Details

HALCYON (N.42)
6th M.S.F.
Lt.Cdr. J.M. S. Cox, D.S.C.,
R.N.
Cdr. E. P. Hinton, M.V.O.
R.N.
26th May
2015
Arrived Dover in company with the M/S
Skipjack.
27th May
1244
Anchored in the Downs.
1530
Weighed and proceeded with the dr.
Impulsive, the Skipjack and the
Trinity House vessel Patricia to
sweep a new channel [afterwards
known as "route x"] and to lay U, V,
and W buoys.
2225
Anchored off Goodwin Knoll.
28th May
0600
Weighed and returned to
0750
Dover.
Cdr. Hinton took over command of
the ship from Lt. Cdr. Cox.
1447
Slipped and proceeded to Dunkirk. In
the Downs, the M/S's Sutton, Skipjack
Fitzroy and Salamander joined
company.
2115
Arrived off La Panne. Sent s/Lt.
Worthington R.N.V.R. in charge of the
M/B and 2 whalers to embark troops.
29th May
Swell made boat work difficult.
0525
Weighed and proceeded with 192 troops
on board. Shortly after, a big and
unaccountable explosion occurred just
off the bow.
1240
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 192 troops.
1600
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2000ca
In the vicinity of Dunkirk, enemy
aircraft were engaged, and a
deliberate attack on a hospital
ship [the Isle of Guernsey was
observed. "One wounded man from
this ship was picked up out of the
water". (1)
-
On arrival at Dunkirk, out-going
destroyers informed Halcyon to
keep clear until dark.
30th May
0035ca
The M/S Sharpshooter joined company
and both ships anchored just to the
eastward of the burning wreck of the
Crested Eagle, [?the S.S. Clan
Macalister].(2)
0330
Weighed and proceeded with 232 troops,
leaving the M/B for the destroyers
to use.
-
off Dunkirk, another unexplained
explosion occurred in the water.
0820
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 232
troops. (3)
1556
Sailed for Dunkirk, in company with
Skipjack and Salamander.
(1) This was probably the airman whom the Isle of Guernsey
had been attempting to pick up.
(2) The Sharpshooter at this time was off La Panne. The
Crested Eagle was ashore between Malo and Bray; the
Clan Macalister was about 1 mile west of La Panne.
(3) D.R. gives 213.
9

Details

ISLE OF GUERNSEY
Hospital Carrier
Capt. E.L. Hill,
(S. Ry. Co.)
Master.
26th May
1200
Left Dover for Dunkirk, the H/C
Worthing and the P/V Monas Queen in
company.
1600ca
Air attack off Calais.
1630ca
Berthed alongside the Worthing at
Dunkirk. Embarked troops.
2155
Both ships fully loaded with stretcher
cases, the Isle of Guernsey having
346 cases on board. Proceeded.
27th May
0453
Arrived Newhaven. Disembarked 346
wounded troops. (1)
1147
Proceeded to Dover.
29th May
1716
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
1912
Stood off, while a destroyer ahead
engaged aircraft.
1930
Attacked by 10 planes while attempting
to pick up an airman. Some damage
from near misses. Proceeded.
2020
Arrived off Dunkirk, which was being
bombed and shelled. Waited till
dark.
2330
Entered the harbour.
30th May
0030
Moored alongside the quay. Embarked
troops.
0215
490 embarked, in spite of air attacks.
Proceeded. [Outside the harbour
the sea was full of men swimming and
shouting for help. Two destroyers
were standing by].
1115
Arrived Newhaven. Disembarked 490
wounded.
Total 836
Authority - T.M. 6213/40.
R.O.III, p.121.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C.
Captain E.L. Hill, Master.
Mr.
D.D. Robb, Chief Engineer.
D.S.M.
A.B. J. Fowles.
Mention in Despatches
Mr. R.F. Pembury, Chief Officer.
(1) Not mentioned in D.R.
65

Details

Southern Railway Company
The following ships of the S. Ry.Co. took part in Dynamo:
Personnel ships
Autocarrier
Biarritz
Canterbury( 2)
Lorina (1)
Maid of Orleans( 2)
Normania (1)
Whippingham.
Whitstable
Hospital carriers
Dinard
Isle of Guernsey
Isle of Thanet
Paris
Worthing
Coaster
Hythe
Tugs
Foremost 22
800
{1} Designated Sunk. a troop transport.
D.R.
165

Details

Page 128
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
HOSPITAL CARRIER - ISLE OF GUERNSEY - Ernest Leonard Hill Master
she was heavily bombed and damaged. No further trips
This carrier did two trips, and on the second trip
were made owing to this damage.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS.
Master, Ernest Leonard Hill.
Showed great initiative and seamanship in getting
alongside at Dunkirk, due to the number of ships and
the number of wrecks.
On the second trip, ship was bombed, but the
Master still carried on, and again through his
initiative reached Dunkirk and loaded up.
Recommended for decoration.
Chief Officer R. F. Pembury.
This Officer displayed great initiative in
assisting the Master to get the ship alongside
during the above two trips.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Able Seaman J. Fowles.
Showed great courage in climbing down ship's
ladder whilst under way to try and rescue an
airman. Unable to do so as ship was then attacked
by bombs, cannon and machine guns. Airman was
later picked up in another ship.
Recommended for mention.
PERSONNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. - Robert Mallum McLean, Master.
This vessel was employed on fetching troops.
Proceeded to Dunkirk Harbour during the operation and
brought back a very large number of troops. This was
done continuously under severe bombing and machine
gunning, which was a very great strain on the Master
and crew of the ship, as in addition they had to
proceed each time to recoal at Sheerness.
Recommendations/

