Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

Stoker Petty Officer Ronald John Charles Priestley P/KX.81900 of MTB 09 the 2nd MTB Flotilla

ActingStoker P.O. Ronald J C (Jez) Priestley [MTB 09] (Portsmouth)

Priestley was "Mentioned in Despatches" for his action in Kowloon Harbour on the 19th December 1941.

After 3000 miles travelling overland through China and Burma he arrived in a deserted Rangoon. After five weeks he left onboard the Armed Merchant Cruiser Heinrich Jessen bound for Calcutta along with Lt-Cmdr Gandy, Lt Collingwood, Lt Ashby & Jix Prest, Buddy Hide, Charlie Evans, Al Rutter, John pawley, Jack Holt, Les Barker, Ron Priestley, and others. Jez was admitted to the Barrackpore hospital possibly with malaria.

 

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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

MTB 09 Crew at Waichow.

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,"Mentioned in Despatches" St/ P.O. Ronald J.C. (Jez) Priestley, "Mentioned in Despatches"

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

 

Photo from Lt Ashby collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 09 on patrol

Photo from Alex Kennedy's collection ©