MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662

Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB)
241987Chris
Seaman
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:22 pm

MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662

Postby 241987Chris » Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:19 pm

Dear all I was wondering if you experts out there help de decode in plain language my grandfathers service record. Un fortunately he past away before I was old enough to ask him better questions that one does when young. This has left me with me with a wealth of questions to which will never be answered.

the information I have so far


Ganages Ordinary seaman 10/08/1942 29/10/1942

Pembroke Ordinary seaman 30/10/1942 26/01/1943
Lent to Shearness
10/12/42-21/12/42
lent to shearness
01/01/43-02/01/43

MTB 634 Ordinary seaman 29/01/1943 15/03/1943 Lent to MTB 624
01/03/43-15/03/43

Gregale Able seaman 15/03/1943 31/03/1945 Lent to Byrsa
19/10/44-23/10/44
lent Byrsa
31/10/44-31/10/44
lent byrsa
10/11/44-01/12/44
Lent Fareham
11/12/44-31/12/44

MGB 662 Able seaman 01/04/1945 05/07/1945
Pembroke Able seaman 06/07/1945 31/03/1946
LC MSO Staines Able seaman 01/04/1946 10/04/1946
Pembroke Able seaman 11/04/1946 30/06/1946





The main questions are

what actions he took part in (if any) and if he would have been just on the ‘Pom Poms’ as I know he operated.

What he was doing at Shearness

What he was doing on MTB 634 and why lent to MTB 624

What was he doing at HMS Gregale and what was he doing when being lent to Byrsa

If any one could help possibly answering why he came back to England to Fareham for less than a month in 1944 that would help, as I don’t believe it was to do with family as he was from east London. Training? Medical treatment?

Plus does any one have any information on LC MSO Stains – LC im guessing is Landing Craft

He seems to be ‘LENT’ around a lot, why would this be?

If any one has any photos of MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662 that would be amazing



Or if any one know were the records would be for the crew lists etc that would help

Thanks
Chris

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

Re: MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662

Postby jonco » Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:04 pm

There are references to MTB 634 and MGB 662 in previous posts which may be of interest. Just enter numbers in search to find them. Good luck

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

Re: MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662

Postby Brian Holmes » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:07 am

MTB_634 William Osbourne Ltd, Littlehampton 27/11/42

For an attack on an enemy convoy in the Adriatic 11/10/44
DSC* TLt Walter Edwin Alpin Blount RNVR
DSM POMtrMch Roland Colthorpe P/MX124710
DSM AB Frederick Smith C/JX354473
MID TSLt Gordon Villiers Surtees RNVR
MID LMtrMch Roland Little P/MXP/MX117606
MID AB Robert Cupples Craig D/JX302816
MID AB Ronald James Nicholson C/JX376944

For an attack on heavily armed barges off the Istrian coast 3/2/45
DSC** TLt Walter Edwin Alpin Blount RNVR
DSM PO Robert Armstrong Dix CX20070A RNR
DSM TLSea Andrew Kerr Black P/JX350085
DSM AB Robert Cupples Craig D/JX302816
MID Lt Christopher Maitland Stocken
MID TSLt Gordon Villiers Surtees RNVR
MID AB Allan John Homewood C/JX358791

For an attack on four German lighters in the Gulf of Venice 8/4/45
MID PO Robert Armstrong Dix CX20070A RNR
MID AB William Macdonald C/JX278299

For the surrender of German naval forces in the Adriatic (Gazette Date - 11/9/45)
OBE T A Lt Cdr Timothy James Bligh RNVR

Known Crew

TALtCdr Timothy James Bligh RNVR HMS Electra (Destroyer ) 26/2/40 HMS Dolphin 7/1/41 Commanding Officer MTB 61 MID 1943 MID 1943 Commanding Officer MGB 662 MID 1944 DSC 1944 DSC* and Senior Officer 57th MGB Flotilla 4/7/43 DSO 1944 Also served in MTB 634, OBE 1945 MGB 658 DSC 1944
Assistant Principal, HM Treasury, 1946; Principal, 1947; Secretary to Three Advisers, 1948; Private Secretary to Permanent Secretary to the Treasury and Official Head of HM Civil Service, 1949; Assistant Secretary, 1954; Under¬Secretary, 1959; Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, 1959-1964; Deputy Under¬ Secretary of State (Air) during August 1964. Assistant Managing Director, Thomson Organisation since 1966 (Director, 1964-1966). Alderman, GLC 1967 KBE 1963 Born 2/9/18 and died 12/3/69 in Swanley, Kent
TLt Walter Edwin Alpin Blount RNVR HMS Escalonia (motor fishing vessel) (Scapa Flow) 22/11/39 HMS St Christopher 1941 First Lieutenant, then Commanding Officer MASB 24 15/9/41 Commanding Officer, HM ML 577 18/3/43 spare Commanding Officer, HM MTB 662 Commanding Officer MTB 634 2/6/44 HM BYMS 2257 1946 DSC 1943 Two DSCs 1945 Resumed his career as a solicitor, in the Isle of Wight. He worked in Accra in the Gold Coast (Ghana) from 1951 to 1952. Worked for Underwood & Co of Welbeck Street in London, becoming a senior partner, until succeeding to the baronetcy as 12th baronet in 1978 and taking up farming at Tilkhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex Born in Farnham district 31/10/17 and died in Haywards Heath district 18/12/2004
TLt A S Eason RNVR (Commanding Officer 1943)
Lt Christopher Maitland Stocken
TSLt Roger John Lubbock RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 634 20/5/43 Commanding Officer MTB 397 15/7/44 Commanding Officer MTB 398 26/12/44 DSC1945 Born 27/2/22 in Chelsea and died in Kensington 12/99

