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DRAFT.
Naval Officer in could be
Sir,
Gentlemen, e defects,
I have to acknowledge receipt unsuitable. Also, ded that some of your letter dated or lack of power after standing by n the Dunkirk ed on ild
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Sir,
Gentlemen, e defects,
I have to acknowledge receipt unsuitable." Also,
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enclosing report on the Dunkirk
Opera far as your took se Operations, and to
S.
w
18
information which yo mmander Le
Dear Mr. Rip HOURS
gh to obtain. Supply. It ineer of
S report will be
French soldiers h is & Dynams etc
D. Currie report Selby:-
is a member of number 1 was
11
that R.N.P.S. time - has since crews joined at
4
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Mr
He was signed there
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: has had no money.
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een of these
77 WILL
known was in
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home

DRAF T.
to bills
7 Naval Officer in onts could be ha
Sir,
Gentlemen,
44/STN12.
I have to acknowledge receipt defects, unsuitable." ded Also, your letter dated that some of enclosing report on the Dunkirk after standing by or lack of power
Led on
Operations insofar as your uld annam may care kin to took part in these Operations, and to thirty through thank you for the information which yo have been good enough to obtain. Supply.
mmander Le
3
is efroct couly which ineer of
It the and heat anticipated that this report will be
French soldiers value in compiling the final report if Selby:-
his to an red.
will be drawn up on these Operations, the halen any to
I am, etc., for D. of S.T.
the aclet.
go in her, use as a as a stock and there hh 26/9/10
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home
2150
/Before

Officer in could be oney ha nt that ed go
11th June, 19
In accordance with last nights instruction I am sending a report e
the fishing fleet from the Eastern District sent for the evacuation of th tish
Expeditionary Force.
ed on
On 30th May, shortly before 1700, I received your telephone messa so, of ould all boats capable of crossing the English Channel should be ordered to at once. I at once got in touch with suitable persons, usually the Cd wer
Hannam g
thirty of statistics, at different points round the coast and explained to th extreme urgency of the situation. Contact with the different stations established as under:-
Wells.
1700.
Yarmouth.
1915.
Leigh-on-Sea.
1710.
Maldon.
1935.
Harwich.
1730.
Burnham.
1940.
Deben Estuary.
1740.
West Mersea.
1945,
Sheringham.
1800.
Orford.
2010.
Brightlingsea.
1805.
At some stations it was evident that the Naval Authorities were also II
in the same matter and yachts were also being detailed. Early in the day
Lieut. Cator, R.N.V.R., from the Small Vessels Pool had visited Lowestoft a
Yarmouth to select yachts and I remained in touch with him during his visit.
the evening I visited Kessingland and found that the boats, mostly with car a
engines and no reverse gear, were unsuitable for the service. This also ap to Aldeburgh. At 2110 Mr. Hannah notified that the two large Sheringham Whll boats had sailed. There was no discussion of terms or conditions. The sed fishermen simply knew they were urgently wanted and they had a pretty good id why. Some left for Lowestoft immediately they came ashore from the fishing grounds. Early on the morning of June 1st I reported on the situation to N.O
Lowestoft as the little ships had to be routed, supplied with fuel and etc. by all him. He asked me to take full charge of the operations. This simplified th work and by noon 16 vessels from stations to the North of and including Lowes were ready for the first stage of their journey complete with petrol, paraffi water and 4 days provision. These sailed at 1420. Others were standing b as under orders but were eventually not required. The vessels from stations of Lowestoft came for the most part under direct orders from local naval authorities. Lists of all vessels advised by our various representatives in the attached schedules.
La
Volunteers for crews were not lacking and it is of passing interest tha youngest volunteer was 141, a Coastguard' S son Peter Haines, a sea scout, and the eldest man was 73 (Mr. C.A. Pegg). The latter has now returned to his crab fishing and the Coastguard's son has been appointed messenger to the 1st. Lieut,
Naval Base, here. In view of the difficulty likely to be experienced by the fishermen when dealing with the Naval Authority at Harwich and Ramsgate it was
B
agreed that Mr. Graham should accompany the party. This proved a most
Later satisfactory arrangement and his handling of the variety of problems which arose
200
called the highest praise from the fishermen. The following is his report:-
9th J
1030
"We left Lowestoft for Harwich at 1420 on 1st June in a group of sixteen
Rose boats. T. Nielsen of Wells was Chief Skipper. The subsequent movements of these
Q. &
sixteen vessels are known up to the time they reached home ports again. It will
10th 1820. June be some time before the movements of vessels from other stations are fully known and reported by local fishery officers. One vessel, the "Boy Fred" HH.15, was in
Minist company with my party for operations from 5th - 7th June.
1300.
The following narrative of the movements of the sixteen and the "Boy Fred" is
All V
constructed from my log and from records in the Fishery Office.
rts, exc
1st June.
T.O. Har
Tony L.N.40 (Leader), Malvina L.N.15, Bessie LN.16, 8. and JJ. LN.88.
1420 Left Lowestoft.
Rose LN.76.
Little Admiral LN.85, all of Wells.
Ace, IN.27.
Aunty Guss IN.29,
Jane Hannah IN.98, of Blakeney.
Rose LN.19, Seagull LN.203, Amity LN.47, of Brancaster.
Edna YH.119, Liberty II YH.104, of Sheringham.
Narcissa IT.38, Winston LY.142, of Lowe toft. ich.
2000 Spoke to Examination Vessel of
2150 Moored in Harwich

Sanders Navments and od thenight could money hat that so
- 2
2nd June.
Several vessels were found to have developed serious engine defects, nd
.ed
OZ
ng to the long passages, for which some of the engines were unsuitable. Also, bulden consultation with Naval Authorities at Harwich it was decided that some of
Han the craft were not likely to be useful, owing to age, small size, or lack of power the
Fine vessels were selected to continue the voyage to Ramsgate and after standing for orders these nine vessels proceeded.
1255. Left Harwich harbour.
Ace (Leader) Q. and J.J., Rose (LN.76), Bessie, Malvina,
Jane Hannah, Amity,
Narcissa,
Winston.
2010. Entered Ramsgate.
3rd June.
On request four vessels and crews volunteered for service in Commander Le
Mesurier's opration; but finally were not required. Warton, engineer of
Narcissa, tool part in Vice-Admiral Taylor's operation.
4th June.
0930. Eght vessels and "Boy Fred" HH.15 took part in landing French soldiers from troopshis at anchor outside in the fog.
1100. Fllowing vessels selected for operations under Captain Selby:-
Ace, Bessie Rose, Q. & J.J., Malvina, Narcissa, Winston, Boy Fred.
The folloing men volunteered to go in the vessels:-
Bessie
T.lielsen.
Rose
R.
Pegg
Ace C. Warton
W.1. Cox
J. Bishop
M. Graham
W. Long
J. Barnes
Narcissa Albrow.
T.E. Scotte:and J.T. Greengrass not required.
Later on le Jane Hannah was also taken and G. Long was anxious to go in her, bu was not ruired.
General sisfaction was expressed with the work of the volunteers and there wer no casualies.
5t₂ June.
Aperationn progress. Malvina and Winston were discarded in Dover,
Q. & J.J. in msgate and Jane Hannah was brought in so that six vessels were used:-
Jane Hanna Bessie, Rose, Boy Fred,
Narcissa,
Ace.
6th June.
Operation ompleted.
7th June.
Heard "JanHannah" had been lost. Reported loss of "Jane Hannah" and damage to all her vessels to S.T.
1530. Le: Dover.
Narcissa (lader).
Bessie towig Ace.
of
Rose towingMalvina.
Boy Fred toing Winston.
Later Narcissa ad to take both Boy Fred and Winston in tow.
2200. Arrved Ramsgate.
8th June.
1045.
Left Ramsgate.
a
Narcissa (lealer). Q. & J.J.
Rose and Malvina towing Winston.
Bessie towing Ace.
Amity.
Later Narcissa helped tow Winston.
2000. Arrivel Harwich.
9th June.
don
1030. Left Harwich.
Rose (leader) with Narcissa, Bessie, Ace, Malvina, Winston all in tow and
Q. & J.J., Amity, Aunty Guss.
1820. Arrived Lowestoft.
10th June.
Ministry of Shipping surveyors visited vessels and noted the damage.
1300. Vessels proceeded to home ports.
All vessels named in this report have been reported as having reached their home rts, except the Boy Fred. This boat was left in Ramsgate on 8th June and
T.o. Harwich was notified that evening. He promised to inform her owner.
M. GRAHAM.
/Before

YORK
AGE
text e-row
NOS
ASSOTE
1898
OFFICE
&
the
GREAT
AGIS
in gaire
- 3 -
SLB
were
Y
Before the boats left I arranged with Commander A.L. Sanders Naval Officer in
70 Lowestoft for an advance of £200 to me so that some cash payments could be to these fishermen suddenly taken out of their daily earnings. The money ha accounted for in detail on the appropriate naval account form and the in view maistry of Shipping has been advised of the advances. I am informed tonight that ne Sea Transport Department is sending out a circular letter to all concerned so that they can make claims for their services.
Wilth the loss of only one boat and a few small damages the operation can be considered to have been a great success so far as boats were concerned which came from north of Lowestoft. This is attributéd to the ceaseless work put in by
Mr. Graham, Mr. Jay and Mr. Macmillan; work involving all night attendance at the office on May 31/June 1st as it was originally intended the little ships should sail at dawn June 1st. The fishermen's only regret is that they were not called on earlier so their long experience of working boats to an inch on flat beaches could have been better utilised. I would like official thanks to be sent to Major Hannam of the Salvation Army Hostel, who on my appeal at once found beds and fed some thirty fishermen making them most comfortable.
The a
ced as am onl
Dey
(805) 00 Hormoes exp

ADVANCE
sent ath
Fountain Court, kingham Palace Road,
1.1.
5 - DEC 1940
th. November, 1940.
RECEIVED 28 NOV 1940 16
Berkeley Square,
S.W.1.
Your reference:-
T.0.9144/STN.6B.
Dear Sir,
As I explained in my letter to you under your reference as above, due to circumstances beyond my control there would be some delay in furnishing you with a rough log in respect of the motor yacht 'Advance' and the part played with her at Dunkirk.
The necessary particulars have d
now come to hand and I have much pleasure in red enclosing them herewith.
Trusting that the enclosed will be of assistance to you,
I am, as
Yours faithfully, anick
C.P.Dick.
On medical attention.
спеу transferreu cue r
a that day's day, rest. so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them and reaching Dunkirk but were unable to Following remove this they again went were to allowed Dunkirk to and England. bombing, there were none any on troops the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned

ADVANCE
Letter
25, Fountain Cairt,
Buckingham Palace Road,
S.W.1.
27th. November, 1940.
RECEIVED 28 NOV 1940 18
Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
S.W.1.
Your reference:-
T.O.9144/STN.6B.
Dear Sir,
As I explained in my letter to you under your reference as above, due to circumstances beyond my control there would be some delay in furnishing you with a rough log in respect of the motor yacht 'Advance' and the part played with her at Dunkirk.
The necessary particulars have now come to hand and I have much pleasure in enclosing them herewith.
Trusting that the enclosed will be of assistance to you,
I am,
You rs faithfully, Mick
C.P.Dick.
medical men, attention. whom they transferreu on loue r
and but a that day's were day, rest. unable so Daylight to rourned remove again reaching and were allowed Dunkirk to England. bombing, there were none any on troops the beach, as, owing went so they to to shelling Dunkirk returned

LOG
of
Motor Boat
"Advance"
on a Voyage From Teddington,
To Ramsgate.
Via Sheerness,
Dover, and Dunkirk.
Departed 27th May 1940.
Arrived 30th May 1940.
M/B. "Advance"
Builder
Vosper.
Designer
Fred Cooper.
40ft. X llft. 6in.
Engine
Thorneycroft RB/6. (petrol) 140 h.p.
The in their pockets was on
120 men, whom they transferred **** to a richer loue medical attention.
or that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk but a day's rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling to England.
bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned

THE
"ADVANCE"
Preliminary.
27 May. 1630 hrs. Informed by telephone that the Admiralty had taken over "Advance" and that we were to go at once to
Teddington to remove any private gear remaining on board Did so.
1830 hrs. At Teddington we were told that about ten other boats had also been taken over and that there was a shortage of crews.
Asked if we would be able to take the boat down to
Sheerness the following morning, starting not later than 0730 hrs.
we agreed. After a ranging for fuel, oil and battery attention, we returned to London for the night, by road.
28 May. 0700 hrs. Arrived at Teddington, bringing with us a sandwich lunch, as no china, cutlery or cooking utensils had been left on board.
0730 hrs. Weather fine, but with slight tendency to drizzle.
Wind slight.
Slipped and proceeded. Nothing of note until 1130 hrs.
Hailed by R.E.S. launch off Woolwich Pier, and given a pass to enter Sheerness Dockyard, also instructions to do so via the
Swatchway.
1330 hrs. Arrived Sheerness and made fast the inner basin, as instructed, among a large assortment of other small craft. Went ashore to report arrival.
1350 hrs. Left Dockyard and went to Lord Nelson Hotel for refreshment and to enquire about transport back to London.
NOTE:
At this time, we had no idea what the boats were wanted for and had not even heard of the Belgian defection. In the Lord Nelson we got into conversation with an officer, and told him of the boat we had just brought down, and that we were anxious to serve in some capacity, if possible together, and in the boat with which we were familiar.
He suggested that we might try his own section (Boom Defence)
and that while on the spot we should go and see the officer concerned, to whom he would introduce us.
We did so, and were told that while he could make no use of our services, he knew who could. We telephoned Admiral Taylor, to whom we were taken.
After some questioning, we were signed on (H.M.S. Wildfire) as
The in their pockets was on
120 men, whom they transferred **** to a cue medical attention.
or
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed a day's rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk but were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling and bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned to England.

"ADVANCE"
Preliminary.
2.
follows:- C.P. Dick, Charge Hand; E.H. Piercy, Engineer-Deckhand;
K.C. McGuffie, Cook-Deckhand.
We drew Provisions, (But nothing with which to cook, eat, or even open them: see above), Water, Steel Helmets, Oilskins, Seaboots and Petrol.
We also took advantage of a slight pause to clean out the filters and carburettors, as the boat had been standing at Teddington for nearly three months.
28 May. 1600 hrs. Fuel, Stores etc. on board. Picked up a whaler, and left Sheerness with orders to stand off until a convoy was made up and then proceed to Dover.
00/
1630 hrs. Eight other boats (with whalers) formed up and proceeded. 'Advance' number two in line. 'Advance', so far as could be seen, the only boat with no Naval Officers or ratings on board.
Nothing of note, other than the difficulty of keeping station owing to widely varying powers and speeds of different boats, bad towing of empty and unsteered whalers, behind launches in some cases little larger than their tows, and the unfamiliarity of most other crews with their craft.
2230 hrs. N.Foreland abeam. Cloudy dark night, but good visibility. Leader showing stern light, but otherwise all blacked out.
1259 hrs. Between Ramsgate and Deal. Leader's stern light failed. After this had some difficulty in following; some other boats failed to do so.
(Note) 'Advance' had own charts, but no compass.
29 May. 0300 hrs. Leader, 'Advance' and River passenger launch arrived in Dover Outer Harbour, and made fast alongside a Destroyer moored to buoys. After making fast we were rammed by Leader, apparently owing to defective astern clutches. (Later found two frames cracked on port side.)
0330 hrs. Instructed to move into Submarine Basin, where we refueled, and rested (a little). And those who had the wherewithall breakfasted.
0600 hrs. An Officer came along the jetty, and at last told us what we were wanted to do. - That it would be dangerous but was very important, and that we should have ample support from the
R.A.F. - We were also given the opportunity of going ashore, in their pockets was
The medical 120 men, attention. whom they transferred to a richer on cue or a that day's day, rest. so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching and Dunkirk and but were bombing, unable to Following remove any this troops they again went were to allowed Dunkirk to England. there were none on the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned

3.
"ADVANCE"
Preliminary.
and leaving the boats to be taken over by Naval or other crews.
The (Trades Union?) crew of the passenger launch 'Queen Boadicea'
took advantage of this offer (apparently being more concerned with their 'dues' than with their duty).
NOTE:
The remaining boats which had left Sheerness with us, and had dropped out during the night, arrived at intervals during the morning; except one which had been sunk in collision; her crew, however, had been picked up and were redistributed.
0645 hrs. Fine clear morning, no wind. Slipped and proceeded
29/5
in company with other boats, again following Leader as No. Two.
Led Convoy for a short time, while Leader was investigating a straggler with carburettor trouble.
9
Nothing else of note, so we were able to get a little sleep on turns, and dry clothing in the sun.
0900 hrs. Found old hacksaw blade in a locker and so were able to open tin of beef, and make sandwiches.
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
29 May. 1130 hrs. Realised that cloud-bank observed ahead was actually smoke from burning town.
1200 hrs. Fairly close in, turned East, parallel with Coast line.
1230 hrs. Approaching Dunkirk. Two enemy aircraft believed to be J.U.87's dived on convoy and machine gunned it. No casualties or important damage noticed, but 'Advance' signal mast carried away.
(Apparently by under-carriage of second machine).
NOTE:
A good deal of wreckage about, also sunken ships and crashed aeroplanes. A lot of firing going on. Passed a moored hulk, flying
French flag and mounting several AA-guns, firing a good deal at no very apparent target.
Saw aeroplane (unidentified) dive into sea and explode, some distance out.
Saw what appeared to be several fires on the beach. (Was later told that they were exhausts of torpedoes from a British Destroyer, set on fire during the morning.)
in their pockets was
The medical 120 men, whom they transferred **** to a on attention.
lcue or a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching Dunkirk but were rest. Following this they again and were allowed to and England. bombing, unable there to were remove none any on troops the beach, as, owing went so they to to shelling Dunkirk returned

"ADVANCE"
DUNK IRK.
4.
1300 hrs. Approached a large merchant ship (on fire) with a
Destroyer alongside, for more detailed instructions. Told to get as many men as possible from the beach to the waiting ships.
Proceeded to do so.
Took 'Advance' as close in as seemed safe, Piercy and McGuffie away in whaler. Whaler broached to and swamped on reaching beach;
as two men only, not enough to handle her in slight surf caused by other ships wash and bombs.
The troops at this time rather disorganised, not only units, but nationalities being mixed. Saw a French Officer, on a horse, making great efforts to obtain order, (later "The Frenchman on the Horse"
seemed to become almost a landmark).
10
Eventually Piercy and McGuffie, assisted by a French Interpreter
Officer (Capt. de Gailis) succeeded in getting whaler partially emptied of water, loaded and under way. Taken in tow by Dick in
'Advance'.
Proceeded alongside Destroyer, and troops embarked therein.
Returned to beach for more. Shortly after we left this
Destroyer appeared to be hit by one or more bombs.
Troops in rather better order by now, so got second boat-load off without much trouble.
On third trip managed to get 'Advance' close enough in for men to wade or swim out, in addition to those picked up by whaler. (Some
Naval Ratings in this party). On the way out, the whaler fouled some submerged obstruction, was holed, overturned and sank. Picked up all but three men, who were rescued by a motor pontoon.
Took our men out to a drifter. (Two Ratings remaining with us).
On the way back to the beach, picked up another whaler, empty and abandoned, but apparently intact. Piercy and two ratings took it in, filled up, and returned. Took it in tow and went alongside a
Destroyer to unload.
While we were there, and troops were climbing up nettings hung over her side, aircraft dived from behind clouds, and the Destroyer suddenly went ahead, presumably on orders, carrying away our lines and also the whalers tow rope. Three or four men were seen to fall over-board, some being crushed between the Destroyer's side and
'Advance' port quarter.
After getting 'Advance' under control again we could only see one
Cio
VIID
120 in their pockets was
The medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French on cue
J
a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching Dunkirk but were rest. unable to Following this they again and went were to allowed to England. there were none on the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned and bombing, remove any troops Dunkirk

"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
5.
man floating, so went to pick him up; McGuffie remaining in whaler in charge of her and the remaining troops. Piercy and a gun-layer who had remained with us, (name unknown) had some difficulty in getting this man on board, as he was wearing full equipment and a great-coat; so Dick left the wheel temporarily to help. The man turned out to be a middle-aged infantry Captain, and appeared to have a broken thigh. He fainted after we got him on board.
Went alongside an escort vessel and got the man on to a stretcher and on board her, assisted by two ratings who remained with us afterwards.
McGuffie had also got the whaler alongside this vessel, and had unloaded his men, so took him in tow, and returned to the beach to fill up again. Did not take 'Advance' close in, as we had touched several times, previously, and were worried about possible damage to propeller, etc.
As we got clear again great aerial activity began, so decided that it would be safer to keep clear of all ships for the time being. Stood out.
A bomb fell close to our starboard side, shaking us considerably;
when we had got to our feet again,we saw that, though there were no casualties, the whaler's seams had opened up, owing to the concussion, and she was sinking rapidly. Stopped and took the men out of her and abandoned.
Without the tow, we could make better speed away from the bombed area, and were able to investigate the damage to 'Advance'.
She appeared to have been considerably strained, and was making a certain amount of water but the only hole found was about six or eight inches above the water-line.
After things had quietened a little, returned and got out men into a transport.
After this we made no attempt to use a boat of our own, but picked up anything we could find near the beach, whalers, pontoons, rafts, shore boats, and even bathing floats and canoes; taking the men from them to the nearest ship of any sort that we could find. (Including a heavily laden motor boat (broken down) from one of H.M. Ships.)
After several trips of this sort, we realised that we had drifted rather far to the East, i.e. into Belgium, so we picked up several pontoons with a view to towing them further West, to where they
SHOTO
120 in their pockets was
The medical men, attention. whom they transferred express to a French Trawler on due that day's day, rest. so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching and Dunkirk but a were unable to Following remove this they again went were to allowed Dunkirk to and England. bombing, there were none any on troops the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned

BEE
BAT
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
6.
appeared to be more needed.
While we were doing this, we were hailed by a Destroyer and came alongside. We were instructed to take on board a portable radio transmitting set, and two operators and to land them at a certain place. (Signal Station at La Panne, not marked on our chart, but readily visible on land).
Embarked signalman and equipment.
Cast off pontoons etc. so that they would, as far as possible, drift onto beach near troops and so be of further use.
Picked up another whaler, and while doing so, passed close to a transport using her remaining boat to evacuate troops from a crowded paddle steamer recently bombed; aground and with her after part on fire.
Went as close to beach as possible, transferred signalmen and radio to whaler, and slipped them near "The Frenchman on the Horse".
Their plan was to get a volunteer party of soldiers to carry their gear, and to leave the boat to be used by troops.
By this time (late afternoon), we had no electrical circuits and no instruments (other than engine oil pressure, and water temperature)
still working, so we stood off and dipped the fuel tanks by hand. -
Found that there was only a small reserve over what we should need to make the English coast again (about 40 galls.) Still making water through strained chines - Neither hand nor power bilge -
pumps working (probably owing to leaks in suction lines)- Decided it was advisable to return to England soon, without passengers.
29 May. 2045 hrs. Found one of the boats which had started with us from Dover, still afloat and functioning. We had seen several others beached or abandoned at various times, including the original Leader.
Reported to Lieutenant Garside, R.N.V.R. in command, as the only available officer.
It appeared that he was in much the same state as ourselves, except that he had a compass. Neither of us had charts which showed minefields, etc., nor had we any other aids to navigation.
Agreed that be should endeavour to make Ramsgate, towing a whaler which he still had; 'Advance' to follow, keeping as much reserve fuel as possible in cans, in case we had to abandon during the night.
One of Leader's crew found an empty tin so we came alongside cue cloths TO
The in their pockets was explouing.
n medical 120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawier 102
ue attention.
that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk but a day's rest. Following this they again went to to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they sholling returned

BEE
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
7.
and collected it and managed to boil water and make some tea, one can full of which we passed back.
NOTE:
'Advance' had a built in pressure stove which had not been removed at Teddington, and luckily there was a little paraffin left in it. This was the first hot drink we ('Advance') had had for over thirty six hours.
Nothing else of note, but fires on French coast were visible for some time after dark as we went away. Judging from flashes and tracer seen there was a good deal of air raiding.
2230 hrs. Piercy and McGuffie below to try and rest. Dick and gunlayer remaining on bridge. Following Leader at 4 - - 5
knots: no lights.
30 May. 0001 hrs. Dick handed over to gunlayer and went below to rouse McGuffie, who went up to take over. Dick resting.
NOTE: McGuffie unable to see sufficiently in dark, so gunlayer at wheel, McGuffie standing by controls etc.
0400 hrs. Patches of mist. Land sighted to port. Dick and Piercy called.
Went alongside Leader to consult. Gunlayer thought he had recognised Deal, but Lt. Garside said he had not expected to make the English coast for about another hour, he was very doubtful about his compass and was afraid it might be some part of the
French coast. (Presumably Occupied).
Decided to carry on cautiously keeping land to port.
0430 hrs. Mist thickening. Sighted large motor boat to starboard. Gunlayer thought he made out German Ensign but no-one else could be sure. She avoided us and disappeared in the mist.
0445 hrs. High land visible ahead and on both sides. Decided to anchor and wait for full daylight, and possible lifting of fog.
0445 hrs. Leader attempted to drop anchor but found only about
4 ft. of water so stood out a little and re-anchored in about
8 ft. 'Advance' made fast alongside.
McGuffie and gunlayer managed to start stove again, and make tea and cocoa.
us cue cloths TO
The in their pockets was exploding.
n medical 120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawler 102
ue attention.
that day, so they returned to England, and were Dunkirk
Daylight prevented them reaching and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk but a day's rest. Following this they again went to allowed to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they shelling returned

BEE
BAT
LIETTER SENTH
CHAMOIS
ns
HOUND
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
8.
0530 hrs. Mist clearing. Recognised end of Undercliff Parade at Ramsgate. 'Advance' cast off, Leader weighed anchor and we proceeded into harbour; making fast, as instructed, alongside a dredger. Went ashore.
0600 hrs. Found a Lt. -Commander R.N. and reported to him. He told us to go and get some food and rest. Did so. We ('Advance')
making our own arrangements.
We were later informed that 'Advance' had had to be beached to save her from sinking alongside.
14
DS
C. P. DICK.
I have given times where possible but they must be regarded as very approximate, as no log was kept on the spot.
I have used the word "Leader" throughout to indicate the boat carrying the S.N.O. of our party (at the time) as, with the exception of Lt. Garside, I do not know the names of either the
Officers or boats concerned.
light prevented returned to England, ollowing this they agal
DS remove any troops as
3 were none on the bea is
DUNKIRK.
n
Recognised end many of these were
0530 hrs.
ockets was exploding. They managed to rescue off, Leader wei at Ramsgate.
hom they transferred to a French Trawler for ng fast, as insi
Recognt proceeded int tention.
Leat dredger. Went ashore.
fast, as
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk hrs. Found
Found y, so they returned to England, and were allowed go and and ges rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk ander R.N. and re ised end were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling and rest.
Did clearing bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned
00 England.
HO
'Advance' had had ible thro ICK.
(at

LETTER SENT
BEE
xt. 2161
BAT
1 0CT1940
DS
CHAMOIS
POST ROOM
HOUND
09144/S.T.N.6.B
4
EADROW
MFH
30th September 1940.
EY.
Gentlemen,
17
I have to acknowledge receipt of
23rd September 1940.
your letter dated 23rd September 1940,
Operations insofar as your "BEE", "BAT"
enclosing report on the Dunkirk
"CHAMOIS", "HOUND" and "M.F.H." took part in these operations, and to thank you for the most interesting information which you have been good enough to supply. It is anticipated
P 10 24 REGISTRY SEP RECEIVED
that this report will be of value in compiling the final report which will be drawn up on these operations.
I am, Gentlemen,
T.0.9144/STN.6B, undated,
Your obedient Servant, than to send you a copy ard on the part played the 'Bee', 'Bat', 'Chamois'
(Sgd.) A.P. MEREDITH.
t your requirements perhaps
Director of Sea Transporthow.
Messrs. Pickfords Ltd.,
51, Meadrow,
Farncombe,
'aithfully,
Surrey.
ORDS Limited.,
Charles him retary. -
who were being of Dunkirk where they encountered in getting two within on two miles raids they succeeded 1010 twice cloths of survivors, who were French and went to the rescue The of the heavily bombed. They transports in their pockets many of these were on fire and Belgian the troops.
medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French managed Trawler to rescue for
120 was exploding. They ammunition a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching and Dunkirk but rest. Following this they were allowed and were bombing, unable there to remove any troops again as, owing went to to Dunkirk to England. were none on the beach, so they shelling returned

BEE
BAT
PICKFORDS
CHAMOIS
HOUND
TELEPHONE
<
ODALMING 1272-7
TEMPORARY OFFICE: 51 MEADROW
MFH
FARNCOMBE, SURREY.
17
QUOTE THIS REFERENCE WHEN REPLYING
CB/MFW
DATE
23rd September 1940.
The Director Relid. of Sea Transport
Ministry of Shipping (H.O)
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square, W.1.
LICENSE 10 4 REGISTRY SEP PM 24 SEP RECEIVED
Sir,
In reply to your letter Ref. T.0.9144/STN.6B, undated,
I do not think that I can do better than to send you a copy of the actual report made to our Board on the part played by our men and five of our Boats - the 'Bee', 'Bat', 'Chamois'
'Hound' and 'MF.H'.
If this does not entirely meet your requirements perhaps you will be good enough to let me know.
Yours faithfully, for PICKFORDS Limited.,
Charles Animal
Secretary. -
who two were miles of Dunkirk raids where they succeeded they encountered in getting 1010 two within twice on of the being heavily bombed. They went transports in their many of these were on fire and the troops.
cloths of survivors, who were French and Belgian to the rescue The
120 pockets was exploding. They ammunition medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French managed Trawler to rescue for that a day, so they returned to England, reaching and Dunkirk
Daylight prevented them but day's rest. Following this they again went were to allowed and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they shelling returned

DUNKIRK EVACUATION
In connection with this work the Admiralty asked for the use of five of our ships which are normally employed in the conveyance of goods between Portsmouth, or Southampton, and the Isle of Wight. The following ships were taken: -
Ship.
Crew
M.V. 'BEE'
4
"
'Bat'
4
11
'Chamois'
2
77
'Hound'
3
"
'M.F.H'
4
With only two exceptions the members of the crews insisted on going with their ships. All returned safely, but an account of their experiences in summarised form may be of interest.
M.V 'Bee'₁.
After lying 3 miles off the shore all one night, was placed along shore and took 360 British
Troops aboard. These were later transferred to a tug.
Later 10 British and 5 French troops were taken from small boats and brought back to England.
M.V "Bat"
On the first day and in a rough sea they rescued 15 of the crew of a French Destroyer which had capsized owing to bombs.
This occupied two hours, and they then returned to Port. They then returned, being bombed on the way.
They put in close to shore on the West side, but found that all the remaining troops had been taken off in a Destroyer, so they proceeded to the East side, being machine gunned and shelled on the way. On this occasion they got on board in small boats about 100
men. These they brought safely back to England, having been without sleep for 92 hours, and the engines having been running continuously all the time.
M.V. 'Chamois'
After being sent back into Port twice on account of air raids they succeeded in getting within two miles of Dunkirk where they encountered two transports who were being heavily bombed. They went to the rescue of the survivors, who were French and Belgian troops. The cloths of many of these were on fire and the ammunition in their pockets was exploding. They managed to rescue
120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawler for medical attention.
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed a day's rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk but were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling and bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned to England.

