TNA ADM 199 790

e/172
H.M.S. Pangbourne"
158
At Sea.
5th.June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the following narrative in accordance with your signal 2049/4/6.
At approximately midnight on Sunday 26th. May, H.M.S.
with the remainder of the 5th.m.s.
149
3
154
Entire Ship's Company of "Twente" relieved for
24 hours 88 sleep had been unobtainable for 3 nights and
2 days running. "Twente" sailed immediately with relief crew.
st. a.m.
"Twente" unaccountably not returned. Took cormand of two Army Metor Launchee, "Kestrel" and "Grouse" instead, and seiled for Dunkirk Beaches via U, 1, and * bucys.
Embarked a full load of French troops during afternoon.
Slow process. Motor Launches' dinghy *** used to begin with but capsized. Slight swell. Troope then boarded a grounded craft whilst Motor Launches were manosuvred alongside seaward and of this. Considerable air activity and bombing throughout operations. Returned immediately to Ramsgate.
Whan off Goodwin Sands Launon I HAS In, "Kestrel", began to sink. "Grouse" came alongaide and took off some men. By hard baling and slow speed Ramagate was somehow reached at midnight. Investigation and repairs immediately put in hand. (Patent self-baling device responsible for leak).
1st. Noon.
"Kestrel" fit for gea. Left for Dunkirk Baaches via U, V, and * buoys. On approaching Dunkirk at 1530
most intense air activity was observed. Sky filled with German bombers and shall bursts. Beach was reached

3
140 14
131
41
Entire Ship's Company of "Twente" relieved for
24 hours as sleep had been unobtainable for 3 nights and h
2 days running. "Twente" sailed immediately with relief crew.
st. a.m.
"Twente" unaccountably not returned. Took command of two Army Motor Launches, "Kestrei" and "Grouse" instead, plan and sailed for Dunkirk Beaches via U, V, and W buoys.
Embarked a full load of French troops during afternoon.
Slow process. Motor Launches' dinghy was used to begin with but capsized. Slight swell. Troops then boarded a grounded craft whilst Motor Launches were manceuvred did alongside seaward end of this. Considerable air
300.
activity and bombing throughout operations. Returned immediately to Ramsgate.
When off Goodwin Sands Launch I was in, "Kestrel", ans began to sink. "Grouse" came alongside and took off some men. By hard baling and slow speed Ramsgate was
1
somehow reached at midnight. Investigation and repairs
Erik immediately put in hand. (Patent self-baling device
00
responsible for leak).
1st. Noon.
situme
"Kestrel" fit for sea. Left for Dunkirk Beaches via U, V, and W buoys. On approaching Dunkirk at 1530
*
ak.
most intense air activity was observed. Sky filled leh with German bombers and shell bursts. Beach was reached
I
4R
ICE ADMIRAL
ill day light an air
9- JUN 1940
Vo
*
the durlsping at
DOVER
- disamber bed toops, promium stan.

487
SPECIAL FLEET ORDER No. 1.
458
8th June, 1940
EVACUATION of the BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE from DUNKIRK
The undermentioned ratings of the War Department Fleet are commended for the gallant part they played in connection with the evacuation of the
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk - 30th May to 3rd June, 1940
W.D.M.L."GROUSE"
T/Mate i/c
Mason, W.T.
T/A.B.
Taylor, J.R.
T/3/Engr.
Hewett, C.
W.D.M.L. "HAIG"
A/1/C1.Mr.
Wales, P.J.
A.B.
Allen, 8.
A.B.
Farmer, 7.
1st Engr.
Walter, R.
3rd Engr.
Crabb, S.
Mate i/c
Cains, A.B.
W.D.M.L. "KESTREL"
A.B.
Vine, A.E.
T/3/Engr.
Spain, J.H.
W.D.M.L. "MARLBOROUGH"
A/1/Cl.Mr.
Matthewa, J.
T/A.B.
Ferrier, C.
T/O.S.
Durrant, K.
T/3/Engr.
Stone, A.L.
T/3/Engr.
Stewart, R.
T/Mate 1/c
Yealland, E.L.
W.D.M.L. "PIGEON"
T/A.B.
Brenton, J.
T/3/Engr
Rowe, S.B.
T/Mate i/o
Clarke, W.R.
W.D.M.L. "SWALLOW"
Hay, H.
A.B.
Cherry, F.
3rd Engr.
Beard, E.L.
T/2/C1.Mr.
Thompson, A.
W.D.M.L. "WOLFE"
A.B.
Hodgkinson, D.
T/3/Engr.
Mate i/c
Bell, L.C.
Parry, A.J.
W.D.M.L. "VULTURE"
T/A.B.
Bygrave, F.
3rd Engr.

