No aliases recorded.
Help complete the archive
Contribute photographs of Portsdown to the archive for editorial review. Submissions remain private and will only be published following approval by an administrator.
Already have an account? Log in before uploading to link new photographs immediately.
0 potential matching records have currently been identified.
Further indexing may identify vessel particulars, reported movements, participation assessments, named personnel and source references. The absence of a current match does not establish that no relevant source exists.
We are compiling and checking transcriptions, metadata, vessel-name matches, source references and reuse permissions before publishing further detail. This work helps prevent incomplete OCR, historic spelling variations or unverified associations from being presented as established fact.
Account registrations and access to these developing records are temporarily unavailable. Existing account holders may log in, and everyone can join the newsletter for publication updates.
0 potential matching records have currently been identified.
Further indexing may identify service-list entries, vessel metadata, source-page references and protected full-size document images. The absence of a current match does not establish that no relevant source exists.
We are compiling and checking transcriptions, metadata, vessel-name matches, source references and reuse permissions before publishing further detail. This work helps prevent incomplete OCR, historic spelling variations or unverified associations from being presented as established fact.
Account registrations and access to these developing records are temporarily unavailable. Existing account holders may log in, and everyone can join the newsletter for publication updates.
No Small Craft records.
0 potential matching records have currently been identified.
Further indexing may identify OCR text matches, source files, page references and digitised page imagery. The absence of a current match does not establish that no relevant source exists.
We are compiling and checking transcriptions, metadata, vessel-name matches, source references and reuse permissions before publishing further detail. This work helps prevent incomplete OCR, historic spelling variations or unverified associations from being presented as established fact.
Account registrations and access to these developing records are temporarily unavailable. Existing account holders may log in, and everyone can join the newsletter for publication updates.
These details have been aggregated from multiple sources and may include contemporary records, later recollections, claims or assertions for which no corroborating evidence has been identified. Inclusion does not establish that any account or assertion is accurate. The information may be incomplete, out of date, disputed or incorrect and should be checked against the underlying source records and independent evidence before being relied upon.
Source: Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Heritage & Education Centre, Lloyd’s Register of Yachts 1939, digitised via Internet Archive. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Images have been converted, resized and watermarked for web display; machine-generated table OCR has been added.
No Lloyd’s records.
Imaged document collections containing pages whose OCR text or table data has been tagged with the name Portsdown. Open a collection to view the page images and transcriptions.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EUJITUAN Naval pontoon boat You T.B. Godern, R.N.V.R. [0/20. Godman had been to Denkirk in yay njës the yeaht See under Portsdown he had transferred to the yacht Noneta, in which he took over the Naval Steam Pinnace. returned to Remsgate. At 0530 on 1st June, he 1st June 0600 Left Hamegate with a crow of 5 and 0830 fuel for six hours steaming. A passing trawler temporarily repaired the Steam Pinnece's engine and give her 3 sacks of coal. Bhe then took the steam pinnace in ton. 1030 The tow rope broke for the third time. The steam pinnace was taken in tow by another trawler which had overtaken her. 1200 Blipped the tow outside Dunkirk harbour and proceeded towards La Panne. Air attack on a sloop off the herbour entrence [1t was the G/B Mosquito]; the sloop half submerged, consed fire Just west of La Panne, picked up a dinghy and making several tripe, ferried 15 British troops to the steam pinnace. 