Details

Wt. 22622/4318 50M 9/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
09)
base 6801 Val 2
03VC
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
Naval of the Secretary. Merchant have been inserted on the instructions and men of
The following Navy additional names of officers
D.S.C.
Mr. David Douglas Robb, Chief Engineer, ISLE OF GUERNSEY.
Mr. William MacGregor, Chief Engineer, KING GEORGE V.
Mr. George Clifford Frederick Todley, Second Engineer, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Mr. Rowland Baxter, Master, PRAGUE.
Mr. Walter Ernest Oxenham, Chief Engineer, PRAGUE.
Mr. A.Patterson, Chief Officer, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Mr. Andrew Sinclair, Chief ineer, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Mr. A.B. Freeman, First Officer, ST. HELIER.
Mr. H.Whiteway, Master, TYNWALD.
Mr. Charles Mason, Radio Officer, TYNWALD.
D.S.M.
Quartermaster Henry Russell, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Donkeyman Albert Delamain, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Chief Steward Thomas Edward Manser, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Quartermaster Clarence T. Walkey, ST.HELIER.
Mention in Despatches. (Posthumous)
Fireman A. Phillips, BIARRITZ.
Mention in Despatches.
Captain R.Hughes, Master, KILLARNEY.
Captain C.G. West, O.B.E., Master, NEPHRITE.
Captain H. Clarke, Master, PRINCESS MAUD.
Captain J.N. Larbalestier, Master, ROEBUCK.
Mr. W.Lister, Purser, TYNWALD.
Carpenter J.Garre, TYNWALD.
Donkeyman A.Allen, TYNWALD.
Jumph 25th July, 1940.
Naral Secretary.
Naval Secretary has given orders for the following further
names to be inserted:-
Mention in Despatches.
Captain Thomas C. Woods, Master, LADY OF MANN.
/Captain A.M. Poole, Master, LADY SOUTHBOROUGH. (Hopper Barge).
Captain Ewen Mackinnon, Master, LOCH GARRY.
Captain R.G. Banks, Acting Master, Lighter X.209.
Captain William Josiah Penny, Master, Tug St. Clears.
/Captain Robert Durrant, Master, Drifter LORD RODNEY.
/Captain John William Dickinson, Master, NGORAMA.
vMr. Victor Smith, Mate, Drifter JAVA.
/Mr. Raymond Crane, Engineer, M.V. LAROC.
Mr. Jack Lynn, Mate, M.V. LAROC.
Xxxx Steward H.A.E. Frost, M.V. LAROC.
Deckhand Leonard Lynn, M.V. LAROC.
deshington
for Naval Secretary
28th July, 1940.

Details

3/
(Revised-June, 1983.)
H&A 680/41
WHOM
EAD OF COMMISSION AND WARRANT BRANCH.
DATE
24th 1940. July,
NGS TO BOARD.
SUBJECT.
.C.N.S. (T)
S.S. ISLE OF GUERNSEY.
st
Lord.
RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD.
RMER.
Referred
Date
Referred
NOTATION ONLY.
to
to
Date
Referred to
Date
In N 2
BHO
Sta. C.E. E. 7881/1922.
20771 Wt. 40303/9007 485,000 3/88-MoO & Co Lud-T.1440

Details

The Honours and to Awards Committee have carefully
considered the claims recognition of Able Seaman
J. Fowles, of S.S. ISLE OF GUERNSEY, for good services
when bombed en route for Dunkirk, and submit the following
Award as appropriate:-
Distinguished Service Medal
R. Gleadowe
(R. GLEADOWE)
for HEAD OF 24th COMMISSION AND WARRANT BRANC
July, 1940.
Propose t appron
Joeh
26.7.40
Added to main Duakisk dist, at direction of
Narm Secretary.
Jeshing plan
Naral Secretary.
30.7.40-
gayethed august " 1940.

Details

CW. 7896/41
Dunkirk considered and the report of the Withdrawal carefully
The a Honours further and Awards on Committee have
appropriate:-
submits the following additional Award from as
He
Mention in Despatches
Mr. Le Huguet, Chief Officer, Isle of Guernsey.
J.P. Droop
FOR HEAD OF COMMISSION GLEADOWE AND WARRANT BRANCH
for R.
9th April, 1941
Proform Eaptrone.
APPROVED and BY FIRST LORD.
by H.M. The king
husyful
Ch. Chilly
NAVAL SECRETARY TO
THE FIRST LORD.
award published in Lond on gayette 18.4.41. Supplement 15147 of 29ᵗʰ april,
B. fabes adam.
for Hd of C.wf.
301441

Details

VALUE
al debta 20 0,00 a withel of de date
of Wind with 20 about VI X as I
to invoice oft antisse - 110% " other 10% that d'expiration
not n2 deliver aid Grode STATES 00 VAT
WAST
.Y900
-402 400 value traditist or
nichall
by the Southern Railway Co., but they will substantiate my
effectives,
statement if so desired as would Lieutenant Colonel D. McLachlan
who was Senior Medical Officer in the ISLE OF GUERNSEY. off
I should be greatly obliged if you would investigate this
matter and let me know your decision.
I am, Dear Sirs,
Issued
giving nil taxab CO Yours faithfully, of delar I
Justicez (sa.) HAROLD G. LE HUGUET.
Issue intedged on 20 notification offil not
W NEZ 83.68 Collgnall all to
10.810 Bas add 19thr revolled : orean
silm policed sizus about incolvion visit not
reading .8 has XXXX mixtreso of
and I relations
the only Sade is Гозшу 02 to motest oth Moy of trade
DAY, mill 07 date MOD I with of above Insure will Dad not
dibe E GRE will 20 Toblo any L and
that tood myst voil to and edd ce OM поздоВ
ver the Juic CANADA 1022 Viement
the od) 216 Vinter and oval 2 what dritder conto JAMES Date
the abtomA esnd) to Decord don tisti can outs
iss - to ema add NONE antiving at off
\vd essain A ce one was onlo that de 20200

Details

Part W7869/41
SOUTHERN RAILWAY.
D/ET.
cw.
GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE,
DEEPDENE HOTEL,
IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE
DORKING, SURREY.
S.Pad.86/75.
THIS
25th March, 1941. REGISTRY
GENTRAL
ar Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 7th instant,
had enquiries made and find it is correct that Mr.
0 the 31st May, 1940, day following the vessel's
e have Huguet was Chief Officer i.e. of the the "Isle of Guernsey" up
ast trip in the evacuation from Dunkerque, since when he has
been absent from duty owing to sickness.
The name of Mr. Pembry (who was temporarily in
our employment and has now left) was apparently submitted by the
Ministry of Shipping without consultation with this Company.
However, as both Messrs. Le Huguet and Pembry
rendered good services on the "Isle of Guernsey" during the
evacuation, the position might be met by allowing the award of
a Mention in Despatches to Mr. Pembry announced in the London
Gazette on the 16th August, 1940, to stand, and granting a
similar honour to Mr. Le Huguet.
Yours faithfully, Missenden:
ob,
LONDON, The Secretary of the Admiralty,
S.W.1.
(Signed) R. GLEADOWE.
on
dene Surrey Satel,
Surrey.
Wt. 48364/D6526 1,000,000 6/40 S.P. & Co., Ltd. 51-6416

Details

MINISTRY OF SHIPPING.
The Honours and Awards Committee have carefully
considered the further report of the Withdrawal from
Dunkirk and submits the following additional Award as
appropriate:-
Mention in Despatches.
Mr. Le Huguet, Chief Officer, Isle of Guernsey.
for R. GLEADOWE
FOR HEAD OF COMMISSION AND WARRANT BRANCH.
9th April, 1941.
S.S. "ISLE OF GUERNSEY". 161686.
Gross Tons. 2143.
Owners:-
Southern Railway Co.,
Waterloo Station,
London, S.E. 1.
Chief Officer:- Harold George Le Huguet, q (MUQUET)
5, Oaktree Road,
Bitterne Park,
Southampton.

