ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Motor Launches (ML), Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) & Rescue Motor Launches (RML)
Jaime
Seaman
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:30 pm

ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby Jaime » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:13 pm

Navy Command has provided my grandfather with some dates relating to his service as a radar mechanician with Coastal Forces and apart from his Service in Europe with both CFMU1 & then CFMU2, it also provides some dates for his service with actual vessels. Apart from one stint on destroyer HMS Winchelsea all are motor launches and I wonder if anyone knows which flotilla they were part of and where they were based on the dates given:

ML118: 03/11/44 to 13/11/44
ML150: 29/11/44
ML 153: 26/11/44
ML 490: 14/11/44

We think they were in Ostend at this point but can't find any confirmation and the Navy records we have do not specify the location. It seems to be quite difficult to find information on these particular boats (typical!) and, whilst the fascinating information on ML150 on this website was a great find, details are conspicuous by their absence on sites such as: http://www.unithistories.com/units_brit ... orces.html

I hope someone can help!

Many thanks,

Jaime

jonco
Chief Petty Officer
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby jonco » Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:04 am

Hello Jaime,

If you try a simple google on the ML number and add WW2 it generally comes up with something. For example I have just googled ML 118 WW2 and it produced the following on naval-history.net for 1942 dispositions.

2nd Motor Launch Flotilla - ML.112, ML.113 (SO), ML.114, ML.116, ML.117, ML.118, ML.119, ML.120, ML.171, all at Portsmouth.

Others will no doubt have far more comprehensive information but this is a starter.

Cheers

Jaime
Seaman
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:30 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby Jaime » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:44 pm

Thanks for the reply Jonco,

Yes, I had done the Google search and came up with the information you posted above but I am looking for a little more information - specifically, where those boats were based on (or near to) the dates specified - but haven't been able to find out using Google or other search engines.

The boats are not even listed on the Unit Histories web page, which is otherwise pretty comprehensive when it comes to Coastal Forces.

Cheers,

Jaime

jonco
Chief Petty Officer
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby jonco » Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:19 pm

There is a reference in unit histories to ML 490 under the command of Geoffrey William Searle

10.04.1944
-
(07.1945)
Commanding Officer, HM ML 490 (motor launch) & SO 14th ML Flotilla
[ordered to Kristiansand, Norway 07.06.1945; got as far as Copenhagen

Jaime
Seaman
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:30 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby Jaime » Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:19 pm

Thanks again Jonco - where did you see that? Can you post a link please? I was looking here:

http://www.unithistories.com/units_brit ... orces.html

The dates you indicate tie up with my grandfather's movements after VE day. My understanding is that once in Copenhagen his flotilla were based either in, or very near, the Carlsberg brewery!

Jaime
Seaman
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:30 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby Jaime » Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:26 pm

Incidentally, when I searched for the boats above on the CFV database, it came up with two entries for ML118 as follows:


ML 118

A B Motor Launch, constructed by Midland Boat Works of Ontario on 06.11.1943.


ML 118

A B Motor Launch, constructed by Sussex Shipbuilders of Shoreham on 07.10.1940. Sold = Marandis 1946


Can anyone explain why this would be the case?

jonco
Chief Petty Officer
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby jonco » Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:16 pm

Hi Jaime,

I cannot remember which route I used to get there but the link is

http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNVR_officers

There's a lot of interesting information in there.

Can't answer your other query - would hazard a guess one was HM and the other Canadian navy - I'm sure somebody else will answer this very quickly for you.

Cheers

Colin

Pioneer
Moderator
Posts: 347
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:48 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby Pioneer » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:43 pm

'jonco' is correct
The first ML118 should be Q118 constructed by Midland Boat works of Ontario Canada for the RCN.
The new database, when it arrives, will show the correct pennant.

Jsantos
Seaman
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 5:44 pm

Re: ML 118, 150, 153 & 490

Postby Jsantos » Fri Nov 21, 2014 3:23 pm

I have a picture of ML 490 during WWII you may be interested in


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