TNA ADM 199 792

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Appendix II. to report of sinking of H.M.S. GRENADE.
After the explosion aft I observed a large number
of ratings blown into the oily water, several of whom were
badly injured. With the aid of the Gunner T. I cut away
the lashing of the after Carley float and launched it. I
swam after the drifting float and with the mutual help of one
or two ratings we hauled each other on board. I then
collected the seriously injured and one or two uninjured men.
The First Lieutenant was heard to order men to
to
remain in the ship and I took the float back to the ship
collecting a steward en route. The ship lurched heavily
to port as I reached the side and since the forecastle was
blazing I ordered the raft to stand off. At this juncture
another rating was observed in a patch of oil fuel about 40
yards from the ship. I rescued this man with the float and
took in tow a T.S.D.S. float which was supporting two P.Os
who had since abandoned ship. Two destroyers and two trawler
passed without stopping and a French tug landed our party
on the west side of the docks amid the blazing ruins. An
ambulance picked up our party and proceeded towards the heart
of the town. When the ambulance stopped for more casmalties
the party disembarked, and were forced to leave one seriously
injured seaman (Coates) who WELE then taken to the base
military hospital. At this point a lost Bren gun crew
joined forces and the idea of escaping to England in a small
boat was formulated.
I took the whole party, eight sailors and eight
soldiers, and proceeded on the carrier to the docks.
A
gendarme prevented our embarkation in a drifter, the captain
of which had signified his willingness to take us. We then
proceeded on the carrier towards the eastern jetty, but our
progress was halted by a blazing ammunition lorry. The
commencement of intense aerial bombardment forced us to seek
shelter in the vaults where Army officers and men provided us
with dry clothing etc.
I then reported the Naval party to the S.N.O.
Dunkirque and after suggesting we remained in the town he
gave the party full permission to seek a boat and sail to
England. We made our way towards the pier and P.O. Emery
and myself became detached from the main party. In the course
of a talk with a French soldier I discovered he possessed a
motor boat with which he was desirous of escaping to England.
P.O. Emery sought out and brought along the remainder of the
party, including the Bren gun crew and with P.O. Bennion
managed to embark the whole party, with equipment, and
against the wishes of the Frenchman. Then after considerable
tactful persuasion and adjustment of top weight, plus the
encouragement of casting off the painter, the engine was
started and the bows pointed towards England at 21.00/29.
P.O. Bennion took the wheel and I shaped a course
for the harbour mouth and channel buoys. After darkness fell
I checked my compass on the stars and found it had a variation
of about 10° W. I.was then able to set a course for the S.E.
coast of England. All lights were extinguished outside the
small cabin and most of the party fell asleep after having
eaten a little food. The boat was well equipped with fuel
and stores and the small engine gave us an estimated speed of
five knots.