ROYAL NAVAL PATROL SERVICE - REG BREAREY
'Hostilities only' was the term that took Reg into the RN Patrol Service at the start of WW2. Fifty years on his son got him to write down his memories - here they are!
'Hostilities only' was the term that took Reg into the RN Patrol Service at the start of WW2. Fifty years on his son got him to write down his memories - here they are!
At the beginning of 1940 Reg Brearey, a 20 year old electrician living in Edward Street, Liversedge, Yorkshire received his 'invitation' to join the Royal Navy for the period of "Hostilities Only". He was to report to Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham by 11.00a.m. on February 5th 1940. Like many others Reg had never been to sea before.
His lot was to be a member of the Royal Naval Patrol Service whose role it was to provide small vessels for the hazardous tasks of minesweeping and anti-submarine duties. Its HQ in Lowestoft, Suffolk - first named HMS PEMBROKE X and later HMS EUROPA - was the Depot for some 70,000 personnel who manned 6,000-odd vessels varying from yachts to trawlers and minesweepers.
His lot was to be a member of the Royal Naval Patrol Service whose role it was to provide small vessels for the hazardous tasks of minesweeping and anti-submarine duties. Its HQ in Lowestoft, Suffolk - first named HMS PEMBROKE X and later HMS EUROPA - was the Depot for some 70,000 personnel who manned 6,000-odd vessels varying from yachts to trawlers and minesweepers.
Reg Brearey, C/MX68774, Wireman in May 1945
The RNPS badge demanded by Winston Churchill in 1939 to recognise the service.
Reg's story can be told thanks to his eldest son who emailed me from his home in Canada. Doug wrote "My Dad, like most men and women who experienced the horrors of war, didn't talk much about it but in his seventies (1998) I asked him to write or record some of his memories".
Here are those memories, clearly relived by Reg in the writing for he says "It's very strange that believe it or not I see all of this vividly in my mind as I have been writing".
Here are those memories, clearly relived by Reg in the writing for he says "It's very strange that believe it or not I see all of this vividly in my mind as I have been writing".
"Doug,
I remember catching the express to London and then the slow train to Chatham, arriving there the R.T.O., which I learned was the Railroad Transport Officer, collected the men for the Chatham Dockyard, there were twenty two of us, dumped us in the back of an army truck off to the docks. We were shipped to a shack and told we would be staying there for a few days. It was a Nissen hut with about 30 beds. We were given 2 blankets each and told to be at this building called H.M.S. Acteon at 9am tomorrow.
All 22 of us were told 'you men are all electricians by trade so you will be given a trade test, if any of you fail the test you will leave here and be trained as Naval stokers'. Three of the men failed and we never met again - now only 17 of us. Next morning more lectures, 'You men will not be called electricians as are our own R.N. personnel, you Hostilities Only people will be known as Wiremen M.S.' A lot of bitching by all of us then we were dismissed to wait for our orders.
Days went by and no calls, every night around 11 pm we were hounded by the pounding of the bombs and dogfights in the air, of course now we were living on the SE. coast.
It must have been April by now, they issued us with uniforms and we were taken to the jetty where a few fishing trawlers were being converted into Minesweepers, we were to be gophers to the dockies. Three days later the dockies went on strike and we were sent home on leave, two days later they were forced back to work and we were recalled from leave, of course the Navy always gave us Railway passes.
It's about June 1940 I think they issued us with uniforms, we were given talks for a couple of days, basically the talks were "OK men my name is C.P.O. (Don't remember his name) and I am with Naval Intelligence, what you hear today must stay between these walls and nowhere else. Since December 1939 we have known that the Hun has been constructing a magnetic mine that will detonate under a ship. It's your job to detonate these mines before the merchant ships arrive. You have been seeing those trawlers converted from trawlers to minesweepers that will be your job men, thank you and good luck." End of lecture. July 1940 we got our official documents, my number is C/MX 68774. (I have to think again Doug)
We were given our destinations today, leaving tomorrow, three of us 'Wires' as we are nick-named now, we're posted to the Hull dockyard on the NE coast, we were put up at the Imperial Hotel which was close to the dockyard. I think we were there about a week then evacuated across the river to Grimsby (got to think some more Doug)) the three of us just hanging around. All the Naval bases were called H.M.S..so & so, Grimsby was (an outstation of) H.M.S. Pembroke .
A little while later on the three of us were taken to a converted trawler where we found a fellow all dressed up in oilskins and sea boots, turned out he was the Skipper of this vessel, he was a Scot, a real fisherman. A short time later 3 civilians came on board, they were electrical engineers from Crompton Parkinson Co, to instruct us 3 Wires in the operation of the electrical equipment. next day the Skipper took us out to sea so they could simulate an actual sweep. None of us had ever been on a boat before, we did this for three days Doug and I have to admit we were scared, Must be about September when I was posted to D W. Fitzgerald, (See Footnote 1), I had two V 8s with Crompton 20 kw. Generators. This room they had built was on the foredeck, very cramped for space so hot as hell, below this room in an ex fish hold I had 1100 6 volt car batteries which had to help the generators when we pulsed - 1100 to top up. I forgot point out this pulse was coded to me each night of sweeping. The crew of the D.W.F. was myself, the Skipper plus four stokers and ten seamen all Newfie (Newfoundland) fishermen.
