Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

MADAME POMPADOUR M/B (Owner,
Lt.Col. H.E.Day)
Lt.Cdr. Faulkner, R.N.R.
Retd.
Mr. Morley Lawson, Engr.
1st June
p.m.
Left Maidstone for Sheerness.
2nd June
a.m.
Arrived Sheerness.
-
Sailed for Ramsgate in company with a
tug which was towing ship's lifeboats;
(the life boats had to be cut adrift-
en route).
1800ca
Arrived Ramsgate.
1900ca
Sailed for Dunkirk, with two pulling
$
boats in tow.
-
One of the P/B's became swamped, and
was cut adrift.
2200ca
Unable to make Dunkirk within the
prescribed time limit, the Madame
Pompadour was ordered to return to
Ramsgate.
[Lt. Cdr. Faulkner went to Dunkirk on 3rd June
in the Clacton life boat Edward Z Dresden. ]
Authority - TO.9144/41.

Details

616
OG of the m.v.s "SEINE" Official No.160693 of Roohester.
580
j
8
Crow :-
Master - C.V. Cogger.
Mate - H.L. Stafford.
Engineer L. Godden.
Deck Hands J. Lawson and J. Kirby.
May 22nd 1940
Sailed from Rochester at 7. O-a.m. for S.R.O. Jetty,
ednesday
Deptford, for stores for North France; arrived
579
HEAD OFFICE
MAIDSTONE OFFICE
BRICK WORKS
REGISTERED OFFICE
TELEGRAMS "BARGES" ROCHESTER
EARL STREET
OTTERHAM QUAY
12 13. WATER LANE. E.C.S.
TELEPHONE: STROOD 7295-6-7
TELEPHONE
RAINHAM. KENT
TELEPHONE ROYAL 421415
NEAREST STATION STROOD.SOUTHERN RY
MAIDSTONE 4022.3
TEL
TELEGRAMS COASTING BILGATE
LONDON & ROCHESTER TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
DIRECTORS: E.A.GILL M.I.N.A. GILL A.A.HUTSON PEARSON
BRICK MANUFACTURERS
SAILING & MOTOR SHIPOWNERS
CANAL ROAD
SAND BALLAST
LIGHTERMEN AND
GRAVEL AND
GENERAL FREIGHTAGE
CONTRACTORS
ROCHESTER
GENERAL MERCHANTS
DATE
OUR REF
YOUR REF.
EAG/CC
15th June 1940
Commander L.F.N. Ommaney.
Assistant King's Harbour Master,
H.M. Dockyard,
CHATHAM.
Dear Commander Ommaney,
You said you would like to have a sight
of the reports of our men who were employed on the Dunkirk
episode.
Three of our auxiliary barges the were service so
the employed, in touch "CABBY" with the was him "THYRA" ordered a to Coaster find "PUDGE" Southwards In out addition of what and about report. "CABBY". he so 220 to we did. these, tons have d.w. been After our motor was unable also vessel to get
employed "SEINE" which and I is enclose also, his consider they are worth the them notice on
of the C. in C. perhaps you If you will be good enough to pass
to him.
Yours sincerely,
VICE ADMIRAL
payid
27 JUN 1940
*
DOVER

Details

583
On the Sunday June 2nd. we were loaded up with stores with orders
6
to tow to Dunkirk and slip the barge into Harbour and leave her,
which order was cancelled during Sunday morning, and on Monday
morning they discharged the cargo again and I was ordered on
Monday afternoon to proceed to Strood, arriving at 10.30 on
Tuesday night, the 4th June under sail.
Wages received - Master £8.8s.10d.
Mate £5.14s.1d.
All the time we were at or near the shore, from 5. 0 a.m. to 2. 0 p.m.
enemy bombing continually went on and we were the target for machine
gunfire three times but luckily missed the fire. About 12 noon
ten R.A.F. Fighters came over and drove off about 30 bombers. I
SaW them shoot down four. Although all sorts of guns were firing
all round, not one piece of shrapnel fell on board. But five bombs
fell very close between us and a trawler on the way back and the
barge was lifted out of the water about a foot.
ed
Damage to barge in sundry places, grazed and spintered, bollard
on the port bow badly strained and also on the starboard quarter.
The engine was also damaged,
1 - 7" and 2 - - 4" Bass ropes broken.
My full name and address is :-
Edward Walter "Rosme", Filley. 86 Jersey Road, Strood. Kent.
Mate's name :- James Doherty.
87 Dickens Road, Maidstone.

