Details

Details

Details

BRIGHTON QUEEN
P.M/S (7th M.S.F.)
Ty. Lieut. A. Stubbs,
R.N.R.
31st May
Disembarked 160 troops. (1)
1st June
The M/S Saltash reports:
1020ca
The Brighton Queen and the P/V Scotia
were sunk by aircraft in the vicinity
of Dyck shoal.
Put the Saltash alongside the bridge
and mast of the Brighton Queen and
partially on her deck, and took off
men clinging to her. These men were
mostly colonial French troops; they
were most reluctant to let go of what
support they had and it was some-
times necessary to make a line fast
to them and pull them off. While
Saltash was alongside and on board
Brighton Queen, she bumped a little
on the bilge. German aircraft
bombed and machine-gunned men in the
water.
Having picked up 350 to 400 survivors
the Saltash returned to Margate
1830
where she disembarked 350. (2)
Note: The dr. Esk and the French T/B Branlebas
rescued survivors of the Scotia.
Total 160
(1) D.R.
(2) Margate report.
129

Details

DHOON
Fleetwood trawler
1st June
0725
Sailed from Ramsgate with other Fleet-
1125ca
Arrived Dunkirk.
wood trawlers (see Gava)
-
-
Proceeded. Embarked 130 French colonial troops. (1)
-
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 130
troops. (2)
Total 130
Authority - C.W. 6998/41.
(1) (2) Not Reported specifically by Lt. Jordan mentioned of the in Gava. Ramsgate report.
236

Details

EDWINA
Fleetwood Trawler
Skipper P. Bedford (?)
This vessel went over to Dunkirk on lst June
with the Fleetwood trawler flotilla under Lt. F.J.
Jordan R.N.R. in tr. Gava. (q.v.). This officer
reported to Captain M/S Harwich that the Edwina
was machine gunned and that 2 of her crew were
wounded; also that she landed 120 French Colonial
troops at Ramsgate.
Total 120
Authority - C.W. 6998/41.
273

Details

Flare-burning drifters - Continued
The following awards were made:
D.S.O.
Cdr. R.W. English R.N. (Group Officer)
D.S.C.
Lieut. J. Cox, R.N.R. (Unit Officer)
(see also under the F/B drifters' names).
of
(dated 7th June 1940 and addressed to u/s,
Haretch) shows that the Vicatwood trowler
code only one trip to Donkink, und that use on the
1st June, (1) Five of the trowlers brought back
troops - over 800 French colonial troops, and
also 237 officers and mon, survivors of the Frunds
de. Foudroyant. The sixth trawler towed back a
disabled Helgion trawler.
2012 (dated 29th October 1940, and addressed to the IN
Fishery Captain, Fleetwood), indicates that the
Plotilla was operating at Dunkirk on 30th say and
returned to Smagate 3208 say, on path 3108
May. the Flotilla wese said to be again operating
off Dunkirk beachts, and when returning crom
Dunkirk on the night of 31st Noy/lat June, was
to have been present at the action in which the
French dr. siruco was sunk. This however, 10
impossible, because the giroco was BOOK on the
night of 30th/31st any.
The Report then records that the Victillo avida a trip to
Director June, It is gonaldered the this trip you it the
soly one on natually Let made by the Pleatwood trawlers. Also,
(1) In February 19al, Car. cabison,
0.0.0., a report duted (in crews
which that were all of incorporated the Fleetwood you one srip 10 Dunkirk, the the
and that WAB at about noon offe
opinion Lion remaining that they had made only on 105 when

