TNA ADM 199 795

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Laurno
Deprams 323.
13/34/0/1343
329
3
302
Kingmead,
Riding Mill,
Northumberland.
Friday 7th June, 1940.
Sir,
g
I have the honour to submit the following account of my
movements from Tuesday 28th May until Wednesday 5th June.
On my arrival at Sheerness I found a convoy of sixteen
motor boats being prepared to assist in the evacuation of Flanders.
I took charge of a small boat "LIEBESTRAUM" and we
proceeded for Dover towing whalers, at about 1730 on Tuesday.
About six miles outside Sheerness we broke down and were picked
up by the Trawler "ASAMA" who towed us to Deal and then back to
Ramsgate where we arrived on Wednesday morning.
At Ramsgate I reported on the state of my boat and was
appointed to the Dutch sel boat "JOHANNA" which had a diesel engine
and was capable of about 6 knots. The crew consisted of a Leading
Hand and four ratings and three Dutchmen, who owned the boat and
could not speak English. We set out in convoy that night with a
Motor boat under the Command of a Lieutenant Commander and/other
eel boat commanded by Sub-Lieutenant T.K.Edge-Partington R.N.
Finding the second eel boat only capable of 4 knots the motor boat
left her behind and soon after left me. I had no charts so after
casting around for a bit I secured alongside a ship, the name of
which I did not find out, near the North Goodwin and stayed there
for the night. Sub.Lt.Edge-Partington in the 'Chanticler' with great
determination took his boat across, navigating by an extremely
faulty compass and managed to bring troops back to Dover.
The next morning, Thursday, I returned to Ramsgate and
succeeded in joining up with the Dutch Schoot "Jutland" who towed
me that evening. We had an uneventful crossing and
anchored across about two miles east of Dunkirk at 2330. The Cutter and
Whaler went ashore. The Whaler returned to report that the cutter
was I volunteered to the Captain of the Schoot to go
and see aground. what I could do but before we had got back the Petty Officer
had succeeded in floating the boat.
I could By boats within 100 yards of the shore because
this time the beach was swarming with French soldiers of
the shallowness not get my of the water. I summoned my limited store of French
to aid and with cries of "En Avant mes heros" and "Courage mea
enfants" my tried to tempt them into the water. My efforts first were
unavailing into water took me into the only deep patch for miles
I and so I had to go and fetch them myself. My and I leap
went in the to neck. Struggling out of the hole I waded rush and ashore. I
Seeing up my to my waist the French came on in a This was
board. strong did six trips and brought off about 200 in all, of time the
were quietened enough to get in so my crew and I had to lift each
compelled to them down a bit but when they get to the boats only them a oh few
me only draw up my revolver and brandiah it threateningly.
I had We into the water and get them. At 0230 the Frenchmen Captain on
board the "JOHANNA" as it was a bit choppy and all had to go below.
Schoot to reckoned go it was time to go. I only had ten
They all suffered from sea sickness on the way back.
return to Ramagate I was sent back to Sheerness On in
charge Saturday of a convoy of 12 motor boats all of which reached Ramagate.
my at 1500 I left Sheerness in the Motor boat
old boat On the our "LIEBESTRAUM" and I arrived at 2230 "THARKS" on Friday. in