A week or two later we were taken into dock to have an oscillator installed, seems jerry had invented an acoustic mine as well as a magnetic mine, shipping was being devastated by now. We set out to test this rig and Boom! Must have been too close, we were scared I can tell you. We were taking on water and the hand pumps could not cope, Skipper Cowie radioed for a tug to tow us to shore which they did but had to beach her finally, we were taken ashore and sent on leave. It was Dec. 1940 Mary and I decided to get married next summer so I arranged this with the Naval Chaplain for July 12th. 1941, you were born Dec 16th 1942 at Cleethorpes. Found a place for Mary to stay, I think it was Jan 41, the people were Mr. And Mrs. Kilburn, You came Dec 16/ 42. And we took you home as the danger was increasing. I can't bring to mind anymore except all our leave was cancelled due to the vast shipping losses,
It's now Jan 1941. I joined Colonsay but only lasted about 2 weeks and once again Boom! Eleven sweepers lost that night, I was the only survivor from my vessel, survivor leave again, I remember walking from the train, must have been a.m, I don't remember more as I woke up in Dewsbury Infirmary where the Police took me. The Doctors diagnosed delayed shell shock and I was there for 11 days then sent home. Back to Grimsby to Beaver which lasted until April 1943.
1943 I joined War Duke, the sweepers were being pushed to the limit by now and those 6 volt batteries were overheating badly. One night they exploded and fire developed, I remember being pulled out and laid on deck it was real cold, then taken off by the Spurn Head life boat and I was in the Hospital for 4 days I think.the Dr's. Name was Haigh,(a coincidence). He said it was a slightly perforated left lung but should skin over. Sea water and Sulphuric acid don't mix son." (See Award below)
I remember catching the express to London and then the slow train to Chatham, arriving there the R.T.O., which I learned was the Railroad Transport Officer, collected the men for the Chatham Dockyard, there were twenty two of us, dumped us in the back of an army truck off to the docks. We were shipped to a shack and told we would be staying there for a few days. It was a Nissen hut with about 30 beds. We were given 2 blankets each and told to be at this building called H.M.S. Acteon at 9am tomorrow.
All 22 of us were told 'you men are all electricians by trade so you will be given a trade test, if any of you fail the test you will leave here and be trained as Naval stokers'. Three of the men failed and we never met again - now only 17 of us. Next morning more lectures, 'You men will not be called electricians as are our own R.N. personnel, you Hostilities Only people will be known as Wiremen M.S.' A lot of bitching by all of us then we were dismissed to wait for our orders.
Days went by and no calls, every night around 11 pm we were hounded by the pounding of the bombs and dogfights in the air, of course now we were living on the SE. coast.
It must have been April by now, they issued us with uniforms and we were taken to the jetty where a few fishing trawlers were being converted into Minesweepers, we were to be gophers to the dockies. Three days later the dockies went on strike and we were sent home on leave, two days later they were forced back to work and we were recalled from leave, of course the Navy always gave us Railway passes.
It's about June 1940 I think they issued us with uniforms, we were given talks for a couple of days, basically the talks were "OK men my name is C.P.O. (Don't remember his name) and I am with Naval Intelligence, what you hear today must stay between these walls and nowhere else. Since December 1939 we have known that the Hun has been constructing a magnetic mine that will detonate under a ship. It's your job to detonate these mines before the merchant ships arrive. You have been seeing those trawlers converted from trawlers to minesweepers that will be your job men, thank you and good luck." End of lecture. July 1940 we got our official documents, my number is C/MX 68774. (I have to think again Doug)
We were given our destinations today, leaving tomorrow, three of us 'Wires' as we are nick-named now, we're posted to the Hull dockyard on the NE coast, we were put up at the Imperial Hotel which was close to the dockyard. I think we were there about a week then evacuated across the river to Grimsby (got to think some more Doug)) the three of us just hanging around. All the Naval bases were called H.M.S..so & so, Grimsby was (an outstation of) H.M.S. Pembroke .
A little while later on the three of us were taken to a converted trawler where we found a fellow all dressed up in oilskins and sea boots, turned out he was the Skipper of this vessel, he was a Scot, a real fisherman. A short time later 3 civilians came on board, they were electrical engineers from Crompton Parkinson Co, to instruct us 3 Wires in the operation of the electrical equipment. next day the Skipper took us out to sea so they could simulate an actual sweep. None of us had ever been on a boat before, we did this for three days Doug and I have to admit we were scared, Must be about September when I was posted to D W. Fitzgerald, (See Footnote 1), I had two V 8s with Crompton 20 kw. Generators. This room they had built was on the foredeck, very cramped for space so hot as hell, below this room in an ex fish hold I had 1100 6 volt car batteries which had to help the generators when we pulsed - 1100 to top up. I forgot point out this pulse was coded to me each night of sweeping. The crew of the D.W.F. was myself, the Skipper plus four stokers and ten seamen all Newfie (Newfoundland) fishermen.
