RN Motor Torpedo Boats: Vosper Type

[diane]

Moderator Note: There are more pictures of RN Motor Torpedo Boats in the Gallery thread HERE (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2054)


i would like to hear from anyone that served on this vessel in livorno italy.with my dad harry smith.he was mentioned iin dispatches.

[diane]

i would like to hear from anyone with news of crews ect who served on mtb396 and mtb 399.from the 27th flotilla based in livorno in 1944 with my father harry smith.skippers name was john whip.and mtb399 was attacked losing 3 crew members one with the surname young.also news of crews of mgb 693 based in lowestoft in1943.

[diane]

i would like any information of crew members of mtb 396 and 399 fron the 27th flotilla serving in livorno in 1944 skippers name was john whip .mtb 399 was attacked losing 3 crew members one with the surname young.and mgb 693 based in lowestoft in 1943.my father harry smith was a crew member on these vessels.

[Alan B]

Hello Diane
You could try
www.coastal-forces.org.uk

Good luck

Alan

[John Brown]

Diane

Little bit of info on Ordinary Seaman Roy George Charles Young from the CWGC site: He died on 17th Oct 1944 aged 19 whilst serving on MTB 399. His parents were called Amos and Louisa and were from Bognor Regis. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and his service no. is on the site if you want it.

Not much but I hope it helps.

Regards...

[diane]

thanks for the info.if you have any more news of crew members serving on mtb 399 on the 17th oct 1944 i would love to hear from you.

[Ted Else]

Hello Diane
Or try www.bmpt.org.uk
Rgds
Ted

[holmesb4]

The following is an extract from my database.

MTB_396 Robert Jacob Inc, City Island, New York 6/5/44
For actions in the Mediterranean 4/45
MID Lt John Douglas Whipp SANF(V)
MID POMtrMch Edgar Derwent Peat P/MX99737
MID AB Harry Smith P/JX654566
Known Crew
Lt John Douglas Whipp SANF(V)
POMtrMch Edgar Derwent Peat P/MX99737
AB Harry Smith P/JX654566
Wartime Activities
06/05/44 Transferred to Royal Navy under lend lease
4/45 Actions in the Mediterranean
Post War Fate
10/9/45 Returned United States Navy
26/10/45 Destroyed by burning

MTB_399 Robert Jacob Inc, City Island, New York 1/6/44
For an attack on an enemy convoy in the Aegean 8/11/44
MID TSLt Dennis William Lea RNVR
MID LSea John Boland Derby P/JX155660
MID Sto1 Robert Hall D/KX524621
Known Crew
TSLt Dennis William Lea RNVR
LSea John Boland Derby P/JX155660
Ord Roy George Charles Young P/JX 429619 (Died 17/10/44 aged 19 Son of Amos Harry and Louisa Caroline Young, of Bognor Regis, Sussex)
Sto1 Robert Hall D/KX524621
Wartime Activities
01/06/44 Transferred to Royal Navy under lend lease
8/11/44 MTB 307, MTB 397 and MTB 399 in an attack on an enemy convoy in the Aegean. MTB 397 torpedoed a tanker from less than 900 yds. The tanker was also carrying ammunition and exploded.
Post War Fate
16/3/46 Returned United States Navy
24/1/47 Sold to Egypt

Regards
Brian

[finbar]

Hi i'm new to this but stumbled across your website after trying to find info on my great uncle J.T.Valentine who served on mtb 232 if anyone has any more information on anything related i would be grateful to hear from you. Also my grandfather James Leonard Pay was killed on the HOOD, once again I would be grateful of any info however small.

[jbryce1437]

Welcome to the Forum finbar, I hope that someone can help you with your enquiry.

Jim

[harry.gibbon]

Finbar MTB 232 is referred to in this link:-

http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNVR_officersG.html

and also here:-

http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/ww_ii_awards_for_rn_minelaying_G.htm

Little h

[finbar]

Thanks for the links harry

[Salgor]

My mother went to work at Vosper's during the war years and trained as a joiner (or carpenter) and used to work on MTB's. I can remember her telling me that she used to be slung in harness to work on the masts.

This was while my dad was away at sea.

Sally

[holmesb4]

MTB_34 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 13/8/40

For an attack on an enemy convoy in the Dover Straits 3/3/42
MID Lt Hardress Llewellyn Lloyd

For an action off the Dutch coast 19/4/43
DSC TLt Ian Clarence Trelawny RNVR

Known Crew
Lt Hardress Llewelyn Lloyd Commanding Officer MTB 34 based at HMS Beehive 8/40-8/ HMS Frobisher (Training Cruiser) 1935, HMS Delhi (Cruiser) 1935-37, HMS Devonshire (Cruiser) 1937, HMS Encounter (Destroyer) 15/10/38. 42 (Commanding Officer MTB 06) 08/07/39 – 4/40)and Commanding Officer MTB 30 8/42. Assistant Torpedo Officer at HMS Jackdaw (Air Station at Craill, Fife 2/8/43-12/43. Torpedo Officer in HMS Colossus (Aircraft Carrier) 23/2/44 – 46. HMS Dolphin 1946-48, HMS Myngs (Destroyer) 1950, HMS Barossa (Destroyer) in command 1954-56, HMS Vernon in command 1961-63, HMS Tiger (Cruiser) in command 1963-65. Naval ADC to the Queen 1965-66, Commodore Amphibious Forces Far East Fleet 1966. Born 10/10/17 and died at Yeovil in 01/2001. MID 1942, DSC 1942 and CBE 1967

TSLt John Weeden RNVR Joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve [attached London Division RNVR 19/1/37 HMS Floreat III 5/11/39 Spare Officer, 1st MTB Flotilla (HMS Beehive) Commanding Officer MTB 31 01/07/41 Commanding Officer MTB 34 and Senior Officer 4th MTB Flotilla 9/12/42 Commanding Officer MTB 70 1943? DSC 1942 and MID 1943 HMS Musketeer (Destroyer) 29/2/44. Born in Newcastle Under Lyme 5/7/19 and died in Stoke on Trent in August 1997

TLt John Weeden RNVR Commanding Officer MTB 31 01/07/41 joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve [attached London Division RNVR 19/1/37 HMS Floreat III 5/11/39 Spare Officer, 1st MTB Flotilla (HMS Beehive) Commanding Officer MTB 34 and Senior Officer 4th MTB Flotilla 9/12/42 Commanding Officer MTB 70 1943? DSC 1942 and MID 1943

TSLt Kenneth Edward Harris RNVR Commanding Officer 08/08/43 Joined MTB 34 as a SLt and First Lieutenant 09/11/42 Commanding Officer MTB 72 19/4/43 Commanding Officer MTB 1944 Commanding Officer MTB 505 5/45 MID 45
TLt I C Trelawny RNVR Commanding Officer 5/43
TSLt R Varvill RNVR First Lieutenant 14/08/40

TSLt J H Saunders RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 34 12/05/42 Commanding Officer MTB 70 10/12/42 Commanding Officer MTB 244 19/7/43 Commanding Officer MTB 385 5/10/44 DSC 1943

TSLt Douglas Gill RNVR (Spare Officer present in MTB 232 7/8/42) First Lieutenant MTB 232 9/42 First Lieutenant MTB 34 19/4/43 First Lieutenant MTB 31 28/6/43 MTB 225 1944 Commanding Officer MTB 390 20/11/44 DSC 1944

Wartime Activities
3/3/42 MTB 31, MTB 34 and MTB 45 attack a German convoy in the Dover Straits
19/4/43 MTB 34 and MTB 70 are in action off the Dutch coast.
1943 Controlled Target - CT 23

Post War Fate
9/45 For disposal

[keithpeat@btconnect.com]

Hello Diane,
Sorry I missed your thread before, I hope you get this.

