Royal Naval Patrol Service

[The Sailor]

The Royal Naval Patrol Service (RNPS) was a branch of the Royal Navy active during the Second World War. The RNPS operated many small auxiliary vessels such as trawlers for anti-submarine and minesweeping operations to protect coastal Britain and convoys during WWII.

Harry Tate's Navy, as it was more popularly known, was a special service with its own rules and regulations and the unique distinction of having its own exclusive Silver Badge, worn by sea-going officers. The website contains information for veterans - as well as their stories.

The Royal Naval Patrol Service had its origins in the trawlermen and fisherman who belonged to the Royal Naval Reserve Trawler Section in the period leading up to the war. When the Royal Naval Reserves were mobilised in August 1939, HMS Europa, usually known as Sparrow's Nest, became the Central Depot of the RNPS. Sparrow's Nest was located at Lowestoft, the most easterly point of Great Britain, and then the closest British military establishment to the enemy.

This eventually became the administrative headquarters for more than 70,000 men and 6,000 boats which included trawlers, whalers, drifters, MFVs (Motor Fishing Vessels), MLs (Motor Launches), and later MMS (Motor Minesweepers or "Mickey Mouses"), American produced BYMS (British Yard MineSweepers) and numerous requisitioned vessels.

Sparrow's Nest was decommissioned in 1946.

Between 1942 and its decommissioning in 1946 new construction ships and craft manned by the Service totaled 1,637 of various kinds including converted trawlers, corvettes, fuel carriers, motor launches and naval seaplane tenders. Of this total, from September 1939 through to May 1945, approximately 260 trawlers were lost in action... This material loss however pales into insignificance when compared to the 15,000 or so, RNPS personnel who were killed during WWII and the 2385 RNPS seaman who "have no known grave but the sea".

Harry Tate's Navy

Royal Naval Patrol Service Memorial.
The advantages of using small ships for minesweeping and other duties had been recognised during the First World War and many of the crews of the peacetime fishing fleets had been encouraged to join the Royal Naval Reserve. Because the majority were Reservists the RNPS became a "Navy within a Navy".

Starting out with out-dated and poorly armed vessels, such as requisitioned trawlers crewed by ex-fishermen, the RNPS was given a number of unofficial titles which poked fun, such as "Harry Tate's Navy", "Churchill's Pirates" and "Sparrows".

The name 'Harry Tates' dates back to the First World War and was used as jargon for anything clumsy and amateurish. It originated from an old music hall entertainer who would play the clumsy comic who couldn't get to grips with various contraptions. His act included a car that gradually fell apart around him. By the start of WW2 it had been adopted by the Royal Navy and used for the purpose of poking fun at the trawlers and drifters of the Royal Naval Patrol Service. In true RNPS style they took it on the chin and the title of Harry Tate's Navy was proudly adopted. As the war went on it was to become a worthy password for courage.

Because the peacetime crews become Naval seamen together they developed a special camaraderie. This camaraderie continued in the Service throughout WWII, even though by the end most RNPS members were "hostilities only" who had had little connection with the sea before the war.

Operations

The RNPS fought in all theatres of the war, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, from the Atlantic to the Far East, involved in convoy duty, minesweeping and anti-submarine work. Most particularly they kept the British Coast clear of the mines that were wreaking havoc with merchant ships
One RNPS member, Lieutenant Richard Stannard won the Victoria Cross. He won the award while in command of the Hull trawler Arab during the Narvik campaign.

Boats of the RNPS

Its fighting fleet consisted of hundreds of requisitioned trawlers‎, whalers, drifters, paddle steamers, yachts, tugs and the like, "Minor War Vessels" as the Admiralty called them.

[TheDigger]

Another example of the extrodinary measures taken during times of duress and hardship an interesting post and one I am sure our English comrades may be able to expand upon. Thanks Sailor

[stewart mcloughlin]

The RNPS have their own web-site at rnps@lowestoft.org.uk.

