Hi, I have been writing up my father's war time record and experiences and wanted to share some info and also provide some photos. I would also like to ask a few questions about where to get any further information.
His posting to Coastal Forces came in October 1941 having passed a Board. (His first year in the RNVR was on HMS Hood and he was one of the "Lucky 13" taken off 5 days before she was sunk).
He joined ML 346, as 1st Lt under Alec Fear and they were involved in the Dieppe Raid, about which he has written quite a detailed account. They took commandos into Yellow 1 Beach at Berneval and were surprised by a German convoy. Both he and Alec Fear were mentioned in Despatches for this. I believe they were part of the 23rd Flotilla and would like to know how the flotillas worked. I have the original coast line photos used to identify all the beaches. Would they be of interest?
After Dieppe he was given command of ML 549 and for at least part of this time his crew were
Brooks -his Sparks
Beech - his coxswain
Mark Wanklin - his1st Lt
I know that they were off Omaha Beach on D Day but not sure what their role was.
I have several messages, one of which says that "RML 549 will take RML 548, HMS "Elfin", Sedulous, Reflect, Doonie Braes and Tweenways under his orders and be in position etc etc....." This was for a sleeve target test. Do these names refer to other MLs?
He went to Freetown in Sierra Leone on ML256 in 1945, I think to decommission her.
I have attached the following photos and would love to hear from anyone else who is connected to these MLs
A photo of the crew of 549(taken at Greenock - "ammunitioning prior to going to Plymouth for the invasion" taken in March 1944
A photo of ML 548 and 549 taken at Thorshavn in the Faroes in Sep 1943 - the ships first birthday - hence the flags