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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 White Heather. Tags are exact matches from this collection’s OCR tag index. Clear vessel filter ×

3 matching pages. OCR may contain transcription errors.

List page 1 of 1 Showing document pages 875–1,068 of this collection
Page ImageOCR textOCR tags
875 Page 875 Log in to enlarge

Dyrom 391
il
368
June 5th, 1940.
1.
Lieut. A.J. Davies, R.N.V.R. -"Java" never got over the other side and was finally towed to Sheerness by "Gorecht"
2.
Lieut. A.N. Blundell, R.N.R. - "Bornrif" did three. trips between Ramsgate and beaches at Dunkirk. "King Orry" was sighted sunk off Dunkirk.
3.
Sub Lieut. R.H.C. Amos, R.N.V.R. - "Iote" was beached and abandoned after she had damaged her rudder while rescuing two of her crew, who had fallen overboard on the morning of Saturday June 1st. On night of Monday, June 3rd, Sub Lieut
Amos, R.N.V.R. and Sub Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. were in a new but unnamed power life boat which was towed over to
SUN
Dunkirk by Tug XV "About..... (A).
On the 30th May D.S. "Horst" was known to have been abandoned.
4.
Sub Lieut. D.C. Williams, R.N.V.R. - left Ramsgate on the night of Su day, June 2nd in the "Kiteat". On the way over he became separated from the rest of the convoy. After doing some work the other side he towed the "Singapore" back to Dover and then on to Ramsgate on Monday, June 3rd.
5.
Lieut. R.W. Thomson, R.N.V.R. - After being discharged from the "AEGer", where he had proved lacking in experience, did
4 trips in the "DABB II", two of which were unsuccessful.
6.
Sub Lieut. C. Minchin, R.N. - Went to the beached in the
"LYDD" where he ferried until the boat broke down. She was abandoned and Minchin returned to Ramsgate in the "Lydd".
On Monday, against orders he tried to go over in the "Helfrinore" but she broke down.
7.
Sub Lieut. E.S. Foreman, R.N.V.R. - In the"Princess Freda"
he ferried from the beaches for a destroyer. He then worked for the Dutch "Besta" --?, who finally towed him back to Ramsgate.
8.
Sub Lieut. R.E. Blows, R.N.V.R. - Started in the "Minikoi"
but she was rammed and sunk by "MASB 6" off the downs at
0250 on Wed, May 29th. He next went over in the "Ambleve", which with the "Sambre" was towed over by the "Skipjack", for whom he ferried from the beaches. A crew from the
Skipjack releived his crew for 'stand-easy' and ran the
"Ambleve" aground. He and his crew returned in the
Skipjack. On Saturday, June 1st, he went over in a power life boat. She was damaged by near bombs but the engines continued to run.
9.
Sub Lieut. J.W. Pratt, R.N.V.R. - Ran aground in the
"Singapore" on beach at 0130 on Sunday June 2nd. She rfloated at 0800 and he left with three French Officers.
On the way he picked up two British soldiers who were
French Officers' water bottles. He passed the "Mosquito"
floating around'. These were revived with wine from the which was still afloat but had been deserted. In mid channel he found three life boats which he took in tow until his engines gave out and he was taken in tow by the "Kitkat".
10.
Sub Lieut. I.F. Smith, R.N.V.R. - In "Jong" helped to ferry home he sighted the "Iote" drifting round empty and troops from the beaches on Friday, May 31st. On way the "White Heather" empty but at anchor.

