TNA Unclassified 1

23
-2-
10.
we could have taken more. There was
At about 0030 we had a good 10ad, althouch the arrival of the troops and there were ships waiting to get alongside, so I decided, after and "BORNRIF" following independently.
consulting Tromp, to 80 with what I had - #HORNSRUG"
11.
There was no shelling or bo bingof the part of either the harbour the where we were, and no incident to reports in harbour on the return journey.
12.
well taped beforehand, and nothing left to chance.
The officers of the ship had their organisatic shewed great judgment.
The C.O. Licut. Wise only joined the day before, and
Licut. de Mornay, R.N. came as a volunteer to
His pilot me to harbour having made several recent trips.
of the service was invaluable. I took over the handling and leaving, not that I doubted Wise's capacity, ship at the entrance of Durikerque, both entering but because the importance of accurate handling was such that I preferred to have it in my own hands.
13.
I have made no recommendations in respect of this operation in view of the fact that the S ips were at ano time under fire, whereas the majority of ships taking part were continually bombed and shelled.
PT
&
0
VIV
14
4
2
I have the honour to be Sir,
12 JUN 1940
H.M.S. M 2745/636 VERNON
Your obedient servant,
(SHammd
CO ANDER R.
II.
No: 211/27.
THE VICE ADMIRAL,
DOVER.
(Copy to:-
The Commander-in-Chief, H.M.Ships & Vessels, Ports
Portsmouth General Order 1700.
Submitted, with reference to Confidential
H.M.S. "VERNON",
PORTSMOUTH.
13th June, 1940.
Magerton
CAPTAIN.
VICE ADMIRAL
15 JUN 1940
Думашь

Deprover 162
15
The Commanding Officer,
HMS "Vernon".
From. Commanding Office
HMS "Bystand lsv. June 1940.
leport upon the action of seaman cook J.H.N. Elton (RM.
Patrol Service) in reseuring survivors from Hins King
Deparms 1,62 152 157
The Commanding officer.
From
HMS "Vernon"
HMS "Bystander"
1-6- 40.
in of this
I beg to submit the enclosed report to you upon the word riseworthy action of one of my ctew, I. Elton, cook on about rd this ship, in diving into the water to assist in cuing twenty survivors of the troop transport "King
1 off Dunkisk in the early hours of Thursday 30th process y.
dens for
As this man was manily responsible for the saving these officers and men, I submit his name be at sidered for an award.
to HARS
I am. yours obsedintly, ger of
H.J. Bange ( Lub. lt., RNVR)
the dog
Commanding Office.
attempt

Dyram 162
158
153
The Commanding Officer,
HMS "Vernon".
From Commanding Office,
HMS "Bystander."
Isv. June 1940.
Report upon the action of seaman cook J.H.H. Elton (RM.
Patrol Service) in reseuring survivors from Hims King
Orry on 30st cllay 1940.
"
Sir,
I beg to submit the following report upon the action of man cook J.H.H. Elton. a member of the of this ship, when this ship was engaged in reseuring survivors
HMS "King Orly: when she foundared off Dunkirk at about
+5 30 th ellay, 1940.
This ship. an echo-sounding vessel was in the process refitting at Ramsgate when she was given route orders for unkink to assist in transporting troops to England.
During this operation. I arrived at Dumkink at
30 of 29th ellay 1940 I was instructed to proceed to HMS
ing Pry" and take off her arew as she was in danger of bundering as a result of a bombing raid earlier in the day.
the Commanding officer of King Drry: however, decided to attempt

Information
Dynam 212
Dulela
1230
1572
Vice-Admival,
From. Commanding Officer,
Dover.
(leho-smundrif your)
HMS Bryetandar.
10d June. 1940.
Report on operation Dynama In accordance with
Confidential Portsmouth general Grder 1y00. (6.fune19100)
(bopy to bim b., Portimouth).
Dyram 162561 158
of refilting since 14th allay
H.M.S. 'VERNON,'
PORTSMOUTH.
: I gave instructions that
4th June, 1940.
00, 29.00 allay. I had the
Report on action of Seaman Cook J.H.H.
ELTON in rescuing survivors from have and every available
H.M.S. "KING ORRY".
troops.
II.
it four daifters of the othine-
No: 211/22.
The Commander-in-Chief, and entered Dunkink
H. M. Ships & Vessels,
Portsmouth.
Submitted.
who was temporarily in and I steamed up the
*
COMMANDER-IN-CHISE JUN
PORT3MOUTH III
Sgalon CAPTAIN.
0/6 escertain the depth of
- to the town. I received
No. 5400/42
VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
your message 2001 of 4th June,
Referred with reference 1940. to t of Has King Only as
ALBLA have
As the Commanding
Portsmouth. 1940 ΓoΓ Admiral.
reded to two of the cline
7th June,
Muamo

