Photographs: Training on Landing Crafts (13).

Various Crafts and Camps in the U.K.

A29923. Nissen huts at Finnant Camp, Loch Long.

Photo - Official Photographer Lt. E.A. Zimmerman

Imperial War Museum (IWM).

Introduction:

Readers will see below a variety of camps, and quite likely some familiar and unfamiliar scenes and landing crafts.

Canadians in Combined Ops, trained to man landing crafts ("Don't call 'em barges," they say), mention being on Loch Long as well as at HMS Quebec on Loch Fyne. Perhaps they stayed at Finnant Camp, photo above.

The entry 'COPRA' on my father's Navy records was confusing first time I saw it. Now I know it refers to 'Combined Operations Pay Records and Accounts' and more can be found about its function and location at Combined Operations Command.

My father's navy records, 1941 - 1945. Much to learn from them:

About some of the above entries:

Stadacona refers to HMCS Stadacona, Halifax, a pivotal land establishment on the east coast of Canada; HMS Quebec is No. 1 Combined Operations Training Centre, south of Inveraray; HMCS Niobe is Canadian barracks and manning depot/transportation hub in Gourock, Scotland (Canadians would pass through Gourock briefly on their way to somewhere else); but "Copra"?

COPRA is 'Combined Operations Pay Records and Accounts'. Canadian sailors

did not visit that distinct location, but their pay records and accounts did.

Two relevant photos re COPRA will be found below and at the featured weblink.

New styles of landing crafts (e.g., LC(F) are featured below as well.

All photos and their informative captions are attributed to the Imperial War Museum. Explore their rich stock of photographs (11 million and rising) at Search Our Collection.

A29948. View of Landing Craft Hangars at HMS MONCK (Greenock).

Photo Credit - Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, and Imperial War Museum.

A29950. Wrens hutted camp at HMS COPRA, Largs, Scotland.

Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM

A29953. Pay Wrens at work at HMS COPRA, Largs.

Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.

Heading found with the following photographs - COMBINED OPERATION BASES IN SCOTLAND. JULY 1945, VARIOUS COMBINED OPERATIONS BASES IN SCOTLAND SHOWING LAY-OUTS OF THE CAMPS AND TYPES OF CRAFT.

A29956. Hollywood hutted camp at HMS WARREN (home of St Phillans,

the sick quarters). Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, Imperial War Museum (IWM).

A19138. The ambulance launch underway. 

Photo - Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM

Heading - HOSPITAL LANDING CRAFT; BRITISH NAVAL AMBULANCE LAUNCH. 11 SEPTEMBER 1943, GREENOCK. THE WATER AMBULANCE LAUNCH USED BY COMBINED OPERATIONS IS FITTED TO CARRY SIX COT PATIENTS.

A19139 The ambulance launch underway.

Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM.

A19194. LCP (S) hoisted before being lowered into an LCM (1).

Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM.

Heading - THE LANDING CRAFT CARRIER BEWDALE. 13 SEPTEMBER 1943, ON BOARD HMS DEWDALE.

A19195. LCM(I) being hoisted with LCP(S) nested.

Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM

A19196. LCM (1) inboard with LCP (S) nested, showing insufficient drift and

spreader in wrong position to hoist out LCP (S). Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM.

A19197. LCM (1) in water with LCP (S) nested. (Note fenders

under forward spreader. Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM.

A19198. LCM (1) on runways showing space between craft also pipe

lines and obstructions on deck. Lt. S.J. Beadell, IWM.

A19420. The LC (F) tied up. Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.

Heading with above photograph - THE NAVY'S LANDING CRAFT (FLAK) 37. 24 SEPTEMBER 1943, TILBURY DOCKS. THE LC (F) OR LANDING CRAFT (FLAK) HAS THE RESPONSIBLE JOB OF PROTECTING SHOCK TROOPS AND OTHER CRAFT FROM ENEMY AIR ATTACKS.

More photographs from various camps will follow.

Please link to Photographs: Training on Landing Crafts (12).

Unattributed Photos GH