Friends of Coastal Forces

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

New book about Coastal Forces veteran, George Chandler: When the care staff of an Assisted Living complex discovered that one of their residents, Able Seaman George Apprentice Chandler, was a Royal Navy D-Day veteran, an extraordinary story began to emerge, just weeks before the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. Beneath George’s quiet and humble nature lay a remarkable history of courage, sacrifice, and survival that had remained largely untold for decades.

Living with vascular dementia, George’s memories often appeared fragmented and distant. Yet with patience, compassion, and the dedicated support of his care team, precious moments from his wartime service gradually resurfaced. Together, they embarked on a journey to gently unlock the stories hidden within his fading memories, revealing firsthand accounts of life at sea, the realities of war, and the emotional burden carried by those who served.

Author A.S. George was given the rare privilege of helping to piece together George’s recollections, supported by family members, historical research, and the unwavering commitment of those who cared for him. As George’s story unfolded, so too did a remarkable postscript. After George’s passing, researchers made an astonishing discovery: his closest wartime friend from MTB 710, a man George had long believed to have passed away, was in fact alive and well, having just turned 100 years old. The revelation brought a poignant new chapter to George’s story, highlighting the enduring bonds forged during conflict and the mysteries that can remain hidden for a lifetime.

Part gripping war memoir and part guide to understanding dementia and memory loss, this book offers a moving insight into how treasured memories can be preserved and shared. More than a personal story, it is a testament to the power of listening, the importance of preserving living history, and the love, trust, and understanding that can help bring the past back to life. George’s unforgettable journey reminds us that history endures when we take the time to hear its voices.



Link to the book: ...And Then There Was George
https://amzn.eu/d/04VJePF1

11/06/2026

(Sixth post in series on D-Day - the Decca nav system was so secret that Medusa was stuffed with demolition charges and had orders to blow up the ship - and crew if necessary- to avoid capture) On 6th June we outlined the role of coastal forces on D Day. This week we were lucky enough to get onboard HMS Medusa and talk to Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and Captain of Medusa. He showed us some of the historic charts used in D-Day and gives a fascinating insight into the meticulous planning which ensured its success. Medusa played an important role in D-Day as navigational leader and homing beacon. When she sailed for D Day none of her crew expected to come home…
For more information or to donate to HMS Medusa visit her website (link in bio) …

11/06/2026

(Fifth post in series on D-Day - more fascinating detail on the Decca nav system) On 6th June we outlined the role of coastal forces on D Day. This week we were lucky enough to get onboard HMS Medusa and talk to Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and Captain of Medusa. He showed us some of the historic charts used in D-Day and gives a fascinating insight into the meticulous planning which ensured its success. Medusa played an important role in D-Day as navigational leader and homing beacon. When she sailed for D Day none of her crew expected to come home…
For more information or to donate to HMS Medusa visit her website (link in bio) …

08/06/2026

(Fourth post in series, on Decca) In our last post on 6th June we outlined the role of coastal forces on D Day. Today we were lucky enough to get onboard HMS Medusa and talk to Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and Captain of Medusa. He showed us some of the historic charts used in D-Day and gives a fascinating insight into the meticulous planning which ensured its success. Medusa played an important role in D-Day as navigational leader and homing beacon. When she sailed for D Day none of her crew expected to come home…
For more information or to donate to HMS Medusa visit her website (https://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/) …

08/06/2026

(Third post in series)
In our last post on 6th June we outlined the role of coastal forces on D Day. Today we were lucky enough to get onboard HMS Medusa and talk to Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and Captain of Medusa. He showed us some of the historic charts used in D-Day and gives a fascinating insight into the meticulous planning which ensured its success. Medusa played an important role in D-Day as navigational leader and homing beacon. When she sailed for D Day none of her crew expected to come home…
For more information or to donate to HMS Medusa visit her website (link in bio) …

08/06/2026

(Second post in series) In our last post on 6th June we outlined the role of coastal forces on D Day. Today we were lucky enough to get onboard HMS Medusa and talk to Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and Captain of Medusa. He showed us some of the historic charts used in D-Day and gives a fascinating insight into the meticulous planning which ensured its success. Medusa played an important role in D-Day as navigational leader and homing beacon. When she sailed for D Day none of her crew expected to come home…but they got back safely to HMS Hornet in Gosport.
For more information or to donate to HMS Medusa visit her website (https://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/) … (