Details

219
LETTER OF 6TH JUNE 1940 FROM THE OFFICER IN CHARGE NO.3.
PARTY R.N. BARRACKS, CHATHAM, to VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
II.
8. Hospital Ship "St. Julien". It was reported that the crew of this
ship were very tired and shaken and required assistance in working the ship.
A party of twenty-two hands under ub.Lieutenant Radoliffe, R.N.V.R. was sent
for this purpose, half of whom were to assist in the engine-room. The crew
were very willing and the Naval party lent practical and moral support. The
ship proceeded to Dunkirk on May 31st, where she arrived at 0850 and went
alongside the pier. She remained there until 1015 and was under heavy fire
during the whole of this time. All the Naval ratings except the Stokers on
watch were ashore bringing off stretcher cases. No casualties were sustained.
Licutenant Radeliffe was himself ashore carrying stretchers and was the
last man on board having Seen all his men had returned.
9.
FOLKESTONE. At 0500 on Sunday 2nd June, 1940, it was reported that three ships -
"Malines" S.S. "Ben-my-Chree" S.S. "Tynewald" - were giving trouble. An
armed S.S. party under Petty Officer Hollingsworth was sent over to take guard leave duties
these ships. The Patty Officer had instructions that no-one was to
the ships were sent out to anchorage. Nothing untoward occurred before
on these ships under any circumstances. Shortly after the arrival of this party 1400
when a relief party under Leading Stoker Booth took over duties.
At 1850 8.5. "Ben-my-Chree" came alongaide the jetty. Three sentries-
A.B. the remainder being posted at intervals along the ship. As the ship was leave
Clithero, 0.Smn. Tomlinson, As Cook Blackman - were placed on the ganguay, being
berthed the crew were demonstrating and shouting that they were going to their
the and on the brow. being run out they attempted to do so with the brow. Rits.
Leading The crew thereupon returned on board at once, where they remained
ship, Stoker Booth ordered his nen to come on guard and advance up until the
relief crew arrived.
to leave the 3.8. ship, but contented themselves with shouting abuse at the sentries. then
"Tynewald" came alongside at 1910. The orew did not attempt
Relief crews leave. Complete lists of their names and addresses were ordered.
for these two ships arrived at 1950, and the old crews were taken and
given allowed to to the S.T.O. Folkestone. These ships subsequently sailed as at about
9.9. "Malines", had left the harbour with no instructions
1600, and was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southempton.
rendered and sending out guards and Stoker parties with the utmost despatch, the
10. the The most invaluable service in the Transit Camp, not only by regulating
Chief Gunner's Mate of the Company - Chief Patty Officer Ward
but our own also party by keeping a complete record of all Naval ratings Parties passing etc. through
Camp. These included survivors, Lewis Gun parties, U.P.
The following ratings were also outstanding - Petty officer The Harding, whole
Petty party remained in good spirits throughout and were always cheerful cager for
11. Officer Burge, Petty Officer Willook, Leading Stoker Booth - and
any duties, that were to be performed.
12. Two of these were retained in Dover and I would like hour strongly of the
The party had proceeded to Dover in buses from Maidstone and District to
commend night to transport our various parties, so saving valuable time, also
'Bus Company. the Drivers, who were only too willing to turn out at any and
day turned or to themselves in shifting gear and stowing in the buses for transport
when necessary. A report to this effect has been sent to the Proprietors.
(Sgi)
COPIES TO
Lieutenant Commander R.N.
OFFICER IN CHARGE NO.3.
Commodore. P.S.T.O.
Commodore. R.N. Barracks, Chatham.
PARTY.
Captain (G) R.N. Barracks, Chatham.
Battalion Commander.
Company Commander.

