Royal Naval River Patrol
The Royal Naval River Patrol was formed to protect Teignmouth and Shaldon against invasion by sea. Its men were Naval Reservists and local fishermen, formed shortly after the fall of Dunkirk n 1940. The Patrol was commanded by Captain Ree R.N. who was the Resident Naval Officer.
The headquarters were at the Royal Hotel, Teignmouth. Among its members were: Seamen: W.E. Hook (in charge) W.P. Boyne M. Mason G. Dodd (Curly) Westlake F. Gilpin M. Broom … Jones Seamen Engineers: J. Belton … Nockles Seamen Boys: J.P. Boyne F. (Snowy) Hook George Barnes
The River Patrol used 2 vessels, “Valiant” and the pleasure craft “Britannia”, which during its naval service was known as the “Hindustan”. Part of the River Patrol’s task included nightly patrols of the river and around the coastline. Several times they brought in bodies collected from aircraft which had been shot down at sea.
They operated a boom which spanned the mouth of the river, closing the river from the last low tide of the day until sunrise the following day. They also laid snags in the river. Poles were formed into triangles and set into the river bed, and then wires strung between them.
Later in the war, they helped to lay moorings on the Salty, which were used by the US Navy. In Teignmouth, there were several anti-aircraft rocket guns. One was on the seafront at the eastern side of the pier, another manned by the River Patrol was at Bobbett’s Corner on Teignmouth Docks. The sea defences spanned the Promenade and Back Beach, not allowing people to reach the beach or go along the Sea Wall.
Photo of Teignmouth men, some of whom were members of the Royal Naval River Patrol 1940 (also known as the Ivy Lane Navy) Back L to R: W.H. (Granfer) Hook, William (Pixie) Matthews, W.E. (Granpy) Hook with Sport the dog, W.E. (Wayne) Hook, Malachi Broom, William (Cripple) Boyne, William (Ginger) Boyne Sitting L to R: (Needle) Dodd, Jack (Dockree) Belton, both Royal Naval Engineers Sport was drowned from Snafell, a North Shields Minesweeper in 1941.
The Royal navy River Patrol July-Aug 1940
River Patrol July/Aug 1940
Granfer Hook. Bill (Pixie) Matthews with Sport. W E (Granpy) Hook. W E (Wayne) Hook. Malaki Broom. William Patrick (Cripple) Boyne. William (Ginger) Boyne.
Front; (Needle) Dodd. Jack (Dockree) Belton (Engineer of River Patrol).
