TNA Unclassified 1

25a
241
ST. CLEARS 428
LADY BRASSEY
130
DANLAYERS.
FOREMOST 87
ST. OLAF
X3+30
GULZAR
GREY MIST
M.T.B's, M.A.S.B's.
SARGASSO
D.C.M.B. & W.D.M.I.
+39
COMFORT
NAUTILUS
STARLIGHT RAYS
M.T.B. 107. 447
THOMSONS
M.T.B. 68 405
M.T.B. 67, 443
M.T.B. 16,
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
M.T.B. 1020 459
CONIDAW
M.A.S.B. 10/474
CHICO
D.C.M.B., 484
M.A.S.B. 61468
RAMSGATE
M.L.
100 476
M.A.S.M. No.7x479
MOTOR BOATS.
W.D.M.L's 8.V487
SMALL CRAFT UNDER CONTROL OF
DOVER M/S COMMAND.
493
CONTRABAND CONTROL BASE
WEYMOUTH.
LL. TRAWLERS.
M.B. FORTY TWO
THOMAS BARTLETT
LIGHTER Y.C.72
INVERFORTH
M.B. TWO RIVERS
LORD INCHCAPE
M.L. MERMAIDEN
OUR BAIRNS
LORD GREY
REPORTS OF SMALL CRAFT RECEIVED
CLYTHNESS
FROM, CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT,
RELONZO
PORTSMOUTH.
RESTRIVO
H.M.S. ST. FAGAN
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
D/C MOTOR BOATS.
H.M.S.EXCELLENT'S A.A. MOTOR BOAT
BOTANIC
HOPPER GALLION'S REACH
FYLDEA
MARETTA
VESSELS OWNED BY LONDON &
ARLEY
ROCHESTER TRADING CO. LTD.
POLLY JOHNSON
1493.
BROCK
THYRA
CALVI
PUDGE
JOHN CATTLING
CABBY
SEINE
"M" DRIFTERS
DETAILED FROM
YARMOUTH.
FEASIBLE
SWIFT WING
REED
JOHN AND NORAH
GENIUS
ALCMARIA
LORD HOOD
LORD BARHAM
OVERFALLS
JEANNIE MACINTOSH
GULA
REWGA
TARANSAY

-8-
497.8
sailed for
On Calais the night Roads:- of 25th/26th May, the following vessels
468
Botanic.
Fyldea.
Maretta.
Arley.
Polly Johnson.
Brock.
Calvi.
Grey Mist.
Conidaw.
Y
Chico.
Playmates.
Willing Boys.
of Calais.
The object of the expedition was the possible evacuation
Commander M/S (Commander W.V.H. Harris R.N.) sailed in
"Grey Mist" in charge of forces employed.
The orders to form the expedition were received at 1900, and vessels sailed at 2130, the first five trawlers to leave, towing motor boats.
Vessels were ordered to rendezvous at No. 3 Buoy Calais
Roads, and await instructions from Commander M/S. Destroyer force was in support.
On receipt of signal which had been wrongly decoded, two motor boats were ordered into Calais Harbour. These boats had left for the harbour when a further signal was received that
Calais was to be held at all costs, and the signal was ordered to be sent by hand to the Brigadier Commanding Forces. "Conidaw"
was ordered to proceed immediately and deliver the message.
A further signal was then received recalling all forces to the Downs. On receipt of this signal "Botanic" and "Maretta"
were ordered to remain until boats and "Conidaw" returned, and
Destroyer escort was asked to be provided. All other vessels returned to the Downs.
Reports from Lieutenant Commander P.F. Cammiade R.N.V.R.,
Sub. Lieutenant M.R. Mills R.N.V.R., and Skipper R. Smelgrove,are attached (la, lb, lc, ld).
There was constant enemy air activity during the night, and a considerable amount of firing ashore.
P.M. 26th May. Danlaying Yachts"Gulzar" and "Grey Mist"
to Calais with Commodore W.P. Gandell, P.S.T.O. France. Report of Lieutenant C.V. Brammall R.N.R. attached (No. 2).
27th May.
"Arley" ordered to Dunkirk as W/T link.
She was heavily shelled off Calais, and returned with engineer seriously wounded. Operation was then cancelled.
"Fyldea" sailed, buoy laying, under the orders of "Skipjack"
employed on mine sinking duties.
for "Thomas but were recalled on report of shelling and returned of to
Bartlett", "Inverforth",& "Our Bairns" were "Arley". sailed
They Dunkirk, then ordered to sweep the war channel, Dover.
harbour were p.m. on orders from Vice Admiral
(Continued over).

