TNA ADM 199 795

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298
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COPY.
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To: D.M.O. Admiralty House, Sheerness.
between I
From: Lt.Cmdr. W.R.T. Clements, R.N.R.
Tabro edd modull
1982
E
JSTO
1A
to ogzado mt
The Dutch motor vessel "TILLY" was taken over
tosta eill
at Tilbury on 25/5/40 by Lt.Cmdr. W.R.T.Clements, R.N.R.,
no Dre Tister to two asw
Lt. L. Holman, R.N.V.R. and 9 naval ratings. She was
duby Date eitheo cald
taken to Sheerness to load stores and thence to an
anchorage in the Downs where she arrived at 1035 on 27/5/40.
or ti about nolds
At 1500 orders were received to proceed to Dunkirk.
How
It is remarkable that no instructions were given regarding
twods to bre Tooke The odd
the reason for sailing to Dunkirk and save that we had
Belim S doods nedi7
received on board lifebelts and life-rafts sufficient for
ellangia BBW I Isseev Jdgld
about 450 people we had no idea what was required of
ПРТОЙ end to syreds at ...И.Я
us on arrival. It was clear, however, that at that
odd 8d BB7
time the operation was of a highly secret nature. We
Jail asw Date HOBIN
CHETH 008 toods DIST eredT-
namely by the West Hinder, Dyck and Middelkirk Bank
proceeded on the route given to us at the time of sailing,
has
8 or 9 miles from Dunkirk we observed two large hospital
buoys. At about 2200 having reached a position about
stoted got ald 03
Distts 887 oH .leasev
ships escorted by an armed merchant cruiser coming from
the direction of Dunkirk. These vessels had overtaken
Nate broo belod
earlier in the day. A morse signal was therefore
at mon эдо duode imaga
us received from the armed merchant 0 uiser to the
dycone vieied the
following thereupon effect :- "Dunkirk has fallen and is in enemy with
no.id I
twode to
hands. Keep other small motor vessels, and at this time one R.N.R. of
clear". We had set out in company
exoted
some five in charge of t.Barwell, R.N. and Hutchinson, the rest
bruot I sToM add
those about mile distant on the starboard beam and towards
sloM odd anoie gatus
was astern. No thereupon altered course
Delas bre offor edd osno
Lt. After consideration as to the proper I was
was Barwell's further vessel and repeated to him by morse action the signal
.516 or dolde
тейте
bris
at
wholly ignorant be useless to attempt to
to take in of what was required of me if proceed. I get I
received. the circumstances I considered that as could
add
TO
also to Dunkirk observed it would that the armed merchant cruiser and hospital
ejegament
benefits
ships continued on their homeward course.
near, the ship On the passage back we R.N., and the
Shortly was put about to return to came the up with for
afterwards when the Nieuport Buoy Downs was
(5g8)
.I.H
"Brendaris" further orders. in charge the of Commander information Euman, we had and received. intended He
stated informed he him had also received of the same information
returning to the Downs for orders.
On orders 29/5/40 were received to proceed owing to to in
at 1735 whilet lying at anchor Dunkirk off
Deal order information Pier to evacuate received troops. the previous report At this on evening voyage time, No. from 1) an we minutes armed thought
merchant cruiser (see my hands of the enemy. Ten half dozen
later we small have motor up vessels we proceeded was by on buoys our '0', IV'
that Dunkirk was in anchor the and, followed by some voyage. and
other The route taken on off this Dunkirk occasion at about waited 2300 near and the observed
'W'. We arrived flames. We to entrance enter
for that the the best town part was of in an hour further considering to the whether Nastward in an
attempt the harbour to take or to soldiers proceed off the beach. We then proceeded
$