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Current Comments:
Post number:
37
8th of April 2012 06:45 PM by Tim Nichols
As a serving member of the Fleet Air Arm of the RN I have to say how impressive this site is. Packed full of information this site is a credit to you for building it and certainly the service that Rod tendered to his country. A 'tour de force'. Bravo!
Post number:
36
3rd of September 2011 01:57 PM by Simon Bradbury
2 if I remember right, the compressed air was needed to start the engines, there were no starters. Neither did they have a reverse gear, if the ship had to go astern the engine was stopped, the valves were altered, the engine restarted with the air and it would then be running in reverse, when required to go ahead the whole procedure had to be repeated. On one occasion we had a trainee Officer on the bridge endeavouring to leave Greenock harbour, it was one of the times when things go from bad to worse and there were a lot of starts and restarts which consumed nearly all of the air despite the compressor running and charging up the bottles. There was a worry in the engine room as to whether we would actually run out of air in which case everything would have come to a stop, but we didn't.
This entry should be read last of the two. Ed
Post number:
35
3rd of September 2011 01:55 PM by Simon Bradbury
What a fascinating history of coastal forces and your fathers part in them. I was peacetime and post war Royal Navy as a stoker, the name changed to engineering mechanic but the job remained the same! I was very interested in the connection with Walrus, 50 plus years ago I was a stoker in the Clyde division RNVR and one of our training tenders was Blackburn a sister ship of your Walrus. This vessel was 'overmanned' on training weekends or cruises so a messdeck had been made in the hold out of scaffold pipes with canvas as walls or bulkheads in the naval language, we slung our hammocks from the piping, it was pretty cold in the winter and hot in the summer. She had 2 Crossley diesel engines with a generator and an air compressor which was needed to charge the air bottles, 2 if I remember.
This entry should be read first.Ed
Post number:
34
26th of May 2011 04:54 PM by Estelle Crane
I posted a message but clearly wiped it off. My father Geoffrey (Frederick) Bass from Kettering was also with the MTB's dont know which Flotilla though. He received a medal Atlantic Star and 2 others. Spent a good bit of time in Iceland i believe. Not sure but think he was a gunner.
Loved reading your articles, so informative and always wondered what one of those boats looked like.
Would love to know if anyone remembers him with any info, he was demobilsed in CapeTown in 1946 he passed away in 1989 in South Africa. Email address estelle.crane@morganstanley.com

Sorry for the delay in answering Estelle but I'm on holiday in France at the moment. I will send you details of how to get hold of your fathers service history when I get back on Friday (or more likely on Saturday!) Chris.
Post number:
33
26th of May 2011 04:49 PM by Estelle Crane
Sorry it is Estelle again, if you need my email address it is estelle.crane@morganstanley.com..
Thanks..
Post number:
32
31st of March 2011 05:03 PM by Buddy Hide Jnr website: http://www.hongkongescape.org
Interesting site, my father was with the 2nd MTB Flotilla in Hong Kong which escaped on Christmas Day 1941 with the legendary one legged Chinese Admiral Chan Chak KBE. The flotilla was scuttled deep behind enemy lines off the Dapeng Penninsula Mirs Bay China.
More on hongkongescape.org
Post number:
31
5th of February 2011 11:47 AM by Arthur Abrahamsen website: http://artabrah@ntlworld.com
My father sadly passed away today.
His name Albert August Abrahamsen.

I wish to make contact with anyone who knew him well...
He lived in Mablethorpe.

My contact number is
07859715389.

I hope to hear from any of his friends.
Post number:
30
31st of January 2011 04:29 PM by Terry Mills
Further to Brian Robetson. I have checked my crew list and he was not one of mine. You can find on which boat he was if you write to the Director of Naval Personnel, Disclosure Cell, Room 48, West Battery, Whale Island, PORTSMOUTH, PO2 BOX. They will require your Dad's Service Number and some proof that you are related i wish you well. Let us know if you have some success and maybe I will be able to tell you more. Good luck - No in-fighting!
Post number:
29
30th of January 2011 06:08 PM by Terry Mills
Queery by Bryan Robinson - Regret I have no recolection of this uncomplementry question
Post number:
28
17th of January 2011 01:44 PM by Brian Robertson
Great website. My father Jack Robertson was with the 35th Flotilla as an Able Seaman from 1 April 1944 to 13 October 1945 so very interesting. Is it true it was known as the fighting 35th principally for fighting amongst themselves?!!