My father is Edgar Derwent Peat, and served on MTB 396 during that period as Chief Petty Officer motor mechanic. He also was mentioned in dispatches.
He is alive and well, living in Portsmouth. He has a form of alzheimers, but remembers the war years with clarity.
He was involved with the sea trials of the MTBs that were built in America (as PT boats). PT 384 was built in USA, leased to UK and became MTB 396. If you read this thread, I will be pleased to put you in touch with him if you wish.

[Jeffa4444]

Dad (Thomas Allen KX 179525) was on ML 283 from 23d December 1943 until 14th September 1945 according to his certificate of Service.

IMG 0007 - ML 283
IMG 0008 - Crew below ML 283 (Dad is on the right)
IMG 0009 - Bridge on ML 283
IMG 0010 - ML 283, Venice

[astraltrader]

Great photographs again - could you please see the PM [Private Message] I sent you. :)

[Jeffa4444]

More of ML 283 & two other MLs which the numbers are not visable on.

On IMG0023 looks like my dad is getting his rum ration, I have other ML 283 crew pictures I will post later.

[Brian Holmes2]

ML_283 H J Percival, Horning, Norfolk 25/9/41

Wind up of the war in Europe (Gazette Date - 11/12/45)
MID Tlt Arthur Bowen-Gotham RNVR
MID LMtrMch Francis Richard Brierley P/MX636184

Known Crew
Tlt Arthur Bowen-Gotham RNVR
MID LMtrMch Francis Richard Brierley P/MX636184

Wartime Activities
25th ML Flotilla
Mediterranean
11/42 Operation Torch - Invasion of Algeria
4/43 Anti Submarine patrols based on Algiers and operating from Bougie
9/9/43 Operation Avalanche Salerno Landings
25th ML Flotilla
ML 238, ML 273, ML 283

Post War Fate
10/12/45 Italian Navy

Looks like this puts a name ti the officer in one of the pictures

[Jeffa4444]

IMG 0005 This picture was with others that had either Rab or Vis Island written on them although that may not be where this was taken, including craft picture taken from and one on edge to the right there are eight MTBs.
IMG 008 must have been taken between March 1946 & July 1947 when my Father was on both MTB 526 & 529 as A/L.Sto and then as L.Sto
All the other shots cannot tell what craft they were some could be when he was on MTB 750 between July 1947 & October 1947.

[astraltrader]

Some more interesting shots Jeffa - many thanks for these. :)

[limeybiker]

IMG 0005 This picture was with others that had either Rab or Vis Island written on them although that may not be where this was taken, including craft picture taken from and one on edge to the right there are eight MTBs.
IMG 008 must have been taken between March 1946 & July 1947 when my Father was on both MTB 526 & 529 as A/L.Sto and then as L.Sto
All the other shots cannot tell what craft they were some could be when he was on MTB 750 between July 1947 & October 1947.

Great Pics, my dad was on MGB's in Northern Ireland, when WWII ended, wish I had asked him about his time there, he never volounteered anything.

[Jeffa4444]

MTB 523 was a Vosper photograph the others all have Charles Aunt written on them in my Father writing.

[CE REYC]

When I had a cutter moored at Tollesbury, Essex a neighbouring houseboat owned by Terry 1 named Gemini was the former MTB 22. The attached picture shows the boat in training before the outbreak of war in 1939.

[Creese]

Hello Alan, this is a great photo, the P1026 was a MTB526 (launched 30.03.1945), renamed after the war as FPB1026 (Fast Patrol Boat) with the pendant number P1026. Best regards, Kris.

[alanbenn]

Kris, thanks for the info regarding the photo. I was looking through my other photo's and came across MTB 527 renamed P1027 so I suspected it maybe the case with this MTB, you have confirmed what I thought.

Regards
Alan

[Brian Holmes2]

Not much info but you were right MTB 526

MTB_526 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 2/1/46
Post War Fate
1949 Denmark = MTB1026
11/56-10/58 Hulk

[Jeffa4444]

My father was on MTB 523 & 525 late 1945 & 1946 before moving onto MTB 750. These pictures show MTB 527 (taken from MTB 525) and MTB 525 at Portsmouth.

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_525 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 31/10/45
Post War Fate
1949 Denmark = MTB1025
9/54 For disposal

MTB_527 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 28/2/46
Post War Fate
1949 Denmark = MTB1027
1952 FC26
24/1/58 Sold

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_70 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 4/6/40

For an action with enemy torpedo boats off the Belgian coast 8/6/42
DSC TSLt Thomas Neill RNVR
DSM CMtrMch George Albert Williams P/MX66384
DSM PO Thomas Stanley Pennington P/JX131398
MID TASLt Godfrey Ronald Price RNVR

For an action off the Dutch coast 18/1/43
MID TLt John Weeden RNVR

For an action off the Dutch coast 19/4/43
DSC TSLt John Herbert Saunders RNVR


Known Crew
Lt J B King-Church (Commanding Officer and Senior Officer 11th MTB Flotilla)
Lt M J A Keyworth
TLt M A Pryor RNVR Commanding Officer 03/12/41
TSLt J H Saunders RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 34 12/05/42 Commanding Officer MTB 70 10/12/42 Commanding Officer MTB 244 19/7/43 TLt 4/6/44 Commanding Officer MTB 385 5/10/44 DSC 1943 HMS Bambara (Naval Air Station, Trincomalee) 1946
TSLt John Weeden RNVR Joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve [attached London Division RNVR 19/1/37 HMS Floreat III 5/11/39 Spare Officer, 1st MTB Flotilla (HMS Beehive) Commanding Officer MTB 31 01/07/41 Commanding Officer MTB 34 and Senior Officer 4th MTB Flotilla 9/12/42 Commanding Officer MTB 70 1943? DSC 1942 and MID 1943 HMS Musketeer (Destroyer) 29/2/44. Born in Newcastle Under Lyme 5/7/19 and died in Stoke on Trent in August 1997
TSLt Thomas Neill RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 18 07/10/40,Commanding Officer MTB 14 12/41, Commanding Officer MTB 70 1942, Commanding Officer MTB 223 6/8/42, TLt 29/1/43, Commanding Officer MTB 42 26/2/44 DSC 1942 Born 1920
TSLt R Jefferson RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 70 09/12/42 First Lieutenant MTB 358 8/43 HMS Liverpool (Cruiser) 4/7/45 – 46
TASLt Godfrey Ronald Price RNVR First Lieutenant 31/01/42
CMtrMch George Albert Williams P/MX66384
PO Thomas Stanley Pennington P/JX131398

