The Aftermath

This chapter recounts the demobilisation of Auxiliary Patrol vessels and fishermen that began in early 1919, in which the bases from which the force had operated were already being run down. It describes the dismantling of the Auxiliary Patrol as a major task that involved thousands of people and vessels and took some considerable time to organise and carry through to fruition. It also talks about fishing vessels and crews that returned to their home ports from bases around the British Isles and beyond. The chapter mentions Skipper William Oliver, who had been stationed in Malta and commanded the minesweeping trawlers that were amongst the first to return from the Mediterranean. It highlights the disappearance of drifter John Robert and its 11 crew members while voyaging from Messina to Alexandria on 1 February 1919.