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TNA Unclassified 1

TNA Unclassified 1
Collection details

TNA Unclassified 1

A working collection of Operation Dynamo source material whose definitive National Archives catalogue reference is still being identified.

Holding archive
TNA
Collection reference
Unclassified 1

Source: The National Archives, Kew, Unclassified 1. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Showing only pages tagged with the vessel name Comfort. Tags are exact matches from this collection’s OCR tag index. Clear vessel filter ×

7 matching pages. OCR may contain transcription errors.

List page 1 of 1 Showing document pages 211–587 of this collection
Page ImageOCR textOCR tags
211 Page 211 Log in to enlarge

Dynam. 209 BIWO/ 233
c/o The Standard Bank of South Africa, 1462
9 Northumberland Avenue,
S.W.1.
7th June 1940.
Sir,
ACTIVITY OF EX DUTCH COASTER "ZEUS" UNDER OPERATION "DYNAMO"
I have been instructed by the Commodore's Secretary at
Portsmouth to submit a report to yourself with reference to the above, together with my suggestions.
27th May 1940.
Dawn - Arrived in company with others off Dover. This vessel has been equipped with 360 life belts in addition to those for the crew.
9 A.M. - Entered Dover. Berthed alongside West Quay, topped up with fresh water, stores etc.,
BIG
13:00 - Proceeded in company for Dunkirk. Considerable gun fire heard during crossing.
29th May 1940.
00:00 - Approaching Dunkirk experienced considerable difficulty in finding out where to go to be of most value.
01:00 - Entered Dunkirk harbour and berthed alongside the quay.
Commenced receiving troops.
(NOTE: Only one vertical shore ladder was available).
01:30 - SAN ANTONIO berthed alongside this vessel. Troops crossed our deck to board SAN ANTONIO.
03:00 - SAN ANTONIO cast off. This vessel continued embarking troops.
04:00 - Breeze freshening and we have received approximately 230
troops, as the supply of troops appears to have stopped for the time being we decide to cast off.
At times troops were so numerous on the quay that the one shore ladder was quite inadequate to deal with the numbers.
At others, as much as quarter of an hour went by without at single man boarding our vessels. It had been discovered that two ladies in soldiers overcoats and steel helmets boarded with troops. Best possible arrangements were made for their comfort.
Vice-Admiral,
Dover.
As/...

327 Page 327 Log in to enlarge

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

580 Page 580 Log in to enlarge

Department 38. G.D.309/58
SECRET.
-
46496
467
5th June, 1940.
To: The Dover. Vice Admiral,
Report of Operations Carried out by Ships
Under the Command of Commander M/S, Dover during the period 26th May to 3rd June in accordance with V.A.D's 2050/4.
I have the honour to report the following operations carried out by M/S Vessels under my command during the period
26th May to 4th June, 1940.
The list of vessels employed in these operations is as follows:-
LL TRAWLERS.
Thomas Bartlett."
Inverforthx
Lord Inchcape.⁴
Our Bairnsk
Lord Grey x
Clythness.x
Relonzo. *
Restrivo.
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
Botanic. Dankink
Marettax FyldeaX not of Dunkisk
Arleyx
Polly Johnson.
Brocks
CalviX
John Cattling.
DANLAYERS.
Gulsar.*
Grey Mist.)
Sargasso.r
Comfort.*
Nautilus
Starlight Rays
Thomsons.
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
Conidaw.
Chico. X
(Continued over).

