The London Branch of the former C.F.V.A.
In 1974 a band of Coastal Forces veterans formed an association: the Coastal Forces Veterans Association (CFVA). During its life it expanded to around 3000+ members. Branches were set up throughout England and Wales at which members met regularly to enjoy the company of other shipmates.
Many members who were unable to reach a Branch became ‘non - Branch Members’, but all were kept in touch through a quarterly issue of an excellent CFVA Newsletter. This 50- page magazine, containing articles written by members themselves, became the envy of many other ex- Service organizations.
On the CFVA’s disbandment in April 2007, some Branches decided to continue independently but, unless members can attend one of these still active Branch’s, ‘non –Branch’ members have now become isolated through the demise of the National Newsletter.
Largely with this in mind, we attempted to tackle the twin problems of trying to produce a modest form of electronic Newsletter (web site) and try to encourage any veterans to ‘look us up’. Any relative or neighbour, I am sure if asked, would be happy (and maybe pleased) to produce a print-out of our latest news.
Another concern is that although Coastal Forces personnel totaled 30,000+ at the end of ‘our’ War - only 10% joined CFVA. We are hoping that this web site will enable our shipmates who were unaware of CFVA, or chose not to join us then, to come and join us now, even if only ‘electronically’.
This site, as stated on our Home Page, is mainly for and about the men and women who served in the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces during WW2, and those who served in Coastal Forces until it ceased to be a separate entity within the Royal Navy in 1957.
That war time complement of 30,000, men and women, manning or supporting, the Navy’s small fast ships (‘boats’ in naval parlance e.g. MTB’s MGB’s and ML’s) eventually evolved to become a unique and separate unit within the Royal Navy. Several books have been written, and are still being written, about these boats, the crews and their exploits.
It is being recognized that the birth of ‘Coastal Forces’, in the UK at least, was a ‘rushed’ and painful affair with many clashes of opinions at the higher levels of hierarchy, both within the Admiralty and the UK Government of the day. The poor ‘sibling’ however - always frowned upon by a ‘big ship’ Navy - was nurtured by events (and the few strong personalities who could ‘see’ the wider picture) to become the most highly decorated single unit of the RN.
The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust (CFHT)– the address of which can be found on the ‘Links Page’ – is now the National Organization. This web site hopes to complement the CFHT in recording the effort and sacrifices made during those dark pages of our history.
For our early steps, in this electronic world, the British Military Powerboat Trust Ltd had kindly given us a large slice of their site for the ‘publication’ of our Newsletters.
With the advice and encouragement, of many who had long been showing the CF flag onboard that web site, we have managed to produce these few simple pages - It is hoped that the site will ‘updated’ on a regular basis.
To join, or re-join the RN-Coastal Forces Veterans (London Branch) as a Veteran or Supporter, please use the “Contact Us” bar shown at the top of each page.
Many members who were unable to reach a Branch became ‘non - Branch Members’, but all were kept in touch through a quarterly issue of an excellent CFVA Newsletter. This 50- page magazine, containing articles written by members themselves, became the envy of many other ex- Service organizations.
On the CFVA’s disbandment in April 2007, some Branches decided to continue independently but, unless members can attend one of these still active Branch’s, ‘non –Branch’ members have now become isolated through the demise of the National Newsletter.
Largely with this in mind, we attempted to tackle the twin problems of trying to produce a modest form of electronic Newsletter (web site) and try to encourage any veterans to ‘look us up’. Any relative or neighbour, I am sure if asked, would be happy (and maybe pleased) to produce a print-out of our latest news.
Another concern is that although Coastal Forces personnel totaled 30,000+ at the end of ‘our’ War - only 10% joined CFVA. We are hoping that this web site will enable our shipmates who were unaware of CFVA, or chose not to join us then, to come and join us now, even if only ‘electronically’.
This site, as stated on our Home Page, is mainly for and about the men and women who served in the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces during WW2, and those who served in Coastal Forces until it ceased to be a separate entity within the Royal Navy in 1957.
That war time complement of 30,000, men and women, manning or supporting, the Navy’s small fast ships (‘boats’ in naval parlance e.g. MTB’s MGB’s and ML’s) eventually evolved to become a unique and separate unit within the Royal Navy. Several books have been written, and are still being written, about these boats, the crews and their exploits.
It is being recognized that the birth of ‘Coastal Forces’, in the UK at least, was a ‘rushed’ and painful affair with many clashes of opinions at the higher levels of hierarchy, both within the Admiralty and the UK Government of the day. The poor ‘sibling’ however - always frowned upon by a ‘big ship’ Navy - was nurtured by events (and the few strong personalities who could ‘see’ the wider picture) to become the most highly decorated single unit of the RN.
The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust (CFHT)– the address of which can be found on the ‘Links Page’ – is now the National Organization. This web site hopes to complement the CFHT in recording the effort and sacrifices made during those dark pages of our history.
For our early steps, in this electronic world, the British Military Powerboat Trust Ltd had kindly given us a large slice of their site for the ‘publication’ of our Newsletters.
With the advice and encouragement, of many who had long been showing the CF flag onboard that web site, we have managed to produce these few simple pages - It is hoped that the site will ‘updated’ on a regular basis.
To join, or re-join the RN-Coastal Forces Veterans (London Branch) as a Veteran or Supporter, please use the “Contact Us” bar shown at the top of each page.
Time now to meet some of our current members -
The content and opinions expressed here are solely those of the CFV. (London)
Ken Gadsdon. Chairman CFV (London).
Introduction
