Researching HMML 168

Enquiries relating to individual men and women who served with HM Light Coastal Forces; help with interpreting service records, or with tracing former comrades
maxwellagm
Seaman
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:54 pm

Researching HMML 168

Postby maxwellagm » Tue Oct 06, 2015 8:28 am

Hi Guys

Looking for some help please. My partner's Dad is 94 and is suffering from terminal cancer. He served on HMML 168 3rd Flotilla during the war but has only just recently started talking about his experiences whilst he was in Malta during the siege and towards the end of the war when he was based out of Lowestoft. He served on HMML 168 3rd Flotilla and his son and daughter are trying to find out as much as possible about the boat and it's crew. His name is Earnest Henry Checkley (called Henry) and he was the Sparks.

Anybody any idea where I can get more detail please?

johnk
Chief Petty Officer
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:21 am

Re: Researching HMML 168

Postby johnk » Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:21 am

Hello there,

Just spotted your post, I have no info, but wanted to acknowledge and my respects to your parnters Dad, among many of course, but the siege of Malta was such a key event, saw documentary on it few months ago, albiet on the RAF's work, but mention of submarines, but to hear of the coastal forces work is great, I hope others on this forum can help.

Johnk

Brian Holmes
Commander
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 3:26 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Re: Researching HMML 168

Postby Brian Holmes » Tue Oct 06, 2015 4:21 pm

ML_168 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 23/11/40

Birthday Honours 1943
MID LSea Lauchlan Maclean Watt Gibb D/J64311

For opening up the Greek ports of Piraeus and Itea (Gazette Date - 12/6/45)
MID TLt Keith Hamilton Wade RANVR
MID POMtrMch Charles Albert George Pearce P/MX126427

Known Crew
TLt H C Atkinson RNVR TSLt 30/10/41 ML 168 24/5/43 TLt 1/11/43 HMS Gregale
TLt Keith Hamilton Wade RANVR TSLt 25/12/42 ML 580 12/4/43 TLt 25/12/43 ML 168 For opening up the Greek ports of Piraeus and Itea MID
TLt A H Stenning RNVR TSLt 21/8/42 3rd ML Flotilla 11/42 Commanding Officer ML 168 19/2/43 TLt 22/10/44
TSLt H J Mullen RNVR TASLt 24th MTB Flotilla MTB 242 5/7/43 TSLt 25/11/43 HMS Gregale (Malta) 1944 ML 168 2/3/45
POMtrMch Charles Albert George Pearce P/MX126427 ML 168 For opening up the Greek ports of Piraeus and Itea MID
LSea Lauchlan Maclean Watt Gibb D/J64311 3rd ML Flotilla Based at HMS Gregale, Malta ML 168 Birthday Honours 1943 MID

Wartime Activities
1/1/41 8th ML Flotilla
Based on Milford Haven
ML 162, ML 163, ML 164, ML 165, ML 166, ML 167 and ML 168
12/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae depart the UK for Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
17/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae arrived at Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
1/7/41 8th ML Flotilla
Based at Milford Haven
ML 161, ML 162, ML 163, ML 164, ML 165, ML 166, ML 167 and ML 168
3rd ML Flotilla
25/7/41 Light cruiser HMS Manchester returned to Gibraltar, escorted by destroyer Avon Vale, with three out of four engines inoperative.Before arriving at Gibraltar, destroyers Vidette and Vimy joined the screen. Destroyer Wishart later sailed and relieved destroyer Avon Vale.Tug St Day departed Gibraltar to assist. They arrived at Gibraltar shortly before midnight. Motor launches ML 130, ML 126, ML 168, ML 121, and ML 129 departed Gibraltar to sweep ahead of the cruiser and provide additional escort. Later, tugs Rollicker and St Omar with ML 173, and ML 169 departed to join the cruiser
2/8/41 ML 130, ML 129 and ML 168 departed Gibraltar to conduct an anti-submarine search north of Alboran Island
1/42 3rd ML Flotilla
Based at Gibraltar
ML 121, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168 at Gibraltar
19/5/42 ML 168 sailed at 2200 to carry out an A/S sweep along the Spanish coast was far as Estepona Light, keeping just out of sight of land, thence back to Gibraltar.
Mediterranean
Based on Malta
Operation Pedestal
Fitted out as an Oropesa minesweeper.

6/42 Operation Harpoon
ML 121, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168, ML 459 and ML 462 sail as part of the close escort of convoy WS19Z from Gibraltar to Malta. Only two of the merchant ships reach their destination.
On 21st May, Admiralty asked CinC Mediterranean if he wished eight M.L.s to be passed through with the convoy. CinC Mediterranean considered that there was little prospect of getting them from Malta to Alexandria and asked V.A.M. for his remarks. V.A.M. was not enthusiastic about their capabilities, and suggested that not more than two should accompany the convoy. CinC Mediterranean asked for four to be sent to enable V.A.M. to keep two serviceable. Admiralty agreed, but later ordered two additional boats to be sent.
Before leaving, four of the MLs had their 3 pdrs replaced by a second Oerlikon, and the remaining two, who were fitting with Rolls 2 pdrs, had a second Oerlikon fitted aft. All six were also fitted with one leg of Mark V Oropesa Minesweeping outfit. A proposal to fit armour plating as a protection against air attack was turned down by Admiralty
12/6/42 0120 - Oiler Kentucky escorted by HMS Hebe, HMS Speedy, HMS Hythe, HMS Rye, and ML 121, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168, ML 459, and ML 462 sailed from Gibraltar
16/6/42 ML 121, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168, ML 459 and ML 462 enter Malta
Minesweeping based on Malta
7/12/42 ML 168 swept HMS/M P.45 into Malta and ML 459 swept HMS/M P.212 and HMS/M P.247 to sea
6/43 Based at HMS Gregale, Malta
10/7/43 Operation Husky – Invasion of Sicily
14/8/42 At 0630, ML 168 arrived in Malta with 68 survivors on board
Opening up the Greek ports of Piraeus and Itea (Gazette Date - 12/6/45)

Post War Fate
5/46 For disposal
Attachments
168.jpg
168.jpg (33.54 KiB) Viewed 13009 times


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