TSLt Gordon Villiers Surtees RNVR 27/4/43 Served in MGB 662 27/4/43, First Lieutenant of MTB 634 2/6/44-45 TLt 27/10/45 Commanding Officer MMS 1060 20/2/46 Headmaster, John Lyon School (1960s) Born 27/4/23 and died in Kings Lynn 9/90 2 MIDs 1945
POMtrMch Roland Colthorpe P/MX124710
PO Robert Armstrong Dix CX20070A RNR
LMtrMch Roland Little P/MXP/MX117606
LMtrMch Bruce Albert Strong P/MX 117912 (Died 31/12/43) aged 19. Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Strong, of Betsham, Kent. Buried in Bari War Cemetery XV. D. 12
TLSea Andrew Kerr Black P/JX350085
AB Robert Cupples Craig D/JX302816
AB Allan John Homewood C/JX358791
AB William Macdonald C/JX278299
AB Ronald James Nicholson C/JX376944
AB Frederick Smith C/JX354473

Wartime Activities
32nd MTB Flotilla
MTB 633, MTB 634, MTB 635, MTB 636, MTB 637, MTB 638, MTB 639, MTB 640
Mediterranean
14-15/4/43 MTB 634, MTB 638 and MGB 643 depart Bone after dark to destroy two enemy vessels stranded near Cape Zehib and bombard the beach east of Ras-el-Dukara.
0025 MTB 634, MTB 638 and MGB 643 are stopped observing the stranded vessels and nearby Bizerta for further targets. The larger vessel appears to be afloat and uses a lamp to signal a coatguard station.
0055 Several four star red flares are seen towards Bizerta. MTB 634 closes the larger vessel and fires one torpedo which slews to starboard and explodes on the beach. MTB 634 fires a second torpedo which hits the vessel and appears to break her back. All three vessels close and engage with gunfire for about four minutes. The three vessels then head out to sea to check on the reported flares and sight two U boats heading eastwards. MTB 638 attacks with torpedoes but misses. The other boats follow up with gunfire and depth charges. MGB 643 conducts a depth charge attack but both U boats dive and escape.
MGB 643 then sights destroyers or large torpedo boats around half a mile away. MTB 634 attempt a depth charge attack but the vessels retire at high speed. All three boats then disengage, carry out the ordered bombardment and return to Bone at 0845 with no damage or casualties.
16-17/4/43 MTB 634 and MTB 656 are on a sweep from Bone. A convoy of two merchant ships, escorted by four destroyers is sighted between Zembra and Zembretta. Torpedoes from MTB 634 hit a merchant ship setting her on fire. Destroyers engage both boats but they escape undanaged.
4/5/43 MTB 634 and MTB 635 with MGB 643 and MGB 646 are attacked by aircraft off Cap Serrat. Three boats are damaged. Eight men are severely wounded and eleven men are slightly wounded. One aircraft kill and three damaged are claimed.
15-16/7/43 MTB 634, MTB 640, MTB 651 and MTB 670 intercept five E Boats causing them to retire northwards.
1/44 57th MTB/MGB Flotilla
MGB 638, MGB 659, MGB 660, MGB 662, MGB 674, MTB 634, MTB 637, MTB 670
Based at Bastia, Brindisi, Komiza and Ancona
27/3/44 An escort with 6 (?) MFPs, including F 609 , F 706 , F 4785 and F 4795 off Vado encounters an allied group MTB 634, MGB 662, MGB 660, MGB 659, LCG 14, LCG 19, LCG 20 and PT 212 , PT 214 , PT 208 and PT 218
29-30/7/44 MGB 660 and MGB 662 with MTB 634 depart Komiza for a patrol north of Zara MGB 660 and MGB 662 with MTB 634 pass through the Maknare Channel at 17 kts close Vir Island and then spend four hours stopped and lying in wait.
0155 A ship is sighted and MGB 660 and MGB 662 with MTB 634 close to intercept identifying the target as a two masted schooner (Tritone of 390 tons).
0211 MGB 660 and MGB 662 with MTB 634 open fire. MGB 660 closes to destroy the schooner by gunfire but is not successful. MGB 660 stands clear whilst MTB 634 fires a torpedo at 0224 destroying the schooner. MTB 662 closes to search for survivors and recovers two German marines from a dinghy.
57th MTB/MGB Flotilla
3-4/9/44 MGB 662 and MGB 674 with MTB 634 and MTB 637 are in action off Cephalonia sinking seven craft and taking eighteen prisoners. The boats are underway for forty seven hours and cover 533 miles.
13-14/9/44 MGB 674 with MTB 634 and MTB 637 are in action off Sumartin sinking four Pil Boats.
10/10/44 At 1300, MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 depart Komiza for a patrol off Zara and intendin to lay up at Ist. MTB 634 is sent ahead to Ist to contact an LRDG patrol and partisans to gather intelligence. MTB 634 passes on a report of a northbound convoy seen, by the LRDG patrol, to enter Zara three or four days previously. MGB 662 with At 1945, MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 pass between Ist and Mulat and alter course towards Vis. At 2040, MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 are lying stopped off Vis in thundery weather.
2245 Three white flares are observed over Mulat.
2347 Tracer is observed from what appears to be a land battle on Ist. Some people believe it is a low level air attack or an E Boat. The firing ceases but, ten minutes later more firing is observed near Mulat. This includes 88mm tracer.
11/10/44 At 0039, MTB 634 is detached to contact the LTDG or partisans for information.
0223 MTB 634 makes a radio report of the earlier presence of two destroyers, conducting a bombardment, in the area of firing. MTB 634 also passes on a partisan report of a Flak Lighter. MGB 662 with MTB 637 and MTB 638 rendezvous with MTB 634 off Kok Point and set course between Skarda and Ist.
0345 MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 break off the search and return to Ist.
0900 Partisans report a two funnelled warship, in a cove, on the east coast of Mulat.
1000 The report is modified to a Flak Lighter.
1100 The report is modified to an E Boat and, at 1200, to nothing.
1700 A conferencee is held with local forces.
1825 MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 depart for Vir.
2220 MTB 634 is damaged when a con rod is pushed through the crank case of the starboard outer engine and most of the engine room crew are overcome by fumes.
2245 MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 roll in what appears to be the wake of large ships.
2300 MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 set off northward and sights four Flak Lighters, on the port bow, at 400 yards.
2306 The German force opens fire on MGB 662 killing a pom pom loading number. A fire in the pom pom ready use locker is extinguished. MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 return fire and MTB 638 illuminates with starshell. MGB 662 observes a Pil Boat blow up with a resultant petrol fire spreading across the surface. An E Boat is also seen to blow up. A second Pil Boat is sunk and a Flak Lighter damaged. MGB 662 passes through the German force and lies stopped waiting for the remainder of the force to join her. MTB 634 attempts a torpedo attack but gets too close and engages a Flak Lighter with gunfire causing serious damage and starting major fires. MTB 634 engages two further Flak Lighters causing damage. One Flak Lighter is seen to sink. MTB 637 and MTB 638 engage Flak Lighters and set them on fire.
2317 MTB 637 sights two capsized vessels.
2346 A capsized Flak Lighter is sighted close inshore off Vis Light.
