The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

1907 - 1979

 

 

 

A/B ; Albert Leonard Downey [ D/J.109308 ] [MTB 10 ex MTB 11] (Devonport) is in the 4th row just behind Commander Hugh Montague in the Waichow group photo.

Al Downey joined the Royal Navy on his eighteenth birthday in 1925 after earning a living as an Errand Boy in Devonport. In March 1938 he was stationed at HMS Vernon with MTB's for six months prior to joining HMS Tamar [MTB 11] in September 1938. After escaping on Christmas Day 1941 with Admiral Chan Chak and the Chinese Liason Party he arrived back in the UK on the 1st June 1942. Downey was awarded the D.S.M in June 1945 while serving on ML 196 in the D Day landings at Gold Beach, Normandy. He retired from the R.N. as a Petty Officer after 22 years service in 1948 and joined HM Customs and was a skipper of the custom launches for twenty years before retiring to Totnes in Devon where he died aged 71.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 11 on patrol in rough weather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telegram confirming Al Downey's escape from Hong Kong