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Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) Officers
1939-1945

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V
Vallely,
John
J. Vallely 		03.02.1921
Lanarkshire, Scotland
-
23.10.1984
Stirling, Scotland
T/S.Lt. (A)
 		11.07.1942
T/Lt. (A)
 		11.01.1945
T/A/Lt.Cdr. (A)
1945? (reld < 04.1946)
Mention in Despatches MID
 10.09.1944
 destruction U765, Western Approaches, 06.05.44
01.09.1942
 -
 		(04.)1944
 		observer, 700 Squadron FAA [HMS Belfast] 
13.04.1944
 -
 		(10.1944)
 		observer, 825 Squadron FAA [HMS Vindex]
1944?
 -
 		1945?
 		HMS Atheling (escort carrier)
02.1945
 -
 		(07.1945)
 		HMS Goshawk (RN Air Station, Piarco, Trinidad)
 [trained Sir George Martin, the future Beatles producer, as navigator]
Van Epps,
David Arnold
D.A. Van Epps D.A. Van Epps
Lived Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
 ?
USA
-
09.1975
Prob. T/S.Lt. (A)
 		08.09.1940
T/Lt. (A)
 		06.05.1941
Bronze Star Medal (USA) BSM
 ?
 for POW heroism
Distinguished Flying Cross (USA) DFC
 ?
 ?
Air Medal AM
 ?
 & 2 oak leaf clusters
University graduate from Illinois.
15.01.1941
 -
 		(02.)1941
 		pilot, 809 Squadron FAA [HMS Daedalus (RN Air Station, Lee-on-Solent)]
05.07.1941
 -
 		(12.1941)
 		pilot, 809 Squadron FAA [HMS Victorious (aircraft carrier)]
15.07.1942
 -
 		24.01.1943
 		Commanding Officer, 894 Squadron FAA [HMS Blackcap (RN Air Station, Stretton, Warrington, Lancashire)]
26.09.1943
 -
 		09.04.1944
 		joined 334th Fighter Squadron (4th Fighter Group USAF)
22.03.1944
 -
 		09.04.1944
 		Commanding Officer, "D" Flight (in P-51B 43-6941 QP-T hit by Flak at Turow; captured & POW in German captivity)
      became a Colonel USAF post-war
Van Gulik,
Derek
D. Van Gulik 		(06?).1908 ??
Kingston district, Middlesex / Surrey ??
-
Prob. T/S.Lt.
 		04.10.1940
T/Lt.
 		04.01.1941
T/A/Lt.Cdr.
> 10.1944, < 07.1945
Chevalier, Order of Oranje-Nassau (The Netherlands) ON
 28.09.1943
 liaison officer Hr.Ms. Van Galen [award posted]
(02.1941)

no appointment listed
(12.1941)

no appointment listed
(08.1942)

no appointment listed
(1943?)
  
 		 
 		British Naval Liaison Officer, Hr.Ms. Van Galen (Dutch destroyer)
(10.1944)

no appointment listed
(07.1945)

no appointment listed
(04.1946)

HMS Drake (RN base, Devonport) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Vann,
Eric Francis		 see: Van Riel *,
Hendrick Frans		  
Van Oosterwyk- Bruyn,
William Adolf David
 [originally:
Van Oosterwijk Bruijn,
Willem Adolf David]
W.A.D. Van Oosterwyk-Bruyn (Photo courtesy of Mrs F. Blackburn)
Son of Willem Lodewijk Albert and Helen Ada (Ward) Van Oosterwijk Bruijn.
Mmarried (1935) Hannah Mary Alice Livingstone (Craig-Martin) Van Oosterwyk-Bruyn, of Great Totham, Essex.
 		19.04.1904
Walton-on- Thames
-
13.06.1940
(KIA) [age 36]
[Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 44, column 2]
T/Lt. 
 		04.03.1940
Education: B.A. (Cantab.).
01.06.1937

joined Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve [attached London Division RNVR]
04.03.1940
 -
 		(04.1940)
 		First Lieutenant, HMS Grimsby Town (auxiliary arni-submarine trawler)
?
 -
 		13.06.1940
 		HMS Scotstoun (armed merchant cruiser)

