Details

CANTERBURY P/V
S.Ry. Co.
Captain C. Hancock, Master.
25th May
1446
1709
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
Arrived Dunkirk, having been shelled by
1850
shore batteries en route.
2131
Proceeded with 1,246 troops on board.
Dover. Disembarked 1,299 troops(1)
26th May
1758
To Dunkirk.
-
Escorted between Gravelines and Dunkirk
by dr. Wild Swan.
lb
2030
Berthed outside the P/V Maid of Orleans.
Embarked 1340 troops during contin-
27th May
0020
uous air attacks. Proceeded.
0309
Dover. Disembarked 1,340 troops.
1438
To Dunkirk.
2000
Dunkirk. Embarked 457 troops including.
140 stretcher cases.
2058
Proceeded, with orders from the S.T.O.
to turn back ships attempting to
enter Dunkirk. This instruction(
was conveyed to two H/C's [Isle of
Thanet and Worthing] and one Ts.
Maid of Orleans]
28th May
0225
Dover. Disembarked 457 troops.
1700ca
Capt. Hancock informed the naval
authorities that he felt too worn out
to take the ship to sea(2) [Since 19th
May the ship had carried out evacua-
tions at Cherbourg, Boulogne and
Calais].
29th May
Lt. Cdr. R.W. Soper R.N.R. relieved the
Chief Officer( who was discharged
sick, and some naval ratings and
stokers were embarked to augment
the crew.
0930
Left Dover for Dunkirk with an armed
guard on board.
1400
Arrived Dunkirk, East Pier, being
shelled en route. Embarked 1950
troops during dive bomb attacks.
1650
Proceeded. Air attacks; 1 casualty,
and ship damaged.
2146
Dover. Disembarked 1960 troops (1)
30th May
0145
Sent to anchor.
31st May
2040
Entered Granville Dock, Dover, for
repairs.
3rd June
1030
Un-docked.
1916
To Dunkirk.
2315
Alongside Dunkirk East Pier.
Embarked French Troops.
is clearly prior the commencement peration Dynamo.
(1) (2) Apparently D.R. states however, Captain Hancock remained
that this disembackalisis Took place on 26 the may. in command.
(3) only made one trip.
(4) At Lt. Cdr. Soper S.N.O. Dunkirk signalled V.A. Dover, Embarkation "Port
possible continuously only from beaches east of
2005/27, bombed all day and on fire. harbour. Send
all ships there.
156

Details

CRESTED COCK
Tug (Gamecock Steam
Towing Co. Ltd).
T. Hills, Master
29th May
1715
Left Gravesend for Tilbury, towing the
and Lark.
3 sailing barges Glenway, Spurgeon
2215
Anchored with barges at Southend.
30th May
0445
1500
Proceeded to Ramsgate and thence to
Dover, with the barges.
31st May
0400
Left Dover, towing a lighter loaded with
1230
fresh water etc., and troops.
Arrived Dunkirk roads.
Anchored, with the lighter, about 60
feet off the beach. The lighter
made her way to the beach.
1315ca
Went to the assistance of dr. Impulsive
which had grounded on an uncharted
rock, and took her in tow.
1410
Cast off the tow. Escorted Impulsive
to Dunkirk Pier heads, whence she
proceeded to Dover on one engine.
Crested Cock proceeded in company.
2000
Arrived Dover.
1st June
2000
Went to assistance of dr. 96 [i.e.
Worcester which had been in collision
with P/V Maid of Orleans] in Dover
harbour. After assisting to rescue
troops in the sea, took Worcester
in tow, and assisted by the tugs
Ocean Cock, Challenge, and Sun XII, and
Sun VII(1), berthed her.
2130ca
Then proceeded towards Dunkirk with
orders to pick up or rescue anything
(see Sun XI).
2nd June
0345
Unable to contact anything. Proceeded.
0800
Dover.
Authority - W.W.
(1) Sun mention this. The tug Foremost in collision 22 states
at that about she this time. Sun XI also
VII does assisted not two vessels which assisted. were
215

Details

FOREMOST 22
Tug (s. Ry. Co.)
C. Fieldgate, Master.
F.M. Holden, Actg.Master
29th May
1850
Left Newhaven for Dover.
Capt. Holden as Master.
30th May
0415
Arrived Dover.
1335
Left Dover for Dunkirk as leader of
5 small vessels.
2030
Arrived off Dunkirk. Separated from the
5 vessels after arrival: proceeded
eastward along the coast and then back
to the harbour entrance.
2300ca
The sound of a heavy collision in
Dunkirk roads was heard. The P/V
St. Helier had been in collision with
the M/S Sharpshooter.
2320ca
Foremost 22 took Sharpshooter in tow
and St. Helier backed away and carried
on.
Proceeded with Sharpshooter in tow
stern first.
31st May
1035
Arrived off Dover. Cast off the tow.
The tug Empire Henchman now assisted,
1320
and Sharpshooter was moored to a buoy.
1st June
1630
Captain Fieldgate rejoined the ship from
the sick list.
2030
Assisted 2 vessels in collision in the
outer basin. (2)
2nd June
1700
Left for Dunkirk.
2300
Dunkirk harbour entrance. Ordered into
harbour to assist the P/V Newhaven ?]
aground. The tug ran aground herself
but managed to refloat. A tug Sun X
and Sun XI both failed to re-float
her] /01 less draft was then sent in.
2400ca
off the harbour entrance, M/B's came
alongside and unloaded French troops.
0100
Proceeded.
0630
Dover. Disembarked
troops. (1)
(number not stated).
1430
Ordered to stand-by to leave for
1830
"Stand Dunkirk. by" order cancelled "owing to some
members of the crew being sick."
3rd June
Standing by.
4th June
1525
Left Dover for Newhaven.
Total 8
(1) (2) Not dr. mentioned Worcester was in D.R. in collision with P/V Maid of Orleans at
this time.
329

Details

ICARUS (continued)
31st May
1100
x route to Dunkirk. Collided with dr.
(continued)
Scimitar in the Goodwin Channel.
Only slight damage.
1400
Lay off Dunkirk harbour.
1615
Secured alongside eastern arm. dr.
Windsor and an "S" class(1) destroyer
berthed outside Icarus. Embarked
troops during air raid.
1800
To Dover by X route. Dive bomb attack
(1 A/C) en route.
2045
Dover. Disembarked 682 troops.
1st June
0130
To Dunkirk.
0415
Secured alongside the P/V Maid of
Orleans. (2) Embarked troops during
an air raid.
0530
dr. Vanquisher berthed outside Icarus.
Shortly after, Windsor berthed outside
Vanquisher.
0730
Proceeded to Dover.
1015
Dover. Disembarked 1,114 troops.
2030
To Dunkirk, Windsor in company.
2300
Secured alongside eastern arm, Dunkirk.
2nd June
0001
To Dover by X route.
Collided with a small trawler in
Dunkirk Channel. Damage to trawler
not known.
0400
Dover Disembarked 677 troops.
1830
Sailing orders cancelled on account
of slight damage.
4th June
1145
To Portsmouth, under orders of dr.
Vivacious.
Total 4,704
Authority - R.O.I. p.60.
(1) This is incorrect. No "S" class destroyer was inside the
harbour at this period.
(2) Icarus says "St. Hillier", meaning St. Helier; but St.
Helier did not enter Dunkirk until 1530/1.
51

Details

MAID OF HONOUR
M/B (Owner, H. Sands).
Capt.
Reported to have left Chatham in charge of
Muster.
a Sub. Lieutenant and 2 naval ratings. with
No further information 1B available, except that
the Maid of Honour did not return.
to
effect entrance and returned to
Doyer*,
Dover
1)
*
Authority - J.D.C.
Processed to Denkirk, escorted by dr.
TO.9436/40.
W124 Swan
Intered Dunkirk and barthed slongside
r
MOTATA ween, which was already loaded:
with troops, at the Gare Maritime)
where the P/V None's Queen proceeded,
Maid 02 Orders Look her borth
elongside and landed water and stores.
Troops were than emberked.
2030
1/1 Canterbury borthed outside Mid of
Crienns and embarked troops.
my
0020
Cepterbury procesded.
0300cm
Hard of Orleans prosseded.
0600
Dovers Disambarked 980 Groops and 8
Date
To Donkirs.
Kids
punkirk roads. The I/V Centerbury
signalled to Maid of Orleans the
B.T.O. (TO.N.O.) Dunkirk's order not
to ontsr. Proceeded.
Vehicle
May
Dovers Capt. Larkins reported sick.
Walker took command.
1918 way
0437
To Dunkirk,
1
Berthed alongside Dunkirk East 10)6.
Embarked troops. Alongside about
5 hours. Shirted barth 3 times 00 the
tido ebbed. Proceeded.
Off Hieuport picked BD 2 Frendo afficers
I
from & small open boat.
Dover. Disemberked 1372 troors,
-
50th May
2145
TO Dunking.
Stat May
0100ca
Serthod alongaide Seat 8026.
Arrived Dover, Disembarks 1253
1253 troops.
A.M.
(including U stretcher 0009014
300 June
0030
To Berthed at East Hole. Alomgride dostreyers about
Dunkirk.
033008
during which too while 23,
imbursed 5 hours troops anross the decise
Embarked sir 1,056 troops. processed.
attacks were in progrees.
090068
air attents 4 bombo
(1) D.R. states 986 troops Landed or 25th days this eppears
(2) Insure to be and incorrect. Venguisher out the anys abs WASHINGTON 614 borthes not APPLYS anys alongaide at she
81. Donkirk Hillior", on let June until 1530* EXPIRES declare
secured
alongaide
217

Details

MAID OF ORLEANS
S.Ry.Co.
Capt. A.E. Larkins, Master.
P/V Ts,
Capt. G.D. Walker, Master.
26th May
1100
Left Dover (Capt. Larkins 1/c), with
6,000 2-gallon cans of water,
stores and 250 troops.
-
Off Dunkirk. Air raid. "Unable to
effect an entrance and returned to
1503
p.m.
Dover 1) and created back to Dover.
Dover". was mer in mid Channel by the dr. wildSwan
1726
Proceeded to Dunkirk, escorted by dr.
W1ld Swan.
2000ca
Entered Dunkirk and berthed alongside
E
Mona's Queen, which was already loaded
with troops, at the Gare Maritime;
where the P/V Mona's Queen proceeded,
Maid of Orleans took her berth
alongside and landed water and stores.
Troops were then embarked.
2030
P/V Canterbury berthed outside Maid of
Orleans and embarked troops.
27th May
0020
Canterbury proceeded.
0300ca
Maid of Orleans proceeded.
0600
Dover. Disembarked 980 troops and 8
civillans.
p.m.
To Dunkirk.
-
Dunkirk roads. The P/V Canterbury
Captain Albert Edward Larkins, master
of the railway-owned cross-Channel vessels
signalled to Maid of Orleans the
for 20 years, died on Wednesday at Canter-
S.T.O. [?S.N.O.] Dunkirk's order not
bary at the age of 57. He was in command
to enter. Proceeded.
of the Maid of Orleans at the evacuation
of Dunkirk. Times 20.7.1956
28th May
-
Dover. Capt. Larkins reported sick.
Capt. Walker took command.
29th May
0437
To Dunkirk.
-
Berthed alongside Dunkirk East Mole.
Embarked troops. Alongside about
5 hours. Shifted berth 3 times as the
tide ebbed. Proceeded.
-
off Nieuport picked up 2 French officers
from a small open boat.
Dover. Disembarked 1372 troops.
-
30th May
2145
To Dunkirk.
31st May
0100ca
Berthed alongside East Mole. Embarked
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1253 troops
1253 troops.
a.m.
including 42 stretcher cases).
lst June
0030
To Dunkirk.
0330ca
Berthed at East Nole. Alongside about
6 embarked troops across the decks while
hours during which two destroyers (2)
Embarked 1,856 troops. Proceeded.
air attacks were in progress.
0900ca
Air attack; 4 bombs dropped.
(1) D.R. states 988 troops landed on 26th May. This appears
(2) Icarus to be incorrect. Icarus says she berthed arrive alongside at she
"Sto and Vanquisher. but the St. Helier did Vanquisher not says
Dunkirk secured Hillier", alongside on 1st June Icarus; until 1530. Windsor outside Vanquisher.
218

Details

MAID OF ORLEANS (continued)
1200ca
Dover. Disembarked 1856 troops.
2030
2040ca
Left Dover for Dunkirk. While leaving
harbour, rammed amidships by dr.
Worcester, which was returning damaged.
Total 5461
a
Authority - R.O.I. pp. 63, 139, 75.
R.O.III. pp. 148, 251.
TM. 6213/40.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C. Capt. G.D. Walter, Master.
Mr. G.F. Tooley, Second Engineer.
D.S.M. Quartermaster H. Russell.
219

Details

2
MONA'S ISLE (continued)
2nd June
0150
Arrived off Dover.
May
0300
Berthed alongside and disembarked
1214 troops. (1)
helled by shoro batteries;
attacking airore down
attacked by A/C, Total 2634
1630ca
(présomably by our fighters).
Arrived Maritime. Dunkirk. Berthed at the Gard
Authority - R.O.III, p.58.
Proceeded with a full load of troops
(see Maid of Orleans),
27th May
a.m.
Dover. Disembarked troops. Probably
about 1,200.(2)
The following awards were made: Duggan relieved by Capt. Holkhan.
29th May
H.M.
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
D.S.O.
Capt. Holkham then says:
Cdr. J.C.K. Dowding, R.D., R.N.R. 0 mile off Dunkirk(4)
the ship was mined and sank within
2 minutes, the survivors being researed
D.S.M.
P.O. L.B. Kearley-Pope.
RNR the destroyer Venquisher.
The dr. Intrepid states that she vas
anchored off Dunkink harbour. At
0530oa the "Mona's Isles" (?Mona's
Queen] which was anchored setern of
her blew up on a magnetic mine.
Intrepid lowered a boat to assist
reacue work.(1)
The dr. Vanguisher states that while
she was at anchor awaiting entry into
Donkirk on 28th May [729th May] the
Mona's Queen blew up and senk at about
0630. Vanquisher's whaler was sent
away and picked up.32 survivors 10⑉
cluding the Master. One or the
survivors(3) died on the return trip.
Total 1,200
Authority - R.O.I. pp.72, 140.
Tm.6213/40.
(1) Intrepia ways "H.M.S.Viny also lowered boats". Viar however
(2) satimated (not mentioned in D.R.) Nons's Queen was 2756 tons
did not leave Dover for DUNKIRE until 0705+
as compared with Haraman, 2030 tons and Haid.of Orieans
(3) HAVE P. Gallagher, the Purser.
2386 tone.
(4) 3.8.0. Donkirk Boys the position was about 2 milso east
of Dunicipe Pier Light.
(1) D.R.
296

Details

MONA'S QUEEN P/V I.O.M.S.P.Co.Ltd. Capt. R.Duggan, Master.
Capt. A.Holkham, Haster.
26th May
1200
Left the Downs for Dunkirk, (Capt.
Duggan i/c).
-
Off Calais, shelled by shore batteries;
attacked by A/C. Two of the
attacking aircraft were shot down
1630ca
(presumably by our fighters).
Arrived Dunkirk. Berthed at the Gare
Maritime.
1730ca
Proceeded with a full load of troops
(see Maid of Orleans).
27th May
a.m.
Dover. Disembarked troops. Probably
about 1,200. (2)
2230
Capt. Duggan relieved by Capt. Holkham.
29th May
a.m.
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
Capt. Holkham then says:
"within 1/2 a mile off Dunkirk (4)
the ship was mined and sank within
2 minutes, the survivors being rescued
by the destroyer Vanquisher.
The dr. Intrepid states that she was
anchored off Dunk1rk harbour. At
0530ca the "Mona's Isles" [?Mona's
Queen] which was anchored astern of
her blew up on a magnetic mine.
Intrepid lowered a boat to assist
rescue work. (1)
The dr. Vanquisher states that while
she was at anchor awaiting entry into
Dunkirk on 28th May [?29th May] the
Mona's Queen blew up and sank at about
0630. Vanquisher's whaler was sent
away and picked up 32 survivors in-
cluding the Master. one of the
survivors died on the return trip.
Total 1,200
Authority R.O.I. pp.72, 140.
Tm. 6213/40.
(1) Intrepid says "H.M. S. Vimy also lowered boats". Vimy however
(2) Estimated (not leave mentioned in D.R.) Mona's Queen was 2756 tons
did not Dover for Dunkirk until 0705.
as compared with Manxman, 2030 tons and Maid.of Orleans
2386 tons.
(3) Mr. R. the Purser.
(4) S.N.O. Gallagher, Dunkirk says the position was about 2 miles east
of Dunkirk Pier Light.
297

