The British Mk1 LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanised), were allocated to the 601 LCM Flotilla. They were around 44 feet in length and 14 feet across the bows, with a speed of around 7 knots. The vast majority of the 500 British built Mark1s came from the workshops of the Great Western Railway at Swindon, Wiltshire and from the Southern Railways workshops at Eastleigh, Hampshire. The remainder were built in various metal-working establishments between 1940 and 1944.

[Photo opposite is a Mk1 LCM. This particular craft took no part in the D-Day operation, but LCM 229, the next in line, was ‘Leader’ of the 601 LCM Flotilla because Flotilla Officer, Derek Green, RM, was aboard for the journey from Itchenor on the south coast of England, to Normandy. Photo courtesy of Danny Lovell.]

British LCMs, designed by Thorneycroft, had a capacity to carry a 16 ton tank, 6 jeeps, 100 troops or general supplies. Pennant numbers, in the range LCM 1 through to LCM 500, were allocated to these craft. They were powered by two Thorneycroft, or Chrysler, petrol engines, producing around 120 brake horse power (BHP) delivered through twin shafts. They carried two .303 calibre Lewis machine guns and had a crew of 6 men, with an officer assigned to every third craft.

American Mk 3 LCMs, which also formed part of 601, were designed by Andrew Higgins. He also designed and built the LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle (Personnel), the USA equivalent of the British LCA (Landing Craft Assault). Many LCM3s served with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines under the American "Lend-Lease" scheme. They were 50 feet in length by 14 feet across the bows and were driven by two diesel engines producing up to 450 BHP with a speed of between 8-11 knots. They carried two .50 calibre machine guns. They could carry a 30 ton tank, wheeled vehicles, 60 troops or general supplies and had a crew of 3 men.

Preparations for D-Day

Prior to June 6th 1944, the 601 LCM Flotilla was based at Shoreham Harbour on the south coast of England, to the west of Brighton. In a later re-organisation of ‘F’ Build-Up Squadron, of which '601' was part, they moved to shore base HMS Sea Serpent at Bracklesham Bay, where the craft were moored at Itchenor Creek, near Chichester. During this period, exercises and practice landings were routinely conducted. Half the men and craft of the 601 also took part in the review of the Invasion Fleet by King George V1, just before D-Day. At that time, the flotilla complement was 6 officers and 156 other ranks, including reserve crews.

Shortly before D-Day, the administration officer, reserve naval officer and reserve crews, boarded a troopship, while the engineer officer, with part of the maintenance party, joined a workshop barge, all with the intention of rejoining the flotilla after the initial landings. Around the same time, the craft of 601 carried out loading operations in the Solent, with payloads varying from transport vehicles for beach parties, command trucks for the assault tanks, ammunition trailers pulled by jeeps and crated ammunition to replenish supplies following the initial assault.

[Map courtesy of Google Map Data 2017.]

On June 2nd 1944, a briefing took place at HMS Sea Serpent about the landing beaches, enemy defences and the opposition likely to be encountered. The invasion was planned for June 5 but was rescheduled for June 6 due to bad weather. However, many craft had already set out, which added to the discomfort of the men, who, by then, had been confined to their craft for four days for reasons of security.

Finally, on June 5th, the eve of D-Day, the 16 Mk1 LCMs of the 601 LCM Flotilla, accompanied by their sister craft of the 600 and 604 Flotillas and the Mk3 LCMs of 650, 651 and 652 Flotillas, weighed anchor and proceeded in single line ahead down Itchenor Creek, having exited from Birdham Pool. The captain of HMS Sea Serpent took the salute from each craft as they passed the pier-head.

[Photo; Flotilla Officer, Captain, Derek Inglis Green with a page from the Admiralty's list showing the disposition of 601 Flotilla just prior to D-Day.]

The full complement of ‘F’ Build-Up Squadron comprised 96 Mk1 LCMs - 6 flotillas of 16 LCMs, each craft with a 6 man crew - a coxswain, stoker/driver and 4 deck hands. Every third craft carried a boat officer, the three craft together being a sub-division of the whole; a total of 608 men. Whether or not each and every single craft assigned to the squadron was present when they set out, cannot be confirmed. According to official records, at the point of departure, 601 LCM Flotilla comprised Mk1 LCMs 166, *168, *180, 199, *216, *226, *229, 238, 256, 266, 276, 298, *330, 339, *346 and *383. [* signifies War Loss in Normandy during June/July 1944.]

