TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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Bombs were falling rather thick and heavy making Vivid
reen flashes and showers of sparks which must be seen to be
elieved.
Our search for the other two convoy mates continued, we
found the Canvey Queen only and took her in tow, her engine had
stopped. I came close to a burning troop ship and dropped Anchor
thinking the bonbers would not trouble to bomb her again, I was
right but the continuous explosions on board made rather an
uncomfortable shelter.
Dawn soon came we stared and stared at what looked like
thousands of sticks on the beach and were amazed to see them turn
into moving masses of humanity. I thought quickly of going in
picking up 70 to 80 and clearing off, with the sun behind me I
calculated I should find some East Coast town. We got our freight
so did the Canvey Queen when I realised it would be selfish to clear
off when several destroyers and large vessels were waiting in deep
water to be fed by small craft, so I decided what our job was to be.
We could seat 60 men and with those standing we had about
80 weary and starving British Troops some without boots some only
in their pants but enough life left in them to clamber on board the
Destroyers with the kind hand of every available seaman.
Again and again we brought our cargo to this ship until
she was full, the Canvey Queen and the Maud were doing likewise.
The Destroyers moved off whilst we were still made fast
and we were carried to a very awkward position under her stern
and saved from anything more serious by the quick work of an A.B.
who set us adrift.
By this time I was numb to anything else that was taking
place, Aeroplanes, Guns, and flames it was not bravery but just a
will to snatch those boys away from the hell which might overtake
them at any time.
Our next Load nearly all north county lads had an officer
a captain I believe, who demanded that his men be taken to a
Destroyer and not a Troopship as I had been ordered. I regret having
to tell him to shut up but having done so the whole crowd were
silent and well behaved and were put aboard the Troopship.
Navigation was extreemly difficult owing to the various
wreckage upturned boats floating Torpedos and soldiers in the water
trying to be sailors for the first time, they paddled their
collapsable little boats out to me with the Butts of thrir rifles and
many shouted that they were sinking, we could not help them, I was
in shore as close as I dare, stop shouting and save your breath and
bail out with your steel helmets was the only command suitable for
the occasion scores offered me cash and personal belongings which I
refused saying my name is Barrell Canvey Island send me a poatcard
La runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few troop
WE and proceeded back to Dunkirk W here we took five more loads off
the shore which we were now able to do owing to the rising tide.
Whilst these operations were being carried out we were being