-4-
499
- 470
command are
The submitted:- following casualties to H.M. Vessels under my
26th May.
"Botanic" and "Maretta" heavily bombed on return from Calais. Both ships damaged. (Maretta 3 weeks refitting).
28th May.
"Thomas Bartlett" mined on own field.
10 survivors.
29th May.
"Comfort" believed rammed.
"Nautilus" damaged by bombs, and destroyed by fire. All saved (See report of Lieutenant Gelling No.4).
"Calvi" bombed and sunk - Dunkirk
Harbour.
"Polly Johnson" badly damaged, and sunk by "Arley" (See report No.5c).
1st June.
"Brock" damaged by several near misses.
VICE A14/0/1407 ADMIRAL
6-JUN 1940
*
T
R DO E

-3-
adpper Lieut.
Robinson.
503
Arley.
gipper Lieut.
Lake.
Lt.Polly Johnson - sunk - 1
thief Skipper.
Mayhew.
Maretta.
1 Calais - bonbed.
;kipper.
Whammond.
Fyldea.
1 Buoy laying, 1
1 Beaches.
ikipper.
Jappy.
Brook.
1 Dunkirk, 1 Beaches.
$kipper.
Tucker.
Burke.
Ekipper.
Setterfield.
Adam.
skipper
S.Bindler,
B.D. spindler
Late Calvi - sunk. 1 off Calads, 1
in Dunkirk.
Skipper.
E. Smith.
Botanic.
pipper.
Aldan.
John Cattling. 1 Calats, 1 Dunicipit.
Sub. Lieut.
Mason.
Chico.
3 Dunkirk.
Skipper.
Selanius
Clythness.
1 Dunkirk.
Skipper.
Snelgrove.
Conidaw.
1 Calais, 1 Duniciple,
1 Life saving party.
Sub. Lieut.
Liddall
Weale.
}
Grey Mist. 1 Boulogne, 1 off Calate.
Sub. Lieut.
Lieut.
CV
Brammall
Gulzar. See report under name of
Sub. Lieut.
RE
Evans.
individual Officers.
Lieut.
Eynon.
Skipper.
Johnson.
Hosanna.
Skide off Dover.
Skipper.
Self.
Inverforth.
Skipper.
Kaye.
Tiller.
Lord Grey.
Skipper.
Littleproud.
Milford King.
1 off Calais LL.
Skipper.
Miller.
Our Bairns.
1 off Calais ID.
Skipper.
Stather.
Playmates.
1 off Calais.
Skipper.
Restrivo.
LL Dover.
Skipper.
Slater.
Relonzo.
LL Dover.
Skipper.
Buchan.
Starlight Rays. 2 Dunkirk.
Lieut.
Gaussen.
Sargasso. See report under name
Sub. Lieut.
Sub. Lieut.
Mills.
w of individual Officers.
Thompson.
Skipper.
Thomsons.
Examination.
Drake.
Skipper.
Willing Boys.
1 Plushing, Calais,
Burrows.
Skide off Dover.
Skipper.
Mair (dead).
Comfort - sunk - 1 Beaches Dunkirk
Skipper.
McLean. - late -Nautilus. sunk - 1 Beaches Dunkirk