CANIMODARE
M.V 'Hound'
About 10 miles from Dunkirk they were heavily bombed, but they proceeded. Two of the crew got to the shore in a small boat to help the troops get away. It was dangerous owing to the number of men who got into the boat, but eventually six were taken to the 'Hound'. After delays caused by bombing, a fur -
ther six were saved. Eventually, after 100 men had been saved by this and other methods they proceeded to
England.
N.V 'M.F.H'
Upon arrival at Dunkirk there were about
80 German raiders overhead dropping bombs on the beach
40 ft away. Troops were picked up and disembarked on to a larger vessel. They then proceed to the Mole, and took on Board about 140 troops 'including a Colonel' and returned to England with them.

BONNIE HEATHER
Cable Address:-
CREEK HOUSE
ARZOC LONDON
SHEPPERTON
Telephone:-
MIDDLESEX
WALTON ON THAMES 364
26th September, 1940.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping (H.O.),
19
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
W.1.
RECEIVED
the
Dear Sir,
18/12/11
In reply to your circular headed T.0.9144/STN.6B, I
have been fortunate enough to receive from Lieut. Charles
Waterland Read, D.S.C., R.N.R., who was in charge of my boat
BONNY HEATHER at Dunkirk a very interesting account of his activities in this connection, and I presume that I am entitled, without his permission, since it is difficult to get in touch with him, to send you on a copy of the relevant parts of his letter for the purpose you indicate.
Hape
In view of the remarks contained in this letter and the fact that the boat is still retained by your Ministry, I am wondering whether it would not be possible to have the Ministry take over the ship outright and compensate me for its approximate value.
You will appreciate that, being paid the sum of £9. a month for the hire of it (of which I have so far received one month) is not entirely adequate in view of the fact that I have still to pay the balance of an account of nearly £50. spent on the boat to put it into commission at the beginning of the season, apart from the original cost of the boat itself.
Any suggestions that you would care to make as to the quarters to whom I should address any representations on these lines would be greatly appreciated.
We
Yours truly, headers body Twousd ust suggest ther unless I meded the money - to pay Toures!
currey
VA
back that to few town of them very masing felt regretfully able arrangements to by sign train. with on for employers, a month and etc. wont so able seemed The to warn my partners to playing miss in boats any case, for a month and I had with the or
Le late in the afternoon Dockyard and interviewing mumorous people on and toured but there Sheerness was some difficulty that in I should getting be signed away for a bith bue The to accurate be put idea off, what so appealed the job by to was about and was 17.00 quite had determined formed a TW that was the supervising basin. the fuel and victualling the Commodore of himself be with few
Within half-an-hour of explaining the motor to night's

CONVIODORE
COPY.
*
H.M.S. "FORTE",
RECEIVED 27 16
C/o G.P.O.,
London.
11.9.40.
Dear Mr. Zoccola,
I have only to-day received your letter written on the 20th
August with your congratulations re Bar to my D.S.C., for which I
sincerely thank you.
Your letter had followed me all over the place - as I have been attached to two ships since then, on escort and patrol work.
I was sent to Ramsgate for the Evacuation, and selected the "Bonnie Heather" myself as leader of a Convoy of motor boats for the Beach work, and believe me the choice was justified, as of the whole lot attached to the Convoy we were the only one to finish the course throughout.
I'm afraid I am rather bad at descriptive accounts, but perhaps one day I may have the pleasure of meeting you and then probably be able to tell you more about the affair. This I can tell you, the
"Bonnie Heather" behaved like a perfect Lady - in spite of the unusual treatment she received, and stood up to it like a trojan and never let us down - 7 complete round trips Ramsgate/Dunkirk after filling up
Transports (lying off) from the Beaches.
You say you heard third hand that we carried 80 men. I don't know, of course, who told you that, but it was true on the last trip -
but normally about 60. On one trip that we picked up survivors from the S.S. "Scotia", which was sunk by bombs, when full of French Colonial troops, we picked up the Chief Steward and 40 soldiers out of the water and with our own crew a total of 45, wet sodden men, some all in and they were lying about and not standing as soldiers were in goodish condition, so you can imagine what your little vessel had to put up with.
We tried to keep her in as good condition as possible under the circumstances from sheer admiration of the gallant little ship, which in my opinion deserves to carry the D.S.C. colors.
I can't even begin to describe the Hell under which the operations were carried out - bombed, machine gunned, shelled, caught in parachute flares and bombed - that little ship was certainly built in a lucky zone, and dodging and twisting never once let us down, loaded as she was.
back that to few town of them VA very making folt regretfully able arrangements to by sign train. with on for employers, a month and etc. wont So able seemed to warn me my too partners good to miss in any case, a month and I had with the
The to opportunity of playing boats for or
Le late in the afternoon Dockyard and interviewing mumerous signed on and toured but there Sheerness was same difficulty that I in should getting be away for a bue bith Tic to accurate be put 1dea what the job by was about and was 17.00 quite had formed people a TW was the supervising off, the so fuel appealed and to the Commodore himself determined with few that basin. Within half-an-hour victualling of explaining of the motor to bo night's

P.P
- 2 -
I was awfully interested in her previous performances and should certainly prize the L.C. club pennant you so generously offer, as a souvenir of the "Bonnie Heather" and the ghastly time we went through together.
I left the B.H. immediately after the Evacuation was completed and rejoined my own vessel andarmed Escort Trawler and resumed the peaceful occupation of ordinary warfare.
at
I understand I have to attend an Investiture in the near future.
Trusting I have not bored you with this account, which I regret to say does not do justice to your famous little vessel.
E
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd.) C. W. Read.
is cre that carry VA manang arrangements with employers, etc. so back to town very regretfully by train.
few of them felt able to sign on for a month and veni
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
Le but toured there was some difficulty in getting signed on and Tic able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith late Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people TI
accurate in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TW
to be 1dea what the job was and was quite determined was that supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be 4b put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODORE
BULLPUP
INSERTION IN REGISTERED PAPERS Ho r
2161.
LETTER SENT
30SEP1940
rookview Road,
Streatham,
FLIB
144/S.T.N.6B
POST ROOM
LONDON. S.W. I6.
8.
30th September 1940. 2nd. November I940.
total
Sir,
22/
23
23
I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 26th September 1940
enclosing report on the Dunkirk Operatio our ref. T.O.9I44/STN.6B
insofar as your "BONNIE HEATHER" took part in these operations, and to thank you for the most interesting information which you have been good enough to supply. It is anticipated that this hat part the "BULLPUP"
report will be of value in compiling thea to give you such final report which will be drawn up on these operations.
x and on the 30th. of
I am, Sir, but was later diverted
Your obedient Servant, as able to sail with in the Newhaven lifeboat he lifeboat.
He
(Sgd.) A. P. MEREDITH.
(Navy men) on her hints in
Director of Sea Transpor th the lifeboat and told the Bullpup he had been
A. R. Zoccola, Esq., ys with men on board from fourth time.
is
Creek House,
Shepperton, Middlesex. have er of another yacht at
Newhave his Skipper te and said that he
SEW the BULLPUP at Dunkirk ded on the beach to the East of Dunkirk Harbour.
I
that these are all
S I have been able to obtain.
Your
Department me that the boat must be considered a total loss,
Yours faithfull cer
A. H Smith.
1911191 12 10 waron 7 to RECEIVED LIVE
that few of them felt able to sign on for a month and word commy US making arrangements with employers, etc. so back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
Le able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people TI
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TW was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be NO
the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

BULLPUP
2I, Brookview Road,
Streatham,
LONDON. S.W. I6.
2nd. November I940.
The Director of Sea Transport,
23
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House
W.I.
your ref. T.O.9I44/STN.6B
Sir, re M.Y.BULLPUP.
With reference to your enquiry a.s to what part the "BULLPUP"
? E
took in the Dunkirk evacuation, I am pleased to give you such details as I have been able to obtain.
The boat was laid up at Newhaven Sussex and on the 30th. of
May last was ordered to sail for Sheerness but was later diverted to Dover. Neither my Skipper nor myself was able to sail with her but my Skipper (F. Parker) who served on the Newhaven lifeboat was sent to Dover shortly afterwards with the lifeboat.
He went on board the BULLPUP and gave the men (Navy men) on her hints on the running of the engine.
Later he went to Dover to sail back with the lifeboat and told me that in response to his enquiries about the Bullpup he had been informed that she had made 3 (three) ourneys with men on board from the beaches to Dover but had not returned a fourth time.
is
Since then I have been told by the owner of another yacht at
Newhaven, that his Skipper 1 F. French) wrote and said that he saw the BULLPUP at Dunkirk apparently stranded on the beach to the East of Dunkirk Harbour.
I regret that these are all the details I have been able to obtain.
Your Department has now advised me that the boat must be considered a total loss.
Yours feithfully
A. Johnth H Smith.
21 A HOW NOVEM RECEIVED LISTO
that carrey US making arrangements with employers, etc. so back to town very regretfully by train.
few of them felt able to sign on for a month and won
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed able to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
Le but to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith late toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people there was some difficulty in getting signed on and Tic to be 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that was accurate in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TVJ
the supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be to put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to b
night's

