Welcome

Based in HM Naval Base in Portsmouth, the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust is a charity whose objectives are to record, support and celebrate the boats, technology, stories and people who have shaped Coastal Forces for over a century. That spirit of technical innovation, tactical flair, selfless bravery and the ‘call of the sea’ is still with us today. Help us to keep it alive!.

The Royal Navy began experimenting with small coastal motor boats imported from the USA in 1915. Within a year, British-built craft were proliferating. They served with distinction around the shallow North Sea coastline and were used to carry torpedoes and mines with Lewis guns for self defence. By the end of the First World War, some had even been converted into unmanned drones in collaboration with the fledgling RAF and in 1919, the daring raid on Kronstadt during the Russian War brought Coastal Forces their first Victoria Cross.

Coastal Forces made an enormous contribution to World War Two including 900 actions resulting in 400 enemy vessels sunk, more torpedoes fired than the submarine service with a greater ,proportion of hits , vital intelligence gathered for D-Day, landing and retrieving agents on enemy coastlines and 3000 decorations won including 4 Victoria Crosses.

Achievements of the CFHT

• Night Hunters – Coastal Forces Museum in Priddy’s Hard, Gosport
• Memorial plaques at each Coastal Forces base around the UK
• A film archive of interviews with veterans
• A DVD including wartime footage and interviews
• A collection of historic material, photographs, letters, models and memorabilia
• A memorial room and annual Remembrance Service at HMS Hornet, Gosport

Join the Friends of Coastal Forces

Membership entitles you to a range of benefits together with links to various articles, photographs, books and features that are only available to members.

These include:

• Free entry to ‘The Night Hunters: the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War’ Museum at Priddy’s Hard
• Invitations to exclusive member events
• Corporate membership of the Hornet Services Sailing Club
• News updates on Coastal Forces Activities
• The knowledge that you are contributing to the philanthropic activities of the Trust
• Additional member benefits being negotiated

If you would like to become a Member, click on the ‘Find out more’ button below for further details.

Help Us Achieve Our Aims

The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust need materials, time and money.
If you would like to help and become involved, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please email: directorcoastalforces@outlook.com