Details

164
163
APPENDIX I.
Page 2
of
and final.
181
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
FLARE BURNING
BOY ROY
GOLDEN GIFT
PAXTON
DRIFTER:
EILEEN EMMA
GOLDEN SUNBEAM
SHIPMATES
FORECAST
LORD HOWARD
THE BOYS
GERVAIS RENTOUL
LORD HOWE
TORBAY II
GIRL GLADYS
MIDAS
UT PROSIM
GIRL PAMELA
NETSUKIS
YORKSHIRE LASS
YOUNG MUN
GUARDSHIPS AND
LORMONT
MONA'S ISLA
KING ORRY
A.B.V's:
LLANTHONY
CORVETTES:
KINGFISHER
G
ILLEMOT
F.A.A.
AIR FORCE
GRIEVE
AMULREE
TRAINING VESSEL:
M.T.B's:
16
M.A.S.B's:
6
67
7
68
10
100
102
107
PERSONNEL SHIPS:
ARCHANGEL
LOCH GARRY
PRINCESS MAUD
AUTOCARRIER
LORINA
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
BEN MY CHREE
HAID OF ORLEANS
ROUEN
BIARRITZ
MALINES
ROYAL DAFFODIL
CANTERBURY
MANX MAID
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
COTE D'ARGENT
MANX- MAN
SCOTIA
FENELLA
MONA'S QUEEN
ST. HELIER
KILLARNEY
NEWHAVEN
ST. SEIRIOL
KING GEORGE V
NORMANIA
TYNWALD
LADY OF MAN
PRAGUE
OSPITAL CARRIERS: DINARD
ISLE OF GUERNSEY ST. ANDREW
ISLE OF THANET ST DAVID
PARIS
ST JULIAN
WORTHING
OTE:
In addition, some 23 of H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and
Yachts of the Nore Command assisted by taking one or more
tows of boats to the coast.

Details

APPENDIX I.
Page 2
of
and final.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
URNING
BOY ROY
GOLDEN GIFT
PAXTON
:
EILEEN EMMA
GOLDEN SUNBEAM
SHIPMATES
FORECAST
LORD HOWARD
THE BOYS
GERVAIS RENTOUL
LORD HOWE
TORBAY II
GIRL GLADYS
MIDAS
UT PROSIM
GIRL PAMELA
NETSUKIS
YORKSHIRE LASS
YOUNG MUN
IPS AND
LORMONT
MONA'S ISLE
KING ORRY
:
LLANTHONY
ES:
KINGFISHER
GUILLEMOT
CE
GRIEVE
G VESSEL:
i
16
M.A.S.B's:
6
67
7
68
10
100
102
107
EL SHIPS:
ARCHANGEL
LOCH GARRY
PRINCESS MAUD
AUTOCARRIER
LORINA
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
BEN MY CHREE
HAID OF ORLEANS
ROUEN
BIARRITZ
MALINES
ROYAL DAFFODIL
CANTERBURY
MANX MAID
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
COTE D'ARGENT
MANX MAN
SCOTIA
FENELLA
MONA'S QUEEN
ST. HELIER
KILLARNEY
NEWHAVEN
ST. SEIRIOL
KING GEORGE V
NORMANIA
TYNWALD
LADY OF MAN
P. LGUE
L CARRIERS: DINARD
ISLE OF GUERNSEY ST. ANDREW
ISLE OF THANET ST. DAVID
PARIS
ST. JULIAN
WORTHING
In addition, some 23 of H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and
achts of the Nore Command assisted by taking one or more
OWS of boats to the coast.

Details

19.
"
which
Mr. Engineer, Launch Haig.
Mr. Norman Regisald >mith, Walter, Chief First Engineer, Hospital Carrier Dinard.
Mr. Donald Brewer, Yacht Engineer, H.M.Y.Lahloo.
Mr. Thomas McDermott Weir, Yacht Engineer, H.M.Y. Eila II.
Mr. C
Coggins, Engineer, M.Y. Masayru.
Mr. Raymond Crane, Engineer, M.V. Laroc.
/Mr. / William Leonard Evans, Second Engineer, Royal Daffodil
Mr. James Steward, Second Engineer, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
'Mr. Frank Cherry, Third Engineer, (Able Seaman), Launch Swallow.
VMr. James Henry Edward Spain, Third Engineer, Launch Kestrel.
Mr. W StamLister, Lister, Purser, 58 Tynwald.
Mr. Paddy McFadden, Beatswain, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Mr. Douglas Kirkaldie, Coxswain, Motor Boat Fervent.
Able Seaman T
Bassett, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Able Seaman John Fowles, Hospital Carrier Isle of Guernsey.
Able Seaman Henry Charles Herring Hay, Launch Swallow.
Able Seaman John Upperton, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Ordinary Seaman Clifford Barrett, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Fireman Ali Khan, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Fireman Abdul Mohand, S.S Dorrien Rose.
Fireman Rbet Phillips, S.S. Biarritz.
wre
Carpenter J
Gaste, S.STynwald.
S.S.
Donkeyman A
Allen,,Tynwald.
Deckhand Leonard Lynn, M.V. Daroc.
Steward H
A
E
Frost, M.V. Laroc.
Mrs. A. Goodrich, Stewardess, Hospital Carrier Dinard.
Mr. William Ferguson, Acting Naval Store Officer.
/1 Mr. Robert William Whidby Corbutt, Acting Deputy Naval Store Officer.
Mr. Donald John Woods, Deputy Armament Supply Officer.
Mr. Archibald Armytage Bakewell, Deputy Victualling Store Officer.
Lance Corporal Chapman, 6208138, 1/8th Middlesex Regiment.
21
William Cecil Ernest Smith, R.A.M.C., 7520070.
Fireman EAMMMAXGX Henry Albert William Ray, Auxiliary Fire Service,
London Fire Brigade Fire Fleat Massey Shaw
Fireman Edmund Gordon Wright, Auxiliary Fire Service, London Fire
Brigade Wire Fle