A week or two later we were taken into dock to have an oscillator installed, seems jerry had invented an acoustic mine as well as a magnetic mine, shipping was being devastated by now. We set out to test this rig and Boom! Must have been too close, we were scared I can tell you. We were taking on water and the hand pumps could not cope, Skipper Cowie radioed for a tug to tow us to shore which they did but had to beach her finally, we were taken ashore and sent on leave. It was Dec. 1940 Mary and I decided to get married next summer so I arranged this with the Naval Chaplain for July 12th. 1941, you were born Dec 16th 1942 at Cleethorpes. Found a place for Mary to stay, I think it was Jan 41, the people were Mr. And Mrs. Kilburn, You came Dec 16/ 42. And we took you home as the danger was increasing. I can't bring to mind anymore except all our leave was cancelled due to the vast shipping losses,
It's now Jan 1941. I joined Colonsay but only lasted about 2 weeks and once again Boom! Eleven sweepers lost that night, I was the only survivor from my vessel, survivor leave again, I remember walking from the train, must have been a.m, I don't remember more as I woke up in Dewsbury Infirmary where the Police took me. The Doctors diagnosed delayed shell shock and I was there for 11 days then sent home. Back to Grimsby to Beaver which lasted until April 1943.
1943 I joined War Duke, the sweepers were being pushed to the limit by now and those 6 volt batteries were overheating badly. One night they exploded and fire developed, I remember being pulled out and laid on deck it was real cold, then taken off by the Spurn Head life boat and I was in the Hospital for 4 days I think.the Dr's. Name was Haigh,(a coincidence). He said it was a slightly perforated left lung but should skin over. Sea water and Sulphuric acid don't mix son." (See Award below)
HMT WAR DUKE (Footnote 2)
"I was sent to Lowestoft to wait for passage to Canada, travelled to Gourock Scotland and boarded Q.E. Liner for New York, 12000 troops mostly headed for the middle east, hundreds of us slept on the promenade deck it was so full. We reported to MP's and two of us were taken by truck to Brooklyn Naval Yard, at the office they had a signal to inspect electrical equipment on the B.Y.M.s. they were building. These B.Y.M.s. had a huge flywheel, they told us that would eliminate the batteries on the pulse cycle, I don't know if they were able to do the job or not we left three days later.
By the way the other chap with me was my Buddy John McCoy who I was, later in the war, to see killed.
By train to Boston then to Moncton N. B(runswick). Then to Shelburne N(ova Scotia).(A bit more thinking to do Doug). Two or three months later John McCoy and I were sent to St. Andrews N.B. (11 Oct 1943) it took us three days to get to this place, it was a small hick town in those days at the end of the railroad track. We were told to find Mickey Wright who was the Naval storekeeper where they were building two M.M.S. We were sitting on a station bench when a Limo drove up, word got around fast in this small town, there was a lady who lowered her window and asked if we were the two Britishers.
She said get in boys and told her Chauffeur to stop at the soda bar and bring us sodas and donuts (never seen anything like this before) told the guy to stop at the Mercury Club and tell Mr. Green the Brits will be here for supper and will be staying for a few months.
What a super woman she was Doug couldn't do enough for us, back to her home which was
called Fort Tipperary, her Maid brought our sodas and donuts and gave us $5.00 each, told us the car will call for us at 9 a.m. and take us to report to Micky. He took us to see the vessels they were building, going to be (BYMS) 256 & 257, we spent a lot of time there. One day our Lady at Fort Tipperary asked us to help with her garden then gave us $10.00 each,
(Her name was Lady Shaughnessy.)
By the way the other chap with me was my Buddy John McCoy who I was, later in the war, to see killed.
By train to Boston then to Moncton N. B(runswick). Then to Shelburne N(ova Scotia).(A bit more thinking to do Doug). Two or three months later John McCoy and I were sent to St. Andrews N.B. (11 Oct 1943) it took us three days to get to this place, it was a small hick town in those days at the end of the railroad track. We were told to find Mickey Wright who was the Naval storekeeper where they were building two M.M.S. We were sitting on a station bench when a Limo drove up, word got around fast in this small town, there was a lady who lowered her window and asked if we were the two Britishers.
She said get in boys and told her Chauffeur to stop at the soda bar and bring us sodas and donuts (never seen anything like this before) told the guy to stop at the Mercury Club and tell Mr. Green the Brits will be here for supper and will be staying for a few months.
What a super woman she was Doug couldn't do enough for us, back to her home which was
called Fort Tipperary, her Maid brought our sodas and donuts and gave us $5.00 each, told us the car will call for us at 9 a.m. and take us to report to Micky. He took us to see the vessels they were building, going to be (BYMS) 256 & 257, we spent a lot of time there. One day our Lady at Fort Tipperary asked us to help with her garden then gave us $10.00 each,
(Her name was Lady Shaughnessy.)