On board LCM 229, was 22 year old Flotilla Officer, Captain Derek Inglis Green, RM, making the craft ‘Flotilla Leader’. Green was born in the village of Ben Rhydding near Ilkley, on the outskirts of Bradford, West Yorkshire. He was educated at the famous Rugby Public School in Warwickshire, immortalised in the famous book ‘Tom Brown's Schooldays’ by Thomas Hughes. Green joined the Royal Marines in May 1941, prior to which he had worked in his father’s firm of timber merchants at Silsden, Keighley, Yorkshire. His brother, Captain Jack Green, had been taken prisoner in 1943 while serving with an infantry regiment. Their father, John Green, had once been captain of the Yorkshire and England rugby team.

D-Day

After departing Itchenor, the squadron proceeded to the rendezvous point for FORCE J (Juno beach) about 2 to 3 miles off the Nab Tower, eastwards of the Isle of Wight. The craft carried extra fuel for the sea trip in Jerry cans strapped into every available space.

On June 6th 1944, at around 0400 hours, the craft moved out for their journey to the beaches of Normandy. Weather and sea conditions, although better than the previous day, were still difficult and the craft experienced problems maintaining station in the line. Because of this, the craft of 601 proceeded independently for the Normandy beaches, navigating along one of the 'swept' channels cleared of enemy mines. However, some of the craft soon found themselves in difficulty.

Captain Green's 'Leader' LCM 229, with Marine Coxswain F J Dorrel, boat officer Sub. Lt Page, RNVR and Sub. Lt Herbert Pye, RNVR, broke down in mid-channel. The crew were picked up by the minesweeper, HMS Poole. LCM 346, whose complement included Marines, Timms and Billingham, arrived off Juno beach at 2030 hours on the evening of June 6th. However, she collided with another craft and holed badly portside (left) stern. The crew were picked up by the USLC(G) 893. It is likely that LCM 346 was no longer operational, being officially recorded as damaged beyond economical repair.

Despite the unfavourable sea and weather conditions, the other craft found their way to their pre-determined landing places on Juno beach in the late evening of D-Day. Initially, they came under fire and bombing but their cargoes were successfully put ashore. Enemy activity was later reduced to 'hit and run' air attacks involving anti-personnel bombs and machine gun fire, especially at night. However, in the event, the hazards of the sea, the weather and the landing beaches, proved to be a greater danger than enemy activity.

Initially, the men of 601 LCM flotilla and those of other nearby flotillas, lived aboard the Depot Repair Ship, SS Ascanius. It arrived off Juno Beach on the morning of June 8th, having departed the River Thames the previous day to take up her station at Gooseberry 4... a position inside the Mulberry A harbour.

During the severe storm that swept the Normandy coast between June 19th-22nd, many craft were damaged or driven ashore and wrecked. The crews of 601 transferred to the shore, where they lived in dug-outs in a field near Bernieres-sur-Mer Railway Station. Martin Tyrell recalled that during the 3 day storm, 8 craft of the flotilla were lost, but official records available on 601, do not confirm this.

In all, the craft of 601 remained on station for a period of 6 weeks, during which time, save for brief intervals for rest and recuperation, they ferried every conceivable type of stores and equipment from supply ships to the beaches. As the need for 'ferrying' craft diminished, the number of LCM Squadrons was halved and the surplus craft ordered back to England. 601 was included in these arrangements and possibly elements of 650 LCM Flotilla, leaving the remainder of F Squadron in place on Juno beach.

Return to Blighty

For the homeward journey from Normandy, selected unmanned LCMs were assigned to the much larger LCTs (Landing Craft Tank) for towing back to England, while others would proceed under their own power. By the evening of July 20th, the craft of 601 were lying in Gooseberry 4, stored and provisioned for the journey. The LCMs were paired up for the short trip to the LCTs anchored nearby - a manned LCM with an unmanned LCM alongside.

The LCMs were not in good condition after 6 weeks of intensive ship to shore ferrying, often in rough seas and high winds... and there had been little time for servicing and repairs. 601 veteran, Royal Marine, Jim ‘Nobby’ Clark, confirmed that his LCM had seen better days and was not in very good condition. It was one of those lost on the homeward journey.

