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ML 206

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:39 pm
by Peploe
My Father was on board Ml 206 during the war. He has left me photos from the 1st Flotilla's to Copenhagen, Kiel, Bornholme etc. I was wondering if anyone had more information about this ship.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 12:11 pm
by cdsc123
Did you already see this on the database;
ML 206
Fairmile Motor Launch (B ML) Length: 112'
Builder's Yard: Aldous Successors, Brightlingsea
Completion Date: 5th March 1941 Loss or Disposal Date: October 1946
Notes: ML 206 had torpedoes fitted for a time but these never proved very useful as the additional weight slowed the boat. Later this boat was equipped as a minesweeper. ML 206 survived the war and was sold to the Hampton Sea Scouts in October 1946. Source IWM sound recording 33323: William Arthur Gostling.

I believe she is the dark coloured inboard vessel in the center of this 1947 picture;

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:26 pm
by Peploe
No haven't seen that. Thanks

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:27 pm
by Peploe
This must be when it was bought by the Sea scouts. Does any one know what happened to it afterwards?

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:04 pm
by Brian Holmes
ML_206 Aldous Successors Ltd, Brightlingsea 5/3/41

For Operation Neptune - for gallantry and devotion to duty during the landings in Normandy
DSM PO James Edgar Guy P/J111698
MID TALtCdr Harry Leslie RNVR
MID OSig Ernest George Bell D/JX233890

For minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44
MID TLt Robin Montrose Messenger RNZNVR
DSM POMtrMch Archibald Cree P/MX99954
MID AB William Arthur Gostling P/JX329526

Known Crew
TALtCdr Harry Leslie RNVR joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve attached to London Division, RNVR 19/3/37. Sub-Lieutenant in charge of drifters carrying barrage balloons in Thames Estuary 1939. TLt 20/12/39 HMS Wildfire 20/12/39 HMS Beaver II 7/9/41 11th ML Flotilla Commanding Officer ML 191 27/9/41 Commanding Officer ML 206 and Senior Officer 1st ML Flotilla 27/12/42 – 6/44. Commanded ML 905 and Senior Officer 13th /14th ML Flotilla 28/8/44. Returned to UK as First Lieutenant in HMS Enterprise. Born in Southend-on-Sea 21/2/09 and died in Southend-on-Sea 20/2/88
TLt Robin Montrose Messenger RNZNVR TSLt HMS St Christopher for MLs 29/12/41 ML 469 29/12/41 TLt 28/7/42 ML 206 27/8/44
SLt Peter Motte Harrison RNVR 1st ML Flotilla ML 206 Died cause unknown 4/10/43 Age 24 Son of Dr. Walter Parker-Harrison and Gwendoline Parker-Harrison; husband of Joyce M. Harrison, of Sutton, Surrey. B.A. Buried in Ramsgate and St. Lawrence Cemetery Ramsgate Div. Sec. M.A. Grave 159
TSLt R J Edwards RNVR TSLt 4/8/44 ML 206 3/9/44
TSLt V I Khan RNVR TSLt 2/1/44 ML 206 16/10/44
TSLt G Cowie RNVR TASLt 4/8/44 ML 912 27/11/44 First Lieutenant HDML 1379 8/12/44 – 18/2/46 TSLt 4/2/45 First Lieutenant HDML 1418 13/4/46 – 14/6/46 First Lieutenant ML 206 15/6/46 – 11/7/46 First Lieutenant ML 595 12/7/46 – 3/12/46
TASLt G R Tebbutt RNVR TASLt 4/6/43 ML 206 11/10/43 TSLt 4/12/43 ML 905 18/9/44
POMtrMch Archibald Cree P/MX99954 1st ML Flotilla Based on Portsmouth ML 206 Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy For minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44 DSM
PO James Edgar Guy P/J111698 1st ML Flotilla ML 206 For Operation Neptune - for gallantry and devotion to duty during the landings in Normandy DSM
AB William Arthur Gostling P/JX329526 1st ML Flotilla Based on Portsmouth ML 206 Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy For minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44 MID
OSig Ernest George Bell D/JX233890 ML 206 For Operation Neptune - for gallantry and devotion to duty during the landings in Normandy MID

Wartime Activities
Temporarily equipped with two 21” Torpedo Tubes removed from lend lease destroyers
1/7/41 1st ML Flotilla
Based on Great Yarmouth
ML 100, ML 105, ML 106, ML 108, ML 110, ML 206, ML 207, ML 222 and ML 224
1st ML Flotilla
ML 185, ML 206, ML 207, ML 220, ML 222, ML 224, ML 450 and ML 571
Based on Portsmouth
1/42 Based at Great Yarmouth
Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy
Attached 6th Minesweeping Flotilla for assault
Minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44

