ML 263

Motor Launches (ML), Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) & Rescue Motor Launches (RML)
Robert Mills
Seaman
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:02 pm

ML 263

Postby Robert Mills » Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:31 pm

Hello everybody and thank you for letting me join you forum.
Hopefully I am trying to gather as much information as I can about my Father's time (Roy/Ron Mills ) with the Coastal Forces aboard ML263 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Serving as Stoker 2nd Class Aug 1942-Jan 1943 then a Stoker 1st Class Jan 1943- Apr 1943 then May 1943-Dec 1943 trying to find pictures and plans of the engine room, Hull plans, and people whom he possibly knew. Thank you Kevin and Ted for the information already sent.

Kind Regards Robert.

rebeccaholland
Seaman
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:56 pm

Re: ML 263

Postby rebeccaholland » Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:58 pm

Hello Robert,

Did you find out any further information about ML 263 in Sierra Leone? My great Uncle served upon it but died from injuries received in 1943.

Best wishes,
Rebecca

Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 501
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:40 pm

Re: ML 263

Postby Admin » Mon Nov 04, 2019 9:51 pm

Hello Rebecca

Thank you for your enquiry regarding ML 263 which was part of the 17th ML Flotilla, comprising MLs 242, 256, 261, 263, 265, 266, 272 & 274. Naval History web site has some of the movements at various times for the motor launches in West Africa including this entry for 7 August, 1941

I have photos of ML 296 and 287, including general shots of life at Freetown, some of which may be found here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/coastal-forces/

If your relative is Petty Officer Motor Mechanic William Delaney, and if you have a photo of him, I could look through all the photos I have to see if he is in one of them. This is a group photo of some of the ML crews at Freetown which are more likely from boats in the 27th ML Flotilla.

Regards
Admin
crews-off-duty-1.jpg
Off duty ML crews at their base at Freetown around 1942-1943

rebeccaholland
Seaman
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:56 pm

Re: ML 263

Postby rebeccaholland » Wed Nov 06, 2019 12:39 pm

Hello,

Thank you so much for the photo link and information. I have this picture of William Delaney taken at his sister's wedding in 1942. I have just applied for his service records as the only real information we have is regarding his injuries and later his death.

It would be amazing if you have any pictures of him.

Best wishes,
Rebecca
William Delaney.jpeg
William Delaney.jpeg (39.5 KiB) Viewed 20239 times

rebeccaholland
Seaman
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:56 pm

Re: ML 263

Postby rebeccaholland » Thu Dec 19, 2019 6:18 pm

Today I have received my great Uncle William Delaney's service records. It appears he was on ML 263 from 28.07.42 until his death on 29.08.43. Can anyone explain why alongside ML 263 it also says: Attack, Hornet, Edinburgh Castle?

Thank you for any help,
Rebecca

Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 501
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:40 pm

Re: ML 263

Postby Admin » Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:08 pm

Can anyone explain why alongside ML 263 it also says: Attack, Hornet, Edinburgh Castle?
Good Evening Rebecca

HMS Attack was a Coastal Forces shore base at Portland, whilst HMS Hornet was the principal Coastal Forces base at Gosport. Edinburgh Castle was a former liner used as a floating base in the harbour at Freetown, Sierra Leone, which along with Philoctetes is often seen on the service records of Coastal Forces and Patrol Service personnel who served in West Africa.

Regards
Admin

rebeccaholland
Seaman
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:56 pm

Re: ML 263

Postby rebeccaholland » Fri Dec 20, 2019 8:43 pm

Thank you for your help. It seems that Sierra Leone was William's first overseas posting. The records say he died of extensive burns following an explosion on ML 263.
Rebecca


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