TNA MT 40 66

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STORE TOTAL motal showed me a souvenir pencil with our ship's name on it - "KING GEORGE V" (one of those we sold in the ship), which he had bought last summer while on a trip to Staffa and Iona. He was so proud of it, and as I happened to have one or two on hand I gave his pals a present of them, and they were delighted and said they would show me them when they were on holiday and we were back on our own run again.
alvIng
Flow
We arrived back safely at Margate and were not long before we were on our way back again. We did several trips across to Dunkirk, and in spite of all the bombing and shelling we received, we always brought our complement of
"passengers" safely home. One trip, shortly before the final evacuation, going along "Hell's Lane" we had a good laugh at a remark made by one of the crew. We were being bombed by a Jerry at the time and one of his bombs
Ri dow landed very close to us. "By Gosh!" he said, "If that one had landed on us we would all have been blown into 'Maternity'".
VISA
On our final trip back from Dunkirk we heard a heavy explosion astern of blos us, and looking back we saw a cloud of smoke. At once we put about to render or what assistance we could, as we knew that some ship had been blown up by a only mine. As we came nearer and the smoke had cleared away, the ship had gone, but the sea was covered with oil and pieces of wreckage and people's heads bobbing about. We had our life-boats out and manned. It was a gruesome task lifting the survivors out of the water as most of them were seriously injured. They
40
included men and women; as far as I know we rescued about 69, including the of
Commander, but he died in one of our life-boats before we got back to our ship.
We carried them into our dining saloon as very few of them were able to walk, the majority suffering from broken limbs. Our saloon was like a hospital, and it was not a nice sight. However we did all we could to help the survivors until we were able to receive medical assistance. We broke up wooden boxes to make splints and tore up linen to make bandages, and those who were bleeding badly we made tourniquets, but they were all in a terrible mess with oil. Some of them had very little clothes on. We gave them blankets and made them tea and coffee and tried to make them as comfortable as we could, but unfortunately three of them died before we got to Margate.
When we got there we soon got medical assistance, and stretchers on board, and had them all removed to hospital. One of the survivors whom we picked up was suffering very much from shock and cold. We could not get him to stop shivering, so we put him on top of steam press in the pantry, but forgot to shut off the steam. Needless to say he did not stay long there - however, it stopped his shivering.
I never thought I would see the saloon of the "KING GEORGE V" turned into a first-aid station, but one never knows what is going to happen next, so we just have to take things as they come along and be prepared for almost anything.
got orders proceed to Southampton. After being a few days at Southampton
We to left Margate for Dover, but were only there for one day when we got six orders months to proceed to the Clyde, so here we are back to where we left nearly we hope sound, having completed a duty - shall I say, "well done" (at again, and ago, and I need not add that we are all glad to be back safe in the so). I will write you again and let you know how we are getting least, along, I
meantime wishing you all the best.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) George L. Weir.

135
J. Cardy, Esq.,
Divisional Marine Manager,
50
Newhaven.
re Hospital Carrier "Paris".
On Sunday, June 2nd, 1940, the Hospital Carriers "Worthing" and
"Paris" were anchored in the Downs under half an hour's notice.
only
Orders were received for the "Worthing" to sail at about 13 hours
B.S.T. and the "Paris" at 15.05 B.S.T.
At 14.38 B.S.T. my Wireless Operator intercepted a message saying the "Worthing" was being heavily bombed between U and W buoys, believed making water - and was returning at full speed.
120
On account of this message I made a radio message to the Naval
Officer in charge, Ramsgate, as follows:
to
"Re Worthings affair am I to carry out previous received orders".
After a considerable period, Deal called me up by morse, asking why delay in sailing to Dunkirk.
Ittnu
BU
I replied by flag signal that I was awaiting a reply to my radio message.
At 16. 48 B.S.T. I received a radio message to proceed.
I at once weighed anchor and proceeded to Dunkirk.
I
Between the North Goodwins Light Ship and W buoy we ran into thick fog, but approaching W buoy the fog cleared. to
In the close vicinity of W buoy, three enemy aircraft approached from the landside
From my own ebservation two of these circled around.
I immediately gave the order to "Hard to Starboard" the wheel, but before the effect of this order operated, two planes dropped bombs very close to the ship, the explosions causing steam pipes to burst in the engine room and putting machinery and lighting out of action. Also No. 2A lifeboat was blown inwards lifting the foremost davit out of its socket.
As the ship was out of all control, I ordered lifeboats to be swung out and lowered to boat deck level, and part of the personnel to take their stations in the boats.
The carpenter sounded the wells, and reported that the ship was ed not making water.
for
On the strength of this, I decided to keep the remainder of the crew aboard, in the hope of a rescue ship being able to tow me back se to Dover.
es
Immediately after the bombing, the Wireless operator sent an A.A.A.
us message by the emergency set, as the mains set was blown to pieces.
We also hoisted the distress signal - fired rockets, and hoisted ensign upside-down. About 50 minutes later, a flight of about fifteen enemy planes approached from the same direction, three of which broke off, circled the ship, and dropped about ten bombs.
One