One of our village casualties was a member on board a minesweper that came over from the Dutch Navy at the beginning of hostilities, and contact with the association was very useful in building up his biography. They have a museum which is close by the RNPS memorial at Lowestoft (details on CWGC), check web-site for opening hours.

Another of our casualties was on board the minelayer HMS Abdiel, and as they say, those who live by the sword, die by the sword, for she was mined in Taranto Harbour with a large loss of life. Every ship can't be a battleship, but every ship can be a minesweeper, ......once!!!

As you say, they served in many theatres of the War. I came across a group of RNPS graves on the island of Rhodes in the Med. whilst researching another of our casualties.

Stewart

[ceylon220]

My next door father served in the RNPS during WW2, I thought that there would have been a few more photos of these ex fishing vessels on the site, these ships took a very active part in the war years and many were lost,the crews of these ships were mostly ex fishermen and only in the service as HOs(hostilities only) and the best part of them were volunteers, we should`nt forget them, they played their part in winning the war just as the grey funnel ships did.

[ceylon220]

Trawlers that took part in war patrols during WW2 manned by HO ex fishermen and volunteers, these vessels were small and uncomfortable for the crews especially in rough weather but they proved their value some actually sank U-Boats during patrols and many were sunk both by aircraft and submarines, those guys deserved recognition for their bravery but there seems a lack of any mention of their deeds during the war and the action that they took part in.

[ceylon220]

One or two more of the Trawlers which were part of the RNPS during WW2.

[Bill Forster]

Does anybody have a photograph or details of the armoured yacht, HMS ATMAH? There is a photograph in the IWM London with a thumbnail locatable on their site. I have not as yet checked Lloyds Register of yachts for an entry.

I am assuming it was manned by the men of the RNPS but my father, Lt(E) William Redvers Forster RNR, spent a week on it in July 1945. This was the last entry in his service record and I was puzzled at to what he was doing on an armoured yacht for just one week when prior to that he was on destroyers.

Bill Forster

[astraltrader]

Hi Bill - I do own a photograph of Atmah which I show here . It is not the clearest photo in the world - but it is the only one I have!

[Bill Forster]

Thanks, Terry.

It looks like the same oblique aerial view as the one in the IWM Collection but MUCH clearer than the thumbnail on their site. Did you get it from there?

My father, William Redvers Forster (1900-75), served in the RAF in WW1 and on destroyers in WW2 (HMS Venomous) but for 40 years was a marine engineer in the Merchant Navy before retiring to Exmouth in 1961.

I am writing an account of his life which I plan to publish (I used to be in publishing) so if you know anything further about HMS ATMAH please do let me know.

Apologies to others for rambling on so long off thread ...

Bill

[astraltrader]

No Bill - as I think I said I have a postcard sized photograph of it.

[Bill Forster]

No Bill - as I think I said I have a postcard sized photograph of it.

Quite right, on checking again the IWM picture is quite different from yours.

It's quite a big "boat" to be called a yacht & must have had a wealthy owner before being requisitioned by the Navy. Since my father as on it in July 1945 the former owner might have got it back - unless it was scrapped.

Anybody know?

Bill

[astraltrader]

Interesting Bill - I have been unable to find out much about her BUT I did discover that in the 1920`s and 30`s there was a large Yacht called Atmah owned by Baron de Rothschild. I dont know if it is the same but there is a similarity if you look at this picture.
I might be barking up the wrong tree.
Anybody else have a view on this?

[Bill Forster]

It DOES look similar, Terry, and it is such an unusual name that I think it must either be the same ship or its successor. The Rothschild family home, Waddesdon Manor, is a NT property some 20 miles from where I live. I must check & see if they have an archivist.

The Rothschilds were (and still are) a yacht owning family and there is another picture of the ATMAH at Le Havre at: www.rosinelagier.com/ Images/05103_Atmah.jpg

My father would have been amused to learn that he had been aboard the Rothschild's family yacht!

There must be former RNPS men who served aboard it who could tell me more. Does anybody know how I could locate them?

Bill

[Bill Forster]

I have e-mailed the Rothschild Archive about HMS ATMAH & await their eply.

But meanwhile have found its complete history on the web at: http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=766

Fascinating!