Post War Fate
10/46 Hampton Sea Scouts

Re: ML 206

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 9:36 am
by Peploe
Thank you for the extensive information. I now know that the photos I have in my dads album are from june/July 1946 because LT Cowie was 1st lt of ML 206 at this time. He is in this photo of the crew Taken in Ronne. The Skipper is Risdon? My Father is second left at the back

Re: ML 206

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 3:17 pm
by nocky105
My grand dad was aboard ML 224 between May 1945 and June 1945, he talked about Copenhagen apparently but we don't know anything else. Does anyone have any other information at all?
Thanks :)

Re: ML 206

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:36 am
by Peploe
I have photos of Copenhagen 1946. I will post on here.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:03 pm
by Brian Holmes
ML_224 Bay Yacht, Wallasea 13/3/41

New Year Honours 1944
DSM ACMM Alfred Vincent Thorn C/MX96173

For minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44
MID TLt Allan Stanley Batham RNVR
MID POMtrMch Charles Frederick Sisson P/MX117039
MID AB Arthur John Prewitt P/JX389625
MID AB Benjamin Williamson P/JX349103

New Year Honours 1945
DSM TLSea George Robert Walmsley P/JX297118

Known Crew
TLt Allan Stanley Batham RNVR HMS Midge (Great Yarmouth) for minelayers 29/12/41 TLt 23/10/42 1st ML Flotilla Commanding Officer ML 224 15/1/43 Operation Neptune Invasion of Normandy For minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44 MID
TLt A G Cutler TSLt 1/1/42 HMS Baldur (Iceland) 1st ML Flotilla Based on Portsmouth ML 224 1/5/44 Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy TLt 1/7/44 Toogay
TSLt P J Mercier RNVR ML 224 2/8/43 TSLt 12/9/43
TASLt J K S Carpenter RNVR Mid 7/4/44 15th ML Flotilla Based on Plymouth ML 300 Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy TASLt 24/3/45 ML 224
ACMM Alfred Vincent Thorn C/MX96173
POMtrMch Charles Frederick Sisson P/MX117039
TLSea George Robert Walmsley P/JX297118
AB Arthur John Prewitt P/JX389625
AB Benjamin Williamson P/JX349103

Wartime Activities
1/7/41 1st ML Flotilla
Based on Great Yarmouth
ML 100, ML 105, ML 106, ML 108, ML 110, ML 206, ML 207, ML 222 and ML 224
1st ML Flotilla
ML 185, ML 206, ML 207, ML 220, ML 222, ML 224, ML 450 and ML 571
1/42 Based at Great Yarmouth
Based on Portsmouth
Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy
Attached 6th Minesweeping Flotilla for assault
9 - 12/44 Minesweeping off the north coast of France

Post War Fate
3/46 For disposal

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:59 pm
by jerryg
My father in law was on ML 206. His name was Sidney Lovell (Leading Seaman) and he did extensive research towards the end of his life regarding the eventual fate of ML 206, which he was never able to ascertain. . He was awarded an Oak Leaf medal and then he was injured due to an accident on the vessel and was then hospitalised until the end of the war, and it could be that your father was his replacement ?!
He was also in touch with some of the old crew members for a number of years in his later life and was a member of Coastal Forces Normandy Veterans Association. He acquired a photograph of ML 206 in its heyday and it was proudly displayed on the wall at his home and is still there 20 years after his death (now yellowing slightly). I was very interested to find this website and your post and it prompted me to ask my mother in law's permission to take the photograph to be restored and I now have it back and will let you have a copy. I will also find the documents that we now have in our possession and see whether there is any other information that may be of interest to you.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:19 am
by Peploe
I would like to see that photo. I have quite a few of the ship and will post them on here later.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 7:47 pm
by R Bell
My father was on ML206 for most of the war. He was Ernest George Bell. I have many photos taken during the war and have details of where the boat was from 1941 to 1946.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:42 pm
by Peploe
That sounds interesting. I will look through my fathers photos and see if he has any of Earnest Bell. I would like to see the photos and the information you have.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 7:19 pm
by nqs4207
Harry Leslie was my Grandfather, I would love to see any photos or documents relating to his time in ML's or hear from anyone who served with him, I've got a few things that I'll post.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 3:49 pm
by Gray207
My father was on ML206 for most of the war. He was Ernest George Bell. I have many photos taken during the war and have details of where the boat was from 1941 to 1946.
Hi R. Bell

Your information relating to the location of ML 206 would be of great help to me as part of the research I am undertaking in relation to ML 207. Would it be possible to send me some form of copy?

