May 1940:Destination Dunkirk

It was a routine day for the crew of the motor barge. They were unloading a consignment of steel sheets in Portsmouth Dockyard. When they had finished, the ship would sail for their home port on the Isle of Wight. They were surprised when a man in Royal Naval officer uniform climbed aboard. He said to the captain:

“I have an urgent message for you from the Admiralty. I am ordered to commandeer this vessel immediately, for use by the navy and to take command of it.

However, I am instructed to say that it would be of great value to the navy and to the war effort if you and any of your crew would agree to serve on the vessel.”

This is the brutal story of a “Little Ship”, based on the diary of one of the crew.