Motor Launches of WW2 |
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motorboat 247
Newbie Joined: 11 April 2005 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 11 April 2005 at 8:12pm |
My Dad served in the RASC 247 coy motorboats in Africa and Italy during WW2. In his pay book it has laocation as M.L.196 I`m assuming ML stands for motorlaunch but is there a launch with the number 196 or might there be a website which might list this Regards Kevin |
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Pioneer
Moderator Group Pioneer Joined: 07 December 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 675 |
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Hello Kevin I'm going to stick my neck out here: There was an ML196, (A Fairmile "B" class) that was built in 1941. It was sold out of service in 1947 (By then re-numbered 2196) to the Norwich Sea Cadets who named her "Lord Nelson". Whether that is the same craft that your Dad served on I couldn't say but maybe someone can enlighten us further? Regards |
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Pioneer - Forum Moderator
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motorboat 247
Newbie Joined: 11 April 2005 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi Pioneer Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated I`ll see if your info leads me anywhere. Ive set down a little more background information. Perhaps it might jog a few memories The RASC fleet Originally the War Department Fleet (some called it the "frogotten Fleet") went from 70 vessels in 1939 to 1,400 in 1945 The called for volunteers from all arms and mostly took people with some sea experience. Dad was in the merchant navy since he was 14 a so logical move for him. In 1940 the force was known as No`s 1 and 2 motor boat companies and stationed at Salcomb and Falmouth they had 40 launches each. By end of 1942 they had 3 companies and No 2 coy was re numbered 247 They were assigned to operation Torch in North Africa They worked with the CMF including supplying special forces (SBS and SAS ) in Yugoslavia corsica Albania, Sardinia, greece and Italy In Oct 1943 247coy formed 3 water transport companies 797 798 and 801 Dad was posted to 797 coy in Jan44 before returning to 247 in Sept 45 HQ was established at Torre del Greco near naples And Bari 797 also serviced the Adriatic out of Ancona also operated small craft out of Venice If anyone has any further information on any of this I would be ever grateful for any snippets of information Many thanks Kevin |
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Dan Page
Newbie Joined: 19 December 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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My grandfather, Thomas Herbert Page was also in 247th Motor Boat Company, serving in the CMF. I have pictures of Tunisia and him and his mates on a beach in Salonika. I would be willing to share these to see if you know anyone on there.
We are awaiting his service record so that might yield some extra info.
Daniel Page
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Dan Page
Newbie Joined: 19 December 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Sorry forgot to say he served on the ST Alvaiazere, hopefully spelt correctly.
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motorboat 247
Newbie Joined: 11 April 2005 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi Daniel
great to hear from someone after all these years. Idf be delighted to take a look at the photos. Ive got some myself somewhere. I`ll dig them out. ive gots lots of info on the italy campaign too if yoru interested. Regards Kevin
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pagey
Newbie Joined: 31 January 2013 Location: north norfolk Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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hi kevin, i see you have met daniel, my son. we are doing family research between us,. i have some imformation on my fathers war record and have sent of to glasgow for the full record, (i hope) but it could take up to a year to get it. the imformation i have is that he was attached to 51st heavy reg. (ra) BEF 1939-1940. and that he was company sergeant major with 247 motorboat coy, that is all i have apart from the photos i have of tripoli, scicily greece and italy, i do know he was in yugoslavia from what he told me when i was a kid. Daniel will upload the photos for you to see as i have no skanner. i did reply to you on WW2Talk a few weeks ago. regards Richard Page |
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Dan Page
Newbie Joined: 19 December 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Thomas Herbert Page on left with an unknown colleague. 247th MBC.
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Dan Page
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T H Page front right
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motorboat 247
Newbie Joined: 11 April 2005 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi Dan and Daniel
Sorry Ive not replied as yet with any photos. I was excited to find someone who`s dad had served with the 247 coy but time has flown by. I`m having trouble uploading the images I have, perhaps i could send them via email If you could send me an address via Sawdoc999@aol.com I will send. as mentioned I have done quite bit of research on the subject and I dont know where to begin with any info. i do know you may be disappointed with what they send from army records. sometimes its just basic information. I got more from the national archives records office at Kew. tbhey have the war diaries there of 247 and the other motor boat companies. It might be worth a visit. I have brought photocopies back with me but never really had the time to sift through them in detail. If you have any general questions I`ll be glad to try and answer them. Im from the liverpool area not sure how far away you are but we can correspond in email Best regards Kevin |
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