TNA ADM 199 790

" LAROC
Subject.
Report on Dunkirk evacuation.
173
ednesday. 29th May.
Sailed 2230. from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. arriving 28
Operational Office.
received instruction from C.-in ters.
mursday.
30 th May.
8030 hrs.
Sailed from
Subject
Porsumonth
Dyuams for 349. Ramagate Dialo/
1130 OPERATION "DYNAMO" "LAROC" 1389
to proceed to Dunkirk 1?2
From THE EXTENDED DEFENCE OFFICER (WEST) YARMOUTH Foremost
Isle of Wight.
Dateo hrs. 18th June 1940 sailed for Dunkirk via route given
Dover about
1930
hrs THE VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER 1 mile to east of Pier.
(Copy to Commander in-Chief, Portsmouth) from small rowing boats, being the boats to fetch the men from the beach to the ship.
The attached narrative, forwarded by Mr. George Butler, raid commenced.
Friday owner and Master of the Motor Yacht "LAROC" is submitted
0200
Anchored 1 mile north of N. Goodwin Light ship for your consideration. eeded to Ramagate.
0500
Landed Troops.
"LAROC" is normally employed as one of the Boarding & three
Naval ratings. John 3. Memahon, King.
Vessels of the Western Examination Service, Mr. Butler and Pier.
Dist. off 250 yards.
all his crew volunteering immediately for this service at large passenger boats and of these
Dover, his vessel being ready at short troops notice whaler complete with all requirements.
and the collecting three boats by means of the whaler.
While this was going on I saw the Llantheny'
Mr. Butler informs me that he the had beach no breakdowns went to her and to do know nothing if any suffered no damage, lthough the he day hit sunken wreckage on one from occasion. He formed the shore, opinion and that Aemsplanes. the safest area was Nomahon.
ashore with a
as close to the shore showed as possible, Indurance between the two commonest out ranges of the enemy to guns, and it is evident that he handled the whaler. being in the help hours.
his vessel successfully. and filled all three ships about 170 troops were very calm.
about, 1515
Mr. Butler is and about owing twentythree years of age, and the in the to great of beening about 1930, crew are his ordinary yacht's crews Ramsgate. for night.
hands of a ratingss
Saturday.
1
about,
E ADMIRAL
Dunk
Travelines
20JUN1940
bombing of
CAPTAIN
which
Brix.b.o.
(WEST)
"
Steared NE from No. 5 W. buoy to get clear
1015
:
1025
Salvo of ship bound East being near within No. about Buoy.
of big ships. bombs dropped about 30 yrds. astern 9 W.
:
1030.
French Destroyer approx. pos. 1 mile North Pos. about W.
of troop hit by bombs sank of No 13
one minute. bombing of British Destroyer
:
1035.
Heavy 3 miles N.NE. from No. 5 W. buoy.
George. B. Butter

" LAROC
ubject.
Report on Dunkirk evacuation.
173
dnesday. 29th May.
2230. Sailed from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. 28
Operational Office.
received instruction from C.-in arriving tc's.
ursday.
30 th May.
0030 hrs.
Sailed from Portsmouth for Ramsgate.
1130 hrs.
Arrived Dover, closed Tug "Foremost 4 # orders to proceed to Dunkirk together with.
" Foremost " 4 " H.MS. Grieve Foremost 2,
Adventuress " " Lady Shelia,"
1400 hrs.
Left Dover, sailed for Dunkirk via route given at Dover.
( about) 1930 hrs.
Arrived off Dunkirk beach 1 mile to east of Pier.
Picked up about 75 British soldiers from small rowing boats, using the boats to fetch the men from the beach to the ship.
2200 hrs.
Left for Ramsgate, as a more intense air raid commenced.
Friday
31 st May.
0200
Anchored 1 mile north of N. Goodwin Light ship
0430
Proceeded to Ramsgate.
0500
Landed Troops.
0600
Sailed for Dunkirk with Whaler in Tow. & three
Naval ratings. John Doyle, E. Mcmahon, - King.
1030
Anchored off beach 1 mile to east of Pier.
Dist. off 250 yards.
1100
Launched ships boate, collected two large passenger boats and moored them astern of
" Laroc " streaming the whaler astern of these and collecting troops 12 at a time. loaded the three boats by means of the whaler.
While this was going on I saw the 'Llanthony'
dried out on the beach, went to her to know if any assistance was reqired but could do nothing to help.
During the day the beach was under fire from the shore, and Aeroplanes.
The naval ratings John Doyle, and E. Mcmahon.
showed great indurance by swiming ashore with a line to enable the troops to pull themselves out to the whaler. being in the water about 4 hours.
The entire crew were did there utmost to help and were very calm.
about, 1515
Having filled all three ships about 170 troops and owing to great increase of booming enemy attack proceed to Ramsgate. leaving whaler in the hands of a M.T.B.. who asked form it.
about 1930.
Landed troops in Ramsgate. moored ship for night.
Saturday. 1 st June.
Sailed for Dunkirk 0600. with four Naval ratings*
about. 1000 hrs
Arrived off coast between Dunkirk and Gravelines
Heavy Closed with British Destroyer bound West. which bombing of large ships.
1005 "
had been hit on bow. she was taken in tow by
"
1015
Steared NE from No. 5 W. buoy to get clear tug and we could do nothing.
of big ships.
:
1025
of Salvo troop ship bound East being near No. 9 about Buoy.
of bombs dropped about 30 yrds. astern W.
"
Destroyer hit by bombs sank within
1030.
French minute. approx. pos. 1 mile North of No 13 W.
1035.
Heavy one bombing of British Destroyer Pos. about
3 miles N.NE. from No. 5 W. buoy.
George. B. Butter

" LAROC "
186
à
Report on Dunkirk Evacuation.
174
Subject.
saturday, 1st June.
bout.
1040
Received signal from her to close.
#
1055
Went along side, but as a larger ship came up which told to was get capable clear. of taking off all the crew we were
This Pos. approx. 3 miles N.NE from 5. Buoy. ".,
1115.
Proceeded to Dunkirk. but on the way sighted small
Destroyer was later sunk by gunfire from a Sloop.
boat tow. with eight men. picked them up and took boat in
Later picked up another boat with four men, and as we were informed that many boats were leaving empty returned to Ramsgate.
1700
2 miles SW. from N. Goodwin L. V. saw plane drop in the sea. went to render assistance. but this was not required as other ships were there first.
1800
Landed 12 men from the boats. at Ramsgate.
1815
Went to and from larger ships out side the harbour to the Pier landing troops owing to the fact that they could not get inside. landedabout 310. men
2130
Tied up for night in South side of Harbour,
Sunday.
Waited for orders. were not allowed to go out.
Monday.
"
"
"
Changed Oil in main Engines.
Tuesday. 1700
Orders to sail for Yarmouth.
Wednesday.
Left Ramsgate 0410 hrs. arriving Yarmouth 1810 hrs.
Average Speed. 10 knts.
Ships Crew
George. B. Butler.
(
master )
Jack Lynn mate )
Raymond Crane engineer )
Lenoard Lynn.
-
B
deck hand )
H.A.E. Frost.
steward ).
George. B. Butter