TNA ADM 199 xxx

CONFIDENTIAL
23.6
331.
- 232
To Vice Admiral Dover.
Date. 12th. June 1940.
From Commanding Officer H.N.S.Speedwell.
Evacuation of Allied Forces from Dunkirk recommendations.
Submitted,
The following recomendations in connection with the evacuation of the Allied Forces from Dunkirkare forwarded for favourable consideration.
Recommended to De awarded the D.S.C.
Lieutenant Robert Archibald Vallings R.N.R., for outstanding coolness, courage and devotion to duty in carrying out the embarkation of troops from La Panne beach on 1st. June 1940.
Lieut. Vallings went away in Speedwells noter boat and towed her whalers to and fro from ship to shore also on many occasions he towed boats from other ships. The boats were under machine gun fire from the air on many occasions and the beach was under continuous shell fire. It was due to Lieut.
Vallings coolness and complete disregard of danger that so many of the troops were embarked sucessfully.
Lieut. Vallings also did outstandingly good whilst embarking French Troops at Dunkirk under very trying conditions on the nights June 2nd. - 3rd. and June 3rd - 4th.
To be recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal:-
CH/J.22075, Cobley, Albert William, Chief Petty consistant devotion to duty. On the morning of June 1st.1940
Officer, Pensioner 24415. For outstanding ability, coolness and was realised that another hand was required, and under the very
C.P.O.Cobley voluntarily went away in the ships whaler when it trying conditions of heavy machine gun fire, was responsible La beach, the eventually, the boat sank under him. Throughout for embarking of a large number of B.E.F.troops at Panne the also operation outstanding the work whilst embarking French troops June at until, beach was being heavily shelled.C.P.O.Cobley
Dunkirk, did under very trying conditions on the nights of
2nd,- 3rd. and June 3rd. - 4th.
and consistant Royal devotion to duty.On the /1940
Seaman, Fleet Reserve.For outstanding morning ability,coolness of June 1st.
CH/J.106164, Holden, Stanley Robert, Leading

CONFIDENTIAL
- 235
Dynamso 331
To Vice Admiral Dover.
Date. 12th. June 1940.
From Commanding Officer H.H.S.Speedwell.
Evacuation of Allied Forces from Dunkirk - recomendations.
Submitted,
The following recon endations in connection with the evacuation of the Allied Forces from Dunkirkare forwarded for favourable consideration.
Recommended to DO awarded the D.S.C.
Lieutenant Robert Archibald Vallings B.N.R., for outstanding coolness, courage and devotion to duty in carrying out the embarkation of troops from La Panne beach on 1st. June 1040.
Lieut. Vallings vent may in Speedwells noter boat and towed her whalers to and fro from ship to shore also on many occasions he towed boats from other ships. The boats were under machine an fire from the air on many occasions and the beach was under continuous shell fire.It was due to Lieut.
Vallings coolness and complete disregard of danger that so many of the troops were enbarked sucessfully.
Lieut. Vallings also did outstandingly good whilst enbarking French Troops at Dunkirk under very trying conditions on the nights June 2nd. - Srd. and June 3rd - 4th.
To be recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal:-
CH/J.22075, Cobley, Albert Billiam, Chief Petty consistant devotion to duty. On the morning of June 1st.1940
Officer, Pensioner 24415. For outstanding ability, coolness and was realised that another hand was required, and under the very
C.P.O. Cobley voluntarily went away in the ships whaler when it trying conditions of heavy machine gun fire, was responsible operation the beach was being heavily Cobley beach, until, eventually, the boat senk under him. Throughout the for the embarking of a large number of B.E.F.troops at La Panne also did outstanding work whilst enbarking French troops at
Dunicirk, under very trying conditions on the nights of June
2nd,- Srd. and June Srd. - 4th.
CH/J.106164, Holden, Stanley Robert, Leading and consistant devotion to duty.On the norning of June /1940 1st.
Seaman, Royal Fleet Reserve. or outstanding ability,coolness

