INTRODUCTION

We had decided that insufficient emphasis had been placed on the historic background of our floating club. The feeling was that if it could be established that the vessel had taken part in wartime activities it would certainly enhance the reputation of the club. In addition, add another dimension to the all-important atmosphere. With this in mind I researched and wrote a book about the Landfall which was published by the Acorn Press of Liverpool in 1972.

The floating Ex World War Two Landing Craft finally became ours on the 1st of July 1971 when The Master Mariners Club agreed to sell us the craft lock, stock and barrel for the sum of £15,000 which was a lot of money in those days!

With the Landfall now officially ours, and the business going from strength to strength. We decided that it was time to expand.

This is actually the story of how a friend and I came to be the owners of a World War Two Tank Landing Craft, and how we transformed it into a successful floating Night Club in Liverpool Docks. But first let me tell you something about the history of Tank Landing Craft in general and LCT 7074 in particular.

It is a strange fact that for some unknown reason, military historians have, to a large extent, ignored Tank Landing Craft, (a search of the libraries and public archives will soon confirm this) and yet they were the means by which the greatest invasion force in history was carried across the waters of the English Channel to land, in all its armoured diversification, upon the shores of France. It is as if the story of Hannibal's epic crossing of the Alps were told, with only a fleeting mention of the elephants that carried the Great War machine that was his army.

Technical treatises have been written, describing in minute detail the mechanical and constructional aspects of tanks, aircraft and battleships, but never has any book been published which pays due credio the service rendered by landing craft - the uncomplaining sea borne elephants of the Allied striking force of World War II.

It is hoped that Part One of this book, which gives a short outline of the design and development of Tank Landing Craft, will contribute in some small way to putting right the sad neglect of these fine little vessels. Perhaps at some later date I will write at greater length on the productional methods and technical minutiae of these craft. But that lies outside the scope of this work. I decided to fictionalise the account of the actual D-Day crossing, etc. in an effort to let the reader feel what it was actually like to head across the water to the beaches of Normandy.

It is true of course that as part owner of the Landfall, I have a personal interest in Tank Landing Craft, but whilst I have been researching for this book, and as I became involved with the fascinating history of this type of vessel, I came to the opinion that my special relationship was a happy coincidence - and that because of this, future generations would be able to read about this unique product of the World War II.

I believe also that it is well worth while to record a short history of the Merseyside Master Mariners Club, for it allows an interesting glimpse of the men who commanded British Merchant ships, relaxing with their friends and employers. It is fascinating to eavesdrop on those conversations that took place so long ago. The Merseyside Master Mariners Club still exists of course, and long may it prosper.

Amazingly, the war History of the Landfall was not known until the summer of 1971, when in response to my newspaper appeals her former Second Officer contacted me with the full story, later verified by the Admiralty.  Before then it was believed by the Merseyside Master Mariners that the Landfall had been built in Canada, and had not seen any enemy action.

Not long before this book was delivered into the hands of the printers I had the good fortune to establish contact with her wartime commander, Mr. John. C.  Baggott who now lives in the pleasant town of Brigg in Lincolnshire.

Sitting in the comfort of his elegant bungalow we talked of LCT 7074 and the wartime period.  Mr. Baggott was naturally very surprised and pleased to hear that his old vessel had escaped the breaker’s yard.

Eventually he modestly related his experiences as a young officer. . . the hard training. . . his involvement in the Dieppe Raid, the Normandy landings with 7074, and after. . . .

In his typically reticent English way he unfolded the story of those years, unravelled the knots in my research, confirmed facts, exploded myths. I had already had the pleasure of meeting his second-in-command, Mr. Philip Stephens of London who had furnished me with much information including valuable extracts from his wartime diary. Former Sub. Lt. Stephens' accurate account of this period of Landfall’s career, together with Mr. Baggott’s material has filled in all the gaps.

Out of respect for the wishes of these two former officers and out of courtesy to crew members (none of whom I have been able to trace) I decided to fictionalise my account of the actual D-Day action. And I hasten to add that this part of the book refers to neither John. C.  Baggott nor Philip Stephens-who are not at all like the two officers in my story - or indeed to any former member of the crew of 7074 or any other vessel in HM. Navy then or now, and that any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

May I sincerely thank Mr. Baggott and Mr. Stephens for their great help and understanding during my compilation of the material for this work.

This is the story of a ship - not an important ship, not even a well-known ship. She was one of hundreds of Tank Landing Crafhaook part in the greatest invasion in history - the most fantastic, awe-inspiring and comprehensive crusade conceived and successfully executed by mankind. The D-Day Invasion of Europe-The Normandy Landings-'Operation Overlord.” This tells the story of one- of those ships - there is no other story to be told - she is the only one stilI surviving that was there when it happened.

For over twenty years [now over fifty years] LCT 7074 MK III has lain in the Liverpool Docks, providing a comfortable haven and headquarters for Members of the Merseyside Master Mariners Club. Over a million people have walked aboard, without realising the historical background behind the grey, riveted steel. Now is the time for that story to be told and in doing so to invoke the memory of the men who gave their lives on those beaches, so that Europe could be free.

that the vessel is of historical interest is obvious, and readers can be sure that the present owners are quite aware of the importance of LCT 7074, and that whilst she will be well cared for in her retirement.

I have derived much pleasure in recoding the story of Tank Landing Craft in general and I hope readers will find something to interest   them in what many regard as a somehow compelling story, and may find as much pleasure from perusing this brief history as I have done in the writing.

George (Jud) Evans,

(Excerpts added Summer 2003.

Contact me anytime at: gevans613@aol.com