1400ca Off La Penne, sighted the M/B Marsayru drifting with the tide and unoccupie [She had broken away on the previous night when in tow of the lighter X.217 The Mareayru was found to be in work- ing order; the engine wes started up, and an A.B. and a moldier were taken as crew. P.O. Morrison use loft to charge of the steam pinnace, with orders to 1ay off and wait for the return of the Marsayru. With the dinghy in tow, the Marsayru proceeded to the western end of the besch and anchored; the dinguy ferried about 24 troops to her. There WES insufficient room in the to take any more. 1700 The kareayro weighed anchor, cast the disghy advist. and proceeded eastward to pick up the steam pinnace. She VILTORIA was found anchored, near the harbour, and deserted. It wes decided to leave her there. The Marasyni proceeded to Remagate. 1900 Closed the OF Decreasebank which gave the MATURATH case Fuel and the course for Desegate. It USD observed that the stemp pinnes's orew were ou board END 2330 usde fast to a contant risabing bucy and unsted for anytight. 2nd June 0430 A travier truis the to tow to 0800 Arrived CANADA 19 FORMA 325
Oropesa trawler POLLY JOHNSON Skipr. Lieut. L. Lake, R.D. R.N.R. 0430 Left Ramsgate in company with 5 29th May Oropesa trawlers of the Dover M/S command, under Lieut. Bill, R.N. in the tr. Fyldea (q.v.) 2150 1330ca Off Dunkirk harbour. 1420ca Entered the harbour and berthed along- side the tr. Brock which lay along- side the Fyldea; the Fyldea was secured alongside the east pier. 1600 Air attack. Damaged by a near miss. Six casualties. 1815ca Polly Johnson got clear of the harbour vone with survivors of the dr. Grenade 2nd and troops on board. 1830ca Ship making water fast. Water over the stokehold floors. Signalled tr. Arley to keep close to Polly Johnson. Ordered to transfer troopa and crew to the Arley. The Arley fired 2 rounds at the Polly Johnson. When last seen Polly Johnson was afloat, midway between Middel Kerke Bank and Nieuport Bank buoys. Nil Arrived Total 618 Authority - R.O.IV, R.O.II, p.517. p.166. Portsdown she you or) - 20.11, 8.207= P.O.TII. P.66. following made: Kention 1n Despatches R.H. Ghurch, R.N.K. CL. E. white. sta. F.O. is Rumel, 4/818 P.A. Kent. Ord, See. A.T. Burton. 3 (1) First in D.I. Duan M or Wilson Insurance Lid minesveeper. shown degaussed, This WES
P/S PORTSDOWN(1) S/Lt. S/Lt. R.H. Church, M.V.H. Caplat, R.N.R. R.N.V.R. 1st Lieut. 1230 Left patrol Sheerness for Dunkirk. R.A.F. 1st June entire aircraft encountered along the Abeam Dunkirk breakwater. route to F.G. buoy. 2150 2205 Anchored off beach. Under shore bombardment. Embarked troops, using the ship's 2 dinghies. One of them sank later. on its 4th trip; the other 0300 In 1 1/2 hours, a large motor boat had 2nd June ferried 500 troops to the Portsdown. 0400ca Early dawn. Proceeded. 0450 1 mile west of Dunkirk breakwater, transferred about 1,000 troops from a French vessel which was aground. Transferred. 25 troops from a motor boat, which declined a tow. - Picked up Cdr. J.C. Clouston R.N., and his party (about 12 in all) from a motor driven "Naval pontoon boat". Cdr. Clouston ordered that she was to be abandoned. Obtained a course from the cr. Calcutta, - 0930ca Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 168 B.E.F., and 450 French t roops. (2) Total 618 [As Portsdown was not degaussed, she was not again used in Dynamo]. Authority - R.O.II, p.107. R.O.III, p.66. The following awards were made: 8/Lt. R.H. Church, R.N.R. Mention in Despatches Cl. H. White. W. Ramel. Ord. Sea. P.A. Kent. A.T. Burton. (1) First later, The as ship a (2) crew. Wils report. even 403
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 116 4649. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Page 59 Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. H.M.S. PORTSDOWN - Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R return troops to beaches under heavy gun fire. This from ship Dunkirk spent the night of 1st/2nd June evacuating take Ramsgate on the 2nd, she was not allowed On had not been degaussed. part in any further operations at Dunkirk as she to Recommendations. OFFICER. Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R. Displayed great initiative, determination and good seamanship. Recommended for mention. RATINGS. Leading Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932. Showed consistent attention to duty under heavy gunfire. Displayed exceptional qualities. Recommended for mention. E.R.A. Henry White, P/MX.51366. Carried out engine room duties with exceptional ability without a complete equipment of tools. Recommended for mention. Stoker Petty Officer William Ramel, P/11878. Performed valuable service on the upper deck in addition to his engine room duties. Recommended for mention. Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142. Was at sea for the first time. Performed excellent boat work under fire. Recommended for advancement.