Can
237
(3)
CJ.110503,Lee,John Stuart, Able Seemon, Royal Fleet Reserve.
For outstanding ability, initiative, coolness and devotion to duty in his capacity as Gunlayer OZ the after 4.0" H.A.Cun, and also when going alongside H.M.S. Ivanhoe on June Ist.1040.
Able Seaman Lee also showed gront devotion to duty when embarking French troops on the nights of June 2nd.-Srid.and
June 8 3rd.mith.
During the embarkation of troops from La Panne and Dunkirk the whole of the ship's company of H.ll. Speedwell performed their daties in a nost satisfactory namer and it has been found extremely difficult to single cut any but the above mentioned individuals. It is considered that the Engine
Room dopartment as a whole are deserving of the highest praise for their consistant coolness and devotion to duty.
2th.
VICE ADMIRA
THE COMMANDING OFFICER
17 JUN 1940
15 JUN 1940
*
*
DOVER
H.M.S." SPEEDWELL"

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250
sailing barges "Glenway", "Lark" and "Spurgeon" similarly loaded were towed over by the tugs "Persia" and "Cervia".
Lt. Comdr. R.G. Wardrop and Lieut. F.H. Whalley R.N.R. returned from
Dunkirk and reported back for duty on the Commodore's staff.
JUNE 1st, The C in C of the B.E.F. Lord Gort arrived at Admiralty
Pier at 0605.
The tugs "SunX1", "Sun X11", "Sun V11", 'Océan Cock", "Challenge"
"Crested Cock", and "Fairplay 17 with one sailing barge in tow left for Dunkirk. The tugs were intended to assist disabled craft and carried out this duty off the Belgian coast until they were forced back by heavy air attack.
Numerous motor boats left the Prince of Wales Pier for Dunkirk beaches in tow of drifters.
H.M.S. "Harvester" and "Salamander" arrived with extensive damage sustained during the night operations and repairs were at once carried out by H.M.S. "Sandhurst". At midnight enemy air craft attempted to lay magnetic mines off the Harbour. Mines were laid outside before the raiders were driven off by anti-aircraft fire. The mines were swept up during the morning.
At 2130 the troops transport "Maid of Orleans" was badly damaged by collision in the Harbour. Several of the troops were thrown into the water but all were rescued by the tugs who happened to be in the vicinity.
JUNE 2nd. The tug "Sun X1" towed in the self-propelled lighters
Sherfield" and "YeC. 63" with troops on board. At 1430 the tugs coastal 87", and five motor-bosts in tow for the Dunkirk beaches.
"Foremost "Sun X", 'Sun X1", and "Fairplay 1" sailed with six
The tug life-boats Brassey" proceeded to the assistance of H.M.S. The "Mona's
Isle" "Lady received severe damage from enemy bombs. tug
X11", and "Ocean 22" Cock" refused to go owing to their lack of protection.
"Foremost which had sailed at 2000 for Dunkirk. The tugs "Sun V11", "Sun
JUNE the day troops were arriving in "Glenway" the Harbour returned in all from of craft. beaches filled with soldiers, in the got channel.
kinds 3rd. During The sailing barges "H.A.C." and who had them off and sailed the Dunkirk them until they were picked boats. up by tug
Some No troops came in Belgian to the fishing Dunkirk beaches on account Base made of a the quantity of brows "Halcyon", "Speedwell", brows were used with strong easterly wind. and ladders which were put "Vega", "Princess "Venimous", boats could be sent During the day the Repair aboard H.M.S.
"Vanquisher", "Express", and "Malcolm". The numbers of troops
Elixabeth", splendid effect "Sutton" at Dunkirk Mole and large were brought off during the night.
JUNE 4TH. Tugs "Sun V11", and "Sun X11" left towing H.M.S. "Bideford"
On completion of the up for the passage and following to days every to Portsmouth for repairs. operation of disembarking their troops Home from Ports Dunkirk and destroyers were patched During this day small craft, barges, endeavour subsequently was sailed. made to return the numerous lighters and tugs to their Ports.
NOTES.
ASUALTIES.
During the this H.M.S.
10th to Port, June of 4th whom a "Sandhurst" total of dealt.wistely 6,880 wounded were and over 60 suffering from shock and
50 dead.
EFECTS.
The 26 Repair Base and H.M.S. "Sandhurst" by bomb and holes splinters temporarily rigging. in them and ai a suffered repaired craft cannon. damage also the