Date of Arrival

Place

Date of Departure

Orders, Remarks etc

29.12.39

Portsmouth

20.1.40

28/12 LEDA is to proceed to Humber

5/1 Taken in hand for fitting for minesweeping, completes 10/1

13/1 In view of the evidence that LEDA possesses strong permanent magnetisation it is highly desirable that trials should be carried out in her to investigate whether such permanent magnetisation can be easily removed. Trials would last about 3 weeks. Request approval for ship to remain at Portsmouth to carry out these trials

14/1 regret LEDA cannot be made available. She should rejoin her flotilla as soon as possible

17/1 From C in C Portsmouth: Intend to sail LEDA for Invergordon 20/1 

21.1.40

Stoker 1^st Class Frederick Stevens P/KX65044 died

24.1.40

Tyne

?

26/1 LEDA can be taken in hand by Smith’s Dock, Middlesbrough on completion of Hussar but Admiralty have no objection to her refit being undertaken on Tyne if preferred.

27/1 From F O i/c Tyne: LEDA will be sent to Smiths Dock Middlesbrough to refit as soon as possible

29.1.40

Middlesbrough

25.2.40

30/1 Taken in hand Smiths Dock, completes 18/2

19/2 From N O i/c Middlesbrough: LEDA defect completed midnight 18-19/2, ready to sail 21/2

26.2.40

Invergordon

29.2.40

3.3.40

Humber

?

Source: ADM 199/184 Report on clearing sweep 5^th MSF

From: The Senior Officer 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER

Date: 26^th March 1940

To:  Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover 

Report of Clearance Operation on Easter Sunday 24.3.40 and Monday 25.3.40.

 

Submitted: This clearance was delayed by thick fog until 1600 on Sunday when sweeping was commenced and continued until 1900, vessels anchoring in the vicinity for the night. 

Sweep recommenced at 0900 on Monday which was the earliest that tidal conditions permitted, and was continued until 1745. No further mines were discovered, the area having been thoroughly searched the previous day. 

Danlaying yacht Sargasso was of great assistance, but Grey Mist who was also detailed apparently proceeded to expend his ammunition on floating mines and returned to Ramsgate to replenish it. He did not appear at all. One sweeper had to be used for danlaying. 

Sweepers: Gossamer, Niger
Danlayers: Salamander, Sargasso 

Points of interest:- 

Possible Anti-Sweeping Device

 

On Monday 25^th LEDA’s sweep was parted by an underwater explosion. The explosion was slight but definite, and was followed by a ring of bubbles on the surface, some 15 feet in diameter.

 

Two alternative suggestions are:

a) A mine whose main charge failed to fire.

b) An explosive cutting device.

 

Against a) no other mines in this field have exploded on being swept.

Against b) the position was immediately danned by Salamander who was following astern. It was re-swept at the end of the day and nothing found.

 

Another peculiar occurrence for which no explanation is suggested, was a parted sweep on the previous day. In this case the sweep was found, on recovery, to have 80 fathoms missing, ie it had parted in two places.

 

Asdic Contact

 

While at anchor during the night Niger obtained a doubtful contact. One depth charge was dropped, after which it was considered the contact was definitely non-sub. I consider Niger’s constant anti-sub vigilance, especially after a hard day’s sweeping, is most creditable. She is the only asdic vessel in the flotilla.

 

R Ross

Commander

SO 5^th M/S Flotilla

26.3.40

Source: ADM 199 184 Report on clearing sweep 5^th MSF.

 

From: The Senior Officer 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER

Date: 28^th March 1940

To:   Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover

 

Report of Clearance Operation on 26 March 1940 

Sweepers: Gossamer, Niger, LEDA
Danlayers: Salamander, Sargasso 

Six mines cut. One detonated, five destroyed by gunfire. 