At 0430 hours on the morning of July 21st 1944, the Flotilla weighed anchor and proceeded independently to rendezvous with the LCT Flotilla, just off the beach-head. The task of transferring the unmanned craft to the LCTs, was completed by 0540 hours and the manned LCMs formed up astern of one of the LCTs. A course was set through the swept channel but a thick blanket of mist descended which made it extremely difficult to keep on station. This raised concerns about craft becoming lost, so, for safety reasons, at 0700 hours, the decision was taken to anchor. By 0930 hours, the mist had cleared sufficiently to allow the flotilla to resume its journey.

A total of 15 manned LCMs formed part of the homeward bound convoy, including ‘Leader’ LCM 1059 carrying Flotilla Officer, Captain Green. The 1059 was a Mk3 LCM, an American built, diesel driven craft of 651 LCM Flotilla. It was larger and more powerful than the British LCMs and had been seconded for the journey home, because it had superior navigation capabilities.

As the day wore on the weather deteriorated. At first the sea was calm with a rather heavy atmosphere and then the conditions deteriorated with heavy, turbulent seas and thunderstorms. By 1720 hours, the sea was so rough that there was little or no headway being made, despite engines on full throttle. It was decided to return to Juno beach, not the least of the considerations being that petrol supplies for the British Mk1 LCMs were running low.

All Haste to Juno

Prior to giving the order to turn about, Captain Derek Green, still aboard LCM 1059, fell out of line several times to round up stragglers and when the craft had re-grouped, a course was set for the beach-head. By this time they had been at sea for thirteen hours and some LCMs were having difficulty keeping up. One LCM developed engine trouble soon after they had turned about and Sub Lieutenant Colin Backhouse, in LCM 226, turned back to render assistance. The decision was made to take the crew off the crippled craft and the manoeuvre was started. Unfortunately, 226 collided with an unknown craft causing damage to its stern, which put her steering out of action. The rescue craft had become unmanageable and was now, itself, in need of assistance.

LCM 1059 went alongside to render assistance and both crews were lifted aboard to safety, increasing her human cargo to three officers and twenty nine other ranks comprising her crew, the rescued men, the reserve crew and part of the flotilla administration staff. While LCM 1059 was engaged in this operation, Captain Green ordered the rest of the flotilla to return to the beach-head with all speed. Most of the craft and crews were suffering badly from the rough sea, strong winds, heavy rain and sea water pouring over the sides. The craft soon became dispersed in the darkness but 5 craft eventually reported back to the squadron, while others reached the beach-head at various points.

[Here the historical record is far from precise. On the one hand it's claimed that 11 craft were lost on passage home, but that detail did not form part of Martin Tyrell’s recollection of events.]

LCM 1059 - A Fateful Decision

On completion of her rescue operation, LCM 1059 was isolated in the darkness of the English Channel with her, then, complement of thirty two men. Her remaining fuel was sufficient for the journey home to England and for around three hours reasonable progress was made. However, the craft was becoming increasingly sluggish due to water entering the aft ballast tank through a leak in the propeller gland. Attempts to stem the leak proved fruitless, so lifebelts were issued to the men, many of whom required assistance because they were too overcome by sea-sickness. At 21.30 hours on the evening of July 21st, LCM 1059 became overwhelmed and sank.

Every man aboard had some buoyancy aid, such as a Mae West or a cork lifebelt, but despite this, the sole survivor was Sergeant Latham. He later recalled that spirits were high when the decision was made to continue on to England. The men felt that their stronger, more powerful craft, could safely complete the journey, while the remainder of the flotilla, in the less sturdy Mk1 LCMs, sought the relative safety of the Normandy beaches. It was a tragic twist of fate for the men of 601 LCM Flotilla who, 3 hours earlier, had suffered the loss of LCM 226, experienced the joy of rescue by LCM 1059, only to find themselves once more at the mercy of the turbulent seas.

"Lady Luck" smiled on Sergeant Latham the following morning, when he was picked up at first light. Visibility was very poor, but he had drifted into the path of a motor launch patrolling off the beach-head. The launch immediately conducted a search of the area with the help of Coastal Air Forces from Portsmouth, but sadly, all to no avail. [See Correspondence for 2016 message from Sgt Latham's son.]

Veteran Royal Marine, Stoker, Jim ‘Nobby' Clark, was amongst the men of 601 who safely reached Juno beach. He could not remember how long he had been in the water, or when he had been pulled clear by a rescue tug, but he did recall seeing the body of Flotilla Officer, Captain Derek Inglis Green, floating by, as the tug moved away. His body was never recovered.

