MMS
Motor Mine Sweepers.

Motor Minesweeper were purpose built, wooden, shallow draft, minesweepers with both SA and LL sweeping capabilities. SA is Sweep Acoustic, a device similar to a Kanga Hammer which makes a loud thumping noise which exploded the acoustic mine. LL (double L) is a pair of electric cables which are towed parallel to each other on floats and emit a strong electric pulse which generates a magnetic field which detonated the magnetic mine.

Motor Minesweeper. (Note, the Acoustic “hammer” on the bow in the up position for acoustic mines, the drum on the stern for the LL cables to detonate magnetic mines and the anti-aircraft gun behind the cut away funnel.)


NORE COMMAND 1942, SHEERNESS, lists the following Motor Minesweepers.

Motor Minesweepers - MMS.1 at Sheerness, MMS.8 at Rotherhithe refitting, MMS.19, MMS.40, MMS.41, MMS.44, MMS.45, MMS.53, all at Sheerness, MMS.54 at Peterhead, MMS.56 at Rotherhithe, MMS.59 at Sheerness, MMS.68 at Lowestoft, MMS.79, MMS.82, MMS.113, all at Sheerness.

The first two Motor Minesweeper built, number one and number eight, were delivered to HMS Wildfire III at Queenborough.

By 1944 Wildfire III at Queenborough had 39 Motor Minesweepers, more than London, Harwich, Brightlingsea, Lowestoft, Yarmouth and Grimsby put together.

Crew working the drum to stream the LL sweeping gear used to detonate magnetic mines.


MMS 1, J 501.  Build by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Launched 3 Aug 1940.
11th May, 1941. Bombed a near miss out of action 12 days.
OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Lieutenant RNVR. R.K. Husband.  11 Sept 40.
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR.  J. W. Johnson. 27 Nov 41
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR.   J. W. Heward.  7 Sept 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Lieutenant RNVR. R.K. Husband.  11 Sept 40.
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR.  J. W. Johnson. 27 Nov 41
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR.   J. W. Heward.  7 Sept 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR.  J. W. Johnson. 27 Nov 41
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. H. W. Knott. June 43

MMS 8, J 508. Build by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned 8 Jan 1941.
24 Jun 1944. Sunk. Detonated a mine in the English Channel.
MMS.8, ship loss. 
BALL, John E, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 263181, MPK (Missing Presumed Killed)
BARRETT, Jack H, Ty/Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
BROWN, George, Steward, RNPS, LT/LX 576566, MPK
BUTLER, Jack, Wireman, C/MX 118178, MPK
DARBY, John D, Ty/Lieutenant, RNVR, killed
DUNKS, James, Ordinary Signalman, RNPS, LT/JX 424171, MPK
KNOPP, Harry, Engineman, RNPS, LT/KX 149345, MPK
MACCUISH, John, Ordinary Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 529961, killed
MESSENGER, John A, Stoker, RNPS, LT/KX 596821, MPK
MOYSE, Ernest B, Leading Cook, RNPS, LT/MX 120230, MPK
REDMILE, John A, Leading Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 172993, MPK
TAYLOR, Clifford, Stoker 1c, RNPS, LT/KX 158763, killed
TREDGETT, Herbert J, Engineman, LT/JX 150237, MPK
WOODS, Alfred W, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 221574, MPK

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant F. L. Perkins, RNVR. DSC. 3 Feb 1941
Temp. Sub Lieutenant K. Hodson. 17 March 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR.  G. A. Moritz. In Command. 1 Feb 43.
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. G. R. B. Smith. 6 March 43.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR.  J. H. Barrett, In Command. 16 Feb 44. Killed when MMS detonated mine.
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. J. D. Darby. 14 Jan 44. Killed when MMS detonated mine.

MMS 19, J519. Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned Feb 1941.
George Scarlett. A/Leading Seaman, LT/JX 366331, HM MMS 19 (motor minesweeper) was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal on the 01.01.1944

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R. A. Snell. 17 Feb 41
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. G.E. Fox. 27 Aug 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R. A. Snell. 17 Feb 41
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. G.E. Fox. 27 Aug 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R. A. Snell. 17 Feb 41
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. C. Churchman (act) 1 Dec 43.

 

 

Motor Minesweepers in the North Sea LL Sweeping for magnetic mines.


MMS 39. J 539.  Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned 26 Apr 1941. 

7th Augusts, 1941. Detonated a mined in the Thames Estuary near Longsand Head and sunk.

Crew lost.
JENSON, Viggo E H, Engineman, RNPS, LT/KX 107991, MPK
THIRKELL, Norman C, Ordinary Telegraphist, C/JX 251466, MPK
WATERS, William T, Wireman, P/MX 64582, died

Seventeen survivors of MMS 39 owe their lives to an air-sea rescue float, an anchored float equipped with water, food medical supplies and Very Lights.


MMS.40, J 540. Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned 10 Jun 1941. 

1st 0ctober9 1941. Damaged by a mine and out of action for 3 weeks.

27th June, 1944. Detonated a mine and sunk but was later re-floated. Out of action 4 and a half months.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. N. B. Lewis. 27 Aug 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. N. B. Lewis. 27 Aug 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. N. B. Lewis. 27 Aug 42
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. J. W. C. Cleland. 1 Oct 43.

