History of London Flotilla

The story of the London Flotilla begins in November 1937 after the Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve was established in 1936. The Reserve's members were mostly 'gentlemen yachtsmen' and others with some nautical experience, considered suitable for "temporary commissions as Probationary Sub Lieutenants RNVR, or temporary appointments as Probationary midshipmen RNVR, on or after mobilisation". Officially they were no more than a list of names to be activated in time of war; meantime they held no rank, had no uniforms and no public funds were available for their training.

However, the individuals who made up the Reserve were not content with this static role. Forming themselves into unofficial groups in various parts of the country, they set about organising their own training, at first mainly by way of instruction ashore lectures and study for the Board of Trade Yachtmasters' Certificate all at their own expense. Those in the London area went further and persuaded shipping companies to provide sea training facilities in foreign going ships. They also bought two old steam picket boats from the Admiralty disposals list. The first was named RESPONSE, (i.e. to the call for Volunteers) and the second REPLY. Together, they came to be known as The London Flotilla and the first voyage in their new role was made by the RESPONSE, from Portsmouth to the Thames in December 1937. The title 'London Flotilla' was extended to cover the London group of RNVSR members and has continued in use, although Flotilla members are now resident in all parts of the country and overseas.

During 1939 the strength of the RNVSR continued to build up. On the outbreak of war they were mobilised and, being already partly trained through their own efforts, they were serving at sea as RNVR officers within a few weeks.

The Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve was reconstituted in 1947 with an enthusiastic response by released war time RNVR officers who for various reasons could not join the regular Reserves. They were joined in due course by younger men with post war National Service commissions and by "suitable gentlemen aged between 25 and 30 ... with experience of the sea and willing to be called up for Naval service in emergency" who were given dormant RNR commissions. At the same time, the London Flotilla and kindred associations were revived to enable their members to keep themselves in readiness for mobilised service should the occasion arise. Their activities have continued notwithstanding the discouragement arising from the disbandment of the RNVSR in 1965 as a Services Vote economy measure. (There was in fact no public expenditure on the RNVSR as its members provided for their activities at their own expense, as in 1936-1939, and facilities placed at their disposal by the Admiralty were subject to the proviso that "no additional expense to the Crown is involved")

 
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