Hello everybody - A rotting wooden boat is indeed a very sad sight.
You are so right about the need to have have these vessels and their crews recognised properly is long overdue.
However, there is some hope here !
We are restoring RML 526 - a sister ship of RML 535.
The current First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas is our senior Patron along with the grandchildren of Sir Noel Macklin, founder and designer of the Fairmile company.
She will be shortly moving from Rye East Sussex to Portsmouth historic dockyard. Once there the first phase of the restoration work will begin. RML 526 has a very exciting life ahead of her.
A not for profit company will operate her and all proceeds are donated to charities such as Help 4 Heroes and RNRMC
Late March we are holding a Crowd Fund appeal where some very interesting 'reward' are on offer for donors.
I work with a veteran who served on ML 194 - after D Day she was modified and then sent off to Singapore to assist in the surrender of the Japanese - A fascinating story. Again, yet to be told. I am also working with a veteran from Burma, who was a Captain on a Fairmile B - they were involved with the Arakan Campaign - another story waiting to be told in full!
If you are interested please feel free to contact me via this forum or the website below:
http://www.fairmileb-rml526.com/
Sandy
P.S The Admiral is holding a Gala Dinner onboard HMS Victory to celebrate the arrival of RML 526. Tickets will be available via the Crowd Funding appeal - to be announced shortly. It is to be a fabulous event.