Brian Robertson

Haven't heard that one, I will ask Terry Mills about that! Ed
Post number:
27
14th of January 2011 11:38 PM by Keith Hope-Lang
Your web site was recommended to me by Terence Mills of the 8th flotilla and I congratulate you on the eye catching style, the comprehensive data and the many photographs. Please excuse the fact that an advertisement follows but it is information that is closely related to this web site. The Society for Nautical Research (South) is organising a Conference at the Royal Naval Museum Portsmouth on Sat 9 Apr on the Gunboat in 20th century. Three of the six papers will be on Coastal Forces activities in WW2 and we also hope to have three Coastal Forces veterans speaking of their experiences. All are welcome - email me at pkhluk@yahoo.co.uk if you are interested.

Thanks for the information, Ed.
Post number:
26
5th of January 2011 02:18 PM by Geoffrey Smale website: http://trakmarine@aol.com
Surfing the the broadband - I came across your most excellent dedication to your Father.
During the War I was a Lieut. RNVR and was appointed to the post as First Lieut. on HMS ROC, sister ship to HMS Walrus. I am just a little younger than Father - now in my 86th Year !!
We were the first of these vessels built and were told that great care must be taken when we left Portsmouth to sail to Colombo - it took us three months. I came from Tank Landing Craft - after they had finished with me in France - the assualt and back-up - they sent me to HMS Roc. We looked forward to Walrus arriving in Colombo and we had a Party with your Father and his crew.

I could tell you very much more if you want to know all about these little ships. My very best wishes to you.

Geoff Smale

Thanks for the comments Geoff, I have added a further image to the Walrus Visitors Book page. I hope that you will consider adding your details to the "Unit Histories" website
Regards Chris (Ed)
Post number:
25
5th of December 2010 08:31 AM by John C website: http://Johnl@norcom.net.au
My father served at HMS Beehive as a Motor Mechanic 4th Class (initially) RNVR and was on MT 71 (which is now preserved) when it and several other MTB's made an unsucessful attack on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau as they made the Channel dash. He was awarded the DSM during an action off the Dutch coast in October 1943. He later became an officer and was based at Lowestoft. He was posted to Ceylon after the war ended in Europe and returned to civilian life in 1946. He passed away on the 24 Sept 2010. I have several photos if you are interested.
Post number:
24
21st of November 2010 04:32 AM by James Roberts website: http://jamesroberts@optushome.com.au
Ref: Post No. 21:

You're very observant! That's his signature!

Interesting how many people on this site are now checking out details about their fathers war-time experiences! Like so many of their generation they didn't feel the need to talk about their war-time experiences to anyone (except for amusing or self-deprecating stories).
Post number:
23
18th of November 2010 05:37 PM by Jeff Allen
Great site, my Father only died a few days ago he was on ML & MTB boats in the Med and has many photographs from that period. He was a Stoker. His certficate of service mainly shows his bases rather than vessels although some are mentioned including ML 283 (his longest period of service to one vessel), MTB 525 & 529, MTB 623 and his final MTB 750. He also gave me other numbers before his death which Im researching, I am hoping the MOD records office in Portsmouth will have more information.
My My Father served from February 1943 until December 1949, his name was Tom Allen
Post number:
22
8th of November 2010 12:06 AM by Bernard Morgan website: http://berniemog@hotmail.com
Fantastic site, I have been looking for some time for information regarding MTB's and MGB's stationed at Lowestoft. I visited the small coastal museum there several years ago and didn't find much help. My father William Morgan served there as a main gunner from 1943 to 1945 and his service record states that he was with boat MTB 349 from 4/12/43 to 29/3/45 and with MTB 505 from 30/3/45 to 24/5/45 being payed off at HMS Drake 25/5/45 to 27/5/45. Sadly my father died when I was young and I never had the chance to learn about his wartime life. One of your photo's of the bridge of boat 478 at speed has 3 crew members on deck and the small man with his hands on hips looks very much like my dad although the photo is quite small. It would be nice to think so. yours Bernie Morgan.
Post number:
21
4th of November 2010 11:30 AM by James Roberts
Great site! My father Barrie Roberts passed away last year and I found loads of photos of his MGB (#447) and others and thought I'd do some research. Great to see so many photos of him here. I know that he was assigned to protecting the convoys in the North Sea prior to joining the MTBs.

