Details

GOLDEN SPRAY II
M/B (F.
Roberts
{
J. O'Neill
N. Cohen
}
Deal
A. C.Crowthall, a Boatmen. Lloyd's
Official.
31st May
1100ca
Towed (by the sk. Hilda) to Dunkirk
1800ca
Ferried troops (six trips).
in company with 5 M/B's and 2 L/B's.
-
Was swamped by the wash of destroyers.
Crew and troops transferred to a
destroyer.
The Golden Spray II did not return from Dunkirk.
Authority - TO.9144.
TO.9436.
J.D.C.
388

Details

HILDA - Continued
31st May
0600
Six volunteer motor boat drivers
joined.
Lieut. Beery, suffering from
exhaustion, was discharged ashore,
sick. The Hilda sailed for Deal.
0830
Arrived Deal. The ship was placed
under the orders of Captain R. Pim,
R.N.V.R.
-
Sailed for Dunkirk, towing six M/B's
[ the Britannic, the Rose Marie, the
Lady Haig, the Moss Rose, the
Golden Spray II and the Gipsy King] (1)
and two life boats [ex the Belgian
steamer Flandres (1).
1600ca
Arrived La Panne. Lay off for 30
minutes until the enemy shore guns
ceased shelling.
1630ca
Closed the beach slightly and Capt.
Pim went ashore to organise the
embarkation.
2030
Having embarked 600 troops, they were
transferred to the dr. Scimitar.
Returned to the beach and embarked
100 troops. Capt. Pim re-embarked
and the Hilda shifted to the westward.
1st June
0400ca
Closed the beach and embarked about 100
stragglers from the main body of
troops marching on Dunkirk.
0800ca
Closed the dr. Keith, which was flying
the flag of Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker.
Captain Pim reported the situation
and was ordered to close the beaches
east of Dunkirk and if there were no
troops to proceed to England.
0820ca
Shortly after, the Keith was repeatedly
attacked by strong formations of
bombers, put out of action and
abandoned. During this period,
the Hilda remained under way, zig-
zagging (as apart from the Keith and
the M/S Skipjack, there was little
else for the A/C to attack).
The Hilda at once proceeded to
rescue Keith's survivors, and assisted
by M/B's, recovered a large number,
including 2 British brigadiers and a
French general. (2) While so engaged,
0849
aircraft re-appeared and sank the
Skipjack half a mile distant.
Hilda then proceeded to pick up all
Skipjack's survivors( except
about 12, which were recovered by
a tug [the St. Abbs].
1100ca
Sailed for England with more than a
full load of troops.
1130ca
Passed Dunkirk breakwater. Shortly
after passing 6 W buoy, was overtaken
and passed by the P/V Scotia and a
paddle steamer [the P.M/S Brighton
Queen] laden with troops. When
these 2 ships were about 1 mile
ahead, dive bombers appeared and
sank them very rapidly.
The Hilda proceed to the spot and
(1) George Hammond & Co. Lloyd's Agency, Deal.
(2) Capt. Pim says "some 50, including the Q.M.G. of the B.E.F.
and other Staff Officers".
(3) Capt. Pim says "some 60 or 70".
32

