TNA ADM 199 788 A

240
From:- Lieut. J. Bald, R.N.V.R.
4
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
31st May.
I was detailed to join H.M.S. "Jutland" (commanded by Lt. Commdr. Clements) as first officer. The ship proceeded on orders to Dunkirk and returned on the following morning (1st June) to Ramsgate with 180
French troops on board. A detailed report of this
R.N.R. passage has already been made by Lt. Commdr. Clements,
2nd June.
Spent day fitting out and provisioning M.V. "Paulette"
but as ship was not ready to proceed to sea by the ordered time I was not able to leave for Dunkirk.
3rd June.
Took command of M/V "Sea Roamer", 20 ton private
0930 yacht, and proceeded with provisioning, arming and getting ship ready for sea. Stood by ship until -
1830
Orders received to proceed to Dunkirk.
1840
Under way with 1st officer of H.M.S. Tilly aboard.
1850
Officer placed aboard H.M.S. Tilly; first course for Dunkirk set.
2330
Fixed Green Light in position 57° 09 42N, 2° 09 42E
extinguished, also Dunkirk Channel Buoys obscured by smoke from burning town. Decided to proceed at "dead slow" on a direct course to Dunkirk.
4th June.
0040
Off Eastern beaches of Dunkirk. No signs of B.E.F.
0050
Took off two French soldiers from derelict Dutch schoot "Horst". Proceeded to patrol beach, at distance of about 100 yds out, for about 21/2 miles N. of Dunkirk.
Megaphone was used for hailing shore, but no sign of
B.E.F.
0230
Still no signs of any troops, so proceeded on return voyage.
0300
Bad engine trouble off No. 6 W Buoy Dunkirk channel.
0315
Taken in tow by H.M.S. Minesweeper NF 15.
0650
Arrived back at base.
Rest of day spent standing by.
5th June.
Operations complete order.

243
From:- Lt. Commdr. C.M. Ramus, R.N.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
29th May. Received orders to proceed aboard H.M. Schoot Tilly to relieve the Commanding Officer, Lt. Cdr. Clements,
R.N.R. We proceeded to sea on 15 X route to Dunkirk with two cutters in tow.
30th
May. Arriving off Bray Dunes during the early hours of the morning, sent ashore cuttersfor troops; carried out embarkation of troops with cutters and small rowing boats manned by Royal Engineers. After filling up instructed cutters to carry on helping other vessels to embark troops. Returned to Ramsgate. On this voyage we were subjected to heavy bombing at the entrance to Dunkirk channel.
31st May. Proceeded once again to sea in H.M.S. Tilly during afternoon and went to Dunkirk on the same route, 15 X, arriving off the East Beach Dunkirk at dark; I again had two cutters. On arrival contacted six Southend trawlers - who towed the cutters ashore and kept embarking troops until we lost contact in the dark, so proceeded to the harbour; at entrance saw an H.M. Sloop coming out who informed me he could find no troops inside - so we returned to Ramsgate arriving daylight 1st June. On this voyage we only encountered occasional shelling on the Bast Beach.
1st June. After discharging troops, received order to return to Dunkirk at once - again sailing on 15X route. As we approached the channel entrance several vessels informed us that there were no troops on the beaches and that the harbour was full of vessels, so we decided to wait for darkness as French trawlers told several vessels to stand out again. We and other vessels in the vicinity were these making off on the approach of three then bombed by dive bombers for about twenty
British fighters. so took her in tow and proceeded made us minutes, We found R.F.A. Motor lighter back X to 95
broken down, having several bombing attacks We arrived on back and
Ramsgate, vessels near us on the return journey.
at Ramsgate midnight lst/2nd June.

scort by Lt. Cmdr. C.M. Ramus, R.N.R. (contd).
364
2nd June. Dunkirk At 6.30 p.m. received orders
East with H.M. Schoot Tilly and to be return to beach on of harbour at midnight, so proceeded off at the could 15X route. On arrival scanned the beach once see no sign of troops or boats and but lost contact with M/Y Sea Roamer, who was as our we tender, had we proceeded into the harbour which was full of war vessels and troopships. We were then told to get out of the harbour by an M.T.B. as no troops were coming down the piers, so lay just outside West
Pier until ordered to proceed back to Ramsgate by
H.M. Destroyer laying off entrance.
3rd June. Arrived back Ramsgate 8 a.m. On this voyage we were subjected to shelling off the East beach and in the channel on leaving.
I cannot speak too highly of the excellent behaviour of the ship's company on all occasions, in the prompt way they carried out their duties and their untiring efforts to make the troops comfortable with hot tea and food under most cramped and difficult conditions.