MMS 256 (L&C) Engine & (R) Generator (Footnote 3)
Reading up on the statistics there were two huge Cummins diesels with English Electric 47 kw. generators which would put out a magnetic field of 5000 amps for a few seconds pulse both North & South (one at a time of course.) There were 48 submarine batteries to take part load on pulse. We were not given any code at this time. Came the day we were ready for the crews, again all Newfies except the wireless operator me and four Stokers 1st Class, the rest were seamen, sixteen of us in all plus the Skipper Lt. Diggle for 256 and the same for 257 plus Lt. Benstart I think was his name.
Our Lady gave us a big party with a local dance band and a buffet supper. What a great person she was, I forgot to mention she had been sending clothing and food over to the U.K. to our two wives, your Mom & Mrs. McCoy. Well the party got a bit out of hand and the Sheriff and 4 deputies marched us back to the ship, except the 2 officers of course. The deputies "looked after us" until the two officers took over.
We sailed the day after on 27 January 1944. My job on the trip back to the U.K. was to run both generators 6 hours every day which caused the batteries to be topped up every 8 hours, we arrived at the isle of Horta (Azores)a neutral country, to go ashore we had to signal the U.K. envoy and he would give us a time to be on shore, also pants and sweaters civilian clothes, to wear. 256 & 257 set sail to Swansea Docks S. Wales. We were tied up about 3 days, signal from base to us, your Wireman required for 1 sweep 8 hours on Calverton, please confirm!
I got aboard her and started running the generators, still the old V-8's as it is a trawler. We were sitting in the locks waiting to pull out when all hell broke loose, the Skipper couldn't get them to open the gates, he kept blowing the steam whistle then he shouted " Abandon ship the gates are jammed.". We climbed on top of the gates and ran as fast as we could, see Jerry had bombed Swansea and was headed for the shipyard, he didn't give a direct hit but her plates split and she sank in about 5 minutes, there were lots of ships lost that night all trawlers, luckily 256 & 257 were tied up at a pier on the other side and not damaged as they were not active yet. I didn't stop the generators as I was gone as soon as the Skipper screamed, confusion everywhere bodies too as Jerry had cleaned Swansea out.
Our Lady gave us a big party with a local dance band and a buffet supper. What a great person she was, I forgot to mention she had been sending clothing and food over to the U.K. to our two wives, your Mom & Mrs. McCoy. Well the party got a bit out of hand and the Sheriff and 4 deputies marched us back to the ship, except the 2 officers of course. The deputies "looked after us" until the two officers took over.
We sailed the day after on 27 January 1944. My job on the trip back to the U.K. was to run both generators 6 hours every day which caused the batteries to be topped up every 8 hours, we arrived at the isle of Horta (Azores)a neutral country, to go ashore we had to signal the U.K. envoy and he would give us a time to be on shore, also pants and sweaters civilian clothes, to wear. 256 & 257 set sail to Swansea Docks S. Wales. We were tied up about 3 days, signal from base to us, your Wireman required for 1 sweep 8 hours on Calverton, please confirm!
I got aboard her and started running the generators, still the old V-8's as it is a trawler. We were sitting in the locks waiting to pull out when all hell broke loose, the Skipper couldn't get them to open the gates, he kept blowing the steam whistle then he shouted " Abandon ship the gates are jammed.". We climbed on top of the gates and ran as fast as we could, see Jerry had bombed Swansea and was headed for the shipyard, he didn't give a direct hit but her plates split and she sank in about 5 minutes, there were lots of ships lost that night all trawlers, luckily 256 & 257 were tied up at a pier on the other side and not damaged as they were not active yet. I didn't stop the generators as I was gone as soon as the Skipper screamed, confusion everywhere bodies too as Jerry had cleaned Swansea out.
MMS 252 entering harbour
We were based here now so I sent a wire to your Mom, I hadn't seen you or Mom since leaving for the U.S. She got a train from Leeds and arrived about 8 p.m. we took a room for the night and found a place next morning with an evacuated family named Monson. We stayed with them until I got word all leave will be cancelled after the end of May I think.
I guess you would have been about 3 ½ by then Doug , so Mom and you shipped home going on the train which would leave in the morning, you sure travelled a lot in your short life. End of May all leave was cancelled, I should explain the M.M.S's, about 200 of them by now, had replaced the trawlers, with this huge magnetic field and the acoustic gear we had saved most merchant ships from mines. It must be almost June by now and I remember us all assembling on a huge fish dock, about 50 M.M.S. crews, and a big limo drove up, some big Army type got up on this platform and with a big salute (He was a Yank we knew that) he shouted 'Men I am General Eisenhower Supreme Commander' You could have heard a pin drop. 'I am going to lead you and crush the enemy' (Cheers) 'You fellows will be over there before me so that I will be safe' (Laughter) 'Seriously men you are the advance force because without you I couldn't carry this operation out, you will give it your all men, 24 hrs. before me, for this I thank you'.(More laughter) 'Your Captains have been briefed and carry sealed orders they will open in my presents on D. Day + 1 that's all men and Good Luck'
So June 3rd about 50 M.M.S. set sail after dark, we could only guess where we were headed but no generators required for 3 hrs. so a good time to top up the batteries, no codes were given to me at this time so we were sure it had to be France. During the sweep on Juno cloud cover broke, we had to slow way back and call for smoke screen, they sent 6 M.T.B's and they scooted up and down smoking for us, now we were pulsing every 5 seconds for 15 seconds, nine sweepers covering many square miles.