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
FAIRWIND
E. Hutton
A.P.S.
FAITH
T. Lloyd
No report received from list of
MA JC
missing vessels.
FALCON II
Dr. Firth
Returned to owner?
MAJOR
FEDELMA II
Per Crouch Eng. Co.
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
MALDO
FELICITY
T. Davis
T.98 - damaged. Returned to owner.
FERRY NYMPH
C.H. Harvey
T.98. Returned to owner 19/6.
MALVI
FLEET WING
Watercraft, Ltd.
A.P.S.
MOLLY
FLOSS HILDA
Bond's Boatyard
Returned to owners 31.5.40.
MARE 1
FOLKESTONE BELLE
MARCH
Mr. Spraggs
T.98. Returned to owner.
FORMOSA
J. Mears
Returned to owner.
MARGHE
FORTUNA
H.H. Salmon
Returned to owner 19/6.
FORTY TWO
MARINA
N. West
A.P.S.
MARSAY
FRANCIS (99B)
Recketts R.F.
Returned to owners.
FRAM
MARINA
Mr. South
A.P.S.
FLOTSAM
Dorset Yacht Co., Ltd.
Prepared but not used for Dynamo.
MARICEI
FLYING FISH
W. Brazier
Returned to owners 30.5.40. Not
required.
ARY
FIREFLY
A. Newell
Returned to owner.
ARY HO
FAVOURITE SM 225
B. Allen
Returned to owner.
ARY IR)
ARY ROS
RY SPE,
GAVINE
F.A. Cooper
T.98. Returned to owner.
RY SPE/
GAY CRUSADER
A. Foster
T.98. Re-allocated to A.P.S.
GAY FLY
ILDA
Noll Gay
Returned to owner.
GAY VENTURE
D.L. Brisult
A.P.S.
GERTRUDE
BELLE
Morgan Jones
GIPSY KING
T.98. Returned to owner, 6.6.40.
G. Riley
FLOWER
GIRL MARTON
Butchers
Returned to owner 2.6.40.
GIRL NANCY
F.C. Mitchell
Did not go for Dynamo.
DER
GIRL VINE
W. Light (6A)
Returned owner 19/6.
AIDEN
GOLDEN LILY
Lt. E.V. Cullen
Re-allocated to Spl. Admy. Service.
Returned to owner.
EY
GOLDEN SPRAY II
F. Roberts
Reported lost.
ANT
GONDOLIER KING
Poole & Swanage Co.
T.98. Returned to owners.
GONDOLIER QUEEN
Poole & Swanage Co.
T.98. Returned to owners.
LICENT D.
GONDOLIER III
Poole & Swanage Co.
Now on service with M/S Officer Poole.
GOODHOPEY
Bond's Boatyard
No report received from list of missing
vessels.
USA
GOOD LUCK
C.A. Simmons
Re-allocated to Spl. Admy. Service 6A.
IKOI
GRACE
A. Brown
T.98. Returned to owners.
GRACE DARLING IV
C.E. Cundy
Returned to owner.
DRU II
GRACE DARLING (E.36)
Sayers Bros.
Returned to owners.
GWEN EAGLE
D.W. Hudson
TAUR
(Littlehampton List). No trace of
return from Dunkirk.
GALILEE (wY68)
E. Verrill
GWENNY
W.G.S. Crouch
Prepared, but did not go to Dunkirk.
RASOL
Returned to owner.
GWENYTH
Walter Llewellyn & Sons
Repaired, Fuelled, Floated, but not
08
taken over.
GERBERA
Chas. Hill
MADGE
Returned to owner.
MING
MODESTY
PAH
NA
RCH
ROSE
Motor Boat
Motor Boat
vior 1.2 Torpedo I
tor Ferries (
SME

Details

FRIDAY, 31ST MAY
CHAP. VIII
At least fourteen other motor boats¹ were lost by misadventure, e.g. engine
failure, grounding, swamping, damaging rudders and/or propellers on floating
or submerged wreckage, or breaking adrift and being lost when on tow. The
seaplane tender No. 291 managed to get back to England in spite of the damage
she had sustained, but was unable to take any further part in "Dynamo".
Conflicting news of La Panne
Meanwhile, as the tows of boats (which Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker now
saw for the first time at 1900 on the 31st May), arrived off Dunkirk they were
directed to the beaches by Lt. Cdr. Wynne-Edwards, first from M.T.B.68 and
later at about 2100, from M.A/S.B. 6. It was found, however, that in the
growing darkness, and with no lights to help them, there was a tendency for
the boats to stop at the first place they came to where other craft were assembled.
At about 1930 the Codrington, then off, Bray, was warned by Rear-Admiral
Wake-Walker to send on the boats detailed for La Panne, but the bulk of them
did not get further than Bray.
The night was dark, and Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker stayed off La Panne,
"wondering how things were going. Everything was black, ships and boats
and shore showed no lights", although arrangements had been made for a light
to be shown to seaward to guide boats inshore. Shelling was continuous and
seemed to be falling among the ships at the anchorage. News was conflicting;
a message from the shore said that thousands of men were waiting but there
were no boats, while messages came from ships that their boats could find no
one on the beach. the ships and the boats were there, and the troops
ashore, and one could do no more.
I do not know to this day", says Rear-
Admiral Wake-Walker, what really took place there".
La Panne beach 31st May/1st June
It is not easy to discover what happened at La Panne, but the following
account, based on a report by Lt. Cdr. J. W. McClelland, R.N., who with a
party of signalmen reached La Panne in the minesweeper Gossamer at 1930 on
the 30th May, gives the main course of events. He was S.N.O., La Panne, for
the seven hours prior to its abandonment as a place of embarkation at about
0200 on the 1st June.
About 1600 on May 31st Captain Tennant, who had been visiting Lord Gort
at La Panne, decided to return to Dunkirk, but he first instructed Lt. Cdr.
McClelland to arrange for the evacuation of Lord Gort and his staff, to carry
out the duties of S.N.O., La Panne³, and to join Major General B. L. Mont-
gomery, then in command of 2nd Corps.
At that time, says Lt. Cdr. McClelland, an enemy battery near Nieuport,
assisted by 2 kite balloons, had found the range of the beach and the off lying-
ships, which had accordingly withdrawn to the westward. Rear-Admiral Wake-
Walker asked for the balloons to be shot down, and aircraft came over for that
purpose; at times the balloons were hauled down-but they always re-ap-
peared.
I A.L.C.8, A.L.C.15, Enterprise, Excellent's 35 ft. M|B, Excellent's A/A M|B, Golden
Spray II, Princess Lily, St. Patrick, and the Seaplane tender 243 and A.M.C.3; the Sea
Falcon, Sunshine, Triton and the Two Rivers.
2 M.017978/41, p.21.
3 Lt. Cdr. McClelland speaks of the final evacuation of A, B and C beaches La Panne,
but this is evidently an error as the beaches were lettered from West to East (See Plan 3)
and must therefore have been M, N and O Beaches.
M.017978/41, p.16.
75

