The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

Ronald Robert Wilson Ashby 1910 - 1997

Lt Ron Ashby H.K.R.N.V.R. on patrol in MTB 07 in Hong Kong 1941

Ashby gained a "DSC" for his action in Kowloon harbour on the 19th December 1941, he later added a bar to the DSC for operations on the Arakan Coast

Ashby kept a private log written live of the events in Hong Kong and the escape which his son kindly kindly relayed to me as well as photos.

Later as Commander he was awarded " R.N.V.R. Officers Decoration" for sinking a German U-boat whilst in command of an MTB

 

Lt Ronnie Ashby four days into the escape at Waichow 29th December 1941

Quote  from the diary of Colin McEwan of the SOE: Wednesday 24th December 1941:
“One last feat of gallantry worth recording is that of that gallant sailor Lieut. Ashby who, when a shell burst, instead of going flat, bowed gracefully showing a shiny polished blue serge ‘bottom’ as his means of all round defence. Again, though, one had the feeling that it was good to be with such people.”
Published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch Vol 45 2005

Click here to read Ron Ashby's obituary

 

 

• 
  Lt: R.R.W. Ashby "DSC"
• Sub Lt: Arthur E Gee
• P.O. Coxswain: John .W. Prest "Mentioned in Despatches"
• Telegraphist: T.G. Duckworth [killed 19th Dec 41 "Mentioned in Despatches (Posthumous)"
• Acting Stoker P.O. : Buddy Hide [Mentioned in Dispatches] Joined MTB 07 on 1st January 1940
• Leading Stoker: R. Barker [Killed 19th Dec 41]
• Able Seaman: Albert.E. Rutter
• Able Seaman: J Pawley
• Able Seaman: G. [Bones]Arnold [ C/JX154986 ][Back row on the right],

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 07 on patrol in Mirs Bay 1941

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Steve [Buddy] Hide 1914 - 1977

In Hong Kong

Acting Petty Officer Stoker Steve [Buddy] Hide was " Mentioned in despatches" for his action while attacking the Japanese invading forces in Kowloon Harbour on the 19th December 1941.

Buddy married his long suffering girlfriend Dorothy in Lewes UK, just eleven days after getting back home.

He went on to serve a total of 22 years in the Royal Navy before emigrating to Mwadui in Tanganyika East Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt Ron Ashby with Buddy Hide & Sub-Lt Gee behind him on the conning tower of MTB 07

 

 

Acting Petty Officer Buddy Hide being supported by Sub-Lt Arthur Gill and Chinese Guerilla Leader Liang Yung Yuan 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.

Bottom left is the one legged Chinese Admiral Chan Chak and the senior Royal Navy Officer Hugh M Montague being feted by Chinese Army Officers during their epic escape from Hong Kong.

Bottom right is 37 year old David Mercer MacDougall who was carrying a bullet in his left shoulder blade. He went on to become Post war Brigadier Colonial Secretary] of Hong Kong. Note the Chinese favors visible on some escapees lapels in the two top pictures.