08/06/2026

In our last post on 6th June we outlined the role of coastal forces on D Day. Today we were lucky enough to get onboard HMS Medusa and talk to Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and Captain of Medusa. He showed us some of the historic charts used in D-Day and gives a fascinating insight into the meticulous planning which ensured its success. Medusa played an important role in D-Day as navigational leader and homing beacon. When she sailed for D Day none of her crew expected to come home…
For more information or to donate to HMS Medusa visit her website (https://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/) …

06/06/2026

6th June 2026 marks the 82nd anniversary of the invasion of France, universally referred to as D Day. The military achievement on that day was incredible but so were the logistics and the naval operation to transport and protect the invasion force. Operation Neptune involved some 6000 vessels and transported 160,000 troops with 50,000 vehicles.
Coastal Forces played a key role in the operation involving over 300 coastal forces vessels.

5 Steam Gun Boats
6 Motor Gun Boats
130 Motor torpedo Boats
128 Motor Launches
42 HDMLs

The Steam Gun Boats sailed from Portland under US control and formed part of Assault Convoy 03. The MTBs and MGBs mainly provided a screen to protect the flanks from E boat and submarine attack. This role continued long after D day and they had to deal not only with E boats but also one-man submarines and explosive motor boats which were small launches filled with explosives and driven by one man who would aim them at a target and then jump overboard. Post D Day the MTBs and MGBs formed the screen every night (known as the Trout Line) under the control of a frigate which used its radar to direct them onto targets.

The MLs (Fairmile Bs) had a variety of tasks from navigational leaders, leading convoys, to being the lead vessel in minesweeping flotillas. The minesweepers were arranged in a diagonal line such that the second vessel was in an area swept by the first and so on. The first had no protection and was vulnerable so this task was given to a Fairmile as a less valuable asset with another to replace it if necessary.

The HDMLs were involved in deception operations, were navigational leaders and even used as markers for turning points for aircraft carrying Para troops. Operation Glimmer used 6 HDMLs to simulate an invasion force going to Calais, operation Taxable was a spoof off Fecamp and Bruneval while operation Big Drum, a force of 4 HDMls, did a similar thing off Barfleur. All were equipped to make them look like big ships on German coastal radar.

10 HDMLs went to precise locations on the edge of the German minefield to act as homing beacons for minesweepers to cut narrow channels, two per beach, the night before D Day and then act as homing beacons for the invasion force. Two weeks before D day ultrasonic beacons (FH830) were laid on the sea bed in the 10 locations (operation Enthrone) to enable the HDMLs to find and stay on the right spot. ML1387 and 1383 had outfit QM, later known as Decca Navigator which was so new that only 20 sets were available for the whole operation. ML1387, HMS Medusa, was marker for Omaha and ML1392, Sarinda, was marker for Gold Beach; both survive to this day.

Thanks to Alan Watson OBE, Captain of Medusa, Chair of the Medusa Trust, and Trustee of Coastal Forces Heritage Trust for contributing this post. For more information or to support the Medusa Trust visit: https://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/

02/06/2026

Coastal Forces contribution to Dunkirk (May 26–June 4, 1940)
The evacuation of Dunkirk is well known and the contribution of the private vessels “the little ships” is legendary. Coastal Forces in 1940 was embryonic with very few vessels yet built, however they made a significant contribution to the evacuation. Churchill appointed Admiral Bertram Ramsay to oversee the evacuation and his initial estimate was that 30,000 might be saved. The incredible effort over the period 27 May to 4 June 1940 saved 338,226 men. 861 vessels took part with the loss of 243.

At the time Coastal Forces consisted of a handful of MTBs, MA/SB (motor anti-submarine boats) and a few Fairmile As. Those known to have taken part were:

MASB 5/ 6/ 7/ 9/10
MTB 16/22/24/29/67/68/69/102/107
ML100/108

These craft were fragile and not intended for a long life. Post war many were scrapped or became houseboats. MTB24 became a houseboat at Bembridge and was only broken up in the last decade; her chart room was saved and is in the care of the Museum of the Royal Navy.
MTB102 is a unique survivor from Dunkirk and is in the care of the MTB102 trust at Lowestoft.
MTB102 made eight crossings to Dunkirk and acted as the flagship for Admiral William Wake-Walker when his ship HMS Keith was damaged. She appeared as herself in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film ‘Dunkirk’, shot on location at Dunkirk.

Another name, later to play a pivotal part in Coastal Forces history, was Robert Peverell Hichens. At the time of Dunkirk he was a Lieutenant serving on HMS Niger and was put ashore to help with the evacuation. His actions won him his first DSC.