Leslie [Lofty] Gurd MTB 09 of the 2nd MTB Flotilla, Coastal Forces Hong Kong

A/B: Leslie [Lofty] Gurd [P/JX133932] (Portsmouth) [MTB 09]

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

After 3000 miles traveling overland through China and Burma he arrived in a deserted Rangoon. After five weeks he left onboard the SS Heinrich Jessen bound for Calcutta along with Lt-Cmdr Gandy, Lt Collingwood, & Lt Ashby, Buddy Hide, Charlie Evans, John pawley, Al Rutter, Jack Holt, Les Barker, Ron Priestley, Bill Schillemore, & Jixer Prest & others.

Lofty then joined the staff of the Department of Medical services (DMS) in Calcutta along with Bill Schillemore.¹⁵

Some of the crew of MTB 09 taking a smoko in Aberdeen Channel 9th December 1941
From the left Stoker A/B Charlie Foster, Coxswain Bill Schillemore, and A/B Bob Hempenstall

Photo from the Ashby collection ©

The Crew of MTB 09 at Waichow on 30th December 1941

Photo from Lt Ashby's collection ©
MTB 09 Crew at Waichow 30th December 1941
Back Row: A/B; Penny, A/B; Leslie [Lofty] Gurd, Tel; Harold.P. Hill, A/B Robert Hempenstall

Middle Row: Stoker Charles Foster, L/S; Coxswain William Schillemore,"MiD" St/ P.O. Ronald J.C. (Jez) Priestley, "MiD"

Front Row: Sub-Lt; Tommy Brewer, Lt; Alexander Kennedy [OC] "MiD"

Photo from Lt Kennedy's collection ©

MTB 09 on patrol

Lofty Gurd in Kukong 6th January 1942

Photo from the ILN collection ©

Shaoguan (Kukong)

A/B Albert Rutter, Chinese Guerilla Leader Liang Yung Yuan with Stoker Petty Officer Buddy Hide, & Bones Arnold. Hanging out the truck are Les [Lofty] Gurd, Bill Schillemore, & John Pawley during the epic journey across China.

Lofty Gurd & John Pawley arriving in Kukong on the 6th January 1942

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 Australian Marines from the 204 Military Mission in China in Kunming.⁴⁶

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Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

Leslie [Lofty] Gurd MTB 09 of the 2nd MTB Flotilla, Coastal Forces Hong Kong

MTB 09 on patrol

Lofty Gurd in Kukong 6th January 1942

Photo from the ILN collection ©