R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Enquiries relating to individual men and women who served with HM Light Coastal Forces; help with interpreting service records, or with tracing former comrades
Chewitt
Seaman
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 3:00 pm

R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Chewitt » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:54 am

I am researching the Coastal Craft Career of my Great Uncle, Mike Marshall, who served on MGB 607 and MGB 503, 502, 509.

I have traced a lot of what he did and found some great accounts by some of his fellow crew. I have however, one or two holes, particularly relating to time in 42 that he spent at HMS Dolphin, which I thought was a submarine base, but I now also suspect they may have had some coastal craft?

Any help would be appreciated.

Best wishes

Charles Hewitt

Pioneer
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Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Pioneer » Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:49 am

Hello Charles
Welcome aboard.

HMS Dolphin was certainly used by CF craft during the War, mainly as an 'overspill' if the adjacent 'Hornet was particularly busy but also if wounded were to be transfered to Haslar hospital - easier access from 'Dolphin.

HMS Dolphin, for CF movements sometimes refered to as 'Dolphin 2', was to outlive HMS Hornet which of course closed in December 1957.
'Dolphin herself closed her doors in 1998 but remained as a training establishment until 1999 - by then the RN's Submarine Training Establishment had moved to HMS Raliegh. (the last Submarine to leave HMS Dolphin was actually a USSR Kilo class Submarine of the USSR in 1994)

Admin
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Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Admin » Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:41 am

I am researching the Coastal Craft Career of my Great Uncle, Mike Marshall, who served on MGB 607 and MGB 503, 502, 509.
Hello Charles

By the strangest of coincidences I have been working on a Book of Remembrance for the dead of Coastal Forces, to be made available on the website in the near future, and while working on the page layout was reading through several of the records when I came to one for Lieutenant Commander Robert Michael Marshall, and my attention was caught by a reference to his having played rugby for England.

Intrigued, I did a search for him and found this biography on Robert Marshall on the Rugby History Society site. Then I looked in on the forum and found your post!

I hope you will get in touch with us via our email address on the home page with a view to possibly obtaining copies of any documentation or photos the family may hold.

Regards
Admin

Chewitt
Seaman
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 3:00 pm

Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Chewitt » Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:25 pm

Thanks for the information. I think from 6/41 to 5/42 Mike possibly served on MGB 321 based from HMS Dolphin and later HMS Midge. I will e-mail relating to providing information.

Best

Charles

Bradl3y
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Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Bradl3y » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:05 pm

Dear Charles,

I'm researching my Uncles service in Coastal Forces 1942-1945 as an Able Seaman and I believe he served on MTB-607 and your great uncle was his Skipper. The skipper gave him an order just before a devastating E-boat attack and by doing so, it saved his life.

Have you seen the copy of the crew photo of MTB-607 which clearly shows Lieut.Marshall together with Sub. Lieut. John Arkell with captured swastika flags? Many years ago, my uncle gave my cousin a captured swastika flag and she still has it- together with an original photo of his crew! As I write this post we are making efforts to seek its storage location.

You can email me on brdlyandrew@aol.com if you like.

Best wishes

Andy

Bradl3y
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Posts: 11
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Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Bradl3y » Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:59 pm

Hi- thought you may be interested in film footage showing officers & crew of HMMGB 503 (Lt Cmdr RM Marshall) at following link- relating to HMMTB 718 & 318 (some of 318 crew lost on 503 12/5/1945). Some good footage of Lt. Cmdr Marshall & 503

http://mtb718.co.uk/Videos.html

Hope this helps

Andy

Brian Holmes
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Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Brian Holmes » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:21 pm

TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR TSLt HMS Cape Passaro (anti-submarine warfare trawler) 3/2/40 HMS Dolphin (for Fort Blockhouse) 17/6/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 24/6/41 TLt 1/2/42 HMS Midge for minelayers 4/42 Commanding Officer MGB 607 25/5/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MGB 509 and Senior Officer, 15th MGB Flotilla 11/44 LtCdr 1945 Commanding Officer MGB 2002 11/5/45 killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Born in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire 18/5/17

Brian Holmes
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Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Brian Holmes » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:24 pm

MGB_607 James A Silver Ltd, Rosneath, Scotland 6/42

For an action with E Boats off Smith’s Knoll 24/10/43
DSC TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR
DSC TSLt John Norman Arkell RNVR
DSM PO Hugh Baggott Merriman D/JX133563
DSM AB Leslie Cousins P/JX350038
DSM AB Arthur Hinchcliffe P/JX262382
DSM AB Robert Henry Peter C/JX301335
MID TLt Charles Ortsen Abbott RNVR
MID ALSea Ralph Hopper D/JX136991
MID AB George Thomas Hughes D/JX257184
MID AB Robert Little P/JX322584 (Post)