But still want to locate those who served on it!

\Bill

[astraltrader]

I thought it had to be the same yacht Bill - I am pleased it was the same Atmah.

[stewart mcloughlin]

Bill,

You can contact the rnps at:-

rnps.lowestoft.org.uk

where they have their museum and memorial.

Stewart

[BigBaldBob]

I live in Lowestoft and would be more than happy to take and post a few shots of the museum and memorial if anybody is interested.

Kind regards

Bob.

[John Brown]

Bob.....we are always keen to see photos of relevant subjects on the forum.


Regards.....John

[Bill Forster]

What I would really like is to find out a little about the wartime role of HMS ATMAH. Rather surprisingly the Rothschild Archive knew nothing:-

---------- snip
Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845-1934) did have a yacht called Atmah.
However, the records we hold related to it are merely reciepts and bills
for its maintenance and date to 1918. We have no record when of what
happened to the yacht after Edmond died in 1934.

After their invasion of France the Nazis confiscated the papers and
files of the Rothschild family and what we currently hold is material
which has been retrieved from this collection via Moscow where the files
ended up after the war

-----------

I am not sure where I could find this. Perhaps from the Navy Historical Banch in Potsmouth? Or a history of he RNPS? Or from a former crew member on HMS ATMAH?

Bill

[astraltrader]

Bill - I know it has nothing to do with the Atmah but I have this interesting postcard of a contemporary yacht which I show here.
Thistle.

[tonclass]

Some additional wartime info. ATMAH was commanded by Lt Cdr (ret) Thomas Stanley Lane FOX-PITT between 30 July 1941 & Dec 1941 when she was an Armed Yacht.

[Bill Forster]

What is your source, Rik? Is he still alive?

I shall look up HMS ATMAH in the quarterly NAVAL LISTS on my next visit to the NA at Kew which should give me the names of its COs - but nothing at all about its wartime role!

Bill

[tonclass]

Bill,

here's where I got the info http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RN_officersF2.html

He died in 1985 aged 98

[Bill Forster]

I should have guessed - it's a great site. And the work of one guy. Amazing!

Even my father (Lt(E) William Redvers Forster RNR) has an entry.

And he wasn't a retired Admiral!

Bill

[pacnep]

