Hi all, I am having a really tough time in finding out more information on HMT Cranefly for the period 1944-45. As per my other thread, my Great Uncle served on board from 17/01/1944 to 20/02/1945. His medal entitlement states he received the France / Germany Clasp to his Atlantic Star, so I know he was working in direct support to operations on the European continent. Did she have a hand in Neptune etc? Second World War naval history really isn't my forte so I would really appreciate it if more experienced members could take a look. Kind regards Emps
Hi, A couple of pieces of information on HMT Cranefly. Ex “Cotswold” owned by Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co. Ltd. Built in 1917. Taken into RN service on 28/8/39. In May/June 1944 HMT Cranefly was part of M/S Auxiliary Group 34 (Trawlers), Grimsby, (Humber Area), Nore Command. Location - Grimsby. There were four trawlers in this Group. Cranefly, Dane, Equerry and Gadfly. Manned by RN Patrol Service. Cranefly Operates Mk 1, Mk II or MkII* sweep and fitted with Echo Sounding and Listening Equipment. Also fitted for balloon. January 1945. Still at Grimsby with Equerry and Dane and part of M/S Auxiliary Group 34 (Trawlers). Admiralty, Whitehall, S.W .l, 14th June, 1945. The King has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the celebration of His Majesty’s Birthday, to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order and to approve the following awards for gallantry or outstanding service in the face of the enemy, or for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters, and for setting an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, upholding the high tradition of the Royal Navy : Mention in Dispatches. Acting Chief Skipper William Henry Makings, R.N.R. (Ret.), W.S.2740, H.M.T. “ Cranefly ”. There is a RNPS Museum in Lowestoft, Royal Naval Patrol Service Association – The RNPSA, and a couple of books that might have something in them on Cranefly. Royal Navy Trawlers Part Two: Requisitioned Vessels Hardcover – 1 Jan. 2004 by Gerald Toghill. British Naval Trawlers and Drifters in Two World Wars: From The John Lambert Collection. Seaforth Publishing. Regards Danny
Just to note that has only one note against CRANEFLY and that refers to his Vol1 p134. "see under GEORGE ANDREW". COTSWOLD Regards Hugh
Hello chaps, Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my thread. Its extremely frustrating not to be able to piece together the service of HMT Cranefly! Excuse the pun but I'm "all at sea" with regards to tracking her activities. If this were an army battalion I would search for the unit war diary - if no war diary existed I would seek the Brigade, Division, Corps diary etc instead. Did the Royal Navy have such a diary system? I see that Cranefly belonged to M/S Group 34, did they keep a diary or log - perhaps Nore Command did and mention of Cranefly might be found there. What do we think? Regards Emps
Emps, Minesweeping operations are littered throughout the ADM 1 and ADM 199 series at TNA. As they cover just about everything Admiralty then they will be huge files and best searched from onsite. One that may help is ADM 199/1033 (Minesweeping in home waters: reports) 1940 - 1943 For the movements of HMT CRANEFLY have a look at this piece - ADM 199/2551 Unfortunately the logbooks for smaller vessels have not survived. Regards Hugh
Hi Hugh, Thanks again for your help. With regards to ADM 199/2551 - do you know what kind of information this contains? movements could mean a variety of things? As I don't live in the UK, I would need to get my regular chap at TNA to copy the file - a sometimes costly exercise! Kind regards Emps
Sorry, no idea of the content. Only one way to find out but I understand your concerns it can be costly getting a researcher to trawl through files. Those particular files are not named to individual ships. They are in alphabetical block order of ships in this case names COMET - CYRUS. Regards Hugh
I sometimes forget exactly what I have stored in my computer - should have a better filing system, I am sure that would help me. Here is an example of the movements for ABV NORTHERN ISLES for 1940. She was also a converted trawler. Hope it helps give you an idea what you will find. Regards Hugh
Thanks very much Hugh - I will be ordering a copy of HMT Picton Castle and Cranefly's records tonight. The chap I use has a fast turnaround and I will post the results here in due course. Thanks again for your help. Cheers Emps
The place for more detailed information would be the logbooks which don't survive for those vessels. As for the movements, It looks like it shows them. Regards Hugh
Hi Hugh, I will be consulting another file which may be of use. The problem with the locations is that they are very vague. I know that Picton Castle visited Norway which isn't reflected in the movement record. On thing I found particularly interesting:- Craneflys record states "St Peter Port" in October 1944. If I'm not mistaken, St Peter Port is in Guernsey and October 1944 is prior to the islands liberation. Cheers
I can't say for sure anything about the St Peter Port entry suffice to say that mistakes and omissions occur in a lot of documents. That's said, we do not know the reason for that entry and it may be correct - it is just a basis for more research in my opinion. Regarding PICTON CASTLE she was in Stavanger, Norway in 1945 as per the movement. Regards Hugh
Thanks Hugh, I'm not sure when the next batch of records will arrive but I did come across these (including a photo that my Great Uncle must be in but can't identify due to quality):-
Given the date of the article, it seems plausible that the Skipper (pointed out with the red arrow) is T/Lt Harold Reginald Allen RNR: - Also pictured here:- Do you happen to know what the contraption is pictured in the red box? Regards Emps
