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by RogerFentem
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:01 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Fathomer and Robin Knox Johnston
Replies: 1
Views: 5576

Fathomer and Robin Knox Johnston

I read an article about Robin Knox Johnston's 1969 achievement. On his return he was accompanied by the Isles of Scilly steamer with the Press on board and by "MTB HMS Fathomer" as the article said. This latter had his parents on board. I am interested in Fathomer but I can find nothing mo...
by RogerFentem
Mon Feb 27, 2023 9:27 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 633
Replies: 12
Views: 28675

Re: MTB 633

Hi
My understanding is that this is the action where DFS Gould was killed. If that is the case then this is also when 639 was sunk. It had fired its torpedoes but not at the Italian torpedo boat. You may well have read Reynolds Motor Gunboat 658 if not then it will tell you a lot of 633 and 639.
Roger
by RogerFentem
Mon Jan 16, 2023 10:56 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 361, MTB 261, MTB 60, MTB 57, ML 911
Replies: 3
Views: 10068

Re: ML361, MTB 261, MTB 60, MTB 57, ML 911

Hi
ML361 survived to become Greek owned in 1945 and named Karpathos.
Roger
by RogerFentem
Mon Aug 08, 2022 12:03 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 309
Replies: 15
Views: 49678

Re: MTB 309

Mattkos, good shout, the remains are indeed very clearly visible. Is this the Flak Lighter mentioned in the a tion of October 1943?
Roget
by RogerFentem
Sun Mar 06, 2022 10:29 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: Ordinary Telegraphist Alfred Reginald GILL (MGB 318)
Replies: 7
Views: 29250

Re: Ordinary Telegraphist Alfred Reginald GILL (MGB 318)

Penny, thank you for posting the picture of MGB 318 in post-war guise. I have read much of the exploits of 318 in Brooks Richards' book " Secret Flotillas". The copy I have has pictures of 318 on the dust cover. This book sets the multitude of Operations with the SOE in context and present...
by RogerFentem
Fri Dec 17, 2021 10:45 am
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB
Replies: 10
Views: 35173

Re: P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB

Hi
I wonder if you have looked at the various Facebook Groups that concern themselves with Coastal Forces? Two come to mind: Spitfires of the Sea; Coastal Forces MTB's, MGB's, ML's, ASR's, HSL's of WW2. The first is run by Peter Scott, the second deals mainly with models.
Roger
by RogerFentem
Sun Aug 01, 2021 1:07 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18515

Re: ML in Falmouth

Hi Admin Kiloran is a fine looking vessel. Thank you for the picture. The Torquay connection makes sense of Kiloran II. There were a number of Warrigton-Smythes involved in Helford. The father as SO in residence and two sons each heading up one of the "secret" services. I got to be familia...
by RogerFentem
Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:56 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18515

Re: ML in Falmouth

Hi Admin
Thank you for looking through those documents. I wonder if HMY Kiloran explains why the ex ML294 was called Kiloran ll? Am I correct in believing the flotilla in Dartmouth consisted of largely French manned boats?
Roger
by RogerFentem
Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:56 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 790 - need help and info please
Replies: 5
Views: 10859

Re: MTB 790 - need help and info please

Hi SimonR, Your mention of MTB 790 caught my eye. This was one of the Fairmiles my grandfather built at Boat Construction in Falmouth. It was launched in July 1945 and joined its flotilla in Portland at HMS Attack. Later it was rebadged as MTB 5003 and later still as a Fast Patrol Boat P3002. There ...
by RogerFentem
Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:55 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18515

Re: ML in Falmouth

Hi Admin Thank you so much for the update. The plot thickens! Fascinating reading about possible confusion between ML 253, ML 294, MTB 253. The die stamped 294's discovered by RoyK under Admiralty Grey provide compelling evidence. The connection with St Mawse and river Fal cruises all point to the 1...
by RogerFentem
Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:04 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18515

Re: ML in Falmouth

Hi Admin
Thanks for looking, I will see what I can get from Lloyd's Register.
Roger
by RogerFentem
Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:50 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18515

Re: ML in Falmouth

An update on the name: a further source, acknowledged by one of the others as more reliable, says she was called "Killian". I am no further forward in finding her number.
by RogerFentem
Wed Apr 21, 2021 4:47 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML in Falmouth
Replies: 10
Views: 18515

ML in Falmouth

Does anyone know whhat ML is in the picture. This is Falmouth in 1965? I have two sources saying that in this guise as a pleasure craft she was called Killoran. However I have got no further than that.
by RogerFentem
Wed Oct 07, 2020 11:17 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Poole Belle
Replies: 3
Views: 12624