340/58.
505
Name.
50
ship.
Anthony Brooke
Rank or Rating.
476
CLYTHNESS
Heckstall Smith.
300 lins to
Walter Fredk.Salenius.
Skipper. Sub. Lt. R.N.V.R. - Unit Officer.
George S. Day.
shalls Yook 150
Smauel B. Sussans
Mate. Chief Engineman. LT/RX 102500.
John A. Cargill.
Seaman.
LT/JX 175090.
For devotion to duty under very trying circumstances (See report No. 6.
POLLY JOHNSON.
Bonter, b
Skipper Lieut. Leonard Lake extricated his ship in a
Sunk.
sinking condition from Dunkirk in a heavy bombardment. Was eventually forced to abandon ship, and transferred his crew and himself to "Arley".
(See report Nos. 5b and c). 38 mg
FYLDEA.
29/5 2/31/5
Liewt. John.K.M. Warde R.N.V.R. - Unit Officer.
has misses.
Thomas Owens,D.S.M.
Chief Engineer. X257EU.
Recommended for coolness and devotion to duty during heavy bombing at Dunkirk.
(See report No. la).
38 of
BROCK.
Kenneth Henry G.Roberts.Sub. Lieut. R.N.V.R.
no brooks
Behaved with great coolness and devotion became he saw no mole to duty in assisting his Group Officer suspected his shipto
(Lieutenant Robert Bill R.N.) to extricate
Keng water.
his ship from a perilous position).
(See report No. 7).
NAUTILUS J
Richard McLean.
Skipper (No.WS 3159).
b
For displaying great gallantry in going strop "Grey tisunt over the side to save a seaman whilst destroyer and "Nautilus" were being bombed.
mb sunk. each Deslige
George Addison.
2nd Engineman.
Andrew Strachan.
Cook.
Worked hard in small boats all day during
Lieutenant V.E. Gelling R.N.R).
trying conditions (See report No.4 by
GULZAR
Edward S. Woodhead.
Coxswain.
Charles H. Baldry.
Seaman.
trips (30/5
Cook.
George Cliefe.
Greaser.
Peter Blake.
Arthur L. Shallis.
Signalman.
to duty in very made trying to
THE to 4th June,
THE been 26th May

G.D.
Report of - LIEUTENANT R. BILL R.N.
517
Wednesday 29th May, 1940, and the loss of
Operations with M/S Trawlers at Dunkerque on
487
N:
5 A
Trawlers "CALVI" & "POLLY JOHNSON
7
To: Commander M/S, arley
Dover.
Brach oux calvi
Sir,
Fylder - (So)
Tehn Getting connection with operations by M/S Trawlers at Dunkerque on
I have the honour to submit the following report in
Paller Johnson
Wednesday 29th May, 1940.
Before sailing I collected all Unit Officers and explained what we were going to do, issued and explained their routes, and impressed on them that they must act independently in the case of an emergency. I then instructed them to onil
0400. independently and meet me in the vicinity of the Gull Buoy by
Ladders were embarked off Ramsgate by 0430 and we proceeded in company to Dunkerque, arriving at 1330.
On arrival I hove to and signalled to S.N.O. through
"Grenade" requesting permission to enter harbour. The reply came back "Wait - you may enter harbour after 1600". I then signalled - "Can I be more use off the beach", as there were already three destroyers and the transports alongside the vall.
I then received the signal - "Enter harbour and pull off"Loch
Garry," trawlers may then take her berth".
"Lock Garry" from the wall, and proceeded to take her berth. The
I then signalled "Arley" to follow ne in. and we pulled remaining four trawlers then entered harbour and berthed alongside
1420. us as directed by the Piermaster (Commander
)at about
I landed and reported to the Piermaster and asked for instructions. I was instructed to wait and to fill up my ships after the transport "Fynella" and "Grenade" had completed. Ladders were troops. rigged up the wall and the ships were prepared to receive
Fenella
Up to this time practically no troops had appeared at the far end of the pier, and "Jaguar" was nearly full and "Fynella"
about half full. "Canterbury" was also nearly full and was embarking wounded which completely jammed other traffic along the pier. Sketch "A" shews positions of ships at this time.
The first raid occurred at about 1530, by about six or seven bombers. All ships opened fire and a fairly effective barrage was put up. About 20/30 bombs were dropped, but they were mostly wide.
There were near misses on "Canterbury," "Calvi", "Polly
Johnson" and "Jaguar" and a number of men received shrapnel wounds in all these ships.
Fighters then appeared and the raiders were driven off.
One was shot down by fighters and I think one by "Jaguar". "Jaguar"
left harbour, and the remainder of ships attended to their wounded.
I arranged to place all wounded in the "Canterbury" and not the assistance of the Surgeon Lieutenant from "Grenade" for the more serious cases.