[Photos left; Nobby Clark in his "khakis" and "blues" courtesy of his son Jim.]

It seems that, when Jim was picked from the water, he was in a state of shock, since he could not recall the name of his craft or five comrades. Later, he met Sergeant Latham and only then did he appreciate the full horror of what had taken place the night before.

Royal Marine Corporal, John Lordon, spent a considerable time at the mercy of the elements before being retrieved from the sea. He never again saw active service. After recovering from his ordeal, he spent the remainder of the war inducting new recruits into the Royal Marines.

[Photo right; Jim Colvin courtesy of his son James Colvin.]

The LCM which carried Royal Marine, Jim Colvin, was taken in tow by a rescue craft, possibly a tug. Colvin and his crew were later repatriated to England, where they, understandably, asked questions about the fate of their comrades on July 21^st. His persistence appears to have earned him a reputation as a ‘trouble maker’ and his questions remained unanswered. He was later transferred to the Far East. At the end of the war, he returned his campaign medals to the War Office in protest against the apparently indifferent attitude of the military authorities and their silence on the matter. Jim Colvin’s son recalls that his father made it quite clear to the War Office where they could stick his medals!

Bournemouth man, Royal Marine, John William Collins (left), worked locally before he volunteered to join the Royal Marines in 1939. He was known to friends and family as ‘Bill’ and was engaged to be married to Eileen Lodge. He served in 601 LCM Flotilla and, sadly, was amongst those lost at sea on the night of 21st July 1944.

A Close Encounter

Corporal George Morrison, RM. For some time prior to June 6th, Morrison was employed as flotilla clerk. He was regarded as Number 1 Reserve Coxswain in charge of the Number 1 Reserve Crew, and as such, was not part of a specific crew, so an LCM was not allocated to him.

Prior to setting off for Normandy, Captain Green gave permission for Morrison to take passage with his friend, Lance Corporal, Thomas Langan. They had been great friends since they ‘joined up’ together in May 1943, but immediately prior to departure, the decision was reversed and Morrison took passage in the LCM of Coxswain Lance Corporal Bambrick. That change of mind by Captain Green, doubtless saved Morrison’s life, since Lance Corporal Thomas Langan, and his crew, perished in the storm.

Morrison recalled that, on July 21st 1944, the weather was sunny but later it became very foggy making it difficult to see the craft ahead of them. While struggling in the fog, Bambrick's craft hit some obstruction, possibly the craft ahead of them. They immediately reduced speed and soon after they lowered the Kedge anchor to wait for the fog to lift.

When the fog eventually lifted, Bambrick's LCM was by itself. The LCT that had been guiding them, had disappeared and no other craft or ship was in view. They resumed passage to England using a due north compass bearing. It might not take them back to the safety of Itchenor, but they would certainly arrive somewhere on the south coast of England.

During the afternoon, a landing craft was sighted ahead of them. It appeared to be abandoned, with its Kedge anchor down and the cable apparently wrapped around the screws. They went alongside in the hope of finding petrol to supplement their diminishing supply. However, the sea had turned decidedly rough, and attempting to pull alongside was not easy. After several aborted attempts, the idea of tying up alongside was abandoned. In the absence of volunteers, Morrison decided to jump aboard as the two craft moved together. The first pass failed, but on his second attempt, he was successful and he immediately began checking the petrol supply. Most of the cans were full and they were quickly transferred. When completed, Morrison returned to his LCM by the same dangerous process.

Later that day, the stoker/driver reported that one engine had stopped and would not re-start, but he thought the craft could still maintain headway and continue her journey to England. As day turned to night, the storm increased in ferocity and eventually all the crew were overcome by sea-sickness, with the exception of Morrison himself. Throughout the period, he stood in the cockpit facing the wind, constantly chewing hard biscuits. It was that, he believed, that kept the sea-sickness at bay. The memory of that night of July 21st 1944, never left him The waves were enormous and rose well above the ramp. At times he had serious doubts about their survival.

Morrison had never been so scared in all his life and the fact that the remainder of the crew were overtaken by sea-sickness, and unable to share his concerns, did not help. They appeared to be quite oblivious to the enormity of the situation they were facing. It is often said that people near to death by drowning see their life pass before their eyes. It was certainly true for Morrison that day.