0 Petty Officer Horace Leonard William Leading Seaman John Charles W. VAble Leading Seaman Stoker Edward Kearvell, Gair, P/KX.99946, WORCESTER Stoker Ralph Bert H.M.S. WORCESTER Ordinary Seaman Marston, Frederick 175182, Lieutenant-Commander R.N., Arthur Ivone J (Retd.), H.M.S. Lieutenant-Commander Reginald Arthur R.N., Sub-Lieutenant J. David Alexander Shaw, H.M.S. FITZROY H.M.S. FITZROY Leading Seaman Cole, C/B.21535, H.M.S. FITZROY Leading Seaman L. Aspen, C/D.107, H.M.S. FITZROY Leading Leading Stoker Seaman J. E. Collison, C/KX.78651, H.M.S. FITZROY Able Seaman L. Derby, JX.193835, H.M.S. GLENGOWER Seaman A. Farrow, H.M.S. GLENAVON Travers, JX.133139, H.M.S. GLENGOWER Petty Engine Officer Room Steward Leading THE Commander Lieutenant William McKee, Harry R.N.R., H.M.S. KELLETT KELLET Engine Room Artificer H.M.S. Lieutenant-Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N., Engineer Sub-Lieutenant James Irvin, R.N.R., H.M.S. H.M.S. LYDD MEDWAY Commander St. John Cronyn, R.N., H.M.S. QUEEN VSub-Lieutenant 'Sub-Lieutenant John Grosby, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. NIGER Leading Richard Hepworth Church, ORIOLE H.M.S. PORTSI Vxv Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932, R.N.R., Vxv Enginer Ordinary Stoker Petty Room Artificer Officer William Henry White, Ramel, P/MX.51366, H.M.S. H.M.S. PORTSDOW PORTSDOW PORTS Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/11878, P/JX.182142, H.M.S. the H.M.S. PORTSDOWN H.M.S. SALAMANDER H.M.S. Guy Maunsell, SALAMANDER R.N., VV Acting PM/39426, VActing Chief Engine Room (Retd.), Artificer H.M.S. Allerton SPEEDWELL Bywater, /XVChief Petty Commander Officer S.P. Goldsmith, Herival R.N.V.R., H.M.S. SUTTON QUEEN OF THANET Signalman J.A.G. Pensioner No. THANET (Late xvMr. Signalman Frederick Charles QUEEN OF THANET BIDEF Sieutenant-Communder James H.M.S. H.M.S. CALCUTTA CANADA H.M.S. CALCUTTA Harriso Mayhew H.M.S. KINGFISHER Vaughan THE Ableutenant Signalman the Able Seaman E.G. H.M.S. KINGFISHER KINGFISHER H.M.S. H.M.S. KINGFISHER Able Seaman H.M.S. KINGFISHER KINGFISHER Signalman LOCUST Chief Telegraphist James Ridell H.M.S. MOSQUITO C/JX.132 Petty Officer George Arthur Sawyer, H.M.S. MOSQUITO C/J.46680.SQUIT
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199 790. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
4. . 37194 33. Lieut. "Mermaiden Nimmo, back R.N.R. to Weymouth. - Took "Filleul" yacht /. 34. Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R. - in "Queen Boadicea picked up three seamen survivors from' Janis"? II" Dunkirk Pier. The latter's Captain Sub Lieut. off Bell by a bomb on Friday may 31. The survivors were R.N.V.R.? and a stoker had been killed outright landed at Ramsgate. 35, Mr. C.V. Cogger - signed in "Seine" at Rochester. Left her on Wednesday full of water for the aches ( Lieut. Cdr Filluel in command). Brought hack 350 British and French troops to Ramsgate. Sailed again for Dunkirk and brought back 300 troops. 36. Sub Lieut. W.E. Mercer, R.N.V.R. of "Strathelliot" - saw the"Mary Rose" and "Skylark" sink in mid ocean, crew all brought back. Following were seen abandoned as Dunkirk :- "Malden" "Annie IV" and "Empress". The former was used as a pier. 37. "Scene Shifter" was swamped by French troops on Wed. June 29th. "Triton" was cast off while in tow with foul screw. 38. Lieut. W.B. Whitworth, R.N. did 6 trips in "Aeger". 39. Mr. R. Brown - went over in "Madame Sansgene" on night of Monday June 3rd. Elgar H. Jefferey and his brother were also in the boat. Towed over by "Tanjar" (Tug) with another Motor boat. On way back boats fouled a rope, which had been veered by the "Tanjar" to stutch it as it was new, and the boats had to be abandoned. The "Madame Sansgene" claimed to have shot down a bomber. 40, P.O. E. Wells, R.N.R. - went over in "Nanette II", who had a Lieut. R.N.V.R. in charge. They went to Ostende an then to Dunkirk and brought back mostly French troops, some of whom had been in the water for 12 hours. "Nanette" was finally returned to 41. Dover. Sub Lieut. Church, R.N.R. - In "Portsdown" see separate report. 42 Coxn. George Senior, O.N. 239990 - In YC 78 Wed, May 29th for Ramsgate. Sailed from Ramsgate at at (Lieut. Mortimer R.N.R. 1/c). Left Sheerness on 2245 Thursday night and arrived at Dunkirk 1100 on Friday. The only soldiers on the beaches vessels there, They left Dunkirk about 1830 towing on 45 of them, were ferried off in the YC 71 and a about midnight and anchored. H wever, and skiff. Thornycroft motor boat. The YC 72 broke down the herself boat managed to start up again about must Thornycroft informed Ramsgate for a tug came out 0700 have and towed YO 78 and YC 71 back to Ramsgate.