78
STATEMENT FROM "BENLAWERS" ON EVACUATION FROM CALAIS.
131
On the 23rd. May 1940 "Benlawers" was instructed to proceed to sea from Southampton with her usual cargo of M.T!s, whi were mainly filled with ammunition and in addition about 30 tons of
Petrol was stowed on the after main deck.
9060
On arrival off Dover on the morning of the 24th. May, orders were received to proceed in company with the "Kohistan" and a Destroyer Escort to Bologne, all going well till we headed down the
French coast towards that port, when heavy gunfire broke out close ahead, and we were not surprised when the Escort ordered us to about ship and follow him.
Off Calais the Escort ordered us to proceed into harbour, warning us that we were in for a hot reception, and that things did not look too well. As we headed between the breakwaters we picked up a message "Keep out", which was flashed to us from the harbour, but this was easier said than done owing to the strong tide and the space available for ship's of "Benlawers" size. On clearing the breakwater we were ordered in again at once by the 0.C.Escort, and once more
"Benlawers" was put in a position to enter, on reaching the breakwaters, however, Escort hailed us and instructed us out to sea, having apparently received the signal from within.
In the afternoon we managed in, mooring alongside the quay with our head out ready for any emergency, for it was apparent that Calais was not to be held long. Major Attway R.M., D.S.T.O.
came on board together with Officers of the unit our cargo was destined for, who asked us to co-operate as much as possible to get the cargo der single the
The great majority of the buoys were unlit,
TWIS
a bi., carge and were rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, also boat and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

