THE DUNKIRK EVACUATION, OPERATION DYNAMO "SMALL SHIPS" DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER AND WW2 CAMPAIGN GROUP TO LIEUTENANT (LATER COMMANDER) ROBERT BILL, D.S.O., F.R.I.C.S., F.R.G.S., ROYAL NAVY, WHO COMMANDED A SQUADRON OF SIX REQUISITIONED TRAWLERS AT DUNKIRK, HIS MAJESTY'S TRAWLERS ARLEY, BROCK, CALVEY, FYLDEA, JOHN CATLING AND POLLY JOHNSON, BILL HIMSELF SEEING SERVICE ABOARD H.M.T. FYLDEA. BILL AND HIS SQUADRON OF TRAWLERS ARRIVED IN DUNKIRK HARBOUR ON THE AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY 29TH MAY 1940, THEIR ARRIVAL COINCIDING WITH A SERIES OF INTENSE GERMAN AERIAL ATTACKS ON THE PIER IN DUNKIRK HARBOUR, THE BEACHES AROUND DUNKIRK AND THE SHIPS ATTEMPTING TO EVACUATE SOLDIERS FROM DUNKIRK. THE SHALLOW DRAFT OF THE TRAWLERS UNDER BILL'S COMMAND ALLOWED THEM TO ENTER THE HARBOUR AND DOCK ALONGSIDE OTHER SHIPS AT THE PIER. THE PIER AT DUNKIRK AND THE VARIOUS SHIPS DOCKED AT IT WERE REPEATEDLY TARGETED BY GERMAN BOMBERS, WITH THE RESULT THAT DURING THE RAIDS MANY OF THEM WERE SUNK OR SERIOUSLY DAMAGED BY DIRECT HITS, INCLUDING ONE OF BILL'S SHIIPS, THE CALVEY, WHICK WAS SUNK, AND ANOTHER, THE POLLY JOHNSON, WHICH WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED THAT BILL HAD TO ORDER THE CAPTAIN OF THE ARLEY TO SINK HER IN ORDER TO PREVENT HER FALLING INTO ENEMY HANDS. AFTER BERTHING THE TRAWLERS UNDER HIS COMMAND BILL SAW SERVICE ASHORE AS ASSISTANT PIERMASTER TO COMMANDER CLOUSTON, THE PIERMASTER AT DUNKIRK. WHILST BILL WAS ASHORE THE GERMAN BOMBING CAUSED A DEGREE OF PANIC AMONG THE SOLDIERS WAITING ON THE PIER TO BE EVACUATED, WITH THE RESULT THAT AT ONE POINT BILL WAS ORDERED BY COMMANDER CLOUSTON TO DRAW HIS REVOLVER IN ORDER TO RESTORE ORDER. Seven: Distinguished Service Order, George VI (reverse of service bar officially dated 1940) 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Burma Star (Pacific clasp on ribbon) Defence Medal 1939-45 War Medal 1939-45 Coronation Medal, 1953. Campaign medals and Coronation Medal unnamed, as issued, mounted court style, as worn, few minor chips to green enamal on wreath of DSO, otherwise generally Almost Extremely Fine and accompanied by a matching set of dress miniatures.
Group accompanied by a selection of original, contemporary correspondence, documents and photographs, including: an Admiralty letter dated 11th August 1927, appointing Bill to the position of Naval Cadet aboard the battleship HMS Nelson an original typed letter, dated HMS Nelson at Spithead, 18th August 1827, confirming receipt of letter from Bill acknowledging his appointment to HMS Nelson and confirming that further instructions as to Bill's joining Nelson would be forwarded as soon as the movements of Nelson would be "definitely known" an original typed letter dated HMS Nelson at Portland, 22nd August 1927, confirming that Bill had been posted for service aboard HMS Nelson from 1st September 1927 and instructing him to join that ship at Portsmouth on that date a photograph of Bill standing full length in naval uniform, circa 1940, another photograph of Bill in uniform, circa 1945 wearing his DSO and medals, two small WW2 period photographs of biplanes taking off from an aircraft carrier (probably Fairey Swordfish bi-plane torpedo bombers) accompanied by the velvet lined, leatherette, navy blue display fram in which Bill's medal group was originally housed and a contemporary copy of the four page illustrated report drawn up by Bill after returning from Dunkirk, giving a detailed report of his services and of the six trawlers under his command at Dunkirk on Wednesday 29th May, 1940.
