridford - blockade running voyages from Sweden to the UK 10/43 - 3/44
OBE(Civ) Capt Harry Whitfield MN
DSC ChOff Sylvanus Brian John Reynolds MN
OBE(Civ) ChEngr James Kirkhope Duncan MN
MBE(Civ) FstOff John Kristijon Marrow MN
MBE(Civ) FstRadOff George Walker MN
MBE(Civ) SndEng John Swanson Livingstone MN
BEM(Civ) Bsn Herbert Pearson MN
Commend AB John Alan Burdall MN
BEM(Civ) AB James Dolan MN
BEM(Civ) AB John Hopper Ellerington MN
BEM(Civ) CkStd Stanley Close MN
BEM(Civ) Dnkyman Ernest Emil Schafer MN
BEM(Civ) Dnkyman Geore Smith MN
BEM(Civ) Greaser Giuseppe Fenech MN

For Operation Moonshine - A blockade running voyage from the UK to Sweden and back 1-2/45
Commend Capt David Alexander Stokes MN
Commend SndEng Martin Frobisher MN
MBE(Civ) SndRadOff Gilbert Richardson MN
BEM(Civ) Mtrmn Richard Dibnah MN


Known Crew
Capt David Alexander Stokes MN
Capt Harry Whitfield MN
ChOff Sylvanus Brian John Reynolds MN
ChEngr James Kirkhope Duncan MN
FstOff John Kristijon Marrow MN
FstRadOff George Walker MN
SndEng Martin Frobisher MN
SndEng John Swanson Livingstone MN
SndRadOff Gilbert Richardson MN
Bsn Herbert Pearson MN
AB John Alan Burdall MN
AB James Dolan MN
AB John Hopper Ellerington MN
CkStd Stanley Close MN
Dnkyman Ernest Emil Schafer MN
Dnkyman Geore Smith MN
Greaser Giuseppe Fenech MN
Mtrmn Richard Dibnah MN

Known Activities
Requisitioned whilst building for Turkey = MGB 506
7/43 Completed as a blockade runner at Gosport and renamed = Gay Viking
10/43-3/44 Operation Bridford - blockade running voyages from Sweden to the UK
1-2/45 Operation Moonshine - A blockade running voyage from the UK to Sweden and back. Gay Viking, Hopewell and MGB 505 deliver more than 40 tons of supplies to the Danish resistance before picking up a vreturn cargo in Gothenberg, Sweden. Gay Viking and Hopewell collide in the Skaggerak and Gay Viking has to be abandoned.
6/2/45 Rammed by Hopewell (MGB 504) in the Skaggerak and abandoned
Recovered by the Germans

Capt David Alexander Stokes MN (Daily Telegraph obituary 22/02/00)
Served 48 years with Elerman Wilson Line from Cadet to Master. Commanding Officer of blockade runner Hopewell during Operation Bridford. Commanded the tanker Chant 45 ferrying 100 octane fuel during Operation Neptune. Commanding Officer of blockade runner Gay Viking during Operation Moonshine and is rescued when the vessel is sunk on the return journey. He is subsequently flown home from Sweden. In later life he became a Younger Brother of Trinity House. He died aged 95.
Attachments
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Brian Holmes
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Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 3:26 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby Brian Holmes » Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:55 pm

MGB 505 Camper & Nicholson Gosport 5/43

For Operation Bridford - blockade running voyages from Sweden to the UK 10/43 - 3/44
OBE(Civ) Capt Herbert William Jackson MN
MBE(Civ ChOff Philip Roland Legg MN
DSC ChOff Edward Bourne Ruffman MN
MBE(Civ) SndEng James Alexander Winton MN
BEM(Civ) Bsn Peter Michael Jeffrey Warren MN
BEM(Civ) CkStd Henry Sutherland Beckitt MN
BEM(Civ) Greaser Albert Letch MN

For Operation Moonshine - A blockade running voyage from the UK to Sweden and back 1-2/45
Commend Capt Harry Whitfield MN
MID ChOff Edward Bourne Ruffman MN
Commend ChEng James Kirkhope Duncan MN
Commend ChRadOff Eric Hodgson MN
BEM(Civ) AB John Wardell MN
BEM(Civ) Dnkymn George Smith MN
BEM(Civ) Mtrmn John Jones MN

Known Crew
Capt Herbert William Jackson MN
Capt Harry Whitfield MN
ChOff Philip Roland Legg MN
ChOff Edward Bourne Ruffman MN
ChEng James Kirkhope Duncan MN
ChRadOff Eric Hodgson MN
SndEng James Alexander Winton MN
Bsn Peter Michael Jeffrey Warren MN
AB John Wardell MN
CkStd Henry Sutherland Beckitt MN
Dnkymn George Smith MN
Greaser Albert Letch MN
Mtrmn John Jones MN

Known Activities
8/43 Converted to blockade runner at Gosport and renamed = Nonsuch
10/43-3/44 Operation Bridford - blockade running voyages from Sweden to the UK
1-2/45 Operation Moonshine - A blockade running voyage from the UK to Sweden and back. Gay Viking, Hopewell and MGB 505 deliver more than 40 tons of supplies to the Danish resistance before picking up a return cargo in Gothenberg, Sweden. Gay Viking and Hopewell collide in the Skaggerak and Gay Viking has to be abandoned.
3/45 MGB 2005

Fate

tdunkyb
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Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:27 pm

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Postby tdunkyb » Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:47 pm

I am currently searching my family tree and looking for any information for my Grandfather James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer. If anyone can help i would be much appreciated.

Fingers crossed someone can help :(

Karen
My name is Graham Stuart Duncan, and I am 68 years of age. I am youngest son of James Kirkhope OBE who was born 2nd February 1916. If I can be of any any help please contact me. My gmail is mrsu75@gmail.com

Regards

Stuart
My name is Thomas Duncan Brown, I am great nephew of James Kirkhope Duncan OBE 1916-1982, who's sisters were Mary Young Duncan (my Grandmother) 1917-1986 and Amy McLaren Duncan (my Great Aunt)1919-1999


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