Is the signature on the "LEY ONS" menu (VE Celebration page) in the topright hand corner your fathers? Ed
Post number:
20
21st of October 2010 09:24 AM by Jim Stewart
I found this very excellent site via a link posted in http://atlantikpirat.proforums.org/
My late father spent most of "his war" in Coastal Forces one boat he was on which he mentioned was "249"
Recently via the CF notice board I was contacted by "Tex" Baseley from my father's "old crew", if anyone who knew him or the crew of "249" please drop me a line.
Some of the names mentioned to me.
"Butts" Green (Signalman) , "Jock" Moran , Stoker Hayden , "Tex" Baseley , Percy Baines and "Spewey" Peigh.
Cox Aex Mckew bob "Scous" Hill, Jim Revoles (?) , "Asdic" Drew and "Rocky" Granger.

Sadly my father passed away in 1996.
Jim S
behblc@googlemail.com
Post number:
19
16th of September 2010 12:15 AM by William ( Bill ) Jones
Hi further to my last post
I would welcome any info on MTB 628 as my brother Barry Jones who is now passed on, served aboard that boat/
If I recall it was named the "Shark Flotilla, because i the had sharks teeth painted on the lower part of the bow
Bill Jones bj75@shaw.ca
Post number:
18
13th of September 2010 11:58 PM by William ( Bill ) Jones
I am writing my autobiography, and was pleased to come across this site with so much info.
I was a member of the crew that took possesion of MTB 482 with the big Radar on top, the skipper was Lt Smail, and what a wonderful skipper he was.I am 86 now, and have searched the internet, for more info on the crew, but have not had a any luck.I Would welcome any more info on MTB 482 .bj75@shaw.ca
Thank you for the wonderful site and all the info re the 35th Flotilla.
Bill Jones Chilliwack B.C. Canada
Post number:
17
7th of September 2010 06:14 AM by WILLIAM DAVIDSON
I ENJOYED VIEWING YOUR WEBSITE,AS MY LATE FATHER OF THE SAME NAME SERVED ON MTB`S FOR THE (RN). He was a gunner,your site gave me a fasinating insite into what life must have been like for the brave men who served on MTB`S DURING The second world war.

