London Branch have been informed of the death of shipmate Ioan Telford Hughes. A member of the former Coastal Forces Veterans Association, he 'crossed the bar' on 26th October, 2016. Ioan served as Midshipman, and then later Sub-Lieutenant on MLs 452, 1236, and 1254. ML 452, was completed in January 1942, and formed part of the 21st Motor Launch Flotilla.

Based at Dover, the motor launch participated in Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord, which was the D-Day landings of June 1944, and worked in the assault area therafter, mounting anti-midget submarine patrols at one time to assist in keeping the anchorages safe.

He remained in the Navy after the war, serving in destroyers in the Mediterranean, including the Hunt-class HMS Stevenstone, which was a member of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla. He went on to train as a volunteer frogman under Commander Lionel 'Buster' Crabb RNVR GM OBE. Crabb had earlier removed limpet mines attached by Italian frogmen to Royal Naval ships in harbour at Gibraltar during the war, before going on to perform the same duties at Haifa, on mines laid by Jewish underground groups there.

Ioan will be sadly missed by all his family

Lest we forget