qprdave
28-08-2009, 01:39
Lieutenant Douglas Hunt: motor torpedo boat skipper
“Duggie” Hunt was one of many reservist naval officers who distinguished themselves by their flair and gallantry commanding motor torpedo boats (MTBs) in fierce battles against the heavily defended German coastal convoys in the Channel and North Sea. Maritime traffic was economically and militarily important to both sides; London’s coal, for example, came by sea down the East Coast throughout the war.
An alumnus of St Paul’s School and Christ’s College, Cambridge, Douglas Eric James Hunt was so keen to join the Navy as soon as possible after the outbreak of hostilities that he popped along to see the Secretary of State for War, Leslie Hore-Belisha, who lived close by at Wimbledon Common.
Directed downwards to the recruiting office, he joined as a rating and after initial training, which he described as “a hellish culture shock and full of very rude people”, he joined the battlecruiser Renown, then Admiral Somerville’s and the Force “H” flagship. “The food was diabolical” but he enjoyed himself and in late 1941 was commissioned as a temporary acting sub-lieutenant RNVR.
Seeking a daredevil form of warfare, it was his choice to serve in Coastal Forces. After a period minelaying in motor launches, he became second-in-command of two successive MTBs and took part in four major actions off the Dutch coast as well as landing agents and protecting British convoy routes. Promoted to lieutenant, Hunt commanded MTB245, always his favourite command and one full of incidents and actions. By early 1944 he had been appointed divisional leader of the 22nd MTB Flotilla at Felixstowe, with increased responsibility for organising attacks against the enemy. He was awarded his first DSC for 33 dangerous minelaying operations close inshore, often under fire.
His second DSC followed a stirring action on July 8, 1944. In command of four MTBs, Hunt attacked a much superior force of armed trawlers, sinking two and himself staying engaged with the enemy until his ammunition was expended. Holed, MTB245 nearly sank and was towed home by other coastal forces craft and a Harwich tug, with only four inches of freeboard.
At the end of the war in Europe, Hunt was senior officer of the 31st MTB Flotilla at Lowestoft. He returned to the Fulham-based family business, James Hunt, Printers, as a third-generation board member.
Short in stature at 5ft 5in (1.65m), Hunt was nevertheless a larger than life figure with an enthusiasm for foxhunting with the then Chiddingfold Farmer’s hunt and subsequently the Chiddingfold and Leconfield. He was a member of the Charlton Dining Club, named after the Leconfield country and which remembers that in the 1670s the Charlton Hunt was reputed to have kept the first pack of hounds dedicated to hunt foxes.
He was a keen player of real tennis on Saturdays at Hampton Court. While he never married, it is reported that he was “a riot with the women” and “foxes may have got away occasionally, but never the girls”.
He is warmly remembered among Coastal Forces veterans for his compilation of a catalogue of all those officers who had served in MTBs and motor gun boats. In 1946 he arranged a first reunion, continuing to organise this annual event for no less than 60 years as well as, for many years, the service of Remembrance at the Coastal Forces base HMS Hornet, Gosport, astonishing all with his memory for names and events.
Dwindling numbers prompted him to inquire of members whether he should continue. One wrote back:
“Until there is just you and I standing, Duggie”. With the written support of more than 100 members, Douglas Hunt was appointed MBE for this dedicated service.
Lieutenant Douglas Hunt, MBE, DSC and Bar, Coastal Forces commanding officer and businessman, was born on July 14, 1916. He died on July 8, 2008, aged 91
“Duggie” Hunt was one of many reservist naval officers who distinguished themselves by their flair and gallantry commanding motor torpedo boats (MTBs) in fierce battles against the heavily defended German coastal convoys in the Channel and North Sea. Maritime traffic was economically and militarily important to both sides; London’s coal, for example, came by sea down the East Coast throughout the war.
An alumnus of St Paul’s School and Christ’s College, Cambridge, Douglas Eric James Hunt was so keen to join the Navy as soon as possible after the outbreak of hostilities that he popped along to see the Secretary of State for War, Leslie Hore-Belisha, who lived close by at Wimbledon Common.
Directed downwards to the recruiting office, he joined as a rating and after initial training, which he described as “a hellish culture shock and full of very rude people”, he joined the battlecruiser Renown, then Admiral Somerville’s and the Force “H” flagship. “The food was diabolical” but he enjoyed himself and in late 1941 was commissioned as a temporary acting sub-lieutenant RNVR.
Seeking a daredevil form of warfare, it was his choice to serve in Coastal Forces. After a period minelaying in motor launches, he became second-in-command of two successive MTBs and took part in four major actions off the Dutch coast as well as landing agents and protecting British convoy routes. Promoted to lieutenant, Hunt commanded MTB245, always his favourite command and one full of incidents and actions. By early 1944 he had been appointed divisional leader of the 22nd MTB Flotilla at Felixstowe, with increased responsibility for organising attacks against the enemy. He was awarded his first DSC for 33 dangerous minelaying operations close inshore, often under fire.
His second DSC followed a stirring action on July 8, 1944. In command of four MTBs, Hunt attacked a much superior force of armed trawlers, sinking two and himself staying engaged with the enemy until his ammunition was expended. Holed, MTB245 nearly sank and was towed home by other coastal forces craft and a Harwich tug, with only four inches of freeboard.
At the end of the war in Europe, Hunt was senior officer of the 31st MTB Flotilla at Lowestoft. He returned to the Fulham-based family business, James Hunt, Printers, as a third-generation board member.
Short in stature at 5ft 5in (1.65m), Hunt was nevertheless a larger than life figure with an enthusiasm for foxhunting with the then Chiddingfold Farmer’s hunt and subsequently the Chiddingfold and Leconfield. He was a member of the Charlton Dining Club, named after the Leconfield country and which remembers that in the 1670s the Charlton Hunt was reputed to have kept the first pack of hounds dedicated to hunt foxes.
He was a keen player of real tennis on Saturdays at Hampton Court. While he never married, it is reported that he was “a riot with the women” and “foxes may have got away occasionally, but never the girls”.
He is warmly remembered among Coastal Forces veterans for his compilation of a catalogue of all those officers who had served in MTBs and motor gun boats. In 1946 he arranged a first reunion, continuing to organise this annual event for no less than 60 years as well as, for many years, the service of Remembrance at the Coastal Forces base HMS Hornet, Gosport, astonishing all with his memory for names and events.
Dwindling numbers prompted him to inquire of members whether he should continue. One wrote back:
“Until there is just you and I standing, Duggie”. With the written support of more than 100 members, Douglas Hunt was appointed MBE for this dedicated service.
Lieutenant Douglas Hunt, MBE, DSC and Bar, Coastal Forces commanding officer and businessman, was born on July 14, 1916. He died on July 8, 2008, aged 91