I am trying to find out about a relative who served in Motor Torpedo Boat 614 and possibly other boats as well (Minesweepers?) His name is Richard Hrafn Newman (He was of Icelandic descent). His niece is still alive in Sevenoaks and very curious to know more. Thanks so much Paul
Links with info MTB 614 - And a book that has more information, may be available at a library ‘Dog Boats at War’ – Leonard Reynolds – ISBN 0 7509 1817 9
Suggest you obtain his service records from the MOD - forms are here Request records of deceased service personnel They may be necessary to know what ships he was on and when - for example he may have been involved in this action Wednesday, 29 March 1944 MTB.614, surface action ARMSTRONG, Thomas, Ordinary Seaman, D/JX 305810, killed FULLER, Edmund J, Leading Motor Mechanic, P/MX 502206, killed KELLY, James, Able Seaman, D/JX 253402, MPK SHAW, Harry, Act/Chief Motor Mechanic 4c, P/MX 98243, killed For the service records you will need to include a copy of his death certificate and its details are England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: Richard Hrafn Newman Death Age: 75 Birth Date: 27 Sep 1913 Registration Date: Jul 1989 Registration District: Plymouth Inferred County: Devon Volume: 21 Page: 1590 He also appears on Ancestry in this database - UK, Navy Lists, 1888-1970 - so presumably an Officer TD
1943 The Gazette - DSC Award https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36154/supplement/3889/data.pdf ADMIRALTY. Whitehall. 3LSt August, 1943. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: For great bravery and undaunted devotion to duty: The Distinguished Service Cross Temporary Lieutenant Richard Hrafn Newman, R.N.V.R. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35788/supplement/4991/data.pdf Mention in Despatches. Temporary Lieutenant Richard Hrafn Newman, R.N.V.R. TD
Apparently the awards were received while commanding ML 229. See WW II Awards for RN Minesweeping R.H. Newman was first a Temporary Sub-Lieutenant R.N.V.R. (seniority 29 November 1940), then in January 1942 was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant R.N.V.R. with seniority 29 November 1941. Here are the various pages in the Navy Lists referring to his assignments: Search British Military lists - National Library of Scotland A list of some of his assignments: ML 229 (In Command from 17 Jul 1942 to 19 Sep 43) Bee (Oct 43) MTB 614 (In Command from 5 Nov 43 to Dec 44) Aggressive (Jan - Apr 45) Michel
Thanks to you all for so much information. I didn't know he served in a different boat ML 229. Nor about his awards. Incidentally, he had three brothers who all served. One in Merchant Navy, one in tanks in Burma and one in 7th Blackwatch at Alamein 9(killed there) Paul