Known Crew (MGB 607)
TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR TSLt HMS Cape Passaro (anti-submarine warfare trawler) 3/2/40 HMS Dolphin (submarine depot, Gosport) (for Fort Blockhouse) 17/6/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 24/6/41 TLt 1/2/42 Commanding Officer MGB 607 25/5/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MGB 509 and Senior Officer, 15th MGB Flotilla 11/44 LtCdr 1945 Commanding Officer MGB 2002 11/5/45 killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Born in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire 18/5/17
TLt Bernard Louis Knight-Lachlan RNVR TSLt MGB 607 15/6/42 MGB 645 20/10/42 Lt 9/4/43 Commanding Officer MGB 646 21/10/43 HMS Mosquito
TLt Thomas Wilson Boyd RNVR PTSLt 27/6/40 HMS Osprey, HMS Pembroke 16/9/40, TLt 27/6/41 HMS Aggressive Commanding Officer ML 160 2/42 DSO. MGB 607 18/5/42 Summer 1942 toured the US to stimulate the sale of War Bonds. Commanding Officer MGB 615 10/8/42 SGB 4 17/3/43 HMS Talybont (destroyer) 1/2/44. TALtCdr Commanding Officer HMS Broadway (destroyer) 11/44. Chairman & managing director, Boyd Line. President, Hull Fishing Vessel Owners' Association, Ltd., 1958-1962. President, British Trawlers Federation, 1964-1966 & 1969-1971. Honorary Brother of Trinity House, 1965. Deputy Lieutenant, Humberside. Born in Hull, East Yorkshire 23/9/14 and died there 20/3/87
TLt Charles Ortzen Abbott RNVR TSLt 25/9/41 HMS Torch II (Coastal Forces base, Holyhead) TLt 1/2/43 First Lieutenant MGB 504 15/03/43, Commanding Officer MGB 607 15/3/43 – 10/43, MTB 727 22/11/43. Commanding Officer MGB 315 6/12/43 Commanding Officer MTB 632 30/10/44 MID 1944. Born 28/5/18 at North Bierley, Yorkshire and died in Ipswich 9/88


Known Crew (MTB 607)
TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR TSLt HMS Cape Passaro (anti-submarine warfare trawler) 3/2/40 HMS Dolphin (submarine depot, Gosport) (for Fort Blockhouse) 17/6/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 24/6/41 TLt 1/2/42 HMS Midge for minelayers 4/42 Commanding Officer MGB 607 25/5/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MGB 509 and Senior Officer, 15th MGB Flotilla 11/44 LtCdr 1945 Commanding Officer MGB 2002 11/5/45 killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Born in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire 18/5/17

TSLt John Norman Arkell RNVR He joined the RNVR and after initial service in HMS Bramham (destroyer) was commissioned and undertook training at HMS King Alfred and then HMS St Christopher for service in Coastal Forces. He served in MGB 607 as the Navigating Officer. He was severely injured on 24/10/43, losing an eye and sustaining damage to his face. He became a patient of Professor Sir Archibald Macindoe, the famous plastic surgeon. After the war John worked as a Solicitor with his firm of Burridge, Kent and Arkell where he remained until retirement, serving for a period as President of the Dorset Law Born 09?).1923
Shaftesbury, Dorset and died 01.02.2010 in Westminster Memorial Hospital
PO Hugh Baggott Merriman D/JX133563
ALSea Ralph Hopper D/JX136991
AB Leslie Cousins P/JX350038
AB Arthur Hinchcliffe P/JX262382
AB George Thomas Hughes D/JX257184
AB Robert Little P/JX322584 Killed in a surface action - 24/10/43 Son of John C. Little and Amlie Little, of Manor, Peebles. Buried in Manor Parish Churchyard Grave 111
AB Robert Henry Peter C/JX301335
AB Wilfred Percy Roach D/JX 142841 ML 195 MID 1941 MTB 607 Killed in a surface action 24/10/43 aged 25. Son of Percy and May Roach, of Lanivet, Cornwall; nephew of Mrs. L. Prynne, of Lanivet, Norfolk. Buried in Great Yarmouth (Caister) Cemetery Sec. A. (Naval Reservation). Grave 63
AB Kenneth V Wilkins P/JX383041 Killed in a surface action 25/10/43 aged 19 Son of Albert V. Wilkins and Ethel N. Wilkins, of Hove. Buried in Hove New Cemetery Block 1. Grave 94
Ord Henry Hockley P/JX383344 Killed in a surface action 24/10/43 aged 19. Son of William and Edith Hockley, of Cubitt Town, London. Buried in East London Cemetery, Plaistow Grave 17279. (Screen Wall, Panel 7).
Tel Norman Fairholm C/JX 196322 Killed in a surface action 25/10/43 aged 27. Son of William Claude and Martha Fairholm, of Manchester. Buried in Manchester Southern Cemetery Sec. T. C. of E. Grave 1213
.
War Activities
17th MGB Flotilla
MGB 601, MGB 603, MGB 604, MGB 605, MGB 606, MGB 607, MGB 609, MGB 610, MGB 612
Based at Great Yarmouth
27/3/43 MGB 603, MGB 606 and MGB 607 intercept and damage a German armed trawler.
26-7/5/43 MTB 628, MTB 629 and MTB 632 with MGB 607 engage four German armed trawlers off Terschelling. One trawler is severely damaged and return fire damages MTB 629 and kills PO James Marshall.
9/43 Modified and reclassified as MTB
10/43 50th MTB Flotilla
MTB 603, MTB 604, MTB 605, MTB 606, MTB 607, MTB 609, MTB 610, MTB 612 later MTB 673, MTB 676, MTB 677, MTB 678, MTB 734, MTB 751, MTB 756
Based at Great Yarmouth, Dover, Newhaven, Ostend
24/10/43 An action off Smith’s Knoll involving MTB 442, MTB 606, MTB 610, MTB 629, MTB 630, MTB 632, MTB 650 and MTB 652
24-5/10/43 32 German S-Boats of the 2, 4, 6 and 8 S-Flotillas sortie from Ijmuiden and attack Convoy FN.1160 off Cromer. The Convoy is escorted by the destroyers HMS Pytchley, HMS Worcester, HMS Eglinton, HMS Campbell and HMS Mackay, MGB 609, MGB 610, MGB 607, MGB 603, MGB 315, MGB 327, ML 250 and ML 517.
2318 HMS Pytchley has a Radar contact on E Boats to the north and damages one with gunfire.
MGB 603 and MGB 607 move north east to cover the line of retreat to Ijmuiden.
MGB 609 and MGB 610 cover the northerly track of the convoy.
The S Boats arrive astern of the convoy
The trawler HMS William Stephen, a straggler from the convoy, is sunk
C0100 MGB 609 and MGB 610 obtained hydrophone and Radar contact. MGB 609 and MGB 610 make two attacks when the S Boats are seen to approach and drive them off each time. The second S Boat in the line was damaged and left the line
0206 MGB 603 and MGB 607 hit on the boats of the 4. S-Flotilla on the return leg and sink S 88 which was standing by the damaged S63 MGB 607 rams an S Boat and is subsequently taken in tow by MGB 603.
0400 MGB 603 with MGB 607 in tow obtains a Radar contact and the tow is slipped.
0418 MGB 603 goes into action against six S Boats at a range of under 800 yards significantly damaging one boat.
0445 The S Boats make off to the east and MGB 603 rejoins MGB 607
HMS Mackay rams and sinks S 63.
MGB 603 recovers nineteen survivors from S 88 and tows MGB 607 back to Great Yarmouth
3-4/11/43 MTB 606, MTB 607and MTB 610 are in an action in the Nore area in which two trawlers were sunk and E Boats damaged. MTB 606 is sunk in action by surface craft