Owing to very strong cross tide and lack of sufficient experienced danlayers, this clearance cannot be considered 100%. During the first lap no less than six mines were encountered and before completing the lap the flotilla ran into thick fog. It was decided to abandon sweeping for the day. 

Of these six mines, only one detonated (close to Gossamer’s stern). Another mine surfaced just clear of the disturbed water of the first, some 10 or 20 seconds later. It appears probable that the enemy’s intention was to part the sweep, thus causing the second mine to be missed. 

Pending further details of dip, it is observed that these 6 mines were swept in a depth (by echo recorder) of 20-22 fathoms, with a tide of at least 2 knots. Sweeps were running with 16 fathoms kite, 8 fathoms float wire. It was the top of high water. 

R Ross
Commander
SO 5^th M/S Flotilla  

1.4.40

From:   Senior Officer, 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS Gossamer

Date:    1^st April 1940

To:       Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover

 

Minesweeping Report, Sunday 31^st March 1940 

Sweepers:         Gossamer, Speedwell, LEDA, Harrier
Danlayers:        Sargasso, Grey Mist
Later assisted by Emperor of India as mine clearer. 

This proved an interesting day. As the area to be swept included a bank with 5 fathom patches running down the centre, ‘A’ sweep was chosen. As the flotilla approached the 1^st lap in ‘J’ formation a sudden fog descended and the visibility fell to ½ cable. It lifted just in time to show R buoy in correct position for the 1^st lap. This shows the advantage of having a qualified navigator (who had joined the previous evening)

Five mines were cut. One exploded, the rest were destroyed by gunfire. 

Anti-Sweeping Devices

As was to be expected partings were frequent due to shallow patches. One was also an undoubted explosive cutter, the mine belonging to which was swept. Another slight explosion failed to part the sweeps or bring up a mine.

Two hours of the afternoon were spent in reeling on new wires etc., while waiting for the tide to rise. One more lap was then completed and a re-sweep made over a small piece missed owing to partings. 

Danlaying.

A great improvement has been made now that Sargasso and Grey Mist have got accustomed to working with the flotilla, but even these vessels were unable to maintain sweeping speed in the existing weather conditions. (Wind SW force 4) 

R Ross
Commander
S.O. 5^th M/S Flotilla
 

20.3.40

Dover

10.4.40

6/4 From V A Dover:  Taken in hand for boiler cleaning

11.4.40

Humber

17.4.40

17.4.40

Tyne

10.5.40

13.5.40

Humber

14.5.40

14.5.40

Tyne

27.5.40

27.5.40

Harwich

28.5.40

Source: Orde

HMS Leda at Dunkirk
 

28.5.40

1200

Proceeded to Dunkirk beaches, in Company with the 5th MSF. On receiving the order to act independently, anchored off Brayes-Dunes.

2120

4 whalers, a skiff and a motor boat were lowered and sent in i/c of S/Lt Jamieson RN 

29.5.40

0320

Hoisted all boats and proceeded via Dyck buoy.

0917

Arrived Margate. Disembarked 301 troops.

1015

Sailed for Dunkirk

1445

Anchored off Brayes-Dunes. Lowered boats and embarked troops, assisted by a large number of Army self propelled boats (i.e. A.L.C.'s).  

1545

Engaged enemy bombers; one probably damaged. Proceeded to Margate with 525 troops. The 3 whalers and the M/B were left inshore i/c of S/Lt Jamieson, with orders to assist other ships.

1630

After passing Middelkerke buoy enemy bombers were seen attacking a hospital ship (the St Julien) and the M/S's Kellet and Pangbourne all outward bound.