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199 792. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
| DESTROYERS | PERSONNEL SHIPS | MINESWEEPERS | PADDLE MINESWEEPERS | SKOOTS | FRENCH DESTROYERS |
| CODRINGTON 878 | ST. HELIER 1334 | NIGER 300 | MARMION 225 | LENA 400 | |
| ICARUS 677 | MANXMAN 177 | PANGBOURNE 27 | EMPEROR OF | HONDSRUG 500 | |
| WHITSHED 512 | ROYAL DAFFODIL 1500 | ALBURY 200 | INDIA 213 | ||
| VENOMOUS 632 | NEWHAVEN 716 | LYDD 200 | ORIOLE 750 | 900 | |
| WINDSOR 624 | COTE D'ARGENT 1250 | DUCHESS OF FIEE 390 | MEDWAY QUEEN 426 | ||
| SABRE 756 | SUTTON 725 | SNAEFELL 461 | |||
| SHIKARI 470 | |||||
| WINCHELSEA 1100 | 7877 |
| TORBAY II 122 | PORTSDOWN 618 | 39 |
17. 'Dell Leonard Travers, Able Seaman a D/JX.133219, H.MS. Glengowe Able Seaman James Wallis, C/SSX.27313, H.M.S. Keith. Able Seaman Edwin George Webster, C/JX.142167, H.M.S. Kingfisher. Able Seaman George John Woodger, C/J.45802, H.M.S. Keith. Able Seaman Frederick William Jacobs, C/J.100758, R.F.R., B.23901, H.M.S. Malcolm. Able Seaman James Kidd, R.F.R., D/SSX.13321, H.M.S. Jaguar. Able Seaman Frederick James Slack, C/J.93546, R.F.R., B.21781, H.M.S. Crested Eagle. Able Seaman George Tilbury, c/ss.7850, R.F.R., B.17336, H.M.S. Crested Eagle. Able Peaman Richard Philip Smith, R.N.V.R., БЕЗДХХЗЛАЙ MD/X.1950, H.M.S. Codrington. Signalman Harold Oscar Carter, C/SSX.17317, H.M.S. Locust. Signalman Charles Raymond Craig, D/JX.141848, H.M.S. Bideford. Signalman Harry Guy, C/JX.150713, H.M.S. Calcutta. Signalman Eric Ernest Roden, C/J.103654, H.M.S. Locust. Signalman Stanley Thompson, C/JX.133505, H.M.S. Kingfisher. Signalman Leslie David Ball, R.M.V.R.? LD5/X.3548, H.M.S. Codrington. Signalman James Stanley Duffy, R.N.N.R.A,C/TDX.1412, Signalman Ronald Henry Walters, R.N.V.R., C/LDX.4178. queen of Thanet. Signalman John Albert Williamson, R.NV.R., LD/X.4036, H.M.S. Glenaven Stoker First Class Jack Chadwick, D/KX.81834, HLM.S. Jaguar. Stoker First Class Samuel Comben, P/K.62179, H.M.S. Vimy. Stoker First Class Charles Irvine, C/KX.86537, H.M.S. Sabre. Stoker First Class William Reginald Gordon Jones, C/KX.92890, H.M.S. Wolsey. Stoker First Class Percy William Spray, P/KX.87052, Newhaven Rosa Life Boa Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, D/MX.56025, Ivanhoe. H.M.S. Sick Berth Attendant (R) Alfred Bassford, c/x.8080, R.N.A.S.B.R. Sick Berth Attendant Albert William Keller, R.N.A.S.B.R., D/X.6785, H.M.S. Havant. Sick Berth Attendant James Timothy Tomlinson, R.N.A.S.B.R.? P/X.6941. H.M.S. Vivacious. Sick Berth Attendant Edward Welch, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/SBR/X.7341, H.M.S. Esk. Sick Berth Attendant John Yeoman, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/X.7093, H.M.S. Express. Ordinary Seaman Noel Edward Holmes Berry, D/JX.158456, H.M.S. Jaguar. Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142, H.M.S. Portsdown. Ordinary Seaman Dominic Kenny, D/SSX.30221, H.M.S. Shikari. Shaw Ordinary Seaman William Lyons, D/SSX.30211, H.M.S. Shikari. are Brigana aire
Page 2. HICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940. WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940 PART I - BRITISH SHIPS. CRUISER. TTTA ROYERS. ONY INTREPID VENOMOUS LISK IVANHOE VERITY INGTON JAGUAR VIMY JAVELIN VIVACIOUS ESS KEITH WAKEFUL ANT MACKAY WHITEHALL TON MALCOIM WHITSHED ADE MONTROSE WINCHELSEA HOUND SABRE WINDSOR ESTER SALADIN WOLFHOUND NT SCIMITAR WOLSEY US SHIKARI WORCESTER LSIVE VANQUISHER P. EFORD VETTES. LLEMOT MALLARD SHELDRAKE GFISHER SHEARWATER WIDGEON BOATS. UST # MOSQUITO ESWEEPERS. ROSS URY HEBE SALAMANDER GHTON BELLE KELLETT SALTASH GHTON QUEEN LEDA SANDOWN ONIA LYDD SHARPSHOOTER HESS OF FIFE MARMION MEDWAY QUEEN SKIPJACK DALK SNAEFELL PEROR OF INDIA NIGER SPEEDWELL CZROY ORIOLE SUTTON ENAVON PANGBOURNE WAVERLEY ENGOWER PLINLIMMON WESTWARD HO SSAMER PORTSDOWN CIE FIELDS PRINCESS ELIZABETH WHIPPINGHAM LCYON QUEEN OF THANET (Continued) Sunk.