2353 Vessels are sighted and MTB 637 illuminates with starshell. MGB 662 engages a Flak Lighter and a Pil or E Boat. The Flak Lighter is sunk and the other vessel damaged. Fire comes from behind the British force and this is returned before breaking off the action assessing the situation and returning to attack at 0151.
0221 MGB 662 illuminates with starshell and nothin is seen. Two small objects are engaged north of Vir Light. MGB 662 and MTB 634 continue to illuminate with starshell.
0251 MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 turn southwest at 8 kts.
0254 A Flak Lighter is sighted at 400 yards.
0256 MTB 634 makes a torpedo attack achieving two hits on the Flak Lighter.
0310 MGB 662 closes the wreckage and, having passed through a cloud of smoke, sights two Flak Lighters and other smaller craft 50 yards away and lying beached. The force engages with gunfire causing further damage.
0337 MTB 637 sinks a Flak Lighter by torpedo. During the action, MGB 662 with MTB 634, MTB 637 and MTB 638 have sunk six Flak Lighters, four Pil Boats and an E Boat. Another Flak Lighter is probably sunk and an E Boat is possibly sunk. Two other E Boats are damaged.
3/2/45 An attack on heavily armed barges off the Istrian coast
13-4/2/45 MTB 634 and MTB 710 with MGB 660 attack three large Flak Lighters, in the Quarnerro Channel, sinking two craft by gunfire and one by a Radar controlled torpedo attack. MTB 710 is damaged by an 88mm round exploding on the engine room coach roof. The leading stoker and an AB killed and two men are wounded. Three engines are put out of action.
8/4/45 An attack on four German lighters in the Gulf of Venice
9-10/4/45 MTB 633, MTB 634 and MTB 638 with MGB 662 are on patrol off the Arsa Channel. Four Flak Lighters are detected by Radar at 8000 yards and MTB 633, MTB 634 and MTB 638 with MGB 662 attack from inshore with torpedoes which miss. The Flak Lighters engage with 88mm and 20mm guns. MTB 633 and MTB 638 are hit and stopped. In MTB 633, the Commanding Officer is severely wounded and the Coxswain is killed. MGB 662 and MTB 634 close and engage with gunfire. MGB 662 is hit by three 88mm rounds. Three men are killed and five men are severely wounded. The Flak Lighters reach the entrance to the channel. MTB 633 and MTB 634 with MGB 662 close MTB 638 to render assistance. The foredeck is under water but MTB 634 takes MTB 638 in tow, stern first, to Ancona.
1-2/5/45 At 2230, MTB 634, MTB 651 and MTB 670 depart Ancona to intercept a convoy of twenty plus vessels between Trieste and Tagliamento and apparently making for Grado. Seven Vosper MTBs of 28th MTB flotilla sail independently and three MLs are to stand by to the south to assist with escortingg any vessels that can be induced to surrender.
0345 TLt Charles James Jerram decides that the weather is unsuitable for the vospers and orders them to return to base.
c0700 MTBs MTB 634, MTB 651 and MTB 670 reach the rendezvous. Aircraft report more than forty vessels off Tagliamento including two destroyers. The vessels show no sign of surrendering and fire on the aircraft. MTB 634, MTB 651 and MTB 670 slowly approach the vessels flying white flags. MTB 634 visually signals the largest ships without response. The approach takes forty five minutes.
1105 MTB 634 comes alongside one of a unit of R Boats. The Senior Officer 6th Raumbote Flotilla and one of his commanding officers board MTB 634 to parley. Lt M Strnjshek RYN acts as an interpreter. They have no intention to surrender. T A Lt Cdr Timothy James Bligh points out that the Germans had left Trieste to avoid being captured by the partisans, that Tagliamento would probably be captured by the partisans and there were good facilities in British held Ancona. By this time there are around thirty German vessels within a few hundred yards of MTB 634, MTB 651 and MTB 670. T A Lt Cdr Timothy James Bligh signals for reinforcements and returns to the parley where he proposes a conference of all captains on an R Boat. A scruffy individual approaches MTB 634 in a small boat flying the Croatian flag, announcing that he wants to surrender his Croatian force and requesting transport for his 500 troops. No action is taken. The conference is held but the Germans are ignorant about the course of the war and do not wish to surrender. T A Lt Cdr Timothy James Bligh suggests they consult their crews and restates that the partisans are about to capture the area. Two small transports and a schooner indicate an intention to surrender and MTB 670 is detailed to look after them. A Flak LiGhter arrives and surrenders. The three MLs, under TLt David Robert Anidjar Romain, arrive and are tasked with escorting willing vessels to Ancona in the hope that this will start a trend. In the afternoon, New Zealand forces capture Tagliamento and signal MTB 634, MTB 651 and MTB 670. A conference is held on board MTB 670 with T A Lt Cdr Timothy James Bligh, the Senior Officer 6th Raumboote Flotilla and a New Zealand army officer. The Germans surrender to the New Zealanders who want the Royal Navy to evacuate their new prisoners. T A Lt Cdr Timothy James Bligh points out that there are plenty of seaworthy vessels in the harbour but the Germans deny this. The R Boats enter harbour and run themselves aground. MTB 670 tries to prevent this but runs aground herself.
2-3/5/45 At 1930, MGB 642, MGB 643, MGB 645, MGB 659 and MGB 662 arrive at Taliamento, from Ancona, to reinforce MTB 634, MTB 651 and MTB 670. The weather is deteriorating and all eight boats anchor off the harbour. MGB 662 maintains a Radar watch through the night.
0500 MGB 642 and MGB 643 round up and take in tow three vessels that have drifted out the harbour to the east. MGBs 642 and 643 also take a Flak Lighter in tow before anchoring it off the harbour with a prize crew aboard. During the forenoon the boats tow German vessels out of the harbour to the collection point and make them ready for towing to Ancona. The Germans try to get the New Zealanders to tow the Flak Lighters back into harbour on the pretext that they contain urgently needed food supplies. The prizes are searched and no significant food supplies are found. At 1230, a convoy leaves Tagliamento for Ancona and consists of:
MGB 642 towing a Flak Lighter F509
MGB 643 towing a Flak Lighter
MGB 659 towing the barge ‘Karl’ and a caique
Adria, Sigismund and a small craft under power
MGB 645 acting as a pick up boat.
At 1445, a second convoy leaves Tagliamento for Ancona and consists of:
MGB 662
MTB 634 towing a Flak Lighter
MTB 651 towing ‘Eddie’ and a small boat
MTB 670 towing a Flak Lighter
Two Flak Lighters under power
A small hospital ship
Flak Lighter F1156D is unable to maintain steerage way and is abandoned, at anchor, eight miles off Tagliamento. MTBs 651 and 670 proceed at 8 kts and MGB 662 takes a Flak Lighter in tow.
1845 MGB 645 takes Sigismund and the small craft in tow. At 1945, MGB 642’s tow parts for the fourth time and F509 is sunk by gunfire.
2130 MGB 662 parts her tow. The tow can not be taken up again and the Flak Lighter proceeds under her own power and MGB 662 stays in company.
4/5/45 At 0400, MGB 662 manages to take the Flak Lighter in tow again.
1200 MGB 642, MGB 643, MGB 645 and MGB 659, with their prizes reach Ancona.
1615 MGB 662 abandons her tow in Ancona.