Post War Fate
10/45 For disposal

Brian Holmes
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Posts: 245
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Location: Portsmouth

Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Brian Holmes » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:43 pm

MGB_503 Camper & Nicholson, Northam

For special operations at sea (Gazette Date - 15/8/44)
DSM PO William Webb D/MD/X2399

For special operations off the French coast in 1944 (Gazette Date - 27/3/45)
DSC* TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR
"His first task was to get his ship into reliable running order… a series of serious mechanical breakdowns had undermined the morale of her crew…under Lt Marshall’s direction the ship rapidly became operational. After accompanying two operations as an observer…Lt Marshall embarked on a series of 12 faultlessly executed expeditions. Four of these operations were to parts of the North French coast not previously visited; Lt Marshall displayed outstanding skill in locating accurately these new pinpoints, entering narrow rock strewn channels without hesitation. On one occasion he pressed on and completed an operation of great importance in a North-Easterly gale gusting to force 8, under conditions which would have made a less determined officer give up long before reaching the French coast. MGB 503 embarked 100 Allied airmen from a beach in enemy occupied France between January and March 1944. The procedure involved lying at anchor within a mile of enemy watchposts for between two and four hours at a time. The standard of efficiency to which Lt Marshall had trained his surf boats’ crews needs no emphasis in view of these figures. By skilful tactics and cool and correct judgment, Lt Marshall avoided detection by enemy sea patrols and convoys indicated by radar and visually on a number of occasions. His high qualities of leadership and seamanship are worthy of recognition."
DSM AB Norman Thomas John Hine P/JX350092
DSM AB John George Stewart Pringle D/JX340460
DSM AB Albert Leonard George Turner C/JX374936
DSM AB Cyril Wren C/JX314255

Known Crew
MGB 503

TLt Donald George Dowling RNVR TLt 15/5/40 HMS Midge for minelayers 29/9/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 19/7/43 Commanding Officer MGB 606 19/7/43 TALtCdr HMS Midge for MLs 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MTB 790 & Senior Officer 68th MTB Flotilla 12/2/45 Senior Officer 72nd MTB Flotilla and Commanding Officer MTB 786 11/6/45 MID 1943 Born 22/5/09 in Camberwell, London and died 12/84 in Newton Abbot, Devon
TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR TSLt HMS Cape Passaro (anti-submarine warfare trawler) 3/2/40 HMS Dolphin (submarine depot, Gosport) (for Fort Blockhouse) 17/6/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 24/6/41 TLt 1/2/42 HMS Midge for minelayers 4/42 Commanding Officer MGB 607 25/5/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MGB 509 and Senior Officer, 15th MGB Flotilla 11/44 LtCdr 1945 Commanding Officer MGB 2002 11/5/45 killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Born in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire 18/5/17
TLt Charles Edward Capel Martin RNVR First Lieutenant MASB 59 29/10/40 First Lieutenant MGB 59 TLt 19/4/41 HMS Midge for minelayers 16/2/42 Commanding Officer MGB 318 3/42 - 7/43 Commanding Officer HMS Grey Wolf Commanding Officer MGB 503 DSC 1944 and LM 1945. Born in Abergavenny, 21/04/13 and died in Chelsea, London 19/2/98

