​​HMS Northney I, II, III & IV​

​​HMS Northney consisted of four separate facilities, named Northney I through to IV. These primarily served as training facilities for landing craft and vessels with shallow drafts or flat bottoms. This later became very important during the run-up to D-Day.

​Today, nothing remains of the facilities, although in the area of HMS Northney I there still is a marina where private boats can moor or dock for workshops. Close to the entrance of the marina, there is a small stone memorial to HMS Northney commemorating those who trained here from the Special Boat Unit, 30 CDO, COPP, RMBPD, SBS, SRS, and Dieppe Flotilla Officers.

​Originally a holiday camp, HMS Northney I was commissioned in October 1942 and used as a Landing Craft Base.

​HMS Northney II was also a holiday camp that was commissioned in October 1942, and was used as an assembly base for landing craft ‘mobile units’ destined for overseas operations. It was also a training establishment for engine room ratings, providing a 7-week course of theory and practical training.

​HMS Northney III was commissioned in October 1942 and converted into a landing craft base. From August 1945, it was also a holding camp for Combined Operations personnel.

​HMS Northney IV was commissioned in November 1942 and also served as a landing craft base and a camp for personnel.

​The shallow flats and beaches around Hayling Island offered ideal training locations for the naval ratings to become proficient in the use of landing craft, delivering personnel to beaches and then sailing back out to sea.