Details

OCEAN COCK
Tug (Gamecock S.T. Co.
Ltd.)
A.V. Mastin, Master.
29th May
Towed 4 sailing(1) barges from Tilbury
ordered to Dover.
to Ramagate. on arrival at Ramagate,
30th May
1430ca
Arrived Dover with barges.
31st May
0500
Left tow. Dover for Dunkirk with 6 M/B's in
1300ca
Arrived Dunkirk beach. Cast off the
M/B's. Proceeded.
1700
Arrived Dover.
1st June(
2000
Saw the dr. Worcester and the P/V
Maid of Orleans in collision in Dover
harbour. Proceeded to assistance of
Worcester and assisted to tow her to
Prince of Wales pier, in company with
the tuge Crested Cock, Challenge,
Sun VII(3) and Sun XII (4)
2130
Proceeded to Dunkirk, with orders to
pick up anything that was damaged.
(see Sun XI). Zero hour 0300/2.
Later, ordered to return.
2nd June
0800
Dover. Awaited completion of minesweep-
ing operations.
0940
Entered harbour.
Nil
Authority - W.W.
(1) Actually there 3 sailing barges, and the A/B Pudge.
(2) According to Capt. were A.V. Mastin's report this should be
31st May - but all other reports indicate that it was
(3) Sun VII not mention this, but the tug Foremost in 22
lst June.
states does that she assisted 2 vessels in collision the
(4) Sun XI also assisted.
outer basin at this time.
356

Details

ST. JULIEN
Hospital carrier
(G.W.Ry.)
Capt. L.T. Richardson,
Master.
26th May
1045
Left the Downs, the H/C St. Andrew in
company.
1300ca
Off Calais, met the P/V Maid of Orleans.
1830ca
The 3 ships were shelled by shore
batteries and all returned to Dover.
27th May
1112
Left the Downs, the P/V St. Helier
and the H/C St. Andrew in company.
1700ca
Air attack off Middelkerke Bank buoy.
-
Arrived off Dunkirk while an air attack
was in progress. Impossible to
remain in the vicinity, so the 3 ships
2200ca
returned to the Downs.
28th May
At anchor.
29th May
-
Sailed for Dunkirk escorted by a
£
destroyer.
1700
Air attack off Nieuport buoy. Damaged
by near misses. (1)
1800ca
Off Dunkirk. Air attacks continued;
impossible to enter the harbour or
remain in the vicinity.
Returned to the Downs.
30th May
At Dover.
31st May
0345
S/Lt. Radcliffe R.N.V.R. and 20 naval
ratings embarked.
0512
Left for Dunkirk.
0858
Arrived Dunkirk. Embarked wounded.
1016
Proceeded.
1st June
-
Arrived Newhaven. Disembarked 287
wounded.
Total 287
Authority - - R.O.III p.212.
T.M. 6213/40.
(1, D.R. bomb damage as 30th May - but 29th the M/S
Lydd gives confirms date of that the date of the bombing was May.
66

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

Tug (W.H.J. Alexander
Sun XII
and Co. Ltd.)
A.V. Mee, Master.
B.R. Mastin, Navigating
Master
2300ca
29th May
Left Tilbury Docks for Ramsgate, towing
H.A.C. and Beatrice Maud.
the A/B Thyra and the S/B's Royalty,
1210
30th May
Arrived Ramsgate. Ordered to Dover.
1500
Arrived Dover with the 4 barges.
1600
31st May
Left Dover for Dunkirk towing the S/B's
Ethel Everard and Tollesbury loaded
with water and provisions for
Dunkirk; tug Fairplay I, also towing
barges, in company. Air attack en
route.
2350
Arrived Dunkirk. Both tugs put their
barges ashore at Braye-Dunes.
Both tugs proceeded 3 to 4 miles to
the east to collect troops, but none
were available.
1st June
0400
Returned to Braye-Dunes. Proceeded to
Dover.
0410ca
Off Dunkirk. Air attack.
1030
Arrived Dover.
2030
Sun XII assisted dr. Worcester which
had been in collision with P/V Maid
of Orleans.
2155
Left Dover for W buoy.
Off the North Goodwin, Sun XII was
one of 7 tugs steaming in single
line ahead (see Sun XI)
2nd June
0300
Arrived W buoy. Ordered to return.
0920
Arrived Dover.
Nil
Authority. A.T.C.
W.W.
191

Details

VANQUISHER(
1)
(D.54) 11th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. C. B.Alers-
14122
28th days
Sailed for Dover (Appx D.1800)
Hankey R.N.
0145
29th May
Proceeded to Dunkirk via route Y under
with drs. Icarus, Ivanhoe and
orders of dr. Javelin, [in company
Intrepid (2)]
0430
Off Kwinte buoy. [Ivanhoe detached to
assist dr. Grafton
0544
Anchored harbour. about 1 mile east of Dunkirk
0630ca
P/V Mona's Queen, a short distance away,
was blown up by a mine. Sent away the
whaler to pick up survivors. The
Master (Capt. Holkham) and 31 of the
crew were recovered. One died on
the homeward passage. Mona's Queen
sank in 2 minutes.
0800
Waiting to go alongside Dunkirk pier.
0945
Entered Dunkirk harbour. Berthed at
Proceeded to Dunknik to
East Pier and embarked troops.
1030
Proceeded.
lateyout Dover
1430
signatted
Dover. Disembarked 250 troops. (3)
reported
2100
To Dunkirk by X route, in company with
obstruction w the hanbour
dr. Esk. which carrying
1
Phirace
2340
Stopped off Malo beach. Esk proceeded
towards Bray Dune.
30th May
0100
Closed Malo beach and anchored in 3
fathoms. Sent in M/B, whaler and
skiff to embark troops.
Reported
0400
Berthed alongside East Pier, Dunkirk.
that include to
Air attack. Embarked troops.
0630
Sailed for Dover.
practicable
0900
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (4)
1130
Sailed for Dunkirk.
1500
Berthed at Eastern arm Dunkirk.
Embarked troops and General Wason.
1600
Proceeded.
1910
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (4)
31st May(5)
1100
Lt. Cdr. W.C. Bushell, R.N. relieved
Lt. Cdr. Alers-Hankey, sick.
1700
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2040
Entered Dunkirk. Embarked troops.
2100
Proceeded.
1st June
0030
Dover. Disembarked 640 troops.
0230
To Dunkirk.
0530
Entered Dunkirk. Berthed alongside
Icarus (6). Shortly after, dr.
Windsor berthed outside Vanquisher.
Mess tables were rigged across "B"
gun decks of inside ships and troops
were hurried across to outside ships.
(1) From 28th to 31st May Lt. Cdr. Alers-Hankey's dates are
1 day behind the correct dates. The correct dates, as
shown in Vanguisher's log have been inserted accordingly.
Times are approximate.
(2) Not mentioned by Vanguisher.
(3) D.R. has copied Vanguisher's date error in recording 28th this
(4) D.R. dates the 2 disembarkations of 30th May, as having
disembarkation (see (1) above) and dates it May.
(5) D.R. 2 disembarkations for 30th May viz: 582 could and
taken place on 29th May.
622, gives (presumably in error for 31st May) which not
(6) Icarus was alongside the P/V Maid of Orleans.
have taken place.
260

Details

11 & 12 VERITY
Movements may 22-25
22nd
1150 Escorted Canterbury & Maid of Orleans to Calais.
1418
Back at Dover
23rd
2140
To Calais with McNaughton and Canadian staff.
2255
Entered harbour; landed McN. in Gulzar.
Paris (h.s.) slipped and Verity took her place alongside,
24th
0137 McN. re-embarked. To Dunkirk along swept channel.
0247
Attacked by single a/c.
0327
Arrd. Dunkirk; alongside Quai Felix Faure. Quiet.
0500
McN. landed, said would be 2 hours.
0700
Tide falling, nothing from McN., so patrolled outside,
leaving motor boat inside.
0850 Heavy air attack. Another at 0943.
1035 McN. returned. Back to Dover.
1120 Shot down one float plane.
1206 Shelled by Calais shore battery.
1255
Arrd. Dover. Oiled & embarked military ammunition.
1914 Proceeded to salvage Wessex; reported sunk so returned.
1950
Went to assistance of Burza, damaged by bombs. Escorted
her in to Dover (2050).
2120
War Office ordered land military ammunition.
2127 VA Dover ordered embark 80 (actually 76) RM and ammunitia
2230
Somerville took passage.
2335 Proceeded to Calais.
25th
0050 Entered harbour; alongside Gare Maritime.
0105 Shelled by battery to westward - not hit.
0120 Shifted berth to Quai de Maree, ahead of Wolfhound.
Landed men & stores without casualties.
0215
Left for Dover; Somerville still on shore.
0415
Arrd. Dover.
270A

Details

WILD SWAN (D.62) 19th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. J.L. Young-
husband, R.N.
1430
Sailed from Dover and proceeded
26th May
towards Dunkirk.
1503
Met the P/V Maid of Orleans in mid-
Dover. channel and escorted her back to
Downe
free
1726
Left Dover, escorting the Maid of
Orleans to Dunkirk.
1929
Attacked by an A/C on entering Dunkirk
Channel; 4 bombs dropped. A/C
driven off by 3 fighters.
2000ca
Having seen Maid of Orleans into
Dunkirk harbour proceeded westward to
find the P/V Canterbury.
-
Sighted Canterbury off Gravelines and
2030
escorted her into Dunkirk harbour.
After some delay due to the P/V Mona's
2040
Queen sailing, Wild Swan went along-
side Canterbury at Monitor's Quay[?]
T.R.
and embarked General/Bastwood, 2
other generals and their staffs.
2145
Proceeded out of harbour, and patrolled
in the vicinity of Calais No.6 buoy,
while waiting for the Maid of Orleans
which was to be escorted to Dover.
27th May
0324
As Maid of Orleans was not sighted
[actually she left Dunkirk about
0300], the Wild Swan proceeded
Arrived to Dover. Dover. Disembarked about 12(1).
-
Total 12
Authority - R.O.I., p.175.

Details

Page 130
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M. TRANSPORT - LEVENWOOD (Continued).
RATINGS.
Merchant Navy Gunner George Knight.
gun the enemy planes, although being machine
Throughout at the operation he continued firing his
bringing down an enemy plane.
gunned and bombed the whole time. He succeeded in
Recommended for decoration.
Fireman Robert Moody.
Whilst attempting to take troops off the beach
the soldiers had to wade out to the boats, and this
Fireman, throughout the whole time swam from the
beach to the lifeboats with soldiers who were too
weak to do this.
Recommended for mention.
MAID OF ORLEANS - Gordon Dyer Walker, Master. (Decorated for this
operation in London Gazette 7th June, 1940).
This ship completed four trips to Dunkirk, and in
addition, three trips prior to Operation Dynamo to Calais
and Boulogne. A very large number of troops were brought
back to England. Ship continually being bombed by
aircraft. In one trip the crew discharged a large number
Dunkirk. of petrol cans, containing water, on to the jetty at
NEPHRITE - Cyril Gifford West, O.B.E.. Master.
Recommendation.
RATING.
Acting Able Seaman Albert Edward Mellis, C/LDX.5187.
Showed great gallantry whilst under bombing
attack, firing his gun all the time. Was observed
to have brought down at least one enemy plane.
Recommended for decoration.
PRAGUE/

Details

Page 142
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
NAVAL MEDICAL PARTIES.
Naval Medical Officers and ratings were drafted from
H.M.S. PEMBROKE for work in Dunkirk harbour and in the
larger personnel vessels on the 29th of May and 4th June.
The work carried out by the whole party was most valuable
and efficient, consisting as it did of treating casualties,
and operating where possible under exciting and adverse
circumstances calling for initiative and improvisation.
It happened that the Medical party sent to personnel
vessels voyaged in those whose civilian crews were showing
signs of loss of morale, there being a disagreeable air
of apprehension amongst the ship's companies. These Medical
parties in the midst of their preparations did their
utmost to instil better feeling amongst the officers and
men of these vessels. Their conduct in all cases was in
accordance with the highest traditions of the Serivce and
their profession.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Surgeon-Commander William Gordon Fitzpatrick. R.N.
With his party worked on Dunkirk Mole, in the
ST. HELIER, MAID OF ORLEANS, MANX MAN and the
PRINCESS MAUD on successive days. He was the
Senior Medical Officer of the whole party from
PEMBROKE and showed high organising abilities
and leadership, in adition to his efficient
personal treatment of casualties.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
S.B.P.O. Harry Munro Hawkins C/M.37726.
S.B.P.O. (R) Rupert Arthur Lockwood, 49872.
S.B.P.O. (R) George Robert Wright, X.6227.
S.B.A. (R) Alfred Bassford. 8080.
Recommended for mention.
The above-mentioned ratings were conspicuous
for leadership, initiative and treatment of wounded.

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

211
226
Entering the inner harbour about 2030
Worcester collided with S.S.Maid of Orleans on the way out.
I attribute this largely to the loss of manosuvering
power both of screws and rudder from damaged sustained
in recent operations.
John
laumander RN
7.6.40
- 5 -

Details

Dynam. 166.294
- 300
CONFIDENTIAL.
H.M.S. "Wild Stran".
June 7th, 1940.
C1/6.
EVACUATION OF DUDKIRK.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the following report of
proceedings for 36th - 37th May, 1940 until *Wild
Swan" left Dover on the afternoon of 87th, II.y.
May to proceed towards Dunkirk and escort S.S. "Maid of
2. "Wild Swan" was ordered to skip at 1430 OR 26th
Orleans" back to Dover.
"Maid of Orleans" was net in aid Channel at 1503
Dunkirk, and "Maid of Orleans" ported that a heavy raid had I Deen in
corted ck. On Deing isked if she had been into
rogress and that che bad returned without entering.
Was ordered to return to harbour.
and ali ped at were to escort "Maid of Crleans* to while
3. At 1709 176 to carry JUS the orders contained Dunkirk your
I was ordered to raise steam for full in speed
and 1709/26 return which with her, X keeping voll clear of the port she
was loading.
"Maid of Orleans* off the Breakwater this I would and
4. I icked up no over. I also passed Beither in ship
wait told her to the to Testward follow and cort her back.
was fired it off Calais.
1740/86 to escort ms with not
received "Maid of until Orleans" off intending Gr to
5. Your velide at
6. When entering This flew round falling to about 100 yards on the
Dunkirk ch unel the an port ensuy bow dircraft at attacked was
by port the sighted Gravelius, proceeded three 7. ship beam. Having astern. a of vestward DE e seen corted to "Maid find her General 4 was bombs The Bantwood, last attack seen COOK S being other ighted place meantime 1110 pursued Generals Bunkirk at nor 1989. received off asstward I and
your
1852/26
00
enbark
their
staff. due to *Mona*s (way at Queen* 2040. suiling I rent
is Monitor
I embarked
9

Details

1.4
123
5
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 4.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
125
Tuesday, 28th May.
12.
By 0100/28 a large number of craft was approaching
the Belgian-French coast, while two Personnel Carriers were
crossing to Dover with 1400 troops. Two other carriers,
whose entry into Dunkirk had been stopped as a result of
S.N.O., Dunkirk's signals 2005/27 and 1958/27, were unable to
make the beaches and one, the MAID OF ORLEANS was damaged by
enemy bombing and another, the QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL was sunk.
During the preceding afternoon the Hospital Carrier ISLE OF
THANET was shelled and damaged by the Calais battery. All
available destroyers were working off the La Panne-Malo
beaches using their own boats, since the supply of beaching
boats from the United Kingdom had not yet reached across the
Channel. A moderate surf on the beaches reduced the rate of
embarkation, exhausted the boats' crews, the majority of whom
were hostility only ratings, rendering the whole operation
slow and difficult.
13.
In view of the heavy casualties experienced durin
thellast 24 hours to personnel carriers caused by the devel
ment of German air threat over Dunkirk and the increasing
artillery fire on the sea approaches to Dunkirk, it was
decided that until the situation was restored, these personnel
vessels could not be used on the French coast during full
daylight, and consequently for the moment evacuation from
Dunkirk by day must be confined to warships and other small
vessels. Furthermore, since evacuation from the beaches by
day with the troops exposed to bombing and machine gunning was
likely to be ineffective with the small number of beaching
craft at the Vice Admiral's disposal, the plan provided for
evacuation from both Dunkirk and the whole length of beaches
by night. (At that time - 1100/28 - information was being
received of the loss of a great number of the small beaching
craft during the preceding night and of the considerable
amount of organisation still required to bring the surviving
boats effectively to bear on the beaches).
14. During the forenoon it became more evident that the
greatest effort must be made the following night and the
Admiralty instructed Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches,
and Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, to sail every available
destroyer to Dover (Admiralty message 1229/28/5). In addition
the 7th and 8th M/S Flotillas were ordered to Harwich under
the orders of the Vice Admiral (Admiralty message 0163/28).
Commander-in-Chief, Nore, arranged a patrol of all available
M.T.Bs. and A/S Trawlers to cover the North-east flank of the
evacuation area against attack by enemy surface craft from
the North between 2030/28 and 0600/29.
15.
At this time great concern was felt over the lack of
water which had been reported on the beaches and joint Naval
and Military measures were set on foot to provide for the
supply of water in receptacles and in tanks to the beaches
apart from the arrangements for evacuation. Ships off the
beaches were also instructed to do what they could with their
own resources to help in this matter.
16.
Evacuation plan for the night was communicated
to/