Page 60 Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. Page 59 Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. H.M.S. PORTSDOWN - Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R. return troops to Ramsgate beaches under heavy gun fire. This from ship Dunkirk spent the night of 1st/2nd June evacuating take part in on the 2nd, she was not allowed On had not been degaussed. any further operations at Dunkirk as she to Recommendations. OFFICER. Sub. Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R. Displayed great initiative, determination and good seamanship. M Recommended for mention. RATINGS. Leading Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932. Showed consistent attention to duty under heavy gunfire. Displayed exceptional qualities. Recommended for mention. E.R.A. Henry White, P/MX.51366. te vo Carried out engine room duties with exceptional ability without a complete equipment of tools. ho Recommended for mention. X Stoker Petty Officer William Ramel, P/11878. Performed valuable service on the upper deck in addition to his engine room duties. Recommended for mention. Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142. Was at sea for the first time. Performed excellent boat work under fire. Recommended for advancement. OF nu
Page 60 Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. H.M.S. PRINCESS ELIZABETH. - Lieutenant Cecil John Carp, R.N.V.R. Did four trips, being continuously on the go without stopping for four days, bringing back over 1,600 troops. Ship was attacked by aircraft on many occasions and also the boats when working from the beach. Recommendations. OFFICERS: Lieutenant Cecil John Carp, R.N.V.R. By his skill, seamanship and great devotion to duty throughout the operation a large body of troops were brought back to England without any serious damage to his ship. Page 59 Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. H.M.S. PORTSDOWN - Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R. This ship spent the night of lst/2nd June evacuating troops from Dunkirk beaches under heavy gun fire. On return to Ramsgate on the 2nd, she was not allowed to take part in any further operations at Dunkirk as she had not been degaussed. Recommendations. OFFICER. Sub. Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R. Displayed great initiative, determination and good seamanship. Recommended for mention. 3 RATINGS. Leading Signalman Percy Alfred Kent. P/JX.137932. Showed consistent attention to duty under heavy gunfire. Displayed exceptional qualities. Recommended for mention. E.R.A. Henry White, P/MX.51366. Carried out engine room duties with exceptional ability without a complete equipment of tools. Recommended for mention. Stoker Petty Officer William Ramel, P/11878. Performed valuable service on the uppenti sonennes in addition to his engine room duties. Recommended for mention.
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199 795. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Summary of Reports concerning the Evacuation of Trooss. from the Dunkirk Area - May 27th - June 4th, 1940. 4 6. ODD SHIPS. rage BIDEFORD CALCUTTA. 9 H.M.S. DOLPHIN'S POWER BOAT. 13 16 DORIEN ROSE. 35 DWARF 40 LORMONT 16 MASSEY SHAW NS4 - MONA'S ISLE. NEW PRINCE OF WALES. 63 66 PORTSDOWN. - SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR. 70 SIROCCO. 73 WHIPPINGHAM. 75 a EX LIGHTER X.209. PORTSMOUTH BARGES TAKING PART. 88
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 234 360. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
CHAP. X THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK arranged from 801 and 806 Command been of them (Appendix 0830 until J.7). 1100 Air on protection 2nd June, by and Coastal Fighter Command had Command three aircraft during of Nos. these 206, hours, 235, to cover Route Squadrons X. operated under patrols Coastal of Fifth column activities (Appendix H27-32) such "Dynamo", effective fifth use during the war. type time during Operation On the Ist June column there came activities to notice, of the for the of first empty, the to keep a look out and turn such Sutton in and company, orders were met sent a out from Dover power to the and small the Dunkirk with thing boats return the boats returning boats returning At 2150 on the 1st the Minesweeper number of Niger, boats en route to Apparently the severe minesweepers, conditions it was at in and first from enormous believed the S.N.T.O. at wastage Dover on that the small French boats boats and were Belgian to daunted their coasts; duty. by but a report came about the Ramsgate during the evening that fifth column skoot was going first beaches