The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

 

A/B: Stoker George [Bones] Arnold [MTB 07] (Petersham Surrey)[Back row 5th from the right in the Waichow photo]

 

 

 

 

The crew of MTB 07 in Kowloon 1941

• Lt: R.R.W. Ashby DSC
• Sub-Lt: McGill
• P.O. Coxswain: John.W. Prest P/JX.128494 [Mentioned in Dispatches]
• Telegraphist: T.G. Duckworth [killed 19th Dec 41] "Mentioned in Despatches (Posthumous)"
• Acting P.O. Stoker: S.J. Hide [Mentioned in Dispatches] Joined MTB 07 on 1st January 1940
• Leading Stoker: R. Barker [Killed 19th Dec 41]
• A/B: Albert E Rutter
• A/B: Pawley
• A/B Stoker: G. [Bones]Arnold [C/JX.154986]

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt Ron Ashby and crew

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Ashby and crew on patrol

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

MTB 07 in Mirs Bay

 

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out on a jolly, Buddy Hide & Bones Arnold both seated

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bones Arnold leading the intrepid party ashore

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hiding in Telegraph Bay

 

 

MTB 07 alongside the stone pier with 09 covered in straw and branches hiding from enemy aircraft in Telegraph Bay on the day of the escape, Christmas day 1941. 07 still has a full complement of depth charges on deck.

 

 

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiukwan [Kukong] 6th January 1942

 

A/B Stoker George [Bones] Arnold, Gen Au Yeung, & L/Stoker Charlie Evans arriving in Kukong.

The padded jackets were obtained by Colonel Owen-Hughes at Lung Chun. Owen-Hughes was the British Liaison officer to the Chinese army. The party later swapped the jackets with an incoming detachment of British Marines.

 

Photo from the Ted Ross collection ©