Wartime Activities
Under construction for Greece = T3
1940 Requisitioned by RN
10/6/40 At Portland
21/6/40 11th MTB Flotilla (Dover)
Whilst attempting to rescue a German pilot, MTB 70 is attacked by a German aircraft forcing the attempt to be abandoned. The boat sped off towing a crew member behind who had jumped in, attached by a line, to rescue the pilot.
25/7/40 HMS Boreas and HMS Brilliant, MTB 69 and MTB 70 are in action with S 19, S 20 and S 27 attacking convoy CW 8. The S boats were forced to retire behind a smokescreen but returned to sink three vessels. All four RN vessels were damaged by strafing and both destroyers were damaged by dive bombing. British coasters Lulonga (821 tons) 10 miles south of Shoreham, Broadhurst (1013 tons) 14 miles southwest of Shoreham and London Trader (646 tons) 13 miles southwest of Shoreham were sunk in the action
S27 torpedoes and sinks French passenger vessel Meknes which was repatriating 1100 servicemen from England to Marseilles. Nearly 400 (700) lives were lost. The passage had not been notified to the Germans.
With MTB 69 and MTB 72, in action with six German S Boats off Cap Griz Nez, France
11th MTB Flotilla
MTB 49, MTB 50, MTB 51, MTB 52, MTB 53, MTB 54, MTB 69, MTB 70, MTB 71, MTB 72, MTB 102, MTB 105 and Dutch MTB 5
7/41 At Dover
4th MTB Flotilla
MTB 30, MTB 31, MTB 32, MTB 34. MTB 69, MTB 70
6-7/6/42 MTB 30 (Senior Officer embarked), MTB 70, MTB 72 and MTB 241 are in action with torpedo boats. MTB 70 hits and sinks a torpedo boat with a torpedo. MTB 30 and MTB 70 are damaged by return fire. MTB 72 and MTB 241 attack E Boats and a large barge.
8/6/42 Action with enemy torpedo boats off the Belgian coast
6/10/42 MGB, 75, MGB 76, MTB 29, MTB 30, MTB 70 and MTB 72 are sent to intercept a large merchant vessel reported north east of Boulogne and encounter R77 – R88 with M21, M25, M38 and M153. MGB 76 comes under fire from R77, R83, R85 and R87, is hit in the petrol tank compartment and set on fire. There is an explosion and MGB 76 eventually sinks.
MTB 29 sinks after a collision.
18-9/1/43 MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 in one division and MTB 69 and MTB 70 in a second division encounter two armed trawlers off the Hook of Holland. MTB 224 sights a third, larger, target and attacks firing one torpedo. The torpedo hits Harbour Defence Vessel Deli (161 tons) which explodes. MTB 69 and MTB 70 attack and hit a trawler.
19/4/43 MTB 34 and MTB 70 are in action off the Dutch coast
1943 Controlled Target - CT 19

Post War Fate
9/45 For disposal
Houseboat = Chrysalis

[john derby]

i would like any information of crew members of mtb 396 and 399 fron the 27th flotilla serving in livorno in 1944 skippers my namname was john whip .mtb 399 was attacked losing 3 crew members one with the surname young.and mgb 693 based in lowestoft in 1943.my father harry smith was a crew member on these vessels.

Hello Diane my name is John Boland Derby Iwas coxswain of MTB 399 & Mtb 396 in that order I knew your father Harry Smith very well, Iwas on Mtb396 right up to when we paid of in Malta after the war was finished, If you want any more information please get in touch. My email address is jderby100@talktalk.net

[alanbenn]

John, welcome to the forum and a big thank you for making this post, sadly Diane has not re-visited the forum since asking for this info in 2008, I have however sent her an email at the last email address we know of in the hope she may get the message and check out your post.

Regards
Alan

[john derby]

Thankyou Alan, I have only recently come on line., so only saw Dianes message a few days ago.Anyway she has got my Email address, so lets hope that she gets in touch. Thankyou very much again. Johyn Derby

[David Verghese]

MTB 228

A picture taken in 1943 (sorry about quality) of MTB 228 commanded by then Ty Lt. E. Higginson RNVR. It was operating out of HMS Hornet at Portsmouth.

This officer commanded MTB 247 from 7 Jan.-August 1944 under command of HMS COPRA (Combined Operations) and presumably served in Operation Neptune, Normandy. Earlier in the war he had commanded MTB 342 on the W.I. Station when she was damaged 20 July 1942 by a U-boat laid mine.

David


Moderator Note: Details concerning MTB247 moved to THIS THREAD (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11812&highlight=motor+torpedo)

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_228 H McLean, Renfrew 22/5/43

Known Crew
TLt A P Higginson RNVR Commanding Officer 19/4/43
TLt B Easton RNVR Commanding Officer 28/2/44
TLt J H E Ellis RNVR Commanding Officer 3/5/44
TSLt P Burrell RNVR First Lieutenant 19/4/43 – 20/11/43
TSLt J B Robertson RNVR First Lieutenant 20/11/43
TMid G H Powell RNVR First Lieutenant 15/5/44

Wartime Activities
Based at HMS St Christopher, Fort William for training purposes

Post War Fate
1/47 For disposal

The land in the picture looks more reminiscent of HMS St Christopher

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_228 H McLean, Renfrew 22/5/43

Known Crew
TLt A P Higginson RNVR Commanding Officer 19/4/43
TLt B Easton RNVR Commanding Officer 28/2/44
TLt J H E Ellis RNVR Commanding Officer 3/5/44
TSLt P Burrell RNVR First Lieutenant 19/4/43 – 20/11/43
TSLt J B Robertson RNVR First Lieutenant 20/11/43
TMid G H Powell RNVR First Lieutenant 15/5/44

Wartime Activities
Based at HMS St Christopher, Fort William for training purposes

Post War Fate
1/47 For disposal

[David Verghese]

MTB_228 H McLean, Renfrew 22/5/43

Known Crew
TLt A P Higginson RNVR Commanding Officer 19/4/43
TLt B Easton RNVR Commanding Officer 28/2/44
TLt J H E Ellis RNVR Commanding Officer 3/5/44
TSLt P Burrell RNVR First Lieutenant 19/4/43 – 20/11/43
TSLt J B Robertson RNVR First Lieutenant 20/11/43
TMid G H Powell RNVR First Lieutenant 15/5/44

Wartime Activities
Based at HMS St Christopher, Fort William for training purposes

Post War Fate
1/47 For disposal

Brian

Thanks for responding to this posting.

You may wish to make a note in your records that the 'A P Higginson' is a mistake on the Unithistories website. I know the family and he was most definitely Eric Peter ie E.P.Higginson.
His RNVR record does show him taking charge of MTB 228 at HMS Hornet near Gosport. The landscape of the small picture could be in Scotland (did you think Loch Linnie in the vicinity of St. Christopher training base?) or elsewhere.

There is a very nice model of MTB 228 1:24 scale, made by the Hugh Mclean & Co. boatyard, currently housed in the store of the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre. it was on display at the Glasgow Transport Museum but was not retained for viewing at the new Riverside Museum which seems to have replaced the former. The problem for the casual visitor to the GMRC is that you have to give at least one to two days notice to see it!