Details

Page 128
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
HOSPITAL CARRIER - ISLE OF GUERNSEY - Ernest Leonard Hill Master
This carrier did two trips, and on the second trip
she was heavily bombed and damaged. No further trips
were made owing to this damage.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS.
S
Master, Ernest Leonard Hill.
Showed great initiative and seamanship in getting
alongside at Dunkirk, due to the number of ships and
the number of wrecks.
On the second trip, ship was bombed, but the
Master still carried on, and again through his
initiative reached Dunkirk and loaded up.
DSC
Recommended for decoration.
Chief Officer R. F. Pembury.
This Officer displayed great initiative in
assisting the Master to get the ship alongside
during the above two trips.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Able Seaman J. Fowles.
Showed great courage in climbing down ship's
ladder whilst under way to try and rescue an
airman. Unable to do so as ship was then attacked
by bombs, cannon and machine guns. Airman was
later picked up in another ship.
Recommended for mention.
PERSONNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. - Robert Mallum McLean, Master.
This vessel was employed on fetching troops.
Proceeded to Dunkirk Harbour during the operation and
brought back a very large number of troops. This was
done continuously under severe bombing and machine
gunning, which was a very great strain on the Master
and crew of the ship, as in addition they had to
proceed each time to recoal at Sheerness.
Recommendations

Details

Details

Drywans 29H.
120
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
105
Masug MAOT .0.8 80 яатели MITBAM I.A . ЯМ 30 тиочая
Reference.
MARINE DEPARTMENT,
My
(.11.Я .Tomoo .Jushd of Viladrev nov 10)
Hospital Carrier,
Your
"Isle of Guernsey
STATION,
.oser ,AST east
c/o G.P.O.
antenoled anot 000,1 to feesev B at "neeng meet" ad?
London.
10th June
1940
..DSJ 1.00 Balquide abnafal Ionnedo deling odd #
yall VADITY no assissed directment ont of TOYO they add if
becebio asw ede , erent assed [Iame on STOW stans as Jull
bedeaus! bas bib eda atdT .sod a 80 doesd #
enode SAT .eredas BESTS A bewes doldw feed oill Tod hated
The Principal Sea Transport Officer,
bear easty odd has VITAL 8 of between cew assTs edit to la
Lord Warden Hotel,
yew alds AI .qide erit mort bas of feed 0211 ed# UTTS! If
.990 Idsured DTSW agcors OU
DOVER.
bas TOJSW right to 220 befeeft "Assup moot" ed? is
empa butt of gatgod ,enut Jef .388 no 0080 IIII befts
of DENTISTED erie 08 Das ,enon STOW stent .aquort .stagemal 018
Dear Sir,
May 29th 1940.
During the aerial attack on this Vessel, mentioned in
above report, J. Fowles, A.B. showed great courage in climbing of
the down ladder to assist & British Airman who had baled out
his & rope He was wounded by machine gun bullets and shrapnel,
assumed plane. mortally wounded and lost, but was later saved by another
vessel.
Yours faithfully,
E. Hill
Maslis
Chief Officer.

Details

121
REPORT OF PART PLAYED BY H.M.H.C. ISLE OF GUERNSEY"
106
in the evacuation of Bunkirk.
a May 1940
Having received orders from Dover at noon, we proceeded towards Dunkirk
company with the Hospital Carrier "Worthing" and Transport "Monas Queen",
lowing the route given by the Naval Authorities. At approximately 4-0 p.m.
we approached Calais, which lay in ruins under & heavy pall of smoke, two
tish destroyers crossed our bows, hove to and commenced shelling the
re Batteries who promptly returned the challange. To avoid this No mans
d we were forced to Deviate, as our proper course would have taken us
ween the combatants. Whilst carrying out this manouvre, enemy planes
eared and commenced bombing the convoy but none of the three vessels were
pok, although as the bombs fell very close.
Arriving off Dunkirk, which was under an even heavier pall of thick
ok smoke than Calais, we manouvred our way inside through the various
cks of vessels which had been struck by bombs and the "Worthing" having
on made fast to the Quay we moored alongside her. A few moments after our
rival streams of motor ambulances arrived threading their way through
) columns of troops who were not so seriously wounded and were able to
sisted in stretcher bearing so as to facilitate the loading. By 9-55 p.m.
Lk. Loading was commenced immediately and every member of the ships Crew
sle of Guernsey" having 346 cases on board, and as her number of cots the is
th Hospital Carriers were loaded with as many as they could take, the
ok along many corridors, in fact wherever it was possible to put & and stretcher. was
ly 203, of these cases were accomodated in between the cots on
mpleted Ballo on the 37th May. At 11-47 a,m. on the same day,
0 voyage back to Newhaven, via Dover passed without incident
loading having by 4-53 been completed, Water, provisions and Oil fuel taked aboard,
proceeded to Dover for orders.
y 29th 1940
At 5-16 received orders, we proceeded towards Dunkirk, TO
4-1 for a course of an engagement between aircraft and at observed
llowing p.m., having which took us well clear of Calais. At 7-18 British p.m. stood
scending immediately close ahead of us and the vessel was but save
stroyer a while because in our track. At 7-30 palla an airman was stopped to
m. One by parachute went down a rope ladder to assist the airman, with bombs
innon and reached the By a miracle none of the bombs struck cannon
fore he of the seamen bottom, 10 enemy planes attacked the Ship the ship,
iells and considerable damage bullets. British fighter planes drove place enemy
though machine guns. was done by the concussion, shrapnel, off the
rerhead. proceeded towards port at 8-20 pall. we found it was being Returning
id we machine gun Dunkirk with at terrific air battle taking bombed
4d Arrived off the from the shore to keep clear.
ong shelled, the and we had orders with two destroyers, we later received At 11-30 orders p.m. to
it channel in company fallen and then return to Dunkirk. brilliantly lit
entered until darkness had breakwaters, the whole place being to up up
ongside of fires, of the quay at 12-30 a.m. Loading numbering 490. at once
the glare between the burning oil tanks atc., and managed commenced moor
2-15 what was left taken on board as many as we could throughout, carrying
crew and R.A.M.C. their utmost to load the ship few minutes as by the
a.m. we had personnel behaved splendidly quickly and
/ on as possible, the quay and in the water. found the
their duties and although doing the ship was shaken every Leaving the quay
a.m. of we proceeded and shouting for help, presumably a these men up,
of bomba falling out on of the harbour and just outside transport we had
n men swimming destroyers were standing by picking Dover.
ided our way for us to attempt to stop and try to save any overhead,
sunk. As two carefully through them and proceeded towards of these It
ve been fatal wonderful target for the airoraft hovering paintwork up.
We made such a burning port showing all our white just
o ng was comparatively & patrol boat headed us off as we were heading orders
flames of the quiet on the way across, except that straight before for
ly Dover, laid minefield. Arriving off Dover at 7-0 a.m. we received