2044

Arrived Margate. Disembarked 500 troops.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A2302219

Let battle commence part 2  By rmsbooth   People in story: M.E.Booth

My little group joined a party who had found some bridging lorries with folding pontoons, our job was to unload the pontoons, take them to the sea, erect them and then ferry parties of soldiers out to larger craft off shore, unload and then return for another party. If we came too far into the beach we found that the pontoon filled up very rapidly and we were aground, nobody wanted to get off to enable us to refloat and things got a bit hairy at times. Eventually common-sense prevailed and several of the lads got off and we were refloated, they pushed us out into deeper water and then climbed on again. After that we always stopped out to sea and they had to wade out to us. On one trip we h ad a young officer with us, he was waving his revolver and behaving like Captain Bligh of the Bounty, I shouted at him and told him if he used his energy rowing instead of blowing we would get along a lot better. To my surprise he put his revolver away and started rowing!

Later in the afternoon an RSM came on my pontoon, when we got to the ship he said, ‘right lads, you’ve done your bit for today, go on board, somebody else can take her back’. My lads and I made our way to the side of the pontoon, grabbed the net hanging down the ship’s side and were up and over in a flash. When I landed on the deck one of the ships officer saw my revolver and said, ‘just what I want, a revolver’, just to keep him happy I passed it over to him, telling him to clean it before he used it as it was full of French soil!

We were then told to go below decks out of the way, I found myself sitting on a seat with my back to the side of the ship up forrad underneath the ack-ack gun. The sailors were grand, they gave us hot tea and sandwiches out of their own lockers and we settled down for a rest whilst the ship loaded up. Eventually we were full up and off we started for England. I fell asleep when suddenly there was a series of loud bangs and the door of the locker above me fell on my head. Eventually the banging stopped and a sailor came down and told us that we had been attacked by a Stuka but they had shot it down and we would soon be in England. Once the excitement was over I soon fell fast asleep, eventually a sailor came along shouting ‘wakey wakey, get yourselves ashore, unless you want to go back again’. Everybody declined his offer and we all made our way ashore to find that we were in Margate.

Incidentally, the name of the ship that brought us home was the H.M.S. LEDA. I believe that she was a minesweeper in the Halcyon class and that she was torpedoed on one of the Russian convoys with the loss of fourteen lives. (Note: 43 died)

Story written by Ex. 2067466 Cpl. Booth M.E.
Section 2. 248th Field Coy.
Royal Engineers. B.E.F.
D.O.B. 30th May 1915.
D.O.D. Not yet available!

 

2155

Proceeded towards the French coast by the Dyck buoy. No ships were sighted during this passage so when off the Dyck buoy decided to return to the North Goodwin L.V. and proceed by X route.

30.5.40

0150

Arrived off Brayes-Dunes, anchored and embarked troops. A search was made for S/Lt Jamieson's party, but without success.

1220

Proceeded towards Margate with 650 troops

1815

Arrived Margate. Disembarked 537 troops. S/Lt Jamieson returned on board and reported that he had embarked troops in the P.M/S Gracie Fields and the G/B Locust until 0200/30, when only the M/B was left, the whalers having been sunk during the air raid the previous afternoon. The M/B was later abandoned because of engine trouble and lack of fuel. 

1955

Proceeded towards Dunkirk.

31.5.40

0000

The enemy were now shelling Dunkirk harbour. LEDA signalled her arrival to the signal station on Dunkirk East pier, and received a general message to the effect that the boats were urgently required for embarking troops from the beaches. All LEDA's boats having been lost, Lt Cdr Unwin decided to enter Dunkirk harbour.

0015

Secured alongside the east pier. Embarked about 50 stretcher cases and 350 troops

0135

Proceeded out of harbour. After rounding FG buoy, was in collision with unknown skoot which attempted to cross LEDA's bow from port to starboard. Slight damage to the LEDA.

31/5 From LEDA: With about 350 troops on board. Have sustained collision port side damage just above water line, damage is not serious.

0535

Arrived Margate. Disembarked 387 troops. Proceeded to Sheerness for repairs.

1700

Repairs completed. Proceeded.

2200

Rendezvous with MS 5 (i.e. S.O. 5th MSF) off W buoy.