Details

The Fleetwood trawlers
DHOON
EDWINA
GAVA JACINTA (Lieut. F.J. Jordan, R.N.R., S.O.)
EVELYN ROSE
VELIA
Lieut. Jordan sent in 2 reports of the operations carried
out by these ships at Dunkirk. These reports differ from
each other and from reliable reports of events with which they
deal.
Report No.1 (dated 7th June 1940 and addressed to Captain u/s,
Harwich) shows that the Fleetwood trawler flotilla
made only one trip to Dunkirk, and that was on the
1st June. (1) Five of the trawlers brought back
troops - over 800 French colonial troops, and
also 137 officers and men, survivors of the French
dr. Foudroyant. The sixth trawler towed back a
disabled Belgian trawler.
Report No. 2 (dated 29th October 1940, and addressed to the Port
Fishery Captain, Fleetwood), indicates that the
Flotilla was operating at Dunkirk on 30th May and
returned to Ramsgate a.m. 31st May. On p.m. 31st
May, the Flotilla was said to be again operating
off Dunkirk beachès, and when returning from
Dunkirk on the night of 31st May/lst June, was said
to have been present at the action in which the
French dr. Siroco was sunk. This however, is
impossible, because the Siroco was sunk on the
night of 30th/31st May.
The Report then records that the Flotilla made a trip to
Dunkirk on 1st June. It is considered that this trip was the
only one actually made by the Fleetwood trawlers. Also, it
(1) In dated 12th February 1941, Cdr. Aux. A.J. Cubison, Patrol,
D.S.C., R.N. (in incorporated the original
a report command of the Harwich Fleetwood trawlers)
with which were the very few of the of crews the
states that all of of the Fleetwood trawlers trip were to Dunkirk,
then remaining had made only one when the
opinion that at they about noon on 1st off. June,
French and that troops was were being taken
325

Details

JACINTA
Fleetwood Trawler
1st June
0725
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk in company
with other Fleetwood trawlers, under
the command of Lt. F.J. Jordan, R.N.R.
in tr. Gava, (q.v.)
1125ca
Arrived Dunkirk.
-
Embarked about 150 French Colonial
troops. (1).
-
Proceeded.
1700ca
Ran on a submerged wreck, about 2 miles
south of the N. Goodwin L.V., and took
on a list to port of about 25°.
-
The tug Java came to her assistance,
and decided to remove Jacinta's troops
before attempting to refloat her.
This was accomplished with the assis-
tance of Nelson's M/B which had left
Ramsgate at 1645 en route for Dunkirk.
1800ca
The M/L Fervent (Lt. Cdr. W.R.T.
Clements, R.N.R.) returning from the
Dunkirk area found the Jacinta in
the Downs, drifting with the tide and
deserted, but apparently seaworthy.
Lt. Cdr. Clements allowed her to
drift to a safe anchorage, and then
anchored her.
2nd June
-
Jacinta was towed to Ramsgate by one
of the Fleetwood trawlers. (2). She
was found to be making a little water.
Total 150
Authority - C.W.6998/41.
R.O.II, p. 565.
R.O.III, p.322.
W.W.
(1) Lieut. Jordan says 110; Java's tug master 250,
Nelson's M/B "about 300". Ramsgate report says that at Java
and "Q.H." "8. Landed 30 B.E.F. and 150 Allied troops 1830
(2) Capt. on E.F. Wharton, R.N., pier Master, Ramsgate. beached According at
lst June.
Pegwell Bay; but this appears to be incorrect.
to Lieut. Jordan of the Gava, Jacinta was
(c.w.6998/41).
71