Dyram 100
339
From Actual A. 317
RNVR.
To. Captain H.M.S. Veriou
H.M.S. "VERNON",
Blulel uss
Portsmouth.
6th June 1940.
H.M.S. "VERNON,"
311
PORTSMOUTH.
8th June, 1940.
Report of Movements of "DORIENTA" and
"BEN LUCY".
unit the following ifters *HEN & LUCY" and
136/49.
a to Tuesday, June 4th.
VICE ADMIRAL,
OVER.
rs received from
(Copy to:- The Commander-in-Chief, sailed from "VERNON"
Portsmouth).
29th May aboard *300 &
nd for Ramagate.
ful, the visibility Tory
Submitted with reference to
May we passed Dover onfidential Portsmouth General Order 1700
arbour at 1645. I
ge and was told to stand en until the following a.
Maelon
May I received orders pulling boats in tow,
: small craft). No
CAPTAIN.
:eed was adjusted to the
Loh was necessarily slow.
1 of the West entrance to
VICE AD MIRAL 1940
10 of enemy bombers at high altitude; they driven off, but not ad been dropped mong the
DOVER
R
to observe that two
.D. "LORD HOOD" (this
"FAIRBREEZE" which I
this attack I angaged one guns, the destruction one of our fighters, ged and No proceeded into to the East of Dunkirk harbour at 2100, approaching the shore to a depth of three fathoms. I ordered both my vessels to ship their boats fatorment the boats in shore with instructions to return obe parent ships if possible.
when the was now dark, and when the heats were inshore
D beach smenced shelling the beach and the bay, 1
to sant my ship moving and instructed "DORIENTA"
as soon SA she N&S loaded.
sed then hailes then hailed by H.M.D. "PRASABLE", It. Turner
11, Iquested & nequested & tow as his angines had been in with shell, I racshell, I replied that I would do SQ as soon with sso shd with troops.
ps.
turning four misty four boats were returning I observed that
S were one was

Dynam. 124
339
From Acting Ar.
To. Captain H.M.S. Veriou
RNSR.
H.M.S. "VERNON",
Portsmouth.
6th June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of the movements of H.M.Drifters "BIDIV & LUCY" and
"DORIENTA" from Wednesday, May 29th to Tuesday, June 4th.
In accordance with orders received from
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, I sailed from "VERNON"
North Pier at 2400 on Wednesday, 29th May aboard "EIGN &
LUCY", "DORIENTA" in company, bound for Ramsgate.
The passage was uneventful, the visibility very bad. At 1405 on Thursday, 30th May we passed Dover arriving at anchor off Ramsgate Harbour at 1645. I
reported to Naval Officer in Charge and was told to stand by day. for orders, which were not given until the following
Friday, 3180.
At 1350 on May I received orders to proceed to Dunkirk taking four pulling boats in tow,
("DORIENTA" in company also towing small craft). We proceeded by route 15 W. Our speed was adjusted to the remainder of the large Armada' which was necessarily slow.
At 2000 we were just to the North of the West entrance to
Dunkirk channel when a large force of enemy bombers attacked us from the East flying at high altitude; they were engaged by our fighters and driven off, but not before a large number of bombs had been dropped among the assembled shipping. I was able to observe that two vessels were struck, namely, H.M.D. "LORD HOOD" (this vessel was towed back) and H.M.D. "FAIRBREEZE" which I
was informed was sunk. During this attack I engaged one dive bomber with our two machine gune, the destruction of this machine was completed by one of our fighters.
Neither of my two units was damaged and we proceeded into the channel arriving off the bay to the East of Dunkirk harbour at 2100, approaching the shore to a depth of three fathoms. I ordered both my vessels to sRip their boats and sent the boats in shore with instructions to return to their parent ships if possible.
It was now dark, and when the boats were inshore the enemy commenced shelling the beach and the bay, 1
therefore kept my ship moving and instructed "DORIENTA"
to return independently as soon as she was loaded.
I was then hailed by H.M.D. "FEASABLE", It.Turner
R.N.V.R. who requested & tow as his engines had been disabled by & shell, I replied that I would do so as soon as I had filled with troops.
As my four boats were returning I observed that one was

