The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

A/B A E Rutter MiD D/JX.134658

??/??/1910 - 15/Oct/1947

A/B Albert Rutter at Waichow

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Al Rutter was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished services during the defence of Hong Kong.

[ 3390 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 JULY, 1946 ]

P.O. Al Rutter died while serving with HMS Drake 15th Oct 1947

 

 

The crew of MTB 07 in Kowloon 1940

• 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 ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Shaoguan 6th Jan 1942

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

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 Ted Ross's collection ©

 

 

 

Photo from the ILN collection ©