Details

N.D. DES MIRACLES
16/20
French trawler
/Lient.
R.P.
Luggy,
16.3.
Lieut. Mahri Holmons STATE
29th May
See 2601 under Prins Boudewijn Lucsy 1/0.
Ignition drive of starboard engine
Kractered, chodering the starboard
smiting Proless 192 the receiver OF
the correction.
30th May
0500
Arrived Sestiven, Repoire carried out
1200
Late Reshaven.
de holl and coutre engins.
1500
Centre expire breaksous, causing small
2200
fire. Proceeded 00) port engine.
Arrived Resegate.
310% May
0900
Repairs commended on centre engine.
9/Lient. Luccy transferred to the
fire/lost Hossey Shaw Licat, Bolman
boarded Nalkon's N/A under orders to
prooced to Dundric,
let June(2)
1310
Lort Remigato, Pervent an despensive
Onfeide the herbour air Locks
developed In centre and port engines.
Returned to harbour.
1645
Again left Recogate.
1700ca
2 milee south of N. Goodwin L.V. wes
signalled to by Lieut. Nowell, N
In charge of the Northarn Inspection
tug [Juna], which use standing by the
tr, "Jucita" [1.t. Jacintal. The
trawler had struck a submerged wreek
and was listed about 25° to port,
Licut. Newell desired the Pronoh
colonial troops on board the stranded
trawler to be trunsferred to the tag,
before attempting to reflest her.
Malson's M/A spent 00 hour doing
1800ca
this and then resumed her journey to
Dunkirk.
2200
Arrived Dunkirk Rost sole. Requested
to have 22 Aritiah troups detailed
for the W/B with these, the M/B
/
proceeded, as she one shopt of petrol
2nd June
Anothored in the Donne till daylight.
0355
Arrived Disemberked 22
Briting
3/1.1eut. Lucey who, on his return
from Dunkirk in the Menery Shay,
had unauccessfully attempted to make
a trip to Dunkirk DD the afternoon
of 1st June in a W.D./S.L., now
renumed command of Welson's N/B.]
2000
Left Ramsgate with extra petrol In
cans.
(1) S/Lieut. Luccy calls this vessel "Nelsons power boat";
(2) Licut. Holman in his report implies that be left Hemagnte
Lieut. Holman calle It "Nelson's N/L".
also the date of destrture from Remagete IS 31st
Lt.Cdr. W.R.T. Climents, R.N.R., commending the Pervent,
on Blat Rey; this 16 elmost certainly incorrect, although
by M/D 8/Lieut. (which vas 10 company), and by the Joninta's master
May. Locey, by Hr. De: Kirkaldie, commonin tog
given Lieut. Holman left on 1st time. This 18 corroborated or the
of the Pervent Java (who STATES that he transferred
troops on Int June),
(3) Romegate report. 330 331.

Details

H.M.S. NELSON'S M/B(1)
S/L1eut. R.P. Lucey, R.N.
Lieut. H.L. Holman, R.N.V.R.
29th May
2200
2201
Left Portsmouth, S/Lieut. Lucey 1/c.
Ignition drive of starboard engine
fractured, rendering the starboard
engine useless for the remainder of
the operation.
30th May
0500
Arrived Newhaven. Repairs carried out
1200
on hull and centre engine.
Left Newhaven.
1500
Centre engine breakdown, causing small
2100
fire. Proceeded on port engine.
Arrived Ramsgate.
31st May
0900
Repairs commenced on centre engine.
S/Lieut. Lucey transferred to the
firefloat Massey Shaw. Lieut. Holman
boarded Nelson's M/B under orders to
proceed to Dunkirk.
1st June(2)
1310
Left Ramsgate, M/L Fervent in company.
Outside the harbour air locks
developed in centre and port engines.
Returned to harbour.
1645
Again left Ramsgate.
1700ca
2 miles south of N. Goodwin L.V. was
signalled to by Lieut. Newell, R.N. R.
in charge of the Northern Inspection
tug [Java], which was standing by the
tr. "Jacita" [1.e. Jacinta]. The
trawler had struck a submerged wreck
and was listed about 25° to port.
Lieut. Newell desired the French
colonial troops on board the stranded
trawler to be transferred to the tug,
before attempting to refloat her.
Nelson's M/B spent an hour doing
1800ca
this and then resumed her journey to
Dunkirk.
2200
Arrived Dunkirk East mole. Requested
to have 22 British troops detailed
for the M/B. With these, the M/B
proceeded, as she was short of petrol.
2nd June
-
Anchored in the Downs till daylight.
0355
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 22
British troops. (3)
[S/Lieut. Lucey who, on his return
from Dunkirk in the Massey Shaw,
had unsuccessfully attempted to make
a trip to Dunkirk on the afternoon
of 1st June in a W.D./M.L., now
resumed command of Nelson's M/B.]
2000
Left Ramsgate with extra petrol in
cans.
(1) S/Lieut. Lucey calls this vessel "Nelsons power boat";
(2) Lieut. Holman in his report implies that he left Ramsgate
Lieut. Holman calls it "Nelson's M/L".
also W.R.T. the date of departure from Ramsgate as 31st
Lt.Cdr. May; Clements, R.N.R., commanding the
on 31st this 1s almost certainly incorrect, Fervent, although
M/L by S/Lieut. which was in company), and by Jacinta's tug master
May. Lucey, by Mr. D. Kirkaldie, coxswain the
gives Lieut. Holman left on lst June. This is corroborated of the
of the Fervent Java who states that he transferred
troops on 1st June).
(3) Ramagate report.
331