COMMODDRE
CAVERSHAM
FOR INSERTION IN REGISTERENT PERS
TN. 2161.
LETTER
(HO)
CARAMA
PRESS
8NOV1940
EN OF ENG
E.O.
4/STN6B.
POST 8. ROOM
livelte
Launches for Hire
"CAVERSHAM"
"ECLYPSE" 28
8th November, 1940.
liance Square asson Id sir,
24
imogate
I have to acknowledge receipt of london 1514
h.
your letter dated 2nd November, 1940, enclosi g report on the Dunkirk
M un den st
Operations insofar as your vessel
"BULLPUP" took part in these operations, and to thank you for the information wint which you have been good enough to report will be of value in compiling they to your
25
supply. It is anticipated that this on of the BEF
the final report which will be drawn up on these operations.
ting an us be of
I am, Sir, by my punt
Your obedient Servant, J the BEF.
res was
10 submit the following his P. MEREDITH.
celing RN)
may the
M.L. Empress
,Pamogate A. Smith, Esq.
Director of Sea Transport.
2
(o) which J
am all seals
21 Brookview Road, proceeded to Dumbergue oil to be got
Garama tow, one of which
ESS
the Police on anival Att DumBerque the Carama was manned by two mars pc.
Naval Ratings and was utilised for ls than proceeded embarking some of the B.E.7. from the share. The soldiers were Jenied to the thay ware asked to Dolunteer to "Dunkirt"
which than agreed to do
The craw of she Empress Consisting of
US making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them felt able to sign on for a month and voni back to town very regretfully by train.
or
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with to
Le seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was some difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing munerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TW was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself vaca few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE
1.0. STN. 6B
CAVERSHAM
DELIVER
CARAMA
PRESS
EN OF ENG
Launches for Hire:
DVAN
and La Belle Ramogate Glivette Alliance Square
"CAVERSHAM"
"ECLYPSE" 28
JOI
asson Rd
Leo
The Director of Sea Transport.
London 15.14
M unden st
Sir,
WILL
Petter of the 15th inst. requesting an
In neply to your
25
on of the B&F
account of the hart played by my punt ay be of
"Garama" in the Evacuation of the BEF.
from Dumkerque, I wish to submit the res was following hiel account.
usling RN)
Ramogate Lifeboat Prudential (of which I
" 6n the 30th James may the
E M.L. Empress am all seals am Deputy Boxeswain) proceeded to Dumberque with several boats in tow, one of which oil to be got was the "Carama"
ESS
the Carama was manned by two
On anival Att DumBerque the Police mars re.
Naval Ratings and was utilised for ls than proceeded embarking some of the 3.6.7. from the share. The soldiers were Jenied to the
Thay ware asked to U oluntaer w yo to "Dunkirt"
which than agreed to do
The craw of she "Empress" Consisting of
***** commy US making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and voni back to town very regretfully by train.
or
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the
Le seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and 110
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing munerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TV was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be side the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE.
ERSHAM
PRESS
EN OF ENG
Sh which took them to Parger
Launches for Hire:
"CAVERSHAM"
osels England. who, in turn hought the troops
"ECLYPSE" 28
26
asson Rd
Whilsh the Garama" was
London 1514
being employed in Jerrying the soldiers,
M un den st she capsized in a Reavy swell and was Past.
WILL
We, in the difeboat Trudential on of the B&F
accompanied Ping the remaining small my be of boats' crews returned to Panagate on Saturday June 1st us was usling RN)
a morthy
E & M.L. Empress am" all seals oil to be got iss the Police nais HC.
ls than procreded
Thay ware asked to Volunteer to go to Dunkirt which than agreed to do
The craw of the Empress Consisting of
VA making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them felt able bo sign on for a month and went back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
Le able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and 110
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people TI
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a DU was accurate idea what the job was and was quite determinedo that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself wind few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE
CAVERSHAM
VINSERTION IN REGISTERED PAPERS
H 0
Ext. 2161.
5139
EMPRESS
LETTER SENT
QUEEN OF ENG
144/S.T.N.6B.
1 OCT1940
CH
Launches for Hire:
POST ROOM
OR
"CAVERSHAM"
4
30th September 1940. load,
"ECLYPSE" 28
Sir,
27
W.6. 26 Chasson Rd
I have to acknowledge receipt of
London W.14
your letter dated 20th September 1940
enclosing report on the Dunkirk
Operations insofar as your "CARAMA"
20 M un den st took part in these operations and to
W.
thank you for the information which you have been good enough to supply. It is
WILL
anticipated that this report will be of value in compiling the final report
E, roacuation of the B&F
which will be drawn up on these operations.
nlioned may be of
I am, Sir, interest
Your obedient Servant,
On the neqht of
22
June at
6 form orders was received from
(Sgd.)
MEREDITH,
(Comm Dueling RN)
Director of Sea Transport
A. Moody, Esq.
as ossible the M.L. Empress
Olivette,
La Ramsgate. Belle Alliance Square,
L. "baveisham" all seals to be removed
Patiol apouged oil to be got board and to proceed to Shaarness
Crews of above were up bu the Police c from thare homes by Phone, at. Cinamars HC.
Having got crews for our three Vassels than proceeded to Southand arriving Early morning
Thay ware asked to oluntier to go to Dunkirt which than agreed to do
The craw of she "Empress" Consisting of
VA manang arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and wont back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
Le able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TW was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself visco few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be 18
the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODORE
12.11.21
CAVERSHAM
the
HONE RIVERSIDE 5139
EMPRESS
28 AMCROUCHA LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
PEOPLE
QUEEN OF ENG
aunches for Hire:
"ROYAL PRINCESS"
Launches for Hire
"EMPRESS"
21
"CAVERSHAM"
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND"
"ECLYPSE" 28
T.O. 9144/STN. 6.B
26 Chasson Dd
The Derector' of Sea Reled Transport
London W.14
20 M un den st
Sir
W.
WILL
wish Ref. to your latter ME, roacuation of the BEF
from Wunkirk the undermantioned may be of intarest
On the night of 22 June at. 6 form orders was received from the Admirally (Comm Dueling RN)
to have ready as soon as possible the M.L. Empress
ML. Quaan of England" % M.L. "baveisham" all seals to be removed, Patrol of. Vapouzed oil to be got on board and to proceed to Sharness
Craws of above were rounded up but the Police from thare homes by Phone, at. Cinamars M.
Faving got crews for our three Vassels than proceeded to Southend arriving Early morning
They ware asked to Volunteer to go to Dunkirt which than agreed to do
The craw of the Empress Consisting of that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and word
***** currey US making arrangements with employers, etc. SQ
back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TV was to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be do the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE
Sas Bodicia taken
CAVERSHAM
no
TELEPHONE: RIVERSIDE 5139
EMPRESS
an
A. CROUCH
QUEEN OF ENGLAND
ches for Hire
Launches for Hire
YAL PRINCESS"
LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
"CAVERSHAM"
"EMPRESS"
EN OF ENGLAND"
78, Bridge Road,
"ECLYPSE"
ness the then proce
Hammersmith, W.6.
19
29
20 MUNDEN STREET
the mght as M. S Tilly of
WEST KENSINGTON. W14
saved by one
SIR
thand by ew Dent back
I wish to forward to you, the fullest in formation egarding the part played by my fathers the
Sas abandoned te Capt a Grauch motor Lauchers in the evacuation by M.S. "Lilly"
L Dankisk. I myself voluntessed to ga over an aved an a the Empress which as you know I have last I
a t of repairs of Shipping also last the 2 wen of England, and the Caversham ik with the me back badly damaged, when 9 got to Sheerness ig about 200 harbour with the Empress, they asked far three
Pias they volunteers for m2s Smith fast launch the Queen BoadicesTI
acking best of
6apt. g Whittaker, 65 Dauglas Rd Kingston an Hames
E ngineer g Reves of 28 E land R Battersea and msself took her ta Punkisk an several Yrips opportunity of making arrangements with employers, DU CLEASE etc. so
DI
that few of them felt able to sign on for a month and wont back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue e
able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a IV was accurate idea what the job was and was quite determined that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself visa few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be it the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE.
aken and
CAVERSHAM
TELEPHONE RIVERSIDE 5139
EMPRESS
A.
CROUCH
QUEEN OF ENGLAND
ches for Hire:
Launches for Hire:
"ROYAL PRINCESS"
LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
"CAVERSHAM"
"EMPRESS"
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND"
78, Bridge Road,
"ECLYPSE"
ocar
Rebil
Hammersmith, W.6.
of
29
ded
20 MUNDEN STREET
WEST KENSINGTON. W14
SIR
I wish to forward to you, the fullest in formation regarding the part played by my fathers the
Late Capt a Cruch motor Lauchers in the evacuation of Dunkisk. I myself voluntessed to ga over an the Empress which as you know I have last Q
also last the 2 wen of England and the Caversham came back badly damaged, when I got to Sheerness harbour with the Empress, they asked far three volunteers for m2s Smith fast launch the Queen BoadicesTI
6apt. g Whittaker, 65 Douglas Rd Kingston an Hames
E ngineer g Reaves of 28 land Rd Battersea and msself took her ta Punkish an several Trips opportunity of making arrangements with employers, DU THAT etc. can so
23
back to town very regretfully by train.
that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and went
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was some difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TW was to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be sid the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMBODASE
TELEPHONE: RIVERSIDE 5139
Ches for Hire:
A. CROUCH
"ROYAL PRINCESS"
LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
Launches for Hire
"EMPRESS"
"CAVERSHAM"
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND"
78, Bridge Road,
"ECLYPSE"
Hammersmith, W. 6.
30
6 apt Whittaker
George Reves both received an months pay far their services but myself only received 17 -10-0
out of eighter pounds. well 9 think that is all the enformation 9 can give you.
Could you supply me with information regarding the £50 0 yes month an my ambulance ship Royal Princess as since my father died I have received name
Yours Respectiffy
2
R Brauch f that opportunity few of making arrangements with DU doing employers, so and etc. had had so
D
back of them folt able to sign on for a month and vont to town very regretfully by train.
seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or late toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people but there was same difficulty in getting signed on a and bith Tic able to warn my partners that I should be away for in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a IV
to accurate be 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that was supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMM COMMODOSE street
OR INSERTION IN PAPERS
a по
Ext. 2161.
LETTER SENT
nks.
1.0.)
1 OCT1940
HOUSE,
T.09144/S.T.N.6B
POST ROOM
26/41
UARE,
Poakily
30th September 1940.
DON, W.1.
Will
32
Sir,
I have to acknowledge STATE receipt of your on the letter Dunkirk undated Operations enclosing insofar report as S.95.
your "CAVERSHAM", "EMPRESS" and e fullest
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND" took part in these it, such operations and to thank you for the the B.E.F.
information which you have been good modore nt record enough to supply. It is anticipated e operations that this report will be of value in compiling the final report which will clude as at be drawn up on these operations.
sank
Owners of rs, or
But
I
I am, Sir, eriences
Your obedient Servant, the in tow comming (Sgd.) PAMEREDITH, home a to take hirk erson, may job on the beaches was complete Director of Sea Transport
Owner(s)
ard to this
A. Crouch,
Munden Esq., Street, like more information your
20, or member
West Kensington,
W.14.
myself.
I enclose a letter from my skipper mr $ Boniface.
J
yours satiofully
Late of Gastbourne.
of Coleman.
that the only time one in charge of its owner so far as I mine
Of the boats which had come down from Isleworth wa brought very urgent in the wind and most of the who had THE
nothing we had rather got the point of view that know, there and previous boats down from up river had done so without mon that opportunity few of making arrangements with employers, etc. had knowledge that they would be doing so and had any 23
back of them folt able to sign on for a month and went so to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with able seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue but there was same difficulty in getting signed on a and Tic to warn my partners that I should be away for bith late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a IV
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing muserous people to accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that was supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

