TNA ADM 116 4649

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Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
DOVER MINESWEEPING TRAWLERS -
Lieutenant Robert Bill, R.N., Senior Executive Officer.
Recommendations.
Lieutenant Robert Bill, R.N.
Trawler organisation. Sent in charge of 6 trawlers to
Senior Executive Officer of the Dover Minesweeping
Dunkirk 29th May to 30th May. Arriving Dunkirk 1330,
they were subjected to continuous air attack between
1530 and 2000 during the most severe air attack of the
whole operation which caused heavy losses. At the
time, at Dunkirk East Pier were berthed no less than
8 vessels. The trawlers assisted in berthing and
unberthing these ships, embarking the troops as
opportunity offered, Lieutenant Bill assisting the
Piermaster on the jetty. During the worst raid at
1800 when all the damage occurred, he personally, by
drawing his revolver maintained order among the
troops, who were inclined to panic. Under his
direction trawlers assisted to clear the harbour of
ships to safeguard the vital channel from being
blocked. Subsequently, he detailed his vessels to
assist those damaged, to rescue survivors and troops
from the 6 vessels who were sunk or severely damaged.
Throughout this period of severe trial Lieutenant Bill
remained cool and self-possessed and set a magnificent
example to those around him. He showed sound judgment
in his actions and his orders to his trawlers and was
largely responsible for the fact that greater loss was
not incurred. A. fine display of officer-like qualities
and gallantry under fire.
Recommended for decoration.
Recommendations.
H.M. Drifter DORIENTA - Skipper William Francis Reynolds,
R.N.R., W.S.2839.
DORIENTA proceeded from Portsmouth to Ramsgate and
Dunkirk towing small craft, and on 31st May worked off
the beaches embarking troops; in this work she was
conspicuous.
OFFICER.
Skipper William Francis Reynolds, R.N.R. W.S.2839.
DORIENTA suffered air bombardment and was finally
severely damaged by the explosion of a shell from a
shore battery. It was boarded by the local Senior
Officer, who considered the ship was completely out of
action owing to severe engine room damage. Nevertheless
Skipper Reynolds determined to bring his ship back and
finally, navigating without any chart and with engines
partially disabled, brought his ship back to port with
troops on board.
Recommended for decoration.
W.Kennedy/