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

APPENDIX
to
1st June
Page 7
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events.
DESTROYERS
PERSONNEL SHIPS
MINESWEEPERS
PADDLE MINESWEEPERS
SKOOTS
FRENCH DESTROYERS
VANQUISHER (I)
640
ST. HELIER
659
GOSSAMER
845
QUEEN OF THANET 850
DEMOK
114
FLORE
351
HAVANT
882
LADY OF MANN
870
NIGER
310
SANDOWN
800
ORANJE
100
BOUCLIER
300
WHITEHALL (I)
871
MAID OF ORLEANS 1856
FITZROY
67
ORIOLE
470
HEBE
365
SCIMITAR (I)
584
TYNWALD
2000
LYDD
252
PRINCESS ELIZABETH 510
AEGIR
130
WOLSEY
533
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
47
LEDA
650
MEDWAY QUEEN
700
ANTJE
150
MALCOLM
1200
KING GEORGE V
700
DUCHESS OF
WESTWARD HO
918
PACIFICO
414
WORCESTER (I)
661
BEN-MY-CHREE
2080
FIFE
535
WIPPINGHAM
2500
AMAZONE
111
WINDSOR
493
ST. HELIER
1250
HALCYON
243
QUEEN OF THANET 1500
HILDA
530
VIVACIOUS
427
ROUEN
800
SALAMANDER
479
WESTWARD Ho
900
RIKA
200
Total 58,4
VANQUISHER (II)
1200
COTE D'ARGENT 1000
SPEEDWELL
972
FRISO
648
HARVESTER
576
SALTASH
400
ICARUS
1114
QUEEN OF THE
ROSS
260
CODRINGTON
746
CHANNEL
52
DUNDALK
280
SABRE
451
HALCYON
508
SHIKARI
623
SALTASH
400
DRIFTERS
MISCELLANEOUS
453
HOSPITAL SHIPS
FOREIGN VESSELS
WINCHELSEA
1150
SUTTON
SCIMITAR (II)
376
KELLETT
40
Miscellaneous 1110
FOREMOST
200
ESK (I)
979
WESTWARD Ho
900
ST. ANDREW 130
INCENIEUR CACHIN
1
GOLDEN GIFT
123
VINCIA
108
PATRIE
WHITEHALL
(II)
34
157
GRIEVE (F.A.A.
GASTON RIVER
120
WORCESTER
(II)
900
OCEAN BREEZE
TRAWLERS
Trg. vessel)
374
MISCELLANEOUS (Cont.)
MONIQUE CAMILLE
302
JACKETA
564.
MOSQUITO (Gunboat) 610
REINE DE FLOTS
62
LORD INCHCAPE 240
LOCUST
"
620
LADY
ANDRE LOUIS
317
17.97
SATURN
307
NEPHRITE
500
SOUTHBORO
350
CHALUTIER
100
D. TRAWLER
100
ESKBURNE
27
RAPID
25
CHASSEUR MARIE
117
GRIEVE (Yacht)
411
MAYSPEAR
15
NORMANVILLE
500
647
UNNAMED M.B.
23
TENIAS
100
ONDERS ONS
95
II's CHANNEL
108
GALLEON
FRANSAH
500
KINGFISHER (A/S Exp.
REACH
123
Ship) (I)
180
HOPPER 24
580
KINGFISHER
-do-
(II)210
LLANTHONY
90
IOLANTHE
35
(ex serv.vessel)
10593
173171
THREE KINGS
59
GOLDEN EAGLE
KINGSGATE
910
(sp.serv.) 1250
CHRISTOBEL II
33
ROYAL EAGLE
10503
OLIVIA
103
(AA Ships)1250
ATHOLA
6
ROEBUCK (Coastal steamer)408
Lifeboat
35
MINWOOD
=
51
509
MONA'S ISLE
(A.B.V.)
1500
FL
TB
S
3
e
S
d
it

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 4.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Tuesday, 28th May.
12.
By 0100/28 a large number of craft was approaching
the Belgian-French coast, while two Personnel Carriers were
crossing to Dover with 1400 troops. Two other carriers,
whose entry into Dunkirk had been stopped as a result of
S.N.O., Dunkirk's signals 2005/27 and 1958/27, were unable to
make the beaches and one, the MAID OF ORLEANS was damaged by
enemy bombing and another, the QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL was sunk.
During the preceding afternoon the Hospital Carrier ISLE OF
THANET was shelled and damaged by the Galais battery. All
available destroyers were working off the La Panne-Malo
beaches using their own boats, since the supply of beaching
boats from the United Kingdom had not yet reached across the
Channel. A moderate surf on the beaches reduced the rate of
embarkation, exhausted the boats' crews, the majority of whom
were hostility only ratings, rendering the whole operation
slow and difficult.
13. In view of the heavy casualties experienced during
thellast 24 hours to personnel carriers caused by the develop-
ment of German air threat over Dunkirk and the increasing
artillery fire on the sea approaches to Dunkirk, it was
decided that until the situation was restored, these personnel
vessels could not be used on the French coast during full
daylight, and consequently for the moment evacuation from
Dunkirk by day must be confined to warships and other small
vessels, Furthermore, since evacuation from the beaches by
day with the troops exposed to bombing and machine gunning was
likely to be ineffective with the small number of beaching
craft at the Vice Admiral's disposal, the plan provided for
evacuation from both Dunkirk and the whole length of beaches
by night. (At that time - 1100/28 - information was being
received of the loss of a great number of the small beaching
craft during the preceding night and of the considerable
amount of organisation still required to bring the surviving
boats effectively to bear on the beaches).
14. During the forenoon it became more evident that the
greatest effort must be made the following night and the
Admiralty instructed Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches,
and Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, to sail every available
destroyer to Dover (Admiralty message 1229/28/5). In addition
the 7th and 8th M/S Flotillas were ordered to Harwich under
the orders of the Vice Admiral (Admiralty message 0163/28).
Commander-in-Chief, Nore, arranged a patrol of all available
M.T.Bs. and A/S Trawlers to cover the North-east flank of the
evacuation area against attack by enemy surface craft from
the North between 2030/28 and 0600/29.
15. At this time great concern was felt over the lack of
water which had been reported on the beaches and joint Naval
and Military measures were set on foot to provide for the
supply of water in receptacles and in tanks to the beaches
apart from the arrangements for evacuation. Ships off the
beaches were also instructed to do what they could with their
own resources to help in this matter.
16. Evacuation plan for the night was communicated
to/

Details

APPENDIX III
to
26th May, 1940.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events
DESTROYERS
PERSONNEL SHIPS
MINESVREPERS
-
PADDLE MINESWEEPERS
SKOOTS
FRENCH DESTROYERS
CANTERBURY 1299
MAID OF
ORLEANS 988
DRIFTERS
TRAWLERS
MISCELLANEOUS
HOSPITAL SHIPS
FOREIGN VESSELS
Drifter
24
JORDAN (A.B.V. 624
(Store Carrier)
MONA's ISLE 1312
(A.B.V.)

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Sub-Lieutenant John Francis Worthington, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Halcyon.
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant James Tomkin, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Princess
Probationary Sub-Lieutenant Eric Sidney Flint, R.N.R., Elizabeth. H.M.S.
Midshipman Ian Kinloch Bryce, R.N.R., H.M.S. Fitzroy. Mosquito.
Midshipman Malcolm John Ball, R.N.R., H.M.S. Scimitar.
Commissioned Engineer Reginald Thomas Jones, Royal Navy, H.M.S.
Commissioned Engineer Thomas Kirby Reynolds, Royal Sabre. Navy, H.M.S.
Gunner Frederick William Benoy, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Salamander. Wolsey.
Gunner (T) Reginald William Clare, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Grenade.
Skipper Andrew Buchan, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter The Boys.
Skipper George Hattan, R.N.R.,
Reed.
Skipper Herbert Holden, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter Midas.
Skipper William Francis Reynolds, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter Dorienta.
Captain Clifford Rowland Baxter, Master, S.S. Prague.
e.
Captain John Fréyer, Master, Tug Foremost 87.
Captain Charles Archibald Hancock, Master, S.S. Canterbury.
or
Captain Ernest Leonard Hill, Master, Sx8x Hospital Carrier Isle
of Guernsey.
Captain William Henry Hughes, Master, S.S. Scotia.
C Captain Robert McCallum McLean, Master, H M.hanspat King yearge V.
Captain Reginald Richard Pitman, Master, S.S. St. Helier.
Captain William Thompson, Master, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Captain William Oswald Young, Master, H.M. Transport Levenwood.
Captain a ohn Henry Whiteway, Master, S.S. Tynwald.
Mr. Terence O'Hanlon, Mate, S.S. Dorrien Rose. S.S.
S.S.
Mr. Hubert Donald Freeman, First Officer, St. Helier. S.S.
Mr Arthur Patrick Joseph Paterson, Chief S.S. Officer, Royal Daffodil.
Mr. Frank Edward Martin, Second Officer, 1/1 St. Helier.
SS.
15.5 Mr. Allan Watterson, Second Officer of Tynwald.
Mr. Joseph William fred Coulthard, Chief Engineer, Royal Daffodil.
Mr. William MagGregor, Chief Engineer, H.M. Transport King George V
Mr. Bernard Murphy, Chief Engineer, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Mr. Walter Ernest Oxenham, Chief Engineer S.S. Prague.
Mr. David Douglas Robb, Chief Engineer M.V. Hospital Guernsey. Carrier Isle of
Mr. Andrew Sinclair, Chief Engineer, S. Royal Sovereign.
D
Mr. George Frederick Todley, Second Engineer, S.S. Maid of Orleans.
all
MR. James Lang Crockart, Engineer S.S. Biarritz.
Mr. Charles/Mason, Radio Officer Tynwald.
Queen.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during
operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
Of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the
operation, and two were damaged in collision.
of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had
been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2 MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST.HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3
AUTO
CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of
these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo
started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour
in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the
situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, but discovered some
of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put
an officer and some seamen and stokers on board to augment and
stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed
and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing
troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an
armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and
did not sail again.
4.
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she
should have completed 0 voyages. When due to commence her
fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail
again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on
the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if
required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from
the master of the MALINES last night to say him and
the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been
continually on their feet all the week and especially
the deck officers who have had to be on their feet
for so long. I myself have had 4 hours rest for the
week and am at present physically unfit for another
trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely
necessary to go I will abide with the masters of the
other ships decision.
P.S. absolutely nervous wrecks and certified by the naval
There is two more of the crew going ashore now
doctor.
In/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 3.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
remaining; she started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On
return, original Captain rejoined with some of the original
crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain
reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not
to wait for the engineers and the Master
and the new crew provided for the second
time. Before further use could be made of her, however, the
evacuation terminated.
9. The MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second
voyage to Dunkirk, and the FENELLA was bombed and sunk on her
first voyage.
10. The MALINES who had completed two trips, refused to
sail on the 1st, left Dover at 1600 on the 2nd without orders and
was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southampton.
11. It was felt that trouble might occur in the ST. HELIER
and PRINCESS MAUD, and accordingly a naval party was put on
board to supplement the ships crews, and in consequence no
trouble occurred,
12. The outstanding ships were the MAID OF ORLEANS 6 trips,
one being diverted without completing the trip, and once
returning due to collision. ROYAL DAFFODIL 7 trips, on one of
which she was turned back by a French destroyer -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN 6 trips
KING GEORGE V
5 trips
COTE a' ARGENT
5 trips
ST. HELIER
4 trips after having refused to
sail once.
PRAGUE
3 trips with full loads, bombed,
severely damaged and
beached on the last return
trip.
13. Eleven other ships were concerned in the Operation,
details of which are as follows:
27th May BIARRITZ
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
27th May
ARCHANGEL
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
27th May
QUEEN OF THE
Sunk by bombing attack.
CHANNEL
28th May LORINA
Sunk by bombing attack.
29th May
NORMANIA
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May LOCH GARRY
One trip.
28th May SCOTIA
One trip.
2nd June
1111
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May KILLARNEY
One trip.
2nd June ROUEN
One trip.
2nd and 3rd
June AUTO CARRIER Two trips.
2nd and 3rd
June
NEWHAVEN
Two trips.
ce
of
Enclosure:-
ER. Officer Commanding,
Details of Personnel
June, 1940.
Ships used.

Details

Details

7432 50M 10/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
base'beservi
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
X
Temporary Skipper Alfred Manning Lovis, R.N.R., W.S.3397,
H.M.Drifter PAXTON.
x
Captain Gordon Dyer Walter, Master, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Captain George Johnson, Master, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Captain Thomas Aldis, Master, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Distinguished Service Medal
Petty Officer Thomas A. Topley, C/J.112800.
Yeoman of Signals Geoffrey Piper, C/JX.132686.
Able Seaman Alexander C. Moore, C/JX.129026.
Able Seaman James G. Owen, R.F.R., B.20977.
Able Seaman Joseph L. Turner, C/SS.X.24037.
Able Seaman Walter F. Cox, R.F.R., B.22716.
Able Seaman Gilbert Rose, C/J.X151776.
Able Seaman Francis H. McLaughlin, C/J. X146012.
Ordinary Seaman Andrew McKay H. Miller, C/JX.174079.
Ordinary Seaman William J. Edward Burrows, C/JX.154411.
Ordinary Seaman Sydney V. Genner, C/JX.150954.
A special note would be put in the Gazette making it
clear that circumstances had made it possible for these
recommendations to be made in advance of the general body
of recommendations and that they have not been in any sense
specially selected.
*
The Distinguished Service Cross may, at the discretion
of the Admiralty, be awarded to Officers of the Merchant
Navy, and the Committee think that the award of the
D.S.C. to these three Masters would be both correct
and unobjectionable.
R.Gleadowe
for HEAD OF COMMISSION AND WARRANT BRANCH
5th June, 1940.
The King has 1 been pleased to apparer

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
WE.C.
Canel
lerry. 53.
FROM.
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
Macclesful.
DATE
4th. JUNE 1940.
No. B23/862/40.
TO
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
Distinguished Service Cross (Contd.)
ith,
rs
Temporary Skipper Alfred Manning Lovis, R.N.R.
W.S.3397. H.M. Drifter PAXTON.
rthy
S.
Captain Gordon Dyer Walter, Master, MAID OF ORLEANS.
N
Captain George Johnson, Master, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
:ward
Captain Thomas Aldis, Master, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
from
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL.
Petty Officer Thomas A. Topley, C/J. 112800.
names
.e
Yeoman of Signals Geoffrey Piper, C/JX. 132686.
lese
are
Able Seaman Alexander C. Moore, C/JX. 129026.
may
Able Seaman James G. Owen, R.F.R. B.20977.
lations to
Able Seaman Joseph I. Turner, C/SS. X.24037.
e
:
Able Seaman Walter F. Cox, R.F.R. B.22716.
us
Able Seaman Gilbert Rose, J.X151776.
Able Seaman Francis H. McLaughlin, C/J.X146012.
3
5.30
Ordinary Seaman Andrew McKay H. Miller, C/JX.174079.
TLIN
Ordinary Seaman William J. Edward Burrows, C/JX.154411.
Ordinary Seaman Sydney V. Genner, C/JX.150954.
O.B.E. (Military)
Acting Commander Philip Brian Martineau, Royal Navy (Retd.)
Major A.E.M. Walter, B.A., Royal Engineers.
Captain L.E.L. Wright, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant Commander James Coverley Stopford, Royal Navy.
6th June, 1940.