Thanks also for the comment on MTB 247. There was a mistake in my post because I misread his record sheet, in that E.P. Higginson joined MTB 247 on 7 August at Newhaven (HMS Aggressive shorebase) - for seven weeks.

David

[Jeffa4444]

More info on ML 283 written by S/M Gerry Smart:-


HMML 283
‘B’ Type Fairmile Motor Launch
Length: 112’. Beam: 18’3’’. Draught: 4’10’’ (Fwd) 5’ (Aft).
Engines: 2 x Hall-Scott Defenders (each 600 bhp max).
Speed: 20 knots max, Displacement: 67 tons.
Armament: 3 pounder Fwd (changed to 40 mm Bofors in 1944),
2 twin .303 Lewis guns either side of the bridge & 2 single 20 mm Oerlikons.

The following submission by S/M Gerry Smart

I joined HMML 283 in October 1942 and sailed in company with other MLs through the Firth of Clyde into the Irish Sea and then after exercising, onto Milford Haven. Over the next couple of weeks, with 7 others, the 25th ML Flotilla was formed. On 4th November with an RN sloop as navigational ship, we sailed for Gibraltar to refuel and replenish stores and then onto Malta. A heart stopping moment came when on November 6th, while sitting on the wardroom hatch; I saw a fleet of ships on the horizon. I reported it to the bridge and was promptly told to forget it. We didn’t know at the time that we were looking at a vast invasion fleet
After guiding landing craft to within a couple of hundred yards of the beaches around Algiers, we tied up and for the next few weeks did anti submarine patrols across Algiers Bay. We were then sent eastwards along the North African coast, stopping off and working out of various ports. One evening, after leaving Phillipeville for our anti submarine patrol, we were attacked by four German bombers. We watched in horror as two torpedoes came toward us and disappeared under the boat. They exploded harmlessly among rocks ashore. Still carrying our extra petrol tanks, we must have looked like a destroyer to the Germans.
ML 283 spent one night in Bone which at the time was the most forward port for unloading of supplies. We were sent down the end of the harbour and just as well, as Bone was heavily bombed that night. It was a horrendous sight the next morning, hardly anything was left intact and the servicemen taking supplies away had never stood a chance. A sight I have never forgotten.
In August 1943, the flotilla mustered in Tripoli and from there we escorted LSTs to Sicily. On September 9th the flotilla took landing craft to the beaches of Salerno and our main job then was escorting tankers from Salerno to Messina. After a short break for Christmas in Malta, we were off to the Adriatic, first to Brindisi and then Bari. ML283 worked out of Bari on escort duties for a couple of months, to and from Manfridonia.
In December 1944 I was drafted ashore in Malta to await transport back to UK. I embarked on HMS Berwick and after sailing at top speed, arrived in the Clyde on the 23rd. Thanks to the wrens at HMS Hornet, who did the paper work, I managed to get home for Christmas and 3 months Foreign Service leave.

[RogerP]

Hello everyone, in particular Brian Holmes,

I just read about LCdr Jim Macdonald DSO, DSC**, MiD (2), RNZNVR in the NZ ships section and seek info on the above two MTBs, both Vosper types please.

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_31 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 5/7/40

For the sinking of two enemy trawlers in the Dover Straits in October 1940
MID ALt Denis Jermain

For damaging the enemy merchant ship Santos off Flushing 30/11/40
DSC ALt Denis Jermain
DSM PO Edward William Mathews 7107C - RNR
MID TSLt Paul Alured Berthon RNVR
MID ALTel William Dennis Mitchell Squibb P/J138448

For attack on an enemy convoy in the Dover Straits 3/3/42
DSC TSLt John Weeden RNVR
DSC TASLt George James Macdonald RNZNVR
DSM PO Henry Unsworth D/J102468
DSM Tel James Alec Hirst P/JX211852
MID LSto Geoffrey Horace Monk P/KX87045
MID Tel Ninian McLaughlin D/JX232698

Known Crew
ALt Denis Jermain Commanding Officer MTB 19 9/39 Commanding Officer MTB 31 MID 1940 DSC 1941 MTB 315 MID 1942 10th MTB Flotilla MID 1943 Commanding Officer MTB 309 & Senior Officer 15th MTB Flotilla DSC* 1943
TSLt Paul Alured Berthon RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 30 09/40 Commanding Officer MTB 31 11/40 – 11/41 Commanding Officer MTB 46 23/03/42 Commanding Officer MTB 219 DSC 1941 MID 1940 HMS Hornet 1945

TSLt John Weeden RNVR Joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve [attached London Division RNVR 19/1/37 HMS Floreat III 5/11/39 Spare Officer, 1st MTB Flotilla (HMS Beehive) Commanding Officer MTB 31 01/07/41 Commanding Officer MTB 34 and Senior Officer 4th MTB Flotilla 9/12/42 Commanding Officer MTB 70 1943? DSC 1942 and MID 1943 HMS Musketeer (Destroyer) 29/2/44. Born in Newcastle Under Lyme 5/7/19 and died in Stoke on Trent in August 1997
TSLt Arthur James Aitcheson Rickards RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 14 12/41, Commanding Officer MTB 31 12/42, Commanding Officer MTB 359 14/9/43, HMS Wasp 24/1/44. TLt 7/2/44 MID 1944 Born 16/6/2o and died 5/5/05 in Kendal, Westmorland.
TLt Oliver Band Mabee RCNVR TSLt 30/12/40 First Lieutenant MTB 31 8/6/41 TLt 30/6/41 Commanding Officer MTB 71 Commanding Officer MTB 700 19/8/43 Commanding Officer MTB 745 15/1/44 Born in 1918
TSLt P T W Beck RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 36 13/06/42 First Lieutenant MTB 31 12/42

TSLt Douglas George Gill RNVR (Spare Officer present in MTB 232 7/8/42) First Lieutenant MTB 232 9/42 First Lieutenant MTB 34 19/4/43 First Lieutenant MTB 31 28/6/43 MTB 225 1944 TLt 1/9/44 Commanding Officer MTB 390 20/11/44 DSC 1944

TSLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR As an Ordinary Seaman he was a gunner in DEMS Trienze and Fordsdale HMS King Alfred (RNVR officers' training establishments, Hove & Lancing, Sussex) & Coastal Forces training, HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William) TMid 5/41 First Lieutenant MTB 14 28/7/41 TASLt 30/9/41 First Lieutenant MTB 31, Commanding Officer MTB 241 23/3/42 Senior Officer, 21st MTB Flotilla 9/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 MTB 234 1944 TLt 1/10/44 Commanding Officer MTB 393 and Senior Officer, 31st MTB Flotilla 3/12/44 HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) TALtCdr DSO 1944, DSC in 1942,1943 and 1944, MID in 1944 and 1945 Born 30/9/21 in Wellington and died in Wellington 22/1/82
CMtrMch Jack Fitzjohn P/MX 69690 Killed in action 4/3/42 Aged 27 Son of John and Harriet Fitzjohn; husband of Olive May Fitzjohn, of Leicester.
PO Edward William Mathews 7107C - RNR
PO Henry Unsworth D/J102468 MTB 15 MID 1940 MTB 31 DSM 1942
AB John Joseph Corcoran P/JX 195583 Killed in action 4/3/42 Age 22 Son of William and Bridget Tobin Corcoran, of Glasgow
AB Frederick Henry Keith Jackson P/JX 133983 Killed in action 3/3/42 Age 27 Son of J. L. Bernard and Ruby H. Jackson, of Coverack, Cornwall; husband of Queenie Jackson. His brother Lionel Bernard also died on service Buried in Dover St James’s Cemetery Row G. Joint grave 32
LSto Geoffrey Horace Monk P/KX87045
ALTel William Dennis Mitchell Squibb P/J138448
Tel James Alec Hirst P/JX211852
Tel Ninian McLaughlin D/JX232698