Mostly with Scratch Crews on 4th trip and all on 5th
40. 1.6.40. Brought down an enemy
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & reported sunk with 30 men on board.
All saved.Engr.Walter landed at
462
trip.
aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
4th trip. Leaking badly.
5th trip. Reported sunk off
Dunkirk, but towed trip. Towed back to Dover.
1991
into Margate.
Margate.
5th
TOTAL
Numbers resoued, Same 5 11251
55
132
Dyuann 333.
Dispram 333,
461
ddressee, any reply being made on a separate paper.
Ramsgate and Margate - Dynamo Proceedings
The (A. D.M.I. 's office,
ARSENAL,
II
RAMSGA
WOOLWICH, S.E.18.
3217/212
14th June
1940
ag Officer Commanding Dover.
Forwarded in continuation of
3172/212 of 11/6/40 appendix 3.
employment under S.N.O.,
Captain T.W.G. Duka was sent to
Ramsgate - Dunkirk.
msgate to tend War Department Boats lent r Dynamo operation. He saw to the ips. that they got in so many successful
-servicing him of these craft and it was due
T.W.G.Duka, who returned here on Saturday yed under you from May 31 onwards at Ramagate you have a brief summary of the vessels of ion from Dunkirk.
WRRhillmuM
or your information in case they may be of
7th June 1940.
Captain.
he number of trips made to Dunkirk by the
Naval Officer in Charge,
1 find on the top of page 1 in the rightscratch crews, as the W.D.Fleet, all of whom of th trips on June 2 and 3 were carried out
VICE ADMIRA
18JUN 1940 ADMIRAL
after the third trip with the exception amen, namely:
1st Engineer in the "HAIG".
the Engineer in the "KESTREL".
R
the "SWALLOW".
the "SWALLOW".
of the W.D.Fleet Special Fleet Order No. 1
formation you ran.' I am lost in did.
contained in the above admiration may be of
1 al such show a vast "pack" in the way you
('S sincerely,
(Colonel)
S.N.O.,
Naval Base,
Ramsgate.

Mostly with Scratch Crews on 4th trip and all on 5th
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & reported sunk with 30 men on board.
All saved. Walter saved,Engr,Walter landed at
491
trip.
aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
Margate.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
Leaking badly.
Reported sunk off
Dunkirk, but towed
5th trip.
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
462
into Margate.
4th trip.
TOTAL
Numbers rescued.
35
945
55
132
Same pacer I B14460
333.
I
490
A.D.M.T.
1251
461
333.
being made on a separate paper.
The A.D.M. 's office,
Ramsgate and Margate Dynamo Proceedings
ROYAL ARSENAL,
II
SGA
WOOLWICH, S.E.18.
No. 3217/212
14th June
1940
Flag Officer Commanding Dover.
Forwarded in continuation of my 3172/212 of 11/6/40 appendix 3.
r S.N.O.,
2.
Captain T.W.G. Duka was sent to te - Dunkirk.
Ramsgate to tend War Department Boats lent for Dynamo operation. He saw to the re-servicing of these craft and it was due to him that they got in so many successful returned here on Saturday trips.
summary of the vessels of cm May 31 onwards at Ramagate
WRRhithmoN
ion in case they may be of
Captain.
17th June 1940.
Naval Officer in Charge,
Ramsgate.
ps made to Dunkirk by the
P of page 1 in the right-
2 and 3 were carried out
S the W.D.Fleet, all of whom
VICE ADMIRAL
trip with the exception of
18 JUN 1940
#
the "HAIG".
DOVER
the "KESTREL".
t Special Fleet Order No. 1
ined in the above may be of
: I am lost in admiration naged to canaged to control such a vast "pack" in the way you did.
Yours sincerely,
(Colonel)

Mostly with Scratch Crews on 4th trip and all on 5th
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & report-
491
ed sunk with 30 men on board.
All saved,Engr,Walter landed at trip.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
4th trip. Leaking badly.
5th trip. Reported sunk off
Dunkirk, but towed trip. Towed back to Dover.
462
into Margate.
Margate.
5th
TOTAL
Numbers
*penoser
35
945
55
132
Dynam 333,
461
Communication to be retained by the addressee, any reply being made on a separate paper.
The DIER. 's office, aphic Address. "TRANSPORT, WOOLWICH."
hone No. Woolwich 2080, Extension 54.
212.ROYAL ARSENAL, ny further communication on this subject ald be addressed tosst. Director of Military Transport,
RAMSGA
WOOLWICH, S.E.18.
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, S.E. 18,
I not personally to any Officer.
14th June
1940
The following number should be quoted:-
ference No. C.R.1320.
Subject W.D. Launches and their employment under S.N.O.,
Ramsgate - Dunkirk,
Dear S.N.O., tells me asked him to let you have a brief summary of the vessels of
My representative Captain T.W.G.Duka, who returned here on Saturday the W.D. Fleet you which were employed under you from May 31 onwards at Ramagate in connection with the evacuation from Dunkirk.
I attach two statements for your information in case they may be of some use to you.
different launches, and you will find on the top of page 1 in the right- out
Statement No. 1 - shows the number of trips made to Dunkirk by the hand 4th and 5th trips on June 2 and 3 were carried with what column that described the as scratch crews, as the W.D.Fleet, all of whom of were civilians, I have declined to go after the third trip with the exception two Engineers, and two Able Seamen, namely:
1. R.WALTER who was 1st Engineer in the "HAIG".
2. J.H.SPAIN - - who was the Engineer in the "KESTREL".
3. H.HAY
- A.B. in the "SWALLOW".
4.
F.CHERRY
- A.B. in the "SWALLOW".
Statement No. 2. A copy of the W.D.Flest Special Fleet Order No. 1
of the 8th June, 1940.
of the information contained in am the lost above in admiration may be of
I hope that some capital show you ran' 1 you did.
as some to use how to you you. managed What to a. control such a vast "pack" in the way
Yours sincerely,
GEBadcock.
(Colonel)
S.N.O.,
Naval Base,
Ramsgate.

