Personnel

 Of the thousands of personnel who were posted there, there are a few who are worthy of note.  Following Captain Welman mentioned previously, the next Commanding Officer was Captain D. H. Johnson MVO OBE RN. A local man, Commander W. McEwen RN, from the Isle of Muck was the First Lieutenant. The McEwens still own the island today.  Interestingly, Lieutenant Commander Alan Villiers RNVR, an Australian crewman of one of the last tea clippers to sail from Australia to Britain, was the Aircraft Recognition Officer.  The Gunnery Instructor was Jimmy Ruddock, a commercial artist in 'Civvy Street', who documented in cartoon form some of the more notable events and happenings around the base . One incident he recorded was when George 'Knocker' White was taking a gunnery class using an Oerliken which, on firing, promptly shook itself to bits - including the barrel, which apparently fell off.  It is sometimes rumoured that broadcaster Richard Baker, who became a Lieutenant Commander RNR, was stationed at St Christopher. While this is not the case, it is also said that BBC newsreader Robert Dougal may have been there.

A man of less then likeable traits seems to have been Lieutenant ‘Crasher’ Chesney, one of the MTB Commanders.  Described as having ‘medieval eating habits’, he acquired his nickname from either the manner in which he charged the enemy or possibly from the way he took his boat alongside others! Reports state that he also drove his boat everywhere at top speed.  Originally from New Zealand and named Donald Merrett, he was tried in Edinburgh in 1927 for murdering his mother, the court verdict was ‘not proven’.  He served throughout the war, ending up near Hamburg on the naval staff. He achieved further notoriety some time later when being sought by the police for murdering his wife and mother-in-law in London.  He fled to Germany and committed suicide in a wood.

Many of the officers who began their ‘small boat’ training at HMS ST CHRISTOPHER were later to serve with great distinction, perhaps non more so then the legendary Lieutenant Commander R.P. Hichens RNVR. Known affectionately to his officers and men as ‘Hich’ he began his training at the base in MGB 64, in January 1941. Like so many of his compatriots in coastal forces he had a rare blend of leadership coupled with flare, tenacity, courage and great determination to hit the enemy as hard and as often as possible.  As a flotilla commander he always led from the front and whilst in action on the night of 12 April 1943 a stray shell hit MGB 64 and he was killed instantly.  He had taken part in 148 operations, which included 14 main actions.  His services in coastal forces were recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Order and Bar, the Distinguished Service Cross and two Bars and he was three times Mentioned in Despatches. The training staff at HMS ST CHRISTOPHER must have been proud of the fact that a high percentage of the officers and men who had received their initial training at the base went on to achieve great things during the war and were to be awarded numerous gallantry decorations and medals for bravery in action.

During the 1939-45 war members of coastal forces were one of the most decorated units in the Royal Navy, they received the following awards:-