Robert Bill's DSO was announced in the London Gazette of 16/8/1940, "For good services in the withdrawal of the Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk", the official recommendation for his DSO additionally noting that, at Dunkirk "throughout this period of severe trial, Lieutenant Bill remained cool and self-possessed and set a magnificent example to those around him. He showed sound judgement in his actions and his orders to the trawlers and was largely responsible for the fact that greater loss was not incurred. A fine display of officer-like qualities and gallantry under fire."
A more detailed, blow by blow account of the services of Robert Bill and six trawlers under his command at Dunkirk is contained in the four page report that he drew up after returning from Dunkirk, that report, titled "A days work at Dunkerque", reads as follows:
"To: Commander M/S, Dover.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report in connection with operations by M/S Trawlers at Dunkerque on Wednesday 29th May, 1940.
Before sailing I collected all Unit Officers and explained what we were going to do, issued and explained their routes, and impressed on them that they must act independently in the case of an emergency. I then instructed them to sail independently and meet me in the vicinity of the Gull Buoy by 0400. Ladders were embarked off Ramsgate by 0430 and we proceeded in company to Dunkerque, arriving at 1350. On arrival I hove to and signalled to S.N.0. through 'Grenade' requesting permission to enter harbour. The reply came back "Wait, you may enter harbour after 1600". I then signalled "Can I be more use off the beach", as there were already 3 destroyers and the transports alongside the wall. I then received the signal "Enter harbour and pull off 'Loch Garry', trawlers may then take her berth. I then signalled 'Arley' to follow me in and we pulled 'Loch Garry' from the wall and proceeded to take her berth. The remaining 4 trawlers then entered harbour and berthed alongside us as directed by the Piermaster (Commander Clouston) at about 1420. I landed and reported to the Piermaster and asked for instructions. I was instructed to wait and to fill up my ships after the transport 'Fynella' and 'Grenade' had completed. Ladders were rigged up the wall and the ships were prepared to receive troops. Up to this time practically no troops had appeared at the far end of the pier and 'Jaguar' was nearly full and 'Fynella' about half full. 'Canterbury' was also nearly full and was embarking wounded which completely jammed other traffic along the pier. Sketch "A" shows positions of ships at this time. The first raid occurred at about 1530, by about 6 or 7 bombers. All ships opened fire and a fairly effective barrage was put up. About 20/30 bombs were dropped, but they were mostly wide. There were near misses on 'Canterbury', 'Calvi', 'Polly Johnson' and 'Jaguar' and a number of men received shrapnel wounds in all these ships. Fighters then appeared and the raiders were driven off. One was shot down by fighters, and I think one by 'Jaguar'. 'Jaguar' left harbour, and the remainder of ships attended to their wounded. I arranged to place all wounded in the "Canterbury" and got the assistance of the Surgeon Lieutenant from 'Grenade' for the more serious cases. I inspected 'Polly Johnson' and although damaged I considered she could make the return journey and instructed the Skipper not to embark more than 50 men, and if damage became more serious to transfer them to 'Brock'. During this lull more wounded troops were embarked in 'Fynella' and 'Canterbury and a few other troops wandered up the jetty. I was then told that I could try and fill up my ships and I stationed Officers abreast each ship and instructed them to order all unwounded men down into the trawlers. They were mostly unwilling to embark in what they considered "fishing boats" at first, and made various excuses to try and get to the larger ships. As the rate of filling up was so slow I asked the Piermaster if I could send the 4 outside ships to sea to wait their turns and decrease the target, but I was told that there would be a large number of men ready as soon as the wounded had been embarked and that the ships were to remain alongside. I was then asked by the Piermaster if I would place a trawler alongside the Western Jetty and light some smoke floats, and he suggested I might like to volunteer for the job. I said that I was quite prepared to do the job by boat, but that I did not consider it possible to place a ship alongside the jetty as the foundations of the pier were showing when I entered harbour, and that my trawlers were all drawing over 15 feet while the rise and fall on that day was only 11 feet. 