Details

388
LETTER OF 6TH JUNE, 1940 FROM THE OFFICER IN CHARGE, NO.3.
PARTY: .BARRACKS, CHATHAM, to VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
III.
Leading Stoker Booth ordered his men to come on guard and
advance up the brow. The crew thereupon returned on board
at once, where they remained until the relief crew arrived.
S.S. "Tynewald" came alongside at 1910. The crew
did not attempt to leave the ship, but contented them-
selves.th shouting abuse at the sentries. Relief crews
for these two ships arrived at 1950, and the old crews
were then allowed to leave. Complete lists of their names
and addresses were taken and given to the .0.Folkestone.
These ships subsequently sailed as ordered.
S.S. "Malines" had left the harbour with no
instructions at about 1600, and was subsequently found to
have proceeded to Southampton.
10. The Chief Gunner's Mate of the Company - Chief
Petty Officer Ward rendered the most invaluable service in
the Transit Camp, not only by regulating our own party and
sending out guards and Stoker parties with the utmost des-
patch, but also by keeping a complete record of all Naval
ratings passing through the Camp. These included survivors,
Lewis Gun parties, Parties etc.
11. The following ratings were also outstanding -
Petty Officer Harding, Petty Officer Burge, Petty Officer
Willock, Leading Stoker Booth - The whole party remained
in good spirits throughout and were always cheerful and
eager for any duties, that were to be performed.
12. The party had proceeded to Dover in buses from
Maidstone andDistrict 'Bus Company. Two of these were
retained in Dover and I would like strongly to commend the
Drivers, who were only too willing to turn out at any
hour of the day or night to transport our various parties,
so saving valuable time, and also turned to themselves in
shifting gear and stowing in the buses for transport when
necessary. A report to this effect has been sent to the
Proprietors.
COPIES TO.
Lieutenant With Commander, R.N.
Commodore. P.S.T.O.
OFFICER IN CHARGE NO.3.
PARTY.
Commodore. R.N.Barracks.
Chatham.
Captain (G). R.N.Barracks.
Chatham.
Battalion Commander.
Company Commander.

Details

TO 9144/STN
MADAME
POMPADOUR
Reply 11/11/20 H.
I, with another man (Morley Lawson), was asked to collect
to
a Motor Cruiser lying at Maidstone and deliver her to
82
-nu
Sheerness, and thence to Ramsgate if required. Our ship
turned out to be a small Diesel engined Motor Yacht named
"Madame Pompadour" which was lying out of use in the river
DOCU
just below Maidstone. By the time we got on board it was
too late to unlock, and it was not until darkness set in that
we were able to proceed, and in consequence had a somewhat
difficult time navigating down as far as Rochester without
charts, all aids to navigation being removed, and neither of
Io
us having had previous knowledge of that part of the river.
Despite the fact that navigation in the Medway was prohibited
after dark, we were able to pass Chatham Dockyard without
challenge, but found it impossible to continue on the tide,
and returned to Gillingham where we secured, unknowingly,
alongside an ammunition vessel, still unchallenged.
At
day-break we got under way once more, and duly arrived at
to 10
Sheerness.
After signing on the books of H.M.S. Wildflower, the
bne
depot ship, we were joined by 8. Skipper R.N.R., a volunteer
deck hand, and an active service stoker, without previous
experience of Internal Combustion engines, who had been sent
1
to act as Engineer and run our Diesel engines.
We set sail for Ramsgate with a convoy of other craft,
was preparing to keep ship going all night, when we heard many planes
overhead, so we stopped the Motor and relied on our Sails, while wj
still favoured us. But many times that night planes came in quit
close range. As daylight broke we could see where we were and
occasionally gunfire was heard, and planes above us. So we contr
with Sails to near Dover, and to get quickly by there seemed to b
motive, when it seemed just for the purpose the wind failed us, SU
lowered Sails. The Motor was our only chance now in this strong
and contrary wind.
So with the assistance of the Seamen, I tried starting, but fou
she was cold, and that the cold paraffin had given me a wet plug.
had to re-start on petrol and change a plug. I had taken some time
to localise our difficulty and to remedy it, that I felt very relieved
when she started, as without power, we might very well have been blown
P.T.O