Details

APPENDIX A
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
TROOPS
MOTOR BOATS, LAUNCHES AND VESSELS (contd.)
TRANSPORTED
Constant Nymph
(Dr. B. A. Smith, Owner/Skipper)
Cordelia (S/Lt. C. A. Thompson, R.N.V.R.)
Couyt Bello IP
Cyb'
Dab II
(Lieut. R. W. Thomson, R.N.V.R.)
Defender
(Skpr. E. A. Turnnidge)
00
Diana Mary
Dreadnought II'
28
Dreadnought III'
Eastbourne Bello
Elizabeth Green
1
(S/Lt. E. T. Garside, R.N.V.R.)
10
Eastbourne Quoon'
Empross
(S/Lt. T. W. Betts, R.N.V.R.)
Enchantrass'
Encore
I
(Lt. Cdr. Wilson,)
44
Endcavour
(Skpr. F.C. Halls)
Enterprise
Escaul' 2
1
Eskburn
Eve'
27
(L/Sea. N. Furse, R.N.R.)
Ferry Nymph
Fervent
44
-
(Lt. Cdr. W.R. T. Clements, R.N.R.)
Fishbourne (I.O.W. Ferry)
Forty Two
I
(Lieut. R. Nimmo, R.N.R.)
Frightened Lady'
1
(S/Lt. S.C. Allen, R.N.V.R.)
Gavines
-
Goy Crusader
-
(S/Lt. T. H. Rodgers, R.N.V.R.)
Gipsy King
-
Glitter11 (A. Botts) (H. Brown) (F. Hook, Deal boatman)
-
(Actg. S/Lt. J. W. S. Culham, R.N.)
Goldon Lily
I
Golden Spray II'
(J. O'Neill and N. Cohen, Deal boatmen)
(A. C, Crowthall, a Lloyd's official)
Gondolier King
Godolior Queen
-
Good
-
Grace Darling 11"
Guen Eagle 1
-
Halfway
Handy nilly
140
Honora' (S/Lt. M. Phipps, R.N.)
-
Hound (S/Lt. C, Minchin, R.N.)
(H. W. Knight, Capt.)
98
1 Lost,
, 4 Ex-Belgian canal boat.
Recorded ns sunk in Home Waters apparently subsequent to Operation " Dynamo."
148

