Hi Everyone, I am researching Roger Bartley:- Commonwealth War Graves Commission Able Seaman BARTLEY, ROGER Service Number C/JX 260016 Died 12/05/1945 H.M.M.G.B. 2002 Royal Navy D S M Commemorated at CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL I would like to know what/where he was on the day that he died and how he was awarded the D.S.M. if possible. I suspect he was on a Motor Gun Boat, but I cannot find any information on H.M.M.G.B 2002. Any help would be appreciated. I have found his family etc., it his wartime experiences I would like to know about. Many thanks in advance, Kind regards, Mavis Williams
1945 May 12 - Motor gun boat MGB No.2002 (93t, 5/7/43), sunk by mine on passage Aberdeen to Gothenburg, Sweden MGB.2002, ship loss ANDREWS, Alfred A, Ty/Leading Stoker, C/KX 121798, MPK BARTLEY, Roger, Able Seaman, C/JX 260016, MPK BELL, Gordon H, Ty/Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK BLEASDALE, Oliver, Act/Leading Seaman, D/SSX 20104, MPK BOISSIER, John R, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK BRISTOW, Frederick J, Ty/Act/Leading Stoker, C/KX 113408, MPK CHARLESWORTH, Desmond, Wireman (L), P/MX 717488, MPK GADD, Charles K, Act/Leading Telegraphist, D/JX 184213, MPK GORDON, James J, Able Seaman, P/JX 262137, MPK HAWKSBY, Bernard, Leading Seaman, P/JX 287989, MPK HAYDEN, John, Able Seaman, D/SSX 29812, MPK HEARN, Charles F, Act/Chief Motor Mechanic 4c, D/MX 76073, MPK HEARN, Eric G, Able Seaman, D/JX 369194, MPK HILL, George I, Able Seaman, C/JX 355797, MPK HUGHES-COPPINS, Leslie H, Lieutenant Commander (E), RNVR, MPK MARKHAM, John S, Able Seaman, P/JX 327761, MPK MARSHALL, Robert M, Ty/Act/Lieutenant Commander, RNVR, MPK MCLANAGHAN, Leslie I, Act/Able Seaman, C/JX 379070, MPK MCNULTY, Anthony A, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 544461, MPK MEAKES, Albert J S, Ty/Act/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK PENDER, John M, Leading Motor Mechanic, P/MX 637160, MPK REYNOLDS, Syvanus B J, Lieutenant Commander, RNR, MPK SMITH, Frederick S, Petty Officer, C/JX 143074, MPK WREN, Cyril W, Able Seaman, C/JX 314255, MPK (Ref: naval-history.net) Tim
Hello Mavis, He was lost from MGB 2002 when it struck a mine - Tower Hill:|Lost on vessels HM MGB 2002 to Magne Much more detail here: http://mtb718.co.uk/MGB 2002.html Regards Hugh
Liverpool Evening Express, Friday, September 1, 1944 DSM For Connah’s Quay Seaman Able-seaman Roger Bartley, 6 Church-road, Connah’s Quay, has been awarded the DSM “for gallantry and distinguished service in special operations.” Able-Seaman Bartley has served in MGBs for three years. Before joining the Navy he played cricket for Connah’s Quay, and was a member of Hawarden Bridge hockey team.
AB Roger Bartley's DSM is listed in the Supplement to the London Gazette 36654 page 3766. Award dated 15 Aug 44 and list is headed "For gallant and distinguished conduct in special operations." Tim
Thank you all again, what a Forum!!!! Much appreciated, you are all so knowledgeable. Thanks again, Kind regard, Mavis
Thank you so much Hugh, this will add so much more to his story! Much appreciated. KIndest regards, Mavis
Interview of a Seaman on board MGB 2003. The last two reels mention the mining of MGB 2002: Webb, William Henry (Oral history) About MGB 502 (the previous number of MGB 2002): Private Papers of Lieutenant L F Bott CBE DSC Williams, Peter Alexander (Oral history) Michel
Thank you so much Michel, I would never have found these. I am very Grateful for your input. Kind regards, Mavis
Hi Mavis, Saw this grave whilst out Geocaching with my daughters earlier today and it grabbed my attention (my father was in the Navy for 37 years). Once I got home and Googled Roger Bartley R.N. I found your thread It is located in the graveyard at St. Chads Church in Farndon. Not sure it lends much to your story but thought it pertinent to post....I even signed up to enable me to read the D.S.M. reports! And it is amazing to be able to piece together what happened as well as put a face to the name.
