TNA ADM 199 795

Dyram. 122.
302
279
FROM.... SUB. LT. T.K. EDGE-PARTINGTON. R.N.
DATE
****
6th June, 1940.
TO.... THE COMMODORE-IN-CHARGE, SHEERNESS.
Tuesday, 28th May, 1940,
1830. Left Sheerness in Motor Boat "Vera" which broke down twice during the night, and was eventually towed into Ramsgate on the afternoon of Wednesday, 29th May, 1940.
I was then given command of the converted Dutch Eel boat "CHANTECLER" of 13 tons.
I left Ramsgate at 2200 that evening, in convoy with
"GOLDEN LILY" and "JOHANNA", after about a quarter of an hour we left the convoy as we were only making good 4 knots.
I carried on alone endeavouring to navigate by a compass which So was situated over the engine and which revolved slowly round and round.
arrived off Dunitirk at approx. 0900 on the side 30th, having had We a drifting mine scraping past our Starboard during the night.
We passed before grounding. The soldiers off
Dunkirk wide and proceeded into the waded 3. beach out as far as possible hauled about 30 of them aboard, before shoving of any to us and we course back home. We saw no cloud signs and mist.
and enemy setting aircraft our during the day due to very low
Dunkirk at 1030 and sighted what I to thought find it to be the N. Goodwin Light, so rather than go on up soldiers. I
We left Light at 1800, and steamed on only to Ramagate, was went the into S. Dover Goodwin at 2200 and landed the 30 British
We spent the night at Dover and returned to Ramagate at
1300 on the 31st May.
Ramsgate that evening and returned Hunt. to Sheerness in the Motor I left boat "LIEBESTRAUM" with S/Lt. Carew following afternoon June 1st, 12. I took Te the arrived Notor Yacht at
"ALHENA" round The to Ramagate in a convoy of
1900 and spent the night there.
day, June 2nd, we were informed to that go only in fast craft would "MARLBOROUGH", navigator. Lewis gunners. Captain,
The following be wanted that night, ao I volunteered S/Lt. Don was
S/Lt. the W.O.M/L Pool Cocewain and engineers S/Lt. as Carew and Hunt one N.T.B. one of stoker, the two A.B.'s
We and took two civilians the two R.A.P. from the Treasury!
One civilian, Pollock by name, was invaluable as he spoke fluent French.
at 1930 in company with V.D. the M/L harbour "HAIG"
and arrived We at left Dunkirk Ramagate one at of approx. the inner 2230. piers. We entered Enemy opened aircraft fire with were our flying Lewis gun with tracer and secured over, alongside and, as many other ammunition. ships did, we were shelling the harbour at vicinity. intervals and shells were The exploding Germans at reqular intervals in the

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