Minesweepers built at Wivenhoe in WW2

ID: NTG_MMS

Abstract

The Nottage Institute at Wivenhoe has a series of photographs taken at the launch of a minesweeper built in Wivenhoe Shipyard c1941. Two girls are in the photographs - Rosemary and Penny Pullen, who were daughters of Basil Ivan Pullen who was landlord of the Peldon Rose Inn.

Rosemary appears in the photograph a launch of minesweeper in 1941 which is probably MMS113 [ MMC_P668_029 , but were they at any other launches ?

Source

Mersea Museum

NTG_MMS

Related Images:

Launch of one of the wooden minesweepers built by Rowhedge Ironworks at Wivenhoe. LC1_THM_RIW_PIC10

ImageID:	LC1_THM_RIW_PIC10
Title:	Launch of one of the wooden minesweepers built by Rowhedge Ironworks at Wivenhoe.
Date:	c1942
Source:	John Leather Collection

Wivenhoe Shipyard - launch of minesweeper J537. Managing Director Mr Buckingham is standing extreme right, next to Rowhedge manager Frank Butcher. [Rowhedge Heritage Trust May 2010].
Many wooden minesweepers and other craft were built at the upriver Wivenhoe Shipyard during World War 2.
</p><p>This was MMS37, completed 18 August 1941 for the Royal Navy, Yard Number 15 [ John Collins ] MMC_P668_004

ImageID:	MMC_P668_004
Title:	Wivenhoe Shipyard - launch of minesweeper J537. Managing Director Mr Buckingham is standing extreme right, next to Rowhedge manager Frank Butcher. [Rowhedge Heritage Trust May 2010]. Many wooden minesweepers and other craft were built at the upriver Wivenhoe Shipyard during World War 2. This was MMS37, completed 18 August 1941 for the Royal Navy, Yard Number 15 [ John Collins ]
Date:	1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Leo Michael-Smith Collection

Wivenhoe Shipyard - launch of minesweeper J537.
</p><p>This was MMS37, completed 18 August 1941 for the Royal Navy, Yard Number 15 [ John Collins ] MMC_P668_006

ImageID:	MMC_P668_006
Title:	Wivenhoe Shipyard - launch of minesweeper J537. This was MMS37, completed 18 August 1941 for the Royal Navy, Yard Number 15 [ John Collins ]
Date:	1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Leo Michael-Smith Collection

ImageID:	MMC_P668_007
Title:	Wivenhoe Shipyard - launch of minesweeper J537. This was MMS37, completed 18 August 1941 for the Royal Navy, Yard Number 15 [ John Collins ]
Date:	1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Leo Michael-Smith Collection

Minesweeper Launching at Wivenhoe Shipyard.
L-R Leonard Archer ?, unknown lady, Agnes Mary Pullen, Mildred Lait (with parasol - Diane Stoker's Aunt), Penelope Margaret Ann Pullen age 3, William (Bill) Lait - jeweller from London (Diane Stoker's uncle), Basil Ivan Pullen - Landlord of the Peldon Rose, Leo Michael-Smith - Landlord of the White Hart West Mersea, Winifred Michael-Smith - Leo's wife, Rosemary Jane Pullen age 4 years who presented the bouquet to a very smart lady from the Royal Navy who launched the boat, Rose Beatrice Slater (Diane Stoker's mother), Ann Louise Slater (Diane Stoker's sister) age 8 years, Richard Herbert (Dick) Slater (Diane Stoker's father) - he was landlord of a public house in Mortlake London.
<b>The Story of the picture by Penny Burr - née Penelope Pullen</b>
The minesweepers were very special boats made in Wivenhoe of teak wood as they needed to be anti-magnetic. The owner of the boatyard, Jack Butcher, was a great friend of my parents. His sister, a Mrs Archer who lived at Abberton at The Gate House was my sister's God Mother, so Rosemary was asked to present the bouquet. Although I was only 3 years old I remember the occasion well, maybe because I fell and grazed my chin badly just before I was dressed for the occasion. The people around were all friends of my parents. It was as I remember a very special day, and as I grew older realised it was a vital part of Wivenhoe's war effort.
</p> MMC_P668_013

