MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667

[Peter]

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 New Year period, for which I attaché perhaps a little late a card to all you with contacts in those campaigns, the Families & Grandchildren and Friends my sincere best wishes at this time with the Card that was raised by Coastal Forces aboard our then base ship " Miraglia " (captured Italian Sea plane Carrier ) now docked in Brindisi (Italy) that took over the role of Base ship after the severe damage to our HMS Vienna after the Bari air raid in December 1943.
Picture of the Island of Vis
It is with My Best Wishes to you All
Peter

[Peter]

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 at the opening of the Merseyside Branch in 1981
Question : am I on the course ?
Cheers
Peter

[Peter]

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 British Veterans of Vis, it was during one of these visits that we were entertained by the Croatia Navy.
It is with thanks to the CFV site and to Kevin, that we Veterans have been able to share our memory's and experiences to be recorded for and used by our families and for the many who show interest in our history

[wyamdp]

Hello all, there was some dubiety over the background to the colourised picture of the gentlemen wearing the Kriegsmarine uniforms. Reading Sir Walter Blount's account of the Tagliamento surrender, I think this has been solved. (He was the CO of MTB 634.) 634 crew were the culprits!
Please see the attached documents.

Regards, Angus

[wyamdp]

MTB 634 crew with AB William Macdonald identified by the blue dot.
Regards.
Macdonald family

[Peter]

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 the war of the Dalmatia Island Campaign and all the pain of battle we shared in the joy of comradeship and we won, as we will in this battle of the coronavirus . the attached picture will reflect on some of the good times with Coastal Forces Veterans Association

[Skegness123]

My Father In Law - Harry Crookes served on MTB 637 (4th from the left 2nd row) he didn't talk much about what he did on the boat but I know he used to cook often. He also told me about the crews drinking habits - they used to spread brasso onto bread and leave it in the sun to ferment before eating and they were also known to sell their socks so they could buy booze to go on "sippers" I have the exact same picture at home but the names are better on this one. He remained close friends with John Richardson (middle top row) throughout his life.

[Dougers]

Hi

I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge of which boat my late father served on. His name is Ian Austin and came from Johannesburg, South Africa. He told us he served on the MTB’s in the Adriatic and then went across to Genoa towards the end of the war. He mentioned they were stationed at Vis and he operated the bofors gun at the stern. He also mentioned he was promoted to one rank above Ordinary Seaman but was demoted back down after throwing his helmet at one of the officers on board. Hoping that might ring a bell?

There is a picture of what my brothers and I are convinced is him standing on the stern at his gun with MTB 378 passing astern taken somewhere off Genoa. I have attached the pic.

Many thanks
Douglas Austin

[jonco]

...........I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge of which boat my late father served on. His name is Ian Austin and came from Johannesburg, South Africa............

Hello, You could apply for his service record through the link below. Service record should show bases and tenders but they are not always fully accurate and take a time to come through. Note section on non-UK personnel. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov ... cords.html

[reinaart]

Douglas, the MTB with the Bofors gun was a Higgins MTB. This means that your dad (if he is indeed the man in the pic) served on MTB 419, 420, 421, 422 or 423. My guess is that it may have been MTB 422 because there are some action pics of this vessel taken from a Vosper (also IWM I think) . These pics were probably taken at the same time when the pic you posted was made. I also have pics of the other Higgins boats but none of MTB 419.

Regards,

Arjan

[reinaart]

I'm not sure, though, if any of the RN Higgins MTB s were stationed at Vis. I don't know anything about MGB s but the RN also used some former US Higgins boats as gun boats (45th MGB Flotilla).

Arjan

[reinaart]

Apparently the Higgins boats of the 45th MGB Flotilla were manned by the African Coastal Force :



Arjan

[Swimteacher5014]

All - My father AB William Macdonald C/JX278299 served on MTB 634 in the Adriatic campaign. The picture below was taken in Malta sometime in 1944 of the 634 crew with some captured E boat trophies. This event could be linked to a previous thread where a picture shows MTB 634 taking the capture of an E boat. My father is second from left with a pennant over his shoulder. He served on 634 unscathed until the end of the war and indeed was presented with 634's flag by the captain at the war's cessation. We still have the flag in our family and can post additional pictures if there is any interest.

Regards,
Angus Macdonald

Hi

I am new to this forum and have just been given a box full of photographs of my father when he served on HM MTB 634 in Ancona , Italy - 1944.

I have the exact photo which you have kindly shared Mr McDonald ( Angus) of the crew in German attire with the flag.

My father is Frederick Riddle is 4th from the left of the picture frame, knelt down holding of the flag,
( he’s at the forefront of the image).

I have additional pictures of my father in naval uniform and vessels I presume he served upon during his time in Her Majesty’s Navy during WWII.

I am very interested in learning about my fathers time in the Navy.

I can scan and send via email any pictures.

Sincere Regards

Stephen Riddle

[David Carter]

Stephen
Thank you for joining this forum. Please post the pictures you have. There are still veterans around who served on these boats and will be pleased to see them.
Regards
David Carter (Secretary)

[Peter]

Good Evening Stephen
I would be very interested in sending you some of the pictures I have about MTBs and MGBS operating in the now Croatian waters having spent some 2 years 1943-1945 aboard MTB 243 & MGB 647 in that area as a Radar Operator
Good Luck in your search
A/B Peter BEM

[Peter]

Hi Stephen As promised copy of diary of aug 1943

[Louisa]

Bari 1943.jpgHi Stephen As promised copy of diary of aug 1943

[wyamdp]

Very pleased to hear Stephen about your father's service on MTB 634 alongside my father. This is a picture of the 634 crew at a moment in time sent to my mother during the war from my dad AB William Macdonald C/JX278299 middle, second right.
Regards,
Angus Macdonald

634 crew

[Lizgreen1]

My father, Ken David was on MTB 638 he is 98 and still remembers lots of detail if anyone has any questions for him. He is in the photo shown previously.

[David Carter]

Hello Liz

I'm very glad to hear that your father is alive and well. There are still veterans left in London Branch who meet regularly. We would very much like to get to know him - and you. If you could let me have your e-mail, I can send you a recent newsletter and details of how we meet remotely during lockdown. My home e-mail is cdcarter263@hotmail.com.

Kind regards

David Carter
(Secretary CFVA London Branch)

[wyamdp]

Finally tracked down a picture of MTB 634 - believe it's the same as held by the Imperial War Museum captioned "MTB 634 -
Underway, coastal waters, followed by two more MTBs".

Regards,
Angus Macdonald