Postby Brian Holmes » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:36 pm
MTB_356 Harland and Wolff, Belfast 21/6/43
Known Crew
Lt Ian Clarence Trelawny RNVR A rating in Minesweepers 1939 – 40 HMS California (AMC) 19/12/40 HMS Wasp (Coastal Forces base, Dover) (for motor torpedo boats) MTB 105 2/3/41 Commanding Officer MTB 232 2/4/42 Badly wounded in action 7/8/42 and leaves the flotilla. Shell fragments from shoulder to ankle including a severed achilles tendon. Commanding Officer MTB 34 5-6/43 Commanding Officer, MTB 356 and Senior Officer 11th MTB Flotilla 21/6/43 Commanding Officer, MTB 355 and Senior Officer 11th MTB Flotilla 11/43 Staff Officer (Operations) HMS Beehive 24/1/44 TALtCdr 24/1/44, HMS Oddysey MID 1945 1945 Admiralty [HMS President) Transferred to RN 22/1/47 Wreck Dispersal Officer on staff of Commander-in-Chief, Nore [HMS Pembroke] 20/2/49 Commanding Officer of a salvage ship (Hong Kong harbour)
DSC 1943, DSC 1944 and MID 1945 Lt RN 22/1/47 with seniority from 1942, ALtCdr 7/48 and Lt Cdr 17/1/50 Docks manager and port consultant. Director & General Manager of the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company, 1955-1972, then head of the consultancy side of the company, and he travelled worldwide, advising on the improvement of port facilities, 1972-1987OBE 1967 when he was Port Manager at Felixstowe. Born 17/1/07 in Edinburgh and died in Ipswich Suffolk 4/98
MtrMch Eric JohnCartwright P/MX 66695 Joined RNVR 7/5/40 (during the evacuation of Dunkirk was assigned tasks to repair and service many of the private craft that helped bring the English Forces back to England). MTB 71 10/1/42 -14/6/43). MTB 356 1/8/43 – 25/10/43 CMtrMch MTB 350 DSM 1943. Promoted TSLt(E) 10/7/44. HMS Mantis (Coastal Forces base, Lowestoft) 24/7/44 HMS Lanka (Colombo, Ceylon) 1945 and HMS Mayina (Colombo, Ceylon) 1946. Worked for the Gray Brothers who owned a marine salvage company based in Felixstowe. Migrated to Australia, Jan. 1952. Set up his own business in Roma, Queensland in 1954 selling and servicing agricultural and farm equipment mainly stationary diesel engines, tractors, lighting plants and water pumping equipment. The business was sold in 2003. Alderman to the Roma Town Council, 1967-1970. Was an active member of the Returned Services League up until he moved into the retirement village Born 31/7/20 in Stone and died in Roma Hospital, Roma, Queensland, Australia 24/9/2010
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Wartime Activities
11th MTB Flotilla
Based at Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Ostend
17/7/43 MTB 224, MTB 233, MTB 244 and MTB 356 are on patrol between Ymuiden and the Hook of Holland when they sight what they believe to be a large convoy at a distance of four miles. The enemy force is, in fact, a force of ten large minesweeping trawlers. MTB 224, MTB 233, MTB 244 and MTB 356 split into two groups to attack (MTB 233 and MTB 244, MTB 224 and MTB 356) MTB 356 fires two torpedoes but misses. MTB 224 is hit by gunfire and is reduced to one engine but manages to disengage with the aid of a diversion created by MTB 356. MTB 233 and MTB 244 fire torpedoes from 600 yards but miss.
24-5/8/43 MTB 347, MTB 348, MTB 349, MTB 351 and MTB 356 (Senior Officer) are on patrol off Ymuiden when they encounter two much larger enemy vessels. The enemy attack, inflict damage and keep the MTBs out of torpedo range. MTB 349 is severely damaged with one officer killed and another wounded. MTB 356 is damaged by a burst of 20mm shells.
13-4/9/43 MTB 349, MTB 350, MTB 355, MTB 356 (Senior Officer) and MTB 360 are 13 miles off Ymuiden when they sight a group of vessels four miles ahead. Division 1 (MTB 355, MTB 356 (Senior Officer) and MTB 360) and Division 2 (MTB 349 and MTB 350) split to make separate attacks from seaward and inshore respectively. The enemy force is identified as four escorts and three larger vessels. The MTBs are challenged and MTB 356 repeats the challenge thus buying a little time. MTB 356 fires two torpedoes at the largest vessel but misses. MTB 356 draws fire to cover MTB 355 and MTB 360 which both launch torpedoes but miss. MTB 355, MTB 356 and MTB 360 then disengage. MTB 356 makes a second diversion to cover MTB 349 and MTB 350 which make a torpedo attack. One torpedo hits (Probably from MTB 350). The trawler Walrus (372 tons) is sunk. MTB 349, MTB 350, MTB 355, MTB 356 and MTB 360 shadow the force as far as the Hook of Holland where another patrol is operating before returning to base.
16/10/43 MTB 349, MTB 356 (Senior Officer) and three other boats of the 11th MTB Flotilla are on patrol between Ymuiden and the Hook of Holland.
2338 The force sights what they believe to be two large trawlers and two gun coasters armed with 88mm guns and turn away to decide what to do. The force is spotted, challenged and illuminated by starshell. MTB 356 is repeatedly hit by gunfire. MTB 356 increases speed, drops smoke floats and makes smoke to attempt an attack.
MTB 356 is hit by an 88mm shell in the engine room, destroying the starboard engine, blowing out the petrol compartment bulkhead, bursting at least one petrol tank and blowing a large hole in the side. Throttles and telegraphs jam. MTB 356 rapidly loses way and settles by the stern.
MTB 349 goes alongside MTB 356 and takes off the crew, three of whom are wounded. Demolition charges are set and explode later whilst the Germans are investigating the wreck. The German force actually consisted of three Vps, gun coaster AF42 and an armed trawler screening eight fleet minesweepers from 34th Flotilla.