-3-
519
*
490
As the wreck of the
"Grenade"
instructed follow the "John other Cattling" ships to was attempt drifting to pull down her on clear the trawlers,
I
7
up troops and survivors, out. "Polly Johnson" and "Brock" and to at full speed. got clear, and proceeded out of harbour picked
"Arley" was clear and "Fyldea" under way.
further and several up the pier troops and survivors jumped on board. the I
The more Skipper of "Fyldea" kept his ship close to wall instructions, but I trying to find the Piermaster again for was further on board as she failed to find him and just managed to jump was leaving. This was at about 1815.
then told clear me of the Piermaster had also instructed him to "Granade"
Lieutenant that Peake - the First Lieutenant of the ships the four it and to go round to the beaches. I therefore get took the ships three there asking if there were any troops available for me. to the After remaining ships towards the beaches and signalled capacity ships replying that they were themselves up unsuccessful - all attempts to obtain further troops to fill to and difficulty in completing I received signals from "Polly having Johnson"
necessary. by "Polly Johnson" and to remove her crew and sink her if stand "Brock" stating that they were damaged. I ordered "Arley" to who was anchored in the vicinity of the Nieuport Bank Buoy with her
With "Brock" in company I then proceeded towards the "Jaguar"
should take some from her. I was told to escort her as she had to I Express troops on board and another destroyer alongside her, and asked if boats and I therefore told "Brock", whose damage was slight, to proceed to independently. I proceeded with "Brock for about two miles exchange the necessary signals and satisfy myself that she was capable of making the journey and then returned to "Jaguar".
her and signalled my maximum speed.
By this time she had weighed, and I followed astern of side to at about 2500 feet, in the direction of the "Jaguar" and started port
At about 1930, five German Dive Bombers passed on our detached itself from the formation and made an attack on us.
make an attack. We opened fire with the 12 pounder and one plane
We Six bombs were dropped which fell about 40/50 yards on our port beam.
the plane straightened up to attack I gave the order"hard-a-starboard" As then straightened up and proceeded on our course.
her multiple pom-poms and zig-zagged, and no hits were registered,
The other planes attacked the "Jaguar" who replied with although all attacks appeared to be very close to her.
out of sight.
After this attack she increased speed and she was soon route I set a course for the Dyck Buoy and followed "y" route.
Having been left by "Jaguar" - who was taking a different
Between "m" and "S" buoys I overtook "Brock" and she signalled that she could only steam at half speed and that she had three serious cases on board. I signalled her to heave to and went aea ongside her and transferred her survivors and troops to at 0300.
I then proceeded at full speed and arrived back at Dover situation was so tense that it would have been almost impossible to
During the bombing raids and the periods between, the realize any passage of time, so that the times in this report may be in error to a considerable extent.

-4-,
520
-
491
heavy type. They could be quite easily seen as they fell and
The bombs dropped during the raids appeared to be of a
7
waves of about two or three, releasing two bombs at a time, which looked about the size of a 15" shell. The bombers attacked in prolonged the period and disorganised the embarking and tended to cause panic. Most of these bombs fell within 70 yards of the trawlers. The ships were also attacked with "cannon". This was not noticed at the time due to the intensity of the bombing, but
1/2 inch iron shells were picked up afterwards.
The behaviour of all Officers and men was at all times exemplary, and at no time did I notice any man shew any disinclination to do his utmost or shew any sign of panic even when others were paniding. I would like to mention Skipper Lieutenant Lake, whose ship was badly damaged. He retained complete control of his men and assured me that he would take his ship back to port if it was possible. This afterwards proved to be impossible, and her crew were taken off by "Arley", who fired two rounds into her and left her to sink.clear of the channel. "Arley" was not able to fire again as she was attacked by bombs.
Lieutenant Warde and Sub. Lieutenant Roberts R.N.V.R.
were also of the greatest assistance. They supervised the placing of the ladders of the foremost group and throughout the whole period remained cheerful, and encouraged their men.
I subsequently discovered that the "John Cattling" vas detained in Dunkerque by the Piermaster and remained there until dark, where, inspite of further bombing, she carried out the most useful work.
I authorised provisions and rum to be issued in moderation to survivors and troops, and morphia to the seriously wounded, at the discretion of Commanding Officers.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Lieutenant R.N.

