The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Coxswain P.O. John (Jix) Prest with Tel A/B Eric Purchase onboard MTB 07

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

Looks like Buddy Hide and Bones Arnold both seated as some of the crew of MTB 07 get off on a jolly.

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

Stoker A/B Bones Arnold leads the intrepid crew of MTB 07 on a jolly.

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

Ron Ashby and crew on patrol in 07

MTB 07 alongside in Mirs Bay

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

A 1/24 scale model of MTB 07 takes to the water in 2009 in memory of Ron Ashby & the crew. MTB 07 on patrol in Hong Kong

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

Photo from Lt C J Collingwood's collection ©

MTB 07 Log entry for 2nd July 1941:

10.36; Dropped depth charges; 9 seconds.

10.40 -11.10; Fishing

MTB 07 on patrol with the 2nd MTB Flotilla in Tathong Channel Hong Kong

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Entry from MTB 07's log:

Tues, 21st October 1941.
1804.
Stopped, cut engines to pick up 4 Chinese from smashed and overturned junk. Chinese said they were bound from N of Taishan Bay to Hong Kong with a cargo of sweet potatoes when they were stopped by a Jap trawler, their cargo stolen and themselves beaten before Japs wrecked junk and left them.

1818 Proceeded into Deep Bay.

1828 Stopped to put 4 Chinese on a junk.

Photo from Ron Ashby'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 ©

MTBs 07 & 09 hiding at the dairy farm pier in Telegraph Bay on Christmas Day prior to the escape that evening.