Details

Details

OPERATION "DYNAMO" IS COMMENCED
CHAP. III
and blazing lights made them an easy target. On the 26th May the hospital
carriers St. Andrew and St. Julien sailed at 1054 for Dunkirk, but coming under
fire from the guns of Gravelines, they returned to Dover in company with the
P/V Maid of Orleans.
The hospital carriers Isle of Guernsey and Worthing sailed from Dover at
noon and were bombed when off, Calais; nevertheless, that night, flood-lit by
the fires which raged in the docks and town of Dunkirk, they each embarked
about 300 stretcher cases.
Admiralty call for cutters and whalers
All these troops and casualties, it should be noted, were lifted from the quays
of Dunkirk harbour. Evacuation from the beaches did not commence until
24 hours later, and then only in a very small way, using ships' boats. On the
26th May, says Vice-Admiral Ramsay, the only inshore craft available
were
4 Belgian passenger launches and the naval small craft of the Dover Command
such as drifters, and motor boats from the Contraband Control Base at Rams-
gate; the only ones capable of lifting personnel direct from a beach being the
boats from Ramsgate." The Admiralty had been asked for a supply of small
boats, especially whalers and cutters, but there remained the difficulty of
arranging for the personnel to man them¹. This request led at 2028, on 26th
May, to an Admiralty signal to the Home Ports asking how many cutters and
whalers could be made available for immediate service under Vice-Admiral,
Dover.²
Sea and air patrols
Meanwhile, at 1937, C. in C. Nore had been requested to use all available
forces to cover Operation Dynamo that night.
In conformity with these directions Allied fighters maintained continuous
patrols, from 1700 to 2130, on the line Calais-Dunkirk.3.
Germans occupy Calais
That very night, however, the gallant defence of Calais came to an end.
The yacht Gulzar had gone there with water and stretchers, to bring back
wounded. She secured alongside the Gare Maritime and sent a party on shore
to investigate. The town was found to be in German hands, and the Gulzar
made a hasty departure under fire. On the way out, however, in response to
a hail, she stopped, and brought off 3 officers and 48 men from the end of the
breakwater.⁴
I D.R. p. 1, para. 2.
2 Appendix G. 1.
3 R.A.F. Narrative, p. 315.
4 R.O. II, p. 513.
B
17

Details

TUESDAY, 28TH MAY
CHAP. VI
return to Dover at 15 knots, and could take no further part in "Dynamo."
The personnel vessel Lorina was bombed and sunk at about this period, but
no details are forthcoming.
Icarus damaged
The destroyer Icarus, which had been embarking troops off Zuydcoote, and
in addition had embarked about 470 from the skoot Doggersbank, was attacked
by 10 dive bombers at 1830. She received only slight damage from near
misses but had 1 killed and 25 wounded.
King Orry sunk
The armed boarding vessel King Orry arrived at Dunkirk harbour at about
1900, to find it apparently occupied only by burning and sinking ships. She
herself was immediately subjected to a bombing attack which put her steering
gear out of action and shattered all her instruments. Further air attacks,
and damage by near misses ensued. Realising the risk of the ship blocking
the channel, S.N.O. Dunkirk instructed her Captain, shortly after midnight,
to take her out of harbour. She struggled out at 0230/30, but when clear of the
harbour entrance the King Orry foundered. Several ships, including the drifter
Vivacious, the trawler Lord Grey, and a D.C./M.B., picked up survivors.
Isle of Guernsey deliberately bombed
At about the same time that the King Orry was being bombed, the M/S
Halcyon witnessed the deliberate bombing of the hospital carrier Isle of
Guernsey. She was bombed by 10 planes off Dunkirk harbour while attempting
to pick up an airman. The airman was subsequently picked up by the Halcyon.
Although damaged by near misses, the Isle of Guernsey entered the harbour
after dark and embarked 490 wounded in the early hours of 30th May. She
then proceeded to Newhaven, but was not repaired in time to make another
trip to Dunkirk.
Bideford's stern blown off
The air onslaught had not yet, however, come to an end. The sloop Bideford
had arrived off Bray beach at 1730. At 1750 the first boat loads of troops
(mostly French) came alongside. 'The boats," says her Captain, Lt. Cdr.
J. H. Lewes, R.N., were dangerously overcrowded and several swamped on
the way off from the shore. On arrival alongside, the men would all jump on
board and let their boats drift off on the tide. Paddles were lost overboard,
rendering the boats useless. Bideford's M/B was lowered and ordered to
collect and tow inshore any empty boats. The whaler was lowered and 2
officers and a signalman were sent in to endeavour to take charge on the
beach
this was next to impossible. The men rushed the boats and capsized
them in shallow water, and then left the boats without making any attempt
to right them and use them again. There were only 2 motor landing craft in
the vicinity. One [A.L.C.17] had one engine out of action; the other
[A.L.C.16] was blown up subsequently when lying alongside the ship."
Dive-bombing attacks commenced on the Bideford at about 1915. She was
then machine-gunned by low flying aircraft. At 2007 four bombs were
dropped; one landed 30 yards away one hit the quarter deck; and one hit
or near missed the stern, detonating a depth charge. About 40 feet of the
Bideford's stern was blown away completely; a further 40 feet was reduced
to a tangled mass of metal; the mainmast fell in 3 pieces on the searchlight
45

