HMML 129

Motor Launches (ML), Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) & Rescue Motor Launches (RML)
Ariete
Seaman
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:18 am

HMML 129

Postby Ariete » Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:49 am

Dear guys,

I'm an italian historical researcher.

Where can I find photos of the following ships?

HMS ML 126
HMS ML 129
HMS ML 130
HMS ML 132

In particular of ML 129.

On 20 March 1942, four boats of the 3rd Motor Launches Flotilla (ML126, ML129, ML130 and ML132) left Gibraltar towards Malta.
Six italian Fiat CR.42, on the 21 March, strafed them, ML129 exploded and sunk, while ML132 reached the Tunisian coasts and stopped near the Bona pier.

Thanks a lot, Daniele.
Last edited by Admin on Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Corrected title to read HMML rather than HMS ML as Motor Launches are termed His Majesty's Motor Launch (HMML)

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

Re: HMML 129

Postby Brian Holmes » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:48 pm

ML_126 James N Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance 19/9/40

For minesweeping operations in the Mediterranean 5 - 6/42
DSC TLt Gordon Wilson Stead RCNVR
MID PO Alfred Charles Almond P/J110717

New Year Honours 1943
MID TLt John Norman Barfield RNVR
MID AStoPO Henry James Ernest Fowler D/KX88408

For Operation Avalanche - Salerno Landings 9/9/43
DSC* TLtCdr Gordon Wilson Stead RCNVR

For minesweeping in the Gulf of Gaeta in support of Fifth Army (Gazette Date - 2/5/44)
MID PO Alfred Charles Almond P/J110717

Birthday Honours 1944
DSM PO Alfred Charles Almond P/J110717

Known Crew
TLtCdr Gordon Wilson Stead RCNVR TLt 21/9/40 HMS Forte IV for MLs 31/3/41 3rd ML Flotilla HMS St Angelo 17/3/42 ML 126 25/3/43 DSC 1943 HMCS Stadacona
TLt John Norman Barfield SANF(V) TLt 30/1/42 3rd ML Flotilla HMS St Angelo 17/3/42 ML 126 HMS Cormorant for MLs ML 134 28/10/43 ML 575 24/6/44
TLt Charles Howard Pearse RNVR HMS St Christopher for MLs 22/6/41 TLt 1/8/41 3rd ML Flotilla HMS St Angelo 16/6/42 Commanding Officer ML 126 20/10/43 TALtCdr ML 459 HMS Gregale
TALtCdr Thomas Aubrey Ashdown RNVR Commanding Officer ML 126 2/41 HMS Drake and HMS Wasp. Commanding Officer ML 104 and Senior Officer 50th ML Flotilla 27/12/42 – 6/12/43 First Lieutenant HMS Atreus (Minelayer) 4/5/44 – 27/11/44 Commanding Officer LST 127 2/12/44 – 18/2/46.He was awarded a DSO for services in ML 104 and a Haakon Medal in 1947. Born 14/01/10 in London and died 6/86 in Shepway.

TSLt Philip Andrews RNVR HMS Collingwood 5/11/41 Ord HMS Cyclamen (Corvette) AB 7/42 Officer training at HMS Good Hope 8-10/42 TASLt 23/10/42 HMS Mosquito 13/11/42 Spare Officer 7th MTB Flotilla at Malta First Lieutenant ML 126 25/3/43 TSLt 23/4/43 First Lieutenant ML 575 5/1/44 First Lieutenant ML 131 20/11/44 TLt 23/4/45 HMS St Angelo 10/45. Drummonds Bank late 1946. Waterguard H.M. Customs and Excise (London) 1950. Plymouth 1964 and Salcombe 1974 as Preventive Officer, duties included Receiver of Wreck & Registrar of Ships. From 1950 until 1982 had command of a number of different Revenue Cutters but, between 1974 and 1982 in Salcombe only did leave reliefs in command. Retired 02.1982 Born 18/1/22 in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
PO Alfred Charles Almond P/J110717
AStoPO Henry James Ernest Fowler D/KX88408

