Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

Petty Officer Telegraphist William C Dyer P/J97667 [MTB 10] (Ryde, I.O.W.)

14/07/1904-??/??/1991

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Photo from Buddy Hide's Bill Dyer's collection ©

Bill Dyer trained for Motor Torpedo Boats at HMS Vernon 10th July 1937 - 26th August 1938 when he was assigned to MTB 10 at HMS Tamar, Hong Kong under the command of Lt-Cmdr D G (Knobby) Clark RN also O/C of the 2nd MTB Flotilla. In November 1940. Lt-Cmdr John C Boldero DSC RN (Rtrd) Took over as O/C of MTB 10 and the Flotilla. Lt-Commander Gandy RN (Rtrd) then took over in February 1941 after Boldero was involved in an accident losing an arm.

Bill was reprimanded for 'being drunk while scuttling' in NanAo, possibly from the flotilla supply of rum, the daily 'tot.'

Lt-Cmdr D G (Knobby) Clark RN the first C/O of the 2nd MTB Flotilla 1938 - November 1940. Lt-Cmdr John C Boldero DSC RN (Rtrd).⁶⁰ the 2nd S/O of the flotilla Nov 1940-Feb 1941. Boldero lost an arm in an accident and later took command of HMS Cicala. Lt-Cmdr Gandy RN (Retd) late of HMS Cicala took over from Boldero in May 1941.

After 3000 miles travelling overland through China and Burma he arrived in a deserted Rangoon. There he joined Lt Kennedy along with Al Downey on the Burmese Minesweeper Somagyi. After six and a half weeks he left Akyab (Sittwe) onboard the five thousand ton British India Steam Navigation Company's " SS Ellenga" bound for Calcutta along with Lt Kennedy and forteen other ratings, and over two thousand refugees crammed on deck.⁹ From Calcutta it was a thirty six hour train journey across the Indian sub-Continent to Bombay where they boarded the Cunarder armed Merchant Cruiser " RMS Laconia" bound for the UK via Cape Town.

Lt Kennedy onboard the 'Larconia' in Cape Town wrote, "The 'Laconia' was followed into harbour by another troopship, the 'Narkunda', and to our surprise Gandy and the other half of the M.T.B. party were on board. The 'Laconia' party received a warm welcome, perhaps not so much as old ship-mates but as extra hands to share duties of guarding the six hundred Italian prisoners-of war being taken to England in the ship". On board the 'Narkunda' the MTB party was almost complete." ^[9] We set sail again on the 19th April, but had to return due to engine trouble. This time we anchored in Table Bay with no ships boats for a run ashore. We finally got under way on the 28th with a ten-day passage to Freetown.

After leaving Freetown they had to sleep fully dressed as they negotiated the U-boat packs in the north Atlantic continuously zigzagging enroute for the UK. Gandy, Ashby, & Kennedy along with 27 ratings finally arrived in the King George V dock, Sheildhall, Glasgow late afternoon on Friday 22^nd May 1942 onboard the "Narkunda".^[15]

Bill had been away in Hong Kong for four years.

MTB 10 patrolling with the 2nd MTB Flotilla

Photo from A/B Lt C.J. Collingwood's collection ©