TNA ADM 116 4649

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.

Page 70
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. BIDEFORD - Lieutenant Commander John Hugh Lewes, R.N.
being bombed and machine-gunned on the way across. While May,
This vessel proceeded to Bray beach on the 29th bombing attack took place. The ship was struck on the off the beach embarking troops in the evening, the third blown away, No.2 gun put out of action and the 0.5 machir quarter deck, about 40 feet of stern being completely gun platforms wrecked, in addition to much other damage.
In spite of the damage done, of the fact that the ship was grounded aft and of the casualties suffered (3 office and 13 men killed, 1 officer and 18 men wounded), BIDEFOR
continued to embark troops during the night, and when eventually towed off and home, carried 400 troops to
England on the 31st May.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS,
Lieutenant Commander John Hugh Lewes, R.N.
In spite of the severe damage to his ship by bombs and the fact that his ship was aground, he continued to rescue troops from Bray beach, and eventually carried 400 to England.
Recommended for mention.
Surgeon Lieutenant John Jordan. M.B.. B.Ch., R.N.
Displayed zeal and unswerving devotion to duty throughout the period 29th-31st May, when he was an outstanding example to all. His sick berth attendant seriously wounded, he dealt with some 50
casualties, many horribly mutilated or dangerously wounded, and performed several major operations, having organised his limited resources to their utmost. Throughout the period tended his patients continuously and at all times displayed great ability, patience and understanding. No effort was too much for him - no call was left unanswered.
He was completely selfless and upheld the traditions of the Royal Navy and of his profession in a most worthy manner.
Recommended for decoration.
RATINGS.
Private George William Crowther, 6th Field Ambulance
B. Company, No. 7354480.
This man had been embarked from Bray beach. After the ship was struck by bombs he immediately volunteer to assist the Surgeon. An hour later, when the troop board had been transferred to another ship,
Crowther on said he would remain in BIDEFORD and continu was his work there, knowing full well that BIDEFORD time very it was considered highly improbable that the to severely damaged and aground; and at that ship would reach England, but he gave up his chance
Carried get away out his voluntary duties for all but 48 hours in order to tend his wounded comrades.
continuously in a most efficient manner.

Page 74
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. LOCUST - Lieutenant Ackroyd Norman Palliser Costobadie R.N.
not evacuating troops but in bombarding
This only ship played a prominent part in Operation DYNAMO, batteries, hour and in taking BIDEFORD in tow to Dover, shore
MOSQUITO to ensure the destruction of all secret wreck books ship. carried out demolition work in the saving of passage, Also and is probably responsible for a that 30
had already taken the correct steps to safeguard secret and other gear, it not then being known that MOSQUITO
matter. The ship had only been in commission for a fortnight prior to joining this operation.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS.
Lieutenant Ackroyd Norman Palliser Costobadie, R.N.
Displayed good judgment and initiative throughout the operation, frequently under fire from shore artillery and under air bombardment, particularly when he found himself the Senior Officer afloat off
La Panne beach on the evening of the 29th, and his personal efforts in organising the various inshore boats and the troops ashore resulted in more than
1,000 troops being lifted from the beach to his ship and other offshore craft, there being no Army officers present in charge of these troops.
Recommended for decoration.
Lieutenant Arundell Holdsworth, R.N.
Did excellent work on board and on shore, where on the last night of beach evacuation he hunted up several small parties of troops hidden amongst the sand dunes, thereby ensuring their safety, He also took charge of the successful demolition work in
MOSQUITO, a job of great difficulty owing to the movement of the wreck in the swell. At all times he displayed exceptional initiative.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Signalman E. E. Roden, C/D.360.
Signalman H. O. Carter, C/SSX.17317.
Accompanied the officers when they landed. Behaved with great courage and resource and were personally instrumental in organising the soldiers and handling the boats, and in detailing the military for embarkation. Their initiative and bearing set a fine example to the soldiers, who certainly would have failed to launch the boats without their leadership.
Recommended for mention.

Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 101.
RATING:
Engineer C. Coggins.
yacht being running fouled the whole time, in spite of motor
This civilian kept the engines of this required. frequently and the continuous propeller boats to He also put the engines of several running other assisted rights when they broke down. He the Skipper throughout the operations. ably
Recommended for mention.
30 ft. Motor Yacht MAID ERRANT. - Able Seaman S. Palmer, D/JX.
148052.
Recommendations.
Able Seaman S. Palmer. 148052.
Sailed from Sheerness on Friday, 31st May, in convoy for Dunkirk. En route rescued survivors of a French destroyer, then prodeeded to the beaches.
There he was swamped by French soldiers swarming over his boat, which drifted ashore. Later the boat refloated and he took one V.C.O. and 8 British soldiers; he had no crew except one Stoker, who had great difficulty with the engine. Off Dunkirk, on the way home, the engine broke down, so he broke up the yacht's wood fittings and made the 8 soldiers paddle the boat. Later, the engine restarted after on 18 hour voyage. Next day, without orders, he sailed with a crew of one other Able Seaman, but was turned back as his craft was too slow to take part in the night evacuation ordered for that evening.
Able Seaman Palmer states that he passed for
Leading Seaman in May, 1927. He states he possesses the L. S. & G. C. Medal.
Recommended for immediate advancement.
Drifter OCEAN BREEZE, War Department Launch HAIG and Skoot
PASCHOLL.
(Lieutenant Victor Alexander Christian Henry George de Mauny,
R.N.Retired.
Recommendations,
Lieutenant Victor Alexander C.H.G. de Mauny. R.N.
Between noon on the 30th May and 0815 4th June was continuously engaged under way on evacuation duties without any intermission. Commanded in succession OCEAN BREEZE, HAIG and then as Navigator of a group of skoots in PASCHOLL. Brought back more than 300 troops from Dunkirk beach in surf conditions on two separate occasions. Was notably

REPORT OF OPERATIONS.
Trawler II "GAVA", Flag
No. Fleetwood also Fishing Ship, Section,
"EDWINA", "VELIA", "EVELYN ROSE", "DHOON", "JACINTA".
day, 27th May, 1940.
30 p.m.
Left Fleetwood.
iday, 31st May.
Having a.m. received arrived at Dover the previous evening, at 7.40
orders to proceed to Ramsgate.
Lge
.10 a.m.
Entered Ramsgate Harbour and embarked stores for troop but
3.30 p.m.
Left Harbour and anchored off Harbour.
Saturday, 1st June, 1940.
at
,
7.25. a.m.
Ordered to proceed to Dunkirk and pick up and transpor ly. army troops that were contacted. Proceeded immediate ores ish
9.00 a.m.
is;
Received signal from Naval launch - "Am broken down".
Took same alongside, "GAVA's" engineer effecting in repairs.
come antil
9.30 a.m.
Dropped launch astern in tow.
9.41 a.m.
Ten Heinkels opened attack on vessel. Bren gun,
We rifles and 12 pdr. in action. Two bombs dropped thre
25 yards ahead, and one bomb fell close on starboard en
, quarter. Two 'planes' engines set on fire, one falling in sea. Trawler machine gunned.
9.58. a.m.
Order cease fire.
11.00 a.m.
Attack by two 'planes, one bomb dropped. Vessel in en action.
11.08 a.m.
re
Cease fire ordered.
orty
11.25 a.m.
111
Moored alongside Train Ferry Lock, Dunkirk, and commenced embarking French Tank Corps Troops.
11.40 a.m.
Swarms planes attacked harbour, especially directed transport "LADY diving over transport, machine Two of enemy OF MAN" alongside Mole.> 12 pdr.
and on planes and rifles defending trawler. trawler direct hits made planes on falling over Mole, trawler. plane
Bren gun planes diving past another on coming "LADY OF down MAN", out of control close to
11.49 a.m.
4
11.57 a.n.
Order cease fire.
raid, five planes concentrating action. their on
Another attack on air "GAVA", all guns in
21.01 p.m.
direct Heinkel two 500 hit lb. shot with bombs down 12 dropping when pdr. power after close diving fourth to stern. on shot trawler, (H.E.) by