340
318
Page 2, one was destroyed by a shell.
power boats boat to return containing control officers who ordered by
While embarking the troops I was hailed a instructed to the beach closer to the harbour. my troops, this these boats to the position indicated.. with At to tow & motor boat which came alongside me, also I
stage contact with "DORIENTA" was broken and I
presumed that she had proceeded as previously directed.
My boats having departed I made contact with
H.M.D. "FEASABLE" taking her in tow and proceeded to
Westward in search of further troops. When off the harbour entrance I contacted three boat loads of troops and took them aboard, as there were no boats crews I put them in tow astern of H.M.D. "FEASABLE".
"BEN & LUCY" was now loaded to capacity and was preparing to proceed homewards when I was hailed by a naval rating alone in a waterlogged whaler, I took him aboard abandoning the whaler, I was then hailed by a fishing smack (?) "LETITIA" of Southend who requested a tow as he was short of fuel, I told him to tail on, and
June 1st.
continued my passage, the time being approximately 0100
The channel was negotiated without event, two destroyers being passed bound in. At approximately 0200
we turned to the North having rounded the Whistle bucy and, when about six miles to the North of the channel aircraft was heard overhead, while A.A. gunfire and searchlights had been active for the last half hour. At approximately 0330
8. very heavy explosion occured close to the port quarter of "FEASABLE". The skipper and I were thrown across the bridge with great violence. On looking aft I saw a large column of smoke and water close astern of "FEASABLE".
Owing to the abnormal phosphorescence of the water I judged this to be an aerial attack on what was thought to be a large vessel, and as "FEASABLE" was still in tow and made no signal for assistance I continued. (I was subsequently informed by "LETITIA" that another smack named "ROWAN" which had attached herself to the tow unknown to me had been sunk by this explosion.)
at
"BEN & LUCY" was now making water & about one foot per hour.
About 0700 I was overtaken and hailed by "VERNON"
Pinnace V.4. who requested & course for the North Goodwin
Light Vessel and then proceeded ahead of us.
At approximately 0745 we sighted North Goodwin to port and headed for Ramsgate.
When approximately 3 miles to the N.E. of Ramsgate
"LETITIA" slipped her tow and under her own power began to make off. I hailed her and when he informed me about the loss of the "ROWAN" I ordered him to report to Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate. He replied that he was returned whence he came. I repeated my previous instructions which
I do not think he obeyed.
When a mile to the Northward of the harbour I
signalled

341
319
Page 3.
signalled "FEASABLE" my intention to tow her in lashed alongside "BEN & LUCY". While attempting to do this the tow rope was picked up by a length of sweep wire which apparently had been foul of our propeller since leaving Portsmouth. Our propeller became hopelessly fouled so we were both obliged to anchor. I signalled
Pierhead that I had 100 troops, including two wounded and that I was disabled. A launch came off and took the troops ashore. We remained at anchor until Monday morning having made unsuccessful attempts to obtain a tow into harbour to clear the screw.
At 1000 on Monday, June 3rd we were towed in by drifter "RENASCENT" and at low tide succeeded in clearing our screw by acetylene cutter. While this operation was on hand I succeeded in contacting the skipper of "DORIENTA". He reported to me that his engines had been damaged by the explosion of a shell but that he had managed to return at reduced speed (the boiler had moved and broken the joints in several steam pipes causing flooding in the engine room which in turn blocked up the bilge pumps with ashes). I reported to Captain Wharton R.N.
who instructed me to return to Portsmouth and take "DORIENTA's"
crew with me as "DORIENTA" was "wrecked", but on the assurance of her skipper that he was confident he could bring her back to Portsmouth I returned to Captain Wharton and sought permission to bring "DORIENTA" back, as, if it proved necessary, I could have taken her in tow. This permission was granted and at 0600 on Tuesday, June 4th we weighed anchor and made passage to Portsmouth, arriving at 2100.
I wish to place on record and draw attention to, the perfect discipline and devotion to duty of all members of both crews, with particular mention of Skipper
W.A. Whatling R.N.R., Skipper.F.Reynolds R.N.R, and the engine room staff of H.M.D. "DORIENTA" whose coolness in maintaining way on the ship in most arduous conditions undoubtedly prevented the abandonment of this ship.
I have the honour to be,
CAPT H.M.S. -7- "VERNON" AIN 1940
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
LM.Shs
Acting Lieutenant, R.N.V.R.
Unit Officer.

