TNA ADM 199 788 A

From:- Douglas Kirkaldie, Coxswain "Fervent".
Date:- 7th June, 1940.
To:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
1st June. Requested by Lt. Commdr. Clements to make ready for passage to Dunkirk; took in stores and arms and left Ramsgate. (One deckhand did not come with us).
Lt. Commdr. Clements found our Lewis gun defective and unable to fire more than one round at a time.
He gave constant attention for over 4 hrs to this gun and at the same time gave instructions to our young engineer and deckhand in the use of the service rifles, of which they knew nothing.
On approaching French coast and at a distance of about
4 miles saw a large vessel bombed and sunk; we made towards it. Saw a number of planes flying about above the vessel; they altered course towards us and Lt. Commdr. Clements identified them as enemy planes and got the Lewis gun ready and handed rifles to my two crew. Planes heavily bombed us dropping salvos all around.
Lt. Commdr. Clements with great coolness kept up a constant fire at the attackers so that they did not dive too closely. By very good fortune I was able to judge distance and manoeuvre "Fervent"
through the bomb showers. I feel attacks only ceased through accurate aim of Lt. Commdr Clements.
Vessel was now so severely shaken that our speed had fallen to abt 8 knots and the engines were choking and all joints leaking oil. We therefore felt it prudent to return and altered course for Ramsgate.
On return journey we were again bombed by 3 large
Junker planes and again we were lucky to steer clear,
Lt Commdr. Clements keeping up a constant and accurate fire and I feel sure hit one plane at least as it temporarily lost position in its formation. This attack was witnessed by Lt.
I feel that I must pay tribute to Lt. Commdr. Clements
Commdr. Ramus.
for his enthusiasm in repairing the defective gun needed and and for his coolness in fighting off the having it ready for use when it was so vitally constant attacks. I also feel sure that from the

port by Douglas Kirkaldie, Coxswain, "Fervent" (contd)
2437°
persistent manner in which the attacks were made on us that our launch must have been suspected, owing to its smartness, of giving passage to some important personage, and that is why such a deliberate attack was made on us.

Drafts sent to H.M.S. Fervent during Dynamo Operation.
536
May 29 th.
0.
Draft of Pembroke Ratings sent from Dover
63.
00
Draft of Chatham ratings sent from Chatham
180
Dfaft from Portsmouth
125.
May 30th.
Draft sent from Devonport
61.
May 31st.
A.M Draft sent from Devonport
87.
P.M. Draft sent from Lowestoft
54
P.M Draft sent from Chatham
M.B.D.' 70.
Draft sent from Chathem
Mage 1st.
Motor Boat drivers
22.
Draft sent from Chatham
Tptal 662
There were also several parties of special men sent, such as
E.R.A's and Diesel engine drivers from different depots.
5th. All were returned to their depots on Dynamo operation draft who ratings with the exception of the Portsmouth and who were being were retained completed for clearing up the base and harbour returned to depot on June 7th.
is
Coke arrived