TLt Mark Arnold-Foster RNVR Prob TMid 5/1/40 HMS King Alfred TASLt 16/4/40 TSLt 16/4/41 HMS Wasp First Lieutenant MTB 45 19/9/41 Commanding Officer MTB 219 1942 MID TLt 1/5/42 Commanding Officer MTB 38 as Senior Officer 5th MTB Flotilla 24/8/42 – 21/6/43 DSC MID HMS Bee 22/6/43 HMS Wasp 24/1/44 MTB 212 and MTB 205 as SO 13th MTB Flotilla 1944 DSO MTB HMS Beehive 25/9/44 and HMS Aggressive 7/12/44 Commanding Officer MGB 503 12/44. Journalist: 1946-1957 with The Manchester Guardian. In 1957 the Observer as a chief reporter and a defence correspondent. Shortly afterwards he became the deputy editor of the Independent Television News (ITV). From 1963 again with The Guardian. Author of “The World at War” in 1973 and “The Siege of Berlin” in 1979 DSO 1944 DSC 1943 Two MIDs 1942 MID 1943 Born 16/4/20 in Swindon and died 25/12/81 From St. Ives, Cornwall
TLt Andrew Smith RNVR TSLt 9/4/42 First Lieutenant MGB 503 1/43 TLt 1/8/44 Commanding Officer MGB 318 1/12/44 - 7/45
TLt F W P Bowine RNVR Commanding Officer MGB 503 3/4/45
TLt F L Hewitt RNVR First Lieutenant MGB 503 12/7/43
TSLt P F Ronayne RNVR MGB 503 9/6/42 MGB 606 9/6/43
TSLt B K Fraser RNR MGB 503 30/10/44
TSLt G A Nicholls RNVR TSLt 19/9/43 MGB 503 12/44 MGB 2003
TSLt C S Tozer RNVR MGB 503 12/3/45
PO William Webb D/MD/X2399 (Coxswain)
AB Norman Thomas John Hine P/JX350092 MGB 503 DSM 1944 MGB 2002
AB John George Stewart Pringle D/JX340460
AB Albert Leonard George Turner C/JX374936
AB Cyril William Wren C/JX 314255 MGB 503 DSM 1945 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 23 Son of Thomas Edwin and Beatrice Anna Wren, of Kensington, London

MGB 2003
TLt John Thuenis McQuoid-Mason SANF(V) TSLt 28/8/41 HMS Minos II (Lowestoft) 27/10/41 15th MGB Flotilla 5/42 First Lieutenant MGB 501 15/12/41 – 27/7/42 TLt 28/8/42 HMS Dartmouth II (Dartmouth) (additional; for coastal craft) (Commanding Officer MASB 36 in the second quarter of 1943) Commanding Officer MGB 318 7/43 - 11/44 HMS Afrikander (Simonstown) Commanding Officer MGB 2003 and Senior Officer, 71st MTB Flotilla 6/45 HMS Afrikander (Simonstown) Born in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa 28/10/15 and died in Port Shepstone, Natal 17/3/79 Chartered Secretary, General Manager of various Building Societies, Town Clerk of Umtentweni, MPC for Natal South Coast

War Activities
15th MGB Flotilla
Clandestine Operations
28/1/44 Operation Bonaparte.
MGB 503 attempts to recover up to 20 evaders and escapers from Saint Brieuc Bay and successfully picks up 19 people.
23/2/44 Operation Glover I
MGB 503 attempts a pick up at Ile Grande - abandoned due to weather
26/2/44 Operation Bonaparte II.
Attempt to land stores and recover evaders and escapers from Saint Brieuc Bay. MGB 503 successfully picked up 18 people including two Free French volunteers.
17/3/44 Operation Septimus.
MGB 503 attempts to land six SOE agents and recover up to ten agents from Beg-an-Fry.
19/3/44 Operation Bonaparte IV.
MGB 503 attempts to land stores and recover evaders and escapers from Saint Brieuc Bay. MGB 503 successfully picks up 26 people including one French agent.
21/3/44 Operation Glover II
MGB 503 is at Ile Canton but the reception party does not turn up
23/3/44 Operation Bonaparte V.
MGB 503 attemps to land stores and recover evaders and escapers from Saint Brieuc Bay. MGB 503 successfully picks up 30 people.
22/4/44 Operation Glover III
MGB 503 attempts to land stores and embark mail at Ile Canton. The attempt is abandoned due to presence of German patrols
12/7/44 Operation Crozier. Landed stores and picked up 18 personnel (TLt Mervyn Ian Guy Hamilton, LSea Albert Dellow and Ord Hayward Rockwood from MTB 718 stranded since Operation Reflection 15/6/44) from Baie deSt Brieuc, Brittany
4-9/10/44 Operation Scrubby II. With PT 199, photographic reconnaisance mission at Lezardrieux abandoned due to bad weather.
1945 MGB 2003