at Dunkirk giving false informa- a tion and orders to return. The example to come to notice was at 1300 the 1st when the skoot Oranje, off Dunkirk Channel, was informed by another on sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and that the Oranje's boats were not skoot that evacuation from the beaches was complete, that there were already required. The Oranje remained where she was, however, in case the four boats turned for home about 1515, subsequent to air attack. she had towed over were needed, and until all ships in her neighbourhood Although on the night of the 1st-2nd June the services of a number of small craft were lost to the coast, there actually were a sufficient number off the beaches to cope with the troops available. Embarkation from the beaches The first ships of the night flight to arrive off the beaches were minesweepers, which began to anchor off Malo about 2000 on 1st. Here there were already some 3 or 4 Thames barges, besides the paddle minesweeper Medway Queen which had arrived some four hours earlier and had been engaged in filling up with troops ever since. The skoot Lena had been there since 1300 on the 1st. embarking 340 B.E.F. and 6 French troops; she was slightly damaged by air attack during the day, and sailed at 2145 for Ramsgate. By midnight on the 1st-3nd June there were anchored off the beaches the minesweepers Marmion, Snaefell, Niger, Glen Avon, Emperor of India, Glen Gower and Lydd, besides the personnel ship Portsdown and the special service vessel Royal Eagle. Loading was a slow process, for there were more ships lying off the beaches than could be loaded by the boats available. Only one ship finished in 3 hours, most of them taking nearly twice that length of time. with 213 troops. She left behind her, abandoned the beach, the R.N.L.I. The Emperor of India was apparently the first ship to sail from Malo, at 0238, motor lifeboat Mary Scott which had ferried troops on and towed the Emperor of India's whalers from the shore until she broke down. Queen left shot at troops boat, 0245, down and and after an some nearly enemy details, Il aircraft hours including at on anchor the 10 beach Spanish during west which refugees of Dunkirk. the The rescued ship Medway claimed from She took an to have open 426 down the crews of two motor boats, the whose engines broke unrecorded, like SO many small craft which came to grief in the course of render- after some hours of ferrying troops and one, towing, Aura, and another, with name 100
DUSK TO DUSK, 1ST-2ND JUNE CHAP. X very clear and the Rear-Admiral decided to get the ships away at 0300 now of 0330 as originally planned. The Admiralty orders that evacuation Dunkirk Pier was to continue until 0700 did not apparently Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker not receive the orders which went by Dunkirk (Appendix did R.20, 23) ; and it is to be pre- out from the Admiralty at 0115/2, that destroyers were to continue the evacua- tion until 0700 (Appendix R.21). Although men were still coming down the the Rear-Admiral was unwilling to run the risk of having ships sunk alongside pier, and blocking the pier and harbour. Accordingly he told the ships to leave and himself followed out of harbour the last of them, apparently the destroyers Winchelsea and Whitshed about 0300. British rearguard held up Meanwhile, a most disquieting message had been received at Dover. At 0040 on the 2nd the Lydd, while embarking troops off Malo beach, was requested by the Brigadier of the brigade then embarking to transmit to Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker a message from Major General Alexander reporting that on account of French congestion on the mole at Dunkirk a considerable number of British troops were held up and further arrivals were still expected. It was essential that the rearguard of the B.E.F. should embark from the beaches east of the mole, where they were expected to arrive by 0230. What had happened was, that French troops had cut into the flow of British making their way along the road to the East Pier, by a converging route; and both British and French troops were now being embarked at the pier. Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker apparently never received the message and knew nothing of the state of affairs at the East Pier until he arrived there at 0200. Vice-Admiral Dover, who received the message at 02001, at once sent orders to all destroyers of Force K still on the coast, the minesweepers, and the gun- boat Locust which was off Bray supporting the evacuation by covering fire, to endeavour to embark the British rearguard from the beach, remaining after 0300 if necessary. The coding and transmission of the message took some time, and the orders apparently went out too late; all ships had sailed, and the rear- guard could not get away that night. Only the personnel vessel Portsdown was left on the coast. This was an undegaussed ship manned by a naval crew, which had anchored off Malo at 2205/1. After running to death her own two dinghies ferrying troops she got hold of a large motor boat, and she sailed about 0400. On the way home the ship collected further troops from a French vessel aground off Dunkirk, and from two further vessels encountered, and she eventually disembarked at Dover 168 British and 450 French. Bombing of the hospital ships Worthing and Paris. (App. S) There was a large number of wounded in Dunkirk because no hospital ships had sailed for 24 hours, orders having been given to evacuate fit men in prefer- ence, since, other considerations apart, embarking wounded would have taken up too much valuable time. The cessation of daylight sailings rendered it possible for hospital ships to occupy berths alongside, without detriment to the operation, and jt was decided to get some of the wounded away in daytime in hospital ships, in the hope that the Germans would respect them. In order to afford the enemy no excuse to attack a warning signal was sent 0120. I Dover Report, p.27. The time of receipt on the flimsy of the decypher appears to be 103
| Pascholl (Poole) (Lieut. T. Johnston, R.N.) (Relieved and appointed i/c Portsdown) (Lieut. J.N. Wise, R.N.V.R.) (Cdr. C.E. Hammond, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.) (Retd.) (i/c Group) | 695 |
INDEX Phillips, Vice-Admiral T.S. V., 16. Phipps, L/St. M., 81. Pickford & Co., 72n. Pierre, set on fire, 74. Pierre et Marie, 73. Piers (beach) built at La Panne, 47, 60, 76; of barges impracticable, 49; built at Bray, 59, 82. Pigeon, 72n, 114n. Pim, Capt. R., R.N.V.R., 78. Playmates, 13n. Polly Johnson, 13n, 39, 40 (damaged), 43, 44 (sunk). Pool, S/Lt. R. A. W., 72. Port of London Authority, 32. Porter, Col., 47. Portsdown, 100, 103. Portsmouth, C. in C.: sends destroyers, 20; provision of boats, 51 Inner Patrol yachts, 71 A.S.'s. barge, 117 (abandoned). Pownall, Lt. Gen. H. R., 4. Prague, 29n, 54n, 64n, 91 (damaged). Président Briand, 93. Preston, Vice-Adm. Sir L. (D.S.V.P.), 21. Princess Elizabeth, 47n, 89, 114n. Princess Lily, 75n. Princess Maud, 48n, 53 (goes aground), 62 (damaged), 114n, 118. Prudential, 60. Pudge, 71s. Queen of England, sunk, 53. Queen of Thanet, 91, 114m. Queen of the Channel, 22, 24, 29 (sunk). Queen's Channel, 72n. Racia, 71n, 114я, 117. R.A. Dover, see Wake-Walker, Rear Admiral W.F. Ramsay, Vice-Adm. Sir B. (V.A. Dover) : to control evacuation, 4; to arrange air cover, 5 ; asks for more destroyers, 20; driving force, 23, 33 ; promulgates disembarkation ports, 25 ; efforts to increase supply of small craft, 23, 32; plan for night 29/30th May, 50; orders all ships to beaches, 51; concern at losses of destroyers, 94; calls for volunteers, 105; reports exhaustion of crews, 113. Ramsgate, N.O.I.C. Administers in shore flotilla, 21, 94; services skoots, 30. Raphael-Raymonde, 73n. Rapid I, 72, 92. Reda, 53, 60n. Reed, 7ln. Refugees, 37, 100-1, 119. Reiger, 32, 47m, 64, 101-2, 116. Reine des Flots, 102, 107n, 109. Reliance, 73n. Renascent, 71n. Renown, 73, 93 (sunk). Resolute, 73n. Revoir, Capt. de, 115. Rewga, 71n. Reynaud, M., 10, 11. Richardson, Cdr. H. du P., 80n, 82, 83n. Riggs, Mr. H. C., 21. Rika, 41. Rina, 117. Robinson, Cdr. C. E. C., killed, 37. Roebuck, in collision, 83. Rope for towing, 61. Rose Marie, 72n. Ross, 28n, 44, 97. Rouen, 94, 107n, 108 (goes aground), 109, 112n, 120 (aground). Route, X prepared, 20; mined, 38; tested by destroyers, 39 taken into use, 48; last route to come under fire, 96-7 ; traffic suspended, 98. Route, Y adopted, 20, 29 ; under fire, 48; E-boats, on 85; in use, 93 ; mines on, 110. Route, Z under fire, 20, 48; to be used in darkness, 29, 48. 204
Source: The National Archives, Kew, MT 40 36. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940 PART I - BRITISH SHIPS. A.A. CRUISER. CALCUTTA DESTROYERS. ANTHONY INTREPID VENOMOUS BASILISK IVANHOE VERITY CODRINGTON JAGUAR VIMY ESK JAVELIN VIVACIOUS EXPRESS KEITH WAKEFUL GALLANT MACKAY WHITEHALL GRAFTON MALCOLM WHITSHED GRENADE MONTROSE WINCHELSEA GREYHOUND SABRE WINDSOR HARVESTER SALADIN WOLFHOUND HAVANT SCIMITAR WOLSEY ICARUS SHIKARI WORCESTER IMPULSIVE VANQUISHER SLOOP. BIDEFORD CORVETTES. GUILLEMOT MALLARD SHELDRAKE KINGFISHER SHEARWATER WIDGEON GUNBOATS. LOCUST MOSQUITO MINESWEEPERS. ALBURY HEBE ROSS BRIGHTON BELLE KELLETT SALAMANDER BRIGHTON QUEEN LEDA SALTASH DEVONIA LYDD SANDOWN DUCHESS OF FIFE MARMION SHARPSHOOTER DUNDALK MEDWAY QUEEN SKIPJACK EMPEROR OF INDIA NIGER SNAEFELL FITZROY ORIOLE SPEEDWELL GLENAVON PANGBOURNE SUTTON GLENGOWER PLINLIMMON WAVERLEY GOSSAMER PORTSDOWN WESTWARD HO GRACIE FIELDS PRINCESS ELIZABETH WHIPPINGHAM HALCYON QUEEN OF THANET Sunk. (Continued)
