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Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Yacht BYSTANDER (Echo John Sounding Yacht) - Sub. Lieutenant Henry
Beresford Barge, R.N.V.R. V.
Recommendations.
RATING:
Able Seaman (Cook) J. H. Elton, LT/JX.180250 (R.N. Patrol Service)
off the Dunkirk, KING this ship proceeded to remove 0200/30/5 the
Employed as Cook in this yacht. At when dinghy, with ORRY, then sinking in the fairway. The crew of ft.
effect Elton and one other as crew, launched 8 to attempted a weak to swim to the yacht, but they were personnel in a rescue. Most of the KING ORRY's dived was obvious many would drown. Elton done that it state owing to the arduous service they had such of the into the water and assisted and supported thereupon hour swimmers as he could find for more than half as many loads whilst the dinghy, rowed by the other rating, an water Elton put many men on to life-rafts and towed the of men, returned to the BYSTANDER. Whilst in with by on swimming. The last men he brought back to the yacht them a life-raft, were towed by Elton in the water as a tow-rope with one hand on the raft and one hand acting on the dinghy - a remarkable feat of endurance. He was responsible for rescuing about 25 Officers and men. In supplied hot tea and food to all the 97 men on board addition to the above, Elton, in his capacity as Cook, within half an hour of leaving the scene of the wreck, the cooking utensils, etc, normally sufficing for 7.
He provided dry clothes and blankets and generally tended the rescued, many of whom were suffering from shock. This rating was unsparing in his efforts and acted with great gallantry without regard to his own safety.
Recommended for decoration.
Motor Boat CONSTANT NYMPH: - Chargehand B.A. Smith, Little Ship Club,
(Owner of Motor Boat).
Recommendation.
Chargehand B. A. Smith, Little Ship Club.
Chargehand Smith proceeded with a crew of 2 Naval
Stokers who had never been to sea, in tow p.m. 30th May for the beaches. Took in a whaler and cutter, and during the night ferried off about 800 men to 2 skoots the JUTLAND and LAUDANIA, who were thus filled up.
CONSTANT NYMPH then collected a number of odd boats trying to row off to ships filled with soldiers, and collected them and towed them to offshore vessels.
During thiss time fairly continuous bombing and shelling were encountered. Chargehand Smith remarks that being deaf and with a lot to do prevented him noticing these annoyances. Continued work until all fuel was exhausted, and the boat was sent to a supply drifter for repair and refuelling, Chargehand Smith being ordered back to Margate This civilian showed great
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