Wartime Activities
3rd ML Flotilla
Based at Portsmouth
ML 121, ML 123, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134 and ML 135
15/7/41 Destroyers HMS Firedrake, HMS Vidette, HMS Vimy and HMS Beverley, ML 126 of the 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla, and the 9th Motor Launch Flotilla ML 169, ML 170, ML 172, ML 173, ML 174, ML 175, and ML 176 arrived at Gibraltar.
25/7/41 Light cruiser HMS Manchester returned to Gibraltar, escorted by destroyer Avon Vale, with three out of four engines inoperative.Before arriving at Gibraltar, destroyers Vidette and Vimy joined the screen. Destroyer Wishart later sailed and relieved destroyer Avon Vale.Tug St Day departed Gibraltar to assist. They arrived at Gibraltar shortly before midnight. Motor launches ML 130, ML 126, ML 168, ML 121, and ML 129 departed Gibraltar to sweep ahead of the cruiser and provide additional escort. Later, tugs Rollicker and St Omar with ML 173, and ML 169 departed to join the cruiser
1/42 ML 121, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168 at Gibraltar
12/3/42 At 2130, ML 126 and ML 130 depart Gibraltar passing through the straits and flying the Italian ensign
17/3/42 ML 126 and ML 130, arrive in Malta.
3rd ML Flotilla
Based on Malta
1/5/42 ML 126 carried out an anti E Boat patrol
8/5/42 HMS/M Olympus sailed at 0430. At about 0800 several men were seen swimming towards shore, and on landing were found to be survivors from HMS/M Olympus. They stated that the submarine had struck a mine at 0500 hours. All available boats were sent out to search the spot where she went down. There were only twelve survivors (including those who swam ashore) and three of these were wounded. Three bodies were recovered. C.308 and St Angelo sweeping Grand Harbour entrance channel, escorted by Beryl and ML 126
31/5/42 Trusty Star, Beryl, and ML 126 are sent to Marsavlokk to sweep the approaches to that Harbour
Operation Pedestal
1/6/42 HMS/M Porpoise arrived from Alexandria, being swept to bottoming berth at 0600 by Beryl and ML 126. Sweepers returned to harbour with Trusty Star.
HMS/M Porpoise surfaced at dusk and proceeded to Kalafrana, to unload cargo
10/6/42 In a sweep of Grand Harbour entrance channel ML 126 is attacked by three ME 109s and shot down one and damaged another. The Captain and First Lieutenant, and three ratings were slightly wounded
11/6/42 Beryl, ML 126, and Harbour Launches continued sweeping Grand Harbour entrance. Beryl's sweep is damaged
6/43 Based at HMS Gregale, Malta
10/7/43 Operation Husky – Invasion of Sicily
9/9/43 Operation Avalanche Salerno Landings
Minesweeping in the Gulf of Gaeta in support of Fifth Army (Gazette Date - 2/5/44)
27/11/43 ML 126 is sunk/CTL after torpedo damage by unknown U Boat off Salerno

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

Re: HMML 129

Postby Brian Holmes » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:49 pm

ML_129 Mashford Brothers, Cremyll 14/10/40

Known Crew
TSLt Roy Penrose Cottrell RNVR HMS Cormorant for MLs 25/12/41 ML 129 Killed in action 21/3/42 Age 24 Son of Arthur Penrose Cottrell and Clarice Isabelle Cottrell, of Prenton, Cheshire
MtrMch Brian Joseph Watson C/MX 67522 (Killed in action 21/3/42) Age 22. Son of James and Olive Kate Watson, of Kenton, Northumberland
AB Harry Davies, Harry D/JX 177870, Missing Presumed Killed aged 24 Son of William and Ida Davies; husband of Alma Edith Davies, of St. Martin'S, Shropshire.
AB Clifford Whitehouse D/JX 192089 (Killed in action 21/3/42) Age 21 Son of Charles Henry and Martha Ann Whitehouse, of Connah's Quay, Flintshire. Buried in Bone War Cemetery, Annaba III. D. 4.
A/AB Garnett I saac Bertie Dower D/JX 208634, Missing Presumed Killed 21/3/42
Ord John Ewins P/JX 234663 (Killed in action 21/3/42 (Buried in Bone, Algeria) Age 21 Son of Philip and Celia Ewins, of Folkestone Buried in Bone War Cemetery, Annaba III. D. 5
Sto1 Percy Lawes P/KX 96859 (Killed in action 21/3/42) Age 20 Son of Harry August Percy and Ruth Gertrude Lawes, of Morden, Surrey

Wartime Activities
3rd ML Flotilla
Based at Portsmouth
ML 121, ML 123, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134 and ML 135
12/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae depart the UK for Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
17/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae arrived at Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
7/41 3rd ML Flotilla
Based at Gibraltar
ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135 and ML 168
25/7/41 Light cruiser HMS Manchester returned to Gibraltar, escorted by destroyer Avon Vale, with three out of four engines inoperative.Before arriving at Gibraltar, destroyers Vidette and Vimy joined the screen. Destroyer Wishart later sailed and relieved destroyer Avon Vale.Tug St Day departed Gibraltar to assist. They arrived at Gibraltar shortly before midnight. Motor launches ML 130, ML 126, ML 168, ML 121, and ML 129 departed Gibraltar to sweep ahead of the cruiser and provide additional escort. Later, tugs Rollicker and St Omar with ML 173, and ML 169 departed to join the cruiser
2/8/41 ML 130, ML 129 and ML 168 departed Gibraltar to conduct an anti-submarine search north of Alboran Island
1/42 ML 121, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168 at Gibraltar
17/3/42 ML 129 and ML 132 depart Gibraltar for Malta.
21/3/42 ML129 is sunk by aircraft bombing off Algeria. Survivors are picked up by ML 132. Seven men are killed or later die of wounds. ML 132 is damaged by bombing, enters Bone in French neutral territory and asks to exercise the right to stay for twenty four hours to make repairs. French authorities refuse and intern both boat and crew.

