TNA ADM 199 795

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CONFIDENTIAL
WRITE ONLY IN THIS COLUMN.
REPORT OF AN INTERVIEW WITH CARTAIN Nada YOUNG
MASTER OF THE S.S. "LEVENWOOD"
SHIPPING CASUALTIES SECTION
TRADE DIVISION
Referred.
11th June, 1940.
2. The Master, Captain Young, showed great initiative
by beaching his ship, getting his boats out and taking off
CAPTAIN YOUNG:
some of the B.E.F. without orders and entirely on his own.
were bound from the Downs to Dunkerque with were a cargo
It is proposed that he be commended.
armed with ensign all the time, The crew, including confidential
of 400 a 12 pounder, a Lewis gun, and a Bren gun. myself, were
tons We of military stores. lie had no wireless but 1/0
3. With regard to the Foreman, R. Moodey, his action
is considered worthy of decoration. He was highly commended
numbered flying an 16 and there were no casualties. The
by the Master.
books are still on board.
Merchant 4. Navy Gunlayer, G. Knight, DB 1130176, Prof. Cert.
The Master was much impressed by the conduct of the
On Friday proceed to Dunkerque, I
31st May, at 6 8,m,, whilst arrived in the Downs, off
No. 5286, and of the two Army Bren Gunners, Robert Walker,
I received at orders 11.30 to a,m,, and as 1 had received no to a instructions spot 2 miles I
L./Corpl. Reg. No. 3857271, and James Fee, Reg. No. 4033936,
Dunkerque initiative. I went slong about, I
The different guns had also
proceeded on my own As there were no small craft off the
both of the Northern Command.
been in frequent action during the previous fortnight while
East of Dunkerque. off our small boats to bring to fetch troops,
anchored I had done and nothing sent with my cargo as my orders were
the ship was lying in the Downs.
troops.
It is considered that these three should also be
while we were at anchor, just after and noon with German our
first
commended.
aeroplanes shot from the came 12 over. pounder we we manned brought the down guns, a plane, which crashed
in the dunes. No anchor help and appeared a naval to launch be coming came and from along immediately small and asked craft, did me 80, so as if I far I
Director of Trade Division.
24th June, 1940.
picked could I beach up the the bridge, ship. blew I said the "Yes" fore-peak tank the and depth got of in water
as ran I could, up: on about mile from the dry-beach, There were still no small craft
reput
at our bows being about own lifeboats 8 feet. down, got and out 4 the men long into the
about, so I put my sent off my Chief Officer surf and collect as many
messenger', boat, It troops as I they told and could them to and when row I would through we started haul the rising, them this back manoeuvre and I to could the to ship. to only the were
working stay was where about against I 2.30 was the until steaming Pome tide, high slow as water, it shead was keeping and I mas her steering head on all the
beach,
We
were
time
Air Div.
DISTRIBUTION
Cdr. D.T.D. Robertson MacDonald, N.I.D.
Rear Admiral Taylor
N.I.D.8.
THE
N.I.D.9. Cdr, Oswald, D.N.O₂,London.
Room 773, Air
Sec. to A.Q.N.S.
Files (2)
D.T.S.D.
Lt.Cdr. Edwards.
rk
Mr. Gleadowe
Mr. Rodger Winn.
ing
Mr. Bays.