TNA ADM 199 792

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Page 6
OPERATION "DYNAMO" - PRELIMINARY REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS FOR
PERIOD 30TH MAY - 1ST JUNE, 1940.
(Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Keith's" No.4/32 of 15th June '40)
59 continued.
All who had reached the water swam for the shore and a
1/6
number reached the wreck of the "Clan MacAlister" which was resting on her stern after being sunk in one the of the above raids. They were later taken off by a lighter and transferred to Sheerness Yard Craft No.63 then loaded with troops from the beach.
60. Survivors from "Keith" thus reached England in the following ways:-
Rear Admiral Dover and his Staff by M.T.B.
1 Officer and 88 ratings by tug "Vincia": also
H.Q. Staff.
2 Officers and 4 ratings by a scoot.
Captain, 3 Officers and 13 men, some of whom were wounded, in Yard Craft 63.
1 Officer and an II.A.S.B. from Dunkirk, after swimming ashore from "St. Abbs".
7 ratings by "Salanander".
D.Jon. Barthan D.jon.
CAPTAIN.
P.S. In continuation of paragraph 40:-
Lord Gort came onboard "Keith", had about 25
minutes conference with Rear Admiral Dover, and then proceeded in a British M.T.B., accompanied by his Chief
Staff Officer, for Dover.
VICE AD MIRAL
#
DO
O
Tu
O
S

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bomber Admiral 9. wished At sighted 0655 to the survey shipp the proceeded situation to La
31/5
3" H.A. was and pom-pom. at 0723 and "Keith" opened there.
and there 10. the at shore. 0742. At 0726 At The the this Admiral ship was communicated off La Panne with an the beaches and in time intermittent she of and about 150 yards long was also lorries the dunes could be seen.
11.
At 0808 Rear Admiral Dover disembarke
M.T.B. and went ashore to converse with the Chi
Officer to Lord Gort. The Admiral returned on about 0910.
12.
At 0930 No.4 yacht came alongside with
Admiral Stephenson, Ret'd, Naval Officer in embarkation at La Panne, to speak to the Admiral slipped again at 0934.
13.
At 1113 anchor was weighed and the ship to Braye where the Admiral spoke to various ship etc. At 1134 "Keith" proceeded to Dunkirk, mars boats and tows of boats and ordering them to the beaches.
shore 14. signal station. Enemy artillery were firing
"Keith" was off Dunkirk at 1154 and sports merchant ship "Clan MacAlister", abandoned off Brand eventually hit her in the poop and a small fire
This vessel had been on fire for several days.
15.
At 1255 "Keith" returned to Braye where arrived at 1331.
continued eastwards, art op with 16. pom-poms At 1400 at 1414 the on ship an enemy aircraft, and
La Panne at 1424.
17. "Keith" opened fire at 1433 astern on an of enemy the with 1443 4.7" from barrage. a high level A bomber. bomb dropped Patrol was continu the westward.
Whilst off Braye at 1513 enemy aircraft OV
18. engaged by H.A. guns and
M.T.B. were 19. when At the 1540 ship Rear was Admiral off La Dover Rosendal, to onbard evacuation "Keith" staffs was on the attacked beaches, at 1703 returning the 3"
due bombing pom-poms. and 20. to two action aircraft other Two by enemy of our which the aircraft fighter were enemy engaged were aircraft. were circling seen shot by Napidly. quar and sustained 21. the aircraft At by 1716 "Keith", was a bomb engaged which dropped was by H.A.armament the without Six ene
22.

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PAGE 7.
22?
H.M.S. "KEITH" - FINAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS 30th MAY - 1st
229
JUNE, 1940, WITH HER EVENTUAL DESTRUCTION.
(Captain Berthon's No.31 of 1st July, 1940 to V.A. Dover.)
62. At about 0950 a single high flying twin-engine bomber was seen returning from Dunkirk. Again"St. Abbs"
circled as fast as she could but this time a single bomb hit her amidships and she sank very rapidly, (in about 30
seconds), with her many wounded survivors. The "Keith's"
medical officer Surgeon Lieutenant R.H.A.Turner Royal Navy,
Ret'd, who was attending to wounded below and the Gunner (T)
Mr.Gedric James Brown Rpyal Navy, were both lost.
63.
All who had reached the surface of the water swam to the shore and a number reached the wreck of the "Clan
MacAlister", which was now resting on her step off Braye after being sunk in one of the above raids. They were later taken off by a motor lighter and transferred to Yard Craft 63 which with a full load of soldiers proceeded for England and after further trials by bombing on passage landed at Dover at 0800 Sunday,
2nd June. One officer swam to the shore and returned via
Dunkirk in a M.A.S.B.
64.
Survivors from "Keith" thus reached England in the
Following ways:-
Rear Admiral Dover and his staff by M.T.B.
Captain, 3 officers and 13 men by yard craft 63.
1 officer and 83 ratings by tug "Vincia": also
H.Q. staff.
2 officers and 20 ratings by scoot "Hilda"
About 7 ratings by "Salamander"
1 officer by M.A.S.B. from Dunkirk after swimming ashore.
There are 3 officers and 33 men lost.
65.
The discipline and cheerfulness of the ship's company was most marked and I consider was due to the personality of my predecessor the late Captain David Simpson R.N. who lost his life while in command of "Keith" about ten days previously, and to all the officers. No credit for this high morale can be attributed to myself as my active command of "Keith" amounted to 48 hours only.
66.
The cause of "Keith's" loss was the heavy enemy dive bombing attacks carried out when the ship's movements were very restricted owing to shoals, magnetic mines and wrecks and to the lack of effective A.A. fire owing to H.A. ammunition having been expended. The conduct of all officers and men was exempliary but it is desired to bring certain officers and men to your notice who from my personal observations were outstandingly forward in the execution of their duty in action under very trying conditions. Recommendations of these officers and ratings are being made in a separate letter.
VICE ADMIRAL
JUL 1940
D
CAPTAIN.
for Dover uy zuyuevote rass and North channel. The night was