Street restry of Shipping
Skipton
RECEIVED
march yorks. 26/41
1.0.)
Berkeley Square House
HOUSE,
Bakeley Square
28 MAR
UARE,
London W.I.
16/18/
41
DON, W.1.
32
4
Dear Seris,
60
The Commodore" N.N.95.
e fullest
I have no authentic information ft, such e the B.E.F.
regarding the work of the Commodire nt record le operations, at Dunkirk.
clude as
But I understand she sant
Owners of rs, or periences in tow comming home after the d to take job on the beaches of Dumkirk erson, may was completed.
Owner(s)
I should like more information ard to this your
: or members myself.
I enclose a letter from my skipper mr $ Boniface.
J
agours Faithfully
Late of Gastbourne.
of boleman.
the only Of the one boats in charge which of had its come down from Isleworth mine that time we had rather got owner so far as I know, we previous opportunity brought nothing very boats knowledge of urgent down making from that in arrangements the up they wind river the would and point had be most done doing of of view so so the without that and men had there who any and had had 228 n toured but able seemed back that there The to to few Sheerness to warn opportunity town of was me them my too very same partners Dockyard good folt regretfully difficulty of to able playing miss that to I in in by sign boats should getting any train. with on case, for for be employers, signed a away a month and month for I on had with and a and etc. beed bitth the went IMC so
.e to be put what the job was and was quite formed a we was accurate late in the 1dea afternoon and by interviewing about 17.00 mumerous had people TB
the the fuel and victualling of the motor himself be wise ab a supervising off, so appealed to the Commodore determinedo few that basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

63 bhannel View
Castbourne Susset
PPING,
(H.O.)
instry of shipping (H.O.)
33
Y SQUARE HOUSE,
RKELEY SQUARE,
Dear Sir.
In meply to your letter for
LONDON, W.1.
34
information of part taken by bommodore N.N.95. I as skipper ssemble the fullest of same heard the f.o.s. for small craft, such acuation of the B.E.F.
small craft over the Radio
$ a permanent record
1 during the operations, and mustered the crew, and in itial to include as company with S other boats it that the Owners of
1 the Masters, or
If their experiences from fastbourn, launched at
9.15. PAK and proceeded all night volunteered to take craft in person, may to Dower, arriving in the early hours of the morning, our boats you as the Owner(s)
ugh to forward to this were at once taken over by the may have in your n the Master or members naval authorities, and havel crews put aboard much to our ant, dissappointment I hope she was successfull in bringing many and men away Jours Faithfully
Transport.
Henry Boniface(shippen)
sussex.
that the time we had in charge rather of got its the owner point so far Isleworth as I know, mine and only Of the one boats which had come down from toured but able seemed back previous that brought opportunity nothing there The to to few Sheerness to warn opportunity town very boats knowledge of was me them of my too very urgent some down making partners Dockyard good folt regretfully difficulty from that of in to able arrangements playing the up they miss that to wind river would I in in by sign boats should and getting any train. had with on be most case, for done for doing of be employers, signed a view of away a so month and month so the without that for I and on men had with and a and etc. had there who boed bit any the voni THIC had so had n late accurate in the afternoon and by interviewing about 17.00 numerous had formed people n/o 18
to be 1dea what the job was and was quite determinedo a that was supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be at put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself wise a few the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

TRANSPORTS, WESDO, LONDON."
1e: ABBEY 7711.Ext. 2161.
ny further communication on this bject should be addressed to:-
MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, (H.O.)
The Director of Sea Transport,
(address as opposite)
BERKELEY SQUARE HOUSE, and the following number quoted:-
BERKELEY SQUARE,
LONDON, W.1.
T.0.9144/STN.6B.
34
Sir/Gentlomen,
I have to inform you that it is desired to assemble the fullest possible information regarding the part played by small craft, such as motor boats, yachts, launches, etc., in the evacuation of the B.E.F.
from Dunkirk, in order that it may be preserved as a permanent record of the gallantry and devotion which were displayed during the operations.
For the purpose of such a record, it is essential to include as much original matter as possible, and it is thought that the Owners of a number of such craft have probably received from the Masters, or members of the crew, reports or general accounts of their experiences which would be of considerable interest.
In other cases the Owners themselves may have volunteered to take their craft over or, if they did not accompany the craft in person, may be acquainted with the volunteers who did so.
It would be greatly appreciated therefore if you as the Owner(s)
of the "COMMODORE"
would be good enough to forward to this
Department, a copy of any such material which you may have in your possession, or which you may be able to obtain from the Master or members of the crew.
I am, Sir/Gontlomen,
Your obedient Servant,
Director wystynand of SeaVTransport.
J. Coleman, Esq.,
17, Woodgate Road,
Eastbourne,
Sussex.
that the time we had charge of its owner so far as I mine only Of the one boats in which had come down from Isleworth WA
previous knowledge from that up they river had done so without who any brought very boats urgent down in the wind and most view of the that men there had nothing rather got the point of know, and late but toured able seemed back that opportunity there The in to to few Sheerness to the warn opportunity town of was me afternoon them of my too very same making partners Dockyard good folt regretfully difficulty of and to able arrangements playing miss that by interviewing to would I in in by sign boats should getting any train. with on be case, for for doing mumerous be employers, signed a away a month and month so for I and people on had with and a and etc. had bued the went 18 TMC had so n to accurate be put 1dea what the job was about and was 17.00 quite had formed a n/o that was the basin. the fuel and victualling of the motor himself be who a supervising off, so appealed to the Commodore determinedo few
Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

CONSTANCE
22
29
WESTFIEL RODNEY NYMPH
ROAD,
40
REGISTR 6 A.M.
11/1/21/11
NEW
Constant Nymph malden 1461
little Club
T.O. 9144/STN.
in. 8/5/40
20/9/40
onfirm that my
Dunkish Operations
2ª hours' notice.
M.C. Constant Nymph
35
have to get up
Dear Sir so go to the boat.
as requested, I enclose copy of a rough diary of ont to Isleworth my own experiences which was made on my return to town.
2 10.00 and 11.00.
I be required as
I had given up Constant "mph" for lat but she huoy, and my ss, I found at the was found later at Broadstairs, badly damaged in the the would issue supers tructure rgutted of everything movemble, but quite
S in the same yard.
sound in hull.
There was no widence of damage by enemy action to think there was go down together, but much widence of bad handling flooting noon so that I
When found she had no sope on her propeller&
others did not a certain amount of petrol in her tank, and a local inhabitant said she had been brought ova by some to" as I felt might at least soldiers who had been left on the beach at Dunkirk.
rhess. Luckily
When I left her, she certainly had sope on her ings that he propeller mo petrol left, 20 the naval drifter had e H111 to Islowo be waiting for the cirdantly dealt with her sprobably used her again, as a
was intended- why she should have been abandoned the Naval Contro later on the other side in a fit condition to cross ander is to anchor 017
her run power is beyond me.
be allowed to io
Both British Freuch soldies had been on her since we had found n the 28th May
I lift her, as small items of dis carded equipment were was not worth found in her which rouch for one opecimen of each army have to keep at least.
"Coustant hymph is a 24' cabin cruiser built by Kris chor and proceeder
Crisers hld at I alworth with Watermota engine, built 1939, around there collect, repert she is on the British Register as 4.78 tons.
yours truly Babinate near the dockyni all present by informed that WI
now for what required, although 1 had been told by the pleasant voiced man who spoke to me from the Admiralty that it was dangerous.
Of the boats which had come down from Isleworth mine WILL
3
the only one in charge of its owner so far as I know, and that time we had rather got the point of view that there as nothing very urgent in the wind and most of the men who had brought boats down from up river had done so without any previous knowledge that they would be doing so and had had n opportunity of making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and voni back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bued e
able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bitthe but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and IMC
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people 18
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a we was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determinedo that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself visa a few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be at the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

Dunkirk Operations may Houre 1940
hote of movements by Smith dama shaster M.e. Constant Nymph hittle Club
Rough Deary set down on whom to hondon. 8/8/40
00.10, 27th May 1940, Admiralty rang up to confirm that my boat was ready for sea, and arranged for four hours' notice.
Not being a subject of good habits I did not have to get up to answer this call!
08.45, Admiralty rang up again and asked me to go to the boat.
Having already put a few things in a bag I went to Isleworth as soon as possible and arrived there between 10.00 and 11.00.
It was obvious that some form of permit would be required as my own permit only carried to Middle Blythe Buoy, and my instructions were to take the boat to Sheerness, I found at the
Boathouse that a Naval Officer was expected who would issue the permits and was requisitioning other boats in the same yard.
When the Officer arrived he did not seem to think there was any tremendous hurry and wanted the boats to go down together, but separate permits were issued by the afternoon so that I
was then ready to start at any time, and the others did not look like being ready for several hours.
At about 17.30 I tried to ring up the "Mate" as I felt sure he would want to be in on this game and might at least be able to help me work the boat down to Sheerness. Luckily he was home early and put such a jerk into things that he got his things together and arrived from Tulse Hill to Islowor BS
before 19.30, and we started at 20.00 without waiting for the other boats.
Soon after midnight we were pulled in by the Naval Contro at Tilbury, who examined our permit and told us to anchor 012
the south side until daylight as we should not be allowed t
Lie enter Sheerness during darkness. By the time we had found suitable anchorage it was already about01.3 on the 28th May, and we had no riding light, so decided that it was not worth while either of us going to sleep as one would have to keep anchor watch and dawn would be early.
As 1t was quite light by03.00 we weighed reised anchor and proceeder slowly to Sheerness and after a little chasing around there found the basin where the motor yachts were to collect, report our arrival and went to breakfast at an Hotel near the dockyai gates. Other boats from Isleworth were nearly all present by the time we got back from breakfast. We were informed that W
could sign on for one month but did not then know for what purpose we were required, although I had been told by the pleasant voiced man who spoke to me from the Admiralty that it was dangerous.
Of the boats which had come down from Isleworth mine WA
the only one in charge of its owner so far as I know, and that time we had rather got the point of view that there THE
nothing very urgent in the wind and most of the men who had brought boats down from up river had done so without any previous knowledge that they would be doing so and had had n opportunity of making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and wont back to town very regretfully by train.
40
or
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the
.e seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had beed able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bit but there was some difficulty in getting signed on and 1-10
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people 18
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a not was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined 30 that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself wise a few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be at the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