1066 Page 1066 Log in to enlarge

582
552
Report of Operation "DYNAMO" from 30th May to 5th Tune 1940.
30.5.1940. 2pm. Left Sheerness in charge of Motor Boat "Forty TWO"
and a convoy of nine craft bound for Ramsgate for orders. After about
2* nours steaming the leader of the second convoy, Lt.ges] on Dogra
"white Heather" requested me to take charge or nis convoy or nine craft as White Heather" had broken down and was under GOW. Thereafter proceeded with the full convoy of 18 craft and arrived OIL Hamsgate about midnight. Proceeded ashore for orders and received same, which were to carry on as soon as possible to Dunkirk beaches for the purpose of ferrying troops to the larger ships at anohor. At Itam on the 51st
May left Ramsgate escorted by H.M. Trawler towing those craft wnion were unable to proceed under their own power. After about 2 nours steaming the trawler requested me to carry on with the convoy as the craft ne nad in tow were causing him some trouble with their tow ropes.
I earried on with 14 crait and arrived or the Dunkirk beach as about
9am. Throughout the day British and French troops were ferried to the various large vessels at anchor. Sometime during the night the engines on "Forty Two" were giving trouble and as 1 had the opportunity of a tow back to Ramsgate where 1 might expect repairs to be executed and as few ships seemed to be left in our immediate vicinty for the transferrence or troops 1 decided to return. Arrived off namagate early on the 1st June and the engine Was overhauled that day and made 115
IOr further service. ne left again for Dunkirk in the early evening and on arrival orr Dunkirk troops were again Ferried for some time.
unfortunately in manoeuvering close to the anor the craft either stuck a submerged object or grounded and in the subsequent movements 01
engines and nelm the rudder was lost. 1 eventually managed to reach up alongside a tug, transferred the troops 1 had on DOBIQ and onen proceeded to 115 a jury rudder; consisting or at ladder issued to &
rail stantion art and with at locker door lashed at une oottom; the flag stari acting 8.8 a tiller. This proved rairly effective and we carried on ferrying troops until the tug nad surficient and we left in tow or the tug. when about 15 miles off kamagate the GOW rope parted and we completed this latter part or the voyage under our own power

1068 Page 1068 Log in to enlarge

582
552
Report of Operation "DYNAMO" from 30th May to 5th June 1940.
30.5.1940. 2pm. Left Sheerness in charge of Motor Hoat "Forty Two"
and a convoy of nine craft bound for Ramsgate for orders. After about
2* nours steaming the leader of the second convoy, Lt.3eal on Dogra
"white Heather" requested me to take charge or nis convoy or nine craft as White Heather" had broken down and was under GOW. Thereafter proceeded with the full convoy of 18 craft and arrived OIL Mamagate about midnight. Proceeded ashore for orders and received same, which were to carry on as soon as possible to Dunkirk beaches for the purpose of ferrying troops to the larger ships at anchor. At 2am on the jlst
May left Ramsgate escorted by H.M.Trawler towing those craft wnion were unable to proceed under their own power. After about 2 nours steaming the trawler requested me to carry on with the convoy as the
E.
craft ne nau in tow were causing him some trouble with their tow ropes.
I carried on with 14 crait and arrived or the Dunkirk beach at about
9am. Throughout the day British and French troops were ferrisa to the various large vessels at anchor. Sometime during the night the engines on "Forty Two" were giving trouble and as 1 nad the opportunity of a tow back to Ramsgate where 1 might expect repairs 60 De executed and as few ships seemed to be left in our immediate vicinty for the transferrence or troops I decided to return. Arrived off Ramagate early on the 1st June and the engine was overhauled that day and made 115
IOr further service. ne left again for Dunktrk in the early evening and on arrival off Dunkirk troops were again ferried for some time.
unfortunately in manoeuvering close to the anor the crait either stuck a submerged object or grounded and in the subsequent movements 01
engines and nelm the rudder was lost. 1 eventually managed to reach up alongside at tug, transferred the troops 1 had on Doard and onen proceeded to 118 a jury rudder; consisting or a ladder Aasned to &
rail stantion art and with of locker door lashed at une Dottom; the flag start acting as a tiller. This proved rairly effective and we carried on ferrying troops until the tug had sufficient and 40 left in tow or the tug. when about 15 miles off Ramagate the GOW rope parted and we completed this latter part or the voyage under our own power