‘Chatham’ Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat Battery, R.M.
Ceylon: August – November 1943
1st Coast Regiment, R.M.
The ‘Chatham’ Battery, Royal Marines was formed as an anti-motor torpedo boat (A.M.T.B.) battery at Katukurunda on 1st August 1943. It appears that the original intention had been to title the battery as 1 A.M.T.B. Battery but by the date of formation, the battery had been named ‘Chatham’. The Battery formed part of the re-organised 1st Coast Regiment, R.M. and was commanded by Major A.E. Chilcott, R.M. The Battery was formed of two troops; No.s 1 and 2. It was equipped with six Bofors guns. The Battery moved to Galle with the 1st Coast Regiment, R.M. on 18th September 1943.[1]
India: November 1943 – February 1944
1st R.M. A.A. Brigade
On 5th November 1943, the Battery left the 1st Coast Regiment, R.M. and departed Galle by train for Talaimannar where it embarked on the ferry to India. The crossing to India was made the next day and the journey continued via Trichinopoly and Poona to Nira. Arriving at Nira on 11th November 1943, the Battery joined the 1st R.M. A.A. Brigade at camp at Gulunche. Training with Bofors and coast artillery searchlights guns began immediately.[2]
In December, the 101st H.A.A. Regiment, R.A., itself under the command of the 1st R.M. A.A. Brigade, received orders to provide transport for the ‘Coast Defence units of 1 R.M A.A. Brigade' to take them from Gulunche to Bombay where they were to carry out firing practice. The Royal Marine coast defence units were ‘Chatham’ and ‘Z’ Batteries and were under the commander of ‘Chatham’ Battery for the purposes of the move. Firing practice was to begin on 15th December 1943.[3] The Battery left Galunche for Bombay on 13th December 1943 and went into accommodation at Worli the next day. Practice firing was conducted over the next week and on 23rd December 1943, the Battery moved to Marol Camp, Bombay.[4]
Training and exercises continued at Marol Camp during January 1944. It appears that the troops were re-designated to become ‘A’ and ‘B’ Troops at the beginning of this month. The troops took in turns to return to Worli for further firing practice. On 15th January, movement instructions were received from the Headquarters, 1st R.M. A.A. Brigade and equipment, stores and guns were handed in to various ordnance depots between 15th and 21st January. The remainder of the month and early February was taken up by infantry training. Preparation for embarkation for the United Kingdom began on 16th February and the next day the Battery embarked upon H.M.T. E.33 at Bombay to provide guards for 2,100 Italian prisoners of war in transit, along with the Rear Party, 1st R.M. A.A. Brigade. The ship sailed the following day, reaching Aden on 24th February and Suez on 28th February, where a further 301 Italian PoWs were embarked. Suez was left the next day and the ship entered the Canal and left Port Said on 3rd March.[5]
United Kingdom: March – May 1944
The Battery disembarked at Gourock on 19th March 1944, having supervised the disembarkation of the Italian PoWs. The Battery went by rail to Camp Stevenson, Ardrossan, Ayrshire. Foreign Service Leave began on 1st April for ten days and was followed by a brief period of training. A draft was posted away from the Battery on 29th April with further drafts posted in early May (one of these was of 50 men posted to landing craft duties) when the Battery began preparing for disbandment on 10th May. The last men were struck off strength on 15th May 1944 and the Battery disbanded.[6]
04 April 2022