Details

616
OG of the m.v.g "SEING" Official No.160693 of Roohester.
580
j
6
Crow :-
Master - C.V. Cogger.
Mate - H.L. Stafford.
Engineer Is, Godden.
Deck Hands J. Lawson and J. Kirby.
May 22nd 1940 Sailed from Rochester at 7. 0-a.m. for S.R.O. Jetty,
ednesday
Deptford, for stores for North France; arrived
579
HEAD OFFICE
MAIDSTONE OFFICE
BRICK WORKS
REGISTERED OFFICE
TELEGRAMS "BARGES" ROCHESTER
EARL STREET
OTTERHAM QUAY
12 WATER LANE. E.C.S.
TELEPHONE: STROOD 7295-6-7
TELEPHONE
RAINHAM KENT
TELEPHONE ROYAL 4214-5
NEAREST STATION STROOD SOUTHERN RY
MAIDSTONE 4022.3
TEL RAINHAM (MENT) 01151
TELEGRAMS COASTING BILGATE
LONDON & ROCHESTER TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
DIRECTORS: E.A.GILL M.I.N.A. GILL A.A.HUTSON PEARSON
SAILING & MOTOR SHIPOWNERS
CANAL ROAD
BRICK MANUFACTURERS
LIGHTERMEN AND
SAND BALLAST
GENERAL FREIGHTAGE
GRAVEL AND
CONTRACTORS
ROCHESTER
GENERAL MERCHANTS
YOUR REF.
OUR REF
DATE
EAG/CC
15th June 1940
Commander L.F.N. Ommaney.
Assistant King's Harbour Master,
H.M. Dockyard,
CHATHAM.
Dear Commander Ommaney,
You said you would like to have a sight
of the reports of our men who were employed on the Dunkirk
episode.
Three of our auxiliary barges were so
the employed, "CABBY" the was ordered Southwards so we have been get
"THYRA" "PUDGE" and "CABBY". After unable the service to
in touch with him to find out what he did.
In addition to these, our motor vessel
"SEINE" which is a Coaster of about 220 tons d.w. was also
employed and I enclose also, his report.
consider they are worth the them notice on
of the C. in C. perhaps you If you will be good enough to pass
to him.
Yours sincerely,
VICE ADMIRAL
27 JUN 1940
*
DOVER

Details

583
On the Sunday June 2nd. we were loaded up with stores with orders
6
to tow to Dunkirk and slip the barge into Harbour and leave ner,
which order was cancelled during Sunday morning, and on Monday
morning they discharged the cargo again and I was ordered on
Monday afternoon to proceed to Strood, arriving at 10.30 on
Tuesday night, the 4th June under sail.
Wages received - Master £8.8s.10d.
Mate £5.14s.1d.
All the time we were at or near the shore, from 5. 0 a.m. to 2. 0 p.m.
enemy bombing continually went on and we were the target for machine
gunfire three times but luckily missed the fire. About 12 noon
ten R.A.F. Fighters came over and drove off about 30 bombers. I
SaW them shoot down four. Although all sorts of guns were firing
all round, not one piece of shrapnel fell on board. But five bombs
fell very close between us and a trawler on the way back and the
barge was lifted out of the water about a foot.
Damage to barge in sundry places, grazed and spintered, bollard
on the port bow badly strained and also on the starboard quarter.
The engine was also damaged,
1 - 7" and 2 - - 4" Bass ropes broken.
My full name and address is :-
Edward Walter "Rosme", Filley. 86 Jersey Road, Strood. Kent.
Mate's name :- James 87 Doherty. Dickens Road, Maidstone.