By the morning of July 22nd, the storm had abated and the crew had recovered. Throughout the night, the stoker/driver had managed to keep the one engine working, despite spending the night in the engine room, vomiting into a bucket firmly clasped between his knees. But their problems were only beginning. Shortly after daylight, the stoker/driver reported that the second engine had stopped and would not restart. Lance Corporal Bambrick's LCM was now without power and drifting. The spirits of the men, already low, dropped further when it was noticed that the bows of the LCM were getting lower in the water. Their craft was taking in water forward and there was no means of stopping it.

They concluded that the bows had been damaged the previous day, causing the forward bilge tanks to fill up. Later in the day, when the sea became choppy, more water was washed aboard, causing the bows to sink even lower in the water. It was agreed to lighten the LCM by throwing all unused petrol cans, kit bags and rifles over the side. Boots were removed and the men put on their ‘Mae Wests’ and made ready to ‘abandon ship’ if required to do so.

On the point of despair, salvation came initially as smoke on the horizon, which later transpired to be small ships in ‘line abreast’ formation. The ships were a fleet of minesweepers going about their business. Bambrick's LCM had drifted into an un-swept channel! The signalman made contact with the minesweepers using SOS and one of them came alongside to take the LCM in tow. The plan was soon aborted when the speed of the minesweeper began pulling the LCM under. The minesweeper stopped, pulled the LCM alongside and took off her crew.

A jar of Rum was immediately produced and the crew of the LCM were ‘ordered’ to drink. They were soaked to the skin and their uniforms were white with salt. At the time, Morrison was a teetotaller but the Rum made him feel much better, even though he hated the taste. Despite the beneficial effect of the rum, he never drank the stuff again. He reported to the Captain and gave an account of events that had taken place from the point of departing Juno beach until the SOS was picked up. Arrangements were put in hand to check the landing craft's engines and the degree of flooding.

The LCM crew borrowed some naval uniforms while their own dried off and they were given a first class meal in the seamen’s mess followed by a well earned sleep. Space was limited, so Morrison slept on a steel companion-way above the engine room. The LCM crew were so tired they could likely have slept standing up !

The following day, Morrison was informed that the landing craft had been pumped dry but that both engines were still refusing to work and were beyond repair. A tug was called-up to tow them back to Juno beach to join up again with 601 LCM Flotilla. Back in their own uniforms again, the crew left the minesweeper to take passage on the tug, with two volunteers from the LCM crew manning the landing craft.

Later that day, they arrived back on Juno beach to be met by Lieutenant Martin Tyrell, who, to their great surprise, was delighted to see them. It was then that Morrison and Bambrick and the other crew members of the LCM were given the news of the terrible loss of life during the storm and that they themselves had been posted ‘Missing Presumed Killed’. Later, with the rank of Captain, Martin Tyrell took command of 601 LCM Flotilla, replacing Flotilla Officer, Derek Inglis Green, lost on July 21st 1944.

Eventually, Morrison and the other survivors from the landing craft found themselves back in England. During the passage home the weather was typical of summer... no wind, no rain and a calm sea. After arriving back in Portsmouth they made their way back to the place where it all began - Itchenor.

Roll of Honour

601 LCM FLOTILLA

JULY 21st 1944

Royal Marine Captain Derek Inglis Green. Sub. Lt Colin Backhouse RNVR. Royal Marine Lt. Edward Mears Aylan-Parker. Royal Marine Sergeant Frank Harris. Royal Marine Sergeant Ernest Spence. Royal Marine Corporal Arthur Tidy. Royal Marine Corporal Joseph Barber. Royal Marine Eric Beadle M.I.D. Royal Marine Edward Knight. Royal Marine John Tillie. Royal Marine Maurice Bradshaw. Royal Marine John Collins. Royal Marine Ralph Jellicoe. Royal Marine Thomas Lowe. Royal Marine Kenneth McKenzie. Royal Marine John Marshall. Royal Marine Jack Pattison. Royal Marine Daniel Sharp. Royal Marine Ronald Smith. Royal Marine Peter Brookman. Royal Marine Jack Child. Royal Marine William Dunwoody. Royal Marine Hillary Edwards. Royal Marine William Goddard. Royal Marine Thomas Hamilton. Royal Marine Reginald Holmes. Royal Marine William Stewart. Royal Marine Harvey Taylor and Stoker Thomas Race RN.

