Extract of War Diary
663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers:
Commanding Officer: Major R.G. Morgan MC
17.6.40
0430hrs
Moved off and continued our march (practically the whole of this night there were bad Air Rail alarms)
1130hrs
Company embarked in tenders and were taken out to transport approx 5 miles out, to the "S.S. Lancastria" On arriving I reported to O.C. Troops.
1230hrs
Had message to report myself to O.C. Troops at Orderly Room who informed me that I had to find a guard of 60 men and 1 officer for the life boats and boat deck. I was informed at this time that there were over 4,000 men on board. The guard was to be armed and with bayonets, and on the command of the Officer i/c they were to fire. This order to be given only in case of necessity. The R.A.F. were to guard the port side.
I informed O.C. Troops that as we had had very little sleep for the last 72 hours, that could our men have 4 hours rest and commence duty at 1900hrs. This was found possible, and the A.M.P.C. took over duties under Major Glover.
1520hrs
I inspected the decks and found some of our men in the hold and section 2 on the boat deck saw nothing of the A.M.P.C. guard on deck. Found C.S.M. Mellor and informed him that I would give him instructions in my cabin No. 69. Then went down to Captain Holloway, 2nd Lieut Huss and 2nd Lieut Walker already in my cabin.
Whilst below the air raid warning sounded, two explosions were heard which seemed a long way off. Approx. 1 minute later a crash was heard quite close also the sound of breaking glass and the ship listed to port, the lights went out but were switched on afterwards. I put on my life belt, and went out of the cabin and walked to the foot of the staircase, there I saw panic and I heard women scream. I called to the men and told them to remember that they were Britishers.
I was carried in the rush up to the top of the staircase, where panic once more commenced.
Once on the deck the men were cool save for a few cases where the men threw themselves overboard, and so causing their own deaths. The starboard lifeboat was lowered but it capsized and its occupants were thrown out, but another boat was successfully lowered.
I made my way to the boat deck but could not get through owing to crowding on the decks so I retraced my footsteps to the Port side which was equally as bad and stood with Lieut Walker on the side.
Sapper Cyril Cumbes of 663 Coy, RE (photo by M. Hirst, St. Nazaire)
By this time the bows of the ship were under the water. I considered it was no use waiting and thought it best that we should get away and so make room for other men. We went down a rope over the side and pushed off. After swimming for about 10 minutes I saw Captain Holloway swimming with a man minus a lifebelt, to the trawler about a mile away. This in my opinion was a very gallant act undoubtedly saved this mans' life.
After swimming for about half and hour I reached the trawler "Cambridgeshire" there saw Lieut Walker with men helping those men who were less exhausted than themselves. We transferred to a cargo boat "S.S. John Holt" and on board we had approx 50 serious stretcher cases and about 150 casualties, these were attended to by Lieut Walker R.E. 1913503 Sapper N. Jones, Sapper Friswell of this Company. A roll call of this company found us with 3 officers and 37 Other Ranks.
Roll call of 663 Company survivors aboard "S.S. Oronsay" by 2nd Lieut Huss read 1 Officer and 43 Other Ranks.
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