Operation Aerial book

Discussion in '1940' started by Chris legge, Dec 7, 2019.

  1. Chris legge

    Chris legge New Member

    Hello, would anyone know of a book on Operation Aerial at all please. My Grandfather was evacuated during this as a medical orderly. I’ve read a few bits online but wondered if there is anything in print at all.

    Thank you

    Chris
     
  2. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    I'm writing one at the moment, it will be out in the spring. Do you have any of your grandfather's recollections?

    Roy
     
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  3. Chris legge

    Chris legge New Member

    Hi Roy,
    Sorry, we know very little unfortunately other than he joined up before the war and went out as part of the BEF and was with 6 General Hospital which I think was evacuated out of Guerande ?
     
  4. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Thank you Chris. If you have a date I could tell you which ships sailed (from St Nazaire) on that day.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2019
  5. JohnH

    JohnH Active Member

    Hello Roy,

    I have been carrying out some research on the coaster SS Glen Tilt. She had an eventful 1940: part of the last convoy from Norway on 9 April 1940 after the German invasion; took part in Operation Aerial.I understand that Glen Tilt was also at Alderney on 19th June 1940 and took civilians to Weymouth on 20th June and then sailed to Guernsey on 21st arriving back at Weymouth with civilians on 22nd June. I have attached her log book from Kew BT381_631 in case its of interest to you. If you have any further information or a photo of the Glen Tilt please let me know. Regards John H
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hello John,
    I have only just seen your message. I will look for further information about Glen Tilt and post it here. The book with a lot of further info about Aerial will be a new edition of Ebb and Flow, (with a differnet cover) which is available through Amazon. I would ask that anyone who is interested gives me until the end of the month to read and correct the book. Amazon KDP now only send an electronic proof and I am concerned that the print version, which I should get tomoroow, may have formatting and other errors.
    Roy
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi John,
    I don't know if this is of interest as it is from October 1940 - from my files. Also the log book that you have attached is only a very small part of the document the main part being the narrative - just in case you were not aware.
    Regards
    Hugh
     

    Attached Files:

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  8. JohnH

    JohnH Active Member

    Hi Hugh,

    Thanks for your reply and letting me see this.

    I am currently writing up the story of the Glen Tilt and her escape as part of Convoy HN25 after the German invasion on 9 April 1940. My grandfather John Robertson BEM merchant seaman R1497 was an AB on her. They had a fortunate escape.

    It is interesting to see that the Glen Tilt was armed with a 12 pounder and a Lewis gun in this report from August 1940. Do you think she would have been armed in April 1940?

    The log book was obtained from Kew and is part of record BT 381 631 which has 10 documents, it covers Jan-July 1940 and includes; crew list, various ship logs. The narrative on them is mainly related to record of drills, inspection of crew accommodation, captain's comments re crew. It does not have any detailed narrative of their trip as part of Convoy HN25 during April 1940. Do you think I have all the narrative reports for the Glen Tilt during April 1940?

    I have obtained a report on Convoy HN25 record ADM 199 24 from Kew which is very detailed and includes a full account of events by Capt. J S Pinkney Master of the S.S. Fylingdale who was appointed Commodore of Convoy H.N. 25 by N.C.S.O. Bergen.

    Regards,

    John
     
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  9. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi John,
    The log book details sound about right to me - convoy details would not be written in the log book.
    Would the ship have been armed in April 1940 - possibly?
    I take it you have your father's records - I see him first at sea in 1926 and I believe he was on EMPIRE CLIFF when awarded the BEM in the New year Honours List - if I have the right one.
    There is a COMNO pouch for him at Kew in piece BT 391/93/149

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  10. JohnH

    JohnH Active Member

    Hi Hugh,

    Thanks for your reply, I have BT 391/193/149.

    Yes, you have found my grandfather John Robertson BEM he was my late mothers father. I have his BEM with award letters and a hand written letter of congratulations from Basil Neven-Spence MP for Shetland in 1945. I also have John Robertson's discharge book which covers the period 18/1/1926 to 11/11/1946.

    He served through WW2 as a merchant seamen, his most notable trips were on Glen Tilt 9-12 April 1940 after German invasion on convoy HN25; 2 transatlantic convoys between 3 July and 5 December 1940 on the SS Cairnvalona including convoy HX79 when it was attacked by U-Boats and convoys EBC 5/7 8-13 June on Empire Cliff after the D Day invasion. The Empire Cliff was beached for repairs in the American sector on 14 June after a leak in the engine room, she was there until 21 June.

    I never met my grandfather as he died before I was born. The details of his WW2 service have only come to light following my research.

    Regards,

    John
     
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  11. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    My book Ebb and Flow, Evacuations and Landings by Merchant Ships in WW2, Aerial Edition has now been published by Amazon, please see avatar for cover.

    Roy
     
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