Messages posted by: Catherine Chambers

Dear Tomrca

Many apologies for this delayed reply to your great message and photos - I was struggling with my password etc! I
can't see my father in the photos, but no matter. They were all working to a single purpose, which today, VE day, is uppermost in so many minds. I am still working on my father's war record - very disjointed - but will give you more detail once I've finished with all good wishes, Catherine Chambers

I

Hello Danny,

Thank you so much, and for such a speedy response. That's really useful - a revelation in fact! I've read about the smoke screens - especially in port at night when bombers were coming over, I think. But I don't know what Care and Maintenance did. Is there any information available on this? Many thanks once again.

All good wishes,

Catherine.

As with many records, my father, John Chambers' Royal Marine one is sparse, in spite of the sterling work of Royal Navy Command archivists. He was trained at HMS Raleigh (Class 31) and was then sent up to HMS Dinosaur to the LCT Pool. As far as I can make out he served with the 2041 Flotilla in Jan 1943 - he has the Atlantic Star I think from this, but am not sure. He then served on Landing Craft Tanks and Flaks.From about Feb 1943 to March 1944 on LCT 140. I believe he was at Anzio for some of this time but am not sure. From about March 1944 to September 1945 he served on LCF 17, interrupted by short spells on LCF 14. In 1945 there are also stints with the C+M Party (S) 17 (I don't know what this is!) and LCT (S) 17 (I don't know what the (S) is). He has the letters SCGI or maybe, SC61 against his promotion to A/AB (I don't know that SCGI or 61 are) He has the Italian Star, and the War Medal and 1939-45 medal. So, I would be most grateful if anyone could help me discover where the LCTs and LCFs he was on served during his time, also 2041 Flotilla, and the unknown lettering on the Landing Craft and his record. Many thanks in advance. Hoping that whatever I discover from other sources, I will be able to share.