Thomas Watkins — MGB 56

[Qed296]

Good evening, I'm the grandson of Tom.
First off my grandad is alive and well.

I'm looking for old pictures if possible please of him and mgb 56.

I have lots of info and pics of 56 when she became a house boat and then subsequently set fire to by vandals, interestingly its still visable on the River Yare near Norwich.

Its the boat in service i'd be really interested in pictures of.

Thanks in advance.

[Admin]

Hello Qed296

Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately I do do not have any photos of MGB 56, which was originally building for the French Navy, and entered service first as a Motor Anti-Submarine Boat (MASB 56). It was part of the 4th MGB Flotilla, comprising MGBs 50–57, MGBs 50, 51, 52 & 57 being involved in Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe Raid. There is a film on the IWM web site of the boats returning from a raid on St Cecily Plage which mostly features C-Class MGBs, but at one point of the flypast shows two early British Power Boat MGBs, which you might ask your grandfather about, in case one of those boats might be 56? We would welcome copies of any photos you have in the family's possession, along with any service details of your grandfather.

Regards
Admin

[Qed296]

Good evening,
Thank you for the reply.

Ill have a chat with him and see if he can recall this or any other.

I do know 5th /6th june 1944 the boat escorted minesweepers and patrolled with the invasion fleet against e boats.

D day onwards they were attached to HMS Hilary command ship as a fast dispatch boat, carried BBC news reporter's documenting the invasion.

We do have the crest carried on 56 during the d day invasion, it lists the crew and my grandad painted it. They held a competition to design one and the winner was to be used during there time at see. It was presented to him upon decommissioning May 1945.

Crew : Capt L - R E Rogers, First L- E Edwards, Po - Wiredman, Po - Bill Murray, A Brooker, T Watkins, S Smith, Jim Songhurst, E Egar,
Jim Richardson, Nevis, F Kennedy

[Qed296]

[Qed296]

[Qed296]

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the passing of my Grandad.

He passed away in November 2024 aged 99yrs.

We had the pleasure of attending the D Day 80th anniversary service at the National Arboretum on 6th June.

I have emailed a few of the contact emails but had no response.
I think his memeber number was 47 (north Mids branch 100)

[Admin]

Hello Qed296

Thank you for informing us of the death of your grandfather. Our belated condolences to you and the rest of your family.

The former Coastal Forces Veterans Association (CFVA) membership list records him as having membership number 46.

Admin

[Qed296]

Thanks Admin......

Interesting as the blue book has him as 47 but as you say his members card is 46.

It also says he left the service in 1947, again it was 1946.

Perhaps 47 was at the front of someone's mind.

Regards,