411
419
/
389
412
390
0 Captai.. of "Vernon".
Tug 0.9
6th June 1940.
9 Bg iro on the 1st June as Master of Tug C.9 I was at Dunkirk hen two destroyers were bombed and having received orders il from
0 assist to tow one and then ordered to go to the other elioved to be the "Keith" which was sunk after the crew
18 bombing was BO severe that I witnessed the destruction ad been ta en off by H.M.S. Sloop. I was on resoue duty four ships, namely H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN", H.M.S. "SCOBIA"
ring these operations a bomb bursting (approx.) 30 ft.
M.S. "KEITH" which had just left Dunkirk full of troops.
erations whether on the Bridge with a rifle trying to tern of the Tug lifting stern in the air. All through the
46422 SGOE
pot down enemy planes or rescuing troops over the side to be 15 yoh lp the wounded P.O. Steward and P.O.
loaned to us m H.M.S. "VERNON" were models of coolness, courage and easing effort. Their discipline and obedience to at to lers at all times was exemplary and I feel that I should neglecting my duty if I fail to convey to you, Sir, as
.r Commanding Officer my sincere admiration of their yei eptional conduct.
of
I am, Sir, a
Yours obediently,
& been
(sd) J. TRELEAVEN.
Bed on
Master Tug C.9.
ken off
Portsmouth Dock-ard.
by tack again the leaving the leaving Dunkirk full of shifes HMS ships HMS Brighton Luen and by off Boal by Officer in motor Boal to hs include rescures of to sure of Survivors, of said lem reserving Survivori Onemy
Offices in sppriers) 18m number dropping c of 69 French destroyer which was of Office) 18 Surviviven B9 and HMS Esk.
Officer mbr, baplain of HMS Esk to proced to
French an Survivor e of of lane of hat Swowors y had owing Survivors e) using 18m was sun y inco an the attack. bapitain Having a first Offiere 30 of
French Sumander I was able, to proceed
B9 as, surrighton Lucen, and a with army

415
392
To baptain of Veinon
Tug bq
6 June
Sir
On the i June ces master of
Tug Bq. I 11 as at Dunkisk when two received orders to assist to low one and the destroyer were bonebed and having the Keith which was suck cefter the crw ordered to go to the thes believed to be had been liken off by HMS sloop
I was on rescue duty the bombing was so severe that I witnessed the distruction of four ships Feamily HMS Brighton Incen
HMS Scobia HMS Rith which had just left
414
leving these operation
Bu/0/1293
c) 307l astem the air
H.M.S. "VERNON,"
m whelher on
PORTSMOUTH. 391
trying li shool
13th June 19340
rescriency Troops o: 211/25.
C wounded
OVER. HE VICE ADMIRAL, loand to us from
(Copy to:- The Commander-in-Chief, of coolness
Portsmouth).
Stanley A. Steward, P.O. P/J.111270.
Hort bnce to orders at
Arthur W. Duck, P.O. P/J.105768.
Master of Tug C.9 letter of 6/6/1940).
/ a I feel that I
of duly if I fail
Submitted with reference to s their commander
700. one idential Portsmouth General Order ation of their
Manton
CAPTAIN.
sittey in
Eug be
VICE ADMIRAL 1940
Porlsm outh
Dockyard
:

522
C.B.O.
Sir,
6x Imday the 31" M May. are the S. Jug Vincia left Ramagah in taw of three skiffs for Duskin at
2.45pm.
544
2
514
This operation of holding the bifeboats end on to the beach, combined with the continuous bombing from the air, proved too difficult a task for the crews. After doing it twice
I had only one lifeboat remaining, the others having broached to and swamped themselves. Also, there was continuous shelling from the batteries from the Western side. So the only alternative left to me was to ferry troops from the piers to the trawler.
Atlantic
With the trawler filled we set out for home but we had not been under way long before the trawler struck a wreck. I sent out an S-0-S on the siren. It was quickly answered by a Dutch 'scoot' which came to our rescue, took off our troops and leaving the trawler "FAIRBREEZE" to sink, landed us back at Ramsgate at about 7.30am.
That night I comandeered a fast motorboat
"VERNON 1" and set out again for Dunkirk to ferry troops off the piers out to the Destroyers and waiting transports.
I continued this operation until dawn when the starboard engine or the launch fell to peices and I had to be towed home to Ramsgate rull of troops.
The next boat I got was the "PIGEON" one of the
War Dept. boats which continued to run magnificently for the remainder of the operations. From now on I did not try the beaches any more but ferried troops from the piers to the waiting transports outside Dunkirk. This seemed my best