Post War Fate
30/1/46 Lost on passage Malta – Alexandria

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

Re: MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662

Postby Brian Holmes » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:10 am

MGB_662 Dorset Yacht Co Ltd, Hamworthy, Poole 8/3/43

For an action on 29/1/44
MID TALtCdr Timothy James Bligh RNVR

For actions in the Adriatic and off the west coast of Italy 1/44
MID AB Arthur Stone P/JX396023

For Operation Gun - an operation off the west coast of Italy 27/3/44
DSM PO William Briddon D/SSX23388
MID AB Albert Holman Loryman P/JX326642
MID AB Henry Edward Richardson D/JX250580

For actions off the west coast of Italy and Dalmatia 6/44
MID TALtCdr Timothy James Bligh RNVR
DSC TSLt William Roy Darracott RNVR
MID AB Hugh McCartney D/SSX20607
MID AB George Walker C/JX375002
MID AB Raymond Stewart Whiteley C/JX308197

For operations in the Adriatic and the Aegean (Gazette Date - 5/12/44)
DSC* TALtCdr Timothy James Bligh RNVR
DSC* TSLt William Roy Darracott RNVR
DSM POMtrMch Peter ReevesD/MX98184
DSM LMTrMch Norman Henry John Hughes P/MX117105
DSM AB William Ernest Allbright C/JX376185
MID AB Simon Kelly C/JX347335
DSM AB Albert Holman Loryman P/JX326642
DSM AB Raymond Stewart Whiteley C/JX308197
MID Sto1 Cuthbert Richard Henry Mayo P/KX158694

For actions in the Adriatic 8 - 9/44
MID ALSto William Percy Abbott C/KX158717

For an attack on an enemy convoy in the Adriatic 11/10/44
MID TSLt Stanley James Turner RNVR
DSM LTel Stanley Armstrong Breen C/JX259096
MID AB Henry John Beadles P/JX364724
MID AB Albert John Carrod C/JX374098
DSM AB Peter Menzies C/JX177250
DSM* AB Raymond Stewart Whiteley C/JX308197
For an attack on four German lighters in the Gulf of Venice 8/4/45
MID TSLt Stanley James Turner RNVR
MID AB Stanley Campion P/JX654587
MID AB Albert Holman Loryman P/JX326642
DSM AB Samuel George Frederick Ridler C/JX354226
MID AB Joseph Wing P/JX396060

Known Crew
TLtCdr
TLtCdr N H Hughes (Commanding Officer and Senior Officer 20th MGB Flotilla)

TALtCdr Timothy James Bligh RNVR HMS Electra (Destroyer ) 26/2/40 HMS Dolphin 7/1/41 Commanding Officer MTB 61 MID 1943 MID 1943 Commanding Officer MGB 662 MID 1944 DSC 1944 DSC* and Senior Officer 57th MGB Flotilla 4/7/43 DSO 1944 Also served in MTB 634, OBE 1945 MGB 658 DSC 1944
Assistant Principal, HM Treasury, 1946; Principal, 1947; Secretary to Three Advisers, 1948; Private Secretary to Permanent Secretary to the Treasury and Official Head of HM Civil Service, 1949; Assistant Secretary, 1954; Under-Secretary, 1959; Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, 1959-1964; Deputy Under¬ Secretary of State (Air) during August 1964. Assistant Managing Director, Thomson Organisation since 1966 (Director, 1964-1966). Alderman, GLC 1967 KBE 1963 Born 2/9/18 and died 12/3/69 in Swanley, Kent
TLt William Roy Darracott RNVR First Lieutenant MGB 662 28/5/43 Commanding Officer MGB 663 1944 HMS Gregale 1945 HMS Waxwing (RN camp, Townhill, Dunfermline, Fife) 27/11/45 Two DSCs 1944 Born in Dorchester 1921 and died 25/9/2008
TSLt J.B. Hinchliffe, RNVR MGB 662 18/1/45 HDML 1277 1946