Details

SALTASH (N.62)
M/S (5th M.S.F.)
Lt.Cdr. T.R. Fowke, R.N.
30th May
2227
Left Harwich for La Panne.
31st May
-
1000
Arrived off La Panne.
Delayed by fog in Knock Deep channel.
Embarked 100 troops. Steamed to west
of Dunkirk, and back to La Panne.
Sighted the S.S. Clan Macalister,
troops. burning. Embarked a further 300
2300ca
Sailed for Margate.
1st June
0510
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 400
troops.
Sailed for Dunkirk.
0900ca
Passed the dr. Havant on fire, behind
the Dyck shoal. Took her in tow.
Frequent air attacks; about 40 A/C
overhead.
1000ca
Havant sinking. She was abandoned, and
Qt
the Saltash sank her. (1)
1020ca
The P/V Scotia (2) and the P.M/S
Brighton Queen were sunk.
Put the Saltash alongside the
Brighton Queen and partially on her
deck. Bumped a little on the
Brighton Queen's bilge. Took off her
troops, mostly colonial French.
-
With 350/400 survivors on board returned
=
to Margate.
1315ca
En route, closed 3 trawlers [i.e. the
Cape Argona, Sphene and Arctic
Pioneer], and took on, board the C.O.
[)rwas infact the m/B 275 ]
/
and crew of M. T. B. 175. L The M.T.B.
was taken in tow.
1835
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 400
troops. (3)
2200ca
Sailed for Dunkirk, towing a M/B and
)ᵃ
2 skiffs.
2nd June
0245
Off Dunkirk breakwater.
0300
Returned to Margate empty.
0800
Arrived Margate.
Total 800
Authority - R.O.I., p.359.
The following awards were made:
D.S.M.
Sto. 1st Cl. B. Gaughan.
(1) The Havant does not reportthis, but states that she rolled
over and sank at 1015.
(2) (3) The Scotia reports sinking at about 1130.
D.R. Margate report states 350.
85

Details

160
165
4
probably towards the where she might have bean
salved by the enemy 11 she sank in shoul water, I asked
the Commanding Officer 11 I should ink ser where she was.
He agreed and I cut my sweep wires and sunk er.
12. Five minutes after this the "SCOTIA" and RIGHTON
QUEEN" were sunk. I made a report and proceeded to rescue
survivors. My whaler had been damaged and I only had a
skiff left. One bunch of survivors were picked U. and
I then put the ship alongside bridge and must of the
"BRIGHTON QUEEN" and artially on er deck, and took off
men clincin to her. These nen were mostly French
HTON
Colonial troops and must reluctant to let 80 of what
N.
support they had, it was sometimes necessary to make a
line fast to them and pull then off. A carley float and
skiff were used to assist in resoue work, no other boats
were available. Thile "SALTASH" YRS alongable and on
board "BRIGHTON QUEEN" she burped & little on the bilge,
but it is not believed that my damage was done. German
aircraft bombed and machine gunned men in the water.
my shift was machine gunned.
13.
The work of S.B. 1.Hutter at this time is worthy of
mention. He, with the uld of untrained assistants,
including Ldg. Sto. Crowley, dealt with 98 casualties,
CUE.
including 10 recussitation cases and only 3 died. He
worked most successfully until 10 collepsed. Also worthy
of mention is B. Gaughan, Sto. 1. who sma about I mile
from the ship, when the ship might easily have had to
leave him.
14.
I had picked up 350 to 400 survivors by now, many of
them serious casualties, there were no more survivors in
SCUE.
the water SQ I returned to Margate. On the return journey
I closed three trawlers and took on board the Commanding
Officer and crew of M.T.B. 175, these included three
serious casualties and one dead rating. I took the M.T.B
in tow and arrived at Margate at 1855.
15.
About 2000 I left the Pier and about 2200 sailed again
for Duskerque with boats in tow, one motor boat and the
small skiffs. I bad SOMO difficulty with the tow which
VD
MARGATE
light buoy I ran into thick smoke (from Dunkerque) my
delayed no about half an hour. Before getting to the greeen
UNKERQUE
being very unreliable, I had to rely very much on
compass hand lead (all the tubes for the machine slow had and been I used
the in Knock Deep) which made y progress got
1 far Sast.
16.
Orders for this ni that all sweepers had to
be lear at 0400. About 0200 I heard The buoy other and
by 0500 and the destroyer evacuation the whistle would
UNKERQUE
commence was off the Breakwater at Dunkerque. I followed them
at 0245 passed no on the may out, the 30 orders about being as I
did not 0300, even 11 I had an empty having seen
sweepers feel Justified in breaking ship. Daring the
clear by journey a small craft reported found an object a which mine,
return back along ner course and investigation, proved
I turned for a mine, but on closer handles. These broken
I mistook kitchen utensil with broken small craft as horns.
to handles be a may have appeared to the
end. June. 16. I anchored at Margate about 0800 and was toldito wait
instructions.
I understood that this was the final

