Help needed to understand RN service records

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by Lynne Harper, Oct 13, 2021.

  1. Lynne Harper

    Lynne Harper Member

    Hi
    I’ve received my father’s and father in law’s records but don’t understand which are land based or ships. Could someone help please. I have attached the service record for my father in law.
    many thanks
    Lynne
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    Have a look at this: Naval Shore Establishments
    Bear in mind that the sailor may not be physically based there. For instance HMS Copra, although listed as being in Scotland, was a unit that administered personnel based elsewhere.

    Richard
     
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  3. Lynne Harper

    Lynne Harper Member

    Thank you so much Richard, you have given me a place to start. Do you know what the flotilla ones mean. I am so grateful for your help.
     
  4. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Last edited: Oct 14, 2021
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  5. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    Some information on a couple of the Flotillas below.

    Regards

    Danny


    115 Flotilla - 19th May 1943 to 30th June 1943.

    18/5/43
    115th Flotilla, Force “V”. Home Waters.
    The Flotilla consisted of 10 Landing Craft Mechanised (Mark 1).
    Location : Rosneath. : LCM(1) 192, 215, 216, 236, 231, 254, 276.
    Embarked on S.S. Lapland : LCM(1) 191, 322, 324

    1/6/43
    115th Flotilla, Force “V”. Home Waters
    Embarked in S.S. Empire Elaine.
    LCM(1) 183, 192, 215, 231, 277, 288, 296, 315, 322 and 324.

    29/6/43
    115th Flotilla, Force “V”. Foreign Stations.
    Embarked in S.S. Empire Elaine.
    LCM(1) 183, 192, 215, 231, 277, 288, 296, 315, 322 and 324.

    Some information here on S.S. Empire Elaine. David Gibbins — The extraordinary wartime voyage of M.V. Empire Elaine, 1943-4: Captain Lawrance Wilfred Gibbins

    Empire Elaine was a 7,513 ton LSC (Landing Craft Carrier) built for the UK Ministry of War Transport, and the Clan Line was chosen to manage her because of their heavy-lift expertise in transporting locomotives to India before the war.

    On the Clyde, Empire Elaine joined assault convoy KMS 18B for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, leaving on 23 May 1943 and arriving at ‘Bark West' sector off south-eastern Sicily on the night of 9-10 July.

    And a bit more on this page if you scroll down David Gibbins's Blog, page 7


    640 LCM Flotilla - 1st January 1944 to 31st January 1945

    26/6/44
    640 Assault Flotilla (“M” LCM Squadron). Embarked in RFA Ennerdale. Mediterranean Station
    LCM(1) 170, 172, 175, 177, 195, 196, 206, 230, 260, 275, 283, 296, 310, 323.
    LCP (R) 672

    25/12/44
    640 Assault Flotilla (“M” LCM Squadron). Embarked in RFA Ennerdale. Mediterranean Station
    LCM(1) 170, 172, 175, 177, 195, 196, 206, 230, 260, 275, 283, 296, 310, 323.
    LCP (R) 672

    Information on RFA Ennerdale here RFA Ennerdale

    LCM 1.jpg IWM FL 24542  RFA  Ennerdale.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2021
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  6. Lynne Harper

    Lynne Harper Member

    Thank you so much for the welcome and the information supplied. I do think I’m a bit out of my depth here. Can I ask a stupid question please, am I right in thinking that the service record does not have the names of any ships he served on.
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Lynne,
    The service record shows mainly shore service - most of them are Combined Operations bases.
    He will have served on landing craft that were part of the named flottilas unfortunately the individual craft are not named.
    RN records are very poor from a researcher's point of view as the record usually shows the accounting shore base and not always his actual sea service. This can make it difficult to properly understand where he served.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  8. Lynne Harper

    Lynne Harper Member

    Hi Hugh
    That’s so disappointing. I was really looking forward to learning more about their involvement in the war. Both my father and father in law never spoke much about what ships they were on although my father in law did mention being on a submarine. At least I now know which medals they were awarded. Thank you so much for your help.
    Kind regards
    Lynne
     
  9. Lynne Harper

    Lynne Harper Member

    Thank you Danny
    I will follow your links.
    Kind regards
    Lynne
     

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