We detonated a hell of a lot, at daylight we sailed back to this big monster of a monitor as it was called, it's name was the Lord Roberts ( I just remembered.) we were circling round this big thing when they signalled three of us to tie up on it's port side and double up on the lines, three more to do the same on the other side then two more M.M.S.'s 1 at the bow and 1 at the stern we couldn't see what this was for, the 1 remaining ship was to anchor herself close by.
The nine Skippers were escorted on board the Lord Roberts with their sealed orders, our Skipper told us this when he got back, I remember while he was gone a couple of Newfy's got into the rum then we didn't give a damn "Here's to Lord Roberts".
About 3a.m. we shit our pants literally Doug, The old monitor let fly with everything she had, 19" guns Wow, our skipper Lt. Diggle came out of his cabin and said don't feel bad men I need fresh undies too, even the officer shit himself.
I guess you would have been about 3 ½ by then Doug , so Mom and you shipped home going on the train which would leave in the morning, you sure travelled a lot in your short life. End of May all leave was cancelled, I should explain the M.M.S's, about 200 of them by now, had replaced the trawlers, with this huge magnetic field and the acoustic gear we had saved most merchant ships from mines. It must be almost June by now and I remember us all assembling on a huge fish dock, about 50 M.M.S. crews, and a big limo drove up, some big Army type got up on this platform and with a big salute (He was a Yank we knew that) he shouted 'Men I am General Eisenhower Supreme Commander' You could have heard a pin drop. 'I am going to lead you and crush the enemy' (Cheers) 'You fellows will be over there before me so that I will be safe' (Laughter) 'Seriously men you are the advance force because without you I couldn't carry this operation out, you will give it your all men, 24 hrs. before me, for this I thank you'.(More laughter) 'Your Captains have been briefed and carry sealed orders they will open in my presents on D. Day + 1 that's all men and Good Luck'
So June 3rd about 50 M.M.S. set sail after dark, we could only guess where we were headed but no generators required for 3 hrs. so a good time to top up the batteries, no codes were given to me at this time so we were sure it had to be France. During the sweep on Juno cloud cover broke, we had to slow way back and call for smoke screen, they sent 6 M.T.B's and they scooted up and down smoking for us, now we were pulsing every 5 seconds for 15 seconds, nine sweepers covering many square miles.
We detonated a hell of a lot, at daylight we sailed back to this big monster of a monitor as it was called, it's name was the Lord Roberts ( I just remembered.) we were circling round this big thing when they signalled three of us to tie up on it's port side and double up on the lines, three more to do the same on the other side then two more M.M.S.'s 1 at the bow and 1 at the stern we couldn't see what this was for, the 1 remaining ship was to anchor herself close by.
The nine Skippers were escorted on board the Lord Roberts with their sealed orders, our Skipper told us this when he got back, I remember while he was gone a couple of Newfy's got into the rum then we didn't give a damn "Here's to Lord Roberts".
About 3a.m. we shit our pants literally Doug, The old monitor let fly with everything she had, 19" guns Wow, our skipper Lt. Diggle came out of his cabin and said don't feel bad men I need fresh undies too, even the officer shit himself.
HMS ROBERTS 1941 - 1965
Signal from Eisenhower himself, 'Lord Roberts (Footnote 4) return from Overlord as soon as Army establish beach head, dismiss minesweepers'. We found out later M.M.S. were tied up to her so torpedoes could not get her, having a flat bottom they would hit us instead. (nice fellows). Nine M.M.S.'s were all anchored out while the L.C.B.'s rattled by us, looked like thousands of them and in the air thousands of aircraft, some sight you could not believe it.
We were still near the old Lord Roberts just waiting for orders I guess and as daylight came we could see our M.T.B's chasing around like crazy, what happened was jerry had sent out e-boats they were powered by electric so they were very silent and could sneak up in the dark and sink our ships or so they hoped, however our M.T.B's gave them hell and as ordered they sank or rammed them and did not stop to pick up survivors (this is war) saw quite a few bodies floating around and most of them looked like they didn't shave yet maybe 16 years old, I guess Germany was almost defeated and they were using kids by now. That day sitting around waiting we had quite a good view of the action some M.T.B's must have been lost I guess but there were hardly any enemy craft out there by now, a signal came a little later for us to tie up in the Scheldt Estuary about 30 km. away, I'm no navigator so don't know where the hell we were however we were close to a small town some where and three M.M.S's tied up to an old sunken barge.