I am keen to complete a book about ML 207 that my father wrote and almost finished before he passed away in 2010 (see my post on ML 207). He said that ML 207 was almost always with ML 206. I know many of the places that ML 207 was when my father was with the ship (January 1944 to July 1946) but knowing exactly when it was as these locations would be of tremendous help.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 6:18 pm
by Admin
Hi Gray207

I've just realised where I probably heard about the minesweeping in the Seine that I referred to in your thread on ML 207, and that is in part four of the sound recording made by the IWM of William Arthur Gostling as I recognise my own note for ML 206 referenced earlier in this thread, which mentions it.

I've been doing some research today on other enquiries we currently have, and I happened across an interesting piece in one of the old CFVA newsletters, which is a Normandy Diary for ML 204, with entries for all of the days in June, which provides an interesting insight into the work of an ML Flotilla during that period and the kinds of things that were going on, and which I will copy and send to you later this week.

Admin

Re: ML 206

Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 5:16 am
by Peploe
More photos of Ml206 1945

Re: ML 206

Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 5:18 am
by Peploe
Ml 206 at Kiel

Re: ML 206

Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 5:22 am
by Peploe
ML 206

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:47 am
by Norfolkgal
Hi
My Grandfather was ACCM Alfred Vincent Thorn. I have limited info on his time in the services and know a little about when he was awarded his DSM. Anyone have any information please.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:34 am
by Admin
Hello Norfolkgal

Our Coastal Forces Awards database gives him as being ML 224 for this particular award. A batch of Mention in Dispatches awards to four crew members on this boat, listed in the 26 June 1945 edition of the Gazette are for minesweeping off the north coast of France from September to December 1944, so it's possible his was an earlier award for this, or for good service in general whilst minesweeping.

Regards
Admin

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 9:19 am
by Norfolkgal
That's brilliant Thankyou.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 12:54 pm
by Admin
You're welcome, and thank you for your earlier photographs Peploe. I don't know if you have followed the ML 916 thread, which was also a minesweeping ML, where the hazards of the job are viscerally revealed. It was normal practice for all of the crew who could, to remain on deck during operations, as that was the safest place for them to be, so the role of the motor mechanic and his stokers shut down below tending to the engines, was a very brave thing to have to do.

The citation for the later awards to four other crew members of ML 224 in the London Gazette reads:
For outstanding skill, courage and devotion to duty in hazardous mine-sweeping operations in the ports of Northern France after the invasion

Re: ML 206

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:42 pm
by jpfoynes
Dear ML 206 son...

I have been researching MLs for very many years, partly for various naval histories I've published, but also out of sheer personal interest.
My late father worked for Aldous Successors, Brightlingsea, where 206 was built, and worked on her.
I am now helping the local museum build up their collection of B'sea 39-45 naval photos, and wonder if you have any taken by your father when his ML was fitted out and commissioned there (straight after building) in the early spring of 1941.

Julian Foynes (do check my bona fides as naval history writer on Amazon, British Library Catalogue, IWM Catalogue)

Re: ML 206

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:21 pm
by RichardBell
photos attached from the time my Dad Ernest Bell served on ML206 from 41-45.

Re: ML 206

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:23 pm
by RichardBell
More photos of ML206

Re: ML 206

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:25 pm
by RichardBell
Further photos

Re: ML 206

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:28 pm
by RichardBell
ML206 and photos of reunion in the 80’s

Re: ML 206

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:22 pm
by David Carter
Richard Thank you for posting these photographs - most interesting. David Carter

Re: ML 206

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:36 pm
by Gray207
Fascinating photographs Richard. Thank you for posting them. I wonder if you have any idea of the locations and the dates that they were taken? As you may have read elsewhere in the forum, my father was on ML207 during the war and he said that ML206 was the ship they worked closely with. I have a basic timeline of events, which I would I am trying to tighten up. I imagine the times and places for the two ships would be similar. Also, did your father ever mention a convoy in the Baltic in late 1945 or very early 1946, during which the MLs were acting as escorts to some small German vessels? They were being taken to the Soviet Union as war reparations. My father has written a graphic account of events when the convoy were hit by a ferocious storm after setting out from Bornholm Island. He says he thinks ML206 ended up in Sweden.