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Ships lost or damaged on 29th May
H.M. SHIPS SUNK
The destroyers Wakeful, Grafton and Grenade.
The armed boarding vessel King Orrry
The Special Service Vessel Crested Eagle.
The Paddle Minesweepers Waverley and Gracie Fields.¹
The Personnel Vessels Normania,1 Lorina, Fenella and Mona's Queen.
The trawlers Polly Johnson and Calvi.
The danlayers Comfort and Nautilus.
The drifter Girl Pamela².
H.M. SHIPS DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
The destroyers Saladin, Greyhound, Intrepid, Montrose, Mackay, Gallant
and Jaguar.
The sloop Bideford.
The minesweeper Pangbourne (required dockyard repairs).
The personnel vessel Canterbury.
The hospital carrier Isle of Guernsey.
OTHER VESSELS
SUNK A.L.C.16, the S.S. Clan Macalister (6,900 tons), the M/B's Minikoi,
Viewfinder, Bobeli, Hanora, Sceneshifter and Queen of England.
DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION The tug Sun V.
Destroyers of the "H," "I" and "J" Classes withdrawn
As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst the destroyer force,
particularly the misfortunes which befell those of the larger and more modern
types, a consultation was held between the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral,
Dover, on 29th May, which led to a decision to withdraw the 7 destroyers of
the "H", "I" and "J" Classes from "Dynamo"3; they were the only
modern destroyers remaining with Vice-Admiral, Dover. All destroyers of
the "G" class⁴ were already out of action.
There remained available for "Dynamo" 15 destroyers : :-
Esk
Malcolm
Verity
Express
Whitehall
Vanquisher
Anthony
Winchelsea
Sabre
Keith
Worcester
Scimitar
Codrington
Windsor
Shikari
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be expected to
maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the coast and would lift 17,000
troops in 24 hours⁵. It is noteworthy that in spite of their unsuitability for
the work of troop carrying, the 39 destroyers so employed in Dynamo"
brought off more troops-96,000-than any other type of ship (see Table 1).
The 45 personnel vessels brought off 87,000; the 36 minesweepers 46,000;
the 39 skoots 22,000 ; and among the smaller vessels, the 51 drifters brought
off 12,000.
I Actually sank on 30th May, as a result of damage received on 29th May.
2 In collision with the Lydd off Dunkirk harbour on the night of 28th/29th May.
3 The Icarus, Impulsive, Intrepid, Ivanhoe, Harvester, Havant and Javelin.
4 The Gallant, Grafton, Grenade and Greyhound.
5 D.R. p.11, para. 37.
55

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Ships lost or damaged on 29th May
H.M. SHIPS SUNK
The destroyers Wakeful, Grafton and Grenade.
The armed boarding vessel King Orrry
The Special Service Vessel Crested Eagle.
The Paddle Minesweepers Waverley and Gracie Fields.¹
The Personnel Vessels Normania,1 Lorina, Fenella and Mona's Queen.
The trawlers Polly Johnson and Calvi.
The danlayers Comfort and Nautilus.
The drifter Girl Pamela².
H.M. SHIPS DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
The destroyers Saladin, Greyhound, Intrepid, Montrose, Mackay, Gallant
and Jaguar.
The sloop Bideford.
The minesweeper Pangbourne (required dockyard repairs).
The personnel vessel Canterbury.
The hospital carrier Isle of Guernsey.
OTHER VESSELS
SUNK A.L.C.16, the S.S. Clan Macalister (6,900 tons), the M/B's Minikoi,
Viewfinder, Bobeli, Hanora, Sceneshifter and Queen of England.
DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION The tug Sun V.
Destroyers of the "H," "I" and "J" Classes withdrawn
As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst the destroyer force,
particularly the misfortunes which befell those of the larger and more modern
types, a consultation was held between the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral,
Dover, on 29th May, which led to a decision to withdraw the 7 destroyers of
the "H", "I" and "J" Classes from "Dynamo"3; they were the only
modern destroyers remaining with Vice-Admiral, Dover. All destroyers of
the "G" class4 were already out of action.
There remained available for "Dynamo" 15 destroyers :-
Esk
Malcolm
Verity
Express
Whitehall
Vanquisher
Anthony
Winchelsea
Sabre
Keith
Worcester
Scimitar
Codrington
Windsor
Shikari
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be expected to
maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the coast and would lift 17,000
troops in 24 hours⁵. It is noteworthy that in spite of their unsuitability for
the work of troop carrying, the 39 destroyers so employed in ' Dynamo "
brought off more troops-96,000-than any other type of ship (see Table 1).
The 45 personnel vessels brought off 87,000; the 36 minesweepers 46,000 ;
the 39 skoots 22,000 ; and among the smaller vessels, the 51 drifters brought
off 12,000.
I Actually sank on 30th May, as a result of damage received on 29th May.
2 In collision with the Lydd off Dunkirk harbour on the night of 28th/29th May.
3 The Icarus, Impulsive, Intrepid, Ivanhoe, Harvester, Havant and Javelin.
4 The Gallant, Grafton, Grenade and Greyhound.
5 D.R. p.11, para. 37.
55

