The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

Mentioned in Despatches

Coxswain Petty Officer John W Prest was too ill to attend the Waichow group photo. These photos were taken by his Skipper Lt Ashby on the way back to the UK from Bombay onboard the SS Narkunda which sailed from Bombay on the 26th March 1942 at 15:30 hrs along with survivors from HMS Repulse and Prince of Wales. After stopping at Durban, we took onboard over 500 Italian POWs before shaping course for Cape Town, arriving on Sunday 12th April. The Laconia was just ahead of us and to our surprise the other half of the 2nd MTB Flotilla crews were aboard her. They then joined us on the Narcunda and we set sail again on the 19th April, but had to return due to engine trouble. This time we anchored in Table Bay with no ships boats for a run ashore. We finally got under way on the 28th with a ten-day passage to Freetown. Of the 68 who escaped, 3 officers & 28 ratings finally arrived in Glasgow late afternoon on Friday 22nd May 1942.

Coxswain P.O. Prest with Tel A/B Purchase onboard MTB 07

Jix Prest with the crew of MTB 07