Wartime Activities
4th MTB Flotilla
Felixstowe
On passage, alone, in swept channels, it was observed that mines grounded on sandbanks were being detonated by her passage. This was investigated by a party from HMS Vernon which determined that the German’s had operational acoustic mines.
8/40 Minelaying destroyers HMS Express, HMS Esk and HMS Ivanhoe were mined in an uncharted minefield off Texel. HMS Esk is sunk with only one survivor. Tugs, minesweepers, HMS Jupiter, MTB 14, MTB 15, MTB 16, MTB 17, MTB 29, MTB 30 and MTB 31 are involved in the rescue of survivors. MTBs pick up survivors and return them to the UK. Attempts to scuttle HMS Ivanhoe fail and MTB 15 sinks HMS Ivanhoe with a torpedo.
Minelaying operations off enemy occupied coasts
11/10/40 HMS Erebus is due to conduct a bombardment from the vicinity of Kwine Bank Buoy. MTB 22, MTB 31 and MTB 32 are part of the covering force. MTB 22, MTB 31 and MTB 32 encounter and sink German trawlers Nordenham and Brandenburg off Calais. MTB 31 despatches one trawler using a depth charge dropped under the bow.
30/11/40 MTB 31 damages and sinks the German merchant ship Santos (5943 GRT) with depth charges off Flushing l, but is later raised and returned to service
18/12/40 MTB 30, MTB 31 and another MTB from 4th MTB Flotilla with the Flotilla leader aboard are to investigate Flushing but the third MTB breaks down and returns to harbour. MTB 30 and MTB 31 encounter an anchored German convoy off the River Scheldt whilst running on main engines. MTB 31 misses with torpedoes fired by hand and drops two depth charges below the freighter Birkenfels ( 6322 tons) causing the vessel to sink. MTB 31 goes so close to the ship that her bow touches. MTB 30 is hit by gunfire with all hydraulic equipment out of action as well as steering and torpedo launching gear. MTB 30 loses contact and returns to harbour.
12/40 MTB 32, MTB 29 and MTB 31 investigate Flushing and encounter a large anchored merchant ship. MTB 29 and MTB 32 fire one torpedo each and both hit. The merchant ship sinks. MTB 32 encounters a flak trawler and engages with gunfire.
3/42 Based at Dover
3/3/42 MTB 31, MTB 34 and MTB 45 attack a German convoy in the Dover Straits. MTB 31 had made a solo attack on a German convoy, sinking one ship, but the boat was then surrounded by enemy craft and set on fire. The First Lieutenant supervised the placing of the wounded, including his CO, in a Carley float as they abandoned the vessel ... After a time the fire in the MTB abated and Macdonald swam back to board the MTB and fight the fire, enabling the boat to be saved.
MGB 322 and MGB 330 are despatched from Dover to the assistance of MTB 31 on fire near the North-east Varne buoy. They find MTB 31 and MGB 330 is directed to recover survivors from the raft about a quarter mile to the east. MGB 322 passes hoses across to MTB 31. SLt H Teekman RCNVR (Maintenance Officer from HMS Wasp) boards MTB 31 to lead the fire party. The fire is under control and the engine room and tiller flat were slowly flooding. MGB 322 takes MTB 31 in tow alongside. The two boats enter Dover with the stern of MTB 31 two feet under water. MTB 31 is beached in the entrance to Wellington Dock.
4th MTB Flotilla
MTB 30, MTB 31, MTB 32, MTB 34. MTB 69, MTB 70
1943 Controlled Target - CT 22

Post War Fate
1/46 For disposal

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_241 Morgan Giles, Teignmouth 30/3/42

For action with enemy torpedo boats off the Belgian coast 6/6/42
MID AB Cecil Hope Harry P/JX158529

For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43
DSC* TSLt George James Macdonald RNZNVR
DSM TPO Edwin John White D/JX144769
MID AB Cecil Hope Harry P/JX158529

For an action in the Nore Command area 30/3/44
DSM CMtrMch Edward Waite P/MX89158
MID ALSto Leslie Frank Collier C/KX156138
MID ALSto Ralph Thompson P/KX119338

Known Crew

TSLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR As an Ordinary Seaman he was a gunner in DEMS Trienze and Fordsdale HMS King Alfred (RNVR officers' training establishments, Hove & Lancing, Sussex) & Coastal Forces training, HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William) TMid 5/41 First Lieutenant MTB 14 28/7/41 TASLt 30/9/41 First Lieutenant MTB 31, Commanding Officer MTB 241 23/3/42 Senior Officer, 21st MTB Flotilla 9/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 MTB 234 1944 TLt 1/10/44 Commanding Officer MTB 393 and Senior Officer, 31st MTB Flotilla 3/12/44 HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) TALtCdr DSO 1944, DSC in 1942,1943 and 1944, MID in 1944 and 1945 Born 30/9/21 in Wellington and died in Wellington 22/1/82

SLt Henry George Franklin First Lieutenant MTB 244 3/42, First Lieutenant MTB 241 10/7/42 Commanding Officer MTB 69 10/3/43 Commanding Officer MTB 350 2/8/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 TLt 1/11/44 Commanding Officer MTB 500 14/3/45 Commanding Officer MTB 508 22/11/45 Born in Lambeth 10/7/22 and died in Bodmin district, Cornwall 12/89
TSLt David Walter Moore RNVR MTB 234 First Lieutenant MTB 241 10/3/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 First Lieutenant MTB 393 3/12/44 TLt 6/5/45
CMtrMch Arthur Dorner (Subsequently commissioned)
CMtrMch Edward Waite P/MX89158
TPO Edwin John White D/JX144769 (Coxswain) MTB 241 DSM 1943 MTB 234 MID 1944
ALSto Leslie Frank Collier C/KX156138
ALSto Ralph Thompson P/KX119338
AB Cecil Hope Harry P/JX158529 (Seaman Gunner 47 years old in 1942 (Wounded)