Details

ENCLOSURE NO.1 TO DOVER LETTER 10.B23/862/40 dated 4th. JUNE
1940.
Page 3.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF OFFICERS FOR SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH
THE EVACUATION OF THE ALLIED FORCES FROM DUNKIRK.
(contd)
CAPTAIN MICHAEL MAYNARD DENNY, ROYAL NAVY,
OBE(M)
CB
ACTING COMMANDER PHILIP BRIAN MARTINEAU, ROYAL NAVY, (RETIRED),
MAJOR (TEMPORARY) A.E.M.WALTER, B.A., ROYAL ENGINEERS, wo OBE
(Deputy Assistant Director of Transport
Dafer,
JAMES LEONARD KEITH, ESQUIRE, MINISTRY OF SHIPPING,
CAPTAIN (TEMPORARY) L.E.L. WRIGHT, ROYAL ENGINEERS, we: OBEM,
(Reserve of Officers).
For distinguished service in organising the sailing of
the very large number of ships and vessels of all classes
employed for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force
and the French Army to the number of 307,218, between the
breakwater and beaches at Dunkirk and British ports, under
circumstances of unprecendented difficulty.
CB
also
For
Norwa
SNO audabus
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JAMES COVERLEY STOPFORD, ROYAL NAVY,
OBE(M)
wait Martincan.
i/ashi
For distinguished service in establishing and
maintaining essential W/T communications with the Naval,
part
Military, and French Authorities respectively in Dunkerque,
and with the large number of small vessels employed during
the evacuation under circumstances of great difficulties,
thereby contributing very materaially to the success of the
operation.
OFFICERS OF THE MERCHANT NAVY.
3
D.S.A
CAPTAIN GORDON DYER WALTER, MASTER, 'MAID OF ORLEANS',
D.S.A
CAPTAIN GEORGE JOHNSON, MASTER, 'ROYAL DAFFODIL',
CAPTAIN THOMAS ALDIS, MASTER, ROYAL SOVEREIGN'.
ok Foley.
For distinguished service while serving in His Majesty's
Transports carrying Troops from Dunkerque to Dover.
The transports of necessity provided a vulnerable and
easy target for enemy aircraft, but were required to make
their passages while subject to constant bombing attacks,
and frequently under shell fire.
They were required to berth in darkness in a confined
harbour obstructed by wrecks, and crowded with small craft
under way.
VICE ADMIRAL.

Details

The
Page 130
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M. TRANSPORT - LEVENWOOD (Continued).
RATINGS.
Merchant Navy Gunner George Knight,
Throughout the operation he continued firing his
gun at the enemy planes, although being machine
gunned and bombed the whole time. He succeeded in
bringing down an enemy plane.
DSM
Recommended for decoration.
Fireman Robert Moody.
Whilst attempting to take troops off the beach
the soldiers had to wade out to the boats, and this
Fireman, throughout the whole time swam from the
beach to the lifeboats with soldiers who were too
weak to do this.
D.S.M
Recommended for mention.
MAID OF ORLEANS - Gordon Dyer Walker, Master. (Decorated for this
operation in London Gazette 7th June, 1940).
This ship completed four trips to Dunkirk, and in
addition, three trips prior to Operation Dynamo to Calais
and Boulogne. A very large number of troops were brought
back to England. Ship continually being bombed by
aircraft. In one trip the crew discharged a large number
of petrol cans, containing water, on to the jetty at
Dunkirk.
NEPHRITE - Cyril Gifford West, O.B.E., Master.
Recommendation,
RATING.
Acting Able Seaman Albert Edward Mellis, C/LDX.5187.
Showed great gallantry whilst under bombing
attack, firing his gun all the time. Was observed
to have brought down at least one enemy plane.
DSM
Recommended for decoration.
PRAGUE,

Details

Page 143.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
VICE ADMIRAL'S STAFF. DOVER.
Page 142
Γo, Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
NAVAL MEDICAL PARTIES.
Naval Medical Officers and ratings were drafted from
H.M.S. PEMBROKE for work in Dunkirk harbour and in the
larger personnel vessels on the 29th of May and 4th June.
The work carried out by the whole party was most valuable
and efficient, consisting as it did of treating casualties,
and operating where possible under exciting and adverse
circumstances calling for initiative and improvisation.
It happened that the Medical party sent to personnel
vessels voyaged in those whose civilian crews were showing
signs of loss of morale, there being a disagreeable air
of apprehension amongst the ship's companies. These Medical
parties in the midst of their preparations did their
utmost to instil better feeling amongst the officers and
men of these vessels. Their conduct in all cases was in
accordance with the highest traditions of the Serivce and
their profession.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Surgeon-Commander William Gordon Fitzpatrick, R.N.
With his party worked on Dunkirk Mole, in the
ST. HELIER, MAID OF ORLEANS, MANX MAN and the
PRINCESS MAUD on successive days. He was the
Senior Medical Officer of the whole party from
PEMBROKE and showed high organising abilities
and leadership, in adition to his efficient
personal treatment of casualties.
M
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
M S.B.P.O. Harry Munro Hawkins, C/No 57726
M
S.B.P.O. (R) Rupert Arthur Lockwood, 49872.
S.B.P.O. (R) George Robert Wright, X.6227.
S.B.A. (R) Alfred Bassford, X.8080.
Recommended for mention.
.one
and
The above-mentioned ratings were conspicuous
for leadership, initiative and treatment of wounded.

Details

Operation "DYNAMO"
TRANSPORT Recommendations of Personnel. Page
3.
130
H.M. - LEVENWOOD (continued).
RATINGS.
Merchant Navy Gunner George Knight,
Throughout
the
gun gunned at the and bombed enemy planes, the operation although he continued being firing his
bringing down an enemy whole plane. time. He succeeded machine in
Recommended for decoration.
Fireman Robert Moody.
Fireman, the to wade out to the the beach this
Whilst soldiers attempting had to take troops off
beach to throughout the whole time boats, and
weak to do the this. lifeboats with soldiers swam who from were the too
Recommended for mention.
Dewr
MAID OF ORLEANS
- Gordon Dyer Walker, Master. (Decorated for this
operation in London Gazette 7th June, 1940).
86
This ship completed four trips to Dunkirk, and in
addition, three trips prior to Operation Dynamo to Calais
and Boulogne. A very large number of troops were brought
back to England. Ship continually being bombed by
aircraft. In one trip the crew discharged a large number
of petrol cans, containing water, on to the jetty at
Dunkirk.
NEPHRITE - Cyril Gifford West, O.B.E., Master.
Recommendation.
RATING.
Acting Able Seaman Albert Edward Mellis, C/LDX.5187.
Showed great his gallantry gun all whilst the time. under enemy Was bombing plane. observed
attack, to have brought firing down at least one
Recommended for decoration.
PRAGUE
of

Details

Page 143.
Operation "DYNAMO"
- Recommendations of Personnel. Page 142
NAVAL MEDICAL PARTIES.
Naval
Medical
H.M.S. larger personnel PEMBROKE for vessels Officers work on in were drafted from
The and and circumstances vessels It happened work efficient, operating of voyaged carried loss that consisting in out the by the whose as whole it civilian party sent of May was most and and casualties, adverse 4th in valuable the June.
of signs apprehension of morale, there being a crews were showing
parties utmost to in the midst amongst of their the ship's preparations companies. disagreeable These air Medical
men of these instil better feeling amongst the did their
y
accordance with vessels. Their conduct in all officers and
their profession. the highest traditions of the cases Serivce was and in
Recommendations.
FFICER.
Surgeon-Commander William Gordon Fitzpatrick. R.N.
5
With his party worked on Dunkirk Mole, in the
386
ST, HELIER, MAID OF ORLEANS, MANX MAN and the
PRINCESS MAUD on successive days. He was the
E
Senior Medical Officer of the whole party from
PEMBROKE and showed high organising abilities
and leadership, in adition to his efficient
personal treatment of casualties.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
S.B.P.O. Harry Munro Hawkins C/Mo 77726.
S.B.P.O. (R) Rupert Arthur Lockwood, /MX.49872.
T
rk
S.B.P.O. (R) George Robert Wright, Xo 6227.
ic
S.B.A. (R) Alfred Baseford. X.8080.
he
td
Recommended for mention.
for The
tions
and

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during
operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
(i
Of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing
a:
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the
operation, and two were damaged in collision.
er
Of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
nd
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
le
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had
been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2
MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST.HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3 AUTO CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
a
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of
these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo
started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour
in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the
situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, out discovered some
of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put
os,
an officer and some set nen and stokers on board to augment and
stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed
and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing
troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an
armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and
did not sail again.
should 4. have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she
fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail
again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on
the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if
required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from
the master of the MALINES last night to say him and
the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been
continually on their feet all the week and especially
the deck officers who have had to be on their feet
for so long. I myself have had 4 hours rest for the
week and am at present physically unfit for another
necessary to jo I will abide with the masters of the
trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely
other ships decision.
P.S. absolutely There nervous wrecks and certiffed by the naval
is two more of the crew going ashore now
doctor.
In/

Details

Details

Details

Dynamo
16
B14/0/
CC FIDENTIAL
Sea Transport Office,
shorlw trevell of 8 Date
NAVAL ASSISTANT
19
.moor 9dd of
Fowey, Cornwall.
doldw втебто TOT vd bited's 0J
3 JUN1940
caedT to nevig 90 of
*
6th, June 1940.
no on Dr.s beliecass
of
Sir,
9dd at REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF H.M.S. "DOLPHIN"
noon Ilfm(Sub-Lieutenant Cornish-Bowden' S) Minute I dated
dotsqaeb brts POWER BOAT. egrado
I have the honour to report that, in company with Lieutenants
6th June, 1940.)
MacKewan & Nettle, RNR and Lieutenant Blandy, RIVR, I proceeded
at 1150 hours, 26th.May 1940 from Dover to Dunkirk in S.S. MAID
OF ORLEANS".
.SI
At 1300 hours the vessel was shelled by shore guns from Calais
of at to
JI Isreves II. wod II
but although several shots fell close and the superstructure was
splintered, no direct hits were registered.
ent TOT e.Idstivanu
ni bevolams nismer of
Throughout the night of 26th.May and during the 27th.May I was
No.2198/199.
VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER. JB to
engaged in supervising the embarkation of troops from the Monitor
(Gopies to :-
Quay, despatching the vessels as soon as loaded.
During the
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PORTSMOUTH.
whole of this time, the operations were subjected to incendiary
VICE-ADMIRAL (s) )
and high explosive bombing by enemy planes at about 10 minutes'
900L no 8181 Js Tevol rotom
.EI
intervals.
edT
JBOD edd areo JB Forwarded. To
During the forenoon of 27th.May, the adjacent buildings to the
enigne to
D.S.T.O.'s Office were set on fire by incendiary bombs followed by
ts
To
RBDanke
heavy bombs,
All official documents and property in this
Office were collected and placed in a Military van, ready for
CAPTAIN (s),
removal.
Commander Lewis and myself approached the Police
H.M.S. "DOLPHIN".
10th June, 1940.
FIFTH SUBMARINE FLOTILLA.
de Navigation and maraged to obtain temporary accomodation near
the Semaphore but it was subsequently found impossible to get the
bits To
to
van to this location owing to intense enemy fire and heavy bombing,
rtf of
rendering the roads impassable.
OF
of
During the early evening of 27th.May I contacted with Commander
VI98
Lewis at the Caisson and arranged for the destruction of all codes
tsod orfit
VICE ADMIRA
to
niawaxoo
and secret documents.
Eventually, Lieutenant Commander
Seymour, RNVR reached the Base by diverse routes and in my presence,
12JUN 1940
extracted and destroyed the secret documents, opened the Deed Box
*
and destroyed its contents, anid heavy bombing by enemy planes.
DOVER
The Office was then abandoned and members of the D.S.T.O.'s
staff removed but it was not possible to save any personal belongings
(a)
or kit.
All personnel proceeded to the Caisson in three
conveyances and parties were formed to superintend the evacuation
and embarkation of the troops.
In this connection, Destroyers had previously landed about 160
nen with Officers for Beach Grouping and embarkation of troops.by
boats which were sent off to the ships.
for Officers to be distributed among the various ships and to proceed
Commander Lewis then issued orders for imediate evacuation and
H.
10
Jurro
18 ready.
Box at the D.S.T.O's Office, which was subsequently handed to the
Cash to the value of 1,000 Francs was extracted from the Deed
Secretary to the P.S.T.O. at Dover, whose receipt is attached.
T.S.S. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL".
During the early hours of
28th.May, in embarking troops from the beach at the
eastern side I was of the engaged Harbour entrance in this vessel's five lifeboats. were
200 men were brought alongside in this manner and others
:aken to other craft In the vicinity.
During these
heat last,

Details

32
CONFIDENTIAL
(2)
Sea Transport Office,
NAVAL ASSIS TANT
Fowey, Cornwall.
33
*
8 JUN1940
6th. June 1940.
*
Sir,
of
I have the honour to report that, in company with Lieutenants
MacKewan & Nettle, RNR and Lieutenant Blandy, RNVR, I proceeded
at 1150 hours, 26th. May 1940 from Dover to Dunkirk in S.S. "MAID
OF ORLEANS".
At 1300 hours the vessel was shelled by shore guns from Calais
but although several shots fell close and the superstructure was
splintered, no direct hits were registered.
Throughout the night of 26th.May and during the 27th.May I was
engaged in supervising the embarkation of troops from the Monitor
Quay, despatching the vessels as soon as loaded.
During the
3,
whole of this time, the operations were subjected to incendiary
and high explosive bombing by enemy planes at about 10 minutes'
intervals.
D.S.T.O. Office were set on fire by incendiary bombs followed by
During the forenoon of 27th.May, the adjacent buildings to the
heavy bombs.
All official documents and property in this
Office were collected and placed in a Military van, ready for
Commander Lewis and myself approached the Police
de removal. Navigation and manged to obtain temporary accommodation near
van to this location owing to intense enemy fire and heavy bombing,
the Semaphore but it was subsequently found impossible to get the
rendering the roads impassable.
the early evening of 27th.May I contacted with all Commander codes
Lewis During at the Caisson and arranged for the destruction of
and secret documents.
Eventually, Lieutenant Commander
Seymour, RNVR and destroyed the secret documents, opened planes.
reached the Base by diverse routes and the in my Deed presence, Box
and extracted its contents, amid heavy bombing by enemy D.S.T.O.'s
staff The removed Office but was it was not possible to save any personal in belongings three
destroyed then abandoned and members of the
or conveyances kit. and parties All were formed to superintend the
personnel proceeded to the Caisson evacuation
and the troops.
embarkation of Destroyers had previously landed about 160 by
men with In this Officers connection, for Beach Grouping and embarkation of troops.
boats which were sent off to the ships.
issued orders for immediate evacuation to proceed and
for Commander Officers to Lewis be distributed then among the various ships and
as ready.
Cash to the value which was subsequently attached.
of 1,000 Francs was extracted handed from the to Deed the
Secretary Box at the to D.S.T.O's the P.S.T.O. Office, at Dover, whose receipt is
28th.May, eastern T.S.S. 1 was the engaged Harbour in embarking entrance in troops this this manner from vessel's and others five lifeboats. were
"QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL".
During the early beach hours at the of
the
side were of brought alongside in During these
taken 200 to men other craft in the vicinity.
operations one boat was lost.