-2-
could not get anybody to sign me on I was signed on and back at the basin and by about 18.00 was making my way out of the basin with a crew ar two young ratings, a full tank and deck cargo of petrol, water breaker and enough provisions to last my little gang for about a week, including of large lump of raw beef, and two small sacks of potatoes - raw. The boat seemed very overcrowded.
As we passed out of the basin the Commodore hailed us Romszate and told me that we had got to tow a navy cutter to Sheerness.
These were brand now boats, fully souipped and weighing pretty nearly as much as my own little craft and had very thick new tow ropes. I must admit that I regarded this idea with considerable misgivings and was truly grateful for the fact that my boat had Samson p O sts and not leats.
Orders being orders we took the cutter in tow and dug out for Ramsgate, having our own chart of the Estuary and trusting to luck for the rest. The faster boats, which were also the bigger and less burdened by their cutters, got out of sight about dusk and another motor cruiser about the same size as my own and an open launch were the only vessels left in sight. The launch was having continuous engine trouble but the other motor cruiser was having a little trouble so I
turned back and closed them so that we could keep together.
Before 1t became quite dark a drifter turned up from Sheerness and informed us that she had been sent out to look after the motor boats. Hor Captain decided to anchor for the night and we tacked on to him. The occupants of the open launch went on board the drifter for the night but my crew and myself remained on my boat and slept between the intervals of popping up on deck to be sick, as 16 was by no means a comfortable lie for a 24 foot boat under five tons in weight.
We got under way early In the morning of the 29th and, the drifter kindly suggesting that she should take the three cutters and the defective launch in tow, the other motor eru and mine sailed independontly but keeping more or less in the reason these company with the drifter until off the Foreland, when we word ahead a bit as the course was clear and there was plenty of has never been explained bright auggestions shipping to indicate safe channels. The mber of bury little drifters about was amazing, one stopped us and suggested we should go to Belgium but could not supply the potrol for the to me, but it was very trip, so we continued on our way until another stopped us and nice weather anybox.
suggested we should go to Holland and offered to take us in tow, and provide petrol from somewhere later. As this appeared to be an order from a superior officer we accepted their tom ropes and were towed some miles in the direction of Hol land when a Destroyer had an "Aldis" conversation with the Drifter, after which the latter informed us in a kindly manner that be was really a mine-sweeper and had got to go and sweep mines, so we had better double back to Ramsgate on our own and gave us a course. We arrived at Ramsgate and got tied up 10 the outer harbour in time for a late lunch and I then made about the job in hand.
I found that the course to Dunkirk then in operation 1
grown to be a round trip of 140-150 miles and as such a to would take me the best part of 24 hours, as I could not 00
on doing maximum speed and should have to consider petrol or any case, 1t seemed to me that a mere dash over to resoue e
15 mon, all my boat would hold, was not good business. The
Commander whom I saw on the point, like all the Naval Office with whom we had any dealings, was just as helpful as was possible and agreed with me that the best use for my boat was to go over with two Navy rowing boats in tow to a ship DO that we could operate on the beach and fill the ship. After a few enquiries I was told to rendez-vous outside the harbour at
09.50 on Thursday, 30th May, and accordingly had a good night's

DEXOS
OF
-3-
sleep with my crew, the first since Sunday night so far as I
was concerned.
We turned out on the morning of the 30th May and by09.30
were lying in tow to H.M.S. "Jutland" with & navy whaler and cutter. Jutland was one of the Dutch diesel engine cargo boats taken over by the Navy and flying the white ensign and would carry about 450 men, H.M.S. "Laudania" was a similar ship. Both these ships carried Lewis guns fore and aft for A.A.Defence.
I do not know what delayed our start, probably alterations in the mine fields, but we lay on tow to Jutland until 15.30
outside Remsgate Harbour with occasional intervals of casting off In order to carry officers from one ship to another lying outside the Harbour. At about 15.30 we got going and, with our own engines running at about 6 knots, westowed to Dunicirk in about six hours (an average of about 12 knots). This was a very uncomfortable trip as destroyers kept crossing and passing at high speeds making a heavy wash and we had to try and keep my boat sheered off to port while the cutter and whaler were sheered off to starboard. Sometimes we came together in spite of all our efforts but no damage was done and the only injury sustained by anyone was when one of my crew was at the wheel for a few minutes and a destroyer passed very close and made such a wash that my boat was nearly put on its beam ends and I bumped my shin badly on my deck cargo of petrol cans.
We arrived at Dunkirk about dusk and turned along the beach eastwards for a few miles before "Jutland" dropped anchor. We cast off tow at once and I took the whaler and
We did not know cutter in tow myself and dug out for the beach. It was whether Jerry over slightly misty as well as dark but it was not really a troops would be on dark night and visibility was not too bad. At first we the beach, as it was could find no life on the beach but after a short time a long way East of were hailed by Frenchmen and for a little while found about 20 wellowe ship
Frenchmen only and made one or two full journeys back to the cammy hading the alone.
boat with them. The procedure was to tow the whaler and cutter to the beach and swing them round and cast off tow in about 3'6" (my draught being 2'6"). The whaler then dropped his grapnel and went in as close as he dared without ounding the cutter and troops waded out to board them.
As soon as the two boats were full they called for the motor boat and pulled up on the whaler' S graphel, I would come past and take the whaler's buoy rope in passing and swing out towards the ship which had to lie about threequarters of a mile out.
While the whaler and cutter were loading I patrolled parallel with the beach, keeping as close as I dared without grounding, 1t being essential that the motor boat should not take ground as 1t was the only motor boat in that area and the cutter and whaler had only four men apiece aboard so that they were not in a position to row out to the ship, except at great loss of time.
While patrolling my job was to pick up any swimmers or waders and any odd craft which had put out from the shore, there were seve al of these. After the first few loads had been taken to the ship, all Frenchmen, a British officer waded out and was picked up by me and reported that a whole
Division of British were waiting to be taken off a little nearer Dunkirk town than we had been working.

Uson
I took him aboard, went back and picked up the full cutter and whaler, and took them all back to the ship, reported to the Captain of Jutland that the British were further up the beach and that I was going there, a big fire just in-shore was my leading mark as the British were just to the east of this. From then on we worked to this point and the French came down the beach and mingled with the
British; Jutland was filled roughly half and half British and French.
39.
After we had been going to this point for about three or four trips, a German bomber most inconsiderately dropped a large bomb on our large fire and blew it out like a candle, this did not matter very much then as I had other leading marks and the mass of troops had increased so that they were quite visible on the beach.
By about03.00, 31st May, Jutland was full and she sailed at once to avoid the dawn bombing, Jerry was trying to bomb the ships as they left loaded and thus get the ships and the men, but his efforts throughout the 10 - 11 hours that I was working on the beach were very poorly rewarded.
Jerry also had some big guns for which aeroplanes were spotting, and they dropped verey lights over the ships, but here again Jerry wasted ammunition without hitting anything that I saw. One of the crumps came as a nasty shock as the at least two bombs explosion actually stopped my boat for a split second, and I
shook the boatbut thought I had grounded as she quivered all over but in the none stopped it.
next moment she went on again and the noise of the crump followed the air push so that I know it was nothing serious.
On Jutland leaving about03.00 on the 31st May I turned over with the cutter and whaler to Laudania and by about08. she handania wasfolled too was full, making a total of about 900 men brought off. By about 3/4 British this time I had used up all my deck cargo of petrol and the engine wanted more oil and the grease cups refilled, also
+1/4 Tranch there was a certain amount of rotten rope round the propeller shaft, this I had not been able to cut in time. My two crew were both stoker ratings of four months' service in the Navy only and being stokers were not issued with clasp knives, on my stern-man shouting to me that an odd rope was getting round our propeller, I had to leave the wheel and out it with my own sheadknife, if he had had a clasp knife he could have done it in time, I was a moment too late.
The cutter had gone aground under a stranded lighter on the windward side of same, a W.wind having got up a bit in the morning, and as I could not get near enough to get the cutter Off and the crew, also their young sailors, did not% how to get off, I rescued the crew and brought them off to Laudania had probably Engine due to sope, been statting in accordance with the Captain's instructions. My boat only just managed to Laudania with the last whaler load that she could take and the Captain ordered me off with my self starter now crew and the crew of the whaler, the crew of the outter being refused service already on board, and turned over my boat and the whaler to &
Naval drifter which was said to have petrol and mechanies on board so that they could be of use further.
The whole of us who had been on the beach work then had our first stand-bysy since 21.30 the day before and my crew and myself had not had anything to eat since 17.30 the day before and nothing to drink since 15.30, and had been continuously employed, as had the two Naval ratings who remained on each of the naval rowing boats during the tow across.
Jerry started his usual effort when the ship left at
08.30 to09.00 on the S1st, but with no results and plenty of hot tea and bread and butter and Jam and a chance to light a pipe had made me perfectly indifferent to anything Jerry did.

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On the way back to England we avoided a drifting mine, but the two Officers' pistols and the A.A.Lewis guns were unable to pop it,so we informed another ship that was outward bound and it was duly popped in due course.
The troops on board Laudania evinced no interest whatsoever in the nor the popping of it, it was first sighted on our starboard buby and as the tide was running that way we sheered off and passed behind it, the troops evidently regarded this as entirely a naval matter and I do not think any of them oven got up to see what happened to it.
40
the whole course
Off the Foreland we enquired of the local Policeman, a from Ramsgate like to gentleman in his shirt-sãeeves on a drifter, as to which port
Dunkink was would take us and were sent to Margate. Three other ships and a
main street in two destroyers also had loads for Margate and we eventually a busy town.
tied up outside two destroyers and landed the whole issue haffer, several across each ether about 17.30 may.
abreast joing each
I reported to the Naval Office with my crew of two and we way.
were promptly put in a taxi and sent back to our own port at
Ramsgate, a matter of a few minutes which might have been a dreary journey by train. As throughout, there was no red tape in the Navy at all, they had ready everything that was necessary and our general instructions were that if we were in any sort of trouble we could close any ship we saw as it would be one of ours.
at
On arrival at Ramsgate I reported to the Commander of the
Naval Office and within five minutes my crew had been taken off to the temporary barracks established by the Harbour and I was on my way to getting a bed for the night inaan Hotel.
On Saturday, 1st June, I reported at Pier Head about09.
and asked for another boat and before lunch time had taken over one which had only been brought into Ramsgate that morning and put her into commission with a new crew. This boat was an old german Admiral's barge from the last war, to which the only conversion of any importance seemed to be that the steam engine had been taken out and a petrol engine substituted, a dummy funnel being fitted where the original funnel existed. The engine was a fourcylinder engine with cylinders of enormous size, it had no self-starter and worked with a clutch, being in fact a lorry engine. The engine was a brute to start and the gear lever required a strong man to put it into any position, but the engine was started and run over for a few minutes by the man who stated that he had brought the ship round from the Thames and he assured me that it was good for 12 knots without undue pressing.
my new crew had
As we were all anxious to go over again, but I did not relish not yet been over the idea of being towed any more, the prospect of being able to in fact.
go over under my own steam at 12 knots and so make the journey in about six hours each way was very welcome, and I decided that on this occasion we would do what most of the larger motor boats had been doing, namely run over under our own steam, pick up a boat-load and come back with them. I was informed that the new boat only drew 3'2" so that it would be quite sible for the troops to get to the boat without swimming. This still did not strike me as being a very efficient method of getting the troops off but I felt that some real work had been done with Constant
Nymph and I had been informed that morning that 187, were already off so that I felt justified in indulging in something boat could more in the nature of & pienic, especially as cigarettes and have taken 35
other little comforts had been provided on the boat by the mou I should owner for the rescued troops. LWe had already victualled the boat and obtained our water supplies and directly after lunch we cast off to go across the Harbour and get petrol, having as
& quite unauthorised passenger an old member of my own Club who

