Page 33 - July 2020

FEATURE
were mounted on the boat for protection.
Massey left Ramsgate at 18:20 on Saturday 1st June and arrived off Bray Dunes at 23:48 where the Naval Party left and the fireboat commenced removing troops off the beaches to the larger craft off shore. Overnight Massey ferried some 500 men to the paddle steamer “Glendower” and another paddle steamer before returning to Ramsgate at 07:40 on Sunday 2nd June. She also brought back a further 46 troops all suffering from various injuries and in need of food and rest.
Massey made her final trip to the beaches on Sunday 2nd June leaving Ramsgate at 18:40 with a relief LFB crew from London under the command of Stn O G.A. Briancourt with Lieutenant Walker RN in overall charge. They arrived off Bray Dunes at 01:15 and found no troops on the beaches as they had moved back to Dunkirk to be taken off from the Mole (breakwater). Massey made her way to the harbour and one of her crew went ashore to take her lines ready for troops to come aboard. At this time the Mole came under heavy bombing by the enemy and Massey had to exit quickly leaving the crew member ashore. Fortunately, the fireman was able to get aboard another craft and made his way back to Ramsgate without injury.
Massey left Dunkirk at 03:15 and arrived back in Ramsgate on Monday 3rd June with a dent to her bow and several scrapes to her hull to show for her actions on the beaches.
Mr Pinches joined the boat at Ramsgate and on the 4th June she left the harbour to make her way back to the Thames. As she approached the North Foreland light, a French auxiliary ship “Emile des Champ” struck a mine and blew up, sinking very quickly. Massey went to her aid and was able to rescue 40 French sailors, a number of whom were badly injured. Most of the survivors needed urgent medical attention and Massey signalled to HMS Albury, a mine sweeper, if they had a doctor on board. Fortunately, they did and the French sailors were transferred safely to the mine sweeper for attention. During this time Massey managed to get a line caught around one of her props and she had to return to Ramsgate to get a diver to remove it.
Massey Shaw finally made her return to the Thames on Wednesday 5th June and received a great reception from all the LFB River stations as she sailed past along with salutes from other Thames craft as they made their way to Lambeth River Station. On arrival, the crew were given a great reception and welcomed home by their families, colleagues and politicians. At the end of six days Massey Shaw and her crew had returned home safely in the knowledge that they had rescued 606 troops off the beaches at Dunkirk and brought back 110 troops to the UK. In addition, 40 badly injured French sailors had been saved from certain death in the channel.
A total of 18 LFB and LAFS personnel had taken part in the event and in recognition for
their efforts Sub Officer A.J.May (coxswain) was awarded the Naval Distinguished Service Medal, one of few civilians to be awarded a military medal. Auxiliary Fireman H.A.W Ray and E.G.Wright were mentioned in despatches by the Admiralty, while Station Officer Youngman received the Chief Officers Commendation.
Vice Admiral Ramsey, Flag Officer, Dover who commanded Operation Dynamo, paid special tribute to Massey Shaw and her crew in his report, the only civilian craft to be mentioned.
After the war, Stn O “Dick” Helyer received a B.E.M and on his citation it mentioned his swimming action at Dunkirk.
Thank you to Mr W Hickin, Hon Archivist for the Massey Shaw Education Trust for his assistance in preparing this article.
If you would like to find out more about Massey Shaw and her unique history please contact the Trust on their website – www.masseyshaw .org
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Liveryman David Rogers Director Massey Shaw Trust