Thank you so much for this Ewan, I am coping my notes from the Parish Council meetings, I hope that, it's OK by the Forum, but Roger's name is not on the Roll of Honour it was added later - BARTLEY, Roger (Side of the left hand corner facing Wall, looking out onto the Hawarden/Ewloe Road.) (Left of 1st Tablet – WW2 – see Hawarden Parish Council Minutes below). Hawarden Council Minutes Book - PC/28/8 Page 248 Regular Meeting 11th October 1948 Item 9 War Memorial The Clerk said that he had been approached by a lady from Queensferry, Mrs Roger BARTLEY, who asked that her husband’s name be inscribed on the Memorial. As the name had not been been submitted to the Queensferry Welcome Home Committee, he had written to the Secretary for further information. A letter was received from the Secretary giving the history of the particular case, from which it appeared that Mr. BARTLEY had enlisted from Connah’s Quay, his home at the time, and it was suggested that if the name has not- or is not likely to be inscribed on the Connah’s Quay Memorial- that it be added to the names on the Hawarden Memorial. On the proposition of Councillor W.S. BUTLER, seconded by Councillor J. WILLIAMS, it was resolved that this suggestion be adopted, and the Clerk was instructed to get in touch with Connah’s Quay Council. Page 254 Regular Meeting 8th November 1948 Item 5 War Memorial A letter confirming that the late Roger BARTLEY had been recognized by the Connah’s Quay Welcome Home Fund was received from the Clerk to the Council and it was further stated that the question of inscribing names on the Connah’s Quay Memorial would be considered within the next few weeks. It was resolved no further action be taken. Pages 259/260 Regular Meeting 13th December 1948 Item 4 War Memorial A letter from the Clerk to Connah’s Quay U.D.C. stated the Council’s letter of the 18th October, regarding the late Roger BARTLEY had been considered and the view expressed that the matter was a personal one from the relatives and that the name could be inscribed on both the Hawarden & Connah’s Quay Memorials. A proposition by Councillor W.S. BUTLER that the name be inscribed on the Hawarden Memorial did not received a seconder, and it was agreed, on the proposition of Councillor V.R. BUTLER, seconded by Councillor W.H. JONES, that a further letter be sent to Connah’s Quay U.D.C., asking for their assurance that the name was placed on their Memorial. Page 265 Regular Meeting 17th January 1949 - A letter was received from the Clerk to Connah’s Qya U.D.C. stating that he would write further as soon as he had received instructions from his Council.). Page 269 Regular Meeting 21st February 1949 Item 2 War Memorial Following a letter from the Connah’s Quay U.D.C. it was resolved that the name of the late Roger BARTLEY be inscribed on the Memorial. The Clerk reported that the two new Tablets at the side of the Memorial, nearest to the bus stop, were being marked and defaced; this was caused by people, particularly children, leaning against the wall and drawing their heels down the stonework. It was resolved that a letter be sent to the Headmaster of the schools in the district asking them to urge the children to respect the memorial. Hawarden Council Minutes Book - PC/28/9 From 11th April 1949 **** Page 146 Regular Meeting 16th April 1952 Item 10 War Memorial Connahs’ Quay A letter was read from the Clerk to the Connah’s Quay U.D.C. informing the Council that it has now been decided to inscribe the names of the fallen in the 1939/45 War on a slab which is to be fixed on the steps fronting the Memorial. (Connah’s Quay) After all this, Roger’s name was never included and added as promised onto the Connah’s Quay WW2 War Memorial in 1952, but is added as described on the Hawarden War Memorial. I will add the photograph to his page and credit it with you Ewan. Thanks for taking the trouble to add to his story, it completes it really. Kindest regards, Mavis
Hi Mavis, Thanks for the response. May I be slightly nosey and ask why you are researching Roger? Thanks, Ewan
Hi Ewan, I am a researcher for flintshirewarmemorials.com and started researching WW1 for Connah's Quay & Shotton, went on to do Hawarden and then I researched all the Deeside War Memorials for WW1 that I know of, but now started back doing the WW2. So it's ongoing! Thanks so much for your input and help. Kind regards, Mavis