Wartime Activities
21st MTB Flotilla
Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich
6-7/6/42 MTB 30 (Senior Officer embarked), MTB 70, MTB 72 and MTB 241 are in action with torpedo boats. MTB 70 hits and sinks a torpedo boat with a torpedo. MTB 30 and MTB 70 are damaged by return fire. MTB 72 and MTB 241 attack E Boats and a large barge.
21/6/42 MTB 72 and MTB 241, on patrol off the Belgian coast, encounter two armed trawlers. MTB 241 makes a contact report. MTB 72 and MTB 241 close with the intention of attacking with a single torpedo each. There is an exchange of fire and contact is lost.
7/8/42 MTB 232, MTB 237 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 are despatched to patrol off Cap Barfleur. Intelligence predicts that the ocean going tug Oceanie will pass whilst under escort from Cherbourg to Le Havre. Running silent MTB 232, MTB 237 and MTB 241 enter the Baie de la Seine. A convoy is sighted on the starboard beam and MTB 232, MTB 237 and MTB 241 attack. The convoy consists of the tug Oceanie escorted by RA 2, VP 1520, M3800, M3820, M3821 and M3824 on a course of 100 degrees and en route from Cherbourg to Le Havre.
Several German vessels flash a morse “L” as a challenge before opening fire. MTB 232 and MTB 237 pass between RA 2 and M3821. MTB 241 passes to the outside of RA 2 to port of the convoy. MTB 232 passes outside of VP1520 and around the stern of Oceanie. MTB 237 passes between VP 1520 and M3824 and to starboard of Oceanie.
MTB 237 is hit and loses power and steering. A 20mm round hits the radio putting it out of action before a contact report can be made. A fire starts in the radio room. Another round severs the after fuel supply and stopping the centre engine. A third round enters the wheelhouse and severs a hydraulic pipe in the steering system. All fluid drains from the steering hydraulic system. Lt Guy Fison throttles back on the port engine in an attempt to turn to port. MTB 237 fires both torpedoes when believed to be facing the right direction. The centre engine is reconnected to the midships fuel tank and restarted allowing MTB 237 to proceed at full speed again. MTB 237 is hit by a number of 37mm rounds in the wheelhouse area. The rounds are fired by VP1520. The First Lieutenant and Coxswain go aft, rig hand steering, and MTB 237 disengages to starboard. MTB 237 passes Oceanie close along the starboard side.
MTB 232 passes inside of RA 2 and is also hit by gunfire. The Commanding Officer is badly wounded, the port engine is out of action, the starboard engine will only run at half speed and steering is lost. The spare officer supervises rigging of hand steering. The First Lieutenant takes over and disengages. Two men suffer badly from exhaust inhalation in the engine room. The radio is out of action but is eventually repaired allowing a situation report to be transmitted.
MTB 241 makes a gunfire attack but does not find a worthwhile torpedo target. MTB disengages and finds MTB 237 which is on fire.
MTB 237 is on fire in the radio room and the galley sharing a common bulkhead with the forward fuel tanks. (1500 gals in three tanks). The motor mechanic observes flames in the forward fuel compatment and floods it with methyl bromide gas. MTB 241 passes extinguishers to assist with firefighting. The situation appears to improve and the engines are restarted. The breeze fans the flames, there are flames in the wheelhouse and the petrol compartment hatch is lifting. MTB 241 has detached to investigate a potential target to the south west. MTBB 237 suffers an explosion in the fuel compartment. There is only limited air in the compartment which limits the size of the explosion. The spare officer is blown into the air and lands in the rigging suffering cuts. The coxswain musters the crew on the forecastle.
MTB 241 comes alongside and takes off the crew of MTB 237. MTB 241 drops a depth charge alongside MTB 237 which does little more than douse flames temporarily. MTB 241 fires at the after fuel tanks. After an hour the Senior Officer decides to leave and let MTB 237 sink.
18/12/42 MTB 30 strikes a mine in North Sea blowing off the forward section. The Commanding Officer is blown overboard but climbs onto wreckage of the forward section floating nearby. MTB 241 rescues survivors and attempts a tow however MTB 30 sinks.
18-9/1/43 MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 in one division and MTB 69 and MTB 70 in a second division encounter two armed trawlers off the Hook of Holland. MTB 224 sights a third, larger, target.
0120 MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 make a torpedo attack.
0126 MTB 224 fires the starboard torpedo which misfires but a seaman hits the striker with a mallet and the torpedo is fired. The torpedo hits Harbour Defence Vessel Deli (161 tons) which explodes.
MTB 69 and MTB 70 make a torpedo attack but miss both trawlers.
MTB 69 and MTB 70 make a torpedo attack and hit a trawler.
Both divisions meet up after the action and MTB 69 and MTB 70 having expended both torpedoes are despatched to base.
MTB 69 and MTB 70 sight a ship and stop. This is a pair of trawlers with a larger vessel astern of them. They inform the other division by wireless and attempt to creep away. They are spotted and the trawlers challenge them and fire starshell. MTB 69 and MTB 70 disengage at speed.
Some 30 minutes later they encounter three E Boats heading back to Holland. Which by the time they are identified are past. MTB 69 and MTB 70 turn and give chase but break off as the E boats have a good start and return to base.
MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 have seen the starshell and received the sighting message. MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 are approaching slowly and after an hour it is realised that the vessels must have passed them so MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 start main engines to chase them and are illuminated by starshell from coastal batteries. Starshell falls astern and dies out. MTB 32, MTB 224 (Senior Officer) and MTB 241 continue searching until 0630 before turning back to base.
17-8/4/43 MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 are on patrol off Ymuiden. Just before dawn MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 sweep southward towards the Hook of Holland and intercept a German convoy. MTB 233 moves to seaward to draw fire. MTB 234 and MTB 241 move inshore to make a torpedo attack. Auxilliary patrol boat Vp 1409 is sunk.. MTB 234 and MTB 241 disengage northwards and southwards and then return to provide a diversion to cover a torpedo attack by MTB 233. MTB 233 has previously attacked and suffered heavy fire. The Commanding Officer is killed and the coxswain severely wounded. MTB 233 breaks off the action.
20-1/4/43 MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 241 encounter armed trawlers off the Hook of Holland. The MTBs fire torpedoes but miss.
28-9/4/43 MTB 233, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 241 encounter armed trawlers off Ymuiden. MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 proceed inshore of the trawlers but are sighted and engaged at 600 yards. MTB 234 fires two torpedoes but misses. MTB 241 fires two torpedoes and hits Vp 1408. MTB 233 is blinded, makes several independent approaches but is beaten off by gunfire.
13-4/5/43 MTB 232, MTB 234 (SO embarked), MTB 241 and MTB 244 are returning from a minelaying operation when MTB 234 detects targets by hydrophone to seaward off the Hook of Holland. MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 and MTB 244 steer down the bearing and sight four large ships with several smaller escorts. There are in fact Twelve Fleet minesweepers escorted by nine R Boats but most are obscured by bad visibility. Senior officer conducts a quick shouted briefing. MTB 234 and MTB 244 conduct a torpedo attack before disengaging to provide cover for MTB 232 and MTB 241. Two underwater explosions are heard and one of the larger targets shows flames. MTB 234 and MTB 244 make smoke. MTB 241 fires torpedoes at 600 yards but misses. MTB 232 attacks and hits the damaged minesweeper. This is minesweeper M8 which sinks after being hit by a total of three torpedoes.
6-7/3/44 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 are on patrol off Ymuiden.
0430 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 and MTB 244 form into two divisions to attack two trawlers. One division makes a torpedo attack and three explosions are observed. The other division is beaten off by gunfire. Vorpostenboot V 1304/Eisenachis torpedoed off the Hook of Holland. A Flaklighter and another Vp.-Boot are damaged
30-1/3/44 MTB 224, MTB 241 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 (Division 1) and MTB 223 and MTB 350 (Division 2) are despatched to intercept a convoy off Ymuiden. There are six steamers in the convoy with eighteen escorts. Eight R Boats from 9th Flotilla are sweeping ahead. The close escort is provided by six Vps from 8th and 11th Flotilla. Astern are four M Class Fleet Minesweepers from 27th Flotilla. Division 1 is deployed inshore and Division 2 to seaward. The force is sighted and engaged with heavy gunfire by R Boats and M Class Fleet Minesweepers.
Division 1 disengages across the front of the convoy. MTB 241 is hit by a heavy shell in the engine room underwater. (Probably 105mm) and lies disabled. The Senior Officer transfers to MTB 224 and directs MTB 244 to take MTB 241 in tow. Two further attacks are made and six torpedoes are fired without effect. .
MTB 244 tows MTB 241 stern first for six hours before the tow parts. MTB 241 is awash aft and has a heavy list to starboard. The tow is taken up again but parts again.
0800 MTB 241 rolls over and sinks.