Greetings from Olympia Washington State, USA- Im new to this site but have been trying to track down details of my father's sea duty while in the RNVR and serving on various trawlers. First off, Im trying to find more details and especially a photo of the KINGSTON ONYX. Any further info would be appreciated Thanx John
My rough outline of her duties are from various sources:KINGSTON ONYX Off. No 160057 Reg No. H365.
1928: Built for Kingston Steam Trawler Company, 1928 by .Cook, Welton & Gemmill (Beverley, U.K.) Yard # 488 (SISTER SHIPS: KINGSTON GARNET, KINGSTON GARNET, KINGSTON EMERALD, KINGSTON TOPAZ, KINGSTON ONYX)
1939: Requistioned and converted to ABV 8/39 Commissoned 10/27/39
11/23/39 German merchant ship BORKUM (3670grt), which had departed Montevideo on 9 October, was captured by armed merchant cruiser CALIFORNIA on 18 November in the Denmark Strait. Under a prize crew commanded by Lt Cdr B Moloney RNR, BORKUM headed for Greenock via Kirkwall, but on the 23rd was attacked by U.33 and damaged by torpedo and gunfire near the Orkneys in 59_33N, 03_57W. Four German crew members were killed, but the rest of the Germans and British were rescued by armed boarding vessels KINGSTON BERYL and KINGSTON ONYX. The steamer was abandoned, drifted ashore in Papa Sound on the 25th and refloated on 18 August 1940, but as a total loss. She was taken to Rosyth and scrapped.
1940: 1/11/1940 Cruiser COLOMBO Escorted German freighter BERGENSFJORD to Kirkwall after it had been intercepted by HM Trawler KINGSTON ONYX.
KINGSTON ONYX was listed in February 1940 as an Armed Boarding Vessels and part of the Northern Patrol.
7 April 1940: Orkneys and Shetlands Command, Kirkwal, Armed Boarding Trawlers: AQUAMARINE, KINGSTON BERYL, KINGSTON JACINTH, KINGSTON ONYX, KINGSTON PERIDOT, KINGSTON SAPPHIRE, KINGSTON TOPAZ, KINGSTON TURQUOISE, NORTHERN CHIEF, NORTHERN DUKE, NORTHERN FOAM, NORTHERN GIFT, NORTHERN ISLES, NORTHERN PRINCESS, NORTHERN REWARD, NORTHERN SKY, NORTHERN SUN. (17 vessels)
9 April 40 KINGSTON ONYX at Aberdeen with KINGSTON JACINTH, also KINGSTON TURQUOISE and NORTHERN FOAM completed refit April 10.
On April 18 the KINGSTON ONXY and her sister ship the KINGSTON TURQUOISE received orders to the West Faroes where the Swedish ship HAMMAREN had been intercepted. They were to either place an armed guard aboard the ship and she would proceed to the inspection port or if conditions didnt permit they were to escort her to Kirkwall to be more throughly inspected. 4/18/40 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "ST0850/18.4 from F.O.C.N.P.:- 'K.O.' and KINGSTON TURQUOISE move to West Faeroes forthwith. 1 trawler take over Swedish Ship HAMMAREN at rendezvous and if armed guards cannot be placed on board escort to Kirkwall.”
5/12/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1555/12.5 from F.O.C.N.P.:- Rendezvous with CALIFORNIA in position 065°16'N, 012° 56'W at 1800 14/5 and act under her orders. Object to investigate all trawlers met also to visit Fjord between Ripey and Langannoes on E. Coast of Iceland."
5/14/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T2130/14.5 from CALIFORNIA:- 'K.O.' visit Seidis Fiord first, others visited."
5/17/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1050/17.5 from FOCN/P:- Probably you will be required to remain in East Icelandic waters until p.m. 22/5."
5/17/40 KINGSTON ONYX at Iceland with KINGSTON TURQUOISE
5/21/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Leave Iceland," orders for Kirkwall".
5/26/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Depart Kirkwall
5/29/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Sheerness
Report of Proceedings of Northern Patrol 15-31 May 1940: " 3. orders received 24 May that three N.P. trawlers be sent to Sheerness... NORTHERN REWARD, KINGSTON ONYX, KINGSTON BERYL arrive Sheerness 29 May...4. 12 days of fog."
Report of Proceedings of Northern Patrol 1 - 15 July 1940: " KINGSTON ONYX arrived at West Hartlepool July 9 from Sheerness for refit and fitting ASDICS. ...."
7/14/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Southend. 7/14/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1257/ 14.7 from C. in C. Nore:- Request O i/c Sheerness will sail 'K.O.' for Southend forthwith for onward passage to W. Hartlepool." Movement sheet: Depart Sheerness
7/15/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Depart Southend
7/16/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Hartlepool
Report of Proceedings of Northern Patrol 1 - 15 July 1940: " KINGSTON ONYX arrived at West Hartlepool July 9 from Sheerness for refit and fitting ASDICS. ... On 7/15 CIC The Nore was ordered to sail the trawlers ASAP to rejoin the N.P. ...
7/18/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "ST 17.7 (?) S. of D. 18.7 Taken in hand 17.7. Refit and fitting A/S D.U."
7/29/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1418/29.7 from N.O.I/C Hartlepool:- Completes 13.8 Sails 16/8.
8/6/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "ST1015/6.8 from F.O.C.N.A.:- 'K.O. should be sailed for Kirkwall when ready."
KINGSTON ONYX Converted from Armed Boarding Vessel to A/S, then had terrible ballasting problem. Rumored that skipper went out of his mind and was a mental case for the rest of the war. Lund & Ludlum: TRAWERS GO TO WAR, p86
8/16/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Depart Hartlepool for Kirkwall
11/28/1940-(02.)1941 Lt. Richard Walgate RNR assigned to HMS Kingston Onyx (anti-submarine trawler)
1/6/1941 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T0135/6.1 from S.O.N.T.:- Proceed with all dispatch to position 59°09'N 14°40'W to assistance of S.S. EMPIRE THUNDER with survivors."
[At 11.37 hours on 6 Jan, 1941, the EMPIRE THUNDER (Master William Dowell), a straggler from convoy OB-269 due to an engine breakdown, was torpedoed and sunk by U-124 north-northeast of Rockall. Nine crew members were lost. The master and 29 crew members were picked up by the British armed boarding vessel HMS Kingston Onyx (Lt R. Walgate) and landed at Stornoway, Hebrides on 8 January. uboat.net]
1/7/1941 ADM 199/397 War Diaries Orkeys & Shetlands Jan 1 - Dec 31 1941: S.S. EMPIRE THUNDER torpedoed by U-Boat 59°14'N 12°43'W at 1036/6 KINGSTON ONYX picked up 30 survivors from 3 boats but 4th sunk by torpedo 9 of crew missing. K.O. proceeded to Kirkwall.
1/8/1941 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Stornoway.[Outer Hebrides]
1/13/1941 Jack Baldry transfered to H.M.S. VASCAMA from H.M.S.KINGSTON ONYX as Senior Watch Officer
…
1944: Sept 1944 returned to owners in September, 10/9/1945 renamed MOORSOM (GY.119) Parkholme Trawlers, Grimsby.
1945: Renamed WESTHOPE (H.590), owners JC Llewellin, Milford Haven.
1949: New owners St Andrews Steam Fishing Co Ltd., Hull
1956: Broken up at Dunston