FRANCE

Royal Marine Lance Corporal Thomas Langan and Royal Marine Ronald Andrews.

650 LCM FLOTILLA

AT SEA

Royal Marine Corporal William Daw. Royal Marine Walter Tillett. Royal Marine John Petrie. Royal Marine James West and Royal Marine William Turnbull.

FRANCE

Royal Marine Henry Diviny

THE ROYAL MARINES PRAYER

O Eternal Lord God, who through many generations has united and inspired the members of our Corps, grant thy blessing, we beseech thee, on Royal Marines serving around the Globe. Bestow thy Crown of Righteousness upon all our endeavours and may our Laurels be those of gallantry and honour, loyalty and courage. We ask these things in the name of Him, whose courage never failed, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

FOR THE FALLEN
by
Laurence Binyon

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the Sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

The Itchenor Memorial

In 1951, a memorial seat was donated by the ‘D-Day Survivors Society’. They wished to remember their fallen comrades and to acknowledge the kindness shown to them by the residents of Itchenor during preparations for the invasion of Normandy. The memorial seat overlooks Chichester Harbour and on July 21st 1951, seven years to the day after the tragedy, it was dedicated. Since that event, an annual service has taken place within the first week of June. [Photo below; Captain Angus Forrest, RM, taking the salute at the 1951 ceremony.]

IN MEMORIAM

601 ROYAL MARINE

LANDING CRAFT FLOTILLA

IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS

AND MEN OF

THE ROYAL NAVY AND ROYAL MARINES

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

WHEN RETURNING FROM

THE NORMANDY BEACHES ON

JULY 21st 1944.

Before the unveiling of the seat. [Photo courtesy of Steve Knight.]

The first dedication ceremony on July 21st 1951 with Lieutenant Martin Tyrell (later Captain), of 601 LCM Flotilla, standing immediately behind and to the left of the presiding vicar. [Photo courtesy of Chris Bradshaw, grandson of Maurice Bradshaw.]

Enlarged photo of Captain Angus Forrest, RM, taking the salute at the ceremony. [Photo courtesy of Chris Bradshaw, grandson of Maurice Bradshaw.]

Veteran Royal Marine, Reg Blake, who served with 803 LCV(P) Flotilla off Normandy. When he passed through Itchenor in 1976, he saw the dilapidated condition of the seat dedicated to the men of the 601 LCM Flotilla and resolved to do something about it. Together with friend Dennis Drew, and with the help of the Royal Marines' "Globe & Laurel" magazine, local newspapers and the local council, he raised the funds from local people and ex-paratrooper David Purley GM who became famous in the world of motor racing. Purley was awarded the George Medal after attempting to rescue fellow racing driver, Roger Williamson, following a fatal crash during the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix. On June 6th 1978, a brand new seat, far superior in quality to the original, was dedicated. [These photos, left and below, are courtesy of veteran RM Reg Blake.]

Dr. Martin Tyrell reading the Roll of Honour of the men of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy who were lost on July 21^st 1944. Standing to his right is the Royal Navy Padre from Portsmouth. On his immediate left is George Morrison and then John Roles who also sailed in the 601 Flotilla.

Veteran Royal Marines of 803 LCV(P) Flotilla at the Itchenor Memorial seat, Circa 1995. L - R were Phil Crampton, Andy Anderson, Ray Hemsley, Reg Blake, Ken Reeves and Ron Dunham.

Veteran Royal Marines paying their respects to fallen comrades on June 6th 2008. Standing on the extreme left of the group, next to the RM bugler, is former Lieutenant (later Captain) Martin Tyrell, RM. Sadly he passed away in May 2009.

Three veterans of 803 LCV(P) Flotilla at Itchenor in 2008. In the centre is Reg Blake, seen above in photo 3. With him were Ray (Yorkie) Hemsley, left, and Phil Crampton, right.
 

2010 Service

A remembrance service, was held at 1100hrs on Friday 4^th June at Itchenor Hard, to honour those members of the 601 LCM Flotilla who lost their lives on the 21^st July 1944. The service was organised by Mr Peter Dean and Mr Peter Arnold, of the Itchenor Society, and was attended by 190 people. The welcome address was given by Reg Blake of the Royal Marines, followed by the History of the Memorial Seat by Lt Col John Davis, OBE. Captain Johnny Talbot, RN, read the 32 names of the members of the flotilla lost at sea. Mr Peter Dean, Chairman of the Itchenor Society, laid a wreath on behalf of the residents of Itchenor. There followed the Last Post and a one minute of silence before the Reveille. Finally, the Exhortation and Prayers were led by the Reverend John Williams. [Photos below courtesy of Peter Arnold, Honorary Secretary, Itchenor Memorial Society.]

