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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2007 at 4:47pm

An appreciation for the life of

Lt Cdr Tom Ladner RCN. 1916 – 2006.

 

Tom Ladner was born on the 8th December 1916 in Vancouver – the son of Lawyer, MP, Diplomat – Mr Leon Ladner, and Grandson of a Cornish miner who had sought his fortune in the Californian and Fraser River gold rushes before turning his hand at farming.

Educated at the Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island – then Leys School Cambridge. He went on to the University of British Columbia - then into Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. During a debate in the University he had proposed that Canada should withdraw from the Union of the British Empire if GB should declare War. However, once War was declared he volunteered alongside his closest friends –‘ Corney’ Burke and ‘Wimpy’ Maitland and they generally became known as ‘The Three Musketeers’ during their War time careers.

By Wartimes end – Maitland had earned a DSC and Bar, a Croix-de-Guerre and two mentions in dispatches. Burke had earned a DSC and two Bars with four mentions in dispatches while Tom Ladner earned the DSC and Bar with four mentions in dispatches.

After his initial training at HMCS York, Toronto he transferred to HMS King Alfred Sussex UK for his commission – arriving in the UK during the first day light bombing raid on London.

His first posting was onto a former Canadian Pacific Liner – by then the Armed Merchant Cruiser ‘Forfar’. She was torpedoed by the famous U-Boat ace Kapitan Lt Otto Kretschmer in U99.

Tom Ladner was one of the 27 survivors

He joined Coastal Forces with the 8th MGB Flotilla and became the CO of MGB 75.

During one raid off the Dutch Coast his boat became so damaged that he could not make the ‘open sea’, so he hid his craft behind a large Buoy ..”until things quietened down”.. He then made his way back to Felixstowe on two Engines only with a large hole in the Bow - taking a short cut through a minefield.

After a two month leave – which he managed to take in Canada – he returned to join a ‘Dog Boat’ Flotilla and headed for the Mediterranean Theatre. It was in this area that he earned his first DSC There are many of his exploits that could be recorded here but luckily they can be found in the many books written about the Mediterranean War – he was a real hero and we owe so much to the likes of Lt Cdr Ladner – his Crew’s - and of course his contemporaries from all the former Dominions

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2007 at 11:02am

An appreciation for the life of another hero

Lt Cdr DEREK HANCOCK 1923 – 2006

Derek Hancock was born in 1923 in Chelsea.  He was educated in London at St Juliana’s and then the Salesian College, Battersea.  After leaving school he worked for a short time at Semtex, Caversham where he met Irene, his future wife. He joined the Navy in December ’41 as an Ordinary Seaman with a potential commission ( Y Scheme).  After training  he was drafted to HMS Kale on ocean escort duties.  In mid ’43 he underwent officer training and was commissioned as a Midshipman.  He requested to go into Coastal Forces and went on to serve as Lt Cdr on several motor gunboats during the remainder of the war, taking part in escort duties on D Day.

On leaving the Navy after the war, he studied for, and was awarded a Degree in Engineering through the University of London in 1949.  In 1952 he married Irene and became a father to Tim in 1958 and Jan in 1960.  During this time he lived first in Tonbridge, and then for many years in Crowborough.  His working career in management spanned 30 years during which time he was employed by Tubewrights, Charrington Gardner Locket and Concorde Lighting.

It was in his so called “retirement” that he perhaps blossomed most, moving to Fulking and being very involved with the community there, through the Parish Council, the Parochial Church Council, as well as involvement with his own Catholic church in Shoreham.  He worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau in Lancing as an advisor for over 20 years, and for SSAFA in a similar capacity for many years.

A few years after Irene’s death in 1996, he moved to Newick to be close to his family and was equally involved in serving the community during the 7 years that he lived there, as well as being a loving grandfather to his four grandchildren.

He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in June 2006 and after a short illness, died peacefully with his family, at home on 10 September 2006.  He is greatly missed by family and friends.



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 April 2007 at 11:43am

 

These pages are dedicated to the memory of all ‘Coastal Forces’ combatants and support personnel.

If you wish to add a name here please contact the BMPT, or ‘Pioneer’ through the sites ‘PM’ facility with details.

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One of our hero's, Lt David Wickins, will be remembered at a Service of Thanksgiving for his life at St Brides Chapel, London. on the 3rd May at 11.30 am. Mrs Wickins extends an invitation to attend to any members of the CFVA or any other persons who knew him.

David Wickins was one of those rare persons who joined as an A/B, became Ldg Seaman - progressed up to Cox'n PO -then Sub/Lt on "D" type  MTB's 752 and 604. He finally settled down with his wife in Santa Ponsa. Mallorca where he died at the end of January 2007.



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