Details

Details

-2-
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
(1561)
Temporary repairs carried out.
29th May.
MARINE DEPARTMENT.
"
"
"
"
30th May 07.15 Southampton Cleared Granville Dock, and proceeded to
19
S.S. BIARRITZ
Dock, Southampton 19.40.
to complete repairs, docked Inner
Date
Report on:
Conduct of Personnel while under fire off Gravelin
1-4 June Under repair at Southampton.
Monday, May 27th, 1940.
While passing Gravelines en route to Dunkir
we engaged the attention of enemy artillery on shore.
The first shell entered the forward boiler room, pierci
N.B. This vessel with the "Maid of Orleans" was under
first a large diameter oil fuel vapour and overflow pir
heavy enemy shell fire when off Boulogne on 23rd
May, but sustained no damage.
and then the auxilliary steam pipe to forward. The no
passed through the further side of the hull on the wate
line while various minor damage was done by fragments,
mttbaker
entering the starboard wing fuel tank and another passi
master
through the left thigh of Fireman A. Phillips severing
main artery, and causing great loss of blood.
Steam at full boiler pressure was entering
boiler room in great quantities. Further shells were
hitting the region of the first hit and danger of sever
scalding and of an outbreak of fire were the conditions
under which Fireman Phillips then found himself. Notw
standing, he made efforts to close the oil fuel supply
That he 19
of the two forward boilers.
unable the furnaces to do so will occasion no surprise. As It was
sufficient strength to climb two flights or lad
retained out of the boiler room where he was met by myself and he
reported that he had been unable to shut off the fires.
then collapsed.
Fireman A. Phillips died on the night of May
result of his wound. In this connection it
as a direct that 4th Engineer Terry, who was in charge o
be forward stated boiler had left the room in pursuance of his dut
only a minute or two previous to the event.
Meanwhile in the after boiler room Mr. Crook
charge, on hearing the explosion of the shells and th
subsequent in escape of steam, sent Signature his two firemen on deok

Details

Department 26%
147
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
MARINE DEPARTMENT.
Reference
$
#
H.M.T.Maid of Orleans
Southampton STATION,
Tost
June 6th
1940
Whe Principal Sea Transport Officer
DOVER
Narrative of Events - Period 26th May - 4th June 40
Sir
I herewith send you a statement of events in which this reasel
was concerned during the period 26/5/40 at 4/6/40.
This record has been compiled, for the most part, from as diary
kept by the ship's Writer.
In reply to the 2nd part of your ur letter, wherein you ask for
imformation regarding meritorious actions by any officer
any or man servingin this ship during the recent events, I can out only
say that the conduct of all hands was such that to single
one for special mention would be invidious.
inster

Details

Dynam 26%
148
132
Transport AC
H.M.T.Maid of Orleans
he P.S.T.O.
SOUTHAMPTON
OVER
June 6th 40
Narrative of events-Period 26th May-4th June 40
n
Sir
26th May, this vessel received orders to proceed to Dunkirk. for
Prior at that port, together with other stores, cases maps of A.S.C.
On to leaving 6,000 (2gall)cans of water were put aboard of use etc.
A. of detachment troops of troops, in number, consisting of details
Signals at were II00 also and embarked. proceeded to Dunkirk, taking the short falling sea route.
Left Game Dover under fire from a battery near Calais. Shells although close,
registered Arrived off no Dunkirk, hits on but this did vessel. not enter port, but returned to Dover, arriving
off that port during to return the afternoon. to Dunkirk, this time with an escort Queen and at arrived the
Received about 5.30 orders Entered Dunkirk and berthed alongside Monas
Gare Maritime. already loaded with troops and this allowing vessel could this
The dischage latter vessel until was the Mona's Queen had pulled out, and thus stores.
not ship to go alongside interference the quay from to aircraft, land the probably water due to oil the reservoirs fact that a
There thick pall was no of smoke covered the ship from the burning
nearby. collaborated in discharging the water.This This work was proceeded done by
until forming an a order chain from from the quay was given to stop.The water
All hands then the Well deck to the gangway supply being
Troops considered difficulty were sufficient. then was embarked experienced and the on ship leaving left owing about to 3.0am. the low state of
water Some and the port propeller plane was which slightly dropped damaged. two bombs, but did on not this succeed trip
Were attacked by enemy total number of troops carried discharged.
were The same 988, afternoon including (May 27th) this vessel from returned the Dunkirk (Conveyed
in touching this vessel. 8 civilians. The irrived at Dover at 0600 to Dunkirk, and but, on by
arrival at the )not Roads to received enter, 30 orders returned to Dover and enchored to Dunkirk in Harbour. and berth-
S.S. On the Centerbury morning of 29th May.at as 0432 far in this as ship possible.Shirted returned ship three times
as ed Vessel alongside tide was ebbed alongside the making East passed about inner Mole, through berths five hours, at an pier area during untenable. where which a aubmarine time at Dover the pier hunt and was was dis- in
shelled. progress. charged On the Vessel leaving, I372 subjected troops carried to bombing and which attacks. included Arrived a number of stretcher
cases. Left again at for the Dunkirk East Mole at at taking the long to route usable heavy and damage being
arriving the one at the extreme and Embarked as 37 aff 1216 including Restaurant 42 stretcher
from cases) shell The latter fire and were bombs. made as comfortable was as exemplary. possible in the
Subjected and this Saloons. vessel, as which The usual discipline returned to attacks at of to Dover 0030 from the troops on bombing on the the Ist morning planes inst. but of arriving Low May which water 31st. did just and not before wroks touch
Proceeded berthing again to at Dunkirk the end borth of the East berthed Mole. alongaide this ship
daybreak berthing more difficult. destroyers this ship.
making and loaded embarked over I856 the deck troops of (including about became 400 more French active, troops) both
This By this ship time then it was alongside daylight and and after enemy she bombers had left to return to Dover, at
which when On the the port evening ship we arrived was of the during same day the orders morning. were received to proceed to Dunkirk
and While this leaving vessel Dover left Harbour, at 2030 H.M.S. Worcester collided with this ship, holing

Details

Dynam 26%
148
132
Transport A@
H.M.T.Maid of Orleans
he P.S.T.O.
SOUTHAMPTON
OVER
June 6th 40
Narrative of events-Period 26th May-4th June 40
Sir On to 26th leaving 6,000 (2gall) cans of water were put aboard of maps use etc.
May, this vessel received orders to proceed to Dunkirk. for
Prior at that port, together with other stores, cases of A.S.C.
A. of detachment troops of troops, 250 in number, consisting of details
Signals etc.were at II00 also and embarked. proceeded to Dunkirk, taking the short falling sea route.
Came Left Dover under fire from a battery near Calais. Shells although close,
registered Arrived off no Dunkirk, hits on but this did vessel. not enter port, but returned to Dover, arriving
off that port during return the afternoon. to Dunkirk, this time with an escort and at arrived the
Received about 5.30 orders pm.Entered to Dunkirk and berthed alongside Monas Queen
Gare Maritime. was already loaded with troops and thus this allowing vessel could this
The latter vessel until the Mona's Queen had pulled water out, and stores.
not ship dischage to go alongside interference the quay from to aircraft, land the probably due to oil the reservoirs fact that a
There thick was pall no of smoke covered the ship from the burning
nearby. collaborated in discharging the water. This This work was proceeded done by
until All forming hands an a order then chain from from the the quay Well was deck given to the to gangway. stop.The water supply being
Troops considered were sufficient. then was embarked experienced and the on ship leaving left damaged. owing about to 3.0am. the low state of
water Some difficulty and the port propeller plane which was slightly dropped two bombs, carried but did on not this succeed trip
Were attacked by enemy The total number of troops and discharged.
were 988, including 8 (May 27th) this vessel returned the Dunkirk (Conveyed
in touching this vessel. civilians Arrived at Dover at 0600 to Dunkirk, but, on
The same afternoon received orders from anchored in Harbour. by
arrival S.S. Canterbury at the )not Roads to enter, go 0437 returned this ship to Dover returned and to Dunkirk and berth-
On the morning of 29th Mole,a May.at far in as possible.Shirted untenable. ship three times
as Vessel ed alongside tide was ebbed alongside the making East about inner berths five hours, at an pier area during where which a submarine time the hunt pier was was in
shelled. On leaving, passed through to bombing attacks.Arrived included number at Dover of and dis-
progress. charged the Vessel I372 subjected troops carried and which the a long route stretcher
cases. Left again for Dunkirk at the usable being
and
arriving at the East Mole heavy damage
from the cases)! one shell The at latter fire the extreme and were made and as of the troops was as possible exemplary. but in the Restaurant 42 stretcher
Subjected this vessel, as which usual returned to attacks to Dover 0030 on on the the Tat morning inst.arriving 31st. just before touch
and Saloons. The disciplina from bombing planes of May which did not
Proceeded daybreak berthing again to at Dunkirk the end at borth TIME adjusts IND. Sast Mole.Low alongside water this and wroks ship
making berthing more difficult QUESTE can usevel at
and loaded over DDD RESE shing duag
This ship then wasse
when By this the time ship it SEAL THE ÉELIC Dan carwas neibs serve Dewoite aDover,
at
which port we GREE backed CORIA inconce 2010 48 minutse Nasse
and While this leaving vessel LIMIT Via séuides to -
On the evening of VISA MENT anênial was SQRATED the Wilnes

Details

Fire WEB opened and WAS affective
Dynam 265:
194
MASTERS REPORT FROM HOSPITAL CARRIER.
'ST JULIEN!
3-5-40.
Loft Downs 1045 - ordered to Dunkirk, 'St Andrew' following.
When off Calais near 'Dyck' Light Ship position both ships
heavily shelled by shore batteries Maid of Orleans' in
vicinity also shelled. All three ships return to Dover by
unauthorised route to avoid severe damage.
-5-40.
Left Downs 1112 following 'St Helier| St Julien' and 'St
Andrew' not having & chart for specified route. Bombs and
aerial torpedoes fell near ship when passing Middelkerke
Bank buoy. Ordered out of Harbour and vicinity on account
of severe bombing by relays. Impossible to remain in the
vicinity. All three ships returned to Downs.
--5-40.
Received orders to proceed to Dunkirk escorted by destroyer,
1St Andrew' following astern. When north of lieuport buoy
and destroyer had moved on ahead, ship was heavily bombed,
machine gunned and shelled by shore batteries, bombs pitching
close alongside ship causing damage which has been submitted
under separate cover ( 1st June 1. Proceeded to Denkirk.
Impossible to enter harbour or remain in vioinity owing to
continuous heavy bombing. Returned to Downs.
-5-40.
0545 Naval party boarded with orders to proceed to Dunkirk.
Left 0512 ( delay caused by foul anchor). Arrived Dinkirk
0858 alongaide North Pier. Loading patients, crew assisting
under shellfire. No bombing during loading. Left 1018
reported Dover Roads - ordered to Newhaven.
Largest these Red attacks were deliherate on the Sofulien
Cross flag kept flying throughout.

Details

228
The captain of "St Hilier" stated that ship would not sail again owing to damage.
In view of inability of getting intm communication with SNO.Dunicirk upon our
first trip this was reported at Folkestone to the Naval Laison Officer. He communicated
with V.A. Dover and we received instructions to return there. Motor vehicle was sent
for use Reported at Dover Castle - instructed to report to SMO+ at 28 East Cliffe.
Surgeon Captain Fisher there gave me orders to send all members of the party
who were without a ship to R.N.Barracks, Chathem. One rating LSBA.McPherson had
seported sick before proceeding to Dunkile and another was of little use owing to
anxiety (SBA.Brindle) and they were therefore transferred to Chatham.
PARTY which RETURNED TO CHATHAM BARRACKS (3I.5.40-)
Surgeon Lieutenat Wright RNVR.
Longmoor RNVT.
SEPO. Kendrick.
Howe+
LSBA. Rogers.
Cadman.
Warmsley.
McPherson.
SBA. Brindle.
Fenwick
31.5.40 Parties were reallocated:-
"Maid of Orleans". Surgeon Commander Maspatrick RN.
LSBA. Lockwood.
Wright.
SHA.Tew.
"Tynwald".
Surgeon Lieutenat Mandlestam RNVR.
SHPO. Hawkins.
Boddy.
SBA.Westwood.
HMS. "Mona's Isla". Surgeon Mentenat Armstring RN.
SHPO.Tong*
LSBA. Wilson.
SBA. James.
"Manxman".
Surgeon Meutenat Stutter.
ISBA. Read.
984.Basford.
Chapman.
2000 ton cross channel steamer+ Good deok (used space, for keeping large
"MATD OF ORLEANS". Large large electric hot dish heater data leather
Dining blankets saloon and lotions and smaoking atc. room. Wounded stowed in these spaces Dinkirk upon at 2400+ or Arrived
warm 2100 at Dover and sailed for about 2000 troops
cushions. Boarded Proceeded her at alongaide east mole and took off awaiting
and there 2a at got dawn cases, 1.6.40. the majority of these having been wounded whilst embarkation
wounds dressed anti tetanic and antigas as a serum routine. injected. the naval No had
Morphine given, some M de B. 693 and gave all gases 4 tabless A large mumber of medical
procured completed as far as possible. assistance, but
casualty officers labels from RAMO ware came onboard with these cases fluids. and rendered they
themselves were exhausted and required by enemay rest aircraft and on leaving the harbour. 4 bombs
astern of Attacked the ship. No casualties occurred as hours & result after of leaving this bombing*
All the ships Dover ogoo. Cases avacuated by hospital mases
being dropped defensive armament was in action for about 1) train. Two dangerous
Dunkirk. Arrived (Shrapnel Wd. It. thigh and Abdomen) McDonald arrival. R.W. (Comp.
were Rev.MoCleman discharged to Shornoliffe Hopsital immediately upon
"MAID OF ORLEANS". Due to sail at 1400 with supplies for Dinkirk. I.6.40

Details

LIST OF MORE SERIOUSLY WOUNDED CASES TREATED.
230
"St Hilier".
Fracture base of skull. Wound right elbow. Dressed. Morphine.
A.G.Serum I0000 units, Name unknown. French Poilu.20.5.40,
Compound fracture L.Humerus. Bullet wd R.Thigh. Wd right 5th digit.
Morphine. Wds dressed. A.G.Serum. Name unknown.
Pesan. Louis. Wd right thigh & leg. Morphine. A.G.Serum Dressed,
Wallet. Alle. Infection right arm and fingers. Dressed.
Berthon. Jean. Shrapnel wds L.Hand, R.Thigh. Morphine. A.G.Serum.
dressings.
Andust. Charles. Shrapnel wd. left buttock. Morphine. Dressing.
A.G.Serum.
Peilleux. Louis. Shrapnel wd. It. shin, Dressed, Morphine.
Relley. - Shrapnel wd. R.Elbow. Dressed. Morphine.
Florentin. R. Shrapnel wd right buttock, Morphine. Dressed,
Lagoutte. Morice. Wd. right knee. Morphine. Dressed.
Nury. Adrien. Shrapnel wd right thorax. Dressed. Morphine.
"Vimy".
Dunlop. John. Shrapnel wd right chest 23.5.40. Svacuated from
Dunkirk 31.5.40. Discharged to R.N.S.Q. DOVER.
MOTOR BOATS.
Bruen. Lt. Francis. RN. Bomb splinter L.Hand. Previously treated
by own M.O. A.T.S. M.&.B. 693 4 tablets. To attending list.
"Maid of Orleans". 1.6.40.
Revd. A. McLeman. C.F. (Cameronians). Shrapnel wd. L.Thigh, Perfor-
Wd. of abdomen. A.G.Serum. Morphine M & B. 4 tablets statim.
Immediate discharge to hospital upon arrival. (Urgent case).
MacDonald. R.W. Comp. fracture left humerus. Dressed, A.G.S. M & B.
Immediate transfer to hospital upon arrival in England,
Leadbetter. Wallace. Sergt. Shrapnel wd. left buttock and leg.
Dreased, A.G.S. M & B.
Newberry. Shrapnel wd. R.Buttock. Dressed, A.D.S. M&B.
Lean. E.R. 2nd Lieut. Lancashire Regt. Shrapnel wd. L. Thigh. Morph
A.G.S. M.&.B.
Taylor. F.R. 5111033. Shell blast abdomen. Injury L. knee. Rest.
Pimm. M.&B. F. RASC. 134203. Large shrapnel wd. L.Thigh, Injury L.Knee,
Morphine. A.E.S. M & B. Dressed,
Fraser. Revd. Exhaustion. Rest.
Morley. T. Shrapnel wd of foot..
Whyte. W. Shrapnel wd. 1. elbow. Morphine. Dressed.
Hsoskin. W. Injury right ankle. Bandaged.
The remaining cases were not recorded owing to non severity and
lack of paper for doing SO. Labels giving names, treatement carried
out and diagnosis, were however attached to each patient prior to
to discharge to hospital.