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_234 Berthon Boat Co, Lymington 12/4/42


For attacks on enemy shipping off the enemy coast September and November 1942
DSC Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens

For an action off the Dutch coast 17/4/43
MID Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens

For an attack on enemy shipping off the Dutch coast 13/5/43
DSO Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens
DSM POMtrMch Robert James Edward Cuthbert P/MX98718
DSM L Sea James Robert Saunders C/LD/X3418

Birthday Honours 1944
DSC* Lt Herbert Anthony John Hollings

For minelaying in the Nore Command area (Gazette Date - 1/8/44)
MID Sig Stanley Frederick Haynes D/JX273378

For an action in the Nore Command area 4/7/44
DSO TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR
MID TSLt David Walter Moore RNVR
MID AB Mervyn Charles Girling P/JX262689

For an action in the Nore Command area 20/7/44
MID TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR

For actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44
MID TLt George James MacDonald Royal NavyZNVR
MID TPO Edwin John White D/JX144769



Known Crew
TSLt J P Perkins RNVR Commanding Officer 1/5/42 – 1/6/42
Lt Peter Gerald Charles Dickens Commanding Officer MTB 234 01/06/42 DSC 1942 MID 1943 DSO 1943 and Senior Officer 21st MTB Flotilla MID 1943
Lt Herbert Anthony John Hollings Commanding Officer 1/9/43 and Senior Officer 21st MTB Flotilla
TLt Frederick Peter Standley RNVR HMS Cormorant (Gibraltar) TLt 21/8/42 Commanding Officer MTB 629 23/11/42, Commanding Officer MTB 233 21/4/43, Commanding Officer MTB 234, Commanding Officer MTB 354 8/7/43, Commanding Officer MTB 471 28/4/44 DSC 1945 Born 2112//13 at Forehoe, Norfolk and died 2/2000 in Norwich

Lt Alan Richard Christian Jensen RCNVR First Lieutenant MTB 234 28/05/42 TLt 25/12/42 Born 1914 in West Ham, London

TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR As an Ordinary Seaman he was a gunner in DEMS Trienze and Fordsdale First Lieutenant MTB 14 28/7/41, First Lieutenant MTB 31, Commanding Officer MTB 241 23/3/42, Senior Officer, 21st MTB Flotilla 9/43, MTB 234, Commanding Officer MTB 393 and Senior Officer, 31st MTB Flotilla 3/12/44 DSO 1944, DSC in 1942,1943 and 1944, MID in 1944 and 1945 Born 30/9/21 in Wellington and died 22/1/82
TSLt D K Drummond RNVR First Lieutenant

TSLt Basil Harding Gerrard RNVR First Lieutenant MTB 32 24/08/42 First Lieutenant MTB 234 8/43 Called to Bar, Gray's Inn, 1947; Recorder of Barrow-in-Furness, 1969-70. A Circuit Judge (formerly a Judge of County Courts), 1970-82. Member, Parole Board for England and Wales, 1974-76. Chairman, Selcare Trust, 1971-78, Vice President, 1978-; a Chairman, Residential Home Tribunal, 1985-1994. Born 10/7/19 and died 29/6/94 in Macclesfield, Cheshire
TSLt David Walter Moore RNVR MTB 234 First Lieutenant MTB 241 10/3/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 First Lieutenant MTB 393 3/12/44 TLt 6/5/45
SLt Guy Kingdon Nattuch RNZNVR Training HMS Ganges HMS Tartar (destroyer) RN Barracks, Portsmouth [HMS Victory] 22/5/42 HMS King Alfred (RNVR officers' training establishments, Hove & Lancing, Sussex 31/10/42 HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William) 1/2/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (as spare MTB crew) 19/4/43 MTB 234 First Lieutenant MTB 355 10/6/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 First Lieutenant later Commanding Officer MTB 454 11/43 HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) 18/12/44
POMtrMch Robert James Edward Cuthbert P/MX98718
TPO Edwin John White D/JX144769 MTB 241 DSM 1943 MTB 234 MID 1944
LSea James Robert Saunders C/LD/X3418 (Coxswain)
LSto B J Clarke
LTel Churcher ( - 4/43)
LTel D C Travers (4/43 - )
AB Mervyn Charles Girling P/JX262689
AB ‘Jock’ Craig (Seaman Gunner)
AB K Jolly
AB Eric Mayers (Seaman Gunner)
AB Neal (Seaman Torpedoman)
Ord A Herring
Sig Stanley Frederick Haynes D/JX273378
Sto B Gilbert

