Memoirs

Day In Night Out

Donald Gould Bradford was Senior Officer of Flotilla of the 55th MTB Flotilla which operated out of Great Yarmouth on the East Coast. He was awarded a DSO, DSC and two bars, and was twice mentioned in dispatches.

If I Only Had Known

The following chapter from the autobiography If Only I Had Known is remarkable for the insight it provides into the incident packed life of its author, Leading Seaman Ken Forrester P/JX295085 of Coastal Forces. Ken served aboard MTBs 606, 632 and 771, all members of the 55th MTB Flotilla based at Great Yarmouth, which was renowned for its spirited and aggressive actions against enemy forces in the North Sea and English Channel. Read More

Len Couzens War Years

Len served on MGB 324, a Fairmile ‘C’ Class gunboat of the First Coastal Forces Flotilla, which was involved in clandestine operations on the occupied French coastline, and in helping to guard the D-Day anchorages Read More

Leonard Abrams – My Dad

Written by his daughter, Margaret Ridge, Leonard Abrams' story illustrates the contribution regular 'big ship' naval personnel could make on being drafted into Coastal Forces. As coxswain of an ML in the Mediterranean, he would have proved a valuable asset to the boat's young officers and crew, being an experienced hand they could have relied upon for leadership and support Read More