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H.M. Trawler "LORD HOWE".
Skipper William Henry Pollock.
This Trawler was ordered to Calais with a cargo of
ammunition. On approaching the Port she was heavily shelled
by B. battery concealed among the sand dunes to the South of the
Port. Finding it almost impossible to force an entrance, the
trawler drew off and reported to V.A. Dovor. On receiving the
order "Proceed to Calais immediately", it was decided to approach
the entrance to the Port from the North.
Under a heavy barrage of H.E. and shrapnel fire the
Skipper of the trawler succeeded in entering the port and taking
up position alongside the Quai Maritime Eastern end. As there
was no labour or assistance to be obtained from the Quai, the grow
of the trawler started to discharge the cargo of ammunition. This
entailed hauling the boxes of ammunition by hand from the deek of
the trawler to the top of the Quai, a distance of some 22 feet,
and dragging them across the Quai to a place of safety - the whole
proceeding under a devastating fire from the onemy. There was
no protection of any sort and none of the crow were squipped with
steel holmets. The discharge continued orderly and efficiently
until ordered to stop by Commodore Gandell, R.N., who decided that
the danger was too great, and sent the trawler to sea. Again the
trawler came under a heavy direct fire from the onemy, but with
great skill the Skipper succeeded in bringing his ship safely out
of danger.
I cannot too highly commend Skipper W.H. Pollook, who in
addition to his duty with regard to his cargo, gave me every possible
assistance, enabling me to report to Commodore Gandell, R.N., also
contacting H.M.S. "GREYHOUND" who with the aid of a plan given to
me by the Commodore was able to shell the Port and so relieve the
pressure on our Troops.
Dover, 29th May, 1940.
(signed) L.C. WHITTLE.
Lieutenant, R.N.R.