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Can you help?

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seven6 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 26 April 2009 at 10:39am
I am trying to find out if there are any surviving examples of Fairmile type C MGB around.
 
Reason being my father, AB Clifford Biddle was a gunner on MGB 312.
 
He was very badly wounded in action on Nov 15th 1941, after which he spent 11 months in hospital at HMS Gillingham. He was medically discharged on release from Hospital, much to his dismay! He loved the Navy.
 
He is now 89, and still preety fit and active, so since I am visiting UK this summer I would like to take him to see a type C if there are any still around.
 
Thanks in advance. 
Mike.
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jimmy p View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jimmy p Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 April 2009 at 9:14pm
Hi seven6,
 Theres definately 2 left. One is MGB320 on the isle of wight, she's used as a bed & breakfast in bembridge so may be worth booking yourselves in.
 The other ones MGB325. She's on hayling island and in pretty good shape. This ones used as a houseboat but there may be somebody on the forum who can put you in touch with the owner
A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money
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seven6 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seven6 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 April 2009 at 6:15am
Thanks Jimmy, much apreciated.
 
Lets hope some other kind soul can come up with the other info.
 
Regards, Mike.
Mike.
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jimmy p View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jimmy p Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2009 at 10:58pm
Hi mike,
 Just looked up the details of the bembridge fairmile. As the pics show she's been chopped about a bit & the gravel beach not helping her(or mtb24 next to her), but she's still a fine old girl & like most coastal forces boats, you can almost feel the history.
 If you want to book rooms on her then she's owned by paul & wendy traquair (44 01983 874596). Passed by there a couple of times and always spent at least an hour chatting about the boat & her history. Did hear that the dutch are trying to raise money to buy her, take her to holland on a barge & fully restore her...now that would be interesting!
 If your there on a weekend then keep an eye open for mtb24's owner(nice old chap, David) or his daughter who gave me the guided tour of another historic boat.
 Sorry i cant help with MGB325 but she's on the national historic ships register if you send them a message & explain the reasons for wanting a look at her(always found them helpful). As for 312? Maybe she's hiding in a creek somewhere as a much loved houseboat if she survived the war??? certainly gives hope of finding a dogboat.
 
 


Edited by jimmy p - 01 May 2009 at 11:03pm
A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money
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jimmy p View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jimmy p Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2009 at 11:05pm
Sorry, Cant seem to upload more than one pic. Just google zoron flotel for the other pics. Noticed somebody has moved the pirates off the lawn. Also if anyone else reading this, what can you sheath these boats in that will resist the gravel beach? 320 is ok at the moment but when i went aboard mtb 24 a couple of years ago there was 3" of water above the messdeck floor & the pumps were running. They are both much loved boats but how 24 has survived 60yrs having her bottom sanded with every tide & 25yrs of that with a broken back is testament to the design

Edited by jimmy p - 01 May 2009 at 11:17pm
A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money
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Bee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 July 2009 at 11:38am
Hello All,
This is the first time I've posted on this forum - I discovered the World Naval Ships Forum (at the beginning of May '09 and have found that there is a wealth of information there - as well as helpful people.)
Of course it isn't as specific as here...but you might find more information with regard to MGBs that you've not yet come across.
My late father (Douglas Barrow) was a Sparks on MGB 357. (with Coastal Forces, Special Ops.)
At times I've seen it mentioned as ML 357 (some of his pics have ML - but he always referred to it as MGB.)
If any of you are interested I've posted some of his tales of his time during WW2 when he was in the Aegean on the W.N.S.F.site mentioned above. There are also some photos of him and his fellow crew members.
My dad also spent a bit of time on MGB 326, I believe.
Anyway, hopefully you'll be able to discover more...especially whilst your loved ones are still this side of the bar.
If anyone should happen to have any memoirs of actions in the Med. or Aegean..I'd love it if you could add it to my Dad's collection either there, or, better still - put it here (and maybe give me permission to add it there as well.
Also, with regard to existing Fairmiles...there was one in St Osyth (I think it's called). Check the internet for photos taken by an Ian Boyle. The boat in question was called Jamaican Moon...for a while and had been used as a houseboat. I was directed to it as we think it might just have been the 357 that my father served on. The photos were taken a few years ago...so I don't know if it's still around...hope so.
Hope someone's still checking here.
Regards,
Bee
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johnk View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote johnk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 July 2009 at 12:40pm
Hi Bee,
 
Great to hear from you and your familly history, a couple of other Fairmiles about still, ex Western Ladies ferries, one as a moving houseboat and one just return to Torbay. All great to hear about the people, of course the vessels themselves are of great interest but without the men who ran them....thanks again,
 
Regards
 
John
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Bee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 July 2009 at 1:22pm
Hi John,
Yes, I agree with you - the vessels are great, but nothing without their crews.
My father had always wanted to write a book about his experiences in Coastal Forces, he had a great way with words...but sadly he, unexpectedly, ran out of time. (I guess we all feel somewhat invincible.)
Anyway, I hope that some of the people here take some time to have a look into the World Naval Ships Forum...there are many great stories there (some of them, my Dad's)
Regards,
Bee
p.s. I'll probably put some of my Dad's stories and pics here, eventually...but 'til then...at least you know where you'll find some right now - if you wish.
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Pioneer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pioneer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 July 2009 at 2:03pm
Hello Bee
Have you seen this report of the recent (last) visit by the vet's to the Isle of Vis?
Interesting detail with a sombre reference to those who are 'still on patrol' - written by a still active and decorated Veteran. http://rn-coastalforcesveterans.com/page11.html
Pioneer - Forum Moderator
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Bee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 July 2009 at 3:14pm
Hello Pioneer,

I hadn't seen that link to the memorial ceremony for the vets of Vis. (thankyou for that)
Hopefully, those who are still with us will take comfort from the fact that they and their old shipmates' sacrifices WILL be remembered into the future.

That's a lovely gesture - to have a seat dedicated to the "Weary Mariner" hopefully there'll also be a plaque listing the names of those brave men, who lost their lives at such a young age.

Also well done to all their shipmates for helping keep their memory alive. (From my Dad's experience your shipmates were as close as family.)

Regards,
Bee

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