Terry Carter Posted 2 February , 2009 Share Posted 2 February , 2009 The latest edition of a Birmingham Local history magazine has an article on Alec McClure a Birmingham City F.C. footballer who played before and after WW1. It gives a brief mention that he served in the Royal Navy and was involved in the Zeebrugge Raid. Can any forum member give me any more info regarding Alec's WW1 service with the R.N. Many thanks Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 2 February , 2009 Share Posted 2 February , 2009 No match searching the UKNA documents online Royal Navy resisters of service. No match searching the online Royal Naval Division service records. Following match for Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve records: Name McClure, Alexander Service Number: MB2057 RNVR Division: London Date of birth 03 April 1892 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 2 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 2 February , 2009 many thanks Per Adua etc etc The link you supplied I downloaded and it is Alec McClure who played for BCFC. At the time of Zeebrugge Raid his record states he was serving on 'Arrogant' Got the following from googling the ship's name World War 1 Service: Arrogant Used as a Submarine depot ship at Dover. 1915 Base flagship for Dover Patrol. 1923 Sold for scrap. The info on Aex McClure was given in Wikpedia Birmingham City FC players. I wonder how he became connected to the famous raid on Zeebrugge. Cheers Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Tucker Posted 2 February , 2009 Share Posted 2 February , 2009 The info on Aex McClure was given in Wikpedia Birmingham City FC players. I wonder how he became connected to the famous raid on Zeebrugge. Cheers Terry It must have been the gipsy's curse as the raid failed. (in joke if you live around these parts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 2 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 2 February , 2009 Better let folks know... Alan is a Villa fan.... wash my mouth with soap and water! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historydavid Posted 2 February , 2009 Share Posted 2 February , 2009 Terry, the association with Zeebrugge sounds like it could be a piece of folk-lore; probably started by a fan who wanted to aggrandise his involvement with the navy. A not uncommon occurence. However, there were submarines involved in the Zeebrugge raid, so it is possible he was there. To verify it you would have to get copies of the crew lists for the raid. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melliget Posted 3 February , 2009 Share Posted 3 February , 2009 If McClure was still playing when English teams began playing games against European ones (highly unlikely), then the Zeebrugge Raid reference might have originated from a post match celebration that got out of hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domwalsh Posted 3 February , 2009 Share Posted 3 February , 2009 I can confirm that McClure was not on either C1 or C3, the submarines involved in the raid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Tucker Posted 3 February , 2009 Share Posted 3 February , 2009 If McClure was still playing when English teams began playing games against European ones (highly unlikely), then the Zeebrugge Raid reference might have originated from a post match celebration that got out of hand Birmingham City have only got as far as Wales in their pursuit of European glory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 3 February , 2009 Share Posted 3 February , 2009 Arrogant Used as a Submarine depot ship at Dover. 1915 Base flagship for Dover Patrol. If she was the flag ship of the Dover Patrol and a Submarine depot ship, he could have had his administration handled aboard but not necessarily connected with submarines. But it should have the vessal that he served on in brackets. His service number implies that he served in the Motor Boat Section. Pictures http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_arrogant.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 3 February , 2009 Share Posted 3 February , 2009 Arrogant also acted as depot ship for the Dover Patrol's motor launches, numbers of which took part in the Zeebrugge and Ostend raids. When considering a family 'legend' that someone took part in the Zeebrugge raid, it is always worth checking whether they actually took part in the 'Cinderella' raids on Ostend, before concluding that the story is a complete myth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domwalsh Posted 3 February , 2009 Share Posted 3 February , 2009 I agree, he could easily have served on one of the motor launches or coastal motor boats. The problem is proving it. He was not a member of the Zeebrugge Association, so that doesn't help us. The only other thought is local Birmingham newspapers at the time of the raid and after his death. Dom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 3 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 3 February , 2009 Thanks to you all for the contributions...... even Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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