Awards:
CORNISH ALBERT RICHARD . HMT KINGSTON ONYX . Skipper 1945 War Service - Tried to ram U Boat twice with his vessel ( Kingston Onyx ? ) ( Bill )
McMILLAN JOHN . HMT KINGSTON ONYX . Seaman 1945 War Service

The Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Meritorious Service:
Seaman John McMillan, D/X.i96i9A, R.N.R., H.M.S. Kingston Onyx.

Those named below have been Commended for brave conduct when their ships encountered enemy ships, aircraft, submarines or mines. Gazette Issue 37219 published on the 10 August 1945
Albert Richard CORNISH, Esq., Skipper, s.t." Kingston Onyx " (Kingston SteamTrawling Company Ltd.)

[stewart mcloughlin]

There might, only might, be a picture of Kingston Onyx just up the road from me at the Fleetwood trawler museum.

Google Kingston Onyx and the second hit should be float-trawlers.lancashire.gov.uk
Click on that and it will take you to the site.
I take it the first hit on Harry Tates Navy site is yours.

For some reason the photograph is copyright protected, but if you e.mail them they may explain why, or you may have to pay for a copy of it.

The site is recommended to anyone doing research into trawlers etc that took up a part-time armed/military career.

Best of luck
Stewart

[pacnep]

Hi Stewart-Many thanx for the lead concerning a photo of the KINGSTON ONYX (1927). Unfortunately when I try to place an order with the Fleetwood Online Achive of Trawlers, their site tells me that "We regret that we are unable to offer ordering facilities at present. This service is currently in development and we hope to be able to make it available soon." So Im emailing them directly.
Their photo of the NORTHERN PRINCESS is actually that of the NORTHERN ISLES (in reverse) taken after a refit in the US and USN paint job. This the NP never had as she was lost south of Newfoundland while on transit from Kirkwall via Iceland and St John's to the USA.
My dad gave me a copy of the same photo of the NI and I believe that it was taken in the South, possibly the Charles River when she was based out of Charleston, SC.
John

[pacnep]

Thanks to a suggestion made to another quester, I checked and found a photo of the KINGSTON ONYX at the Imperial War Museum web site which was not apparent in an earlier search on the web. I appreciate the sharing and encouragement given in this forum. John

[NickJClark]

I have a photograph of HMT Kingston Oynx and would be happy to send you a copy.

Not sure if this is the same photograph from the IWM?

Regards
Nick Clark