582 Page 582 Log in to enlarge

-3-
498
88
28th Inverforth May. Instructions were issued to these
46g previous misunderstanding, the sweeping war channel - but with to
(Our Bairns, programme - i.e. and Thomas Bartlett) to carry on vessels a the M/S Group Commander, who had only owing joined Roads. command, proceeded to carry out the just
7
Dunkirk whilst Vessels were shelled off Calais, and' sweep Thomas in
Bartlett", shallow endeavouring to get out of range, apparently ran on our mine and minefields, in vicinity of Dunkirk A.W. Buoy, struck a sank. Report of Lieutenant Commander A.A.
Martin R.N.R. attached (No. 3). page 122
"Nautilus" and "Comfort" sailed for Dunkirk Beach under the direction of Lieutenant W.E. Gelling R.N.R. Report of Lieutenant Gelling R.N.R. attached (No. 4). "Nautilus"
was damaged by bombs, and as far as is known "Comfort" was rammed and sunk. No report has been received.
29th May - 0100. Six M/S Trawlers under the command of Lieutenant R. Bill R.N. sailed for Dunkirk - embarking ladders at Ramsgate en route. Reports of Lieutenant R. Bill R.N.,
Skipper Lieutenant G.W. Robinson R.N.R., and Skipper Lieutenant
L. Lake R.N.R. are attached (Nos. 5a, 5b, and 5c). pages 517, 523
29th May. "Lord Grey" and "Clythness" to Dunkirk.
Report of Lieutenant J. Simson R.N.V.R. attached (No.
30th May. "Sargasso", "Gulzar", "Conidaw", "Chico", and "Starlight Rays" sailed for Dunkirk, embarked troops, and returned.
"Chico" did especially good work in bringing back
217 troops. This vessel is only 70' long. All ships returned safely with troops.
31st May. "Sargasso", "Gulzar", and "Chico" to Dunkirk.
"Chico" employed ferrying, and was responsible for nearly a 1,000
troops being embarked. All returned safely with troops.
"Fyldea" and "Brock" to beaches with motor boat. "Brock"
damaged by bombs, and ordered to return. Report of Sub. Lieutenant
K.H.G. Roberts R.N.V,R. attached (No. 7). "Fyldea" returned with troops.
lageors
"Lord Inchcape" and "Our Bairns" ordered to Dunkirk.
Sweeping proved impossible due to shell fire and bombing. Ordered to return.
1st June. "Sargasso", "Gulzar" and "Starlight Rays" to
Dunkirk for troops.
All returned safely.
"Starlight Rays", "Gulzar", and "Sargasso"
to Dunkirk 2nd for June. troops. "Conidaw" and "Chico" standing by for life saving duties on route "X". All returned safely.
3rd June. "Starlight Rays", and "Gulzar" to Dunkirk for troops. Both returned safely.
this period constant sweeping with "LL" without and skids was During + and 13 magnetic mines were detonated, vicinity of carried out,* ship. One mine detonated in and "LL" a hospital ship, probably, 3/4 cables away. Report (No. C.L. 7).
the loss of a single by combined fields of herself of Lieutenant
Lambert Trawlers, R.N.V.R. which were who visited the hospital ship attached?
+ in many DOWNS and Entrance of Dover Harbour.
(Continued over).

583 Page 583 Log in to enlarge

-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

585 Page 585 Log in to enlarge

5th June, 1940.
G.D.
501
-
formander W.V.H. Harris
C.M.S.
Command and organisation of 472 all
M/S Forces ashore and afloat.
;ieutenant R. Bill.
Asst. to C.M.S. 2 Andresselles. 1 Dunkirk
(6 ships).
Lieut. G. St. C. Rideal.
Operations Staff. 1 off Boulogne and
Calais W/T Link.
Lieut. C.L. Lambert.
Operations Staff. 1 Dunkerque (Medway Queen)
3ub. Lieut. D.G. Rattle. /
Operations Staff. Chico. Off Dunkirk for
Life saving duties
Pay. Sub. Lieut. Matthews.
Operations Staff. Conidaw.
ditto
Lieut. Cmdr. A.A.Martin.
Gp.Cmdr. "LL" 2 Dunkirk Roads "LL".
Continuous "LL" off Dover.
tieut. Cmdr. P.F.Cammiade.
Gp.Cmdr "Oropesa". 1 Calais (Botanic &
(Maretta.
}
Lieut. W.E. Gelling.
Gp.Cmdr. "Skids". 1 Dunkirk (Comfort &)
(Nautilus )
Lieut. L.J. Wyatt.
D.Y. Officer.
Lieut. H.S. Warren.
Pier Master.P. O.W. 1 Medway Queen - - Dunkirk.
Lieut. J.K.M. Warde.
1 Buoy laying operation. / to DUNKERQUE AND
/ To BEACHES.
Lieut. W.R. Hutcheson.
2 Trips - Starlight Rays - Dunkirk.
Lieut. C.B. Sharp.
Sick.
Sub. Lieut. M.R. Mills.
1 trip Calais - Maretta, 2 Dunkirk - Sargasso
Sub. Lieut. J.C. Fegen.
1 trip Gulzar, 1 Conidaw, 1 Conidaw (Lifesaving).
Sub. Lieut. K.H.G.Roberts.
1 off Calais 26th - Brock. 1 Dunkirk and beaches.
Sub. Lieut. F.L. Perkins.
2 Sargasso Dunkirk.
Sub. Lieut. R.L. Hippisley.
1 Sargasso, and also with Captain A/P.
Lieut. M. Eynon.
Gulzar.
Sub. Lieut. W.G. Lloyd.
Dunkirk in John Cattling.
Sub. Lieut.AEveritt.
1 off Calais, 1 Dunkirk - blown up - wounded.
Sub. Lieut. M.Thompson.
1 Calais - Conidaw.
Sub. Lieut. R.E. Weale.
2 off Calais = Grey Mist.
Sub. Lieut. R.E. Evans.
Gulzar then sick.
Lieut. C.V. Brammall.
5 Dunkirk, 1 Andresselles, 2 Calais.
Lieut. C.C.L. Gaussen.
3 Dunkirk.
Sub. Lieut. W.V. Liddall.
1 Boukogne W/T link. 1 off Calais.
Sub, Lieut. J. Mason.
3 Dunkirk.
Skipper R. Snelgrove.
1 Calais, 1 Dunkirk, 1 lifesaving party.
(Contd over).

587 Page 587 Log in to enlarge

-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