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TNA / ADM 199 790

TNA ADM 199 790

TNA ADM 199 790
Collection details

TNA ADM 199 790

Admiralty records concerning Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, dating from 1940.

Holding archive
TNA
Collection reference
ADM 199 790
View the archive catalogue entry ↗

Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199/790. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Showing only pages tagged with the vessel name LORD GREY. Tags are exact matches from this collection’s OCR tag index. Clear vessel filter ×

8 matching pages. OCR may contain transcription errors.

List page 1 of 1 Showing document pages 724–1,013 of this collection
Page ImageOCR textOCR tags
724 Page 724 Log in to enlarge

25a
241
ST. CLEARS 428
LADY BRASSEY
130
DANLAYERS.
FOREMOST 87
ST. OLAF
GULZAR
GREY MIST
M.T.B's, M.A.S.B's.
SARGASSO
D.C.M.B. & W.D.M.I.
+39
COMFORT
NAUTILUS
M.T.B. 107 447
STARLIGHT RAYS
M.T.B. 68 405
THOMSONS
M.T.B. 67,
M.T.B. 16,
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
M.T.B. 1020 459
CONIDAW
M.A.S.B. 10/474
D.C.M.B., 484
CHICO
M.A.S.B. 61468
RAMSGATE
M.L.
100 x476
M.A.S.M. No. 7x479
MOTOR BOATS.
W.D.M.L's 8V487 8 491
SMALL CRAFT UNDER CONTROL OF
DOVER M/S COMMAND.
193
CONTRABAND CONTROL BASE
VEYMOUTH.
LL. TRAWLERS.
M.B. FORTY TWO
THOMAS BARTLETT
LIGHTER Y.C.72
INVERFORTH
X
M.B. TWO RIVERS
LORD INCHCAPE
M.L. MERMAIDEN
OUR BAIRNS
LORD GREY
REPORTS OF SMALL CRAFT RECEIVED
CLYTHNESS
FROM, CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT,
RELONZO
PORTSMOUTH.
RESTRIVO
H.M.S. ST. FAGAN
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
D/C MOTOR BOATS.
H.M.S.EXCELLENT'S A.A. MOTOR BOAT
BOTANIC
HOPPER GALLION'S REACH
FYLDEA
MARETTA
VESSELS OWNED BY LONDON &
ARLEY
ROCHESTER TRADING CO. LTD.
POLLY JOHNSON
1493.
BROCK
THYRA
CALVI
PUDGE
JOHN CATTLING
CABBY
SEINE
"M" DRIFTERS
DETAILED FROM
YARMOUTH.
FEASIBLE
SWIFT WING
REED
JOHN AND NORAH
GENIUS
ALCMARIA
LORD HOOD
LORD BARHAM
OVERFALLS
JEANNIE MACINTOSH
GULA
REWGA
x
TARANSAY

977 Page 977 Log in to enlarge

38. G.D.309/58
SECRET.
-
45496
5th June, 1940.
467
To: The Vice Admiral,
Dover.
Report of Operations Carried out by Ships
Under the Command of Commender M/S, Dover during the period 26th May to 3rd June in accordance with V.A.D's 2050/4.
I have the honour to report the following operations carried out by M/S Vessels under my command during the period
26th May to 4th June, 1940.
The list of vessels employed in these operations is as follows:-
LL TRAWLERS.
Thomas Bartlett."
Inverforthx
Lord Inchcape.⁴
Our Bairnsr
Lord Grey X
Clythness.x
Relonzo.
Restrivo.
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
Botanic. Dankink
Marettax FyldeaX not of Dunkisk
Arleyx
Polly Johnson.
Brockx
CalviX
John Cattling.
DANLAYERS.
Gulzar.*
Grey Mist.*
Sargasso.r
Comfort.*
Nautilus*
Starlight Rays
Thomsons.
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
Conidaw.*
Chico. X
(Continued over).