Men Who Sailed with 601 (and not included elsewhere in this account).

Royal Marine Corporal Arthur (Mick) Victor Tidy, PO/X 118747, 601 LCM Flotilla. Died 21 July 1944, Age 19. His name and details are on the 1939 - 1945 Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Mick was the beloved youngest son in a family of five children and all were devastated by his loss. What made his death more poignant for the family was that he couldn't swim. However, he was very keen to do his duty and to serve his country. [Added here, in his memory, by his niece, Sandra Garrett.]

Royal Marine Maurice Bradshaw sailed with LCM 601 Flotilla and was one of those who died on the 21st July 1944. Before the war he had been given a trial for Portsmouth Football Club. In the photo opposite he is on the extreme left of the front row. What the occasion was, or the identity of the group, is not known for certain but thought to be an army football team.
 

Royal Marine William Alfred Goddard was lost at sea on the 21st July 1944. He was born William Alfred Fletcher but through adoption he became known by his new family as Peter Goddard. [Photo courtesy of Duncan R G  Jolly.]

Royal Marine Edward Albert Knight whose name is on the Roll of Honour above. [Photo courtesy of his nephew Steve Knight.]

Flotilla Composition

For those with a deep interest in the subject, here are details of the craft that formed 601 LCM Flotilla throughout the period June 5th through to July 31st 1944. For the period up to June 25, they are as recorded above in the text for D-Day. After the severe storm, which raged for several days from June 19, the composition of the Flotilla changed as craft lost or damaged were replaced. Thanks are due to Mike Long who obtained the information from the National Archive at Kew, London.

Normandy war losses from 601 Flotilla  were listed as; 168, 180, 216, 226, 229, 330, 346 and 383 and from 650, LCMs 1197, 1212, 1240, 1278. Dispositions on key dates provide a timeline to the above losses as below.

601 LCM Flotilla

24/06/44

168, 180, 199, 226, 266, 276, 298, 339, 346, 383, 387, 411, 428, 449, LCM(3)’s 502 and 511.

Leader LCM 229 is missing on the above date so must assume that news of her loss had filtered through. LCM 346 seems to have been non-operational since her arrival in Normandy on June 6th when she was damaged....that situation appears to have continued throughout.

03/07/44

166, 168, 180, 199, 236, 238, 256, 266, 276, 298, 339, 346, 383, 411, 449.

On the above date166 and 168 recorded in need of repair. The 346 and 383 recorded damaged beyond economical repair.

10/07/44

166, 168, 180, 199, 236, 256, 266, 276, 298, 339, 346, 383, 411, 428, 449.

Recorded in need of repair on this date are 180, 236, 238, 256, 276 with 346 and 383 still non-operational.

17/07/44

168, 180, 199, 226, 236, 238, 256, 266, 276, 298, 339, 346, 383, 411, 428, 449.

LCM 166 missing from list. LCM 226 also shown present although believed lost on July 21st.

24/07/44

166, 168, 180, 199, 226, 236, 238, 266, 276, 298, 339, 346, 383, 411, 449, LCM(3) 502 and 511.

LCM 226 still recorded present.

31/07/44

199, 226, 266, 298, 339, 346, 383, 411, 428, 449, LCM(3) 502 and 511.

LCM 166 missing from list. Although no details are recorded against any of the craft on July 31st still listed are LCM 226 and 346 and 383.

Mk3 LCM 650 Flotilla:

6/6/44

1100, 1164, 1197, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1234, 1235, 1236, 1240, 1241, 1242, 1277, 1278.

LCM in italics are ‘War Losses’ in Normandy.

Editorial Note; The craft of LCM Flotilla 650 of F Squadron, have been included in this account which is primarily about LCM Flotilla 601. For the sake of accuracy, it should be noted that there is no documentary proof that 650 was involved in the same crossing of the English Channel as 601 on July 21st 1944, although the author, Tony Chapman of the LST and Landing Craft Association, strongly suspects that they were. Furthermore, the Royal Marines lost from 650 LCM, may have been lost from various craft of the flotilla or may have formed the crew of one of the LCMs recorded as lost.