Details

-3-
250
sailing barges "Glenway", "Lark" and "Spurgeon" similarly loaded
were towed over by the tugs "Persia" and "Cervia".
Lt. Comdr. R.G. Wardrop and Lieut. F.H. Whalley R.N.R. returned from
Dunkirk and reported back for duty on the Commodore's staff.
JUNE 1st, The C in C of the B.E.F. Lord Gort arrived at Admiralty
Pier at 0605.
The tugs "SunX1", "Sun X11", "Sun V11", 'Océan Cock", "Challenge"
"Crested Cock", and "Fairplay 17 with one sailing barge in tow left
for Dunkirk. The tugs were intended to assist disabled craft and
carried out this duty off the Belgian coast until they were forced
back by heavy air attack.
Numerous motor boats left the Prince of Wales Pier for Dunkirk beaches
in tow of drifters.
H.M.S. "Harvester" and "Salamander" arrived with extensive damage
sustained during the night operations and repairs were at once carried
out by H.M.S. "Sandhurst". At midnight enemy air craft attempted
to lay magnetic mines off the Harbour. Mines were laid outside
before the raiders were driven off by anti-aircraft fire. The
mines were swept up during the morning.
At 2130 the troops transport "Maid of Orleans" was badly damaged
by collision in the Harbour. Several of the troops were thrown into
the water but all were rescued by the tugs who happened to be in the
vicinity.
JUNE 2nd. The tug "Sun X1" towed in the self-propelled lighters
Sherfield" and "YeC. 63" with troops on board. At 1430 the tugs
coastal 87", and five motor-bosts in tow for the Dunkirk beaches.
"Foremost "Sun X", 'Sun X1", and "Fairplay 1" sailed with six
The tug life-boats Brassey" proceeded to the assistance of H.M.S. The "Mona's
Isle" "Lady received severe damage from enemy bombs. tug
X11", and "Ocean 22" Cock" refused to go owing to their lack of protection.
"Foremost which had sailed at 2000 for Dunkirk. The tugs "Sun V11", "Sun
JUNE the day troops were arriving in "Glenway" the Harbour returned in all
from of craft. beaches filled with soldiers, in the got channel.
kinds 3rd. During The sailing barges "H.A.C." and who had them off
and sailed the Dunkirk them until they were picked boats. up by tug
Some No troops came in Belgian to the fishing Dunkirk beaches on account Base made of a the
quantity of brows "Halcyon", "Speedwell", brows were used with
strong easterly wind. and ladders which were put "Vega", "Princess "Venimous",
boats could be sent During the day the Repair aboard H.M.S.
"Vanquisher", "Express", and "Malcolm". The numbers of troops
Elixabeth", splendid effect "Sutton" at Dunkirk Mole and large were
brought off during the night.
JUNE 4TH. Tugs "Sun V11", and "Sun X11" left towing H.M.S. "Bideford"
On completion of the up for the passage and following to days every
to Portsmouth for repairs. operation of disembarking their troops Home from Ports Dunkirk and
destroyers were patched During this day small craft, barges,
endeavour subsequently was sailed. made to return the numerous lighters
and tugs to their Ports.
NOTES.
ASUALTIES.
During the this H.M.S.
10th to Port, June of 4th whom a "Sandhurst" total of
dealt.wistely 6,880 wounded were and over 60 suffering from shock and
50 dead.
EFECTS.
The 26 Repair Base and H.M.S. "Sandhurst" by bomb and holes splinters temporarily rigging. in them and ai a
suffered repaired craft cannon. damage also the

Details

CHAP. III
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
with a view to lifting up to 45,000 of the B.E.F. within two days, at the end of
which it was probable that evacuation would be terminated by enemy action".
A further step was taken when, at 1800, Captain W. G. Tennant, M.V.O.,
R.N., was ordered by the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral T.S. V.
Phillips, C.B., to proceed to Dunkirk to take control of the naval shore em-
barkation parties. Captain Tennant's appointment as S.N.O., Dunkirk, was
promulgated, his duties to commence the following day2, and beach masters
and pier parties were ordered to proceed from the Nore to Dover.
Then, at 1857, there went out from the Admiralty, by teleprinter, the historic
signal, "Operation Dynamo is to commence "3, which was to save our Army
in France, and to have the most momentous results for the Nation, the Empire
and the World.
Mona's Isle makes the first round trip
Except for the destroyer Wolsey, which left Dover at 1930 to act as W/T
link ship, the first ship to sail on this great mission was the armed boarding
vessel Mona's Isle, which left the Downs at 2116. After some delay with a
fouled propeller she berthed at the Quai Félix Faure during an air attack, and
embarked 1420 troops. On the return journey, she was straddled by shore
guns off Gravelines, and shortly after, was heavily machine-gunned from the
air; these attacks caused 83 casualties, including 23 dead. She reached
Dover at noon on the 27th May escorted by the destroyer Windsor, which had
put her doctor on board and landed her troops. Mona's Isle was the first ship
to complete the round trip in Operation "Dynamo".
Mona's Queen first ship back on 27th May
This, however, was not the first passage on 26th May. Even before the
Admiralty signal, the despatch of personnel vessels to Dunkirk had begun, a
flow of 2 vessels every 4 hours having been accepted by the B.E.F.4. The
armed boarding vessel King Orry had sailed at 0930, and the Mona's Queen at
noon. The Maid of Orleans had sailed at 1100 (with 6,000 two-gallon cans of
water), but arriving off Dunkirk during an air attack was unable to effect an
entrance and returned to Dover"; she was sailed again at 1726, escorted by
the destroyer Wild Swan, which had also taken out the Canterbury at 1728,
and escorted her part of the way.
The Mona's Queen (carrying 1200 troops) was the first of these ships to
arrive back from Dunkirk, reaching Dover shortly after midnight on the
26th/27th May ; the Canterbury arrived at 0309/27 (with 1,340 troops), the
store ship Ngaroma at 0500/27 (with a hundred troops), the Maid of Orleans at
0600/27 (with 980 troops), and the King Orry at 1100/27 (with 1,131). As a
result of these sailings on the 26th May 6,083 troops were landed in England
on the 27th May, of which Mona's Isle had contributed 1,420 towards the
two days".
tentative Admiralty target of "lifting up to 45,000 of the B.E.F. within
Hospital carriers
under Hague Convention was ignored, and their conspicuous white hulls
The the work of the hospital carriers was specially hazardous; their immunity
I D.R. page ii.
2 Appendix M. 2.
3 Appendix M. 1.
4
D.R.
16

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

CHAP. IV
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
attacked misses, and, twice arrival by dive-bombers at Dunkirk en at route, 1655, receiving found some damage
was
in progress. on an air attack by 21 from aircraft near
enveloped air raid casualties lying about depots the and The was
investigate in the a vast pall of smoke from the oil area of Naval Headquarterters to
Captain Tennant local proceeded situation. ashore The whole to the Bastion
with was blazing, masses of wreckage. were streets, which were littered town
Parminter ; On arrival at Colonel the Bastion, Whitfeld, Captain Sub-Area Tennant Commandant; held a meeting and with Brigadier
H. P. Henderson, R.N., the B.N.L.O. It to was retain decided that the harbour Commander
as a W/T link.
untenable, and that it was impracticable the Wolfhound at Dunkirk was
At 1900 Captain Tennant assumed the duties of S.N.O. Dunkirk,
ordered the Wolfhound and Wolsey to proceed to the beach east of Dunkirk and
and embark troops, using their own boats. This they proceeded to do, but
did not get away unscathed; the Wolfhound grounded as she left Dunkirk
harbour and received further damage from a bomb which struck the jetty six
feet away. She made no more trips to Dunkirk, but on that evening she and
the Wolsey became the pioneers of beach evacuation.
Beach evacuation begins
Meanwhile, during the afternoon, four personnel vessels and two hospital
carriers had sailed for Dunkirk¹. Of these, the personnel vessels Queen of the
Channel and St. Seiriol left Dover at 1330, by Route Y, and entered Channel Dunkirk
at about 1930, during an air raid. The Queen of the beaches. had At
harbour barely embarked 50 troops when both boats ships were had started diverted ferrying, to the S.N.O. Dun-
kirk to troyers' passed 2230, boats, embark signalled however, which this motor 1,000 order were the boats. before men. Wolfhound manned to the the The The St. St. as Queen to Wolfhound, Seiriol's necessary Seiriol send of a beach by the personnel by then megaphone Channel, naval and with ship then, ratings the using to and Wolsey returning the or her commandeered east towed own off pier, to the by except boats, Dunkirk, Dunkirk the beaches des- em- the her
she harbour, destroyers barked was about unfortunately picked Wolfhound 150 up troops a and further sunk Wolsey, from by 700 aircraft the to troops. embark early She next troops was morning from the first the (May ship, beaches, 28th) shortly though
after leaving Dunkirk.
" tomorrow night is problematical "
S.N.O. local By 1958, Dunkirk, and Captain he sent Tennant this dramatic had arrived signal to at immediately.
Evacuation on 27th May, only an hour after he a the duties of the of
situation, available craft to beaches T.O.Of.1988."kirk
" Evacuation tomorrow transmission, night is was not received until 2055, but in and the
Please send every problematical.
This I The signal, Queen delayed of the Channel, in St. Seiriol, Canterbury, Maid of Orleans, Isle of Thanet
Worthing.
22

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. IV
from the St. Seiriol and Queen of the Channel, in addition to the drifters'
beaches during the night
dinghies, enabled these drifters of the to 27th/28th lift some May. 2,000 troops from Malo and Bray own
Results of S.N.O. Dunkirk's 2005/27
assembling off the beaches on 1 cruiser, 27th/28th May the Wolfhound,
As a result of the action taken the on night S.N.O. of Dunkirk's signals, there
3 Channel skoots and (the the Lena, St. Hebe Seiriol). other II and All small Oranje) these ships boats, were ordered to use Queen of thers, their own
Wolsey and 6 other destroyers¹, a
pulling boats, were yet available.
boats for ferrying, as no power cutters, whalers or other
S.N.O. Dunkirk's signals had therefore a big result; but owing to the diffi-
culty of passing orders at night in a shattered harbour his decision to divert
vessels to the beaches had unforeseen repercussions, and it was associated with
a false report that Dunkirk had fallen, and the failure of one personnel vessel
and 7 skoots to reach the beaches that night. The circumstances are described
below.
The P/V Canterbury, which had entered Dunkirk harbour at 2000, left at
2058 with 457 troops, including 140 stretcher cases. Before leaving, she was
ordered by the Sea Transport Officer to turn back ships attempting to
enter Dunkirk the order, evidently intended to divert ships to the beaches,
was misunderstood. In the Dunkirk road, the Canterbury passed the order
to the P/V Maid of Orleans and to the H/C's Isle of Thanet and Worthing, and
those vessels thereupon turned back to Dover. Later the order became
definitely garbled, for the skoot Tilly (which was in company with the 4 skoots
Hondsrug, Jutland, Patria and Brandaris) met the Canterbury (in company
with the 2 hospital carriers) 8 or 9 miles from Dunkirk, and received from her
the signal "Dunkirk is in enemy hands. Keep clear." This signal was
variously recorded by some of the other skoots, as Dunkirk has fallen. Re-
turn"; and all five of them, as well as the skoots Bornrif and Twente, did in
fact return to the Downs, although the Jutland and the Patria first closed
Nieuport Bank buoy in an unsuccessful endeavour to obtain more definite
information. Some of the skoots, in turn, promulgated this false report to
other ships, notably to the P/V Dorrien Rose; this ship, which received the
signal, unsafe to approach Dunkirk," did at first alter course to the north-
ward, but, shortly after, again set course for Dunkirk. It was subsequently
thought by some of the vessels concerned that the false information had been
passed by fifth columnists," though there is very little proof of this.³
Chronic shortage' of beaching boats
Such was the beginning of the great build-up of ships4 and of the inaugura-
tion of beach evacuation. The successful development of the latter was
necessarily good in into I the The of northern situation the dependent chronic having sector shortage changed on between the by continuation the south-west of beaching and of boats⁵. fine north-east weather, A wind would and and of any Wakeful the have strength making made went
from Dunkirk. The Windsor remained time they arrived, Anthony the Gallant had not yet returned
2 Portsmouth whither she had escorted on the patrol. S.S. Kyno. The
Canterbury's report.
4 3 See Appendices H.30 and H.32.
5 Appendices D, E and F.
D.R. page 3, para. 11.
24

Details

TUESDAY, 28TH MAY
CHAP. V
Boy Roy and Paxton damaged and beached
At 1215 German fighters in strength were encountered by our fighter patrols;
during the rest of the day there was no further air fighting¹, but the mine-
sweeper Sandown was bombed off the Gull Light buoy at 1230, and Bray beach
was bombed at 1420². In an air raid off Dunkirk channel at about 1800, the
prifters Boy Roy and Paxton were damaged by near misses and had to be
beached; there were, however, no casualties.
Difficulty of synchronising arrival of ships with flow of troops
Meanwhile, at 0935, 2,000 troops were on Malo beach and 7,000 more were
on the sand dunes, waiting anxiously for ships to come³. An hour after mid-
day, 6,000 troops were reported to be on Bray beach, 7 miles east of Dunkirk
pier, and 4 minesweepers were sailed from the Downs to embark them. When
they arrived at 2130, however, conditions had changed, and three of them,
the Salamander, Fitzroy and Skipjack, went to La Panne ; the fourth, the
Sutton, went to the beach at Zuydcoote 4 miles east of Dunkirk4. Throughout
the whole operation it was never found possible to adjust the arrival of ships,
either at Dunkirk or opposite the beaches, to synchronise with the ebb and
flow of troop concentrations.
Shortage of drinking water.
At this time the troops were sorely in need of drinking water; joint naval⁵
and military measures were taken to provide it in tanks and cans, and ships
off the beaches were directed to do what they could from their own resources.
There was, however, inevitably some delay before all requirements could be
met, and as late as the 30th May no water or food had yet reached Malo beach⁶.
Brighton Belle sunk
Meanwhile, at 1230, the Brighton Belle, returning to Ramsgate with the 350
troops she had picked up from the beach at Zuydcoote, struck a submerged
wreck off the Gull Light buoy during an air attack and sank. All the crew
and troops were transferred to the Sandown, Medway Queen, and Yser. Pay-
master Sub.-Lieut. W. J. Butler, R.N.V.R., of the Sandown was killed and
2 ratings were wounded.
Shortage of boats
At 1420, when Bray beach was bombed, S.N.O., Dunkirk, ordered some of
the troops there to march to Dunkirk in spite of the congestion in the port.
By 1830, however, there were still several thousand troops at Bray and more
were arriving. At this time the Grafton reported that she was off Bray beach
I R.A.F. Narrative, P. 323.
2 Report by S.N.O. Dunkirk, (R.O. III p. 346).
3 Appendix N.2.
4 It is not always possible to record precisely the beaches off which ships were lying.
The 10-miles stretch of beach had arbitrarily been divided up into 3 sections, Malo, Bray
and La Panne. In the confusion of the times, and particularly in the darkness of the
night, it is not surprising that ships in company sometimes gave different names to the
particular section of beach off which they were lying.
5 The Maid of Orleans had landed 6,000 two-gallon cans of water at Dunkirk on the
26th May. The motor boat Glitter II went over with water for the beaches on the 29th
May and the lighter Seine took 5,000 cans of it ; the Friso and the Mona's Queen also
went over on the 29th with water, but the latter was mined and sunk before she could
unload it.
' Appendix P.1.
31

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VI
and returned to harbour; the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
Dutch eel-boats Johanna and Chantecler M.B. Golden Lily also The
and Ramsgate " compass at which 2200/29. was reached situated The the over beaches, the was engine. however, only capable revolved at 0900 of slowly 4 knots, round and and left her
she had no charts, lost way 30th Later darkness, and returned to
and brought back 30 troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
round"¹. She The Johanna did not on the 30th
Ramsgate on the morning of the May. on that day she was towed
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers available and with failure to achieve
The 29th May closed with a formidable list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
were in fact transported.²
Nevertheless, 47,310 troops (including some 2,000 casualties) were landed
in England on the 29th May (see Table 2), 13,752 having been lifted from the
beaches and 33,558 from the harbour. Only about 11 per cent of these were
French troops³, whose organised evacuation had not yet begun. (See Appen-
dices Y.2 to Y.5).
During the morning and forenoon of the 29th May, when there was no
bombing of Dunkirk harbour, 1Q personnel vessels⁴ lifted 14,760 troops from
the east pier; during the afternoon, in spite of the bombing, the Canterbury
lifted a further 1,960.
The development of beach evacuation is indicated by the fact that nearly
21 times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers
each made one round trip during the 24 hours of the 29th May and an eighteenth
destroyer, the Icarus, made two such trips. On these trips the 18 destroyers
embarked and transported to England 10,694 troops of which 6,198 were
lifted from the beaches and 4,506 from Dunkirk harbour. Nine minesweepers⁶
together lifted 2,426 troops from the beaches although one of them, the Albury
did not land her troops in England until the next day.⁷ Among other ships
which brought back troops from the beaches was the cruiser Calcutta with
1,200.
The record of troops landed in England now stood as follows :-
From the
From the
Total for
beaches
harbour
the day
26th May
Nil
Nil
Nil
27th May
Nil
7,669
7,669
28th May
5,930
11,874
17,804
29th May
13,752
33,558
47,310
I Report by Chantecler.
40,724. This figure probably puts does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
3 2 D.R., D.R. p.11, which para. incidentally 38. the total of troops and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Javelin, Malcolm, Express, Verity, Wolsey and Marmion
Royal 5 The Daffodil, Anthony, Royal Codrington, Sovereign, Esk, Scotia, and Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Worcester. Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess Sabre, of Scimitar, Fife, Emperor Shikari, of Vanquisher, India, Fitzroy, Halcyon, Hebe, Leda,
and Sharpshooter.
7 See Table 3, in conjunction with the reports of ships' proceedings in Vol. II.
54

