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
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
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.
Hi Lynn and welcome, The flotillas refer to groups of landing craft and he was obviously involved with Combined Operations. Have a look at this site for ideas - Notice Board - Combined Operations & Units People's War re 109 Flotilla - BBC - WW2 People's War - Chaos at the Sicily landings, July 1943 Regards Hugh
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
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.
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
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