Film director seeks memories of Dutch minesweepers (From Western Telegraph)

Film director seeks memories of Dutch minesweepers

AMONG the unsung heroes of the Milford Haven Waterway in World War Two were members of the Dutch Navy who formed a highly effective minesweeping force, manning no fewer than 25 converted trawlers.

All pre-war fishermen who managed to get away from the Netherlands following the Nazi Invasion, they arrived at Milford in late 1940 and between then and the summer of 1942 swept several hundred enemy mines losing two vessels and some splendid seamen in the process.

Now a film documentary is to be made about their wartime role at Milford and Dutch director Machiel Martens is anxious to get in touch with local people who had contact with sailors from the Netherlands.

He told the Western Telegraph: 'A number of Dutchmen married local girls and settled in the Milford area and we would like to meet them and their families. Several of the sailors were killed while sailing out of Milford and we are looking for people who may have attended their funerals. We particularly want to speak with people who have very special memories of the Dutch naval personnel, and we are also keen to inspect any relevant photographs and film footage which might exist.'

Mr Martens will be arriving in Milford on Monday of next week for a five day visit prior to returning to the port in September when filming will begin in earnest.

Local people who can assist with recollections of the Dutch minesweepers and their crews are asked to telephone 003135 6565360 leaving their name and telephone number, and Mr Martens will ring them back.

The call will entail ringing a number in Holland, but he emphasises that it will be brief and inexpensive because all that is required is the identity of the caller and his or her number. People can also e-mail him at www.memproductions.nl