Details

NL
$
14
NTRAL 8060
SECRET
OFFICE OF THE
FLAG OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, LIVERPOOL,
FERENCE
420/1
ROYAL LIVER BUILDING,
LIVERPOOL, 3.
To:- Secretary of the Admiralty,
Whitehall,
London, S.W.1.
4th June 1940.
H.M.S."BRIGHTON QUEEN".
The attached report from the Commanding Officer of the
forwarded. above vessel was handed to my office this morning, and is
A report that Confidential Books have been left on Board
X".
was forwarded in my Message 1229/4/6 Thore
MAINTENANCE CAPTAIN
VICE ADMIRAL,
FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, LIVERPOOL.
*
ADMIRAS
ces
of
determination, H.M.S. "SALTASH" being laid alongside the wreck until the tast
man was taken off.
All confidential books remain in the ship. They were placed in
a weighted sack ready to be jettisoned in the Commanding Officer's cabin, but
this cabin was flooded before it could be reached. The more important books
werelanded at Harwich on May 30th, 1940.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Secrant,
The Secretary of the
Lieut,
Admiralty,
a Stabbs
Second Sea Lord's Department,
see R.N.R. 1.10932/40 40
Rex House, Regent Street, LONDON.
(below)
I regret that probably 50% of the French Colonial troops must have been lost,
as a result of the explosion by drowning.

