TNA Unclassified 1

Dyram 95.
CONFIDENTIAL.
263
From.
The Commanding Officer. Sheldrake.
248
Date
2nd June. 1940.
Reference.
RDA/0/37.
To
The Flag Officer in Charge. Harwich.
Subject
Meritorious Service Awards.
1.
Operations in which Sheldrake has been involved during the evacuation from Dunkirk has enabled certain officers and men to distinguish themselves in H.M.Ship under my command. The circumstances are outlined below so that the necessary action may be taken by you should you concur.
2.
Sheldrake was ordered by C-in-C. Nore. to proceed to the KWINTE BUOY
and destroy the Asdic Apparatus of one of our destroyers wrecked in the vicinity
3.
On arrival 'Wakeful' was found to be lying completely capsized with her stern resting on the bottom and only the forefoot visible, which appeared from oil marks on the waterline to be seni buoyant. A Boat under the command of my First Lieutènant, Lieutenant HUGH WILLIAM MACKENZIE ROSE, R.N.
was sent over and placed a berthing wire running from the bull ring round the keel, to the bull ring the other side. It was intended to hang depth charges on this 'necklace' and countèrmine them with other depth charges, using Bickfords fuze.
4.
For the second trip with two depth charges, it was necessary to tow the whaler to the wreck oh the end of a grass and to pump out oil fuel from Sheldrake to counteract the effects of ground swell and strong tide, which made operations difficult, particularly on the weather aide.
Good seamanship and stout hearts succeeded in placing one charge on either bow in the required spot without damage to the boat. Throughout the operation all were acutely aware that we were only 10 miles from Dunkirk with aircraft of both sides passing the ship at intervals, and that at bomb in the vicinity of a boat would have countermined the depth charges that they were placing.
5.
On the whalers return to the ship for the demolition charges,
C-in-C. Nore's signal "Cancel my 1044 area now mined" was received. It confirmed our own fears that we had been working in a mined area. It seemed a pity to leave the job half done and it was decided to sink the wreck by gunfire using D.A. fuze asnear the required area as possible, and if the ship sunk before the charges placed had been exploded, to fire them with a countermining pattern of depth charges. She sank inside ten mintes, and using the escaping bubbles from the punctured stem as an aiming mark, a pattern was dropped, of which the centre charge produced a plume that told us that the desired effect had been achieved. The only damage to Sheldrake was a few light fittings on the Stokers Messdeck caused by the capatan engine
'whipping' on the light deck above.
addition to Lieutenant Rose I wish particularly to mention
6. In Officer Albert Edward Jackson, Official No. 0/JX/125587
my Acting Chief Petty Boatswains Mate, whose energy din the whaler was largely responsible that the depth charges were placed.
second incident which I submit should receive. Trawler recognition
7. concerned The was the rescue of the survivors of H.M. dodging
ST. ACHILLEUS, with which H.M.S. Widgeon, aircraft closed and informed to me stress survivors the for those had been mined. After a night spent that M.T.B.
torpedoes bearing 340 degrees I wish particularly to the scene.
were in the waters this flight of three aircraft in leadin me continued to efficiency of the signal most expeditiously, two aircraft the ship
After circle passing over the area while one of their number flew past indicating

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
I should Officer like to draw T.Jones special attention to the magnificent work 295
of Petty throughout operations.
2
officers, Lieut.D.A.Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman accompanied me and reported to Ramsgate, and services on the following day if required.
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to Remsgate, we were informed that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the air and shelling from the land.
Good
290
REPORT OF INNER PATROL YACHT "LAHLOO". C.O., Lieut.J.V.Ould, R.N.V.R.
y 29. 1740. Slipped and proceeded to sea from Hamble.
Took station with yachts of Inner Patrol on course for Dover.
y 30 Made fast on arrival in Dover Harbour. Depth Charges removed,
1050 hours.
1940. Cast off and, proceeding from Harbour, took station with yachts. Crossed Channel in station with yachts.
7.81 0610. Arrived off Zuydcoote. Destroyer signalled to lay off close to beach and tow boat loads of soldiers as they pulled out from beach to destroyers. Carried on with this work for some hours taking many boat loads in tow.
In the course of this operation was told that a boat had overturned in seas which had now got up somewhat considerably.
Hurried round stern of a destroyer and found quantities of men struggling in the water. Managed to save seven of them and put them aboard a destroyer. (In point of fact I believe only one of the boat load was lost.) Carried on towing as before while being bombed at frequent intervals, by enemy aircraft.
During the afternoon, Commodore Stephenson in "BOUNTY"
ordered me to proceed to La Panne and close destroyers off shore.
Went alongside H.M.S.HEBE who gave me a boat with three ratings and told me to lay off La Panne and put this boat ashore to take off General Lord Gort.
1700. Lay off La panne as ordered and, while waiting for Lord
Gort, took several boat loads of soldiers who had rowed out from shore and put them aboard destroyers.
1830. Boat brought out General Lord Gort and his Aide de
Camp out to me. He came aboard and I took him over and put him aboard H.M.S.HEBE. It appeared to me that the enemy knew of his departureas they shelled the beach and bombed it as he left and a very large enemy formation flew over
Continued to lay off La Panne as instructed, taking off and bombed as I put him aboard the HEBE.
out at intervals with about two men per boat. Had had shell no soldiers until nightfall, by which time they were only coming further except that the flaet were going to
La Panne orders in the early morning and the destroyer KEITH further who had told to lay alongside him told me to lay with him in the him dark. With first daylight I found myself had near away from me in consequence of which I lost touch instructions. Yacht Found he had not so toad him we would remain
I.P. "SERIOLA" and closed to see if he had any around there until further orders.
(Continued).