Post War Fate

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

Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Brian Holmes » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:52 pm

MGB_509 Camper & Nicholson, Northam

Known Crew
TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR TSLt HMS Cape Passaro (anti-submarine warfare trawler) 3/2/40 HMS Dolphin (submarine depot, Gosport) (for Fort Blockhouse) 17/6/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 24/6/41 TLt 1/2/42 HMS Midge for minelayers 4/42 Commanding Officer MGB 607 25/5/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MGB 509 and Senior Officer, 15th MGB Flotilla 11/44 LtCdr 1945 Commanding Officer MGB 2002 11/5/45 killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Born in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire 18/5/17
TLt Frederick William Parnall Bourne RNVR Commanding Officer MTB 344 1942 – 5/43 Senior Officer 11th MTB Flotilla 1944 First Lieutenant MGB 2009 6/45 DSC 1942 Born 1/10/19 in Hammersmith district and died 1/2002 in Alton district, Hampshire. Qualified as a surveyor and worked for a commercial company. Then with St Marylebone borough council; eventually becoming Director of Housing Maintenance at Westminster city council. Retired in 1981
TSLt John S Townend RNVR TASLt 1/9/43 HMS Agressive Navigator MTB 718 TSLt 1/3/44 MGB 509 12/44 MGB 2009 24/4/45
TSLt John Richard Boissier RNVR TMid 26/2/43 TASLt 23/9/43 MTB 257 9/43 HMS Aggressive 24/1/44 TSLt 3/3/44 MGB 509 12/44 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 21. Son of Ernest G. and Doris M. Boissier, of Derby Born 3/3/24 in Derby
TSLt K H Snaith RNVR TSLt 1/10/43 HMS Mantis 1944 24/4/45 MGB 2009 24/4/45
LTel Daniel Gourley D/JX 308886 (Died 9/5/45) Age 23 Son of Daniel and Martha Gourley, of Belfast, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

War Activities


Post War Fate
MGB 2009
Centre engine replaced with a Metropolitan-Vickers G2 Gas Turbine.
Trials based at HMS Hornet, Gosport
30/7/48 First Sea Lord inspects MGB 2009 alongside HMS President in London. MGB 2009 had made the first sea voyage by a gas turbine warship from Gosport
MTB 3559

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

Re: R M Marshall RNVR (Mike)

Postby Brian Holmes » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:56 pm

MGB_502 Camper & Nicholson, Northam 7/43

For special operations at sea (Gazette Date - 15/8/44)
DSM PO Frederick Shepherd Smith C/JX143074

For special operations off the French coast in 1944 (Gazette Date - 27/3/45)
DSM ACMtrMch Charles Frederic Hearn C/MX76073
DSM PO George Christopher Chambers D/SSX30107
DSM AB Oliver Bleasdale D/SSX20104
DSM AB John Daglish P/JX295297

Known Crew

TALtCdr George Lennox Cotton RNVR Commanding Officer MTB 213 22/10/40 Lt 25/10/40 Commanding Officer MTB 202 3/42 Commanding Officer MTB 201 6/42 Commanding Officer MGB 502 8/42 HMS Midge TALtCdr Senior Officer 17th MGB Flotilla 8/43 Senior Officer 50th MTB Flotilla HMS Mull of Galloway (Coastal Forces Maintenance Ship)
TSLt Nicholas Clare Morrow TSLt 11/12/41 HMS Midge for minelayers 23/2/42 Commanding Officer MTB 351 27/3/43 Commanding Officer MGB 502 4/42 TLt 11/6/44 Born 12/4/20 and died 8/92 in Barnstaple, Devon DSC 1945 DSC 1945
TLt Lloyd Forester Bott RANVR Ord Joined RANVR 19/11/41 HMAS Cerberus (Flinders Naval Depot, Williamstown, Victoria) (passage to UK in "Largs Bay") 8/12/41 HMS Collingwood 12/2/42 HMS Victory 13/4/42 HMS St Christopher 12/6/42 HMS Attack 1/9/42 HMS King Alfred 1/1/43 ProbTSLt 15/1/43 HMS St Christopher (additional; for motor boat course 22/2/43 HMS Midge First Lieutenant MGB 504 6/5/43 – 5/12/43 MTB 727 6/12/43 – 9/1/44 MTB 719 10/1/44 TLt 15/1/44 First Lieutenant MGB 502 1/2/44 – 31/10/44 MGB 318 1/11/44 HMS Drake for passage to Australia [HMAS Cerberus III] 1/12/44 HMAS Lonsdale (Melbourne) 31/1/45 DSC 1945 Born 8/4/17 in Northcote
TLt Peter Alexander Williams Joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve attached to London Division RNVR 29/12/36 First Lieutenant, HMS Tourmaline (armed trawler) at Scapa Flow 14/2/40 – 4/40, MASB 10 5-6/40 HMS Dolphin 17/6/40 Commanding Officer ML 118 25/7/41 and MGB 325 1942. Commanding Officer MTB 612 11/5/42 – 2/43 at HMS St Christopher, Fort William. Commanding Officer MGB 502 5/4/43 - 44 and was Senior Officer of 15th MGB Flotilla based at Dartmouth running agents and stores to France. As an A/LtCdr.he served in the Admiralty Operations Division 10/44 – 7/45. Solicitor; Chairman, East Grinstead Conservative Party; Clerk, Conservators of Ashdown Forest; President, Sussex Law Society. He married Joe Roe, the daughter of A V Roe. Born 21/3/12 and died on 16/1/2004 in Uckfield, Sussex. DSC in 1944 and Legion of Honour on 50th anniversary of D Day
TLt E H Jennings RNVR TSLt HMS St Christopher for MLs 30/3/42 ML 491 10/42 TLt 22/1/43 MGB 502 1/3/43 Commanding Officer MTB 714 18/11/44