TSLt Gordon Villiers Surtees RNVR 27/4/43 Served in MGB 662 27/4/43, First Lieutenant of MTB 634 2/6/44-45 TLt 27/10/45 Commanding Officer MMS 1060 20/2/46 Headmaster, John Lyon School (1960s) Born 27/4/23 and died in Kings Lynn 9/90 2 MIDs 1945
TLt Walter Edwin Alpin Blount RNVR HMS Escalonia (motor fishing vessel) (Scapa Flow) 22/11/39 HMS St Christopher 1941 First Lieutenant, then Commanding Officer MASB 24 15/9/41 Commanding Officer, HM ML 577 18/3/43 spare Commanding Officer, HM MTB 662 Commanding Officer MTB 634 2/6/44 HM BYMS 2257 1946 DSC 1943 Two DSCs 1945 Resumed his career as a solicitor, in the Isle of Wight. He worked in Accra in the Gold Coast (Ghana) from 1951 to 1952. Worked for Underwood & Co of Welbeck Street in London, becoming a senior partner, until succeeding to the baronetcy as 12th baronet in 1978 and taking up farming at Tilkhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex Born in Farnham district 31/10/17 and died in Haywards Heath district 18/12/2004
TSLt Stanley James Turner RNVR HMS Gregale (Coastal Forces base, Malta) 29/7/44 First Lieutenant 2/10/44 TLt 1/1/46 MMS 1090 1946 MID 1944 MID 1945 Born in Merton, Farnham district, Surrey 8/2/24 and died in Eastbourne 20/8/2008
PO William Briddon D/SSX23388 (Coxswain)
POMtrMch Peter Reeves D/MX98184
LSea Thomas Alan Postlethwaite D/SSX 30628 (Killed in action 7/8/44 and buried in Belgrade)
LTel Stanley Armstrong Breen C/JX259096
LMTrMch Norman Henry John Hughes P/MX117105
ALSto William Percy Abbott C/KX158717 (Suffers a gunshot wound during the attack on T 7)
AB William Ernest Allbright C/JX376185
AB William Frederick Beadle P/JX 429137 Killed in action 10/4/45 aged 23 Son of William Lionel and Margaret Annie Beadle, of Chelsfield, Kent
AB Henry John Beadles P/JX364724
AB Stanley Campion P/JX654587
AB Albert John Carrod C/JX374098
AB Alan Clarke C/JX 374105 Killed in action 11/10/44 aged 20. Son of Jack and Ivy Clarke, of Burnley, Lancashire. Buried in Belgrade War Cemetery 9. C. 9.
AB Simon Kelly C/JX347335
AB Albert Holman Loryman P/JX326642
AB Hugh McCartney D/SSX20607
AB John Edward Merrill P/JX 371153 Killed in action 10/4/45 Age 20 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Merrill, of Worksop, Nottinghamshire
AB Peter Menzies C/JX177250
AB Henry Edward Richardson D/JX250580
AB Samuel George Frederick Ridler C/JX354226
AB Arthur Stone P/JX396023 Killed in action 10/4/45
AB George Walker C/JX375002 MGB 662 MID 1944 Died 18/3/45 Age 21 Son of James and Annie McConnell Walker, of Maryhill, Glasgow
AB Raymond Stewart Whiteley C/JX308197
AB Joseph Wing P/JX396060
Sto1 Cuthbert Richard Henry Mayo P/KX158694