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

Re: HMML 129

Postby Brian Holmes » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:51 pm

ML_130 Frank Curtis Ltd, Looe, Cornwall 9/10/40

For an action with enemy light forces off Malta in which the boat was sunk after a stout defence 7/5/42
DSC TLt David Robert Hamilton Jolly RNVR
DSC TLt Frederick Roy Price-Fox RNVR
DSM LSto Victor James Fisher P/KX88846
DSM AB James McNeill Wilson P/SSX26299
DSM Tel Leslie Norman Atherley C/JX135392
MID AB John Brown C/SSX26364

Known Crew
TLt David Robert Hamilton Jolly RNVR TLt 12/1/41 HMS Cormorant for MLs 1/10/41 Commanding Officer ML 130 HMS Cormorant 1944
TLt Frederick Roy Price-Fox RNVR ML 130 TLt 4/5/43
TSLt George Raymond Worledge RANVR HMAS Moresby, TSLt Stood by ML 130 and ML 124 Commanding Officer ML 220 TLt 16/8/41 Commanding Officer ML 352 6/42 - 9/42 HMAS Cerberus
LSto Victor James Fisher P/KX88846
AB John Brown C/SSX26364 Killed in action 7/5/42 aged 20. He was the son of John and Margaret Brown of Sunderland, County Durham.
AB Albert Henry Williams C/JX 141928 Killed in action 7/5/42 aged 23. Son of Henry and Rosina Williams, of Radlett, Hertfordshire
AB James McNeill Wilson P/SSX26299
Ord Thomas Wilson Finlay D/JX 257816 Killed in action 7/5/42 aged 32. Son of George and Agnes Finlay, of Edinburgh Buried in Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily III. E. 12.
Sto2 John William Middlemiss C/KX 118740 (Killed in action 7/5/42) Age 28 Son of Thomas and Isabella Middlemiss, of Shiremoor; husband of Gladys Middlemiss, of Shiremoor, Northumberland.
Tel Leslie Norman Atherley C/JX135392

Wartime Activities
3rd ML Flotilla at Portsmouth
ML 121, ML 123, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134 and ML 135
12/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae depart the UK for Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
17/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae arrived at Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
7/41 3rd ML Flotilla at Gibraltar
ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135 and ML 168
25/7/41 Light cruiser HMS Manchester returned to Gibraltar, escorted by destroyer Avon Vale, with three out of four engines inoperative.Before arriving at Gibraltar, destroyers Vidette and Vimy joined the screen. Destroyer Wishart later sailed and relieved destroyer Avon Vale.Tug St Day departed Gibraltar to assist. They arrived at Gibraltar shortly before midnight. Motor launches ML 130, ML 126, ML 168, ML 121, and ML 129 departed Gibraltar to sweep ahead of the cruiser and provide additional escort. Later, tugs Rollicker and St Omar with ML 173, and ML 169 departed to join the cruiser
2/8/41 ML 130, ML 129 and ML 168 departed Gibraltar to conduct an anti-submarine search north of Alboran Island
13/11/41 When carrier HMS Ark Royal is torpedoed, sestroyer HMS Wild Swan, tugs St Day and Thames, and ML 121, ML 130, ML 132, ML 135, ML 170, ML 172, and ML 176 departed Gibraltar to assist. Tugs Thames and St Day arrived and took the carrier in tow
1/42 ML 121, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168 at Gibraltar
12/3/42 At 2130, ML 126 and ML 130 depart Gibraltar passing through the straits and flying the Italian ensign
17/3/42 ML 126 and ML 130, arrive in Malta.
7/5/42 S 31, S 34 and S 61 sink the British ML 130 off Malta, by gunfire and scuttling charges, in position 35.55n 14.37e . ML 130 was employed in escorting submarines in and out of harbour. After one such mission ML 130 was approximately one mile off St Elmo breakwater when illuminated by searchlights attempting to find reported E Boats which had followed ML 130 back up the swept channel. There were seven E Boats and three of them were sunk in the ensuing action. ML 130 was overwhelmed with four dead, eight severely injured and one man uninjured. The nine survivors were picked up by German vessels
ML 130 on patrol. At 0143 a hot action took place about six miles off Grand Harbour, lasting about twenty minutes. Nearly an hour later there was a loud explosion, and a vessel which appeared to be ML 130 was seen burning until five o'clock.
The R.A.F. rescue launch proceeded to the spot but searched unsuccessfully for survivors. Wreckage and part of a carley float established the fact that ML 130 had been lost probably due to an explosion caused by a fire started during an action with an enemy light craft

