TNA Unclassified 1

339
SHEERNESS
REPORTS
RENASCENT
MONARDA.
ARONIA,
STRATHELLIOT
ALOUETTE 2
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OFFICERS SMEN
LIST or OFFICERS DESIERVING SPIECIAL MENTION
MOVEMENTS OF OFFICERS.

Dynom. INJ.
375
H.M.Y. "ARONIA".
352
6th June, 1940.
sir,
I have the honour to submit the following. At 1910
30th May received orders to proceed to Ramsgate for routeing to
Dunkirk. Got under weigh and cleared harbour at 1919. 2210
anchored off the Foreland due to darkness and poor visibility.
0400 31st May commenced to weigh, windlass broken down.
0500 windlass repaired, weighed and proceeded to Ramsgate. 0800
received route orders from N.C.S.O. and proceeded to Dunkirk.
Dynama
-
H.M.D. "MONARDA"
350
5th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following. At
2000 on Thursday 30th May, "Monarda", in company with H.N.D.
"Renascent", sailed for Ramsgate in accordance with Sailing
Orders received. On arrival there at 0500 on 31st May we were given orders to proceed to Dunkerque to take off members of the B.E.F.
Dunkerque was reached at 1330 and we were attacked by enemy bombing aircraft; to which attack we replied vigourously. One of our Hurricane fighters was shot down and fell into the sea. Her pilot, Squadron Leader McGregor, was picked up.
Later, a Service cutter with forty soldiers aboard was picked up and we then entered the harbour, took off twenty-five men and returned to Ramsgate.
The following day, Saturday 1st June, we again left Ramsgate at 0630 and arrived at Dunkerque about noon. We entered the harbour and took on board one hundred and twenty
British soldiers. During this time there was a heavy bombing attack - aerial torpedoes were dropped and "Monarda" was shaken by explosions.
We sailed at 1400 and a little while later picked up five French sailors from the water. A French trawler came alongside and took on board fifteen of the wounded.
Later we met another French trawler which had been damaged, took aboard her crew and towed her back to
Sheerness, where we arrived at 1430, Sunday June 2nd.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) Pearce T. Lovelock
Lieutenant R.N.V.R.

Дулом. INS.
375
H.M.Y. "ARONIA".
il
6th June, 1940.
352
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following. At 1910
30th May received orders to proceed to Ramsgate for routeing to
Dunkirk. Got under weigh and cleared harbour at 1919. 2210
anchored off the Foreland due to darkness and poor visibility.
0400 31st May commenced to weigh, windlass broken down.
0500 windlass repaired, weighed and proceeded to Remsgate. 0800
received route orders from N.C.S.O. and proceeded to Dunkirk.
1205 Off Dunkirk harbour, fine and clear weather strong
N.E. wind and heavy swell. 1220, ordered alongside H.H.S. "KEITH"
instructed by her to intercept arrivals of small Launches at S.W.
Ruytingen Buoy and direct them to the various beaches. This work was carried out under frequent air raids until 1755 when no more launches arrived.
I asked inward-bound ship if they had sighted any more launches; reply was negative, so at 1800 I decided to return to
Dunkirk for further orders. 1820, severe air raid commenced, several bombs falling very close to ship. Observed two raiders shot down by A.A. fire from H.M. Ships.
1930, raiders driven off, I endeavoured to locate "KEITH", but could not so proceeded to Bray Beach and anchored close in shore in company with other small craft. The number of launches at this beach had become insufficient to embark troops with reasonable despatch, so I lowered the ship's small motor boat and lifeboat - sending her ashore in charge of Sub Lieut. J.G.
Llewellyn R.N.R.
When inshore heavy surf partially swamped boat and wreckage fouled propeller. Motor boat was towed back to ship by lifeboat; the crew working magnificently against a strong tide.
Report was received from shore that a large detachment of British troops were on the beach Eastward of La Panke. 2200
weighed anchor and proceeded. there in the gathering darkness -
going dead slow. 2240 closed British escort vessel, who advised me to go further West as present position was extremely dangerous.
I therefore turned and proceeded slowly back towards Dunkirk. The night was calm and very dark with slight haze.
A few minutes after turning, aircraft were heard approaching from the Eastward. Ship was at once attacked by machine-gun fire, bullets falling in the water on either side but none striking the ship. On opening fire with the Lewis gun, the first raider passed off. These attacks occurred at short intervals for about an hour; in every case the enemy attacked from astern. One appeared to release a large object like a torpedo which struck the water astern and did not explode. Bombs of varying calibre were dropped all round the ship; one falling approximately 100 feet away, shaking the ship severely and breaking electric lights. The Port side was struck by splinters which bent a frame and loosened several rivets.
During these attacks, our fire was witheld until aircraft came within good range one of which was hit by a good burst.
Our tracer bullets appeared to bounce off the underside of the