289
DIARY OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AT DUNKIRK.
From. 31.5.40 3.6.40 incl.
31.5.40.
1230. In accordance from Southend, with Commander instead Boles' instructions, decided direct closed up. us to our destination. although we had no charts, other traffic bound keep to France
Signalled Decided that to the Bawley boats, and ordered them to at Ramsgate. constantly
Dunkirk these instructions of closing the Examination Vessel to proceed would lead
1410. Convoy of was 6 closed still up and passed Margate Roads where passing trawler ximately. us that Dunkirk open. Signalled convoy to steer course of S. 50° E. informed appro-
1820. Passing destroyers, etc.; subjected to severe air attack by approximately 25
avoid bombardment.
enemy aircraft. Kept 1/4 mile to starboard of main stream of traffic in attempt to
1840. Attacked by enemy aircraft. Our convoy of 6 and other ships in the neighbourhood subjected to attack by several Heinkels, bombs falling as near as fifteen yards to the ships - no damage however was sustained. In accordance with instructions they had received, skippers broke convoy formation and "starred".
1850. 3 or 4 Spitfires drove off enemy aircraft, 7 planes crashing into the sea.
Identity of crashing aircraft uncertain, though 5 at least were presumably German.
1915. Arrived Dunkirk Roads. Beach and shipping subjected to severe bombardment from shore batteries and aircraft.
1930. Attempted to beach boats, and take off men, but abandoned idea - too much ground swell, and semi-submerged trucks, army wagons and other equipment left, destroyed by the B.E.F. on beach, endangered the safety of ships.
2130. Ordered ships to proceed to outside of jetty, instructing them to fill up with soldiers and to ferry same to any larger ships unable to close harbour or beach.
Each ship was instructed to transport approximately 30 to 40 men (approximate total -
200) and they were transferred to H.V. Tilly and other ships cruising empty outside harbour entrance.
2240. Instructed ships to keep permanently closed up and to return to inside of harbour as swell made embarkation of troops from outside of jetty too difficult.
Contact between Bawley boats maintained by signal of one short flash every two minutes. Formation preserved.
2310. Mole and harbour severely shelled. Morale of the soldiers on all occasions
I was there, was superb, and though exhausted and under constant fire, their only thoughts were for the wounded among them, and of saving any equipment possible.
2350. Embarked approximately 200 men; transferred same to the trawler Sarah Hayes and various other craft returning to England not fully laden. Instructed convoy to continue ferry work but if separated from me to return to Ramsgate laden with soldiers.
1.6.40.
0140. Re-entered harbour; jetty crammed with British soldiers but no ships whatever alongside. Started loading troops, sending back to shore two German prisoners attempting to get to England, leaving them in charge of a Lance Corporal.
0200 - 0250. Jetty shelled, bombed and machine-gunned by enemy - very few casualties.
0300. Proceeded to Ramsgate fully laden with soldiers of 1st Division including the
Colonel in Charge of the Worcesters and Officers of the Camerons, accompanied by
Bawley boat Resolute. Arrived at Ramsgate 0930 approximately on 1.6.40.
CONDITION OF BAWLEY BOATS AT RAMSGATE.
DEFENDER.
Stem damaged. Returned with approximately 60 men.
RELIANCE.
Damaged side. Returned with 80 men.
LETITIA.
Undamaged. Returned towing Renown until latter was blown up.
(Troops transferred to trawler who took Bawleys in tow).
ENDEAVOUR.
Steering gear out of order; towed back by Sarah Hayes.
RESOLUTE.
Engine trouble. Returned with approximately 40 men.
RENOWN.
Mined and sunk off Dunkirk - all hands lost. (understand the 30
or 40 soldiers aboard were fortunately transferred to a trawler before mining occurred).