Coastal Forces Veterans

Hi all, I have the ships bell from MGB 675 and was wondering if any of you guys have any info regarding this boat? Or even any photos of it?

Hello Paul

Thank you for your enquiry. MGB 675 would have been MTB 675, since all MGBs in Home Waters were redesignated as MTBs mid war. MTB 675 has the following known awards:

Temporary Lieutenant Frederick William BRAMWELL (349) RNVR MTB 675 DSC

Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Dennis Wallace KNOWELDEN (1613) RN P/MX 98460 MTB 675 DSM

Able Seaman George Ronald HARRISON (1261) RN C/JX 378035 MTB 675 DSM

Ordinary Seaman Bernard Eden MCNEILL (1939) RN C/JX 408664 MTB 675 DSM

This group of awards was cited in the London Gazette edition for 21st December 1943 and were for

courage, skill and endurance in bringing the light craft in which they were serving safely to port, after she had been heavily attacked from the air.

The captions accompanying these photos of the boat and its crew in the collection of the IWM, make mention of an air attack off the Norwegian coast, which is likely the event mentioned above, and which indicates MTB 675 would have been working out of Lerwick.


MTB BATTLES WITH GERMAN FIGHTERS. 21 OCTOBER 1943, ROSYTH. MTB 675 BATTLED WITH 6 GERMAN FIGHTERS OFF THE NORWEGIAN COAST, SHOOTING ONE DOWN WHILE SUSTAINING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.. © IWM (A 19896) IWM Non Commercial License

MTB BATTLES WITH GERMAN FIGHTERS. 21 OCTOBER 1943, ROSYTH. MTB 675 BATTLED WITH 6 GERMAN FIGHTERS OFF THE NORWEGIAN COAST, SHOOTING ONE DOWN WHILE SUSTAINING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.. © IWM (A 19898) IWM Non Commercial License

MTB BATTLES WITH GERMAN FIGHTERS. 21 OCTOBER 1943, ROSYTH. MTB 675 BATTLED WITH 6 GERMAN FIGHTERS OFF THE NORWEGIAN COAST, SHOOTING ONE DOWN WHILE SUSTAINING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.. © IWM (A 19897) IWM Non Commercial License

MTB BATTLES WITH GERMAN FIGHTERS. 21 OCTOBER 1943, ROSYTH. MTB 675 BATTLED WITH 6 GERMAN FIGHTERS OFF THE NORWEGIAN COAST, SHOOTING ONE DOWN WHILE SUSTAINING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.. © IWM (A 19899) IWM Non Commercial License

Thanks for the great information, just what I was looking for

You’re welcome. I’d appreciate a good photo of the bell, and any other documentation you may have for our records.

Regards
Admin

Hi, sorry for the reply to your requests for photos of the bell but I have been out of the country. I’ve attached some pics for your records. Kind regards Paul

I’m not sure the photos sent as I can’t see them on post?

Thanks for the photo of the bell which is showing for me. If you do have any others that you were trying to post but aren’t showing, could you try emailing them to our contact address please.

How did you come by the bell incidentally?

Many Thanks
Admin

Hi , Yes there were some more pics , I think they are in HD so maybe the file was to big , I will email them to you. I was an Antique dealer many years ago and the Bell came through the shop so I don’t really know it’s Story, I liked the look of it so it went home with me. Recently I came across someone that could make a rope for it so I’ve put it back together, it now has a fine sound when it’s rung.