Mavis won't blow her own trumpet but her dedication and hard work well deserve our praise. For one example of her work and this only concerns one of her efforts see: Hawarden Soldiers WW1 Tim
So his widow, Mrs Roger Bartley, although she didn't return the Additional Information to the IWGC/CWGC must be the Gladys E (Hughes) on the family tombstone. Ewan's photo helps fit the jigsaw together. As she didn't follow up on her letter, presumably she had moved away. Although you said you have contact with the family, they may not be aware of that. EDIT: To add a little background... (from Wiki) A series was of 8 boats was built for an order by Turkey, but confiscated by the Admiralty when War was declared. 5 boats were rebuilt as blockade-runners for the export of nickel ore from ports of Sweden and served under a merchant flag. Only MGB502, 503 and 509 were completed as MGB's. One of the others was... Gay Viking was a blockade runner of the British Merchant Navy. Originally under construction as a Motor Gun Boat, Gay Viking was one of eight vessels that were ordered by the Turkish Navy, but were requisitioned by the Royal Navy to serve with Coastal Forces during the Second World War. Originally intended to be HMMGB 506, the vessel was instead completed as a blockade runner for the Merchant Navy and named Gay Viking. She operated out of Hull on two separate operations to the Scandinavian countries. She was one of the more successful of her group, but was lost in a collision while returning from one of these operations. Reports indicate that she may have been salvaged after this and gone on to sail for a considerable number of years as a civilian vessel. Gay Viking was built by Camper and Nicholson as part of an order of eight Motor Gun Boats placed by the Turkish Navy. The outbreak of the Second World War led to the Royal Navy taking over the eight vessels giving them numbers (502-509). The Navy then completed 504, 505, 506, 507 and 508 as merchant vessels to take part in Operation Bridford. The objective of Operation Bridford was to bring back to Britain quantities of ball bearings manufactured by Sweden's SKF. To do this, the vessels would have to reach Sweden by evading the German blockade of the Skagerrak. Once there, the vessels would load the ball bearings and return to Britain. British engineering plants needed the ball bearings, and other specialist equipment manufactured in Sweden and while some supplies were being flown in, the volumes were not sufficient to meet the demand. The Navy modified five of the boats from Camper and Nicholson to accommodate cargo: most of the armament were removed, and the bridge moved aft, to make way for an internal cargo bay amidships. The need to conform to Sweden's neutrality meant that the Navy also had to implement a number of other measures. First, it gave the boats names: 504 became Hopewell, 505 became Nonsuch, 506 became Gay Viking, 507 became Gay Corsair and 508 became Master Standfast. Second, they sailed under the red ensign of the merchant marine. Third, their crews consisted of civilian sailors drawn from Hull trawlermen and officers from Ellerman Lines. Their mission required the vessels to pass between German-occupied territories in waters habitually patrolled by German aircraft and surface vessels. To minimise the risk of detection, the Navy timed the voyages to pass areas of greatest danger during the hours of darkness. This meant that the vessels could only make their journeys during the winter months when the duration of darkness was sufficient to give the ships the time they needed to traverse the patrolled areas. This thread has a photo of MGB502, a nice looking vessel, perhaps they'd permit you having a copy or link to them? MGB 502 - 509 The above reference to the shipment of ball bearings from Sweden may hint why MGB 502 was in Scandinavian waters. 12th May was just after VE Day on 8th May, so to strike a mine after Germany had been defeated is a very tragic case. Hope this helps
Thanks Kevin for this, It all adds to the story,as you say. As you say a very tragic case, so sad. I appreciate your input. Kindest regards, Mavis
You'll realise why we're pitching in on this and the Leonard Pratt (and WW2 Connah's Quay and Shotton casualties) threads Researcher's plea to find out more about Deeside's forgotten war memorial names I think we have 3 different Jones's to resolve (simple task in Wales!!!) to assist Mavis in her quest.
