TNA ADM 199 792

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With
the
Compliments
of the
29685/40.
Under Secretary Affairs of State admiralty Esq.,
12.
for Foreign FOREIGN OFFICE,
DATE
19
Dec. 23 1940. 21st S.W.1. December,
1940.
- July 1940
7106/6374/372)
(Ref: EO. letter eldey ho: T7106/6374/372
Sir,
of Dec. m
19
The King has informally approved
award of decorations and medals
the of to the the Order officers of and the British men of the Empire
Belgian Merchant Navy, whose names,
HONOURS AND
together with details of their
valuable services in connexion with
the evacuation of Allied troops from
Dunkirk, are given in the annexed
that, without revealing
has been approached
these proposals,
and inform so as
shother the awards
be agreeable to
These Belgian Boats based on Dartmouth and manned
with volunteers, braved every danger in transferring
troops from Dunkirk. The "JULIA" embarked 1007, the
"GUIDO GAZELLE" 403. the "COR JESU" 274. The last named
boat made one trip, the others two.
The "MARECHAL FOCH" went alongside the quay at
Dunkirk but on a falling tide the weight of the soldiers
jumping on board grounded her. The Master and his one
assistant returned to Dover in another trawler and went
back again the next day, embarked 300 men in the
"MARECHAL FOCH" and set out for England. Off the Goodwin
Light the vessel was run down by a Warship, which took on
board these two brave Belgians and some 150 of the troops.
Mr. Gooding of the Torquay Motor Boat "LADY CABLE" -
with two Naval Ratings,- carried some 560 men in seven
trips between Dunkirk beach and two transports. His
seamanship was of a high order and his voluntary service
of great value.
The bravery, seamanship, high enthusiasm and
pertinacity of these volunteer Rescuers effected the
saving of some 2,500 men of the Allied Troops and are
worth of the highest traditions of the sea.
;inued)