'Fantastic' fundraising campaign launched for new Royal Navy statue backed by Charles Dickens family
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Lieutenant Commander Peter Dickens DSC MBE, great grandson of author Charles Dickens, is one of the Coastal Forces’ most famous heroes
The family of a world-famous Portsmouth author has thrown their support behind the construction of a new Royal Navy statue.
Commander Mark Dickens, great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, is calling for people to get behind the new Coastal Forces Memorial. Being built at the Elephant Boatyard on the River Hamble, it aims to honour the sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Coastal Forces and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).
Cdr Dickens’ father, Lieutenant Commander Peter Dickens DSC MBE, is considered one of the squadron’s most famous heroes during the Second World War. The former submariner, who served between 1974 and 2001, told The News: “My father was a great proponent of the Coastal Forces, not only during the war but afterwards. He always said we neglect them at our peril, and look at what's happening in the world today.
“We want to remember the amazing people who served during the war, and highlight how they’re relevant today, as they always have been. The people are the centre of these stories, not just the vessels. They were amazingly brave and impressive, both those at sea and ashore.”
The family legacy
In June 1942, Lt Cdr Dickens was appointed to command the 21st Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) flotilla aged 26. Many citizens considered the Coastal Forces action heroes at the time, taking the helm of very small and extremely fast boats.
Sailors were tasked with attacking the enemy in hostile waters, often in the dead of night using only their stealth, ingenuity, and bravery. MTBs manoeuvred into position only a few hundred yards on the beam of the target and fired their torpedoes before scurrying off without being detected.
Lt Cdr Dickens led two successful attacks in September 1942 on Nazi convoys in the Dutch coast, combining a force of Motor Gun Boats and MTBs off Terschelling. Despite several vessels landing their targets in co-ordinated attacks, one of the captains was killed and several personnel were injured. He was mentioned in despatches four times during his 22-month command, being awarded a DSC among other accolades.
“Big push” for fundraising
Coastal forces personnel earned over 3,000 bravery awards during the Second World War. This included four Victoria Crosses, more per capita than any other branch of the Royal Navy. They fired more torpedoes than submariners, fought in 900 actions, and sank 400 enemy ships while 300 of their own.
Most of the personnel were drawn from the RNVR and wartime conscripts, ordinary people from all walks of life with an average age of 21. The aim is for the memorial to be set up at the Victory Gate entrance of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard by May 2027, free for the public to see.
It will feature two life-sized bronze figures poised on the bows of a motor gunboat, with a Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) signaller alongside them. It’ll stand at four metres tall and be complete with waves and friezes which tell the story of the coastal forces. Construction is in full swing after initial financial support was secured, with a fundraising campaign being launched this weekend by the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust.
Cdr Dickens said: “They’re a wonderful organisation that’s building up to try and get the public interested. It would be fantastic to achieve that aim. I’m very impressed with the small and dedicated team that has gotten this off the ground. Let’s hope they can get there.”
The aim is to raise £100,000 by midnight on May 11. It has already garnered roughly £30,000 at the time of writing. All donations are being doubled by industry backers and generous donors.
Rear Admiral Rex Cox, Chair of the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust, said it was the organisation’s “big push”. He added: “We’re asking members of the public to come together and help us finish something important.
“Every donation, however small, will make a real difference - especially with match funding in place. Donations are matched during these four days, so they have twice the impact. If people are thinking of supporting, the time to do it is now.”
Monument project director Richard Farrington said: “This campaign is about giving them the recognition they deserve. It’s also about people playing a part in remembering that history.” Donations can be made online via the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust website.