HUMBER & AVON - 44½ FT RASC FAST LAUNCH

AVON

FL AVON was one of the earlier craft to be completed by British Power Boats and was taken on strength by 615 WT Coy at Portsmouth on 29th June 1945. The craft was then fitted with Army specific equipment and subsequently shipped by sea to Malaya on 27th July 1945 for use by 626 Coy. She joined up with FL ALMOND and FL HUMBER in that area, however when they were transferred to Hong Kong, AVON was returned as deck cargo to UK arriving at Woolwich on 15th November 1948 and taken on strength by 631 Coy RASC. After a period of storage and refit, AVON was transferred on 29th April 1949 to 632 Coy RASC who operated from nearby Sheerness. Her employment was only for a month as she was further transferred on the 18th May 1949 to 644 Coy RASC to be based at Plymouth and then on again a further month later on 19th June 1949 to be based at Menai Bridge, Wales with 616 Coy RASC. The Menai Bridge 616 Coy later became 45 Coy in late 1949, however AVON remained based at Menai Bridge. Her main duties would have been range clearance and general transport of senior officers in the area. She may have spent some time in reserve, but held at Menai Bridge.

With the winding up of the Coastal Gunnery in the mid-1950's (see Queen Gull), the AVON was then transferred to 71 Coy WT RASC and based at HM Gunwharf, Portsmouth from 10th August 1955. The launch remained in service with the Portsmouth based company with a civilian crew until she was laid up for disposal by sale in 1957/58. AVON was advertised for sale by tender in Motor Boat & Yachting magazine (tender I 72/7/58T) lying at HM Gunwharf during July 1958 and as a result was sold on 7th August the same year to Mr Springfield of Maidenhead, Berks. Her first owner was a boat broker - he had also bought another "river" class FL, consequently by 1963 the AVON was owned by the Mr & Mrs Megan of Huntwick, Sussex. By 1965 ownership had transferred to Mr Wells of Bristol and AVON had been renamed LYFORD ANNA III. The craft was registered with Official No. 300239 at Newhaven but was home ported at Weymouth. She was offered for sale again on 7th August 1970, listed having twin 100 Perkins fitted in 1961, and with DF, depth finder, auto pilot, a large galley and six berths, all for £4,950. The craft was sold on to Lewis Hogg of Stapleford, Notts who kept her until 1974 when she was re-sold locally to Mr Palmer of Mapperley, Notts. He similarly retained the LYFORD ANNA III for several years and again sold her locally in 1979 to Mr Allen of Redhill, Notts.

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