[Photos courtesy of Robert Guthrie. Middle front row is Tommy Langan in the late 1930s. He was a promising football player and was capped for the Scottish Junior International team.]

Of those lost from 601 LCM Flotilla, only two have known marked graves - Royal Marine Corporal Thomas Langan, who rests in Dannes Cemetery and Royal Marine Ronald Andrews, who is buried in Calais. Royal Marine Henry Diviny of 650 LCM, is interred at Boulougne Eastern Cemetery.

Reflections

Tony Chapman writes. As this account is being written in May of 2010, I have been involved with the veterans of the LST and Landing Craft Association for almost sixteen years. It started just prior to the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in 1994. Initially, I was involved in private research for a family member. That particular project kept me engaged for a period of a year, during which time I became very involved with veterans of this association, and indeed veterans world-wide. I have the utmost respect and admiration for them all, and I count myself privileged to have unlimited access to them.

This association in 1994 comprised many more veterans than it does today. The passage of time is taking its toll on those that remain. There is talk of the Association disbanding in 2012, if not before. That day will be a very sad day indeed.

During the course of my early involvement with the Association, I spoke to many veterans about their experiences during the war years and sought details of the landing craft or ships they served on, and the actions they were involved in during the period 1942 to 1946. Some had been at Dieppe in August 1942 while others had gone on to serve in the Mediterranean. Amongst them were many who had been recalled for Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6th 1944. For many, it was their first taste of action, and sadly, for some, their last.

Even for survivors, the experience left an indelible mark that was impossible to erase.  Nobby Clark's son regrets that his father did not live to read this account of the tragic fate of the 601 LCM Flotilla. He feels that if his father had read it, many of the ghosts that remained with him from 1944 until the day he died, would have been laid to rest.

Many events were spoken of, but two tragedies stand out above all others - the loss of men and craft of the 9th LCT Flotilla off Land’s End during October 1944, now recalled on this website under the title ‘The Lost Flotilla’. The other, was, ofcourse, the loss of the men and craft of the Royal Marine and Royal Navy manned 601 LCM Flotilla. Although many veterans spoke of it, very few had any first hand knowledge of what actually took place. Many times I recall veteran Royal Marines voicing the opinion that the 601 LCM Flotilla should never have attempted the return journey to England given the weather at the time.

In more recent times I have felt closer to the truth, and now, 66 years after the events described above, I've recorded here the product of all the information I have gathered concerning the loss of the men of 601 LCM Flotilla. Also lost on the same day were Royal Marines of the 650 LCM Flotilla. I feel they must have been part of the same homeward bound convoy, although I'm presently unable to confirm that from official records.

[Sadly, Tony Chapman died, suddenly, in the summer of 2013. Although we never met, we were good friends for 10 years, as we worked together on recording the experiences of those who served their country in landing craft large and small in WW2. His contribution to this website was immense, indeed unsurpassed. His friendship, expertise, helpful disposition and enthusiasm for the subject, are sorely missed. Geoff Slee.]

Further Reading

On this website there are around 50 accounts of landing craft training and operations and landing craft training establishments.

There are around 300 books listed on our 'Combined Operations Books' page. They, or any other books you know about, can be purchased on-line from the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE). Their search banner link, on our 'Books' page, checks the shelves of thousands of book shops world-wide. Just type in, or copy and paste the title of your choice, or use the 'keyword' box for book suggestions. There's no obligation to buy, no registration and no passwords.

Correspondence

Acknowledgements

Recalling the loss of the men of 601 LCM Flotilla, returning from Normandy on July 21st 1944 by Tony Chapman, Official Archivist/Historian of the LST and Landing Craft Association (Royal Navy). Source material was drawn from the writings of Lieutenant (later Captain) Martin Tyrell RM MD and Corporal George Morrison RM both of 601 LCM Flotilla and both sadly now deceased. Thanks also due to veteran Royal Marine Reg Blake of 803 LCV(P) Flotilla for his support in this endeavour, also to Danny Lovell and Mike Long for supplying details drawn from the National Archives.

Except for the author's personal reflections, the material supplied by him about 601 LCM Flotilla was edited by Geoff Slee for website presentation and approved by the author before publication with the subsequent addition of photographs and maps.