TNA ADM 199 790

2.
271
During the the afternoon of the lst.June four coal 260 barges were brought down river by a tug and secured alongside.They were later towed to RAMSGATE by H.M.Tug "SPRITE".
On lst.June "QUEEN OF THANET" came alongside for fuel and water at 0820 and "WESTWARD HO" at 0845. Lieutenant SARGENT and temporary crew of HORST returned to the ship at 0900 and the original grew of HORST were discharged to shore. "WESTWARD HO" cast off at 1040
and "QUEEN OF THANET" at 1100. As GUILLEMOT'S oil fuel was running low an oil fuel lighter was asked for from SHEERNESS. "GOLDEN EAGLE" came alongside for oil fuel and water at 1145 and cast off at 1420. During the afternoon 40 rounds of 4inch H.E. ammunition were supplied to
H.M.S. "KINGFISHER".
On 2nd.June oil lighter PHERO secured at 0805 and
GUILLEMOT oiled from her. She remained alongside all day and supplied oil fuel to various ships. H.M.S. "KINGFISHER" oiled from PHERO at
1215 and cast off at 1530, when "QUEEN OF THANET" came alongside for fuel and water. At 1600 H.M.S.ORIOLE, a coal burning paddle steamer, came alongside for water and requested the loan of some stokers to assist in trimming her bunkers. Six stokers from GUILLEMOT volunteered but it was decided that only two could be spared, and lots were drawn and stokers S. HIORNS and C.SAWYER were sent. At 1700 "DUCHESS OF FIFE"
secured alongside "QUEEN OF THANET" and at 2020 "ORIOLE", "DUCHESS OF
FIFE", and "QUEEN OF THANET" cast off and proceeded. At 2135 oiler
PHERO cast off and anchored astern.
On 3rd.June orders were received to proceed to DUNKIRK
in company with KINGFISHER escorting LADY OF MAN and AUTO CARRIER
across, then to embark troops from DUNKIRK Pier and return to MARGATE.
At 1630 beef and bread for 250 men were embarked. Lieutenant
R.C. NORWOOD R.N. and Sub Lieutenant T. BONHAM R.N. came on board at 1800. These Officers had obtained permission of N.O.I.C. MARGATE
to accompany us as they had both had previous experience of DUNKIRK
and its approaches. They both proved of great assistance, Sub Lieutenant
BONHAM'S acurate navigation being particularly valuable.

Dynam 195. 369
Car. HR Troup's report
347
I left Ramsgate on the night 2nd - 3rd June in
War Ministry fast motor boat "Haig" with three other fast
W.M.M.B's. I took with me the French Naval Attache Captain de Revoir who came over to see how the embarkation was going on on the pier. I gave instructions to the Offi ers in charge of boats to act independently and ferry troops to ships taking a final boat load back to Ramsgate.
I entered Dunkirk harbour and proceeded alongside the centre pier and with great fifficulty persuaded 40
French soldiers to come aboard. These I took to a big ship outside and returned for more. After loading 39
I again proceeded out and just in the entrance was rammed by a French tu on the prto beam; as the hole was a good foot above the water line I went on. I had not gone more than 200 yards when another French tug altered course and rammed me in the forecastle, cutting halfway through the upper deck and right up to the keel.
I managed to get clear quickly and took the boat alongside the "Westward ho" and got the soldiers out, one of whom got his shoulder smashed in the collision. A destroyer coming across the bow of the "Westward ho" caused her to go astern and the wash from her paddle filled the boat up with water and washed her away from the ship. Asx soon as the ship stopped I again got alongside and as it was now three oclock and the Captain had been ordered to clear out everyone else having gone, I decided to abandon the boat and get on board the ship with my crew and return to
Margate. On the way over Captain de Revoir told me there was some difficulty on the pier and suggested he should go there the following night and help. I therefore arranged to take him.
On night on 3rd- 4th I left gsate in the
W.M.M.B. "Swallow" at 2000, but I left without Captain de Revoir who missed the boat, arriving at Dunkirk at
2230 going straight alongside the centre pier where I
landed and sent the boat off ferrying, with orders to come back at 0330 for me.
I found I could be useful as was suggested by
Captain de Revoir in making ships fast, finding out the number of men they could take and then getting the French
Officers to help me embark the troops quickly, So I
decided to make myself Piermaster and everything else combined. The French soldiers were very loath to be separated from each other, their companies or their
Officers but by promising them they would only be separated for two hours and would meet again in England
The French Officer Captain le Comte leChartier de Sedouy they moved quicker. I embarked at least 10,000 troops.
on the staff of General Lucas of the 32nd Division was and a staff off with me not later than 0330, I had some very helpful and I arranged with him to take the general somewhat I instructed the Officer in the boat if order qualms about the boat returning for me as her engines were he was in groggy doubt to close one of the other boats and him to any in by 0300 at the latest. It so happened that he come broke down altogether and told no one and it was into harbour about 0305 just at the time I was beginning
Just by luck that the motor boat which took me off came to wonder.
I would like to put on record the wonderful discipline of the French troops when the last ship left about 0300.

Statement from S.Y. Vincea: (Re, Dankish
522
C. B.O.
Sir,
6x Imday the 31" M May. in the Jug. Vincia left Ramagah in taw of three skiffs for Durkich at
2.45pm.
at 4pm see were off the Sandettee Bany, other
549
Report by Lieut. V.A. de Mauny, R.N. (contd).
- 519
centre jetty and embarked French troops (approx
50 in number). Discharged troops to steamer lying outside and returned for further load.
Were informed that there were 700 troops aboard &
steamer aground off Nouveau Avant Port so proceeded alongside and took off 39 French troops.
As it was approaching daylight Cormdr. Troop decided to return to base with load.
0200
Off entrance of harbour we were struck on portside by two French motor vessels in rapid succession and holed on port side amidships and portside for'd. Forepeak rapidly filled with water so we proceeded alongside paddle sweeper "Westward
Ho" which was on point of leaving.
As "Westward HO" already had her engines moving and wash from her paddles was causing "Haig" to fill rapidly, speedy abandonment was necessary and all hands and troops boarded "Weatward Ho"
by port paddle-box door.
3rd June.
0700 Landed Margate.
ben June.
1530 Having been asked by Commander Hammond, D.S.O.,
D.S.C., R.N. to come as his navigating officer, boarded schoot "Pascholl" (Lt. Wise R.N.V.R.)
and proceeded (Cmmdr. Hammond in command) with
"Lena", "Hondsrug" and another in company with orders toreach Dunkirk No. 12 W buoy at 2300.
Courses and speed as requisite for Dunkirk.
2300
On arrival at Dunkirk entered harbour and endeavoured to find Jetty in Nouveau Avant Port.
This was not practicable owing to insufficient water so proceeded alongside centre jetty (East side) and embarked 255 French troops. During embarkation enemy action was conspicuous by its absence and all was quiet.
th June.
0200
Left Jetty in order to allow other vessels to come alongside and set course and speed as requisite for Ramsgate. Left by X route and arrived off
N. Goodwin L/V at 0630. Owing to insufficient water in Ramsgate and inability to anchor,
Channel and up Ramsgate Channel, arriving in time proceeded to Downs by Gull Stream and Downs to enter harbour at 0815. Discharged troops.