landed them Lovely at Painsgate on Mai 31ˢᵗ immesmight I took another 100 English Loldiers on board, I
diately If Lailed back to Dunkenque and managed to take another 110 English foldiers on board which
I lauded Lovely eat Romsgate on June 14.
the evening. In spite of the fierce bardments which
On your 2nd y returned back to Dinkergue during we had to fustain during the whole night, y was able to take once more 98 bughish Loldiers mboard and handed them at Paintgate.
On June 3rd If returned once again to Dunkerque but owing to the remorklett and heavy to bombardments take which we experienced I was only able a
10 furthermore English Loldiers on board, which bere lavely landud cat Ranulgate
On June 4th I was ordered not to sail back to Tukergue the harbour was object to intende bombardments the by the "luftroaffe" and the every leas near point of taking fottetion of Dunkerque on this fort I was ordered by the Freuch Seine to
On June 6th y failed to be House, authorities arriving at to ferry troops and refugeed across the river Service till
Cronoille. of have done this forrying June 10ᵗʰ
During aireal the bombard following ment night eec which we fultained my thip received a heavy or direct hit and was Lunk with the loss of all my On June property I was fortunate to get the on Bhaunel board another ship which took me across to further theated as a Beligian refuges. in
England. On your 13th I handed at Phoreham and was
Later on I joined my father London who

North Finchley, 7.7.41
The Admiralty,
Whitehall, S.W.1.
y I, Georges Ragaert, kindly drawn your attention to the following matters.
earned recently that the men who took part in the evacuation of the B.E.F.
erque last have been rewarded by the Admiralty. I am a Belgian of Zeebruge, year and deemed it my duty to make it known to you that I also took
1 these operations of which feats no acknowledge was received.
I have these facts to my own Government on two occasions without the test results, reported and are inclined to doubt wether this report ever reached you.
il fore Dear Sir, allow me to make the following statement.
On Mai 18th Zeebruge in command of the fishing motorboat at 2.50
ppe d and ZUZANNA, with France several as days. On Mai 29th I received orders arriving the
LYDIE 1940, I left destination. I arrived the next day by
10
ere I was ordered Authorities by the to English Authorities to proceed to Dunkerque noh Naval stayed there for proceed with my vessel to Ramsgate On and to sist in the evacuation.
p.
li with 100 English Soldiers on night board, I soon took th nother fter On landing Mai 30th these arrived men I at sailed Ramsgate back to I Dunkerque landed them and savely during at the Ramsgate another 110 on Mai ii
Soldiers on board, Dunkerque and managed to take 1st.
c sailed back which to I landed savely at Ramsgate on In June spite of a
2nd I returned on board, back to Dunkerque during during the the evening. whole night, Ramsgate. I was able the fierce to take bombardments once more 98 which English we had Soldiers to sustain on board but and landed owing to them the at remorseless and
On June 3rd I returned once again to Dunkerque only able to take a 10 furthermore
16
which board, we landed at Ramsgate.
On June 4th on I was ordered by not the to "luftwaffe" sail back to and Dunkerque the enemy the was harbour near the was point object of to taking intense possession bombardments of Dunkerque.
I
was ordered by the On June 6th I sailed to to ferry Le Havre, troops service on and arriving refugees till June at across this in 10th. which port the During my river ship Seine the received to
Brouville. following French night I Authorities done this ferrying heavy the loss aireal of all bombardment my property. ship which took me hit 12th I was England. fortunate to get on board another threated as & Belgian across On the Channel to refugee. On June Later 13th on his I I landed joined poor savings at my Shoreham father he had in and London to was fit in further who me this out was struggle with staying a new forfreedom, there suit as of a clothes. I
refugee. Out 1940, Royal anxious Navy, Sheldon. and to do are my proud share to be serving at the present and time in H.M.S.
as taking the father's adress: Jules Ragaert, 42 Woodside Park Road, a 1 truet Dear Sirion you the will Services give these rendered, matters I will your expect kind attention, a favorable reply which Finchley you N.12.
I am, Sir,
Y
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.) Ragaert Georges