DUNKIRK. May 30, 31, June 1, 2 & 3.
TOTAL
Mostly with Scratch Crews
Trips to Dunkirk.
Numbers on 4th trip and all on 5th
W.D.LAUNCH
Date & time
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
0400 hrs.
1415 hrs.
Various hrs
Various hrs.
Various hrs.
rescued.
trip.
arrival
31.5.40.
31.5.40.
1.6.40.
2.6.40
3 - - 4 June
Ramsgate
15 French
20 French
Out of
Out of action
35
1.
"GROUSE"
0815 hrs.
action
Portsmouth
31.5.40.
2215 hrs.
1830 hrs.
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy
"HAIG"
0845 hrs.
Ferry service
Escorted a
80
Salved by R.A.F.
945
aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.
badly damaged at Dunkirk p.m. 3 June.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & report-
Lowestoft at Dunkirk.
31.5.40.
800 saved destroyer to
Sailed back to Ramsgate ed sunk with 30 men on board.
Brought back
Sheerness
All saved.Engr.Walter landed at
65 at 2200
Margate.
hrs.
1830 hrs.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
35
20 French
"KESTREL"
0815 hrs.
Back empty
Reported sunk Dunkirk
55
4th trip. Leaking badly.
3 June, Towed into
5.
5th trip. Reported sunk off
Portsmouth
31.5.40.
2215 hrs.
2030 hrs, o500 hrs.
Margate, engine disabled.
Dunkirk, but towed
(3.6.40)
into Margate.
51
21 French
40 French
20 French
Towed into Dover. Lost
132
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
"MARLBOROUGH"
p.m.
propellers and rudder
4.
50,5,40.
2007 hrs.
1830 hrs.
0430 hrs.
462
491

Statement from S.J. Vincea: (Re, Dankish
522
C.B.O.
Sir,
6x Imday the 31" M May. are the J.Juy Vincia left Ramagah in taw of three skelfs for Durkish at
2.45pm.
at 4pm see were off the Sandetha Bany, ohen
548
eport by Lieut. V.A. de Mauny, R.N. (contd)
-
518
1500
From 1500 onwards we were subject to almost continuous attack by enemy aircraft and had the satisfaction of seeing 7 bombers brought down by destroyers' and shore batteries' anti-sireraft fire. Two enemy pilots escaped by parachute.
Majority of troops embarked at this point were
French.
1700
On hearing that there were a number of British troops on the beach near La Panne proceeded there with Sub. Lt. Cornish and his motor boat and succeeded in embarking a number of British.
Total number embarked was not recorded by ne but was approximately 150 altogether.
2030
Having valuable cargo aboard and observing that there were a number of schoots and other craft who, owing to the absence of small power driven craft, were unable to get any troops. I decided to return to Base with my load and turned over my whaler to Sub. Lt. Cornish and asked him to report to the Schoot "Atlantic", the Commanding
Officer of which told me that he had been there all day without being able to get a single man on board for reasons explained above.
Proceeded by route X in company with other drifters, troop ships, tugs, etc. and were attacked by enemy aircraft until past No 6 W Buoy, when they were driven off by anti-aircraft fire from
British destroyers.
1st June.
1430
Arrived N. Goodwin L/V and anchored owing to insufficient water in Ramagate.
1600
Weighed and proceeded in to Ramagate and discharged
That troops. evening was ordered to return to Dunkirk in
"Ocean Breeze" but order was cancelled as we could not reach destination by 2130.
2nd June.
Ordered to proceed in Power Boat "Haig" with Lt. in
McMullan R.N.R. and Sub. Lt. Hollingshead company with Marlborough, Kestrel and Swallow. Cmdr.
2100
Proceeded with Marlborough in company with with one
Troop R.N. in command of "Haig" and lifeboat in tow.
3rd June.
0030
Approached Dunkirk; obliged to out lifeboat adrift she became full of water and was hampering bollard.
Entered Dunkirk Harbour and proceeded alongside speed as of "Haig" and damaging towing