MTB 234

Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB)
the-hatman
Seaman
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 3:26 pm

MTB 234

Postby the-hatman » Wed Aug 10, 2016 4:45 pm

Thank you for adding me to the Forum

I am the son of the late Stanley Frederick Haynes Ordinary Signalman D/JX.273378 who served on MTB 234 and MTB 393
Whilst researching into the history of MTB 234 I find some inconsistities in records of CO's and First Lieutenants
[img]
Officers MTB 234.JPG
Officers MTB 234.JPG (43.58 KiB) Viewed 13225 times
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Where Perkins and Standley CO's of 234 ??
Macdonald took over "When 241 was shot from under him he took over 234" after Hollings "Had a most unlucky accident" taken from Night Action by Captain Peter Dickens

I can find no record for a T/S.Lt.D.K. Drummond RNVR would this possibly be T/S.Lt.K.P. Drummond RNVR who according to Ships List was on MTB 230 from 16th April 1942

Any help in clarifying this greatly appreciated

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

Re: MTB 234

Postby Brian Holmes » Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:37 pm

My version

Officer data extracted from The Navy List

MTB_234 Berthon Boat Co, Lymington 12/4/42


For attacks on enemy shipping off the enemy coast September and November 1942
DSC Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens

For an action off the Dutch coast 17/4/43
MID Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens

For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43
DSO Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens
DSM POMtrMch Robert James Edward Cuthbert P/MX98718
DSM L Sea James Robert Saunders C/LD/X3418

Birthday Honours 1944
DSC* Lt Herbert Anthony John Hollings

For minelaying in the Nore Command area (Gazette Date - 1/8/44)
MID Sig Stanley Frederick Haynes D/JX273378

For an action in the Nore Command area 4/7/44
DSO TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR
MID TSLt David Walter Moore RNVR
MID AB Mervyn Charles Girling P/JX262689

For an action in the Nore Command area 20/7/44
MID TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR

For actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44
MID TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR
MID TPO Edwin John White D/JX144769



Known Crew
TSLt J P Perkins RNVR Commanding Officer 1/5/42 – 1/6/42
Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich MTB 237 22/5/42 Present for action 7/8/42 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich Commanding Officer MTB 234 01/06/42 For attacks on enemy shipping off the enemy coast September and November 1942 DSC For an action off the Dutch coast 17/4/43 MID For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43 DSO and Senior Officer 21st MTB Flotilla For an action off the Dutch coast on 18/1/43 MID
Lt Herbert Anthony John Hollings Commanding Officer MGB 67 and Senior Officer 6th MGB Flotilla 14/6/43 Commanding Officer MTB 234 1/9/43 and Senior Officer 21st MTB Flotilla Birthday Honours 1944 DSC* HMS Gateshead (Director) For operations in connection with the assault on Normandy June to September 1944 MID HMS Retalick (Director) For the rescue of US seamen from a sunken LST on 9/6/44 MBE
TLt Frederick Peter Standley RNVR TSLt 21/8/42 HMS Cormorant (Gibraltar) TLt 21/8/42 31st MTB Flotilla Based at Great Yarmouth Commanding Officer MTB 629 23/11/42, 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft Commanding Officer MTB 233 21/4/43, MTB 234 5th MTB Flotilla Based at Dover Commanding Officer MTB 354 8/7/43, 30th MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Dover, Ramsgate, Portsmouth and Ostend Commanding Officer MTB 471 28/4/44 For actions in the Normandy assault area 7 - 8/44 DSC Born 2112//13 at Forehoe, Norfolk and died 2/2000 in Norwich
Lt Alan Richard Christian Jensen RCNVR 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft First Lieutenant MTB 234 28/05/42 TLt 25/12/42 Born 1914 in West Ham, London
TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR Ordinary Seaman gunner in DEMS Trienze and Fordsdale HMS King Alfred, HMS St Christopher TMid 5/41 First Lieutenant MTB 14 28/7/41 TASLt 30/9/41 4th MTB Flotilla Based at Dover First Lieutenant MTB 31 For attack on an enemy convoy in the Dover Straits 3/3/42 DSC, 21st MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 241 23/3/42 For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43 DSC* Senior Officer, 21st MTB Flotilla 9/43 TLt 1/10/43 HMS Beehive (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 For two actions in the Nore Area in March 1944 DSC** MTB 234 1944 For an action in the Nore Command area 4/7/44 DSO For an action in the Nore Command area 20/7/44 MID For actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44 MID Commanding Officer MTB 393 and Senior Officer, 31st MTB Flotilla 3/12/44 HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) TALtCdr Born 30/9/21 in Wellington and died in Wellington 22/1/82
TSLt D K Drummond RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 234
TSLt Basil Harding Gerrard RNVR TSLt 21/5/42 4th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 32 24/08/42 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich First Lieutenant MTB 234 8/43 MTB 230 TLt 10/7/44 ANA Washington Called to Bar, Gray's Inn, 1947; Recorder of Barrow-in-Furness, 1969-70. A Circuit Judge (formerly a Judge of County Courts), 1970-82. Member, Parole Board for England and Wales, 1974-76. Chairman, Selcare Trust, 1971-78, Vice President, 1978-; a Chairman, Residential Home Tribunal, 1985-1994. Born 10/7/19 in Salford and died 29/6/94 in Macclesfield, Cheshire
TSLt David Walter Moore RNVR TSLt 6/11/42 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 For an action in the Nore Command area 4/7/44 MID First Lieutenant MTB 241 10/3/43 HMS Beehive (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft First Lieutenant MTB 393 3/12/44 TLt 6/5/45
TSLt Guy Kingdon Nattuch RNZNVR HMS Ganges HMS Tartar (destroyer) RN Barracks, Portsmouth [HMS Victory] 22/5/42 HMS King Alfred 31/10/42 TSLt 25/12/42 HMS St Christopher 1/2/43 HMS Beehive (spare MTB crew) 19/4/43 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 First Lieutenant MTB 355 10/6/43 HMS Beehive (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 35th MTB Flotilla Based at Felixstowe, Newhaven and Portsmouth First Lieutenant later Commanding Officer MTB 454 11/43 For a night action with enemy light forces in the Channel 11/5/44 DSC HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) 18/12/44
POMtrMch Robert James Edward Cuthbert P/MX98718 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43 DSM
TPO Edwin John White D/JX144769 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich MTB 241 For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43 DSM 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 For actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44 MID
LSea James Robert Saunders C/LD/X3418 21st MTB Flotilla (Coxswain) MTB 234 For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43 DSM
LSto B J Clarke 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich MTB 234
LTel Churcher 21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich MTB 234 ( - 4/43)
LTel D C Travers 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 4/43 -
AB Mervyn Charles Girling P/JX262689 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 For an action in the Nore Command area 4/7/44 MID
AB ‘Jock’ Craig (Seaman Gunner) 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234
AB K Jolly 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234
AB Eric Mayers (Seaman Gunner) 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234
AB Neal (Seaman Torpedoman) 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234
Ord A Herring 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234
Sig Stanley Frederick Haynes D/JX273378 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234 For minelaying in the Nore Command area MID
Sto B Gilbert 21st MTB Flotilla MTB 234