979 Page 979 Log in to enlarge

-3-
498
8
28th Inverforth May. Instructions were issued to these
46g previous (Our misunderstanding, Bairns, programme - i.e. and sweeping Thomas war Bartlett) channel to - carry on vessels with to a the M/S the Group Commander, who had but owing joined Roads. command, Vessels proceeded to carry out the only just
7
Dunkirk Bartlett", whilst were shelled off Calais, sweep in on our shallow endeavouring to get out of range, and"Thomas ran a mine and sank. minefields, in vicinity of Dunkirk apparently A.W. Buoy, struck R.N.R. Report of Lieutenant Commander A.A.
Martin attached (No. 3). page 122
"Nautilus" and "Comfort" sailed for Dunkirk Beach under the direction of Lieutenant W.E. Gelling R.N.R. Report of Lieutenant Gelling R.N.R. attached (No. 4). "Nautilus"
was damaged by bombs, and as far as is known "Comfort" was rammed and sunk. No report has been received.
29th May - 0100. Six M/S Trawlers under the command of Lieutenant R. Bill R.N. sailed for Dunkirk - embarking ladders at Ramsgate en route. Reports of Lieutenant R. Bill R.N.,
Skipper Lieutenant G.W. Robinson R.N.R., and Skipper Lieutenant
L. Lake R.N.R. are attached (Nos. 5a, 5b, and 5c). lages 517, 523
29th May. "Lord Grey" and "Clythness" to Dunkirk.
Report of Lieutenant J. Simson R.N.V.R. attached (No. 6) pagrosh
30th May. "Sargasso", "Gulzar", "Conidaw", "Chico", and "Starlight Rays" sailed for Dunkirk, embarked troops, and returned. "Chico" did especially good work in bringing back
217 troops. This vessel is only 70' long. All ships returned safely with troops.
31st May. "Sargasso", "Gulzar", and "Chico" to Dunkirk.
"Chico" employed ferrying, and was responsible for nearly a 1,000
troops being embarked. All returned safely with troops.
"Fyldea" and "Brock" to beaches with motor boat. "Brock"
damaged by bombs, and ordered to return. Report of Sub. Lieutenant
K.H.G. Roberts R.N.V,R. attached (No. 7). "Fyldea" returned with troops.
page 025
"Lord Inchcape" and "Our Bairns" ordered to Dunkirk.
Sweeping proved impossible due to shell fire and bombing. Ordered to return.
1st June.
"Sargasso", "Gulzar" and "Starlight Rays" to
Dunkirk for troops.
All returned safely.
"Starlight Rays", "Gulzar", and "Sargasso"
to 2nd June. troops. "Conidaw" and "Chico" standing safely. by for life Dunkirk saving for duties on route "X". All returned
3rd June. "Starlight Rays", and "Gulzar" to Dunkirk for troops. Both returned safely.
was carried During out,+ + this and 13 magnetic mines mine detonated were in vicinity "LL" of period constant sweeping detonated, with "LL" without and skide a the loss of a single probably, ship. by combired One fields Report of herself of Lieutenant and C.L.
Trawlers, hospital Lambert R.N.V.R. ship, which were who visited 3/4 cables the away. hospital ship attached (No. 7).?
+ in DOWNS and Entrance of Dover Harbour.
(Continued over).

