Reserve Forces > Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve

Arthur Henderson Shields Sub Lieutenant R.N.V.R - ML1300 /1334

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Shielga:
Hi

Looking for guidance / advice where I can find out more information on my grandfather on his WW2 Navy Service.

I have received his service number and some information from RN which more relates to 1943 - 45 but have nothing before and have run into dead ends from what I do have, hence the ask here for any direction / guidance on where I can continue my journey or anyone has any additional information who could assist.

My grandfathers name - Arthur Henderson Shields he was a sub lieutenant on ML1300 from April to Oct 44 - so protecting Weymouth Harbour as an HDML for the US troops heading to Omaha Beach on D Day - can’t find anything saying ML1300 was involved in D Day itself. Later that year he was posted to Durban to serve on ML1334 where the boat was built by Nichols Ship yard and was in HMS Kongni.

Other records show that he was running in and out of Mandapan south of Madras and on sortie to Burma etc across the Bay of Bengal (Indian Ocean today).

I can also see he was in and out of HMS Lanka in 1945 after VE Day but the Japanese have not yet surrendered.

I’m trying to find out whatever I can about pre 1944 on him and anything on ML1300 and the flotilla ML1334 was part of.

My father has his medals which include Italy Star / Burma Star / Atlantic Star etc - I can’t figure out the Italy Star and how he was awarded albeit my dad does remember my grandfather mention he was in Gibraltar but I don’t know on what boat.

I have a few more bits and bobs and found a memoirs of a chap that looks to have been on ML1334 with my grandfather which gives some insight.

http://www.nmbva.co.uk/South%20East%20Asia%20Command.htm

Can anyone help fill in more of the blanks for me / point me in the right directIon where I might be able to continue my journey?

Cheers and thanks in advance for reading and any assistance - Graeme

PhiloNauticus:

He must have been a rating before being commissioned – you say you have his service number, but officers in WW2 didn’t have numbers, only ratings.   The Navy Lists show him being commissioned in June 1944.    I would suggest that you apply for his service record, as a rating, which will give you details pre-44.

That would explain how he was awarded the Atlantic and Italy Stars .

For the HDMLs, 1300 and 1334, then perhaps try raising the subject on the Coastal Forces website: http://cfv.org.uk/
 
The Medusa website - http://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/   -  gives info on the launches themselves

Shielga:

--- Quote from: PhiloNauticus on 26 April 2020 02:53:05 pm ---
He must have been a rating before being commissioned – you say you have his service number, but officers in WW2 didn’t have numbers, only ratings.   The Navy Lists show him being commissioned in June 1944.    I would suggest that you apply for his service record, as a rating, which will give you details pre-44.

That would explain how he was awarded the Atlantic and Italy Stars .

For the HDMLs, 1300 and 1334, then perhaps try raising the subject on the Coastal Forces website: http://cfv.org.uk/
 
The Medusa website - http://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/   -  gives info on the launches themselves


Many thanks for the feedback - Medusa has given me a wealth of information without contacting them, but will definitely take up your advice together with Costal Forces.

Regarding applying for his service record as a rating, how would I go about this as RN have already given me the 43-45 record in a general enquiry.

Again appreciate the guidance. Graeme

--- End quote ---

PhiloNauticus:
 To apply for a rating's records, then see:


https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/711147/20180524-request_service_details_NOK_part1_v6.2.pdf


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869589/rnrm_application_part2_final.pdf

And I would suggest that when completing the forms, you want his rating's service, i.e. pre-1944
 

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