Details

Details

INDEX
Fighter Command. 36-7. See Royal Air Force.
Fisher, Cdr. R. L., 51n.
Fisher Boy, 32n,
Fletcher, Lt., 81.
Fitzroy, 31, 54n.
Fog, 115, 118-9.
38.
Ford, Ch. F. A., saves Whippingham, 87.
Ford R.N.A. Station, 71n
Forecast, 23n, 107n, 114n.
Foremost 87, 71n, 111.
Foremost IOI, 72n.
Foremost 102, 71n.
Foudroyant, 62n, 91-2 (sunk).
Fouque, Capt. de Freg. R., 62.
Franklyn, Maj.-Gen. H. E., 6.
Frazer, Capt. Hon. G., 97.
Fredanja, 29n.
French Navy. Failure to supply pier parties, 109.
French ships arrive, 35, 62.
French troops evacuation begins, 35 ; rush boats, 45, 51, 53 ; organised evacuation not
begun, 54; to embark equally with British, 56, 68; lack of information from, 84
uncertainty as to numbers, 105; pause in embarkation, 108; slow to embark, 128;
12,000 left, 120; discipline, 128.
Friso, 29n, 31n.
Fyldea, 13n, 39, 40n, 44.
Gallant, 23, 24n, 27, 32, 39 (damaged), 55n her motor boat, 110.
Gallion's Reach, 72n.
Gallon, Ch. Stkr. M., 91.
Gandell, Cdre., W. P., P.S.T.O. French Ports, 13.
Gara, 92.
Genius, 71n.
Georges, General, 1.
Gerard Léon, 73.
Gervais Rentoul, 83n (damaged), 95 (sunk).
Getuigt vor Christus, lost, 110.
Gipsy King, 72n.
Girl Gladys, 23n, 62.
Girl Pamela, 23n, 55 (sunk).
Glagla, 71n, 74.
Glen Avon, 60n, 100-1.
Glen Gower, 60n, 100-1.
Glenway, 71n, 107n.
Glitter II, 31n, 53 (towed to England).
Godman, S/Lt., T. E., R.N.V.R., 72.
Golden Eagle, 42, 107n.
Golden Gift, 23n.
Golden Lily, 54, 60n.
Golden Spray II, 72n, 75n.
Golden Sunbeam, 23n, 47n, 62, 107n.
Goliath, 114.
Gort, Lord faces possibility of evacuation, 4; proposal to counter attack, 5, 11, 14, 27
directed to execute Weygand Plan, 10; delays enemy, 26; moves H.Q. to La Panne,
26; refuses to be evacuated, 47; orders piers to be built, 47; plans for final phase,
56; hands over command and embarks, 66, 76; staff embarking, 67.
Gorton, Cdr. H. G., 49, 80n.
Gossamer, 28n, 33, 36, 75, 77, 81, 107n, 109.
Gould, Lieut. P. F. S., 113.
Gourko, 119-20.
Gracie Fields, 23n, 27, 41-2 (abandoned), 47n.
Grafton, 13 (bombards Calais) ; in Dynamo, 23, 27, 31, 37-8 (sunk), 55n, 85.
Gravelines, evacuated, 18.
Gravesend, sends small craft, 61.
Greater London, 117.
199

Details

OF
VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
FAIRWIND
E. Hutton
A.P.S.
FAITH
T. Lloyd
No report received from list of
missing vessels.
FALCON II
Dr. Firth
Returned to owner?
FEDELMA II
Per Crouch Eng. Co.
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
FELICITY
T. Davis
T.98 - damaged. Returned to owner.
FERRY NYMPH
C.H. Harvey
T.98. Returned to owner 19/6.
FLEET WING
Watercraft, Ltd.
A.P.S.
FLOSS HILDA
Bond's Boatyard
Returned to owners 31.5.40.
FOLKESTONE BELLE
Mr. Spraggs
T.98. Returned to owner.
FORMOSA
J. Mears
Returned to owner.
FORTUNA
H.H. Salmon
Returned to owner 19/6.
FORTY TWO
N. West
A.P.S.
FRANCIS (99B)
Recketts R.F.
Returned to owners.
FRAM
Mr. South
A.P.S.
FLOTSAM
Dorset Yacht Co., Ltd.
Prepared but not used for Dynamo.
FLYING FISH
W. Brazier
Returned to owners 30.5.40. Not
required.
FIREFLY
A. Newell
Returned to owner.
FAVOURITE SM 225
B. Allen
Returned to owner.
GAVINE
F.A. Cooper
T.98. Returned to owner.
GAY CRUSADER
A. Foster
T.98. Re-allocated to A.P.S.
GAY FLY
Noll Gay
Returned to owner.
GAY VENTURE
D.L. Brisult
A.P.S.
GERTRUDE
Morgan Jones
T.98. Returned to owner, 6.6.40.
GIPSY KING
G. Riley
Returned to owner 2.6.40.
GIRL MARION
Butchers
Did not go for Dynamo.
GIRL NANCY
F.G. Mitchell
Returned owner 19/6.
GIRL VINE
W. Light (6A)
Re-allocated to Spl. Admy. Service.
GOLDEN LILY
Lt. E.V. Cullen
Returned to owner.
GOLDEN SPRAY II
F. Roberts
Reported lost.
GONDOLIER KING
Poole & Swanage Co.
T.98. Returned to owners.
GONDOLIER QUEEN
Poole & Swanage Co.
T.98. Returned to owners.
GONDOLIER III
Poole & Swanage Co.
Now on service with M/S Officer Poole.
GOODHOPEY
Bond's Boatyard
No report received from list of missing
vessels.
GOOD LUCK
C.A. Simmons
Re-allocated to Spl. Admy. Service 6A.
GRACE
A. Brown
T.98. Returned to owners.
GRACE DARLING IV
C.E. Cundy
Returned to owner.
GRACE DARLING (E.36)
Sayers Bros.
Returned to owners.
GWEN EAGLE
D.W. Hudson
(Littlehampton List). No trace of
return from Dunkirk.
GALILEE (WY68)
E. Verrill
Prepared, but did not go to Dunkirk.
GWENNY
W.G.S. Crouch
Returned to owner.
GWENYTH
Walter Llewellyn & Sons
Repaired, Fuelled, Floated, but not
taken over.
GERBERA
Chas. Hill
Returned to owner.