Precis of an article published in Navy News April 1996 about Frederick Roy Price-Fox
Part of 2nd ML Flotilla at Gibraltar was fitted with extra fuel tanks and material to alter the silhouette with the intention of making passage to Malta. ML 139 flew a Spanish ensign whilst proceeding east off French held territory and the French flag off Italian held Teritory. Hoisted a German ensign when overflown by Italian aircraft.
Approaching Malta at daybreak they were proceeding under an ‘escort’ of German aircraft then ML 130 made a dash for the breakwater.
At Malta, ML 130 was employed in escorting submarines in and out of harbour. After one such mission ML 130 was approximately one mile off St Elmo breakwater when illuminated by searchlights attempting to find reported E Boats which had followed ML 130 back up the swept channel. There were seven E Boats and three of them were sunk in the ensuing action. ML 130 was overwelmed with four dead, eight severely injured and one man uninjured. The nine survivors were picked up by German vessels.
Frederick Roy Price-Fox was in hospital in Augusta, Sicily with shrapnel in the head, shoulder, one arm and the right leg for eight weeks before being sent to a POW camp in Germany for the rest of the war.

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

Re: HMML 129

Postby Brian Holmes » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:54 pm

ML_132 Itchenor Shipyard 9/11/40

Known Crew
MtrMch Harold Stapenhill C/MX 67524 Died cause unknown 1/11/40 Age 20 Son of George and Harriett Stapenhill, of Chatham. Buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery E57.1

Wartime Activities
3rd ML Flotilla at Portsmouth
ML 121, ML 123, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134 and ML 135
12/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae depart the UK for Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
17/4/41 Destroyers HMS Kashmir and HMS Jackal and corvette HMS Spirae arrived at Gibraltar escorting 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, and ML 168
7/41 3rd ML Flotilla at Gibraltar
ML 121, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135 and ML 168
13/11/41 When carrier HMS Ark Royal is torpedoed, destroyer HMS Wild Swan, tugs St Day and Thames, and ML 121, ML 130, ML 132, ML 135, ML 170, ML 172, and ML 176 departed Gibraltar to assist. Tugs Thames and St Day arrived and took the carrier in tow
1/42 ML 121, ML 126, ML 129, ML 130, ML 132, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168 at Gibraltar
17/3/42 ML 129 and ML 132 depart Gibraltar for Malta.
21/3/42 ML129 is sunk by aircraft bombing off Algeria. Survivors are picked up by ML 132. Seven men are killed or later die of wounds.
22/3/42 ML 132 is damaged by bombing, enters Bone in French neutral territory and asks to exercise the right to stay for twenty four hours to make repairs. French authorities refuse and intern both boat and crew

cdsc123
Sub Lieutenant
Posts: 76
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:38 pm

Re: HMML 129

Postby cdsc123 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:22 pm

Danielle

A picture of ML 129 is available from the IWM;

http://m.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119461

Ariete
Seaman
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:18 am

Re: HMML 129

Postby Ariete » Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:21 pm

Fantastic!

So who were the four Commanders of theese MLs at the date of March 21, 1942?

Thanks a lot, Daniele.

salopstar
Seaman
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:59 am

Re: HMML 129

Postby salopstar » Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:35 am

I have an account of the war on ML126 written by Lieutenant John Norman Barfield DSC SANF (V) with photos, including Churchill on board ML126. I am happy to share information as long it is accredited to Lt. J.N. Barfield.

tomcowell1920
Seaman
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 2:33 pm

Re: HMML 129

Postby tomcowell1920 » Fri Oct 21, 2016 5:12 pm

I am new to the forum.
I am looking for any information concerning my fathers wartime service. In particular the period around March 1942. His name was Thomas Cowell (Able seaman) who served on ML'S 129 and later ML 157.
My father was a crew member on the Motor Launch 129 (part of the 3rd Flotilla) that was sunk off the coast of Algeria (23rd March 1942) on its way to Malta with the loss of 7 or 8 of his crew mates. He was taken aboard ML 132 which put into Bone harbour to conduct repairs. However the Vichy French interned the crew. My farther was then held at the Laghouat detention centre until November 1942. Most of the information I have I got directly from him before he passed away.
I have found bits of information online but would be grateful for any information or advice members of the forum could offer.

Thanks Ian


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