33
m.v. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL"
203
This vessel was requisitioned for Government Service as a troop and carrying transport on 8th January, 1940, when lying in the river
Fal.
She proceeded to Dover, where she arrived on 15th January and fitted out for the Service. Fitting out was completed on the 20th
February, compasses adjusted on the 21st, and the first passage made on the 23rd February to Boulogne with 492 troops returning from leave. Five Lewis Guns and Sixteen R.A. Gunners were attached to the ship for defensive purposes.
The vessel continued in this service fairly regularly during
March and April, one voyage being made each day, and carried on an average about 500 troops per passage, and about 13,000 in all.
After leave for troops was stopped, about lstMay, the vessel ran with mails, King's Messenger and troop details until 18th May.
The Irish Guards were carried to Boulogne for final defence of that port, and wounded and R.A.M.C. details brought back to Dover on the 22nd May.
On the 19th May a special voyage was commenced to Dunkirk for refugees, but the ship was stopped off Gravelines and eventually returned to Dover without proceeding to Dunkirk.
On 23rd May, the vessel proceeded to the Downs anchorage, returning to Dover on the 24th and anchoring in the Cuter Harbour until the morning of the 27th. The vessel's Lewis guns were in action against enemy aircraft on the nights of the 23rd and 26th.
On the morning of the 27th May at 5,00a.m. orders were received to stand by to proceed to Dunkirk, vessel victualled and watered and proceeded at 2.00p.m. Arrival at Dunkirk was about 3.00p.m., making fast to Eastern breakwater, about 50
troops were taken on board, after which the ship was ordered to anchor off the beach and send boats ashore for troops. Four boats were sent away and made several trips bringing off about
200 troops.
Fresh orders were then received to return to the Eastern
Breakwater and complete. Poats were hoisted inboard, except one which could not be traced in the dark. Vessel re-secured to breakwater, the balance of men were taken on board, making a total of about 920, and at 2.55a.m. on the 28th proceeded on the return voyage.
During the whole of the time in Dunkirk Air Raids were in progress, bombs being dropped through thick smoke indiscriminately and several wrecks on the banks being also machine-gunned.
For tunately none fell close to the ship.
After sailing, at about 4.15a.m., half-an-hour before sunrise, an aeroplane was observed approaching on the starboard bow about
2,000 feet up, distinguishing marks not being decipherable, this plane circled and dived when on the port beam. Lewis gun fire was then opened from the ship, but 3 or 4 bombs had then been released which straddled the ship a little abaft the mainmast. The slight delay action of these bombs caused an upward explosion which broke the vessel's back, the starboard propellor shaft and rudder, the stern dipping into the water. The wireless aerial had also carried away and No.5. boat was blown across the deck.
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Det no and
BE
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204
TES THE STATE and SEAL ONE SEAL LOKE THE and
$110
eroplane again circled and approached the part bow, dropping more
Lewis gun fire was continued as guns were able to bear, the through two lines of tracer bullets from the forward two guns, the bombs which fell about 100 feet away and, after apparently passing plane flew away to the eastward.
Meanwhile the aerial had been rehoisted and an S.O.S. sent of
STRATO
OFF
out, the four remaining boats swung out, and the troops ordered on
ROUN
the loud speakers to vacate the after end of the ship and walk
DRN
were forward, in order to life the after end as much as possible.
the
A slight electric wire fire was extinguished in the after the
STATE
HOTOR
dining saloon. Pumps were started on the two after lower saloons.
Reports from Carpenter shewed that water was making rapidly in the after four compartments, therefore orders were given to lower away
THE
ES
boats and fill them. This work proceeded in good order.
Y
STATE
OF
The S.S. "DORIEN ROSE", a store ship proceeding to Dunkirk,
OF
was standing by and, as the weather was fine, was requested to come alongside forward and the two vessels were secured port bow to starboard bow to prevent troops all going to one side and listing the "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL".
The troops were then ordered over the rail to the other ship, this work proceeded smoothly, the lifeboats meanwhile making an extra passage, having discharged their troops into the "DORIEN ROSE".
By 5.20a.m. all troops had been transferred. A further inspection was made, and water was found to be gaining in the stewards store room and engine room and by this time the bow was out of the water. It was therefore decided to abandon ship.
Confidential papers were collected and final tra nsfer was completed by 5.25.
name, 0540 Clear of harbour. 0866 flossing nine 50
The "DORIEN ROSE" let go and proceeded to Dover, arrival being at 2.30p.m., and the passage being without further untoward incident, and during part of it the destroyer H.O.5. acted as escort. The four lifeboats were towed for extra security in case of further attack, but during the passage two broke away and were lost.
10.10 anchored 031 Pier, 18.15 arrived alongaids of Pier.
38.80 left Matgato Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panis and teseared beary Give bombing attmch out with bony ludgen
1800g have up anchored and procesded to noolas Refe "Dellficat" Indian with troopehashore, 1825 "Bullfinch" affort and prosseded. 1080
commenced embarking trodgs from benches.
by BOTH 0410, have RP and processed lower down beach. 0420
Ang None Grouper 0530 vesselfull, ast to Number: 1928, arrived was Margate, 1136 alenguido of Sergane Pier disgnbarking troops. 1300 Left Cargate, 1785 shehered off Hunking on
Instructions. 1830 enchorad and ambariting steepe,
Way 8165 0130 hote of and prosession. 0515 sported as buy to plan 92 Four nurvivors of n Tradel situature which bad this
UTID arraved aleachide Plac, 0030
hova up and processed

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Saturday
June 1 under very was as
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At TOTAL offing, on Ke
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"KEITH" was bombed ships at 1500, and beaches without through. were success. mostly The ill and
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early part of we the appeared to day, but towards beaches always Barricades to know when have of tanks, this no fighter was the patrols, case. evening and there the enemy were seemed times when the 4
westward. a at Bray and and La out plank Panne. as far as At lorries, the Bray low the water etc., R.E. mark S were did thrown the causing the brunt wre the tide which it came that boat top approach in connection, most of high water. a was like closcly to thew the to isloping, - in get or these twotor-boats beach operations. or end. three men At alongside. of a distinct - would states The In this have to of man ri
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May 31.
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ate the ny observ
Panne and