Details

VESSEL
TYPE
CLAIMANT
PAPER NO.
HIRE & EXS.
REPAIRS & REPLACEMENTS S. d.
TOTAL LOSS
£.
£.
£.
S.
d.
S.
d.
"GAVINE"
M.V.
839.
F.A.Cooper
!
£100 r
T.0.9174/40
!
(from
"GAY FLY"
M.B.
T.Taylor & Sons
T.M.3800/40
6.
15.
6.
Ltd.
"GIPSY KING"
M.V.
H.W.Harvey
T.M.4094/40
3.
10.
8.
7.
17.
6.
G.Riley
14.
10.
i
"GIRL VINE"
M.V.
R.W.Weller
T.0.9562/40
21.
8.
3.
To Spl.Admy Servi
"GOLDEN LILY"
M.V.
13.
4.
119.
12.
i
Capt.Cullen
T.0.9197/40
103.
W.Osborne Ltd.
12.
10.
-.
"GONDOLIER
B.Shutlers
T.O.9275/40
249.
8.
8.
160.
10.
"GONDOLIER
(Succrs.)Ltd.
234.
145.
10.
7.
8.
i
"GOOD HOPE"
M.V.
Bonds (Maiden-
T.M.3754/40
10.
9.
7.
700.
head) Ltd.
"GRACE DARLING
P.M.B.
C.E.Gundy
T.M.3893/40
5.
10.
8.
775.
IV"
"GWEN EAGLE"
M.V.
W.Osborne Ltd.
T.0.9196/40
11.
1.
9.
Donald W.Hudson
1750.
i
"GERBERA"
M.B.
C.Hill & Son
T.0.9657/40
13.
6.
5.
"GRACE DARLING"
F.V.
Sayers Bros.
T.M.4793/40
31.
12.
11.
23.
12.
!
E.36
"GOLDEN SPRAY II"
M.V.
F.Roberts.
T.M.4091/40
265.
"GOLDEN ORFE"
Launch
Sandbanks Yacht
T.M.7539/40
3.
5.
i
Co. Ltd.
"GERTRUDE MAY"
S.Bge.
Francis &
T.0.9300/40
40.
4.
2.
Gilders Ltd.
"GEORGE SMEED"
" If
11
If
If
2.
3.
9.
"GLENWAY"
Aux.S.
W.Buck
T.0.9306/40
3.
5.
9.
4.
16.
9.
Bge.
S.West Ltd.
10.
8.
6.
10.
16.
5.
23.
11.
6.
382.
6.
1.
W.F.Ellis(Capt)
1.
5.
2.
A.W.Scott
1.
7.
7.
"GARLAND"
M.V.
T.Penny
T.M.4970/40
5.
14.
i
5.
2.
6.
F.E.210
"GOLDEN SUNSET"
M.V.
R.Brice
T.M.4965/40
5.
10.
5.
"GRATITUDE"
M.V.
Griggs Bros.
T.M.4976/40
8.
9.
9.
F.E.46
"GUIDE ME"
M.V.
L,F.Light
T.M.4998/40
3.
i
i
(NN.48)
9.
10.
i
"GWENNIE"
M.V.
W.G.S.Crouch
T.M.4088/40
12.
5.
i
& Sons Ltd.
8.
i
i
29.
4.
6.