Hi Am trying to research my late father's war service record. We've established that he was in Combind Operations for the duration of the hostilies but are having trouble finding out exactly what he was involved and where he was operational. His records state that he was on LCI(L) 281 from 8-18 January 1945 and 17 Feb - 30 September 1945. He also served on LCI(L) 278 between October and December 1945 plus LCP(R)767 between 7th January and 17th January 1944. Record states he was also "Lent" (whatever that means) to Flotilla 89 for the period 1 Aprili 1943 - 7 Jan 1945. I have contacted the Naval Historical Branch about this flotilla and, indeed, the landing craft but they now tell me there was no "89 Flotilla"!! It could by a typo on his records and may mean either flotilla 8 or flotilla 9, or both. His rank said "Stoker 1 st Class " but, having uncovered all the information we have, we're not so sure about that. He had the combined operations shoulder flashes, the commando soft hat and had 6 medals (39-45, Atlantic, Africa (with 8 th Army star), Italy, War and Defence medals). I also queried this rank with the Naval people and they confirmed that, due to his service record, he had indeed been with combined operations. I understand this unit was clandestine (for want of a better word) so maybe that's why just "stoker " shows on his records. I have in my possession, a very good copy of an original photograph, of very good quality/image, that was among my late father's personal papers that shows a group of men that I believe to be crew members of either LCI(L) 281 or 278 or even possibly members of LCP(R)767 who possibly served alongside my late father. My father served in the invasion of Italy during World War II along with the 8th Army and who also saw service in the Adriatic/Aegean/Albanian and Yugoslavian theatres of operation, serving alongside units of the Commando and Royal Marine Commando, SBS, The Highland Regiment and with elements of Tito's Yugoslav partisans. This photo is unique in that it was taken shortly after action, somewhere in Albania and shows the group of servicemen holding a captured, 'battle-scarred', German Kriegsmarine flag. On the reverse of this photograph and in my father's handwriting it bears the words, "Albania 1944 "- he could have possibly taken the photograph. Can anyone throw any light on the above-mentioned landing craft/flotilla? Am trying every avenue I can think of and am running out of ideas. Any help anyone can give would be most gratefully received. kind regards Ann Johnson
Hi, There was a “89 Flotilla”. They were equipped with Landing Craft Mechanised Mk 3 (LCM Mk3). The landing craft from this Flotilla were spread between four ships for the period April to June 1943. The ships were Blackheath, Empire Charmian, Philips Wouwerman and Shirrabank. Details of the convoy the ships were in are here http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=NC.10!~miscmain Another website mentions that the convoy dispersed after reaching Capetown. After June the Flotilla is listed as being part of Force “G”, Levant Station. Have sent you a PM. Regards Danny
Hi Danny Thank you so much for this information!! I can't believe you found all this out - I've tried every avenue and couldn't find anything about 89 Flotilla or LCP(R) 767. I must have been looking in the wrong place, or putting the wrong type of words in to search o. Funny enough I have just ordered the 2 books you mention from Amazon - received the landing craft book yesterday and the Small War in the Balkans is on its way, so will be interested to see if there's anything in there. I am going to keep on digging until I found out as much as I can about Dad's service record. Again, many many thanks With my heartfelt thanks Ann
Hi Danny - me again. Sorry, to ask but I've tried searching for the information you sent me through and I'm coming up with zero. What am I doing wrong? What were the websites you found that gave this information ? Is there specific ways that I need to ask my query when searching on Google and such like? I can't even find out about the flotilla in Force G o. Many thanks Ann
Hello Ann, Glad to hear the information was of use. Sorry to say the information on the landing craft is not online. It came from documents held in the National Archives at Kew. It was only the information on the Convoys that came from the web. Regards Danny
Hi Ann, glad to see Danny is looking after you so well. Have you tried the Combined Operations website? http://www.combinedops.com/ The search function isn't the greatest but you might like to see the general information on Combined Ops. You say you are researching your Father's service record but do you have a copy of the document and the photo you mention? It might be helpful if you could post copies of them here. As Danny says, much information is not available online but if you could get to The National Archives in Kew they have a full set of the RN 'Green List' which should give the location of the landing craft on a weekly basis.
Hi Mike/Danny Thanks both for the info. I have someone that is doing some research for me out at Kew but the only thing he came up with was a report of Operation Healing II in which LCI(L) was involved in during 1944. He's going back next week to delve a bit more, but I'm sure he said he couldn't find anything about about flotilla for LCI(L) 281 or indeed another LCI(L) that dad served on - No. 278. I'll double check with him again. I have checked out Combined Operations Website - in fact I posted the the Albania photo on there under "Notice Boards - Landing Craft in Albania Waters" if you want to take a look. I don't thave dad's service record with me but I can post if you think it would be worth doing so - also the photo?? I'll be guided by anyone that can help - I am new to this and am finding it hard to unearth any information - especially if it's true Dad was involved in covert operations which apparently were recorded. many thanks again to you both kind regards Ann
Dad's records also show he was "sick" in Brindisi between 19 Jan 1945 and 16 Feb 1945 and I've tried to find out exactly what happened. After going through the proper channels with the Navy Medical Dept and producing dad's death certificate etc. and corresponding for over 2 months - they then came back and said that "We are unable to disclose the medical notes for deceased personnel under the Access to Health Records Act 1990!! Most frustrating. Dad told us he was billeted with an Italian family and, having been in the Med for a while and being very tanned, he said they told him they would pass him off as one of their own if he as caught. Re earlier post - I meant to say "covert operations which apparently weren't recorded. Many thanks Ann
Hi Mike/Danny Dad's records show as follows: HMS Nemo (Motor Yachts) - 26 September 1941 - 12 January 1942 HMS Quebec - 13 January 1942 - 12 March 1942 Dorlin House - 13 March 1942 - 8 October 1942 "Duty" - 9 October 1942 - 23 October 1942 Dorlin House - 24 October 1942 - 5 November 1942 Duty Inverary - 6 November 1942 - 8 November 1942 Dorlin House - 9 November 1942 - 18 March 1943 "Duty Liverpool" - 19 March 1943 - 31 March 1943 89 Flotilla - 1 April 1943 - 7 January 1945 LCI(L) 281 - 8 January 1945 - 18 January 1945 Brindisi (Italy) - Sick - 19 January 1945 - 16 February 1945 LCI(L) 281 - 17 February 1945 - 30 September 1945 HMS Copra - 1 October 1945 - no date recorded LCI(L) 281 No dates recorded HMS Copra - No dates recorded - 30 December 1945 HMS Europa - 31 December - 25 March 1946 I don't know what they mean by " Duty" (in bold above) - I am thinking maybe "Duty Liverpool" (also in bold) was on the Western Approaches? Dad had 6 medals - 1939-45 star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star (with 8th Army clasp), Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal. We also have his combined operations shoulder flashes and a green woolen comforter/cap that was his. I can't believe he was in a flotilla for over 2 years and yet we can find no trace of this flotilla. Also the landing craft service - can find no trace of that. Dad was also on LCP(R) 767 from 7 January 1944 - 17 January 1944 and, again, we can find no trace of her movements. best regards Ann