I have been exchanging information with the family of the late William Frederick (Bill) Johnston. Bill had an adventurous life as an AB in the MN from 1937 until 1946. He was on the Romanby when it was captured in Narvik, was interned in Sweden. He escaped on the Elisabeth Bakke as part of Operation Performance, with the Mate of the Romanby in command. According to an entry in his Discharge Book, on 9 August 1944 he signed on for a 'Special Operation' (no ship named) and remained there until 17 October, after which he signed on the Chant 12 as Mate. He told his nephew that he was given training in the use of explosives and limpet mines at a stately home, presumed to be Beaulieu House in Hampshire. He implied that the operation was to have been in Cherbourg, but it never happened. Can anyone cast any light on what the operation might have been and who else was involved? Roy
Roy, It may be worth cross referring his Discharge Book with his CRS 10 and also check his COMNO pouch. Regards Hugh
Hugh, Thanks. I attach the relevant page, as you can see it is hand written, mostly from CA 52 ? but entry 21 has something like 'op? 16' where the master's signature would go. The preceding page has the normal ship stamps and the final entry, before he swallowed the anchor in 1946, is Hartland Point, RFA? Regards, Roy
Hello Roy, There is nothing obvious in the document that leads me anywhere specific - maybe by design. It was normal for some discharge books to have 'Special Operations' written in place of a ship's name during the COMNO. I note that Bill Johnstone has a seaman's pouch in BT 372/108/44 more importantly he also has a COMNO pouch held in BT 391/54/246 and his CRS 10 should be held in BT 382/892. The two relevant documents would be the COMNO pouch and CRS 10. If it was a normal COMNO operation, I would expect a ship's name in the pouch but who knows, only one way to find out. By the way you will note the Dis A. typo in the reference for the COMNO pouch, it is a digit out but its the same man. HARTLAND POINT in 1944/5 was HMS HARTLAND POINT, RN repair ship flying the White Ensign. I am sure she would later have moved to the RFA. I would be interested to know if you find anything more in your research. Regards Hugh
Many thanks Hugh, Can I trouble you with something else? I am writing about the MN at Normandy and am trying to track down the War Diaries of some of the LSIs that were under the Red Ensign, Winser quotes from one - the Maid of Orleans, would you know where they are at TNA. Andy has tried but couldn't track them down. I will keep you posted on the COMNO Roy
Not too sure Roy, I was unaware there were specific War Diaries for individual ships. I would certainly expect mentions in more general War Diaries for specific theaters of the war. The man you need for a more knowledgeable answer would be Roger Griffiths. If he doesn't know, nobody does. Can you give me more information from Winser's quote re MAID OF ORLEANS? Regards Hugh
Hello Roy, I note the first line "War History". War Diaries are more so associated with army units - at least that is my understanding. As you are aware RN ships had logbooks and so did the MN. I feel what you are after will be held in a generic file in the ADM series of files at Kew - specifically ADM 199 but there are others. You will be aware that the ADM series is rather large covering many areas but if you put in a search of 'Discovery' using " Admiralty: War History Cases and Papers, Second World War. OPERATION `NEPTUNE" you will get a large number of hits. The following war histories may worth looking at: ADM 199/1654 Description: Operation `Neptune': reports ADM 199/1645 Description: Landings, engagements, actions, etc: reports ADM 199/1644 Description: Landings, engagements, actions, etc: reports ADM 199/1657A Description: Operation `Neptune': reports Regards Hugh
