TNA ADM 199 790

Deprover 162
15
The Commanding Officer,
HMS "Vernon".
From. Commanding Office
HMS "Bystand lsv. June 1940.
leport upon the action of seaman cook J.H.N. Elton (RM.
Patrol Service) in reseuring survivors from Hins King
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The Commanding officer.
From
HMS "Vernon"
HMS "Bystander"
1-6- 40.
in of this
I beg to submit the enclosed report to you upon the word riseworthy action of one of my ctew, I. Elton, cook on about rd this ship, in diving into the water to assist in cuing twenty survivors of the troop transport "King
1 off Dunkisk in the early hours of Thursday 30th process y.
dens for
As this man was manily responsible for the saving these officers and men, I submit his name be at sidered for an award.
to HARS
I am. yours obsedintly, ger of
H.J. Bange ( Lub. lt., RNVR)
the dog
Commanding Office.
attempt

Dyram 162
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153
The Commanding Officer,
HMS "Vernon".
From Commanding Office,
HMS "Bystander."
Isv. June 1940.
Report upon the action of seaman cook J.H.H. Elton (RM.
Patrol Service) in reseuring survivors from Hims King
Orry on 30st cllay 1940.
"
Sir,
I beg to submit the following report upon the action of man cook J.H.H. Elton. a member of the of this ship, when this ship was engaged in reseuring survivors
HMS "King Orly: when she foundared off Dunkirk at about
+5 30 th ellay, 1940.
This ship. an echo-sounding vessel was in the process refitting at Ramsgate when she was given route orders for unkink to assist in transporting troops to England.
During this operation. I arrived at Dumkink at
30 of 29th ellay 1940 I was instructed to proceed to HMS
ing Pry" and take off her arew as she was in danger of bundering as a result of a bombing raid earlier in the day.
the Commanding officer of King Drry: however, decided to attempt

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beach thank her outside the harbow and I therefore left and proceeded to take on board my ship 72 soldiers
Dunkirk for transporting to england
I left Dumkirk hasbour at 0130, 30sh ellay 1940 and ountered "King Qry smiking in the fairway. The ship turned
S and pundered in about fifteen minutes, but I was le to approach her and launch the 8 ft boat with a w of two - seaman cook Elton and seaman R. Scott.
These men found that the crew of King Only were impting to swim to my ship but that they were in a ak state owing to the effects of the bombing vaids they had enienced and toof the very cold water. Elton thereupon ed into the water and supported as many of the survivors he could find while Scott rowed boatboads of men back
"Bystander: In my estimation Elton remained in the water a half-hour at first supporting swimmers and then swimming and endeavouring to recover chose who could be heard roning. On the last trip back to "Bystander, eight 02 ten were recoured as Elton was able to put survivors on
-rafts and tow them across.
I regret there was not more time at my disposal to over more men and I was aware of at least two presons

Squamo
Думам 212.
Blulol
8.
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Vice-Admiral,
Dover.
From. Commanding Officer,
(leho-soundwif yacht)
Has Bystander
10d June. 1940.
Report on operation Dynamo. In accordance with
Confidential Portimouth general Grder 1700. (6. fune 19ver)
(bopy to bim b., Portsmouth).
This HM. ship was in the process of refilting since 14th allay
1940, when operation Drynamo commenced. I gave instructions that the ship was to be ready for sea by 1600, 29.0 day. I had the special filtings for echo- soundings put ashore and every available part of the accomodation prepared for troops.
I sailed at 1615 29' in company with four daifters of the clinerecovery Flotilla ( 6.0. Lt. 6dr. bubison) and entered Dunkink
Harbour at 2300 29. Lt. Amitage RUVR who was temporarily in change of the flotilla came abound and I steamed up the harbour towards the docks in order to ascertain the depth of water and to lead the drifters closer to the town. I received as a signal to take off the complement of Hars King Only this ship was in of foundering. As the Commanding the officer of King Orry danger was ashore, I proceeded to two of cline-

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her hand. In this way we were able to reserve about twenty.
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Officers and men. Only five more could he heard calling nd no more could be heard in the water. A motor boat ad arrived by this time and I left the scene of the week.
Elton busied himself on board and in about half an our had dry clothes issued to the survivors and hot tea a
all men on board. The crew of this ship is normally six.
I moored in Ramsgate harbour at 0830, 30th allay, isembarked troops and suminous and proceeded to clean lown ship and prepare for a second voyage.
S
I left harbour at 1715 and proceeded towards Dunkirk in company with the olline-recously Flotilla At 1840, a section of the water-cisculating systim of the starboard engine failed with the result that no water could reach the engine. I signalled the defect to Lt. Amitage and proceeded back to Ramsgate.
A replacement could not be obtained however, until after the operation had terminated The number of troops mansported by Bystander was 72 and about 25 survivors from HMS "King Only."
VICE AUMIRAL
11 JUN 1940
*
DOVER
yours obediently.
H. I. Barge ( Lub- beit. RMVR.).
harlessnessely I recommend I. Elton for an award in recognition of his and resource in the reserve of 25 Officers and men.