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ML 263
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:31 pm
by Robert Mills
Hello everybody and thank you for letting me join you forum.
Hopefully I am trying to gather as much information as I can about my Father's time (Roy/Ron Mills ) with the Coastal Forces aboard ML263 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Serving as Stoker 2nd Class Aug 1942-Jan 1943 then a Stoker 1st Class Jan 1943- Apr 1943 then May 1943-Dec 1943 trying to find pictures and plans of the engine room, Hull plans, and people whom he possibly knew. Thank you Kevin and Ted for the information already sent.
Kind Regards Robert.
Re: ML 263
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:58 pm
by rebeccaholland
Hello Robert,
Did you find out any further information about ML 263 in Sierra Leone? My great Uncle served upon it but died from injuries received in 1943.
Best wishes,
Rebecca
Re: ML 263
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 9:51 pm
by Admin
Hello Rebecca
Thank you for your enquiry regarding ML 263 which was part of the 17th ML Flotilla, comprising MLs 242, 256, 261, 263, 265, 266, 272 & 274. Naval History web site has some of the movements at various times for the motor launches in West Africa including this entry for
7 August, 1941
I have photos of ML 296 and 287, including general shots of life at Freetown, some of which may be found here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/coastal-forces/
If your relative is Petty Officer Motor Mechanic William Delaney, and if you have a photo of him, I could look through all the photos I have to see if he is in one of them. This is a group photo of some of the ML crews at Freetown which are more likely from boats in the 27th ML Flotilla.
Regards
Admin
- Off duty ML crews at their base at Freetown around 1942-1943
Re: ML 263
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 12:39 pm
by rebeccaholland
Hello,
Thank you so much for the photo link and information. I have this picture of William Delaney taken at his sister's wedding in 1942. I have just applied for his service records as the only real information we have is regarding his injuries and later his death.
It would be amazing if you have any pictures of him.
Best wishes,
Rebecca
- William Delaney.jpeg (39.5 KiB) Viewed 21668 times
Re: ML 263
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 6:18 pm
by rebeccaholland
Today I have received my great Uncle William Delaney's service records. It appears he was on ML 263 from 28.07.42 until his death on 29.08.43. Can anyone explain why alongside ML 263 it also says: Attack, Hornet, Edinburgh Castle?
Thank you for any help,
Rebecca
Re: ML 263
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:08 pm
by Admin
Can anyone explain why alongside ML 263 it also says: Attack, Hornet, Edinburgh Castle?
Good Evening Rebecca
HMS Attack was a Coastal Forces shore base at Portland, whilst HMS Hornet was the principal Coastal Forces base at Gosport. Edinburgh Castle was a former liner used as a floating base in the harbour at Freetown, Sierra Leone, which along with Philoctetes is often seen on the service records of Coastal Forces and Patrol Service personnel who served in West Africa.
Regards
Admin
Re: ML 263
Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 8:43 pm
by rebeccaholland
Thank you for your help. It seems that Sierra Leone was William's first overseas posting. The records say he died of extensive burns following an explosion on ML 263.
Rebecca