TLt John Thuenis McQuoid-Mason SANF(V) TSLt 28/8/41 HMS Minos II (Lowestoft) 27/10/41 15th MGB Flotilla 5/42 First Lieutenant MGB 501 15/12/41 – 27/7/42 TLt 28/8/42 HMS Dartmouth II (Dartmouth) (additional; for coastal craft) (Commanding Officer MASB 36 in the second quarter of 1943) Commanding Officer MGB 318 7/43 - 11/44 HMS Afrikander (Simonstown) Commanding Officer MGB 2003 and Senior Officer, 71st MTB Flotilla 6/45 HMS Afrikander (Simonstown) Born in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa 28/10/15 and died in Port Shepstone, Natal 17/3/79 Chartered Secretary, General Manager of various Building Societies, Town Clerk of Umtentweni, MPC for Natal South Coast
TLt Robert Michael Marshall RNVR TSLt HMS Cape Passaro (anti-submarine warfare trawler) 3/2/40 HMS Dolphin (submarine depot, Gosport) (for Fort Blockhouse) 17/6/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 24/6/41 TLt 1/2/42 HMS Midge for minelayers 4/42 Commanding Officer MGB 607 25/5/42 Commanding Officer MGB 503 22/11/43 Commanding Officer MGB 509 and Senior Officer, 15th MGB Flotilla 11/44 LtCdr 1945 Commanding Officer MGB 2002 11/5/45 killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Born in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire 18/5/17 replaced LtCdr Jan T McQuoid-Mason, who was attending an investiture, for the trip to Gothenberg Played for England at Rugby Football
LtCdr A H Smith (Additional navigator from 15th MGB Flotilla for Operation Scaramouche)
LtCdr Syvanus Brian John Reynolds RNR, Off MN Gay Viking DSC 1944 MID 1945 MGB 2002 Missing Presumed Killed Served as B. BINGHAM MBE DSC
LtCdr (E) Leslie Herbert Hughes-Coppins RNVR Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 32 Son of Herbert C. and Mabel A. Hughes-Coppins, of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Lt Michael Patterson Salmond RNR Lt 24/8/42 MTB 718 Additional navigator from 15th MGB Flotilla for Operations Scaramouche and Cygnus MGB 502 Additional navigator from 15th MGB Flotilla for Operation Jealous HMS President Awarded a DSC for this and other special operations at sea
TLt Gordon Hamilton Bell RNVR TMid HMS Forte IV for MLs 13/4/42 TSLt 2/12/42 HMS Dartmouth First Lieutenant MASB 36 4/1/43 HMS Cicala First Lieutenant MGB 318 10/4/44 MGB 502 30/10/44 MGB 2002 and died when that vessel sank 12/5/45
TLt John Phillips Motherwell RCNVR served with RN MGB 76 -6/10/42 MGB 61 10/42 MGB 80 TLt 22/12/42 First Lieutenant MASB 36 Commanding Officer MASB 36 22/7/43 volunteered as Surf Boat Officer for a landing made from MGB 502 at which they put ashore an agent with finances for the French Resistance 28-9/1/44
TSLt B Wilkinson RNVR TSLt 26/2/42 HMS St Christopher for MLs 8/5/42 ML 517 8/5/42 60th RML Flotilla HMS Beaver II 1/7/42 First Lieutenant MGB 502 19/10/43 MGB 605 TLt 1/2/44
TSLt P D Allan RNVR TMid MTB 350 17/4/43 TSLt 26/9/43 MGB 502 19/10/43 MGB 605 Commanding Officer HDML 1258 28/5/45
TSLt John Richard Boissier RNVR TASLt 23/9/43 MTB 257 9/43 (HMS Aggressive 24/1/44) TSLt 3/3/44 MGB 509 12/44 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 21. Son of Ernest G. and Doris M. Boissier, of Derby Born 3/3/24 in Derby
SLt Albert John Sterling Meakes RNVR Mid 10/3/44 HMS Aggressive MGB 502 1/2/45 TASLt 12/2/45 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 19 Son of William A. and Mary J. Meakes, of Tolleshunt Knights, Essex
ACMtrMch Charles Frederic Hearn C/MX76073 MGB 502 DSM 1944 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 23 Son of John and Rose Hearn, of Uxbridge, Middlesex; husband of Eileen Norah Hearn
PO George Christopher Chambers D/SSX30107
POMtrMch John Mooney Pender P/MX 637160 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945) Age 22 Son of Margaret M. Pender, of Maddiston, Stirlingshire
POMtrMch Thomas Sheehan

