ML 903

[chris4lomond]

I am trying to track down any information on this Fairmile B that I believe my Grandfather served on, I only discovered that he was stationed on the launch in the last couple of months and it seems that my father has no information either. any pointers as to where to look would be very much appreciated. I have discovered that the boat was built by Johnson & Jago commissioned Feb 11 1944 and seems to have been disposed of in 1946. I believe that the boat was involved on Juno beach on D Day and later my Grandfather was awarded a medal resulting from some action the boat was involved in off the Belgium coast however I dont have any other information and sadly the medal was sold during some hard times in later life.

Any pointers would be very much appreciated

[Pioneer]

Hello 'chris4lomond', Welcome aboard

ML 903- is listed in the London Gazette as having had 6 crew members awarded decorations, one twice.
London Gazette 21 November 1944
"For Operation Neptune [D-Day landings] - for passage of troops and supplies during the assault on Normany"
TLt John Cryer - RNVR - DSC
Ord Seaman J. F. Kirk P/JX 55804 - DSM
Chief Motor Mechanic B S Rollings P/MX 89685 - DSM
Acting PO F Earl D/SSX 27148 - MID
A/B S G Laver D/JX 348957 - MID

London Gazette 11 December 1945
"Wind up of the War in Europe"
T Sub Lt R G Woods - DSM
Acting PO F Earl D/SSX 27148 - DSM.

Is Grandad one of these ??

[chris4lomond]

Many thanks Pioneer

Yes J F Kirk - Thanks for the reply, what does the P / JX 55804 refer to? would this be his service reference number?

I assume that the Launch would have been sold off or scrapped after the war - seems a shame for these great little ships !

[Pioneer]

Yes, that is correct. His Service number is stating that his Divisional Home Port was Portsmouth -P- while the JX gives an indication of an agreed length of Service.

[cdsc123]

ML 903;

[chris4lomond]

That's fantastic CDSC123 I don't suppose I could get a copy of this photo from you ? - happy to pay for it!!

[cdsc123]

Hi Chris

Sorry, I should have mentioned it was scanned from a very old book or magazine, luckily I do have a clearer version for you;



Regards, Christian.

[chris4lomond]

Hi Chris

Sorry, I should have mentioned it was scanned from a very old book or magazine, luckily I do have a clearer version for you;



Regards, Christian.

That great thanks

[chris4lomond]

While digging round for info on this ML and my Grandfather the following newspaper clippings have come to light, If you can read them they make interesting reading, one is from a Buxton newspaper the other I am not so sure, It seems the news papers have a different name for the Lieutenant of the Launch Lewis in these clippings and Cryer in the London Gazette

[chris4lomond]

Group 321
• 8 x LCT3 from 11 LCT Flotilla carrying DD tanks. LCT3 were not considered suitable for beaching in the assault phase and it was planned that they would launch DD tanks well out to sea. Because it was planned that the DD tanks would form the first wave of the assault it was essential that they should have assistance with navigation and station keeping off the beaches
• 3 x LCP(L) Navigation, 196, 172 and 167, joined from Hamble. These were to lead the DD tanks to as near the shore as possible. They carried navigation equipment and some were armoured
• LCP(Sy) 290 joined from Hamble. These survey craft were similar to the LCP(L) Navigation but were intended to follow the DD tanks and check their line of approach. They would then carry out survey work on the beaches
• LCP(L) 179 joined from Hamble. Possibly standing in as LCP(Sy)
• 6 x LCP(L) from 702 Flotilla joined from Hamble. These were to lay smoke if requested
to cover the DD launching position
• LCH 239 carrying Deputy Senior Officer Assault Group - Nan White.
• ML 903 carrying Flotilla Officer, 11 LCT Flotilla who is also Deputy Senior Officer Group
321. This was to follow the DD wave and maintain communications[/color]
• 6 x LCP(L) from 702 Flotilla joined from Hamble. These were to lay smoke for
bombardment ships
Passing South Gate at H-16 hours, 20 min Speed 8 knots to Buoy BB then 5 knots

[timberwoods]

It's taken me a while, but now I have found the CFV site I can add that my late father was Sub Lt Ron Woods, who served on ML 903 throughout her service. I have models of the motor launch as built by my father, both in her original form (which I believe only lasted for 10 days or so) and after she was rebuilt with a radar tower, along with another 5 MLs. The height and weight of the tower made her pitch and roll somewhat, but as I understand it, meant that she was able to adopt a tactical role among other ships not so fitted. I had the impression that this was particularly important at Walcheren, but suspect it was similarly so on D-Day.
When she was decommissioned in 1946, my father rescued the ship's bell, and I was able to have it rung at the Centenary of the Armistice last year, on the front of a locomotive that had been built for use in the trenches. It may have been an odd role for 903's bell, but it helped make a link between the two world wars.
Tim Woods (Rev'd)