Details

SECRET
COPY
58 Allerton Road,
15
Liverpool, 18.
4th June, 1940.
Sir,
Original foreunder.
I have the honour to submit this report of the loss of H.M.S.
"BRIGHTON QUEEN" by enemy action.
2.
At 7.30 a.m. B.S.T. 1.6.40, the ship was got under way and
proceeded from Margate Roads towards Dunkirk by route "X". At about 9.30
a.m. when in position 4 miles North of Calais No. 5 buoy H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN"
engaged enemy aircraft with 12-pounder and Lewis gun fire, action continuing
until arrival at Dunkirk. The fire was accurate, keeping aircraft to a height
from which bomb aiming was difficult. In the vicinity of Calais No. 4 buoy
three salvoes of 4 bombs were aimed at "BRIGHTON QUEEN", the nearest dropping
100 feet from the starboard quarter.
3.
The ship entered the breakwater at Dunkirk at 10.35 a.m. and berthed
at the West Lock at 10.45 a.m. 700 French Moroccan troops were embarked and at
11.10 a.m. H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN" left her berth and proceeded towards Margate.
Calais No. 5 buoy was rounded at 11.50 a.m. and the ship proceeded along route "X".
4.
At 11.05 a.m. a formation of seven single engined aircraft were seen
delivering a dive bombing attack to the Southward, after which they reformed and
entered clouds at about 5,000 feet. Their engines were heard approaching and
the ship's guns were trained in their direction. As they appeared from the
cloud they were engaged with 12-pounder and Lewis gun fire, whilst the helm was
put hard to starboard.
The formation broke up to attack, by dive bombing, H.M.S. "BRIGHTON
QUEEN", and the transport "SEOLIA" which was two cables distant at Red 50°.
"SCOTIA"
"SCOTIA"
The main attack was directed against leaving her on fire
and in a sinking condition. One bomb estimated 200 lbs. exploded very close
to H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN" causing severe damage to the starboard side of the
ship abaft the paddle box. The one lifeboat remaining from the previous day's
operation at La Panne was blown inboard, causing many casualties amongst the
troops on the after deck. The ship began to settle by the stem immediately
and after two minutes began to heel to port until she had a list of 50°. The
ship was laid over at this angle until she filled forward and sank about 5 minutes
after the explosion to rest on the bottom on an even keel in about five fathoms
of water.
In this short time my crew worked quickly and efficiently in getting
liferafts and all floating material over the side to troops who were struggling
in the sea. The French troops were splendidly steady, and although no orders
could be given to them except by signs, they acted cooly and intelligently in
making use of the life saving material available.
H.M.S. "SALTASH" and several small craft were soon on the scene
carrying out the difficult operation of rescuing the survivors with speed and
determination, H.M.S. "SALTASH" being laid alongside the wreck until the last
man was taken off.
All confidential books remain in the ship. They were placed in
a weighted sack ready to be jettisoned in the Commanding Officer's cabin, but
this cabin was flooded before it could be reached. The more important books
werelanded at Harwich on May 30th, 1940.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Seevant,
The Secretary of the
Admiralty,
a. Stabbs
Second Sea Lord's Department,
Lieut, see NiL
Rex House, Regent Street, LONDON.
(below) R.N.R. L.10932/40
I regret that probably 50% of the French Colonial troops must have been lost,
as a result of the explosion by drowning.

Details

di
CENTRAL
i
6245
19
TRY
FROM
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
4940
DATE
6th June, 1940.
No. G22/869/40.
TO
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
(copies to: Commander-in-Chief, Western
Approaches.
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.)
18
material available
HMS. Jallash Neveral small craft
were soon n the selve carrying ml the defficult
operation of rescuing the survivors with speed &
determination, AMS. Sallash being land along Red,
the wreck until the has man has laken 0/1.
all confidential looks remain m the
ship they were placed in a weighthed sach
ready lobe fellismed in the commanding
officers Cubin but this cabin was flooded he/re
is coned be reached the more important
looks were landed at Harwich n may 30ᵗʰ 1940.
OD
have
Vana
There the honour to be,
that
the
Sir,
your Obedient Saward
a. Shibbs
Lieus RNR.
the Seerelary the Admiralty
2nd Sen Loids Department
Rex House
Repent S
Ladon.
X I regut that probably 50 % of the
ush Colonial troops must have been tack
as a would of the unplain & by showing