Re: Poole Belle

Thank you Admin, I'll keep digging.
by RogerFentem
Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:54 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Poole Belle
Replies: 3
Views: 12624

Poole Belle

I came across a picture of Poole Belle on Facebook. The author said she was a Fairmile B previously named Matapan. Along with another two called Anzio and Dunkirk they plied out of Poole to Swanage and Isle of Wight. Can anyone fill in any more of their stories, e.g. what were their numbers?
by RogerFentem
Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:11 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 137
Replies: 1
Views: 11538

Re: ML 137

Peter, thank you for this cutting about ML137. This was the first Fairmile my grandfather at Boat Construction built. I have been researching the histories of each one. I thought I had unearthed much of 137's life but nothing of the Chigwell adoption had come to me. Do you have any idea where I can ...
by RogerFentem
Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:20 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 650
Replies: 2
Views: 15352

Re: MTB 650

Sincere appolgies, 650 did become a long range rescue craft for the RAF, but LRRC 020 not 004 which was the fate of MTB5006 (another of my grandfather's Dog boats). The older boats of the 55th Flotilla were either paid off or recommissionedafter the pounding they had taken protecting the Eastern fla...
by RogerFentem
Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:32 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 650
Replies: 2
Views: 15352

MTB 650

I read today, 12.08.2020, of the acquisition of the Dry Dock in Appledore which will be used to safely restore S130. Much is made of the restoration of the E boat. Are there any Dogs around that could sit proudly with the rival? In particular does anyone know what happened to MTB650 of the 55th Flot...
by RogerFentem
Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:44 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Crew members of ML 575
Replies: 15
Views: 31776

Re: Crew members of ML 575

Alan, Thank you so much, what a wonderful collection of photos. How civilised they were to have tablecloths!
by RogerFentem
Fri May 29, 2020 10:49 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Info on my father Fred Holmes
Replies: 3
Views: 15932

Re: Info on my father Fred Holmes

Peter, there is a picture of three of the 55th with teeth and Ken Forrester identifies the middle boat as MTB 630.
by RogerFentem
Mon May 11, 2020 11:36 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 661
Replies: 18
Views: 43860

Re: MGB 661

Katy
... there are several nentions of 661 on MGB 647 in the MGB Forum, many of these are those I recognise from Reyold's book.
On the photo's ... the one with K K E ( kappa kappa epsilon I think iit is) written behind the guys suggests somewhere in Greece?
Roger
PS thanks for the photos.
by RogerFentem
Mon May 11, 2020 10:31 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 661
Replies: 18
Views: 43860

Re: MGB 661

Katy I have found references to 661 besides her setting sail for the Malta. Len Reynold's book Dog Boats at War has several. If you can't get a copy I will let you have the details. She was under quite colourful leadership and in common with the Dogs in the Mediterranean changed flotilla and command...
by RogerFentem
Wed May 06, 2020 4:32 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Peter Douglas BARLOW, DSC ... MGB 659
Replies: 6
Views: 27667

Re: Peter Douglas BARLOW, DSC ... MGB 659

Hi Herve
MGB659 was built by my grandfather and I am researching all the ww2 boats he built. I managed to get hold of a limited edition print of 659. It is by the artist Nick Bareis in a series called Jack's Taxi. The address is 77 Tonbridge Road Maidstone ME16 8JN
Cheers Roger
by RogerFentem
Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:17 am
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 661
Replies: 18
Views: 43860

Re: MGB 661

Katy, I am researching the Fairmile boats ny grandfather built in WW2. One was MGB 659 which sailed with MGB 661 and MGB 662 on 4th June 1943 for the Mediterranean. I believe that the boats often worked together but not necessarily in the same flotilla. Is it too much to ask if you have anything whi...
by RogerFentem
Mon Apr 13, 2020 8:12 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 446
Replies: 5
Views: 17137

Re: ML 446

Bob
Thanks for the message, I cannot find the email you mention but I am interested, I too have often grabbed at mentions of 466 thinking it was 446 ... I guess I am saying I am interested, I have collected info from a wide field.
Roger
by RogerFentem
Wed Mar 25, 2020 10:58 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 446
Replies: 5
Views: 17137

Re: ML 446

Thank you so much for the link to the oral history. I did not know about the Appeldore link nor the brush with an E-boat. I look forward to others who may have a link to a photo.
by RogerFentem
Wed Mar 25, 2020 10:01 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 446
Replies: 5
Views: 17137

ML 446

ML446 was built by my grandfather. The only operation she took a part in was Chariot. Her fate was to be scuttled by one of the Hunt class frigates charged with ensuring the safety of that brave flotilla. I am trying to compile a history of each of the MLs, MGBs, and MTBs grandfather built. Sadly I ...

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