Details

CHAP. VI
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Ramsgate at 2200/29. situated over the engine. capable of 4 knots, also and left
Dutch eel-boats Johanna The Chantecler was only M.B. Golden Lily The
and returned to harbour; and the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
and brought back lost troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
and round"¹. She 30 The Johanna did not on the 30th and
compass which was reached the beaches, however, revolved at 0900 slowly round her
Ramsgate on the morning on that day she was towed
she had no charts, of way the 30th May. Later darkness, and returned to
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers and with failure to
The 29th May closed with a formidable available list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences achieve
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
were in fact transported.²
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
Nevertheless, 47,310 troops (including some 2,000 casualties) were landed
in England on the 29th May (see Table 2), 13,752 having been lifted from the
beaches and 33,558 from the harbour. Only about 11/2 per cent of these were
French troops³, whose organised evacuation had not yet begun. (See Appen-
dices Y.2 to Y.5).
During the morning and forenoon of the 29th May, when there was no
bombing of Dunkirk harbour, 1Q personnel vessels⁴ lifted 14,760 troops from
the east pier; during the afternoon, in spite of the bombing, the Canterbury
lifted a further 1,960.
The development of beach evacuation is indicated by the fact that nearly
2½ times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers⁵
each made one round trip during the 24 hours of the 29th May and an eighteenth
destroyer, the Icarus, made two such trips. On these trips the 18 destroyers
embarked and transported to England 10,694 troops of which 6,198 were
lifted from the beaches and 4,506 from Dunkirk harbour. Nine minesweepers6
together lifted 2,426 troops from the beaches although one of them, the Albury
did not land her troops in England until the next day.⁷ Among other ships
which brought back troops from the beaches was the cruiser Calcutta with
1,200.
The record of troops landed in England now stood as follows :-
From the
From the
Total for
beaches
harbour
the day
26th May
Nil
Nil
Nil
27th May
Nil
7,669
7,669
28th May
5,930
11,874
17,804
29th May
13,752
33,558
47,310
I Report by Chantecler.
3 D.R., which incidentally puts the total of and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
2 D.R. p.11, para. 38.
40,724. This figure probably does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
4 The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George troops V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Royal Daffodil, Royal Sovereign, Scotia, and
Javelin, Malcolm, Sabre, Scimitar, Verity, Wolsey and Worcester. Marmion
5 The Anthony, Codrington, Esk, Express, Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess of Fife, Emperor Shikari, of Vanquisher, India, Fitzroy, Halcyon, Hebe, Leda,
and Sharpshooter.
7 See Table 3, in conjunction with the reports of ships' proceedings in Vol. II.
54

Details

SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
CHAP. IX
move westward with boats in tow in the direction of Dunkirk, towards which
the troops were now marching from La Panne.
The first loaded ship to leave Dunkirk seems to have been the Whippingham,
in time of peace an Isle of Wight paddle ferry boat belonging to the Southern
Railway. She had been embarking troops alongside the mole since 2200 on
the previous day, and when she cast off at 0130 on 1st with 2,700 troops on
board she was overladen and her sponsons were only about a foot above water.
Disaster nearly overwhelmed her at the start, when she was straddled by shell
fire and the troops rushed over to the port side, causing the ship to list 20°.
Fortunately, the sea was calm. The chief mechanician (Ch. Mech. 2nd C1.
F. A. Ford) checked the rush, moved the troops back to starboard, and thereby
probably saved the ship.
Another early sailer was the personnel vessel Lady of Mann, who proceeded
at 0430 for Dover, with 1500 casualties. The hospital carriers St. Andrew and
St. Julien disembarked in England this day 130 and 287 wounded, respectively,
after which no more hospital ships brought wounded from Dunkirk. Space
alongside the large-ship berths was too valuable to be occupied by hospital
ships, and walking wounded went with the troops, whilst those that could not
walk had to be left behind.
The personnel ship Maid of Orleans berthed at the East Mole at about 0330
and for 6 hours, most of the time under air attack, she acted as a floating
stage for the embarkation of troops on board the destroyers Icarus, Vanquisher
and Windsor, whose upper decks were far below the top of the mole. The
pier was crowded and as many troops as possible were embarked over mess
tables rigged across the "B" gun decks of inside ships to the outside vessel.
The Vanquisher was the first of the three to leave, at 0630 with 1200 troops.
An hour later the Icarus and Windsor sailed in company, with 1,114 and 493
troops respectively. Finally, at about 0900 the Maid of Orleans herself pro-
ceeded, during an air attack, with 1,856 troops, which, like the destroyers, she
disembarked at Dover. In six trips, once being diverted without completing
the trip and once returning on account of collision, the Maid of Orleans had
transported in all 5,461 men; but this was her last crossing, for when leaving
Dover again for Dunkirk at 2030 that day she was rammed amidships by the
destroyer Worcester returning from Dunkirk with manoeuvrability impaired
through damage to propellers and rudder, caused by air attack at 1630 in
which she had 6 men killed and 40 wounded, and shot down two enemy air-
craft. No lives were lost in the collision, but the Maid of Orleans was too
badly damaged to continue her voyage. For the Worcester, too, this was
the final crossing she had evacuated 4,545 troops in 6 trips.
Other destroyers were embarking troops at the same time alongside Dunkirk
pier. The Vivacious, after being dive-bombed whilst waiting to enter harbour,
went alongside at 0630, embarked 475 troops in a quarter of an hour, and
sailed again for Dover at 0645. The Winchelsea was bombed at 0745 and again
at 0830, but was not damaged, and she sailed at 0830 with 1150 troops on
board.
Despite vicious air attacks, the embarkation of troops continued. The
gunboat Locust, after embarking troops for four hours from Malo beach in her
whalers, having no power boat, moved to Dunkirk at 0415 and took on board
a further 500 at the east pier under air attack before sailing for Dover at 0610.
The corvette Kingfisher left the east pier at 1130 with 210 troops and some
wounded, embarked under almost continuous high level bombing.
There were times, however, during the day when the harbour was deserted.
87

Details

SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
CHAP. IX
SUNK BY E-BOAT TORPEDOES.
Trawlers Argyllshire, Stella Dorado.
SUNK BY MINES.
Trawler St. Achilleus, small craft Renown.
SUNK BY GUNFIRE.
Drifter Lord Cavan.
SUNK BY COLLISION OR OTHER MISADVENTURE.
Drifters Eileen Emma, Fair Breeze, Gervais Rentoul.
Yachts Amulree, Pellag II.
Barges Aidie, Barbara Jean, Duchess, Ethel Everard, Lark, Royalty.
Small craft, number unknown.
DAMAGED BY AIR ATTACK.
Destroyers Ivanhoe, Worcester.
Minesweepers Ross, Salamander, Westward-Ho.
Corvette Kingfisher.
Personnel vessel Prague.
DAMAGED BY MINE.
Hospital carrier St. David.
DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE.
One trawler, name uncertain.
DAMAGED BY COLLISION OR GROUNDING
Destroyer Vimy.
Personnel vessel Maid of Orleans.
The evacuation figures for the day
Little ships added their quotas to those of the big ships, though not without
casualties they suffered heavy losses from collision or other misadventure,
although in the circumstances it was not always possible to obtain details
(See App. B.I.)
On this day there were lifted from the beaches and from Dunkirk harbour :
by motor boats and the like 2334 persons, by hopper barges 1470, by tugs 736,
by yachts 1,831, by skoots 3,170, of which almost all were from the beaches,
by special service vessels 1,250, by drifters 2,968, and by trawlers 1,876 prac-
tically all of whom were lifted from Dunkirk harbour. French ships lifted
3,967, Belgian trawlers 402, and a Dutch yacht 114; all troops evacuated by
foreign ships were embarked in Dunkirk harbour, none coming from the beaches.
Though losses of ships had been highest this day the total of troops lifted was
the second highest of the operation, no less than 64,429 being landed in England.
Of these, 47,081 had been embarked in Dunkirk harbour and 17,348 from the
beaches.
95

Details

ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATION
CHAP. XIII,
1ST JUNE. Beaches. The climax of boat shortage occurred on this day, and
" increasing enemy air attack caused continual interruptions of embarkation
on the beaches and in Dunkirk ' (D.R. P. 25). The disastrous figures reflect
the serious situation that developed on the beaches about 2030 on the 31st
May, when the rate of embarkation fell to about 150 an hour owing to shortage
of boats.
Harbour. The interruptions caused by air attacks and shelling undoubtedly
accounted partly for the poor rate of lift. A further factor was the berthing of
destroyers two or three deep at the East Pier. It is true that some destroyers
filled up in less than an hour the Vivacious, for example, out of 35 minutes
spent in Dunkirk, was alongside the East Pier for only 15 minutes, during which
time she took on board 475 men; and the Shikari needed only 20 minutes to
embark 623 troops. On the other hand, owing to the state of the tide, the
personnel vessel Maid of Orleans spent 51 hours at the East Pier acting as a
floating pontoon for destroyers, while the outermost destroyer, the Windsor,
spent nearly 15 hours alongside.
2ND JUNE. No daylight evacuations took place after the 1st June, all took
place at night.
Beaches. The average lift and waiting time were both much below normal.
There were more ships lying off the beaches than could be loaded by the boats
available; consequently, scarcely a single ship left with a full load of troops.
The rate of lift, however, was average.
Harbour. The night of the Ist-2nd June saw the introduction of planned
arrival and berthing of ships at Dunkirk. This resulted in a marked improve-
ment in the average lift, which was almost the best of the entire operation.
3RD JUNE. The increase in average time spent at Dunkirk during the night
of the 2nd-3rd June over the previous night was probably accounted for by
the difficulties experienced by ships in going alongside the East Pier. The
figure was worsened by the fact that, owing to the cessation of the flow of
French troops to the East Pier after the embarkation of the British rear-
guard at 2330 on the 2nd, five destroyers had to be sent back to England
practically empty.
4th JUNE. Owing to chaotic conditions in Dunkirk harbour time waiting to
berth averaged no less than 100 minutes. Pauses in the flow of French troops
to the piers, and the impossibility of inducing them to embark in quick and
orderly manner (which latter factor had also operated on the previous night)
sufficed to depress the rate of lift from the high averages of the two previous
nights, to the norm for the operation.
Discipline
No instances of naval indiscipline came to light. But in an operation where
the level of initiative was very high an unaccountably heavy wastage of small
boats occurred from lack of boatkeepers. There were undoubtedly instances
where small boats which were brought off from shore to ship manned only by
troops, drifted away and were lost after the troops climbed out of them, owing
to the omission to put boatkeepers into them.
The state of discipline of the troops had a direct bearing on the rate of
embarkation. In the early stages of the operation the troops on the beaches
were mainly rear units and indiscipline occurred. The arrival of combatant
127

Details

Details

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX D
SIGNALS RE BUILD-UP OF DESTROYERS
BETWEEN 27th MAY AND 1st JUNE
Note (i)
The 213 signals in Appendices D to Z have been collated from the
some 370 which 2,500 accompanies Dynamo Admiralty signals in Record Admiralty Office Record Case 5458. Office Enclosure copies Box No. of
Note
(ii)
Command, 10 British destroyers-were employed of the Dover Command,
15 destroyers from from the the Portsmouth Nore Command, Command, 10 from and 6 the Western Approaches
total of 41 in Operation Dynamo.
Monday, 27th May
1. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY (R) C.-in-C. Nore
but not at the expense of Nore Command.
Request Dover Forces may be strengthened forthwith by six additional destroyers
1036/27
2. ADMIRALTY to C.-in-C. WESTERN APPROACHES, C.-in-C. PORTSMOUTH (R) Vice-
Dover. Admiral Dover, C.-in-C. Nore, C.-in-C. Home Fleet, F.O.I.C. Humber, R.A
Request four destroyers from Western Approaches and two from Portsmouth be
sailed for Dover as soon as possible.
1317/27
3. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Grafton (R) S.O. 10th M.S.F., Greyhound, Calcutta.
Close beach in vicinity of La Panne at 0100 and send in boats for British troops.
You should withdraw at your discretion and anyhow not later than 0330. Paddle
minesweepers and small craft will be in vicinity. Acknowledge.
2054/27
[V.A. Dover informed (between 2015 and 2055/27) that embarkation was only
possible from the beaches, and that evacuation on the night of 28th-29th May
was problematical (see Apps. M.3 and M.4) ].
4. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Grafton, Greyhound, Blyskawica (R) S.O. 10th M.S.F.
Close the beach at La Panne at 0100 tomorrow Tuesday and embark all possible
British troops using your boats. This is our last chance of saving them.
2127/27
4a.
2242/27 : I The Polish destroyer Blyskawica was not in company but she replied at
We have two pulling boats only. Can accommodate 3 in each
Monday, 27th May
5. VICE-ADMIRAL, Impulsive. DOVER to Gallant, Vivacious, Windsor, Vimy, Calcutta, Anthony.
all them. possible British troops using boats. last chance of saving
Close beaches one to three miles east of Dunkirk with utmost despatch and embark
Maid of Orleans, Lormont, your 17 drifters own and other This craft is our will be operating. 2142/27
6. VICE-ADMIRAL, 17 drifters DOVER to Wolfhound, Wolsey.
Direct arriving Dunkirk tonight
to beaches as necessary.
2158/27
7. VICE-ADMIRAL, Close DOVER to Vimy.
and embark the beaches one to three miles Tuesday
saving them. all possible British troops using east of your Dunkirk boats. at This 0100 is tomorrow our last chance of
2238/27
162

Details

INDEX
Lord Southborough, 60, 69, 83.
Lorina, sunk, 45.
Louise-Irene, 73n.
Louise Marie, 62n.
Lucian Gougy, 107n.
Lusyne, Capt. P., 116.
Lutteur, 62.
Lydd, 28n, 36-7, 44, 52, 100-1, 103.
Lydie-Susanne, 73.
M.41, 73n.
McClelland, Lt. Cdr. J. W., 59n, 75-7 (work at La Panne).
McCullough, Lt. Cdr., 59n.
Mackay, 20n, 27, 35-6 (put out of action).
MacKewn, Lt. A. R., R.N.R., takes over St. Seriol, 48.
McRea, Lt. H. C. J., 37.
Maid of Orleans, 16-17, 22n, 24, 31n, 54n, 87 (damaged), 127.
Mainwaring, Lt. A. H., killed, 93.
Ma Joie, 60n.
Malabar, 85.
Malcolm, 28n, 54n, 55, 62 (makes two trips on 30th May), 83 (collides with Dunkirk pier),
109 (sent back empty), 112n, 114n, 116, 118.
Malden Annie IV, abandoned, 72.
Malet, Pilote, 73.
Malines, 29n, 37.
Mallard, 34, 99, 104.
Mallow, 88.
Malo, see Beaches.
Manxman, 29n, 54n, 102, 114n.
March, Mr. F. J., 47.
Maréchal Foch, sunk, 116.
Maretta, damaged, 13.
Margaux, 73.
Marie, 74.
Marlborough, 72n.
Marmion, 28n, 54n, 100-1, 107n, 109.
Marrack, Capt. H. R., 74.
Marsayru, adventures of, 72-3.
Mary Rose, sunk, 72.
Mary Scott, 100.
M.A./S.B.6, 52 (sinks Minikoi), 66-7 (takes Lord Gort to Dover), 75.
M.A./S.B.7, 111-112 (in operation CK.).
LA./S.B,10, 101-2, 108, 119.
Massey Shaw, 119.
Maund, Cdr. G. O., speeds up embarkation, 63-64; leads ships into Dunkirk, 101.
Medical Parties, sent across, 49.
Medway Queen, 23n, 27, 31, 100-1, 105, 107n, 109, 114n.
Merchant Navy, see Civilians.
Mermaiden, 72n.
Meuse, 114n.
M.F.H., 72n.
Michael Stevens, 107n.
Midas, 23n, 107n.
Mines and mining, British, 34; German, 38, 93, 110; French, 62-3.
Minikoi, sunk 52.
Ministry of Sea Transport, 21.
Ministry of Shipping, 5.
Minotaur, 72n.
Mirasol, 53.
Mistral, 39, 40n, 41 (damaged), 43.
Monarda, 71n.
Mona's Isle, 16, 19.
Mona's Queen, 16, 28, 31n, 38 (sunk).
Montgomery, Maj.-Gen. B. L., 2, 75, 77 (embarks).
Morrison, P. O., 72.
Montrose, 20n, 27, 32n, 36 (put out of action).
202

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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

Tune,
31 B
CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during
operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the
operation, and two were damaged in collision.
Of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had
been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2 MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST. HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3 AUTO CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of
these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo
started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour
in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the
situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, but discovered some
of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put
an officer and some seamen and stokers on board to augment and
stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed
and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing
troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an
armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and
did not sail again.
4.
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she
should have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her
fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail
again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on
the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if
required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from
the master of the MALINES last night to say him and
the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it
apt R.
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been
continually on their feet all the week and especially
the deck officers who have had to be on their feet
for 30 long. I myself have had 4. hours rest for th
week and am at present physically unfit for another
trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely
necessary to go I will abide with the masters of the
other ships decision.
i
P.S. There is two more of the crew going ashore now
g
absolutely nervous wrecks and certified By the naval
ER
doctor.
In/
rized.