Details

321
322
ITWOD boowing
-2-
297
soldiers, some 370 mostly french were disembarked
considerable difficulty. We arrived without furth
COPY.
incident at Ramsgate next morning.
24
To:
D.M.O., Admiralty House, Sheerness.
I returned from Ramsgate to Margate and
to assist S.N.T.O. Now Lieutenant Commander Givin
Shift
On 31/5/40 I boarded H.M.S. "Nelson" (motor
31/5
On Monday evening at 1900 I sailed in
launch) in Ramsgate Harbour under orders to proceed
"Guillemot" for Dunkirk, she had not previously been
to Dunkirk. At 1310 I left the Harbour in company
prgme
3th
and so took me on as Navigator. We arrived at
with H.M.S. "Fervent" in charge of Lieutenant-
entrance at about 2330 after an uneventful trip
Commander Clements, R.N.R. The starboard engine of the
sinking a floating mine. We went alongside the
motor launch was out of repair and on getting outside
and embarked 400 Frenchmen without incident.
the harbour both the centre and port engines developed
air locks which made it neessary to return to harbour.
On our return we ran into fog at the last
After a strenuous afternoon's work the engineer
before the Goodwin and proceeded at slow speed with
cleared the air locks and at about 1645 I again left
the harbour. When about 2 miles south of the
mi
visibility about a cable. We made the North Good
Goodwin Light Vessel I was signalled to by Lieutenant
set course for the elbow and North Foreland buoys,
Newell, R.N.R. in charge of the Northern Inspection had Tug.
unable to find them we anchored tillthe fog lifted,
we found the North Foreland buoy a quarter mile 00
His struck tug a submerged wreck and was listed about
was standing by the trawler "Jacita" which 25°
Starboard beam; we set course for Margate pier and
to port. There were about 300 French colonial asked troops no
second ship alongside.
the trawler and Lieutenant-Newell, R.N.R.
TO I humathed working Lieutenant Commander Gin
refloat to the vessel. He was afraid that the I trawler
in transfer them to his tug before he attempted to
the S T.O. S office was closed on Wednesday, thes
would spent about one hour in transferring return the
be holed and sink during refloating.
reported first to Ramsgate as ordered and then to &
finally proceeding on leave that evening.
accordingly which left barely enough petrol for arriving the at
troops from Dunkirk. I then proceeded, The harbour
Throughout the evacuation I was impressed
voyage Mole, Dunkirk at about 2200. but
necessity of sending in boats fully manned by navel bosts
the East shelled a few minutes before I entered, in on
had been alongside the Mole I found British troops ships.
shallow draught, not necessarily powerfully used.
to the beach, or better still sending in power engined
large numbers onto the Mole and asked an Thereafter Officer to we detail
getting going along the Mole to other
few if any of this type of boat was being
82 men for my and after having nearly run 79 returned by an
I climbed up launch, which he did. down
bas I have the honour to be
left the harbour minesweeper in Dunkirk channel, we anchored till
overtaking and reaching the Downs and landed
Sir
by daylight buoys V.V and then on entered Ramsgate Harbour
the troops.
doinw WOTD Bre Your obedient servant.
BBW
and
as
food
(Sgd)
(Sgd.) W. Barham.
Das
S/L, R.N.
Lt. H.L. Holman, R.N.V.R.
I
24
driver Jast I
no
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поодчедже IIII
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the
0081
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Details

195
any
Tax -
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is charge 00 Montments
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the birth for contro unit nord engined Date loned
etc. Tooks which state 10 nacissary to return to harbour,
kNow 8 streemono afternoon's voice the engineer
cloared the air looks and at about 1000 senta test
the them above 9 sonth of the
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to parts. Phore were above ade Premish colonial 1200pm
in She evention and address so
to. transfer them to die we before be according to
refloct the vossel, In 9a afraid Eyes the trantley
yould be holded and state issue reflacting,
accordingly ment about DO hear in transferenting the
trogga we on left baraty petrol for X returns
voyaga Peope then progeedad, areaving 07
the Rest Volo, Department 16 result 9900, the
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Details