PO Frederick Shepherd Smith C/JX143074 15th MGB Flotilla DSM 1944 MGB 2002 (Coxswain) Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 26 Son of Caroline Smith, of The Hyde, Middlesex.
LSea Oliver Bleasdale DSM D/SSX 20104 AB MGB 502 DSM 1944 LSea MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 25 Son of Edward and Gertrude Bleasdale, of Preston, Lancashire
LSea Bernard Hawksby P/JX 287989 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945
LSto Alfred Arthur Andrews C/KX 121798 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945) Age 28 Previously awarded a DSM whilst serving in 15th MGB Flotilla. Son of John and Daisy Andrews; husband of Elsie Margaret Andrews, of Ilford, Essex
LSto Frederick John Bristow C/KX 113408 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945) Age 28 Son of Frederick Alfred and Harriet Bristow; husband of Edith Bristow, of Walworth, London
LTel Charles Kenneth Gadd DSM D/JX 184213 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945) Age 25 Son of Charles Walter and Lydia Maria Gadd, of Bradford, Yorkshire
AB Roger Bartley C/JX 260016 MGB 318 DSM 1944 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945
AB John Daglish P/JX295297
AB James John Gordon P/JX 262137 15th MGB Flotilla DSM 1944 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Previously awarded a DSM Age 24 Son of James and Florence May Gordon; husband of Rosa Amelia Gordon, of Albury, Hertfordshire
AB John Hayden D/SSX 29812 15th MGB Flotilla DSM 1944 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 24 Son of John and Mary Hayden; husband of Pauline Hayden, of Stoke, Devonport
AB Eric George Hearn D/JX 369194 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 22 Son of George Alfred and Winifred May Hearn, of Forest Gate, Essex; husband of Irene Hearn
AB George Inkerman Hill C/JX 355797 15th MGB Flotilla DSM 1945 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 20 Son of Lewis and Salena Hill; husband of Mary Emma Hill, of Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire
AB Norman Thomas John Hine P/JX350092 MGB 503 DSM 1944 MGB 2002
AB John Sidney Markham P/JX 327761 15th MGB Flotilla DSM 1944 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 21 Son of Charles Markham, and of Elizabeth Markham, of Bermondsey, London
AB Leslie McLanaghan C/JX 379070 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 20 Son of Charles Edward and Dorothy May McLanaghan, of Coventry, Warwickshire
AB William Sandalls (Oerlikon crew) Killed in action 15-16/4/44)
AB Cyril William Wren C/JX 314255 MGB 503 DSM 1945 MGB 2002 Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 23 Son of Thomas Edwin and Beatrice Anna Wren, of Kensington, London
Ord Anthony Augustine McNulty P/JX 544461 (Killed in action Saturday 12 May 1945 Age 19 Son of John and Georgina McNulty, of Waterloo, Liverpool
Sig George College
Wireman (L) Desmond Charlesworth P/MX 717488 Missing Presumed Killed 12 May 1945

(Hine and Sheehan were the only survivors when the boat was mined. Both wounded, they spent five days on a carley raft until picked up by a Norwegian ship.

War Activities
15th MGB Flotilla
Employed on clandestine operations supporting resistance activities in France.
26/11/43 Operation Jealous II.
MGB 502 in an attempt to land four SOE agents and recover up to six agents at Pointe de Saint Cast in conjunction with Operation Indifferent II. MGB 502 arrives late by which time the reception party has dispersed. Delay is caused by having encountered a German convoy entering St Malo
1/12/43 Operation Jealous II
MGB 502 in a second attempt to land/recover agents. Four agents are landed and five agents evacuated from Pointe de Saint Cast
Operation Scarf - With MTB 718, rescued two female SOE agents and a number of evading allied airmen from the beach at Beg-an-Fray, Brittany. Intercepted by three R Boats and damaged 15-16/4/44 <1>
23-4/12/43 Operation Jealous III.
MGB 502 in an attempt to land six SOE agents and recover up to nine agents from Baie De La Fresnai. Decision is made to get as close as possible since two surfboat trips would be required. MGB 502 is engaged by shore batteries and damaged. Operation and landing point are abandoned.
28-9/1/44 Operation Easement.
MGB 502 in an attempt to land one SOE agent and recover up to 10 agents from Beg-an-Fry. Reception party had formed up on a beach 300m further south.
26/2/44 Operation Easement II.
MGB 502 in a second attempt to land one SOE agent and recover up to 10 agents from Beg-an-Fry successfully completed. The party included Francois Mitterand the future president of France.
29/2/44 Operation Easement III.
MGB 502 in an attempt to land 2 SOE agents at Beg-an-Fry.
16/3/44 Operation Bonaparte III.
MGB 502 in an attempt to land stores and recover evaders and escapers from Saint Brieuc Bay. MGB 502 is fired on by battery near Paimpol but successfully picks up 25 people.
21/3/44 Operation Septimus II.
MGB 502 in an attempt to land 3 SOE agents and recover 5 agents from Beg-an-Fry.
15-16/4/44 Operation Scaramouche (Scarf).
MGB 502 and MTB 718 make an attempt to land 6 SOE agents and recover up to 20 personnel from Beg-an-Fry. They recover two female SOE agents and a number of evading allied airmen MGB 502 and MTB 718 creep away on silenced engines but are fired on by three R Boats and damaged. MGB 502 makes a clumsy reply to the visual challenge. The firing stops and both groups of boats pass each other. MGB 502 and MTB 718 return to Dartmouth.. AB William Sandalls is killed in action and is the only fatal casualty of 15th MGB Flotilla. Intelligence reports reveal that German naval authorities in St Malo reprimanded the R Boat commander for firing on friendly forces.
25/4/44 Operation Splint.
MGB 502 attempts to embark 2 SIS agents and mail from Treguier River. The reception party had been arrested and the operation is abandoned in their absence. An RCN destroyer is in action nearby and fires on MGB 502 until the recognition signal is made.
14/7/44 Operation Robespierre. Attempt to land stores and recover evaders from SW of Ile De Batz. Stores were landed but there were no personnel to be recovered.
23/7/44 Operation Crozier II. Successfully embarked 6 evaders including 4 SAS personnel from Saint Brieuc Bay
1945 MGB 2002
12/5/45 Sunk by a mine, at the entrance to the Skaggerak, on passage to Gothenberg, Sweden
16/5/45 POMtrMch Thomas Sheehan and AB Norman Thomas John Hine are picked up, in a bad condition, from a carley raft.