Details

June,
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 3.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
remaining; she started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On
return, the original Captain rejoined with some of the original
crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain
reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not
considered necessary to wait for the engineers and the Master
and crew disembarked and the new crew provided for the second
time. Before further use could be made of her, however, the
evacuation terminated.
9. The MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second
voyage to Dunkirk, and the FENELLA was bombed and sunk on her
first voyage.
10. The MALINES who had completed two trips, refused to
sail on the 1st, left Dover at 1600 on the 2nd without orders and
was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southampton.
11. It was felt that trouble might occur in the ST.HELIER
and PRINCESS MAUD, and accordingly a naval party was put on
board to supplement the ships crews, and in consequence no
trouble occurred.
12. The outstanding ships were the MAID OF ORLEANS 6 trips,
one being diverted without completing the trip, and once
returning due to collision. ROYAL DAFFODIL 7 trips, on one of
which she was turned back by a French destroyer -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN 6 trips
KING GEORGE V
5 trips
COTE d'ARGENT
5 trips
ST. HELIER
4 trips after having refused to
158 rgdl
sail once.
PRAGUE
3 trips with full loads, bombed,
85mght
severely damaged and
beached on the last return
trip.
13. Eleven other ships were concerned in the Operation,
details of which are as follows:
27th May BIARRITZ
27th May
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
ARCHANGEL
27th May
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
QUEEN OF THE
Sunk by bombing attack.
CHANNEL
28th May
LORINA
Sunk by bombing attack.
29th May
NORMANIA
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May LOCH GARRY
One trip.
28th May SCOTIA
One trip.
2nd June
THE
28th May KILLARNEY
Sunk by bombing attack.
One trip.
2nd June ROUEN
One trip.
2nd and 3rd
Acapt R.
June AUTO CARRIER
Two trips.
2nd and 3rd
June NEWHAVEN
Two trips.
fice of
Enclosure:-
g Officer Commanding,
Details of Personnel
ER.
Ships used.
2 June, 1940.
authorized.

Details

Details

127
COPY.
S.S. MAID OF ORLEANS
60
Southampton
June 20th '40.
R.P. Biddle Esq.,
Docks and Marine Mngr.
Southampton.
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. FROM DUNKIRK.
Sir,
On May 26th, this vessel received orders to proceed to Dunkirk.
Prior to leaving 6.000 (2 gall) cans of water were put aboard for use
of troops at that port, together with other stores, cases of maps etc.
A detachment of troops 250 in number, consisting of details of A.S.C.
Signals etc. were also embarked. Left Dover at 1100 and proceeded to
Dunkirk, taking the short sea route. Came under fire from a battery
near Calais. Shells although falling cloas. registered no hits on
the ship.
Arrived off Dunkirk, but did not enter port, but returned to
Dover, arriving off the port during the afternoon.
Received orders to return to Dunkirk, this time with an escort
and arrived off there at about 1730. Entered and berthed alongside
Mona's Queen at the Gare Maritime. She was already loaded with
troops and we could not discharge until she had pulled out, thus
allowing us to go alongside the quay to land the water and stores.
There was no interference from aircraft, probably due to the
fact that a thick pall of smoke covered the ship from the oil
reservoirs burning nearby. All hands then discharged the cans of
water. This was done by forming a chain quay from the Well deck to
the gangway. Work proceeded until an order from the quay was given
to stop. The water supply being considered sufficient. Troops were
embarked and the ship left about 0300.
Some difficulty was experienced on leaving owing to the low
state of water and the port propeller was slightly damaged on vessel
sunk in fairway. The total number carried on this trip was 988,
including 8 civilians. Arrived at Dover at 0600 and discharged.
The same afternoon (May 27th) we returned to Dunkirk, but on
arrival at the Roads received orders from the S.T.O. Dunkirk
(transmitted by S.S. CANTERBURY) not to enter, so returned to Dover
and anchored in Harbour.
On the morning of the 29th May, at 0437, returned to Dunkirk,
and berthed alongside East Mole, as far inshore as possible. Shifted
ship three times as tide ebbed making inner berths at pier untenable.
Vessel was alongside about five hours, during which time the pier
was shelled. On leaving, passed through an area where a submarine
hunt was in progress. Stopped off Nieuport and picked up two French
officers who were attempting crossing in a small open boat.
The vessel was subjected to bombing attacks. Arrived at Dover
and discharged the 1372 troops carried and which included a number
of stretcher cases. On May 30th, at 2145 we left again for Dunkirk
and arrived at the East Mole at approximately 0100. The only berth
now usable being the one at the extreme end as the pier had been
subjected to heavy damage from shell fire and bombs.
Embarked 37 Officers and 1216 O.R. (including 42 stretcher cases)
The/

Details

126
62
COPY.
S.S. "MAID OF ORLEANS".
13.6.40.
To
R.P. Biddle, Esq.,
Docks and Marine Manager,
Southern Railway,
Southampton.
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. FROM DUNKERQUE.
Sir,
I have to report that with reference to the above, I made two
trips to Dunkerque. About 1500 Officers and men were carried.
On the first trip, I left Dover with 250 Officers and men, and also
about 30,000 cans of fresh water. There was no escort, and when
shelled by an enemy coastal battery, two Hospital ships bound for
after arriving off the French coast just East of Calais, I was heavily
Dunkerque, under the same shelling, returned to Dover, but I carried
on up to the West Pass approaching Dunkerque. There was an extensive
Air Raid in progress on the Port and I was being bombed myself. I
was unable to effect an entrance and returned to Dover, being shelled
again on route, and after about 2 hours returned to Dunkerque
accompanied by a Destroyer. On arriving in the West Pass approaching
the Port, both vessels were bombed and machine gunned, but this time
I managed to get in, with difficulty owing to the pall of dense smoke
blowing across thefairway. Fresh water cans were landed, being man -
handled by all available ships' Company. Officers and men were
embarked and I returned to Dover, was again bombed along the French
coastal route.
I made no more trips to Dunkerque as owing to previous pressure
of work, acting on medical advice, was obliged to report sick,
suffering from exhaustion.
the
I
am,
Sir,
the
Yours obediently.
for
A.E. Larkins.
Master.
left
20.30,
by
P.T.O

Details

125
R.P. Biddle, Esq.,
Docks & Marine Manager,
H.M.T. "CANTERBURY"
63
Southampton.
14th June, 1940.
Dear Sir,
hereunder 19th details of the work performed by this June, I the
In response to your requests of the 7th and 10th give
from May to 4th June inclusive. In addition to vessel, the from
At 00.04 Canterbury was present during the operations at the Hook Havre, Holland.
the the French ports of Boulogne, Calais, Dunkerque evacuations and Le
19/5
owing arriving to alongside at 05.48 and laid there under steam Cherbourg (2 hours
on the 19th May vessel left Southampton for of
20/5 Weymouth 11.25 on the 20th vessel left for Weymouth, were
and at refugee train being 24 hours late. 1264 Refugees embarked notice)
Roads from 15.45 to 16.44 when she proceeded anchoring to in
Pier arriving at alongside 17.45. After disembarking passengers, Weymouth vessel Pier
Oiler at 20.45 and steamed to Portland Harbour, going alongside left
21/5
at in Harbour, 0620, anchor watches were set and steam maintained. ship
21.39. Oiling commenced at 22.43 and at 2300 anchored R.F.A.
proceeding afterwards going alongside Oiler 15.49 Dover Harbour then
at 1500, vessel left anchorage for Dover and anchored in On 21st.
19.35. direct to Boulogne at 17.50, arriving at No. refuelling and
assistance Conditions in Boulogne were very difficult, low 4 berth at
from the embarked. During these operations Boulogne was a struggle attacked
troops as regards mooring, this was achieved after water and and no
air. On completion of embarkation, vessel left being at
22/5
were arriving at anchorage in Dover Harbour at 22.08 when anchor 20.18
were at the Admiralty Pier, when the troops, numbering 529,
and berthed set and steam maintained. At 05.25 on the 22nd ship left watches anchorage
13.20. embarked 571 officers and men and arrived at No. the at
meantime disembarked. At 11.52 vessel left forCalais, having in
loaded, Troops were landed and 198 refugees, prisoners and 4 berth
at when vessel left for Dover at 16.20, anchoring in wougded Harbour
23/5
The prisoners were disembarked, this being completed in 24
the 1748, thence to Ferry jetty at 19.42. At 20.46, the wounded Dover and
not refugees were kept on board until 04.00 on the 23rd, and minutes. it
at the until 06.15 that the ship was finally discharged. Ship was
24/5 when she proceeded to No.3 berth Admiralty Pier. At 07.30
24th, Ferry Jetty under immediate steaming orders until 03.30 remained on the
embarkation of troops commenced, but at 21.30 orders were received
25/5 left the night until 11.00 on the 25th. At 14.46 on this day, the
discharge equipment and personnel, the operation continuing throughout to
batteries for Dunkirk, arriving at 17.09 after being shelled by German vessel shore
26/5 then 18.50, arrived Dover No.2 berth 2131 and thence to anchor at 24.00,
at on route. After embarking 1246 troops, vessel left Dunkirk
shore. Dover for Dunkirk. German batteries again opened fire from the she
left remained under immediate steam until 1758 on the 26th, when
at Arriving at Dunkirk ship was berthed outside the"MAID OF ORLEANS'
27/5
bombing and by enemy aircraft being continuous. 1340 troops were loaded
20.30. Loading operations were carried out under difficulties,
discharged vessel left Dunkirk at 00.20 arriving Dover No. 4 berth at
by 05.10, when immediate steam was maintained until 14.38 03.09,
when she again left for Dunkirk. Arriving Dunkirk at 20.00, 457
troops were embarked, the majority of these were wounded and included
active. When leaving at 20.58 orders were received from the S.T.O.
140 stretcher cases, conditions were again bad, enemy aircraft being
to turn back to their base any vessel attempting to enter Dunkirk,
this instruction was conveyed to two Hospital Carriers and one Transport
28/5
During the crossing, enemy aircraft continually dropped paraghute flares
at various points along the route. Arriving at Dover, at 02.25,
disembarkation commenced and continued until 05.45, all hands being
engaged in this duty. Left berth at 05.45 for Ferry Jetty, left Ferry
Jetty 12.00 and went to No.4 berth to oil. Left No.4 berth at 16.30
to berth at Ferry Jetty. All this time ship wasunder full steam.
At 17.00, lacking receipt of orders, I decided to shut down with a view
to giving the crew some rest and granted partial leave. On the morning
of the 29th, the Chi ef Officer and the Chief Engineer reported sick
being/
P.T.O

Details

198 STATE STATE
124
65
TOWAY
H.M.T. "BIARRITZ".
OF
OTY
ate 7th June, 1940.
teport on:- Narrative of Events 26th May - 4th June 1940.
NOOD
26th May
Standing by for orders.
as
27th May
Left Dover about 4.30.a.m. en route to Dunkerque
at approx. 05.40, whilst steaming along the French coast 6
of
miles E.N.E. of Calais, enemy batteries opened fire. A considerable
number of shells exploded near this vessel and as far as can be ascertained
she was struck by 4 sustaining the following damage.
Shell plating (port and starboard) pierced in way of forward boiler room;
Steam pipe and various fittings in boiler room damaged. Shell plating
(starboard) pierced in way 1st. Class Smoke Room. Damage to woodwork
and fittings in Smoke Room, main deck flat and Chief Steward's Cabin.
Bulwark plating (starboard) amidships pierced twice. Shells
exploding in starboard lounge deck wrecking interior of state cabins
A and B, severely damaging cabins Nos. 9 and 10. Cabin casing, lounge
deck, windows, decking and woodwork in vicinity badly damaged.
No. 4 boat, stern post fractured and boat planking split. A number
of smouldering life jackets jettisoned.
The following members of the crew were injured:-
Albert Phillips, Fireman - - left thigh and shoulder
Archibald Crofts, 2nd. Steward - wound in back.
John Groves - slight wound in leg.
The ship was turned and headed back to Dover, having to cross a
mine field to get out of range of the enemy gunfire.
The vessel was berthed alongside the Admiralty Pier, No. I berth
at 09.11 and two of the wounded, A. Phillips, and A. Crofts, were taken
to Dover Hospital where A. Phillips died during the night of the 27th May.
At 17.00 this vessel was towed into the Granville Dock by the
tugs "CORDIA" and "BRASSEY".
Temporary repairs carried out.
29th May
30th May. 07.15 Cleared Granville Dock, and proceededto Southampton
to complete repairs, docked Inner Dock, Southampton,
19.40.
1-4 June Under repair at Southampton.
N.B. This vessel with the "Maid of Orleans" was under heavy enemy
shell fire when off Boulogne on 23rd May, but sustained no damage.
(Signed) W.H. Baker,
Master.

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

THEREOF
51
COPY.
H.M.H.C. "st.Julien",
OUTS
Newhaven,
as
13th June, 1940.
GREATE
175
D.G. Hoppins Esq.,
Weymouth Quay.
100%
Dear Sir,
TOTAL
I beg to report the following incidents which took
place while the above was engaged as a Hospital Carrier.
We left Southampton on the 23rd May and proceeded
to Dover for orders: on arrival we received orders to
anchor in the Downs.
On the 24th we received orders to proceed to Dunkirk
and when close to the Inner locks Dunkirk Harbour the ship
was heavily bombed, bombs falling a matter of 20 feet away.
Fortunately the tide was low and apart from a shaking, the
vessel was not damaged. As no people could be seen, I
hailed French Soldiers and asked where we had to berth, but
things began to get hot, so I decided to back out and return
to Dover. I counted 17 planes sowing destruction.
On arrival off Dover, I reported the incident to the
examination boat and after a lapse of 2 hours I received
orders to proceed to Dunkirk, "St. Andrew" following and Air
escort provided. This was done without incident. On
arrival, Crew assisted in loading patients and leaving, as
the "St.Andrew" had no charts for the particular route,
I laid off and waited for her. On our return journey, when
off Calais West we were shelled by Shore Batteries, the
shells falling over us, the elevation being slightly too
high. I sent a message to South Foreland and was answered.
We were ordered to Newhaven and landed Patients. The
Green Lights and Red Cross were plainly exhibited.
Temporary 3rd Officer Rowlands left on account of vessel
not being armed.
25th. Left Newhaven and anchored in the Downs.
26th. Received orders to proceed to Dunkirk in company with
the Andrew". When off Dyck Light Vessel Ualais, we met
the "Maid of Orleans", and firing from Shore Batteries began
on the three ships, and as it was not possible to pass this
place without serious risk of damage, as I was in the lead
I swung round, and zigzagging the whole time until out of
range, incident. I returned by an unauthorised route and reported the
27th. We left the Downs, receiving orders to proceed to
Dunkirk. Not having a Chart we followed the Helier",
ed
"Royal Daffodil", and "St.Andrew" following in the rear. We
et
were attacked by bombs and aerial torpedoes when off
Middlekirk Bank Buoy. These fell very close to the ship
of
but no damage was done. When we arrived off Dunkirk it
con
was absolutely impossible to enter on account of the bombing
th
by relays. Even to remain in the vicinity as we were told
af
we were a good target, so all ships returned to the Downs.
28th. At anchor.