COPY
act of letter from Lieut. Charles Waterland Read, R.N.
dated 11th Sept.1940.
" I was sent to Ramsgate for the Evacuation, and selected the BONNY
HEATHER myself as a leader of a Convoy of motor boats for the Beach
work, and believe me the choice was justified, as of the whole lot
attached to the Convoy we were the only one to finish the course
throughout.
I'm afraid I am rather bad at descriptive accounts, but perhaps
one day I may have the pleasure of meeting you and then probably
be able to tell you more about the affair. This I can tell you, the
BONNY HEATHER behaved like a perfect lady in spite of theunusual
treatment she received, and stood up to it like a trojan and never
let us down - 7 complete round trips Ramsgate/Dunkirk after filling up
Transports (lying off) from the Beaches.
You say you heard third hand that we carried 80 men. I
don't know, of course, who told you that, but it was true on the last
trip, but normally about 60. On one trip that we picked up survivors
from the S.S. "Scotia" which was sunk by bombs, when full of French
Colonial tropps, we picked up the Chief Steward and 40 soldiers out
of the water and with our own crew a total of 45 wet sodden men, some
all in and they were lying about and not standing as soldiers were
in goodish condition, so you can imagine what your little vessel had
to put up with.
We tried to keep her in as good condition as possible under
the circumstances from sheer admiration of the gallant little ship,
which in my opinion deserves to carry the .C.colours.
I can't even begin to describe the Hell under which the
operations were carried out - bombed, machine gunned, shelled, caught
in parachute flares and bombed. - that little ship was certainly built
И
in a lucky zone, and dodging and twisting never once let us down,
f
loaded as she was.
V
dt
Trusting I have not bored you with this account, which I
tl
regret to say does not do justice to your famous little vessel. "
no
We
Th
on
iel
ne
I S
is
inf
whi
S.V
a machine gun and ammunition on board.
masts and putting on quay and fixing machine gun on deck -
all ready to sail at 2.30 p.m. Orders came to proceed
outside harbour at 4 p.m. to the Tug "SUN XV" to be towed
across in company with other yachts. Three other yachts
make fast astern of us, under way 6.35 p.m. Engines running
at half-speed to ease the strain of the tow ropes. Slight
swell. The tow ropes of two of the yachts broke and they
were told to proceed on under own power. Arrived off Dunkin
at 11.30 p.m. and cast off from Tug. Proceeded into Dunkir
past the Mole, and up the Canal for about 2 miles. Moored
alongside the quay and proceeded to take troops on board.
Could find no Englishmen so took on board 40 Frenchmen.

Details

CONVIODORE
COPY.
*
H.M.S. "FORTE",
RECEIVED 27 16
C/o G.P.O.,
London.
11.9.40.
Dear Mr. Zoccola,
I have only to-day received your letter written on the 20th
August with your congratulations re Bar to my D.S.C., for which I
sincerely thank you.
Your letter had followed me all over the place - as I have
been attached to two ships since then, on escort and patrol work.
I was sent to Ramsgate for the Evacuation, and selected
the "Bonnie Heather" myself as leader of a Convoy of motor boats for
the Beach work, and believe me the choice was justified, as of the
whole lot attached to the Convoy we were the only one to finish the
course throughout.
I'm afraid I am rather bad at descriptive accounts, but per-
haps one day I may have the pleasure of meeting you and then probably
be able to tell you more about the affair. This I can tell you, the
"Bonnie Heather" behaved like a perfect Lady - in spite of the unusual
treatment she received, and stood up to it like a trojan and never let
us down - 7 complete round trips Ramsgate/Dunkirk after filling up
Transports (lying off) from the Beaches.
You say you heard third hand that we carried 80 men. I don't
know, of course, who told you that, but it was true on the last trip -
but normally about 60. On one trip that we picked up survivors from
the S.S. "Scotia", which was sunk by bombs, when full of French Colonial
troops, we picked up the Chief Steward and 40 soldiers out of the water
and with our own crew a total of 45, wet sodden men, some all in and
they were lying about and not standing as soldiers were in goodish con-
dition, so you can imagine what your little vessel had to put up with.
We tried to keep her in as good condition as possible under
the circumstances from sheer admiration of the gallant little ship,
which in my opinion deserves to carry the D.S.C. colors.
I can't even begin to describe the Hell under which the opera-
tions were carried out - bombed, machine gunned, shelled, caught in
parachute flares and bombed - that little ship was certainly built in
a lucky zone, and dodging and twisting never once let us down, loaded
as she was.
back that to few town of them VA very making folt regretfully able arrangements to by sign train. with on for employers, a month and etc. wont So
able seemed to warn me my too partners good to miss in any case, a month and I had with the
The to opportunity of playing boats for
or
Le
late in the afternoon Dockyard and interviewing mumerous signed on and
toured but there Sheerness was same difficulty that I in should getting be away for a bue bith Tic
to accurate be put 1dea what the job by was about and was 17.00 quite had formed people a TW was
the supervising off, the so fuel appealed and to the Commodore himself determined with few that
basin. Within half-an-hour victualling of explaining of the motor to
bo
night's