ImageID:	MMC_P668_013
Title:	Minesweeper Launching at Wivenhoe Shipyard. L-R Leonard Archer ?, unknown lady, Agnes Mary Pullen, Mildred Lait (with parasol - Diane Stoker's Aunt), Penelope Margaret Ann Pullen age 3, William (Bill) Lait - jeweller from London (Diane Stoker's uncle), Basil Ivan Pullen - Landlord of the Peldon Rose, Leo Michael-Smith - Landlord of the White Hart West Mersea, Winifred Michael-Smith - Leo's wife, Rosemary Jane Pullen age 4 years who presented the bouquet to a very smart lady from the Royal Navy who launched the boat, Rose Beatrice Slater (Diane Stoker's mother), Ann Louise Slater (Diane Stoker's sister) age 8 years, Richard Herbert (Dick) Slater (Diane Stoker's father) - he was landlord of a public house in Mortlake London. The Story of the picture by Penny Burr - née Penelope Pullen The minesweepers were very special boats made in Wivenhoe of teak wood as they needed to be anti-magnetic. The owner of the boatyard, Jack Butcher, was a great friend of my parents. His sister, a Mrs Archer who lived at Abberton at "The Gate House" was my sister's God Mother, so Rosemary was asked to present the bouquet. Although I was only 3 years old I remember the occasion well, maybe because I fell and grazed my chin badly just before I was dressed for the occasion. The people around were all friends of my parents. It was as I remember a very special day, and as I grew older realised it was a vital part of Wivenhoe's war effort.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Leo Michael-Smith Collection

Ship launch, probably a wooden minesweeper at Wivenhoe, and either MMS113, MMS114 or MMS115.
</p><p>There is what looks like a Japanese flag as part of the decorations. MMS113 was completed on 25/9/1941 and probably launched May 1941, but MMS114 was launched on 22/12/1941, two weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked, it is unlikely that they would have used a Japanese flag for that occasion or any later launching. MMS113 would have carried the Pennant No. J613. Who is the little girl giving the flowers ? The ladies all have their summer hats on, and no coats. [ John Collins ]
The small girl with the bouquet looks a lot like Rosemary Jane Pullen. MMC_P668_029

ImageID:	MMC_P668_029
Title:	Ship launch, probably a wooden minesweeper at Wivenhoe, and either MMS113, MMS114 or MMS115. There is what looks like a Japanese flag as part of the decorations. MMS113 was completed on 25/9/1941 and probably launched May 1941, but MMS114 was launched on 22/12/1941, two weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked, it is unlikely that they would have used a Japanese flag for that occasion or any later launching. MMS113 would have carried the Pennant No. J613. Who is the little girl giving the flowers ? The ladies all have their summer hats on, and no coats. [ John Collins ] The small girl with the bouquet looks a lot like Rosemary Jane Pullen.
Date:	c1942
Source:	Mersea Museum / Leo Michael-Smith Collection

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe.
L-R 1., 2., 3. Anne Louise Slater, 4., 5. (front) Penny Pullen, 6., 8., 8. Basil Ivan Pullen, 9. Rosemary Pullen, 10. Rose Beatrice Slater NTG_MMS_008

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_008
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. L-R 1., 2., 3. Anne Louise Slater, 4., 5. (front) Penny Pullen, 6., 8., 8. Basil Ivan Pullen, 9. Rosemary Pullen, 10. Rose Beatrice Slater
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is Rosemary or Penny Pullen. NTG_MMS_011

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_011
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is Rosemary or Penny Pullen.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is Rosemary or Penny Pullen. NTG_MMS_012

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_012
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is Rosemary or Penny Pullen.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is Rosemary or Penny Pullen. NTG_MMS_013

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_013
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is Rosemary or Penny Pullen.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is thought to be Rosemary Pullen and behind her Agnes Mary Pullen, Rosemary's mother.
This is the same launch as NTG_MMS_101. NTG_MMS_015

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_015
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. The girl is thought to be Rosemary Pullen and behind her Agnes Mary Pullen, Rosemary's mother. This is the same launch as NTG_MMS_101.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. L-R 1., 2. Rosemary Pullen, 3. Agnes Mary Pullen, 4. Penny Pullen (Burr), 5. Basil Ivan Pullen
This is the same launch as NTG_MMS_101. NTG_MMS_022

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_022
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. L-R 1., 2. Rosemary Pullen, 3. Agnes Mary Pullen, 4. Penny Pullen (Burr), 5. Basil Ivan Pullen This is the same launch as NTG_MMS_101.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage

WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe. NTG_MMS_101

ImageID:	NTG_MMS_101
Title:	WW2 Minesweeper launch at Wivenhoe.
Date:	c1941
Source:	Mersea Museum / Nottage