Medlemnobbyclark

In my spare time I carry out research relating to my father's war-time service and have created a web site to help other's with similar interests.

My late father served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service during WW2.

The RNPS fought all over the world in all theatres of the war and were involved mainly with minesweeping and anti-submarine work.

Vessels from RNPS were on convoy duty in the Atlantic and the Arctic, in the Mediterranean and the Far East but carried out the important job of keeping our shores clear of mines.

This hazardous work was recognised by the award of a unique silver badge to RNPS minesweeping and anti-submarine crews. It was not an automatic award and only given to those officers and ratings who had completed six months sea-time.

Because the majority were Royal Naval Reservists the RNPS became 'a Navy within a Navy' and was given a number of unofficial titles, 'Harry Tate's Navy' and 'Churchill's Pirates' being two of the more mentionable. By the end most RNPS members were 'hostilities only' who had probably had no connection with the sea before the war.

I have created a web dedicated to the memory of my father and the RNPS at http://www.harry-tates.org.uk