Extract from Daily Telegraph obituary for Peter Alexander Williams (04/02/2004)
Peter Alexander Williams was born on 12th March 1912 the son of a captain with the Union Castle Line and was educated at Malvern and Worcester College, Oxford. He then qualified as a solicitor. He became the youngest member of Chelsea council and joined the RNV(S)R in 1936.
He acted as unpaid constituency secretary to Sir Samuel Hoare the First Lord of the Admiralty 1936-37.
He trained at HMS King Alfred in 1939 and was appointed to the armed trawler Tourmaline based on Invergordon.
In May 1940 he was appointed to MASB 10 in command. The vessel was completed rapidly with the engines being fitted in one day in order to take part in the Dunkirk evacuation. Whilst ferrying Rear Admiral Wake Walker to Dunkirk, MASB 10 approached German occupied Gravelines but managed to escape unscathed.
Peter Alexander Williams next commanded ML 118 escorting convoys in the Dover Straits before commanding MGB 325 based on Portland. This period included three crossings to Lannion Bay, France and three crossings to Holland.
In February 1943 Peter Alexander Williams in command of MGB 612 takes part in Operation. Norwegian merchant ships are in Hakefjord awaiting escort and delivery of weapons and gunners prior to breaking out to England with a cargo of ball bearings. The operation is cancelled leaving MGB 612 in the Skaggerak in a Force 9 gale. The coxswain, Landfall is eventually made at Berwick upon Tweed where they spend two days making temporary repairs before returning to Aberdeen.
He was appointed to MGB 502 in command and as Senior Officer 15th MGB Flotilla
After the war he practised as a solicitor and became chairman of the East Grinstead Conservative Party. He was clerk to the conservators of Ashdown Forest and president of Sussex Law Society. He was also a dairy farmer and would deliver milk before going into the office

Memory of Norman Hine - CFHT
“On 12 May 1945 (7 days after war’s end) we sailed for Sweden with merchant seamen passengers destined for British ships which had been interned in Sweden. At 0145 the next morning we struck a floating mine and the boat flew to bits. I found myself in the water and as I could not swim I struggled to a piece of the stern still afloat. Tommy Sheehan and a stoker called Bristow were there but Tommy pushed us off as the stern was sinking. Eventually I got to a float net where the others were. I always used to wear a one-piece sailing suit filled with kapok and that is what kept me afloat and saved my life. Thirty men had disappeared and we found some human remains but no survivors. It was soon daylight and in the net we found some ring-pull cans of water. It wasn’t nice so we only took a few sips. The day was sunny but the water freezing and Bristow took to sipping sea water until he went berserk. We couldn’t decide what to do but next day we found he had died so we let him float away. We drifted all day, saw some of our planes we thought were looking for us but eventually they went away.
That night it got rough and the water was washed away and I slipped into unconsciousness. But I awoke and couldn’t make out where I was. It was a small cabin where I could feel the gentle roll of the sea, so I knew it wasn’t the next world. A lady came and said they had rescued us. She was the captain’s wife of a Norwegian coaster. We were landed at Kristiansand and they hid us in the basement of a hospital as there were still Germans around. They surrounded us with light bulbs and over two weeks thawed us out. Then the SAS came and sent messages home and gave us cigarettes and other comforts. We were both black from the waist down and the doctor said we were bound to lose our toes. In fact Tom suffered from gangrene and we were eventually flown home where we finished up in Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, and Tom lost his feet and my stumps were trimmed. I was moved around various hospitals but managed to get married to my childhood sweetheart Cynthia. Later I was awarded the DSM for my services; for gallantry, skill, and undaunted devotion to duty, shown in many hazardous operations.”


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