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TNA / ADM 116 4649

TNA ADM 116 4649

TNA ADM 116 4649
Collection details

TNA ADM 116 4649

Operation Dynamo reports and recommendations for awards, volume 2 (1940–1942), documenting service during the Dunkirk evacuation and the cases submitted for official recognition.

Holding archive
TNA
Collection reference
ADM 116 4649
View the archive catalogue entry ↗

Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 116/4649. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Page 6.
OPERATION "DYNAMO" - RECOMMENDATIONS OF PERSONNEL.
H.M.S. "PANGBOURNE" - Acting Commander Francis Douglas-Watson, R.N.
The ship left Harwich, and arrived at Dunkirk on the evening of 28th May; she returned t 0 Margate and disembarked
400 troops. On her second trip to Dunkirk she rescued the crew of the "CLAN MACALISTER". She was subjected to air attacks from 1645 to 1715 and from 1000 to 1900 (29th May);
the latter was particularly severe and caused some 24
casualties, including Belgian soldiers. On her way back she towed the badly damaged "GRACIE FIELDS", rescuing the latter's crew when she sank.
After undergoing temporary repairs to D.G. wiring and for splinter damage, "PANGBOURNE" completed one more round trip to Dunkirk and also brought in a number of soldiers transferred to her by 8. trawler.
In all she completed 3 round trips, bringing back 920
men.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
OFFICERS:
Acting Commander Francis Douglas-Watson. R.N.
Commander Douglas-Watson displayed courage, resource and professional skill of a high order in dangerous and most
DSO
difficult conditions. The steadiness of the ship's company in the face of severe air attack and casualties was an eloquent tribute to his leadership and example.
Recommended for Decoration.
RATINGS:
Leading Stoker Ronald Kenneth Robb, O.N. D/KX18359.
C.G.M
Remained on the forecastle during the first bombing attack in charge of the capstan. When this was put out of
DSM
action and he was badly wounded in both arms, he stood by in an exposed position ready to slip the cable. Afterwards he continued to assist the repair parties although one arm was out of action.
Recommended for Decoration.
Leading Seaman Alfred Reid, O.N. D/J13129.
As coxswain of the motor boat, Reid was of great assistance to the officer in charge of the boats on the beach.
He carried out all orders in prompt and seamanlike manner as well as acting on his own initiative when towing the various boat loads back to the ship.
Recommended for Mention.
Boat Clan Macalister Evening Pangbourne Douglas Douglas-Watson Francis May Page Reid Robb Watson

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Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 19.

Page 6.
OPERATION "DYNAMO" - RECOMMENDATIONS OF PERSONNEL.
H.M.S. "PANGBOURNE" - Acting Commander Francis Douglas-Watson, R.N.
The ship left Harwich, and arrived at Dunkirk on the
evening of 28th May; she returned t 0 Margate and disembarked
400 troops. On her second trip to Dunkirk she rescued the
crew of the "CLAN MACALISTER". She was subjected to air
attacks from 1645 to 1715 and from 1000 to 1900 (29th May);
the latter was particularly severe and caused some 24
casualties, including Belgian soldiers. On her way back
she towed the badly damaged "GRACIE FIELDS", rescuing the
latter's crew when she sank.
After undergoing temporary repairs to D.G. wiring and
for splinter damage, "PANGBOURNE" completed one more round
trip to Dunkirk and also brought in a number of soldiers
transferred to her by 8. trawler.
In all she completed 3 round trips, bringing back 920
men.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
OFFICERS:
Acting Commander Francis Douglas-Watson. R.N.
Commander Douglas-Watson displayed courage, resource
and professional skill of a high order in dangerous and most
DSO
difficult conditions. The steadiness of the ship's company
in the face of severe air attack and casualties was an
eloquent tribute to his leadership and example.
Recommended for Decoration.
RATINGS:
Leading Stoker Ronald Kenneth Robb, O.N. D/KX18359.
C.G.M
Remained on the forecastle during the first bombing
attack in charge of the capstan. When this was put out of
DSM
action and he was badly wounded in both arms, he stood by
in an exposed position ready to slip the cable. Afterwards
he continued to assist the repair parties although one arm
was out of action.
Recommended for Decoration.
Leading Seaman Alfred Reid, O.N. D/J13129.
As coxswain of the motor boat, Reid was of great
assistance to the officer in charge of the boats on the beach.
He carried out all orders in prompt and seamanlike manner
as well as acting on his own initiative when towing the
various boat loads back to the ship.
Recommended for Mention.