MMS.41. J 541.  Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned 28 Jul 1941.
OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR.  E. T .Garside. 9 June 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR.  E. T. Garside. 9 June 42
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. E. R. Savidge. 12 March 43.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. B. F. W. Besemer. In Command. 28 July 43
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. R. Derbyshire. 27 July 43


MMS.44, J 544.  Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned 18 Sep 1941. 

13th November 1941. Detonated Mine out of action 3 weeks.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieut. Com. RNVR. G. S Peyton. 10 June 42
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. D. R. Davis. 24 March 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieut. Com. RNVR. G. S Peyton. 10 June 42
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. S. A. G. Nex. 1 March 43.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. G E Fox, in Command. 1 Dec 43
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. S. A. G. Nex. 1 March 1943

MMS.45, J 545.  Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft, England. Commissioned Oct 1941.
13th June, 1944.
Damaged by shell no time out of action.

PICKTHALL, Albert, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 403610, killed.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. E A Cash, 20 Oct 1941
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R. Walthew. 28 Aug 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. E A Cash, 20 Oct 1941
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R. Walthew. 28 Aug 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. E A Cash, 20 Oct 1941
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. H. E. Clarke. 14 July 43


MMS.53, J 553.  Built by Herd & McKenzie Ltd. Buckie, Scotland. Commissioned 10 Oct 1941. 

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)

Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R G Cooper. 7 Sep 1942
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. D. W. Edwards. 7 Sept 1942

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R G Cooper. 7 Sep 1942
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. D. W. Edwards. 7 Sept 1942

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant RNVR. R G Cooper. In command. 7 Sep 1942
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. D. W. Edwards. 7 Sept 1942


MMS.59, J 559. Built by J & G Forbes & Co. Ltd. Sandhaven, England. Commissioned 12 Sep 1941. 

15th June 1942. Detonated a mine and was out of action for 1 month.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. J. C. Cramer-Parry, 11 Jul 1942
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. F Wilton. 25 Aug 41.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. F. L. Coggin, 1 Jan 1943
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. P. Harvatt. 18 July 41

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Not on this list.


MMS.79, J597. Built by George Forbes, Peterhead, England. Commissioned 21 Sep 1941.

​John Henry Campbell COLLIER, T/Lt RNVR. HMT Gunner 9 Aug 40. MID, MMS 79 29 Sep 42, MID,  MMS 79 11 Dec 42, DSC. Minesweeping - First MID awarded for rescue of enemy airmen. Second MID awarded for bravery and skill while minesweeping. DSC awarded for wind-up ops Europe 1945.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. J. H. C. Collier. 15 Jul 1941
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. F. Diggles. 9 July 1941

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. J. H. C. Collier. 15 Jul 1941
Temp. Sub Lieutenant RNVR. F. Diggles. 9 July 1941

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. J. H. C. Collier. 15 Jul 1941
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. A. F. B. Lacey. 15 May 44


MMS.82, J 582.  Built by Wivenhoe Shipyard Ltd., Wivenhoe, England. Commissioned 21 Nov 1941.

15 June 41. Detonated a mine slight damage.

Richard  BRAY, LT/KX115536, Stoker RNPS, MMS 82, 29 Sep 42, DSM. Minesweeping - DSM awarded for bravery and skill while minesweeping. (Dover Straits Jun-Jul 1942)

​Robert RITCHIE, X18834A, Seaman RNR, MMS 82, 29 Sep 42, MID, Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery and skill while minesweeping.

 Frederick William SMITH, LT/JX242465, Seaman RNPS, MMS 82, 29 Sep 42, MID, Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery and skill while minesweeping.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. C. C. Aplin, 7 Oct 1941
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. H. F. Harvey. 14 August 42.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. C. C. Aplin, 7 Oct 1941
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. S. F. Fowler. 15 Oct 41.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant-Com. RNVR. C. C. Aplin, 7 Oct 1941
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. H. R. Harrison. 17 Sept 43


MMS.113, J 613.  Built by Wivenhoe Shipyard Ltd., Wivenhoe, England. Commissioned 25 Sep 1941. 

13 June 44 PICKTHALL, Albert, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 403610, killed.

George Thomas BATCHELOR, LT/KX111559, Engineman, MMS 113, 3 Apr 45, DSM.  Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the Scheldt estuary of mines Sep-Nov 1944.

​James McKenzie BROWN, L/KX130868, Engineman, MMS 113, 4 Sep 45, MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and determination while serving in HM Minesweepers in clearing a passage into Rotterdam, Yjmuiden and Den Helder thereby making possible the swift relief of Holland. (Op FIREBALL)

​Douglas Herbert HACKETT, TA/Lt Cdr RNVR, MMS 113, 3 Apr 45, MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.

Reginald Clarence TAYLOR, LT/JX351585, Telegraphist, MMS 113, 3 Apr 45, MID, Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.

OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)

Temp. Lieutenant. RNR. A. E. Blackburn, DSC, 13 Sep 1941

Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. A. J. Boss. Sep 41.

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. D. H. Hackett. 19 May 43
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. L. A. Gay.  3 Dec 42

OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. D. H. Hackett. 19 May 43
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. F. N. H. Chalk. 18 Oct 43


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