'Jaguar' completed and left harbour during this period, and a large paddle steamer (I think Crested Eagle) berthed ahead of 'Fynella'. At about 1630 the second raid was carried out, but this was a half-hearted affair. All ships opened fire as before, and no damage was done to the ships alongside. About 20/30 bombs were dropped as before but they were divided between three targets 'Jaguar' leaving the harbour, the ships alongside, and two French destroyers on the opposite side of the harbour. The Jaguar' was damaged. Fighters again appeared and the raiders were driven off. The 'Canterbury' completed and left harbour, and a destroyer came in to take her place. After this raid more troops started to come down to Pier and although traffic was still hampered by the wounded and stretcher cases quite a large number were embarked in the trawlers. At about 1800 the third raid started. This was a very much more determined attack, and the bombers came over in waves at a few minutes intervals, fire was opened but fighters appeared and it was impossible to tell if they were enemy or not, and it hampered the firing to a great extent. About 100 bombs were dropped, and the attack appeared to be directed entirely on the pier and the ships alongside. The 'Calvi' and 'Grenade' received direct hits and sank immediately. 'Calvi's masts and funnel were above water and her ensign remained flying from the foremast. There was a direct hit on the pier close to the end and 'Fynella' was damaged. A certain amount of panic ensued and men started climbing out of one ship into another, and some attempted to run back towards the shore. At this time I was with the Piermaster and he instructed me to draw my revolver to quell the panic and to load up with survivors and troops and to get the ships out as quickly as possible. As the wreck of the 'Grenade' was drifting down on the trawlers, I instructed 'John Catling' to attempt to pull her clear and to follow the other ships out. 'Polly Johnson' and 'Brock' picked up troops and survivors, got clear, and proceeded out of harbour at full speed. 'Arley' was clear and 'Fyldea' under way. The Skipper of 'Fyldea' kept his ship close to the wall and several more troops and survivors jumped on board. I was further up the pier trying to find the Piermaster again for further instructions but I failed to find him and just managed to jump on board as she was leaving. This was at about 1815. Lieutenant Reake, the First Lieutenant of 'Grenade' then told me that the Piermaster had also instructed him to get the ships clear of it and to go round to the beaches. I therefore took the 4 remaining ships towards the beaches and signalled to the ships there asking if there were any troops available for me. After 3 unsuccessful attempts to obtain further troops to fill up to capacity, all ships replying that they were having difficulty in completing. I received signals from 'Polly Johnson' and 'Brock' stating that they were damaged. I ordered 'Arley' to stand by 'Polly Johnson' and to remove her crew and sink her if necessary. With 'Brock' in company I then proceeded towards the 'Jaguar' who was in the vicinity of the Nieuport Bank Buoy with her troops on board and another destroyer alongside her, and asked if I should take some from her. I was told to escort her as she had no boats and I therefore told 'Brock' whose damage was slight to proceed independently. I proceeded with 'Brock' for about 2 miles to exchange the necessary signals and satisfy myself that she was capable of making the journey and then returned to 'Jaguar'. By this time she had weighed, and I followed astern of her and signalled my maximum speed. At about 1930, 5 German Dive Bombers passed on our port side at about 2500 feet, in the direction of the 'Jaguar' and started to make an attack. We opened fire with the 12 pounder and one plane detached itself from the formation and made an attack on us. As the plane straightened up to attack I gave the order hard-a-starboard. 