The following photographs and their details have been posted on behalf of Colin Checkley, who served with Coastal Forces in the Mediterranean (Admin)
I was the telegraphist on ML 1236 and this photo was taken whilst on patrol off of Anzio, Italy
This shot of ML 1012 was taken in Naples bay on her way to Coastal Forces base Isle of Ischia, Italy.
The small photo was all the crew on ML 1236, while the large one was 8 of the crew of ML 1236. The two that are missing were myself and another crew member as we were onboard 1236 on guard duty.
The photo of ML 1123 I took from 1236 in Leghorn harbour Italy. On board was Winston Churchill, who is sat above the second porthole. I believe the man forward, near the two crew, was his doctor.
ML 1236 escorted ML 1123 out of the harbour and around all the invasion fleet outside who were ready to set off to land in the south of France. As you see 1123 was quite full of army & navy personnel, both British & American, along with all the press.
I hope these details and the photos will be of use and interest to you.
Colin Checkley