 

Van Riel *,
Hendrik Frans
 J.H. Vellacott
* Initially serving under the name: Vann, Eric Francis.
First name also shown as Hendrick.		 ?
-
T/Lt. (Sp.Br.) 14.02.1941
T/Lt. 1942?, seniority 14.02.1941
T/A/Lt.Cdr. 1945? (reld < 04.1946)

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

 OBE 11.12.1945 wind up Europe 45
Mention in Despatches MID 28.12.1943 for seamanship, skill and outstanding devotion to duty on 6 small raids Force "J"
(12.1941)     no appointment listed
10.06.1943 - (10.)1943 HMS Vectis (RN base, Seaview, Isle of Wight) (despatches)
(1943)     HM MTB 344 (motor torpedo boat)
28.10.1943 - (07.1945) Naval Intelligence Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
(1945)     HMS Royal Albert (Flag Officer Germany, Berlin)
Varley,
Michael George Oliver
"Mike"
M.G.O. Varley
Son of Harold F.F.Varley, and Grace A. Varley (née Williams), of Winchmore Hill, Middlesex.
 (12?).1921
Tenterden district, Kent
-
19.03.1944
(KIA) [age 23]
[Lee-on-Solent Memorial, bay 5, panel 4]
T/A/S.Lt. (A)
 		?
T/S.Lt. (A)
 		11.12.1942
T/Lt. (A)
 		?
23.02.1942
 -
 		19.03.1944
 		pilot, 825 Squadron FAA [1944 HMS Vindex (escort carrier)]

 

Varvill,
Robert
 R. Varvill

Times obituary
 		31.03.1920
-
22.02.2003
Sussex
T/S.Lt.
 		31.03.1941
T/Lt.
 		01.06.1942

Distinguished Service Cross

 DSC
 15.08.1944
 offensive sweeps West Coast Italy 05.44 [award posted]
Mention in Despatches MID
 07.11.1944
 [cmtlv ?] services 05.44
- QC
 05.06.1951
 Queen's Commendation (Civil): District Officer Calabar Nigeria 
04.08.1941
 -
 		(12.1941)
 		4th MTB Flotilla [HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)]
08.01.1944
 -
 		(10.1944)
 		Commanding Officer, HM MTB 421 (motor torpedo boat)
23.01.1945
 -
 		(07.1945)
 		Commanding Officer, HM MTB 309 (motor torpedo boat) & Senior Officer, 10th MTB Flotilla
Vaughan,
Frederick Vivian
 F.V. Vaughan
Married (26.09.1929, The Civil Registry Office, Viña Del Mar, Chile) Caroline Willis (1896? - )

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1888 ?
Valparaiso, Chile
-
died between 12.1979 and 12.1983
A/S.Lt. ?
S.Lt. 07.11.1908
Lt. 07.11.1911
Lt.Cdr. 07.11.1919 (retd 06.04.1922)
Cdr. (retd) 29.03.1940
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) OBE 07.06.1951 HM's birthday 51: Hon. Assistant Naval Attaché, HM's Embassy, Santiago
1914-1915 Star 14|15 St - -
British War Medal 1914-1920 14|20 BWM - -
Victory Medal VM - -
Royal Naval and Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve Decoration VRD 28.09.1945 -
Long Service Good Conduct Medal (RNVR) LSGCM ? -
03.09.1939 - (04.1946) Assistant Naval Attaché, Santiago (accredited to Chile, Peru, Educador) [HMS President]
Vaughan,
Islwyn
I. Vaughan (Photo courtesy of Mr Rob Vaughan) I. Vaughan (Photo courtesy of Mr Rob Vaughan)
I. Vaughan (Photo courtesy of Mr Rob Vaughan) I. Vaughan (Photo courtesy of Mr Rob Vaughan)
Son of Samuel Rees Vaughan (1896-1984), head teacher, and Eiluned Thomas (1899-1974).
Married (23.05.1943, Totness, Devon) Dilys Evans (30.01.1924-01.06.2002); eight daughters, one son.
 09.07.1920
Llandebie, Blaenau, Brynderw
-
17.09.1989
Porthcawl
[Porthcawl Cemetery]
T/S.Lt.
 		05.03.1942
T/Lt.
 		05.09.1944 (reld > 04.1946)
RAF:
F/Lt.
 		14.06.1949 [500756]