984 Page 984 Log in to enlarge

-3-
idpper Lieut.
Robinson.
Arley.
503
gipper Lieut.
Lake.
thief Skipper.
Mayhew.
Lt.Polly Johnson - sunk - 1 dalais.4
Maretta.
1 Calais - bonbed.
}kipper.
Whammond.
Fyldea.
1 Buoy laying, 1
1 Beaches.
ikipper.
Jappy.
Brock.
1 Dunkirk, 1 Beaches.
skipper.
Tucker.
Burke.
$kipper.
Setterfield.
Adam.
Skipper
S.Bindler.
B.D. spridler
Late Calvi - sunk. 1 off Calads, 1
in Dunkirk.
Skipper.
E. Smith.
Botanic.
Supper.
Aldan.
John Cattling. 1 Calats, 1 Dunitiplt.
Sub. Lieut.
Mason.
Chico.
3 Dunkirk.
Skipper.
Selanius
Clythness.
1 Dunkirk.
Skipper.
Snelgrove.
Conidaw.
1 Calais, 1 Duniciple,
1 Life saving party.
Sub. Lieut.
Liddall
Weale.
}
Grey Mist. 1 Boulogne, 1 off Calate.
Sub. Lieut.
Lieut.
CV
Brammall
Gulzar. See report under name of
Sub. Lieut.
RE
Evans.
individual Officers.
Lieut.
Eynon.
Skipper.
Johnson.
Hosanna.
Skide off Dover.
Skipper.
Self.
Inverforth.
Skipper.
Kaye.
Tiller.
Lord Grey.
Skipper.
Littleproud.
Milford King.
1 off Calais LL.
Skipper.
Miller.
Our Bairns.
1 off Calais LD.
Skipper.
Playmates.
1 off Calata.
Stather.
Skipper.
Restrivo.
LL Dover.
Skipper.
Slater.
Relonzo.
LL Dover.
Skipper.
Buchan.
Starlight Rays. 2 Dunkirk.
Lieut.
Gaussen.
Sargasso. See report under name
Sub. Lieut.
Sub. Lieut.
Mills.
Thompson.
w of individual Officers.
Skipper.
Thomsons.
Examination.
Drake.
Willing Boys.
1 Flushing, Calais,
Skipper.
Burrows.
Skide off Dover.
Skipper.
Mair (dead).
Comfort - sunk - 1 Beaches Dunkirk
Skipper.
McLean. - late -Nautilus. sunk - 1 Beaches Dunkirk

987 Page 987 Log in to enlarge

-2-
347/58.
506
Name.
Ship.
Rank or Rating.
508
SARGASSO.
30-1/6
Charles L. Gaussen. Licutenant R.N.V.R. (Cormanding 477 Officer)
For constant devotion to duty under trying
Kip
Dunkirk and beaches, returning on each conditions whilst operating three trips to/
Trup occasion with a full load of troops.
LORD GREY
J
John A. Simson.
William Tiller.
Lieutenant R.N.V.R. (Unit Commander).
2nd Skipper R.H.R.
Malcolm McLeod.
2nd hand.
Ivan Lennox.
Chief Engineman.
400thorp
William Palmer.
Ord. Seaman.
For gallantry and devotion to duty under very trying circumstances experienced whilst embarking troops at Dunkirk Harbour.
JOHN CATTLING
/
Following extracted from Skipper G. Aldan's report:-
"I have the honour to submit the following ratings names, as deserving recognition for conspicuous misli dark when hig, she gallantry displayed" (See Lieutenant Robert Bill's report No. 5a).
wnt hulher the for mat
Charles Adams.
2nd hand. LT/JX 173276.
William W.Jefferies.
Chief Engineman. H.O.
Arthur Baul.
Stoker P.O. (Pens.D/K 737 Pen.No.26717
in
Ernest RichardA Emery. Wireman.
BROCK.
William A. Moss.
A.B. (Gunlayer). R.F.R. J86490.
Herbert C. Bidle.
2nd Hand. 46SD.
Francis Greenhill.
Sto. P.O. C/K14122.
Behaved with great gallantry under hazardous and trying conditions in Dunkirk Harbour.
picuota
$ Bil

988 Page 988 Log in to enlarge

347/58.
-2-
506
8
Ship.
Name.
Rank or Rating.
477
SARGASSO
/
Charles L. Gaussen. Licutenant R.N.V.R. (Commanding Officer
3 kip 30-1/6
For constant devotion to duty under trying conditions whilst operating three trips to/
Trip
Dunkirk and beaches, returning on each occasion with a full load of troops.
LORD GREY.
J
John A. Simson.
Lieutenant R.N.V.R. (Unit Connander).
William Tiller.
2nd Skipper R.N.R.
Malcolm McLeod.
2nd hand.
hip 20ap
Ivan Lennox.
Chief Engineman.
400 thap
William Palmer.
Ord. Seaman.
For gallantry and devotion to duty under very trying circumstances experienced whilst embarking troops at Dunkirk Harbour.
JOHN CATTLING
/
rip imymentian
Following extracted from Skipper G. Aldan's report:-
$
"I have the honour to submit the following ratings names, as deserving recognition for conspicuous gallantry displayed" (See Lieutenant Robert Bill's mate til gark for when maturely mat she report No. 5a).
Charles Adams.
2nd hand. LT/JX 173276.
wint further the
William W.Jefferies.
Chief Engineman. H.O.
Arthur Baul.
Stoker P.O. (Pens.D/X 737 Pen.No.26717
m
Ernest RichardA Emery. Wireman.
BROCK.
William A. Moss.
A.B. (Gunlayer). R.F.R. J86490.
Herbert C. Bidle.
2nd Hand. 468D.
Francis Greenhill.
Sto. P.O. C/K14122.
Behaved with great gallantry under hazardous and trying conditions in Dunkirk Harbour.
icuous ert

