Coastal Forces Veterans

Hoping you may be able to help.
I am researching a WW2 No19 shell case that has been turned into a presentation gift with a small engraving on the side.
The engraving simply says:

H.K.C
H.M.M.T.B. 245. August 1944
Greetings Bill

This site has provided a lot of information about MTB 245 which I am most grateful for. I am wondering if anyone may be able to signpost me to further records that could help identify both ‘Bill’ & ‘HKC’?
All suggestions gratefully received.
With thanks.

Hopefully I have been successful in adding an image.

Hi Mattr I hope that you are successful in your appeal for "Bill" having served aboard MTB 243 during her service in the Mediterranean and to see her sadly used as a target it is with great interest to see what happened to MTB 245 Cheers Peter

Hello MattR

I've had a look through the resources I hold but haven't managed to turn up anything. H.K.C. could conceivably have been anyone unconnected with Coastal Forces, and there's no match for a Bill or William amongst those few known members of 245's crew. An interesting item none the less.

Admin

Thank you both for your replies, very much appreciated. I’m certain it relates to the documented Channel & Normandy ops and likely a member of crew during that time but as you say remains anonymous at the moment.
Members Pioneer & Brian Holmes have posts from 2009 that shed light on crew & history of the craft. Excited to read that at least some of it may still survive as a houseboat in Hampshire.

This could be Bill...maybe?
Certainly he’s the only William connected with 245 of that time that I can find on record.
Ladies & gentlemen...I give you TSLt William Herbert Heal Coates!

Nice to see you have found the answer to your main question !

Regards,

Arjan