1939-1945 Star

 39|45 St
 ?
 ?
Atlantic Star Atl St
 ?
 ?
Africa Star Afr St
 ?
 ?
Defence Medal Def Med
 ?
 ?
War Medal 1939-1945 WM 39|45 ?
 ?
Education: Blaenau Junior School; Ammanford Grammar School (1935-1939); University Aberystwyth (BA Geography, 1947)
1941

served as a rating, HMS Gurkha (destroyer) (NW Approaches & Malta convoys)
(08.1942)

no appointment listed
(08.1943)

5th LCP Flotilla (Floating Reserve) (Dieppe raid)
12.1943
 -
 		09.1944
 		Divisional Officer, 520th LCA Flotilla (Normandy; Pointe de Hoc)
05.09.1944
 -
 		(07.1945)
 		HMS Copra (Combined Operations accounting base):
10.1944
 -
 		20.05.1945
 		Boat Officer, 509th LCA Flotilla (South Beveland/Eastern Scheldt, Waal river, Holland)
05.1945
 -
 		11.1945
 		HMS Brontosaurus (Combined Operations base, Dunoon, Argyll)
(04.1946)

no appointment listed
13.06.1949

temporary commission RNVR terminated on transfer to RAF - Education Branch (short service commission)
1949?
 -
 		1955?
 		RAF St Athan
14.06.1955

transferred to reserve
School teacher & headmaster, Newton Nottage School, 1955?-1984 (retirement).
Vellacott,
John Harding
 J.H. Vellacott 		30.06.1913
-
10.2001
Hatfield district, Hertfordshire
T/S.Lt.
 12.06.1942
T/Lt.
 12.06.1943 (reld < 07.1945)
(08.1942)

Commanding Officer, HM LCP 28 (landing craft, personnel) (Dieppe raid)
(10.1944)

no appointment listed
Verity,
Reginald George Arthur
 R.G.A. Verity 		(09?).1908
Richmond, Surrey
-
T/Lt.
 13.12.1940
T/A/Lt.Cdr.
 ?
(03.1942)

Naval Beach Master, St. Nazaire raid
Vernon,
Herbert
 H. Vernon 		?
-
T/S.Lt.
 ?
T/Lt.
 09.07.1943 (reld 01.1946)
(10.1944)
  
 		 
 		no appointment listed
(07.1945)
  
 		 
 		no appointment listed
Vernon,
Roger Foley
 R.F. Vernon
Married (04.05.1957, Betchworth, Surrey) Daphne Alison Ainslie (1931-2000); two daughters, one son.
 14.12.1923
-
02.1989
Exeter district, Devon
T/A/S.Lt.
 ?
T/S.Lt.
 01.03.1944
T/Lt.
 01.03.1946 (reld > 04.1946)
Lt. (Sp.Br.) RNR
 01.1964, seniority 01.03.1963
05.08.1943
 -
 		(07.1945)
 		HMS Dinosaur (Combined Operations base, Troon) (for Motor Landing Craft)
(04.1946)