1012 Page 1012 Log in to enlarge

Dynams so. O.D.
526
TO:
COMMANDER M/S.
N°6. 497
DATE: 6TH JUNE, 1940.
FROM: LIEUTENANT J.A. SIMSON R.N.V.R., H.M.S. "LORD GREY".
carried 29th/30th out May, 1940, at Dunkirk. under my command during the night of
I have by the the ships honour to report as follows on the operations for Dunkirk orders to report on arrival to Captain Tennant. at 1615
H.M.T's with "Lord Grey" and "Clythness" left Dover instead. signalled S. Foreland P.W.S.S. to use route "X" both we ways, were
Instructions from were to proceed by route "Y", but
We therefore proceeded by route "X" and arrived off
Dunkirk at 2300. The harbour was found on entering to be very congested as a number of drifters were manoeuvring in the fairway and it was decided to lay off the entrance until it was clear to proceed alongside the quay.
At 2330 we again entered the harbour and tied up alongside the Eastern Jetty. Sub. Lieutenant Heckstall-Smith (Clythness)
and myself went along the quay in an effort to ascertain the whereabouts of Captain Tennant, and the state of affairs inside the harbour. It was impossible to get far owing to the damaged condition of the jetty and we therefore returned.
Considerable air activity and continuous bombing was going on over the town, which was ablaze.
It was decided to keep the ships moored alongside in such a way that they could slip at a moment's notice, and to await dawn before going further in to the harbour.
A number of rifles and a Bren gun found on the quay were put aboard "Lord Grey".
At 0210 on the 30th May, cries for help were heard outside the harbour and both ships instantly left to investigate. It was found that H.M.S. "King Orry" had sunk on leaving the harbour.
Ships' boats were launched and "Lord Grey" rescued ten men,
"Clythness" four. "Lord Grey" transferred her survivors to H.M.S.
"Vivacious", and was ordered by the Commander to return to harbour, and if possible embark troops for transfer to his ship. "Clythness"
was signalled accordingly and both ships proceeded back to Dunkirk harbour, and as it was now light it was possible to reach the
Southern end of the quay.
On arrival 0410 - I reported to S.N.O - Captain Tennant was not then available - and was ordered to embark troops for transfer to a destroyer and then to carry out "LL" sweep in a
N. Easterly direction from the harbour.
Troops were accordingly embarked - "Clythness" 300 (approx)
"Lord Grey" 350 - and were transferred at 0515 to the destroyer
"Whitehall".
"Clythness" signalled that her dynamo In was these not working circumstances and her a signal was passed to S.N.O. and
At 0605 D/G gear was consequently useless. fresh orders requested.
(Contd. over).

1013 Page 1013 Log in to enlarge

521
Continued.
-2-
a
498
At 0645 and were both ships again entered herbour on
7
from enemy S.N.O. air activity. moored alongside Eastern jetty. Considerable instructions was impossible and as the actual position of the magnetic mines
Owing to the defect in "Clythness" a double "L" aweep was not known, it was considered of little use to attempt to detonate them with a single "I" operated by "Lord Grey". That being so, both ships were ordered to embark troops and return to
Dover.
"Clythness" sailed at 0710 with approximately 150 troops, and returned to Dover independently. "Lord Grey" embarked approximately 400 troops and sailed at 0730. Embarkation was carried out smoothly despite attacks by enemy aircraft, which were successfully driven off by the A.A. fire of both ships.
The weather was misty and overcast and the ships were not attacked in the course of their return journeys.
In conclusion I would say that - under conditions entirely new to most of them, and comparatively trying - every man showed great keenness and attention to duty; their behaviour and efficiency was most encouraging.
(Signed). J.A. SIMSON.
Lieutenant R.N.V.R.