Many thanks, William Davidson.
Post number:
16
19th of July 2010 08:21 PM by Klaus-J. Rathjens website: http://Mail: kajoter@web.de
Very nice site - big compliment! You asked for a translation of your "war trophies". Well - as far as I can see they are lists of the clothes and laundry that the owner got from the 4th S-Flotilla. If the scans were better I could tell you the rest. If you would like to know it just give me a mail with better scans and I will translate it..
Best,
Klaus-J. Rathjens
Post number:
15
7th of June 2010 09:21 PM by Freddie Rostand website: http://www.dameland.org.uk
Coastal Forces Heritage Trust Historical DVD
I am in the process of editing a DVD commissioned by the CFHT, with the support of the the IWM and other organisations who have kindly allowed us to use their films and stills images. We are crediting them at the end of the film and I would like to ask if we may use some of your images eg HMS Gregale and others in return for a credit in the film? Sadly we have no facility to make copyright payments. Please do call if you'd like to know more
Freddie Rostand 01489 892984 Rostand Productions freddie.rostand@btinternet.com
Thank you so much
Post number:
14
24th of May 2010 01:29 PM by Chris Wardle website: http://wardlec@optusnet.com.au
Probably help train your father at Fort William. Was the LdgTelegraphist on the ill fated ML133. Congtulations on a well researched and well documented piece of history.
Post number:
13
30th of March 2010 09:47 PM by Fr. Anthony website: http://www.empiretocommonwealth.webs.com
I really enjoyed visiting the site and seeing the old photos - thanks for telling me about it and allowing me to share your father's memories with you.
Post number:
12
10th of February 2010 02:16 AM by Alfred B. Jenkins website: http://alfred.jenkins@comcast.net
Thank you for the work you have done on this article.
Post number:
11
14th of July 2009 11:50 PM by Tim Deacon website: http://tim@deacon427.fsnet.co.uk
What fabulous photos! Excellent bit of research with some great stories. I'm researching the Polish MTBs of the 8th MTB Flotilla and would love to come across a collection of photos of this quality and interest!
Post number:
10
8th of July 2009 11:01 AM by Ian Byard website: http://www.yalumba.co.uk
Found this great site as am researching all British Power Boats, my late father used to build them at Poole; in particular MTB 451 (originally built as MGB132 at Hythe) because after the war my father purchased herupon her decommissioning and she was towed round to Lymington (Hampshire) and he and my late mother converted her into a very comfortable houseboat.Photos of her in that guise can be seen on my website. I am thrilledbecause on contacting the IWM some years ago I was informed that there were no photographs of 451, not official ones anyway, so to see three of her is exciting. Any chance of being able to obtain a larger version of same and the cost?

Ian Byard MA
Post number:
9
17th of May 2009 05:33 AM by john allsop
Thank you for sharing your fathers memory with us and keeping alive the coastal forces.
Post number:
8
7th of April 2009 02:00 AM by Antonio Castelbranco
Wonderful research work! I really enjoyed coming across your site!
Thank you!
Post number:
7
1st of February 2009 11:21 AM by Terry Mills
"Viewers will gather Rod and I Served together as No1’s in the 35th. We were the closest of ‘buddies’, a relationship we continued throughout the remainder of our mutual family lives. Rod was an outstanding No1, respected by we lesser individuals as a comrade in arms, and no doubt by Dudley D for his efficiency as Flotilla Leader’s No1. The conflict over, members of the Flotilla received belated recognition of their ‘war service’ in the ‘London Gazette’ of 7th December 1945. His brother officers never understood why his name was omitted from this later edition. We all believed he richly deserved a DSC in addition to his earlier mention. Christopher has done his Father a great service in recording his life and times and of those who served with him. Terry"
Post number:
6
28th of January 2009 04:48 PM by joe hinds
I have been reading through your site and I wouldd like to quote some of your material in my book.

I would also like to accompany the quotes with photos from your site.

Are you OK with this?
Post number:
5
24th of January 2009 08:09 PM by Ted Else website: http://www.rn-coastalforcesveterans.com
Congratulations for producing this fine record of your Father's war-time career. It certainly captures the Coastal Forces spirit of those dark days and also a big 'thank you' for sharing some of the proud moments in your family's history.
Post number:
4
24th of January 2009 05:10 PM by Richard Hellyer website: http://British Military Powerboat Trust.
A truly remarkable account of your Fathers time in Service.
I will broadcast it to all our Members and interested people.
Thank you for introducing us to your site.
BZ.
Post number:
3
13th of January 2009 02:43 PM by Sir Thayne Forbes website: http://thaynejohnf@ AOL.com
As well as making a very important contribution to the historic record, this is a splendid, moving and well-deserved tribute to a dear and much-missed friend. Well done. Rod would be very proud.
Post number:
2
8th of January 2009 11:59 PM by joe.hinds@gmail.com
I would like to use your fathers photo in volume 4 of my book series,"The Ship Killers". There are thousands of images of boats, but sadly only a few photos of the men who made history just by going to work on the water.

You have produced a remarkably complete site. My congratulations. You may contact Gordon Smith, John Lambert to check me out
Post number:
1
29th of December 2008 08:06 PM by Ian Byard., MA, Maritime Historian website: http://www.yalumba.co.uk
Very interesting site with good photographs. You might be interested to have a look at the World Naval Ships Forum viz- http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/
Will visit from time to time, keep up the good work.