42 Water Transport Unit

Hello there,

My name is Steve Fisher and I’m a volunteer history researcher for the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology. The Trust runs a small Underwater Archaeology Centre in the casemates of Fort Victoria, an old coastal fort near Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. I’m currently researching the fort’s history with an eye toward a new exhibition within the centre.

I’ve done a fair bit of research into the Victorian history of the fort and have got up to the Second World War period of the fort’s use. I know that it was reactivated in 1939, and that in 1944, elements of the newly formed Royal Army Service Corp 42 Water Transport Unit were based there. 624 and 626 Companies moved to the fort on May 25th 1944 (I believe the other 2 companies – 571 and 625 followed later) in preparation for D-Day. 626 sailed in groups from Wootton Creek, some on D-Day -1, the rest over the following week, whilst 624 headed straight out of Yarmouth on D-Day itself. 626 spent most of its time ferrying personnel and senior officers (including Churchill apparently) whilst 624 escorted DUKWs and store craft, and on one occasion carried King George VI around the harbour.

From what I’ve managed to glean today (with a fair bit of help from the BMPT site I must say) it would appear that the 48ft Fast Launches that 624 were equipped with were Derby Winner Class vessels, of which Hyperion was one. They also used 40ft former Air/Sea rescue launches although I haven’t worked out what class these were yet. 626 used “standard admiralty 36 ft harbour launches” although I’m again in the dark as to what class this was exactly. I do know that one of the ships designations was HL102.

After VE day 42 WTU was considerably expanded in preparation for Operation Downfall in Japan. I believe that it was about this time that the unit began to be equipped with River Class launches. On Sept 3rd the order for River launches was cancelled however, and on the same day 42 WTU was dispersed, with a large review held at Fort Victoria. Some River launches were still assigned to the 42 WTU after this dispersal however, including Coquet and Blackwater, before the 42 WTU was finally disbanded in 1946.

At this point the Fort passed over to the Water Transport Training Unit who, between 1949 and 1960 dealt with any conscripts with boat handling experience doing their national service in the RASC. It would appear that from 1958-60 Coquet again returned to the Fort. At the same time Fort Victoria courses now covered LCT training after the Suez Crisis highlighted a need for well trained crews. In 1962 WTTU was amalgamated with No71 Company RASC (WT) and Fort Victoria was closed for good.

Phew! So, that’s a brief rundown of what I’ve managed to work out so far. I’ve stumbled on this site after some heavy google sessions and was wondering if anyone had any further information. I’m particularly interested in any period photos of vessels of the type based at Fort Victoria that we might be able to use. Mr Clarke, I’d be particularly interested to know if Humorist was based at Yarmouth/Fort Victoria at all and if you have any interesting memories of the place. Christian, I’d be very interested to know more about the model of a Derby Class that you posted a photo of, (as there wouldn’t be space for a full size one in the fort today it would be easier to make a model!). I’ve noticed that there is a great deal of expertise here and I would be very grateful if anyone could direct me to the best place to get more information about the launches themselves (books or organisations) or if anyone could fill in some of the gaps (or correct) the brief history I’ve given above.

Thanks very much in advance,

Stephen Fisher

Hi Steve, 
I'll point my Dad in the direction of your post as I'm sure he will be able to provide details / pictures of Hyperion.  It's a shame that your pier is in such a poor state as we would love to be able to bring her back for a visit.  I'm out of the UK at the moment and hence away from my books on the RASC but I'm sure I will be able to provide the names of at least a couple of the launches based at the fort just prior to D-Day once I get back home.  Best of luck with the exhibition, I look forward to visiting when it opens.

Regards

Gareth

Thank you for your replies everyone. I'd be very interested in any extra information on vessels you could give me when you get back Gareth, if you don't mind. David, I've already emailed you and it would be wonderful to meet up.

As I understand it the pier at Fort Victoria is privately owned and so Isle of Wight Council (who own the rest of the fort) are unable to do anything about its condition. It's a shame because its as much a part of the fort as the surviving casemates. Here's an image I've come across of General Sir Thomas Riddell-Webster, the Quartermaster General, inspecting men of 42WTU on the pier. Although I'm a little unsure of whether this is pre D-Day or post war.



Looking through some other posts on this site it seems I've started my research at just the right time. For what it's worth I've found the information on the main BMPT site and on this forum extremely useful, and I hope it survives your move to Portsmouth as a resource for others.

Regards,

Steve