no posting listed
01.1964

transferred to permanent RNR (Special Branch)
Vicars,
Richard Archdall 
R.A. Vicars (Photo courtesy of Mr Tim Hutchinson)		 09.09.1910
Fulham district, Greater London / London / Middlesex
-
01.1997
Camden district, London
T/S.Lt.
 		?
T/Lt.
 		27.06.1941 (reld > 04.1946)
Mention in Despatches MID
 14.11.1944
 Operation Neptune (Normandy 06.44)
13.06.1941
 -
 		(01.1942)
 		Commanding Officer, HMS Noss Head (cable ship) (Freetown)
07.1942
 -
 		(08.1942)
 		HMS Violet (corvette)
01.05.1943
 -
 		08.1943
 		HM LST 75 (landing ship, tank)
08.1943
 -
 		11.1944
 		Navigating Officer, HM LST 214 (landing ship, tank) (Anzio & Normandy)
11.1944
 -
 		(07.1945)
 		HM LST 361 (landing ship, tank) *
* (04.1946) still indexed, but no longer listed as such
Vigrass,
Bert Walwyn
 B.W. Vigrass
Son of ... Vigrass, and ... Walwyn.
 		(03?).1921
Leek district, Staffordshire
-
T/A/S.Lt. (A)
 ?
T/S.Lt. (A)
 28.03.1942, seniority 11.01.1942
T/Lt. (A)
 09.02.1944
T/A/Lt.Cdr. (A)
< 07.1945 (reld < 04.1946)
Lt. (A)
01.03.1949, seniority 16.12.1946
19.01.1951, seniority 10.01.1946
A/Lt.Cdr. (A)
 < 05.1953
Lt.Cdr. (A)
 1953/54?
Cdr. (A)
 31.12.1954 (retd 08.10.1966)

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

 OBE
 31.05.1956
 HM's birthday 56
Royal Naval and Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve Decoration VRD
 11.02.1958
 ?
05.1945
 -
 		08.1945
 		Commanding Officer, 818 Squadron FAA (Rattray)
01.03.1949

transferred to Air Branch of Permanent RNVR
(05.1950)

1833 Squadron FAA [RN Air Station, Bramcote, Nuneaton, Warwickshire]
(05.1953)

Commanding Officer, 1833 Squadron FAA [RN Air Station, Bramcote, Nuneaton, Warwickshire]
(01.1956)

Commanding Officer, Midland Air Division RNVR



served RNR (when RNVR was disbanded)
* indexed, but not listed as such
Villiers,
Alan John
A.J. Villiers A.J. Villiers
Son of Leon Joseph Villiers and Anastasia Hayes.
Married 1st (1924) Daphne Kaye Harris (marriage dissolved 1936), Hobart; no children.
Married 2nd (1940) Nancie, only daughter of Alban Henry and Mabel Wills, Melbourne; two sons, one daughter.
 		23.09.1903
Melbourne, Australia
-
03.03.1982
Oxford
Prob. T/Lt.
 30.05.1940
T/Lt.
 ?, seniority 30.05.1940
T/A/Lt.Cdr.
 1943
T/A/Cdr.
 1944

Distinguished Service Cross

 DSC
 14.11.1944
 Operation Neptune

Commendador of Portuguese Order of St James of the Sword.

Education: State Schools, Essendon High School, Melbourne
1919
 		-
 		1924
 		went to sea in sail, whaling in Antarctic with Norwegian Carl Anton Larsen's first Ross Sea Expedition in whaler Sir James Clark Ross, 1923-24
1931

joined Captain De Cloux in purchase of four masted barque Parma
06.1934
 		-
 		1936
 		bought Danish schoolship Georg Stage, renamed her Joseph Conrad and sailed 58,000 miles round world
1938
 		-
 		1939
 		sailing in Kuweit dhows in Persian Gulf-Zanzibar trade
(02.1941)

HMS Aberdonian (Coastal Forces depot ship, Fort William) *
11.04.1941
 -
 		(02.)1943
 		HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William)
07.04.1943
 -
 		06.09.1943
 		HMS Dinosaur (for LCI(L)s)
07.09.1943
 -

 		(04.1946)