Wartime Activities
Adopted by Hunstanton Urban District Council as part of War Ship Week activities
21st MTB Flotilla
Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich
6/8/42 21st MTB Flotilla stages at HMS Hornet whilst in transit from Dartmouth to Felixstowe
10-1/9/42 MTB 230, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MGB 91, MGB 82 and MGB 84 from 7th MGB Flotilla encounter what they believe to be enemy merchant ships off Terschelling. The vessels are in fact the auxillary patrol vessels Vp 1234 and Vp 1239. The MGBs provide a diversion for a torpedo attack. MTB 230 fires a torpedo which misses. MTB 234 fires two torpedoes one of which hits Vp 1239 which has to be towed into Terschelling. MGBs damage the two vessels with gunfire.
1/10/42 MTB 230, MTB 234 (Two further MTBs are forced to return), MGB 18, MGB 21, MGB 82 and MGB 86 are in action with a German convoy off Terschelling. MGB 18, MGB 21, MGB 82 and MGB 86 are sent ahead to create a diversion. The convoy was previously attacked by RAF aircraft who reported it as northbound where it was actually southbound. This causes confusion when the convoy was sighted much earlier than expected. MGB 21, in the lead, veers off to starboard. MGB 18 crosses her stern and draws considerable fire. The coxswain is wounded in the face. MGB 18 collides with MGB 82 crumpling her bow. MGB 18 makes smoke but is repeatedly hit. The Commanding Officer is killed. MTB 230 and MTB 234 attack and each fire two torpedoes. The Swedish merchant ship Thule (Carrying iron ore) and armed trawler Vp 2003 are both sunk. MTB 234 recovers survivors from MGB 18 which is sunk to prevent capture and is engaged and damaged by Vp 2011 whilst moving away.
9/10/42 MTB 234, MTB 230, MGB 91, MGB 82 and MGB 84 attack a convoy off Texel and damage two ships
11/42 Attacks on enemy shipping off the enemy coast
17-8/4/43 MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 are on patrol off Ymuiden. Just before dawn MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 sweep southward towards the Hook of Holland and intercept a German convoy. MTB 233 moves to seaward to draw fire. MTB 234 and MTB 241 move inshore to make a torpedo attack. Auxilliary patrol boat Vp 1409 is sunk.. MTB 234 and MTB 241 disengage northwards and southwards and then return to provide a diversion to cover a torpedo attack by MTB 233. MTB 233 has previously attacked and suffered heavy fire. The Commanding Officer is killed and the coxswain severely wounded. MTB 233 breaks off the action.
20-1/4/43 MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 241 encounter armed trawlers off the Hook of Holland. The MTBs fire torpedoes but miss.
28-9/4/43 MTB 233, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 241 encounter armed trawlers off Ymuiden. MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 proceed inshore of the trawlers but are sighted and engaged at 600 yards. MTB 234 fires two torpedoes but misses. MTB 241 fires two torpedoes and hits Vp 1408. MTB 233 is blinded, makes several independent approaches but is beaten off by gunfire.
13-4/5/43 MTB 232, MTB 234 (SO embarked), MTB 241 and MTB 244 are returning from a minelaying operation when MTB 234 detects targets by hydrophone to seaward off the Hook of Holland. MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 and MTB 244 steer down the bearing and sight four large ships with several smaller escorts. There are in fact Twelve Fleet minesweepers escorted by nine R Boats but most are obscured by bad visibility. Senior officer conducts a quick shouted briefing. MTB 234 and MTB 244 conduct a torpedo attack before disengaging to provide cover for MTB 232 and MTB 241. Two underwater explosions are heard and one of the larger targets shows flames. MTB 234 and MTB 244 make smoke. MTB 241 fires torpedoes at 600 yards but misses. MTB 232 attacks and hits the damaged minesweeper. This is minesweeper M8 which sinks after being hit by a total of three torpedoes..
25/7/43 MTB 223, MTB 224, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 244 of 21st MTB Flotilla with three MTBs from 11th MTB Flotilla attack seven armed trawlers and Vps off Ymuiden. It is the Senior Officers last action and his replacement is aboard as well. Repeated attacks are made over three hours. All the MTBs are damaged. V 801/Max Gundelach is sunk west of Terschelling
6-7/3/44 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 are on patrol off Ymuiden.
0430 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 and MTB 244 form into two divisions to attack two trawlers. One division makes a torpedo attack and three explosions are observed. The other division is beaten off by gunfire. Vorpostenboot V 1304/Eisenachis torpedoed off the Hook of Holland. A Flaklighter and another Vp.-Boot are damaged
21st MTB Flotilla
MTB 223, MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 244
Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy
Minelaying in the Nore Command area (Gazette Date - 1/8/44)
4/7/44 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 detect a convoy by Radar off Terschelling. The strong escort beats them off and the convoy enters West Gat. MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234 and MTB 244 split into two divisions and continue to search. MTB 234’s division sights a second convoy and fires six torpedoes from 1000 yards. A coaster is hit and set on fire. The other division attacks from inshore and claims a hit on an escort from 1800 yards. Botyh targets are later confirmed as sunk.
20/7/44 MTB 224 and MTB 234 (Senior Officer) (Division 1) and MTB 225 and MTB 232 (Division 2) are on patrol off Scheveningen. A patrol of trawlers is detected and attacked. Division 2 achieves a hit. Division 1 is initially beaten off but makes a second attack and also claim a hit.
14-5/9/44 MTB 83, MTB 88, MTB 223, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 are on patrol off Terschelling and attack a convoy. Division 1, lead by MTB 234 attacks from inshore but are detected and beaten off. Division 2, lead by MTB 232, then attacks from seaward achieving hits on a 2000 ton merchant ship from 1500 yards. Division 1 makes a second attack, fire torpedoes, but miss.
8-9/10/44 MTB 223, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 (Division 1) and MTB 83 and MTB 88 (Division 2) are on patrol off Texel. An M Class minesweeper is sunk.
1/45 For disposal

the-hatman
Seaman
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 3:26 pm

Re: MTB 234

Postby the-hatman » Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:52 pm

Sir I am indebted to you for this detailed information, which will take a while to consume and digest.
The adoption by Hunstanton is the reason I am researching this, the plaque presented to MTB 234 is in the Heritage Centre there, returned by my father some time in the 70's
So far I have found pictures of the boat, the crew, the presentation, the plaques exchanged and an informal shot of the crew giving a Churchill type of salute
The length my father went to for a jolly in Hunstanton seem incredible, went out on the night of 14/11/42 on MTB 234 which broke down and returned to base. Peter Dickens and Douglas Gill and my father stepped onto MTB 233 which also broke down so the trio step onto MTB 83 run into some action which proves unfruitful and presumably return to base sometime on the sunday morning.
Although Dickens ducks the presentation somehow my father manages to be there

Again many many thanks


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