The town was called Terneuzen we had to remain there for orders, one day a big Army Colonel came to the old barge to talk to our Skipper, they had just taken control of the town but jerry had destroyed the power station, his Army Engineers would sling cables to a small Hospital but no power! "the Engineers would sling cables to your ship if you can give them power as we have casualties, we need about 8000 amps." That would need at least three generators, the three Skippers agreed to do this and have a fuel tender to fill up our M.M.S's.
We were still near the old Lord Roberts just waiting for orders I guess and as daylight came we could see our M.T.B's chasing around like crazy, what happened was jerry had sent out e-boats they were powered by electric so they were very silent and could sneak up in the dark and sink our ships or so they hoped, however our M.T.B's gave them hell and as ordered they sank or rammed them and did not stop to pick up survivors (this is war) saw quite a few bodies floating around and most of them looked like they didn't shave yet maybe 16 years old, I guess Germany was almost defeated and they were using kids by now. That day sitting around waiting we had quite a good view of the action some M.T.B's must have been lost I guess but there were hardly any enemy craft out there by now, a signal came a little later for us to tie up in the Scheldt Estuary about 30 km. away, I'm no navigator so don't know where the hell we were however we were close to a small town some where and three M.M.S's tied up to an old sunken barge.
The town was called Terneuzen we had to remain there for orders, one day a big Army Colonel came to the old barge to talk to our Skipper, they had just taken control of the town but jerry had destroyed the power station, his Army Engineers would sling cables to a small Hospital but no power! "the Engineers would sling cables to your ship if you can give them power as we have casualties, we need about 8000 amps." That would need at least three generators, the three Skippers agreed to do this and have a fuel tender to fill up our M.M.S's.
MMS 256 (top centre) at Ternuezen May 1945
The three of us wires agreed to take shifts, we agreed to use 247 which was closest to where the Army boys could get, it took the Army Engineers very little time to sling those cables which they had mounted on a truck, these Army guys did all the hooking up to us and the three of us said ok, let's fire one up, then we put the 2nd gen on line and the army boys all cheered. One Sgt. brought out a big jug of rum so, well Doug what would you expect? 247's Wires was Eric Doyle. At 2 pm. he got me up as a Sgt had asked for more power, I didn't know at this time the Army had already hooked up 256 and were ready to shove her on line.
Of course I'm wide awake by now. Thankfully the diesel kept thumping away, we got permission for the Army to hook up the three of us 256, 247, & 261, the guy on 261 was a miserable guy so we didn't use their power if possible. About a week later the Army pulled out and moved on, we were still waiting for orders.
A few days later two stokers, Newfy's of course left a guy to keep his eye on the small engine room lighting generator about 4000 watts I guess, and said 'come on Wires we are going to Ghent if we can get a ride just for something to do' That was great. The Wires from M.M.S. 261 was half drunk and didn't like us guys much and that started a shindig (got to cut this story short Doug.) Well the three of us set off to try for a ride, none of us had looked in a mirror and half cut didn't care. I had two broken teeth, one of the Newfy's had a broken nose and the other guy had a dislocated shoulder. I remember walking along and a jeep pulled up, boy this is great until the driver and his buddy put on their white hats, how stupid we were, these M.P.'s pulled into their base and said their piece to their C.O. who sent us right away to the stockade.
There we were in the morning hurting like hell, they let us out two days later and drove us to the M.M.S's. Old Skipper Diggle was signalled to leave but Wires was absent so he sent the signal back, trouble with #2 generator (he was a good guy really) the answer came back, proceed when able, so he saved our skin but had to fine us one days pay in case something came of it.
Of course I'm wide awake by now. Thankfully the diesel kept thumping away, we got permission for the Army to hook up the three of us 256, 247, & 261, the guy on 261 was a miserable guy so we didn't use their power if possible. About a week later the Army pulled out and moved on, we were still waiting for orders.
A few days later two stokers, Newfy's of course left a guy to keep his eye on the small engine room lighting generator about 4000 watts I guess, and said 'come on Wires we are going to Ghent if we can get a ride just for something to do' That was great. The Wires from M.M.S. 261 was half drunk and didn't like us guys much and that started a shindig (got to cut this story short Doug.) Well the three of us set off to try for a ride, none of us had looked in a mirror and half cut didn't care. I had two broken teeth, one of the Newfy's had a broken nose and the other guy had a dislocated shoulder. I remember walking along and a jeep pulled up, boy this is great until the driver and his buddy put on their white hats, how stupid we were, these M.P.'s pulled into their base and said their piece to their C.O. who sent us right away to the stockade.
There we were in the morning hurting like hell, they let us out two days later and drove us to the M.M.S's. Old Skipper Diggle was signalled to leave but Wires was absent so he sent the signal back, trouble with #2 generator (he was a good guy really) the answer came back, proceed when able, so he saved our skin but had to fine us one days pay in case something came of it.