Details

Details

Details

INDEX
Greatwood, Lt., 76.
Grenade, 28, 43-4 (damaged), 46, 50n (reported sinking), 55 (sunk).
Greyhound, 13 (bombards Calais) ; in Dynamo, 23, 27, 42 (damaged), 47 (remains in
action), 54n, 55n.
Grey Mist, 13.
Grimsby Town, 104, 110.
Grive, 38, 93 (sunk), 60, 90-1.
Grouse, 72n.
Guillemot, 114n, 117.
Gula, 71n.
Gulzar, 17, 60n, 114n, 118.
H.A.C., 71s.
Haig, 72n, 90.
Halcyon, 20, 28n, 45, 47n, 54n, 82, 86 (attacked), 91, 107n, 109, 114n, 117.
Hallett, Vice-Admiral T. J., (act. Cdre.), 49 (takes charge off Bray), 58, 79; leaves, 80 ;
effect of his arrival, 126.
Hancock, Capt. C. A., 29.
Handy Billie, 81.
Hanora, abandoned, 53 : sunk, 55.
Harris, Cdr. W. V. H., 13.
Harvester, 28n, 35-6, 47, 54n, 55n.
Harwich, F.O.I.C., 70; assistance to ships at, 94.
Havant, 46, 55n, 91 (sunk), 93.
Hawkinge, 5, 7.
Hebe, 44, 47n, 49, 50 (flag of R.A. Dover), 54n, 58 (hoists flag), 66, 67, 70, 76 (Whaler),
76n, 83 (slightly damaged), 84 (shoots down Heinkel).
Hebe II, 20, 24, 27, 28n.
Hemans, Lt. M. A., 81.
Henderson, Comdr. H. P., 22.
Hilda, 20, 29n, 32, 72n, 78, 90.
Hird, 37.
Hirschfield, A. B., C.A.L., 93.
Holford, Maj. C.F. L., R.M., 8.
Holkham, Capt. A., 38.
Holland, 111-2.
Holland, invaded, 1; surrenders, 2.
Holland-Martin, Lt. Cdr. D. E., 21.
Holmes, Maj.-Gen. W. G., 82.
Hondsrug, 20n, 24, 102, 114n, 116-7.
Hospital carriers, attacked, 16, 17, 43, 45, 104; space too valuable for them, 87.
Hound, 72n.
Howson, Capt. J. M.: S.N.O. Beaches, 49, 59; stops waste of boats, 60; returns to
Dover, 74; orders beach parties to embark, 79, 80; effect of his arrival, 126.
Hutchins, Lt. Col. R. L., 69-70.
Hythe, 32, 72n.
Icarus, 37-8 (damaged), 54 (makes two trips in 24 hours), 55n, 69, 83 (in collision), 87, 97
101 (in collision).
Impulsive, 20, 23, 27, 55n, 64n, 70, 83 (damages propeller).
Indépendence, 73n.
Ingénieur Cachin, 73.
Intrepid, 37, 38, 43 (damaged), 54n, 55n, 61n.
Inverforth, 34.
Ironside, General Sir Edmund (CIGS), 5.
Isle of Guernsey, 17, 45 (damaged).
Isle of Thanet, 19, 22n, 24, 28, 34 (sunk).
Ivanhoe, 37n-8, 54n, 55n, 77n, 83 (bombed), 86, 90-1 (damaged), 93.
Jackal, hunts submarine, 69.
Jacketa, 32n, 51n.
Jaguar, 28, 39, 41 (damaged), 42, 61n (in need of repair).
Java, 32, 42, 47.
Javelin, 28, 37-8, 54n, 55n, 61n, 105 (forbidden to sail).
Jeannie MacIntosh, 71n.
Jeune France, 62n, 73n.
200

Details

Page 4.
OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYN/MO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES name
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
of Inen
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9
)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
(Tugs)
C. 11
)
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

Page 4.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
} french
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9 (Tugs)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

S.S. "BIARRITZ"
D.S.C.
James Lang Crockart
1000
Engineer
finall Howl
S.S. "CANTERBURY"
D.S C.
Master
Charles Archibald Hancock
Motor Boat "CONSTANT NYMPH"
D.B.M.
Owner
Basil Arthur Smith
setuall
S.S. "DORRIEN ROSE" Teldo
tal
I
повтоляз
D.O.C.
hamesthod
Master
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
William Thompson
Bernard Murphy
D.S.C.
Mate
Terence O'Hanlon
D.S.M.
Gunner
D.S.M.
J. W. Watson
TOJEBN
A.B.
D.S.M.
J. O'Rowe
doonignS Totdo
0.8.
W. Barnett
D.S.M.
A. Gibson
Drawers Ieldo
Fireman
Tug "FOREMOSH 87"
D.S.C.
IntooM
Master
James Fryer
JRL
S.S. "ISLE OF GUERNSEY" bee
Francis waugh Hodges.
D.S.C.
Master
Brnest Leonard Hill
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
David Douglas Robb
D.S.M.
A.B.
John Fowles
retual well
Tug "JAVA"
7001290 and
Seaman
D.S.M
Master
Harry Griffith
4001990
S.S. "KING GEORGE V"
Master
D.S.G
Robert McCallum McLean
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
William MacGregor
Greaser
D.S.M.
Angus Macdonald
D.S.M.
A.B.
Donald Joseph McKinnon
S.S. "LEVENWOOD"
Master
D.S.C.
William Oswald Young
M.N. Gunner
D.S.M.
George. Knight
niewaxe0
D.S.M.
Fireman
Robert Moody
S.S. "MAID OF ORLEANS"
Master
D.S.C.
Gordon Dyer Walter
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
George Frederick Tooley
D.S.M.
Q.M.
Harry Russell
Motor Yacht "MASHYRA"
D.S.M.
Skipper
G. D. Oliver
8.8. "PRAGUE"
Master
D.S.C.
Clifford Roland Baxter
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
Walter Ernest Oxenham
D.S.M.
Frederick Wm. John Rushby
Boy
in

Details

Details

-3-
nip.
Name & Address of Owners
Name of Master.
SS MAUD
London Midland & Scottish
Capt. H. Clarke.
IA
Railway,
Capt. W.H. Hughes.
L.M.S. Railway Headquarters,
Watford, Herts.
ST. SEIRIOL
Liverpool & North Wales
Capt. R.D. Dobb
S.S. Co., Ltd.,
40, Chapel Street,
Liverpool, 3.
/PRAGUE
London & North Eastern
Capt. C. Baxter.
Railway Company,
26, Glengall Road,
Woodford Green,
Essex.
KING GEORGE V
David MacBrayne Limited,
Capt. R.E. MacLean.
LOCHGARRY
44, Robertson Street,
Capt. E. MacKinnon.
Glasgow, C.2.
KILLARNEY
Coast Lines Limited,
Capt. R. Hughes.
2, Crescent Road,
Kingston-on-Thames,
Surrey.
ST. HELIER
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt. R. Pitman
c/o Chief Docks Manager,
Cardiff.
ST JULIEN
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt.L.S.Richard
ST ANDREW
Paddington Station, W. .2.
Capt. H.C. Bond
ST DAVID
Capt. C.Joy.
PARIS
Capt. E. Biles
ISLE OF GUERNSEY
Southern Railway Co.,
Capt. F.W. Hodges
DINARD
Waterloo Station,
Capt. P. Lewis
WORTHING
S.E.L.
Capt. C.J. Munton
ISLE OF THANET
>
Capt. A.J. Hammond
60
&
These Masters took over when original Masters were too exhausted to
carry on.
x Evacuation of Calais.
+ This vessel was ordered to Dunkerque laden with B.E.F. petrol and
did not actually evacuate, troops.
INED
orized.

