Crasher Chesney

A man of less than likeable traits seems to have been Lieutenant 'Crasher' Chesney, one of the MTB Commanders. Described as having 'medieval eating habits', he acquired his nickname for either the manner in which he charged the enemy or possibly from the way he took his boat alongside others! Reports state that he also drove his boat everywhere at top speed.

Originally from New Zealand and named Donald Merrett, he was tried in Edinburgh in 1927, of murdering his mother. The court verdict of 'not proven' was perhaps significant. He served throughout the war, ending up near Hamburg on the Naval Staff. He achieved further notoriety some time later when being sought by the police for murdering his wife and mother-in-law in London. He fled to Germany and committed suicide in a wood.