Source: The National Archives, Kew, MT 40 66. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
ST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940 PART I - BRITISH SHIPS. A.A. CRUISER. CALCUTTA DESTROYERS. ANTHONY INTREPID VENOMOUS BASILISK IVANHOE VERITY CODRINGTON JAGUAR VIMY ESK JAVELIN VIVACIOUS EXPRESS KEITH WAKEFUL GALLANT MACKAY WHITEHALL GRAFTON MALCOLM WHITSHED GRENADE MONTROSE WINCHELSEA GREYHOUND SABRE WINDSOR HARVESTER SALADIN WOLFHOUND HAVANT SCIMITAR WOLSEY ICARUS SHIKARI WORCESTER IMPULSIVE VANQUISHER SLOOP. BIDEFORD CORVETTES. GUILLEMOT MALLARD SHELDRAKE KINGFISHER SHEARWATER WIDGEON GUNBOATS. LOCUST f MOSQUITO MINESWEEPERS. ALBURY HEBE BRIGHTON BELLE ROSS KELLETT BRIGHTON QUEEN SALAMANDER LEDA DEVONIA SALTASH LYDD DUCHESS OF FIFE SANDOWN MARMION DUNDALK SHARPSHOOTER MEDWAY QUENEN EMPEROR OF INDIA SKIPJACK NIGER FITZROY SNAEFELL ORIOLE GLENAVON SPEEDWELL PANGBOURNE GLENGOWER SUTTON PLINLIMMON GOSSAMER WAVERLEY PORTSDOWN GRACIE FIELDS WESTWARD Ho HALCYON PRINCESS ELIZABETH WHIPPINGHAM QUENN OF THANET Sunk. Conti
Source: The National Archives, Kew, Unclassified 1. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
4. I . 37194 33. back R.N.R. to Weymouth. - Took "Filleul" yacht /. MB 34. Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R. - in "Queen Boadicea Dunkirk picked up three seamen survivors from' Janis"? II" R.N.V.R.? and a stoker had been killed outright Pier. The latter's Captain Sub Lieut. off Bell by a bomb on Friday may 31. The survivors were landed at Ramsgate. 35, Mr. C.V. Cogger - signed in "Seine" at Rochester. Left her on Wednesday full of water for the beaches ( Lieut. Cdr Filluel in command). Brought hack 350 British and French troops to Ramsgate. Sailed again for Dunkirk and brought back 300 troops. 36. Sub Lieut. W.E. Mercer, R.N.V.R. of "Strathelliot" - saw the Mary Rose" and "Skylark" sink in mid ocean, crew all brought back. Following were seen abandoned as Dunkirk :- "Malden" "Annie IV" and "Empress". The former was used as a pier. 37. "Scene Shifter" was swamped by French troops on Wed. June 29th. "Triton" was cast off while in tow with foul screw. 38. Lieut. W.B. Whitworth, R.N. did 6 trips in "Aeger". 39. Mr. R. Brown - went over in "Madame Sansgene" on night of Monday June 3rd. Elgar H. Jefferey and his brother were also in the boat. Towed over by "Tanjar" (Tug) with another Motor boat. On way back boats fouled a rope, which had been veered by the "Tanjar" to stutch it as it was new, and the boats had to be abandoned. The "Madame Sansgene" claimed to have shot down a bomber. 40. P.O. E. Wells, R.N.R. - went over in "Nanette II", who had a Lieut. R.N.V.R. in charge. They went to Ostende an then to Dunkirk and brought back mostly French troops, some of whom had been in the water for 12 hours. "Nanette" was finally returned to 41. Dover. Sub Lieut. Church, R.N.R. - In "Portsdown" see separate report. 42. Coxn. George Senior, O.N. 239990 - In YC 73 (Lieut. Mortimer R.N.R. 1/c). Left Sheerness on Wed, May 29th for Ramsgate. Sailed from Ramsgate at 2245 on Thursday night and arrived at Dunkirk at 1100 on Friday. The only soldiers on the beaches there, 45 of them, were ferried off in the vessels skiff. They left Dunkirk about 1830 towing YC 71 and a Thornycroft motor boat. The YC 72 broke down herself about midnight and anchored. H wever, the Thornycroft boat managed to start up again and must have informed Ramsgate for a tug came out about 0700 and towed YO 78 and YC 71 back to Ramsgate.
Movements recorded for Portsdown during the evacuation period, as plotted on the Operation Dynamo map.
| Departed | Route | Arrived | Troops | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Dunkirk | — | — |
Stationary
HMS report explicitly names this location; a complete dated movement is unavailable
|
TNA ADM 116 4649, page 99 |
| — | Ramsgate | — | — |
Stationary
HMS report explicitly names this location; a complete dated movement is unavailable
|
TNA ADM 116 4649, page 99 |
Log in to suggest an evidence-backed edit or a new movement log.
Documents and descriptions supplied by registered researchers. All submissions are reviewed in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
No user-contributed documents have been approved for this vessel yet.
Log in to contribute a document and description.