Details

you
REPORT OF PART PLAYED BY H.M.H.C. "ISIE OF GUERNSEY"
in the evacuation of Dunkirk.
26th May 1940
Having received orders from Dover at noon, we proceeded towards Dunkirk in company
with the Hospital Carrier "Worthing" and Transport "Monas Queen", following the route
given by the Naval Authorities. At approximately 4.0 p.m. as we approached Calais, which
lay in ruins under a heavy pall of smoke, two British destroyers crossed our bows, hove to
and commenced shelling the shore Batteries who promptly returned the challenge. To avoid
this No Mans land we were forced to Deviate, as our proper course would have taken us
between the combatants. Whilst carrying out this manouvre, enemy planes appeared and
commenced bombing the convoy but none of the three vessels were struck, although bombs
fell very close.
Arriving off Dunkirk, which was under an even heavier pall of thick black smoke than
id
Calais, we manouvred our way inside through the various wrecks of vessels which had been
struck by bombs and the "Worthing" having been made fast to the Quay we moored alongside
her. A few moments after our arrival streams of motor ambulances arrived threading their on
way through the columns of troops who were not so seriously wounded and were able to walk. ne
Loading was commenced immediately and every member of the ships Crew assisted in stretcher t
bearing so as to facilitate the loading. By 9.55 p.m. both Hospital Carriers were loaded is
with as many as they could take, the "Isle of Guernsey" having 346 cases on board, and as ond
her number of cots is only 203, many of these cases were accommodated in between the cots r,
on the deck along corridors, in fact wherever it was possible to put a stretcher. The
ck
voyage back to Newhaven, via Dover passed without incident and was completed by 4.53 a.m.
on the 27th May. At 11.47 a.m. on the same day, unloading having been completed, Water,
provisions and Oil fuel taken aboard we proceeded to Dover for orders.
X
May 29th 1940.
At 5-16 p.m., having received orders, we proceeded towards Dunkirk, following a
course which took us well clear of Calais. At 7-12 p.m. we stood off for a while because
of an engagement between aircraft and a British destroyer immediately in our track. At
7.30 p.m. an airman was observed descending by parachute close ahead of us and the vessel
was stopped to savePhim. One of the seamen went down a rope ladder to assist the ariman,
but before he reached the bottom, 10 enemy planes attacked the Ship with bombs cannon and
machine guns. By a miracle none of the bombs struck the ship, although considerable
damage was done by the concussion, shrapnel, cannon shells and machine gun bullets.
British fighter planes drove off the enemy and we proceeded towards Dunkirk with a
terrific air battle taking place overhead. Arrived off the port at 8-20 P.m. we found it
was being bombed and shelled, and we had orders from the shore to keep clear. Returning
along the channel in company with two destroyers, we later received orders to wait until
darkness had fallen and then return to Dunkirk, At 11-30 p.m. we entered between the
breakwaters, the whole place being brilliantly lit up by the glare of fires, burning oil
tanks etc., and managed to moor up alongside what was left of the quay at 12-30 a.m.
Loading commenced at once and by 2-15 a.m. we had taken on board as many as we could
numbering 490. All the crew and R.A.M.C. personnel behaved lendidly throughout,
carrying on with their duties and doing their utmost to load the ship as quickly and as
fully as possible, although the ship was shaken every few minutes by the explosion of
bombs falling on the quay and in the water. Leaving the quay at 2-15 a.m. we proceeded
out of the harbour and just outside we found the sea full of men swimming and shouting for
help, presumably a transport had just been sunk. As two destroyers were standing by
picking these men up, we threaded our way carefully through them and proceeded towards
Dover. It would have been fatal for us to attempt to stop and try to save any of these
men, as we made such a wonderful target for the aircraft hovering ahead, with the flames
of the burning port showing all our white paintwork up. Everything was comparatively
quiet on the way across, except that just before we got to Dover, a patrol boat headed us
off as we were heading straight for a recently laid minefield. Arriving off Dover at
7.0 a.m. we received orders to proceed to Newhaven and arrived at that port at 11-15 a.m.
No further trips were made to Dunkirk, because by the time our damage had been
repaired, the evacuation was completed.
(Signed) E. Hill
(Signed) R.F. Pembury
Master
Chief Officer.

Details

110
CONFIDENTIAL.
OR 29 RECEIVED 16 AUG 1940
FROM.
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
DATE
27th AUGUST, 1940.
No. B14/0/1829/40.
TO
DIRECTOR OF SEA TRANSPORT.
90
40
REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS OF SOUTHERN
RAILWAY VESSELS IN "DYNAMO".
In reply to your letter of 15th August, 1940,
all reports received by me in connection with Operation
"Dynamo" have been sent to the Admiralty for record.
2. reports were forwarded from "Canterbury", "Maid of Orleans",
Of the ships named by you, it is known that
"Biarritz", "Autocarrier", "Isle of Guernsey", "Worthing"
and "Whitstable".
There was also a report from Commodore E. G. Jukes
3. Hughes, C.B.E., who acted as Principal Sea Transport
Officer, Dover, during the Operation.
It is possible
M
that he will have copies of all reports made by the
Personnel vessels, whether forwarded to me or not.
VICE ADMIRAL.
mane une ship fast ourselves. At 11.30
locks went to look for lock gatemen managed to get them to p.m.
for us to enter Dock planes still bombing and kept open
bombing all night. Midnight made fast in berth.
The Naval Officer who spoke to us at 8 p.m.
promised to berth us but we did not see him until 5 a.m.
on the 23rd, we were on the wrong berth. 5.15 a.m. shifted.
1.

Details

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15th August, 1940.
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Vice-Admiral, Dover.
A record is being compiled in the Ministry of Shipping of
the part played by the Merchant Navy in the Dunkirk operation,
and the owners of the vessels concerned have been approached for
copies of any reports they may have received from the Musters.
The Southern Railway state that reports from the Masters of
their steamers have been submitted to you through the P.S.T.O.
In the circumstances, would it be possible, please, for you to
supply copies of the reports, or, alternatively, to loan the
originals for inspection ? The names of the Southern Railway
steamers in question are:-
LORINA, NORMANNIA, CANTERBURY, MAID OF ORL ANS, BIARRITZ,
AUTOCARRIER, PARIS, ISLE OF GUERNSEY, DINARD, WORTHING,
ISLE OF THANET, HYTHE and WHITSTABLE.
(Sgd.) B. E. BELLAMY.
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Director of Sea Transport.
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returned to Ostend.