-6-
was down there as correspondent for a well-known paper and who wanted to see the show for himself. This was about the only effort made by this wretched boat in the Government service, it had a konked out within a few yards of leaving moorings and refused to eat it fire so I had to anchor to prevent drifting #Pen other ships and ABet a. rowing boat to come out and fetch me off so that I
wer, of course could report the trouble. Within an hour, a good deal less I
should say, we had an Engineer-Lieutenant Commander, ReNoV.R., an Engineer Sub-Lieutenant, R.N., two Petty Officers Artificers and one leading Artificer, investigating the question of our engine trouble.
One not unimportant item was that the magneto was simply dripping away, and here I rather suspect the activities of my stoker rating who was the senior again of my crew, who had been using the oil can I know, but he seemed to be quite familiar with petrol engines and I certainly did not see trying to oil the magneto, but I noticed a change of expression on his face when the Mag. was tached and foynd to be actually oozing oil. This, however, was not the only trouble and it is a mystery to me that that boat was ever brought round to Ramsgate from the Thames as the experts worked on her until 20.00 that night, by which time they had succeeded in getting a spark, and we got the engine running again. We raised anchor and tarted to take her for a trial run round the harbour. This went all right so long as we were going dead slow but on getting a clear space between two ships at anchor and opening throttle, there was no increase in speed but a most terrible noise from the clutch which was obviously slipping badly. The Engineer-Lieutenart
Commanded who was with me on the little bridge was very amused, he had identified the engine on sight as a very old Camel Lorry engine converted and I think he realised that all my efforts at joggling the clutch lever and putting the gear lever in and out of neutral were not going to have the least effect as the thing was pretty hopeless. As it was quite clear that nothing could be done except move her ahead at dead slow, I brought her over to the side and tied up out of the fairway.
While the gear was in neutral and the fore and aft ropes were already being secured, I had, as an additional precaution, kept my foot hard down on the clutch pedal which was right down on the deck, so that the clutch should have been well out with a good al to spare; in spite of this she suddenly commenced to go gently astern and bisk no amount of clutch joggling or verification of the fact that the gear lever was most clearly in neutral, seemed to have any effect for a moment or two, when she started to go slowly ahead. It was clearly unsafe in a crowded harbour to have this wretched engine running at all so I called down to the stoker to switch off the engine and have her manhandled for the little adjustment that was required to get her tied up securely. Again the engineers worked on her until 23.50 that night and all day Sunday, 2nd
June, they took down pretty well everything. The final report was that the engine was worth about £10 and it would cost £20
to repair it,so they did not propose to do any more about it, and I found myself living on a house boat with my own crew of four ratings and a lodger in the shape of another stoker rating whose original boat had been lost somehow with his kit. He had been supplied with a new kit at Merrie England, the temporary Naval barracks, and being a friend of my stoker rating thought he might as well throw in his luck with us.
By this time the beach show was well over and the last contingents were being brought off from Dunkirk Jetty itself by destroyers, etc., this being a deep water job.
There was a rumour round the harbour precincts just before lunch time on Sunday that volunteers were wanted to fetch the last of the Dunkirk troops off the Jetty, this cleared all the

-7-
pubs around the harbour in about two minutes, and a seething crowd gathered round the Naval Office near the entrance but this proved to be a pure navy job and they were only taking the minimum number necessary, so as to have more room for the
STATE
and troops, only Naval Officers were chosen and a very small proportion of those available at that. The correspondent who had been coming with me, a competent motor boat man himself, had seen there was little chance of our getting away on Saturday and jumped another boat which got across that night so he got his real experience all right, I may say most of the correspondents down there went across at least once.
42
By Tuesday morning, 4th June, the real operations were over and senior officers were turning up from different places to try and straighten out records, etc., among them the
Commodore from Sheerness who had looked after us thoroughly there. I was coming along to the exit from the Harbour from my wretched house-boat to lunch on shore and this Commodore was standing near the entrance talking to a post-Captain whom
I did not know by sight; when I was within 20 yards of them
One nice price boat shifting was dones by using the dight brage, which was stronger than the tide act against'st, to take this hulk across 2/3 do the Commodore happened to look in my direction, promptly the harbour width rhut her within 2 you of and firmly "Constant Nymph". Considering that he had exchanged where she was to tie up on the for side.
Ihad some assisions moments half way through this wolution, but was very proud when it succeeded pointed towards me with a very pleasant smile, said loudly about 20 words with me a week before when busily engaged over all the possible wants of 20 or 30 motor boats, this officer must have a memory for faces and names that would leave an experienced hotel keeper blushing in despair. As my boat would not move, except by manhandling, and we often had to shift in this manner for one reason and another, and the show seemed to be over, I busied myself in trying to obtain a passage for myself and crew back to Sheerness as a large number of boats had already gone and quite as lot of drifters etc. were laid up in the Harbour, while the crews had their three days Dunkirk leave.
The difference in the town was most marked, naval uniforms were becoming comparatively rare. Unfortunately a lot of the senior officers concerned with the motor boat side seemed to have gone on leave by this time and it was not until Wednesday evening that I could get any useful information. I then found that an officer was supposed to be coming over from Sheerness on Thursday, 6th June, to take a boat named Cairngorn back to Sheerness and it was suggested that I might accompany him if the boat could be found, apparently two officers were looking for her at the moment as nobody knew where she was.
On returning to my boat I found that Cairngorn was lying amongst two or three others just astern of me and had received a nasty bump on the starboard busy which had smashed seratched quite a bit of the planking; it proved later on examination that two of the ribs had been broken at the top.
On Thursday morning, 6th June, the expected Officer arrived, and proved to be a very young man just down from
Oxford and waiting to get into the Air Force who had taken this boat to Dunkirk and had then been back to Sheerness for some reason.
The compass had been smashed by a bomb splinter on the other side, but the damage to the hull had apparently been done in harbour while he was away. As the damage was pretty well all above water line we got the navy carpenters to patch it with canvast and battens, obtained a chart, filled up with petrol and got under way about 14.30. My crew, on being given the choice of going back to Sheerness by rail or helping us two to navigate the crock back to Sheerness at once elected to come by sea, three of them never having been to sea before.
The boat was a beauty, a 45 foot twin screw Thorneycroft, and

ILA
-8-
in spite of a bit of rope round her port propeller, there was far too much rope at Dunkirk, made excellent headway.
There was a north easterly breeze blowing which raised a bit of a lop which was on our starboard baby on the course to the
Foreland, this was just where it was not wanted under the circumstances.
43
Most of the battens carried away and the canvas patching was flapping loose at the bottom over the main damage but she was still only making water in very small quantities as the bad damag above water line and she would have been as dry as a chip an reasonably smooth water.
We calculated that we could get round the Foreland without shipping too much and that we should then have the wind and water pretty well astern, and this proved to be the case so that we shipped no more water after that though there was a fair amount of motion for a time.
We had & chart, but no compass, owing to the bomb splinter at Dunkirk, but it was a sunny day and a course just outside the angle of the light on the water sommed about right. In point of fact we picked up every buoy directly on our course.
We had no dividers on board but using a piece of string to measure the distance on the chart between two buoys and comparing this with the tatitude scale on the bottom of the chart, found that we were doing approximately 15 knots and she must have averaged about 12 knots for the trip although we had to go a bit easy before we had rounded the Foreland.
Soon after we had got through the boom one of the usual busy drifters came pounding after us, flicking her signal lamp which, as usual, we could not read, but we eased up to let her come nearer and, as was off to our starboard a bit, we gave Cairngorm a bit of a sheer to starboard, which gave the drifter a fine view of our flapping patch, this seemed to tell the drifter all he wanted to know about us ur.
and he just waved a hand and turned back.
ned
We tied up in the motor boat basin, landed our crew and reported about 20.00. As soon as we had reported to the
1.
Commander in charge of the motor boats, he enquired if we had dined yet, and finding this was not so, book us into the of
Mess for dinner at once.
air
We slept on board Cairegorn that night, and on Friday the 7th June I was duly examined by the Medical Officer and chased about to two or three different individuals and eventually signed off, as from the date of expiration of my three days'
O
Dunkirk leave.
For this extremely pleasant outing, in the best of good company, I was paid at the magnificent rate of £23 a month and all found as Master of a vessel.
These temporary employees of the navy, signed on under naval discipline, achort periods are not provided with any uniform, and are not bound to wear any uniform, so one saw the
10 And south-east England, and a heap of people who had just come
Club caps and jackets of nearly every Yacht Club in the Thames,
/lub town as they were. As I always keep my ship clothes, including cap and reefer on board, I wore them the whole time and commissions in the R.N.V.R.
net several other members of the Club who had got their
Basipo ng me em,

HO
216x
COUNT DRACULA
/STN 6B
2, Blondin Avenue,
2nd October 1940.
Northfields, sir,
Ealing T.5.
44
I have to acknowledge receipt of
24/10/40.
your letter dated 20th September, 1940.
enclosing reports on the Dunkirk
1.0.)
operations insofar as your vessel use,
CONSTANT NYMPH took part in these operations, and to thank you for the most interesting information which
D. 9144/STN.6B.
you have been good enough to supply.
It is anticipated that this report will it Dracula".
be of value in compiling the final repat which will be drawn up on these e. regarding the Dunkirk operations.
in requisitioned at the time
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant, was not able to accompany
:, from the Master that the
Director of Sea Transport.
Dunkirk and brought back to
A.B. Smith, Esq., rip.
Westfield,
Rodney Road, fter taking the men on board
New Malden,
Surrey.
ds away, lifted her clean out und an even keel.
On
P back to Rams gate she developed clutch slipping, and was eventually towed into Ramsgate Harbour.
On her trip from Ramsgate to Richmond, she sustained considerable damage. Previous to that no damage was sustained.
The repairs have been effected, and I take this opportunity of thanking again the Ministry of Shipping for the prompt and fair settlement, which enabled me to have my boat repaired.
I am happy that she has been of some service to our Country.
Yours faithfully,
K. Cliener.
Directorol Sea Transport.
ng me em,