Wartime Activities
Adopted by Hunstanton Urban District Council as part of War Ship Week activities
21st MTB Flotilla
Based at Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Harwich
6/8/42 21st MTB Flotilla stages at HMS Hornet whilst in transit from Dartmouth to Felixstowe
10-1/9/42 MTB 230, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MGB 91, MGB 82 and MGB 84 from 7th MGB Flotilla encounter what they believe to be enemy merchant ships off Terschelling. The vessels are in fact the auxillary patrol vessels Vp 1234 and Vp 1239. The MGBs provide a diversion for a torpedo attack. MTB 230 fires a torpedo which misses. MTB 234 fires two torpedoes one of which hits Vp 1239 which has to be towed into Terschelling. MGBs damage the two vessels with gunfire.
1/10/42 MTB 230, MTB 234 (Two further MTBs are forced to return), MGB 18, MGB 21, MGB 82 and MGB 86 are in action with a German convoy off Terschelling. MGB 18, MGB 21, MGB 82 and MGB 86 are sent ahead to create a diversion. The convoy was previously attacked by RAF aircraft who reported it as northbound where it was actually southbound. This causes confusion when the convoy was sighted much earlier than expected. MGB 21, in the lead, veers off to starboard. MGB 18 crosses her stern and draws considerable fire. The coxswain is wounded in the face. MGB 18 collides with MGB 82 crumpling her bow. MGB 18 makes smoke but is repeatedly hit. The Commanding Officer is killed. MTB 230 and MTB 234 attack and each fire two torpedoes. The Swedish merchant ship Thule (Carrying iron ore) and armed trawler Vp 2003 are both sunk. MTB 234 recovers survivors from MGB 18 which is sunk to prevent capture and is engaged and damaged by Vp 2011 whilst moving away.
9/10/42 MTB 234, MTB 230, MGB 91, MGB 82 and MGB 84 attack a convoy off Texel and damage two ships
11/42 Attacks on enemy shipping off the enemy coast
17-8/4/43 MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 are on patrol off Ymuiden. Just before dawn MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 sweep southward towards the Hook of Holland and intercept a German convoy. MTB 233 moves to seaward to draw fire. MTB 234 and MTB 241 move inshore to make a torpedo attack. Auxilliary patrol boat Vp 1409 is sunk.. MTB 234 and MTB 241 disengage northwards and southwards and then return to provide a diversion to cover a torpedo attack by MTB 233. MTB 233 has previously attacked and suffered heavy fire. The Commanding Officer is killed and the coxswain severely wounded. MTB 233 breaks off the action.
20-1/4/43 MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 241 encounter armed trawlers off the Hook of Holland. The MTBs fire torpedoes but miss.
28-9/4/43 MTB 233, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 241 encounter armed trawlers off Ymuiden. MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 241 proceed inshore of the trawlers but are sighted and engaged at 600 yards. MTB 234 fires two torpedoes but misses. MTB 241 fires two torpedoes and hits Vp 1408. MTB 233 is blinded, makes several independent approaches but is beaten off by gunfire.
13-4/5/43 MTB 232, MTB 234 (SO embarked), MTB 241 and MTB 244 are returning from a minelaying operation when MTB 234 detects targets by hydrophone to seaward off the Hook of Holland. MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 and MTB 244 steer down the bearing and sight four large ships with several smaller escorts. There are in fact Twelve Fleet minesweepers escorted by nine R Boats but most are obscured by bad visibility. Senior officer conducts a quick shouted briefing. MTB 234 and MTB 244 conduct a torpedo attack before disengaging to provide cover for MTB 232 and MTB 241. Two underwater explosions are heard and one of the larger targets shows flames. MTB 234 and MTB 244 make smoke. MTB 241 fires torpedoes at 600 yards but misses. MTB 232 attacks and hits the damaged minesweeper. This is minesweeper M8 which sinks after being hit by a total of three torpedoes..
25/7/43 MTB 223, MTB 224, MTB 234 (SO embarked) and MTB 244 of 21st MTB Flotilla with three MTBs from 11th MTB Flotilla attack seven armed trawlers and Vps off Ymuiden. It is the Senior Officers last action and his replacement is aboard as well. Repeated attacks are made over three hours. All the MTBs are damaged. One enemy vessel is sunk.
6-7/3/44 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 are on patrol off Ymuiden.
0430 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234, MTB 241 and MTB 244 form into two divisions to attack two trawlers. One division makes a torpedo attack and three explosions are observed. The other division is beaten off by gunfire. Vorpostenboot V 1304/Eisenachis torpedoed off the Hook of Holland. A Flaklighter and another Vp.-Boot are damaged
21st MTB Flotilla
MTB 223, MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 and MTB 244
Operation Neptune Invasion of Normandy
Minelaying in the Nore Command area (Gazette Date - 1/8/44)
4/7/44 MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 detect a convoy by Radar off Terschelling. The strong escort beats them off and the convoy enters West Gat. MTB 224, MTB 225, MTB 232, MTB 234 and MTB 244 split into two divisions and continue to search. MTB 234’s division sights a second convoy and fires six torpedoes from 1000 yards. A coaster is hit and set on fire. The other division attacks from inshore and claims a hit on an escort from 1800 yards. Botyh targets are later confirmed as sunk.
20/7/44 MTB 224 and MTB 234 (Senior Officer) (Division 1) and MTB 225 and MTB 232 (Division 2) are on patrol off Scheveningen. A patrol of trawlers is detected and attacked. Division 2 achieves a hit. Division 1 is initially beaten off but makes a second attack and also claim a hit.
14-5/9/44 MTB 83, MTB 88, MTB 223, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 are on patrol off Terschelling and attack a convoy. Division 1, lead by MTB 234 attacks from inshore but are detected and beaten off. Division 2, lead by MTB 232, then attacks from seaward achieving hits on a 2000 ton merchant ship from 1500 yards. Division 1 makes a second attack, fire torpedoes, but miss.
8-9/10/44 MTB 223, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 (Division 1) and MTB 83 and MTB 88 (Division 2) are on patrol off Texel. An M Class minesweeper is sunk.
1/45 For disposal

[Brian Holmes2]

MTB_393 Vosper, Wivenhoe 22/12/44

Known Crew

TLt George James MacDonald RNZNVR As an Ordinary Seaman he was a gunner in DEMS Trienze and Fordsdale HMS King Alfred (RNVR officers' training establishments, Hove & Lancing, Sussex) & Coastal Forces training, HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William) TMid 5/41 First Lieutenant MTB 14 28/7/41 TASLt 30/9/41 First Lieutenant MTB 31, Commanding Officer MTB 241 23/3/42 Senior Officer, 21st MTB Flotilla 9/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 MTB 234 1944 TLt 1/10/44 Commanding Officer MTB 393 and Senior Officer, 31st MTB Flotilla 3/12/44 HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) TALtCdr DSO 1944, DSC in 1942,1943 and 1944, MID in 1944 and 1945 Born 30/9/21 in Wellington and died in Wellington 22/1/82
TSLt David Walter Moore RNVR MTB 234 First Lieutenant MTB 241 10/3/43 HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for miscellaneous services) 24/1/44 First Lieutenant MTB 393 3/12/44 TLt 6/5/45

Wartime Activities
21st MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft

Post War Fate
28/1/48 Sold

[RogerP]

Many thanks Brian,

You have truly excelled in the info provided, I had no idea as to the extent of his career. With two Vosper MTB kits available now, one in 1/72nd scale and the other, soon here in Oz, in 1/35th scale I wish to do one of them as Jim Macdonald's boat, quite the Anzac hero.

[Neavsie]

Hi, I am trying to find out further information regarding Motor Launch ML 290. My father who is 90 was in the Royal Navy during the war. He tells us how they picked up the motor launch from where it was commissioned in Orton Broads Norfolk. They used to patrol the West Coast of Africa on anti submarine patrols. He also picked up a MTB boat (can not remember the number) from Barrowness in Scotland which was taken by the Canadians.

He was part of Operation Taxable and jammed the Radar (he still loves Morse to this day and Flag signalling) He also mentions Harbour Defence HD4004.

I believe they operated out of HMS Hornet and he also mentions Gibraltar as the point for the patrols of West Africa. Somewhere along the line Larne (Ireland) is mentioned.

We are contemplating filming him as the information he holds is incredible. He is going to get me to dig out his discharge papers as it has the details of which vessel he was on at discharge (he believes it was the Harbour defence).

He was recalled after the war and served on HMS Broadsword.