At Ternuezen in May 1945 Reg with shipmates T Hedges (Stoker), H Lockie (Signalman), J McGrath (Seaman) & L Burgess (Coxswain)
While I had been out with these two stokers a signal had been sent that I had got a "Mention in Despatches " which was issued for distinguished service while I was on War Duke, took long enough but I was now a hero with the Newfy's. ('Webmaster's 'Bold' emphasis)
We left the old barge to clear the River Scheldt. Mines had blown up 2 or 3 fishing vessels but we could only use two M.M.S's due to the width of the river second day we got a wallop, we were riddled with sniper fire, Skipper Diggle a seaman and I were transported to a Hospital in Ghent I didn't know but 256 sank. (Footnote 3). Capt. Diggle, I found out, had an arm amputated, I had split my head. We later found out an M.T.B. blew up the place where the snipers were holed up and killed 16 jerries along with it. Three weeks later I was out of the Hospital and found out 256 was lifted, towed back to Dover, repaired and sold for a tour boat.
Jerry had signed the Armistice by now, It was over, thinking I would be sent back home and out, (couldn't wait) but no! taken by truck into Germany, riding up front when we stopped was Skipper Diggle. We grabbed a few hours sleep and off again.
German prisoners were pushing wheelbarrows and shovelling white stuff covering dead bodies, I found out later it was quicklime, this was called Operation Milk. Capt. Diggle was put in charge of another section under an Army Col. I saw him once after that then never saw him again. Someone said 2 of the Navy chaps had collapsed and were rushed to Hospital.
Two days later, thankfully, (the stink was terrible) six of us R.N. boys were taken to Ostend to wait for transport. The boys said the R.N. bigwigs refused to let the navy do the Armies job, we'll never know, a week later shipped across the Channel on a supply ship to Lowestoft, checked over by the Medics (a bit of a laugh really ) and signed off that no Medical problems existed, to get home was all I wanted, shipped to Army Barracks in York with my Service record, I think I made you a photocopy of it.
Went to be kitted out with civilian wear, we got 1 suit grey or brown pinstripe, 1hat brown or green and 1 regular rain coat, no under wear or shirt as I remember and no shoes as the Navy always wore shoes, never boots, now I'm on my way in Civvy clothes carrying my Navy suitcase,(it was green) with my uniform in it. I do remember your Mom and you were living with your Gran at your Moms home and your Moms brother Frank was there, arrived from Italy 2 days before .
A few small comments Doug I have purposely left out some of the stuff that is best forgotten.
I may have got a few dates wrong or names but so be it.
Rarely Hostilities Only Personnel and ships are mentioned in peace time.
It's very strange that believe it or not I see all of this vividly in my mind as I have been writing, it must have been like you said, blocked out all these years, seems spooky really.
Some things I left out Doug, Forgotten. Many nights after sweep done we would see 2 persons come up on deck, both clad in black including faces. One time a girl.
They would inflate a Carley float and dump it over the side and paddle it away, if the cloud cover broke they would hold back, times like this we could see the outline of land, we could see outlines of small craft shooting around at high speed way out.
Found out later we were 6 miles from Calais France and we were shipping Gr(Bl)etchley Park personnel to the resistance; the small craft were M.T.B.'s to lay smoke screen. Highly secret at this time of course, only later we were told.
That's it Doug,
Dad."
We left the old barge to clear the River Scheldt. Mines had blown up 2 or 3 fishing vessels but we could only use two M.M.S's due to the width of the river second day we got a wallop, we were riddled with sniper fire, Skipper Diggle a seaman and I were transported to a Hospital in Ghent I didn't know but 256 sank. (Footnote 3). Capt. Diggle, I found out, had an arm amputated, I had split my head. We later found out an M.T.B. blew up the place where the snipers were holed up and killed 16 jerries along with it. Three weeks later I was out of the Hospital and found out 256 was lifted, towed back to Dover, repaired and sold for a tour boat.
Jerry had signed the Armistice by now, It was over, thinking I would be sent back home and out, (couldn't wait) but no! taken by truck into Germany, riding up front when we stopped was Skipper Diggle. We grabbed a few hours sleep and off again.
German prisoners were pushing wheelbarrows and shovelling white stuff covering dead bodies, I found out later it was quicklime, this was called Operation Milk. Capt. Diggle was put in charge of another section under an Army Col. I saw him once after that then never saw him again. Someone said 2 of the Navy chaps had collapsed and were rushed to Hospital.
Two days later, thankfully, (the stink was terrible) six of us R.N. boys were taken to Ostend to wait for transport. The boys said the R.N. bigwigs refused to let the navy do the Armies job, we'll never know, a week later shipped across the Channel on a supply ship to Lowestoft, checked over by the Medics (a bit of a laugh really ) and signed off that no Medical problems existed, to get home was all I wanted, shipped to Army Barracks in York with my Service record, I think I made you a photocopy of it.
