HMLCT 629

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by CL1, Nov 11, 2015.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    I was introduced to Edward (Ted) Bentley at a Remembrance service.


    About HMLCT 629:


    The Skipper in command of HM LCT 629 was Lieutenant Alan Good RNZNVR (Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve).
    Second in command, known as “Jimmy the one”, was First Lieutenant Edward (Ted) Bentley



    A Mark IV Landing Craft Tank, part of the 31st LCT Flotilla (or ‘Thirsty First Flotilla’ as it was known) which was part of ‘K’ LCT Squadron. ‘K’ LCT Squadron was part of Assault Group ‘J’ and was assigned to JUNO beach at Courseulles sur Mer in support of the 7th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division, the craft delivering the 12th and 13th Regiments Royal Canadian Artillery.

    HM LCT629 carried 8 self-propelled guns in the form of Sherman tanks with the turrets removed and 75mm guns installed.
    Link to more information about Ted and LCT 629 below
    Please add further info if possible.







    http://www.newforestheritage.org/hm-lct-629-and-crew-continued/
     
    canuck likes this.
  2. Thanks for this link and information. Some minor corrections (to the italicised parts above) and additions:

    "First Lieutenant" is not a rank but a title based on the original meaning of "lieutenant" (i.e. "substitute" or "assistant"). It means "first substitute" to the commanding officer, and is thus the same as "Second in Command". They usually were Sub-lieutenants, Naval Volunteer Reserve.
    The full description of the two officers on board LCT 629 might therefore be written as follows:

    Commanding Officer ("Skipper"): Temporary Lieutenant Alan Hardie GOOD RNZNVR (seniority 11 Dec 42)
    First Lieutenant (Second in Command or "Jimmy the One"): Temporary Sub-lieutenant Edward BENTLEY RNVR (seniority 22 Jan 44)

    LCT 629 carried a Troop of 13 Cdn Fd Regt (SP), including its four (not 8) self-propelled guns. They were M7 SP guns, i.e. 105mm (not 75mm) howitzers mounted on a M3 or M4 medium tank chassis (not quite "Sherman tanks with the turrets removed", but close). Her log says (1 Jun 44):
    2051...Commenced loading. 2 Half tracks, 2 carriers, 4 S.Ps,
    .......3 Tanks, also 3 officers & 61 men of 13th RCA&RCCS & 8 CMPs.
    .......Lt. W. Hogg i/c.

    Lieutenant William Livingston HOGG RCA (awarded MC 20 Jan 45) was one of the GPOs in 78 Bty, which consisted of E and F Tps.

    The above load exactly matches LTIN 1130 as per 7 Cdn Inf Bde Gp Landing Table dated 3 May 44:

    LTIN 1130 (LCT IV) to land H+105 Mins on MIKE RED
    Unit or Sub Unit.........Marching Pty....Veh Pty....Vehicles
    13 Cdn Fd SP Regt F Tp.....................57.......1 Sherman Tk OP
    ....................................................2 M 7
    ....................................................2 Sherman Tks OP
    ....................................................2 M 7
    ....................................................2 A O P
    ....................................................1 M 14
    F Sec 3 Cdn Inf Div Sigs....................7.......1 M 14
    242 Pro Coy...................8.....................1 Handcart
    ....................................................2 Bicycles
    Space for extra Amn
    Porpoises to be loaded in this Craft


    Unfortunately LCT629's Log for 6 Jun 44 is not online (yet?), so we do not know what time she actually landed. The War Diary for 13 Cdn Fd Regt does not say either.

    Note: as late as 19 May 44 LTIN 1130 was to be HMLCT(4) 717, but for some reason (probably a breakdown) she was since replaced with HMLCT 629, which was one of the few craft in K Sqn not to have been alloted an LTIN and were thus probably reserve craft.

    Michel
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2016
    CL1 likes this.
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Michel

    thank you for the updates


    regards
    Clive
     
  4. Arty

    Arty Member

    Michel,

    We can establish when LCT 629 & 13 Fd Regt landed. Surprisingly late in the day...

    From the log of LCT 574:

    09.00 Still anchored. Beaches are blocked. Sea rough - wind 3 4. Sky clouds overcast and high.
    11.00 Still anchored
    13.10 Ordered to beach on Mike Red.
    13.30 Halftrack sticks on door cease unloading. Craft hard on beach owing to vehicle sticking off doors. Unable to kedge off. 1’ fairing 10 minutes

    From.... http://www.newforestheritage.org/hm-lct-574-and-crew/ The three pages of the log of LCT 574 available cover the period from 04June, when the Padre of 13 Fd Regt conducted a service on board. Thus some 'divine intervention' helps us conclude what time LCT 629 beached.


    Regards
    Arty
     
  5. Gavin Buist

    Gavin Buist New Member

    Hello

    I'm new to this forum, but - if it is still active - have some additional information about Alan Good post-D Day. Can anyone confirm that this is still running?

    Thanks,

    Gavin Buist
     
  6. Hello Gavin,

    Welcome to the forum!

    No thread is ever dead here, only some become Sleeping Beauties taking sometimes very long naps while we humble dwarves keep on toiling in the dark depths of mountains of archives until we find the gem which will adorn her further, or when a Prince Charming (you?) pops up out of the blue to wake her with a kiss of fresh data.

    Michel
     
    davidbfpo likes this.
  7. Gavin Buist

    Gavin Buist New Member

    Thanks. Am particularly interested in whether any of Alan Good's relatives are affiliated to the site? I ask because my Dad served with Alan on LCTs after D-Day and I recall Alan's son John once visiting us when he was in Edinburgh (mid 70s or thereabouts). That was a while ago, and I have a photo of Dad and Alan I'd like to share with him - or any of Alan's relatives I'm sure they'd be interested.

    Gavin
     

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