Dynamo ME
523
H.M.T. "ARLEY".
N°. $404
2nd June, 1940.
To: Commander M/S,
Dover.
Sir,
May proceed 29th at harbour received orders from H.M.T. "Fyldea" to
On 1430, arrival I at the entrance of Dunkirk on Wednesday head to seaward Garry" I in tow out of harbour. After transport steamer up "Loch and turn, whilst he took the then was ordered to tow transport out, turning had gained the most favourable position for the manoeuvre. as I
I took the stern rope from "Loch Garry", and while towing the her stern clear of destroyers, commenced pushing after ahead steamer came astern with engines.
This operation would have taken the vessel harbour cannot all clear stern first, but for some reason, which out of the explain, she reversed engines and went ahead, causing I
towing hawser to be slacked away to prevent parting.
starboard quarter, my boat deck pressed on to D.G.
On resuming pushing operation on "Loch Garry's"
her, causing it to take fire. This was caused by wiring the lengthened of which towing hawser allowing my ship to go too far ahead, a position very close to Western Pier head, and I was compelled to us go full
I had no time to adjust, as the tide was carrying both speed ahead to clear us both.
and took up position astern of H.M.T. "Fyldea" and moored to
Having completed this manoeuvre I re-entered harbour,
Eastern arm, with H.M.T. "John Cattling" and "Calvi" berthed outside of me; H.M.T. "Calvi" being the outside ship.
Aircraft, and although every ship in harbour put up full anti-
Soon after mooring, heavy bombing commenced by German aircraft barrage, the bombs were dropped either side of the
Eastern arm.
during one of these a bomb dropped very close to "Polly Johnson",
Several raids were carried out at short intervals, and
Destroyer "Grenade" was hit, also H.M.T. "Calvi". The "Calvi"
wounding several of her guns crew. During a later raid the was hit by a bomb on the port quarter, and soon commenced to
H.M.S. "Grenade" commenced settling down.
settle down, taking a very heavy list to port - at the same time
The next raid was directed more on the harbour, and shore end of the Eastern arm causing a delay on the troops coming along the pier. At this period the position became serious, and it was decided all trawlers should clear harbour.
fouled by "Calvi" sinking alongside of her, I kept "John Cattling"
Owing to the serious position of "John Cattling" being moored to me, whilst I towed her astern clear of "Calvi", I then hove ahead, again close to pier, and embarked as many soldiers as possible; the remainder of the troops going to the paddle steamer berthed on the eastern side of the pier.
(Continued over).

continued.
-2-
405+
H.M.T. cleared "Fyldea" harbour leading. of H.M.T. "Polly Johnson", "Brock" and with
I then astern passed ahead inside of H.M.S. "Grenade"
who faster informed owing to trouble megaphone that she was unable to proceed
When me clear by of harbour I closed on H.M.T. "Polly Johnson"
she to slow charts had been shattered. We were by as then to reported all her up position about mld of a mile ahead of keep her her. I took in the engineroom. and would I close any reduced speed, and I informed H.M.T. "Fyldea" that faster. orders from "Fyldea" to stand by "Polly
"Polly Johnson" I received was in difficulties and could not proceed any
Johnson", which I did, keeping about me of a mile ahead of her.
Although I was only proceeding at slow speed, the "Polly Johnson"
still dropped astern.
I then received a message from H.M.T. "Fyldea" that if
"Polly Johnson" could not proceed I was to take her crew and scuttle her clear of the channel and act independently. I
ordered this message to be sent to "Polly Johnson" as relayed from
"Fyldea". By this time we had reached a position half way between
Nieuport Buoy, and Middlekerke Buoy, and I stopped engines until
"Polly Johnson" came within hail. During this period several more raids were carried out by German Aircraft on the Destroyers and other craft close to us.
When "Polly Johnson" closed on me, the Skipper informed me he was already to abandon ship; his confidential books etc.
were packed ready to pass to me. I then closed on her and lashed alongside until the two stretcher cases and all the other members of her crew and passengers were safely on board. I then cast off and moved away from her.
The Skipper of "Polly Johnson" - Skipper Lieutenant
Lake R.N.R. (ret) informed me that the water in engineroom had gained up to the platforms, and in the stokehold the water was about to put her fires out.
After leaving "Polly Johnson" I requested one of our
Destroyers to sink her as she had been abandoned, but as I received no satisfactory reply, I returned to her and fired two shota of common shell into her at waterline.
As I had by now about 90 men on board, including several wounded, I decided to make all speed for Dover. The tide was setting to East North East, and assuming the "Polly Johnson" would drive away from the channel, I left her, the Skipper agreeing that she would sink in about two hours.
Soon after leaving "Polly Johnson" I received an S.O.S.
from a Paddle Steamer who had been badly bombed whilst I had been taking off from "Polly Johnson". I decided I could not take all her men, so I steamed and intercepted one of the scouts, and two
French trawlers, and directed them to go to the paddler, which they did. There was also one drifter standing by her and one of our destroyers heading for her, so I decided nothing further could be done, and returned to harbour forthwith.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Skipper Lieutenant R.D.,R.N.R.
ske Lieut G Robinson RD RNR
HMT. "arley"