War Activities
20th MGB Flotilla
MGB 657, MGB 658, MGB 659, MGB 660, MGB 661, MGB 662, MGB 663, MGB 674
Mediterranean
10/7/43 Operation Husky Invasion of Sicily
20th MGB Flotilla
MGB 657, MGB 658, MGB 659, MGB 660, MGB 662
14/7/43 MGB 659 and MGB 662 escort Ulster Monarch and Tetcott, with a special reconnaisance column embarked, into Augusta Harbour Sicily. MGB 659 runs aground 600 yds from an enemy held fort. Whilst stranded, MGB 659 claims a Fw190 aircraft shot down. MGB 659 is towed off by a destroyer on the following day.
2359 MGB 662 is despatched to Syracuse and is dive bombed ten times en route but brings down one of her attackers.
15/9/43 With MGB 660, is ordered from Messina, Sicily to Bizerta.
17/9/43 With MGB 660, arrives in Bizerta. MGB 662 has two defective carburretors. MGB 660 and 662 are ordered to Cagliari, Sardinia to take over the island. MGB 662 embarks Brig Gen Theodore Roosevelt USA, Capt Cooke (ADC) USA, Colonel Carli Piaalo (Italian Army) and two US Army interpreters.
2300 MGB 660 and 662 depart Bizerta.
18/9/43 At 0530, MGB s 660 and 662 sight Sardinia. At 0630, abeam of Cape St Elia, a shore battery of four guns is sighted with the crews fallen in beside the guns and waving white cloths. MGBs 660 and 662 berth alongside the northern wall in Cagliari
15/10/43 MGB 662 makes a reconnaisance of Bastia Harbour.
1/44 57th MTB/MGB Flotilla
MGB 638, MGB 659, MGB 660, MGB 662, MGB 674, MTB 634, MTB 637, MTB 670
Based at Bastia, Brindisi, Komiza and Ancona
29/1/44 At 1750, MTB 97 and MGB 662 depart Komiza for a patrol in the Drevnik Channel area around eighteen miles east of Split.
1945 MTB 97 and MGB 662 reach the patrol area. German recognition signals are sighted. MGB 662 launches a smoke float as a lure for E Boats but the bait is not taken. MTB 97 and MGB 662 withdraw to the west, stop and set a hydrophone watch. Propellor noises are reported ahead and, a minute later, dark shapes are observed. MTB 97 and MGB 662 start engines running up to 16 kts and opening fire when at one mile distance. Targets are identified as two merchant ships without escort. Both ships stop and MTB 97 closes to investigate. Three Italians are recovered from the water and five Italians are taken off the tanker Folgore. The German gun crew have been killed in the action.
2330 MTB 97 sinks the tanker, by gunfire. The other vessel is a schooner and apparently abandoned. The five man Italian crew and a German have rowed ashore and are watching events from the beach. MTB 97 drops a shallow fused depth charge below the schooner causing severe damage then engages with gunfire leaving her on fire. MTB then transfers the survivors, seven of whom are wounded, to MGB 662.
0145 MTB 97 and MGB 662 return to Komiza.
2/2/44 MGB 662 and MTB 649 conduct a patrol of the islands north of Sibenik between Rogoznica and the Zlarin Channel.
1915 MGB 662 and MTB 649 stop a small boat and question three fishermen who claimed there were no German vessels in the area.
2030 MGB 662 and MTB 649 are lying stopped on hydrophone watch near Obonjan.
2000 MGB 662 and MTB 649 continue the patrol towards Murter.
2130 MGB 662 sights a three masted sailing vessel. MGB 662 and MTB 649 close the vessel which fires a white flare. Both sides open fire at around 150 yds. The sailing vessel is set on fire and explosions are observed. Twelve survivors are recovered from the water after the crew abandons ship. MGB 662 and MTB 649 leave the vessel to burn, retire to the west and start a hydrophone watch.
2215 The sailing vessel explodes. MGB 662 and MTB 649 return to base. Subsequent interrogation of prisoners reveals that the vessel was the Francesca di Rimini, 350 tons, carrying 320 tons of mostly artillery ammunition and 25 tons of stores. There were also twenty five German troops as passengers with a crew of nine Italians and five German Gunners. MGB 662 is slightly damaged by 20mm rounds and MTB 649 is undamaged.
8-9/2/44 MGBs 643 and 662 sink a small tug towing a 35ft pinnace near Rogoznica.
27/3/44 Operation Gun
An operation off the west coast of Italy
MGB 657, MGB 660 and MGB 662
27/3/44 An escort with 6 (?) MFPs, including F 609 , F 706 , F 4785 and F 4795 off Vado encounters an allied group MTB 634, MGB 662, MGB 660, MGB 659, LCG 14, LCG 19, LCG 20 and PT 212 , PT 214 , PT 208 and PT 218
24-25/4/44 Operation Newt - LCGs 14, 19 and 20, MGB 657, MGB 660 and MGB 662, MTB 633, MTB 640 and MTB 655 with USN PT 202, PT 209, PT 211, PT 212, PT 213, PT 216 and PT 218 depart from Bastia. The LCGs depart at 1500, the MGBs and MTBs depart at 1800 and the PTs at 1830. At 2000, the force forms up and sets off at 7kts. Also at 2000, Flak Lighters F-515, F-423 and F-621 with the tug Tebessa depart Livorno for San Stefano with supplies. Also in the area are ‘Armed Flak Lighters’ (Gunboats) F-350, F-589 and F-610 in one group and patrol vessels M7607 and Vp 7013 in another group.
2125 PT 202, PT 212 and PT 213 are detached to the Vada Rocks area.,
2205 PT 202, PT 212 and PT 213 report a southbound convoy.
2207 PT 218 reports a Radar contact off Piombino Point and this is assessed as an escort group about to rendezvous with the convoy.
2300 The force turns north in an unsuccessful attempt to get between the two contacts.
2320 The force turns south and, shortly afterwards the ‘escort group’ turns west making interception inevitable. At 0005, the force opens fire. Starshell illuminates two Flak Lighters.
0008 A tug and three more Flak Lighters are encountered. The tug is hit repeatedly and sinks. One Flak Lighter explodes and a second is set on fire before later blowing up. A third Flak Lighter is sunk. MGB 657, MGB 660 and MGB 662 close the beach and encouter and engage an undamaged and apparently abandoned Flak Lighter which is set on fire and explodes. MGB 657, MGB 660 and MGB 662 recover twelve survivors including Dutchmen from the tug crew. The force is now closing on the ‘escort group’ and fires starshell. The Germans fire a recognition signal and the force waits for two minutes whilst closing before opening fire. Flak Lighters F-350 and F-610 are repeatedly hit by gunfire. On F-610, ammunition starts to explode and the crew abandon ship. F-589 is hit by gunfire putting two guns out of action and starting a fire amonst ammunition that the crew extinguishes. F-589 attemps to escape behind a smokescreen. MTB 633, MTB 640 and MTB 655 are tasked with destroying F-589 and lose contact with the force. F-589 is severely damaged and is beached south of San Vicenzo.