6 bombs dropped which fell about 40/50 yards on our port beam. We then straightened up and proceeded on our course. The other planes attacked 'Jaguar' who replied with her multiple pom-poms and zig-zagged, and no hits were, registered, although all attacks appeared to be very close to her. After this attack she increased speed and she was soon out of sight. Having been left by 'Jaguar', who was taking a different route, I set a course for the Dyck Buoy and followed "Y" route. Between T and S" buoys I overtook 'Brock' and she signalled that she could only steam at half speed and that she had 3 serious cases on board. I signalled her to heave to and went alongside her and transferred her survivors and troops to 'Fyldea'. I then proceeded at full speed and arrived back at Dover at 0300. During the bombing raids and the periods between, the situation was so tense that it would have been almost impossible to realise any passage of time, so that the times in this report may be in error to a considerable extent. The bombs dropped during the raids appeared to be of a heavy type. They could be quite easily seen as they fell and looked about the size of a 15 shell. The bombers attacked in waves of about two or three, releasing 2 bombs at a time, which prolonged the period and disorganised the embarking and tended to cause panic. Most of these bombs fell within 70 yards of the trawlers. The ships were also attacked with cannon. This was not noticed at the time due to the intensity of the bombing, but half inch iron shells were picked up afterwards. The behaviour of all Officers and men were at all times exemplary, and at no time did I notice any man show any disinclination to do his utmost or show any sign of panic even when others were panicking. I would like to mention Skipper Lieutenant Luke, whose ship was badly damaged. He retained complete control of his men and assured me that he would take his ship back to port if it was possible. This afterwards proved to be impossible, and her crew were taken off by 'Arley' who fired two rounds into her and left her to sink, clear of the channel. 'Arley' was not able to fire again as she was attacked by bombs. Lieutenant Ward and Sub. Lieutenant Roberts R.N.V.R., were also the greatest assistance. They supervised the placing of the ladders of the foremost group and throughout the whole period remained cheerful and encouraged their men. I subsequently discovered that the 'John Catling' was detained in Dunkerque by the Piermaster and remained there until dark, where, in spite of further bombing, she carried out the most useful work. I authorised provisions and rum issue in moderation to survivors and troops, and morphia to the seriously wounded, at the discretion of Commanding Officers.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant (R. Bill) Lieutenant R.N."
NOTE: The sketch "A" referred to in the above report, and which forms part of Bill's report, identifies the positions of the various ships, including the trawlers under Bill's command, that berthed alongside Dunkirk pier between 14:15 an 15:15 on 29th May 1940, and additionally indicates where bombs fell causing serious damage.
Group also accompanied by biographical details, copied extracts "Who Was Who" and Navy Lists of the period, along with copied 1 page service record.
Commander Robert Bill (1910-1987), was born on 1/4/1910 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. He was appointed Cadet, HMS Nelson, 1/9/1927 and first commissioned Sub-Lieutenant, 6/3/1931, promoted Lieutenant, 16/3/1933, Lieutenant-Commander, 16/3/1941, and Commander, 31/12/1945. Bill specialised in hydrographic survey from 1931, and after retiring from the Royal Navy in 1955 he was employed by several private companies, serving as a Special Director of Vickers Instruments Ltd., 1956-65, and Director and Managing Director of Tellurometer Ltd., 1960-66.
On the day that Robert Bill brought his squadron of trawlers to Dunkirk to take part in the rescue, 29/5/1940, some 47,310 British troops were rescued from Dunkirk, but at a considerable cost to the naval forces involved in the rescue. In addition to the trawlers Calvey and Polly Johnson, the Royal Navy also lost the destroyer HMS Grenade, the French destroyer Mistral was crippled, and her two sister ships, each laden with 500 men, were damaged by near misses. The Royal Navy destroyers Jaguar and Verity were also badly damaged but managed to escape the harbour. The passenger steamer SS Fynella was sunk at the pier with 600 men on board, but the men were able to get off. The paddle steamer Crested Eagle suffered a direct hit, caught fire and sank with severe losses and the Luftwaffe also destroyed the two cross-channel ferries, the SS Lorina and the SS Normannia. Of the five major aerial attacks during the day, just two were contested by RAF fighters, with the RAF losing 16 fighters and the Germans losing 11 Ju87s bombers destroyed or damaged.
One of the trawlers that saw service under Bill at Dunkirk, the H.M.T. Brock, had also seen service in a previous war-time maritime rescue, going to the aid of the survivors after the liner Lusitania was torpedoed off the Old Head of Kinsale in 1915.
