MTB 476

[zozzieb]

My Gramps : William "Bill" Davenport was on this durung WW2 . Looking for photos of the boat and/ or crew mates , please get in touch if you can assist

He has only just started talking about this and would love to learn more
thanks

[Pioneer]

MTB 476 was attached to the 30th Flotilla. She is mentioned in "Home Waters MTBs and MGBs at War 1939-1945" by L Reynolds ISBN 0 7509 2518 3
She was involved with the sinking of E-Boat S185 22/23 Dec 1944 also had a fatal injury to A/B Sam Randles when in action on 20/21 August 1944.
MTB 476 was A 71'6" BPB Co Mk VI.

[Brian Holmes]

MTB_476 British Power Boat Co, Hythe Hampshire

For actions in the Plymouth area 7 - 8/44
MID AB Arthur Webb C/JX376400

For an action in the Nore area 10/10/44
MID TLt Paul Dudley Watkins RNVR
MID AB Ronald Charles Sydney Burgess P/JX292203
MID AB William French Greatbatch P/JX176929

For an attack on E Boats in the Channel 22/12/44
MID Sto1 Cecil Charles Judge P/KX636505

For the rescue of survivors from MV Gold Shell mined and sunk off the Belgian coast 16/4/45
MID TLt Paul Dudley Watkins RNVR
MID POMtrMch Harry Robert Worley C/MX77591
MID LSea Vivian Victor Broom C/JX168298

Known Crew
TLt Paul Dudley Watkins RNVR
POMtrMch Harry Robert Worley C/MX77591
LSea Vivian Victor Broom C/JX168298
AB Ronald Charles Sydney Burgess P/JX292203
AB William French Greatbatch P/JX176929
AB Samuel Randles C/JX 375482 (Killed in action 21/8/44)
AB Arthur Webb C/JX376400
Sto1 Cecil Charles Judge P/KX636505

Wartime Activities
30th MTB Flotilla
Based at Lowestoft, Dover, Ramsgate, Portsmouth and Ostend
5-6/8/44 S-Boats are attacked off Le Havre by MTB 475, MTB 476 and MTB 474 and S 91 is damaged by a torpedo detonation.
20-1/8/44 MTB 471, MTB 476 and MTB 477 are in action with R Boats off Cap d’ Antifer. MTB 471 and MTB 476 suffer casualties. MTB 476 and MTB 477 are severely damaged and MTB 477 has to be towed back to base. Three R Boats are in difficulties and one is apparently sinking.
10-1/10/44 MTB 472, MTB 473, MTB 475, MTB 476 and MTB 480 are in action with Vp Boats off the Hook of Holland. A trawler is sunk (A boat is heavily damaged).
22-3/12/44 MTB 471, MTB 472, MTB 473 and MTB 475 (SO) (Division 1) and MTB 474, MTB 476 and MTB 477 (Division 2) are on patrol off the Hook of Holland. Approaching the patrol position, Radar detects vessels at 2800 yards approaching on either bow. Six E Boats are sighted crossing at 30kts. Both divisions engage immediately closing to 100 yards before passing down the line. Return fire commences after 15 secs but is high and wild. The fourth E Boat, S 185, blows up and sinks. The third and fifth E Boats are severely damaged. Division 2 pursues but to no avail.
Back on the patrol position, the force is shelled by an unseen enemy. The force moves away intending to return later. MTB 471 is hit in the engine room, loses contact and returns to base.
25-6/3/45 MTB 475 and MTB 476 possibly sink an E Boat.
16/4/45 MTB 476 and ML1383 rescue survivors of MV GOLD SHELL mined and sunk off the Belgian coast in position 51.22n 02.55e

[meic]

My father served on MTB 477 (30th Flotilla) and has photos of MTB 477 and MTB 479 in his possession.
He took part in the actions on 20-1/9/44 and 22-3/12/44 whilst serving on MTB 477 involving MTB 476 and others. I am sure that he would like to hear from any surviving crew members His name is Hywel Eric Jones but was known as Eric and was a gunner. If there is anyone interested I will get some more information from him.

[Pioneer]

Hello 'meic'
Welcome aboard.
We are always interested in information from veterans. I note that your father did not join the CFVA - many Jones' did of course, but I cannot find a trace of Hywel Eric Jones.
I shall go through our final members list to see if I can find anyone who was aboard MTB 477 - may take a little while.
Keep 'popping' back, I may strike lucky
Best Regards to all

[meic]

Hello Pioneer,
Thanks for the prompt response. Im afraid that I got my father`s name wrong!!
His first name (which he never uses ) was spelt as Howell and not as Hywel ( the Welsh version )
My apologies! He has just cofirmed that he has been a member of CFVA for many years. I know that he receives the magazine regularly. He served on MTB477 since it was commissioned in Southampton ( he thinks) until he was told that it was being disbanded. I will see if he has got more information / photos etc when I next visit him.
All the best Meic

[Pioneer]

Hello again 'meic'
I did trace your father - membership number 1135. I have sent you a PM
Best Wishes
Pioneer

[zozzieb]

Just want to say, a big thank you for all the info.Would love to hear from anyone who has photos or knew grandpa bill who is 90 this August, please email me labradors@ntlworld.com....