Went to be kitted out with civilian wear, we got 1 suit grey or brown pinstripe, 1hat brown or green and 1 regular rain coat, no under wear or shirt as I remember and no shoes as the Navy always wore shoes, never boots, now I'm on my way in Civvy clothes carrying my Navy suitcase,(it was green) with my uniform in it. I do remember your Mom and you were living with your Gran at your Moms home and your Moms brother Frank was there, arrived from Italy 2 days before .
A few small comments Doug I have purposely left out some of the stuff that is best forgotten.
I may have got a few dates wrong or names but so be it.
Rarely Hostilities Only Personnel and ships are mentioned in peace time.
It's very strange that believe it or not I see all of this vividly in my mind as I have been writing, it must have been like you said, blocked out all these years, seems spooky really.
Some things I left out Doug, Forgotten. Many nights after sweep done we would see 2 persons come up on deck, both clad in black including faces. One time a girl.
They would inflate a Carley float and dump it over the side and paddle it away, if the cloud cover broke they would hold back, times like this we could see the outline of land, we could see outlines of small craft shooting around at high speed way out.
Found out later we were 6 miles from Calais France and we were shipping Gr(Bl)etchley Park personnel to the resistance; the small craft were M.T.B.'s to lay smoke screen. Highly secret at this time of course, only later we were told.
That's it Doug,
Dad."
Doug went on to tell me his Dad remembered particularly Skippers Cowie, Davis, Fletcher and Diggle. If you too remember them or others Doug & I would be pleased to hear from you.
Post war Reg and Mary Brearey had two more children, Sandy & Patricia, before they emigrated to Canada in April 1954 from where Doug told me Reg's story. Reg & Mary had two more sons, Rick and Peter, before Mary died from cancer in 1972. Reg later remarried.
Post war Reg and Mary Brearey had two more children, Sandy & Patricia, before they emigrated to Canada in April 1954 from where Doug told me Reg's story. Reg & Mary had two more sons, Rick and Peter, before Mary died from cancer in 1972. Reg later remarried.
Reg, with Doug & Don (Doug's son) & enjoying his 80th birthday party with daughter Pat. MiD vellum.
Reg Brearey passed away in September 2000 aged 80.
Reg Brearey passed away in September 2000 aged 80.
Webmaster's footnotes:
1. HMT D W FITZGERALD was a 235T trawler built in 1916 and requisitioned by the Admiralty until 1919 an action repeated in 1940 for the period of WW2.
2. HM Trawler WAR DUKE (250T), new in 1917, followed the same requisition pattern as DW Fitzgerald.
3. MMS (Motor Minesweeper) 256 & 257 were built by Vaughan Shipbuilding (Fredericten), in New Brunswick They were of all wood construction 119'(36.3M) long with a beam of 23'(7M) and a draught around 10'(3.05M) A single screw gave them a speed of 11 knots that was often found slow by the 20 or so ship's company. Two 20mm guns provided defensive armament. MMS 257 was lost as Reg describes, in the R. Scheldt on 11 Dec 1944.
4. ROBERTS, an 8000T monitor designed for bombardment had 13.5 inch (343mm) gun barrels - originally in the battleships RESOLUTION and RAMILLIES in WW1 - that could propel a shell weighing almost 2000 lbs (908kg) more than 20 miles (32Km)
What a great debt of gratitude we owe to all those in the RNPS for theirs was a continuously hard & hazardous task in seeking to make safe the seaways, rivers & harbours for others. More than 130 men received honours and awards in the three months from October to November 1944 for mine clearance off the Dutch/Belgian coasts and in the River Scheldt. Rewards that illustrate and recognise the risks and dangers that they all faced.
1. HMT D W FITZGERALD was a 235T trawler built in 1916 and requisitioned by the Admiralty until 1919 an action repeated in 1940 for the period of WW2.
2. HM Trawler WAR DUKE (250T), new in 1917, followed the same requisition pattern as DW Fitzgerald.
3. MMS (Motor Minesweeper) 256 & 257 were built by Vaughan Shipbuilding (Fredericten), in New Brunswick They were of all wood construction 119'(36.3M) long with a beam of 23'(7M) and a draught around 10'(3.05M) A single screw gave them a speed of 11 knots that was often found slow by the 20 or so ship's company. Two 20mm guns provided defensive armament. MMS 257 was lost as Reg describes, in the R. Scheldt on 11 Dec 1944.
4. ROBERTS, an 8000T monitor designed for bombardment had 13.5 inch (343mm) gun barrels - originally in the battleships RESOLUTION and RAMILLIES in WW1 - that could propel a shell weighing almost 2000 lbs (908kg) more than 20 miles (32Km)
What a great debt of gratitude we owe to all those in the RNPS for theirs was a continuously hard & hazardous task in seeking to make safe the seaways, rivers & harbours for others. More than 130 men received honours and awards in the three months from October to November 1944 for mine clearance off the Dutch/Belgian coasts and in the River Scheldt. Rewards that illustrate and recognise the risks and dangers that they all faced.
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This ROYAL NAVAL PATROL SERVICE section first published online 2004 and since revised.