From
CAPTAIN M/S SHEERNESS.
Deproms 142.
387
- 364
Date
7th.June 1940
To.
COMMODORE IN CHARGE, SHEERNESS.
Subject
Recommendations of officers and men engaged in operation 'Dynamo!
Submitted:
1. Lieutenant John Stanley Roe R.N.V.R. commanding officer off
H.M.Y. Aronia for devotion to duty, courage in face of attack and for his excellent mavigation and preservation of his ship.
2. Sub. Lieutenant John Gwyn Llewelyn. 1st Lieutenant of
H.M.Y. Aronia for his coolness under fire and devotion to duty in taking charge of the ship's boat and bringing off members of the
B.E.F.
3. Ordinary Signalman John L. Wells R.N.V.R. LD9/X.4930 of
H.M.Y. Aronia for quick and efficient signalling during the whole operation.
4. Coxswain Francis Richard Overdon Thompson R.N.P.S. LT. N.K. of
H.M.T. Aronia for his leadership of the crew and for his fine example.
5. Lewis Gunner Rodney Matthews O.N./N.K. for well controlled and accurate fire, with most economical use of ammunition.
6. Robert Herbert Soanes R.N.R. W.S. 2984, Skipper of H.M.D.
Monarda, for the cool and skilful handling of his ship under enemy artillery fire and during heavy bombing attacks, and for his untiring work in embarking troops. He set a fine example to the men.
7. Lieutenant Pearce Trewhella Lovelock R.N.V.R. Unit officer in
H.M.D.Monarda for zeal and courage in taking axamber off members of the B.E.F. under heavy fire and for the fine spirit he showed throughout.
8. 2nd Hand William Joseph Kingston 1152 O.N./N.K. of H.M.D.
Monarda for his untiring energy and cheerfulness at all times under extremely trying circumstances. He did everything possible for the welfare of the troops on board, and fax his coolness, even during heavy bombing attacks was an inspiration to the men.
9. Stoker P.O. Herbert Ralph Helps D.K.5111 of H.M.D. Monarda, for devotion to duty. Mainly through his efforts, steam was always ready, and when off watch he was to be found looking to the welfare of the troops.
10. Seaman John Henry Williams LT/JX 173534. 14112 of H.M.D. be
Monarda devotion to duty. As Gunner he was always to He found at for his post whenever danger threatened the ship. showed remarkable coolness under enemy bombing attacks and replied also vigourously great care to see that all arms were ready, and is to especially whenever opportunity presented itself. He be took praised for his pride in his work.
11, Skipper courageous manner in which he directed and for
RichardHannaford W.S. 2940f H.M.D. Renascent his for ship the seamanlike and off members of the B.E.F. from Dunkerque Grieve which his prompt and brought action in receiving the crew of steam yacht was mined.

3953
372
FROM:
Captain M/S, Sheerness.
DATE:
28th June, 1940
TO:
Commodore in Charge
SUBJECT:
Operation Dynamo see vol III 655,
Submitted:
With reference to the report on Operation
Dynamo (Dover despatch A.14/0/876/40 that Appendix I
is misleading in that no mention is made of:-
H.M. Yacht "Aronia"
H.M. Yacht "Alouette" *
H
H.M. D. "Renascent"
H.M.D. "Monardo"
H.M.D. "Strathelliot"
dan layer all of which vessels were under my operational command at the time. This despite the fact that in AppendixVI
"Aronia" is reported as having destroyed enemy aircraft at
18:30 on 31st May and at 0500 on 1st June, and "Alouette"
as having destroyed one enemy aircraft at 1700 on 1st June.
2.
The note at the end of Appendix I which reads
"In addition some 23 of H.M. Trawlers and Drifters and
Yachts of the Nore Command, assisted by taking one or more tows of boats to the coast". is misleading in that all the vessels above mentioned actually carried troops from
Dunkirk to this country, making several trips during the operation and bringing off some 1,000 men.
3.
As I have already forwarded a list of recommendations for officers and men concerned, it is requested that the necessary corrections may be made to this report.
GBHarlfood Captain, M/SY
being recommended for menhan in but is for officers an salings from all of there such are