0120 PT 202, PT 212 and PT 213 encounter a third group that opens fire on them before thet are in a firing position. PT 202 fires a five star recognition signal and the Germans cease fire. The boats attack with torpedoes causing a Flak Lighter to explode and sink before gunfire from the other two lighters forces the boats to retire behind a smokescreen. The force then breaks off to return to Bastia.
0400 Bastia reports an enemy force, on the return route, off Capraia.
0440 The scouting force reports being in an attacking position and then makes an unsuccessful torpedo attack on German Torpedo Boats TA 23, TA 26 and TA 29.
24-25/6/44 MGBs 659 and 662 with MTB 670 sight a two masted schooner, which proves to be partisan crewed, near Bacvica Rock.
2200 The Croatian torpedo boat T 7 is sighted. MTB 670 launches two torpedoes from 500 yds but they miss and explode against Kukuljari Island. In MGB 662, a partisan liaison officer from Marshall Tito’s staff clutches the Senior Officer, (Bligh) and begs him not to attack an obviously bigger and more powerfull enemy vessel. MGBs 659 and 662 with MTB 670 turn to give chase. At 150 yds, T 7 finally opens fire at MGB 662 with her aft gun. MGBs 659 and 662 with MTB 670 return fire and inflict severe damage on T 7 which turns to starboard heading for the shore and missing MGB 662 by about five feet. T 7 grounds on Murter whilst running at around 12 kts. MGB 659 stands off whilst MGB 662 and MTB 670 search along the track for survivors. MGB 662 goes alongside T 7 and conduct a search finding three wounded crew members. TLt William Darracott RNVR leads a party of men onto the island and captures five more crew from T 7. Four of them are seriously wounded. Prisoners confirm that there were escorting vessels. MGBs 659 and 662 with MTB 670 return to Komiza.
6/44 Actions off the west coast of Italy and Dalmatia
29-30/7/44 MGBs 660 and 662 with MTB 634 depart Komiza for a patrol north of Zara. MGBs 660 and 662 with MTB 634 pass through the Maknare Channel at 17 kts close Vir Island and then spend four hours stopped and lying in wait.
0155 A ship is sighted and MGBs 660 and 662 with MTB 634 close to intercept identifying the target as a two masted schooner (Tritone of 390 tons).
0211 MGBs 660 and 662 with MTB 634 open fire. MGB 660 closes to destroy the schooner by gunfire but is not successful. MGB 660 stands clear whilst MTB 634 fires a torpedo at 0224 destroying the schooner. MB 662 closes to search for survivors and recovers two German marines from a dinghy.
Operations in the Adriatic and the Aegean (Gazette Date - 5/12/44)
7-8/8/44 MGB 662 with MTBs 667 and 670 depart Komiza to patrol the Zara to Fiume route close to Vir Island. At 2100, vertical tracer and flares are observed to the south. Shortly after 2200, two Flak Lighters and a smaller vessel are sighted. At 2212, the German group alters course closer to the shore. MGB 662 with MTBs 667 and 670 close to a beam position inshore of the Germans at 6 kts. MTB 667 is standing by with starshell and MTB 670 is standing by for a snap torpedo attack. The Germans open fire on MGB 662 putting two engines out of action and cause ten casualties. MGB 662 with MTBs 667 and 670 return fire and a slow speed close action ensues. MGB is hit repeatedly and has one man killed and nine wounded. The engine room is on fire as are two oerlikon ammunition lockers. The pom pom is out of action and there are small fires on the upper deck caused by phosphorous ammunition. One Flak Lighter is also on fire. The second Flak Lighter moves to finish off MGB 662 and MTB 670 is ordered to conduct a torpedo attack. The burning Flak Lighter ceases firing effectively and the other then disengages to the south but is sunk by a torpedo from MTB 670 at 2226 whilst MTB 670 is performing a short turn. In MGB 662, the engine room fire is extinguished using the methyl bromide system. The engine room crew manage to get below and MGB 662 slowly retires to seaward on one engine whilst MTBs 667 and 670 attempt to sink the burning Flak Lighter. MTBs 667 and 670 miss with three torpedoes.
0005 The Flak Lighter capsizes and sinks. MTBs 667 recovers six survivors including the captain and MTB 670 recovers a further five. The two Flak Lighters were F-963 and F-968. MGB 662 is carrying Capt B Keefe RAMC as a passenger. He treated the man who subsequently died of wounds as well as the other nine wounded. He also treated the motor mechanics for the effects of methyl bromide inhalation and, when the MTBs rejoined, he transferred and treated the wounded prisoners.
3-4/9/44 MGBs 662 and 674 with MTBs 634 and 637 are in action off Cephalonia sinking seven craft and taking eighteen prisoners. The boats are underway for forty seven hours and cover 533 miles.
10/10/44 At 1300, MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 depart Komiza for a patrol off Zara and intendin to lay up at Ist. MTB 634 is sent ahead to Ist to contact an LRDG patrol and partisans to gather intelligence. MTB 634 passes on a report of a northbound convoy seen, by the LRDG patrol, to enter Zara three or four days previously. MGB 662 with
1945 MTBs 634, 637 and 638 pass between Ist and Mulat and alter course towards Vis.
2040 MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 are lying stopped off Vis in thundery weather.
2245 Three white flares are observed over Mulat.
2347 Tracer is observed from what appears to be a land battle on Ist. Some people believe it is a low level air attack or an E Boat. The firing ceases but, ten minutes later more firing is observed near Mulat. This includes 88mm tracer.
11/10/44 At 0039, MTB 634 is detached to contact the LTDG or partisans for information.
0223 MTB 634 makes a radio report of the earlier presence of two destroyers, conducting a bombardment, in the area of firing. MTB 634 also passes on a partisan report of a Flak Lighter. MGB 662 with MTBs 637 and 638 rendezvous with MTB 634 off Kok Point and set course between Skarda and Ist.
0345 MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 break off the search and return to Ist.
0900 Partisans report a two funnelled warship, in a cove, on the east coast of Mulat.
1000 The report is modified to a Flak Lighter, at 1100, to an E Boat and, at 1200, to nothing.