Page 22.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Re ommendations of Personnel.
MALCOLM. - Captain Thomas Edgar Halsey. R.N. (Decorated for this operation London Gazette 7th June, 1940
MALCOLM made 8 trips during the period 28th May - 4th
June, one being to the beaches, the remainder to Dunkirk pier, and brought home a total of about 6,400 troops.
MALCOLM was considerably shaken by near misses of bombs and to have kept going to and from Dunkirk daily, except for one night and a day when ordered by Vice Admiral Dover to take a much needed rest, reflects the greatest credit on all officers and men.
Recommendations.
ERS:
Lieutenant Jan Nagle Douglas Cox, R.N. (1st Lieutenant),
Displayed great efficiency in organising the ship for the embarkation and stowage of troops. Although he had so recently joined the ship he obtained the confidence and co-operation of the ship's company.
Boarded S.S. CLAN MACALISTER and displayed gallantry in extinguishing the fire on board which, at the time, it seemed must explode her ammunition storage.
He also rallied CLAN MACALISTER's crew.
Recommended for decoration,
Lieutenant David Barclay Nairne Mellis, R.N.
Showed great ability in navigating between Dunkirk and Dover; on two occasions took the ship alongside at Dunkirk when Captain (D) mistrusted his own judgment and eyesight in the dark owing to fatigue.
Also boarded S.S. CLAN MACALISTER and assisted to extinguish the fire.
Appeared oblivious of any personal danger and positively seemed to enjoy estimating where bombs would hit, wholeheartedly watching them fall.
Recommended for decoration.
Lieutenant Ronald John Robertson, R.A.N.
Admirable organisation and control of signal department. Rendered great assistance to his
Commanding Officer, conducting himself with great coolness on the bridge when under fire.
Recommended for mention.
Mr. Arthur George Scoggins, Warrant Engineer.
Ran his department with great ability in conditions of great difficulty and some peril. The ship had been much shaken by previous bombing as well as that at Dunkirk, causing leaky steam joints, failure of evaporating plant, etc. SO that the average temperature of the Engine Room was between 140° and
150°. In spite of this, no mistakes were made when manoeuvring, though this temperature enormously increased the fatigue of the Engine Room personnel.
After previously warning one of the shortage of distilled water, kept the ship running till last possible moment (rescue feed-tank and 2 boilers run down).
Recommended for decoration

Page 22.
Operation "DYNAMO" - scommendations of Personnel.
M.S. MALCOLM. - Captain Thomas Edgar Halsey, R.N. (Decorated for this operation London Gazette 7th June, 1940)
MALCOLM made 8 trips during the period 28th May - 4th
June, one being to the beaches, the remainder to Dunkirk pier, and brought home a total of about 6,400 troops.
MALCOLM was considerably shaken by near misses of bombs and to have kept going to and from Dunkirk daily, except for one night and a day when ordered by Vice Admiral Dover to take a much needed rest, reflects the greatest credit on all officers and men.
Recommendations.
FFICERS:
Lieutenant Jan Nagle Douglas Cox, R.N. (1st Lieutenant).
Displayed great efficiency in organising the ship for the embarkation and stowage of troops. Although he had so recently joined the ship he obtained the confidence and co-operation of the ship's company.
Boarded S.S. CLAN MACALISTER and displayed gallantry in extinguishing the fire on board which, at the time, it seemed must explode her ammunition storage.
He also rallied CLAN MACALISTER's crew.
Recommended for decoration,
Lieutenant David Barclay Nairne Mellis, R.N.
Showed great ability in navigating between Dunkirk and Dover; on two occasions took the ship alongside at Dunkirk when Captain (D) mistrusted his own judgment and eyesight in the dark owing to fatigue.
Also boarded S.S. CLAN MACALISTER and assisted to extinguish the fire.
Appeared oblivious of any personal danger and positively seemed to enjoy estimating where bombs would hit, wholeheartedly watching them fall.
Recommended for decoration.
Lieutenant Ronald John Robertson, R.A.N.
Admirable organisation and control of signal department. Rendered great assistance to his
Commanding Officer, conducting himself with great coolness on the bridge when under fire.
Recommended for mention.
Mr. Arthur George Scoggins, Warrant Engineer.
Ran his department with great ability in conditions of great difficulty and some peril. The ship had been much shaken by previous bombing as well as that at Dunkirk, causing leaky steam joints, failure of evaporating plant, etc. so that the average temperature of the Engine Room was between 140 and
150. In spite of this, no mistakes were made when manoeuvring, though this temperature enormously increased the fatigue of the Engine Room personnel.
After previously warning one of the shortage of distilled water, kept the ship running till last possible moment (rescue feed-tank and 2 boilers run down).
Recommended for decoration.