 		Commanded "A" Squadron of Landing Craft (Infantry) (L) in the invasions of Italy and Normandy (DSC) and at the occupation of Rangoon, Malaya, and East Indies [HMS Copra]
Master, training ship Warspite, Outward Bound Sea School, Aberdovey, N Wales, 1949; sailed with Portuguese Arctic codfishing fleet in schooner Argus, 1950. Volunteered as Master of Mayflower replica, 1956, and sailed the vessel across the N Atlantic without power, except sails. In command of square­rigged ships for films: Moby Dick, 1955; John Paul Jones, 1958; Billy Budd, 1961; Hawaii, 1965. Past President, Society for Nautical Research; Trustee of National Maritime Museum, 1948-74; Governor Cutty Sark Preservation Society; Member: HMS Victory Technical Advisory Committee; Ships Committee, Maritime Trust.
Published: Whaling in the Frozen South; Falmouth for Orders; By Way of Cape Horn; The Sea in Ships; Sea Dogs of To­day; Voyage of the Parma; Vanished Fleets; The Last of the Windships; Cruise of the Conrad; Stormalong; The Making of a Sailor, 1938; Sons of Sinbad, 1940; The Set of the Sails, 1949; The Coral Sea, 1950; The Quest of the Schooner Argus, 1951 (Camoes Prize, Portugal); The Indian Ocean, 1952; The Way of a Ship, 1954; Posted Missing, 1956; Pioneers of the Seven Seas, 1956; The Western Ocean, 1957; Give Me a Ship to Sail, 1958; The New Mayflower, 1959; The Oceans, 1963; The Battle of Trafalgar, 1965; Captain Cook, the Seamen's Seaman, 1967; The War with Cape Horn, 1971; (with H. Picard) The Bounty Ships of France, 1972.
* indexed, but not listed as such
Viner,
Robert Alfred Lewis
R.A.L. Viner		 (12?).1903
Billericay district, Essex
-
?
Prob. T/S.Lt.
 18.10.1940
T/Lt.
 18.01.1941
T/A/Lt.Cdr.
 < 07.1945 (reld > 04.1946)
Distinguished Service Cross DSC

22.12.1942

 hazardous minesweeping operations Channel 06.42 [investiture 23.03.43]
1939-1945 Star 39|45 St
 -
 		-
Atlantic Star Atl St
 -
 		-
Italy Star It St
 -
 		-
War Medal 1939-1945 WM 39|45
 -
 		-
(02.1941)

HMS Welsbach (minesweeping trawler) *
(12.1941)

HMS Welsbach (minesweeping trawler) *
09.03.1942
 -
 		08.1943
 		Commanding Officer, HM MMS 64 (motor minesweeper) [ from 11.05.1942 HMS Forward (RN base, Newhaven)]
06.09.1943
 		-
 		(07.1945)
 		Commanding Officer, HM BYMS 2212 (British yard minesweeper)
(04.1946)
 		 
 		 
 		no appointment listed
* indexed, but not listed as such
Von Mehren,
Edward Carl Frederick
E.C.F. Von Mehren
Brother of Lt. Paul Christian von Mehren, RNVR.
 ?
-
Prob. T/S.Lt.
 18.10.1940
T/S.Lt.
 ?, seniority 18.10.1940
T/Lt.
 18.10.1941 (reld 1945/46?)
(02.1941)

HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William) *
28.05.1945
 -
 		(07.1945)
 		HMS Fervent (RN base, Ramsgate)
* indexed, but not listed as such
Von Mehren,
Paul Christian
P.C. Von Mehren
Brother of Lt. Edward Carl Frederick von Mehren, RNVR.
 05.11.1916
-
07.1994
London City, London
Prob. T/S.Lt.
 09.02.1940
T/S.Lt.
 10.1940, seniority 09.02.1940
T/Lt.
 17.07.1942, seniority 05.11.1941 (reld 1946?)
(04.1940)

no posting listed
10.07.1940
 -
 		(02.1941)
 		HMS Sandown (auxiliary anti-aircraft vessel)
19.03.1943
 -
 		(04.1944)
 		HMS Boston (minesweeper)
13.07.1944
 -
 		(04.1946)
 		HMS Coquette (minesweeper)


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