1700 A conferencee is held with local forces.
1825 MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 depart for Vir.
2220 MTB 634 is damaged when a con rod is pushed through the crank case of the starboard outer engine and most of the engine room crew are overcome by fumes.
2245 MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 roll in what appears to be the wake of large ships.
2300 MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 set off northward and sights four Flak Lighters and a number of other vessels, on the port bow, at 400 yards.
2306 The German force opens fire on MGB 662 killing a pom pom loading number. A fire in the pom pom ready use locker is extinguished. MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 return fire and MTB 638 illuminates with starshell. MGB 662 observes a Pil Boat blow up with a resultant petrol fire spreading across the surface. An E Boat is also seen to blow up. A second Pil Boat is sunk and a Flak Lighter damaged. MGB 662 passes through the German force and lies stopped waiting for the remainder of the force to join her. MTB 634 abttempts a torpedo attack but gets too close and engages a Flak Lighter with gunfire causing serious damage and starting major fires. MTB 634 engages two further Flak Lighters causing damage. One Flak Lighter is seen to sink. MTBs 637 and 638 engage Flak Lighters and set them on fire.
2317 MTB 637 sights two capsized vessels.
2346 A capsized Flak Lighter is sighted close inshore off Vis Light.
2353 Vessels are sighted and MTB 637 illuminates with starshell. MGB 662 engages a Flak Lighter and a Pil or E Boat. The Flak Lighter is sunk and the other vessel damaged. Fire comes from behind the British force and this is returned before breaking off the action assessing the situation and returning to attack at 0151.
0221 MGB 662 illuminates with starshell and nothin is seen. Two small objects are engaged north of Vir Light. MGB 662 and MTB 634 continue to illuminate with starshell.
0251 MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 turn southwest at 8 kts.
0254 A Flak Lighter is sighted at 400 yards.
0256 MTB 634 makes a torpedo attack achieving two hits on the Flak Lighter.
0310 MGB 662 closes the wreckage and, having passed through a cloud of smoke, sights two Flak Lighters and other smaller craft 50 yards away and lying beached. The force engages with gunfire causing further damage.
0337 MTB 637 sinks a Flak Lighter by torpedo. During the action, MGB 662 with MTBs 634, 637 and 638 have sunk six Flak Lighters, four Pil Boats and an E Boat. Another Flak Lighter is probably sunk and an E Boat is possibly sunk. Two other E Boats are damaged.
21/10/44 MGBs 659, 662 and 674 with MTBs 637 and 638 are on passage from Vis to Ist when they sight a German convoy of four I Boats. Two I Boats are sunk and two captured. Ninety two prisoners are taken. MGBs 659, 662 and 674 with MTBs 637 and 638 have intercepted an attempted evacuation of Dubrovnik
22-3/12/44 Operation Antagonise Two. MGBs 638, 643, 662 and 674 with two Hunt Class destroyers attack Lussinpiccolo. The destroyers bombard and the MGBs enter the harbour. An E Boat and EMBs are attacked.
8/4/45 An attack on four German lighters in the Gulf of Venice
9-10/4/45 MTBs 633, 634 and 638 with MGB 662 are on patrol off the Arsa Channel. Four Flak Lighters are detected by Radar at 8000 yards and MTBs 633, 634 and 638 with MGB 662 attack from inshore with torpedoes which miss. The Flak Lighters engage with 88mm and 20mm guns. MTBs 633 and 638 are hit and stopped. In MTB 633, the Commanding Officer is severely wounded and the Coxswain is killed. MGB 662 and MTB 634 close and engage with gunfire. MGB 662 is hit by three 88mm rounds. Three men are killed and five men are severely wounded. The Flak Lighters reach the entrance to the channel. MTBs 633, and 634 with MGB 662 close MTB 638 to render assistance. The foredeck is under water but MTB 634 takes MTB in tow, stern first, to Ancona.
2-3/5/45 At 1930, MGBs 642, 643, 645, 659 and 662 arrive at Taliamento, from Ancona, to reinforce MTBs 634, 651 and 670. The weather is deteriorating and all eight boats anchor off the harbour. MGB 662 maintains a Radar watch through the night.
0500 MGBs 642 and 643 round up and take in tow three vessels that have drifted out the harbour to the east. MGBs 642 and 643 also take a Flak Lighter in tow before anchoring it off the harbour with a prize crew aboard. During the forenoon the boats tow German vessels out of the harbour to the collection point and make them ready for towing to Ancona. The Germans try to get the New Zealanders to tow the Flak Lighters back into harbour on the pretext that they contain urgently needed food supplies. The prizes are searched and no significant food supplies are found. At 1230, a convoy leaves Tagliamento for Ancona and consists of:
MGB 642 towing a Flak Lighter F509
MGB 643 towing a Flak Lighter
MGB 659 towing the barge ‘Karl’ and a caique
Adria, Sigismund and a small craft under power
MGB 645 acting as a pick up boat.
1445 A second convoy leaves Tagliamento for Ancona and consists of:
MGB 662
MTB 634 towing a Flak Lighter
MTB 651 towing ‘Eddie’ and a small boat
MTB 670 towing a Flak Lighter
Two Flak Lighters under power
A small hospital ship
Flak Lighter F1156D is unable to maintain steerage way and is abandoned, at anchor, eight miles off Tagliamento. MTBs 651 and 670 proceed at 8 kts and MGB 662 takes a Flak Lighter in tow.
1845 MGB 645 takes Sigismund and the small craft in tow.
1945 MGB 642’s tow parts for the fourth time and F509 is sunk by gunfire.
2130 MGB 662 parts her tow. The tow can not be taken up again and the Flak Lighter proceeds under her own power and MGB 662 stays in company.
4/5/45 At 0400, MGB 662 manages to take the Flak Lighter in tow again.
1200 MGBs 642, 643, 645 and 659, with their prizes reach Ancona.
1615 MGB 662 abandons her tow in Ancona.

Post War Fate
2/46 For disposal

241987Chris
Seaman
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:22 pm

Re: MTB 634, MTB 624, MGB 662

Postby 241987Chris » Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:11 pm

Great information thank you so much…I can tie him to a few actions which is great..

But when he was at HMS Gregale being lent to Byrsa would he have been on MTBs or MGB or would he been on shore


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