2359

LEDA anchored off La Panne

1.6.40

0230

Few boats available for embarkation. Permission obtained from MS 5 to search for boats, so proceeded towards Dunkirk.

0300

Acquired a M/B and 3 launches, and embarked 630 troops from the beach off Zuydcoote Sanatorium (4 miles east of Dunkirk). Engaged fighter planes which were carrying out machine gun attacks. 

0715

Proceeded towards Sheerness. When in Dunkirk Roads a heavy concentration of bombers attacked ships

0737

The destroyer Keith 4 cables ahead, was seriously damaged and steamed round at high speed out of control. A collision was narrowly averted

0800

While passing Dunkirk breakwater, the destroyer Ivanhoe was seen to be damaged and to be disembarking troop to the Minesweeper Speedwell. Bombers then attacked the destroyer Havant ahead of LEDA. They then attacked LEDA but without success. 

0815

Bombing attacks ceased and LEDA proceeded.

1410

Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 630 troops. A number of ratings had to be treated for complete exhaustion and most ratings fell asleep where they lay.

2.6.40

1645

Proceeded towards Dunkirk

2300

Arrived off Dunkirk harbour entrance. Secured alongside east pier. No troops were to be seen. The enemy bombarded the harbour entrance with shrapnel. 

2350

Ordered by the berthing officer to ship and proceed.

3.6.40

0010

Left harbour with no troops on board. Proceeded to Margate and thence to Sheerness

1650

Proceeded towards Dunkirk in company with Minesweeper Gossamer and the Albury.

2310

In accordance with the berthing arrangements, secured alongside Dunkirk west pier and commenced embarking French troops.

4.6.40

0022

Sailed with 484 French troops. Lt Cdr Unwin here pays "tribute to the excellent arrangements at West Pier for the embarkation, and also the high standard of discipline of the French troops, they were magnificent".

0300

Fog encountered in which the Belgian trawler Marechal Foch was rammed by LEDA and sunk. LEDA sustained damage to the bows, but the forward bulkhead held. It is not known how many survivors were taken off. The Minesweeper Albury stood by LEDA until relieved by the Minesweeper Kellett, which escorted LEDA to Margate. 

1020

Arrived Margate in fog. Disembarked 500 French troops (484?)

2310

In accordance with the berthing arrangements, secured alongside Dunkirk west pier and commenced embarking French troops.

5.6.40

1100

Received the signal that Operation Dynamo had been completed.

Total transported: 2848

The following awards were made:

DSC    Lt Cdr H Unwin RN

DSM   C.E.R.A. G B Head

DSM   P.O. J Collins

Mention in Despatches    Lieut W McKee RNR

Date of Arrival

Place

Date of Departure

Orders, Remarks etc

5.6.40

Sheerness

14.6.40

5/6 From Cdre i/c Sheerness: Intend to basin 6/6 to progress repairs and dock in No. 2 dock then L26, undocks at end of week. Time required in dock 10 days approx.

10/6 From D of D: Completes 12/6

14.6.40

Humber

?

Sweeping coastal convoys using the East Coast Channel.

2.7.40

Able Seaman Bernard William Lahee P/J94396 died aged 38.

1.9.40

LEDA was ordered to the assistance of the Harwich based destroyers Express, Esk and Ivanhoe, mined while steaming in the North Sea to meet a reported enemy fleet. Esk sank immediately and Ivanhoe after hitting another mine had to be abandoned and was sunk. Express was towed to the Humber.

2.9.40

Humber

5.10.40

30/9 C O’s of Gossamer and LEDA are to exchange ships, LEDA becoming S O’s ship of 5^th MSF. LEDA’s boiler cleaning completes about 4/10

6.10.40

Leith

9.10.40

10.10.40

Invergordon

11.10.40

12.10.40

Rosyth

16.10.40

17.10.40

Rosyth

24.10.40

25.10.40

Scapa

29.10.40

30/10 From C in C Rosyth: LEDA is to proceed to Aberdeen as soon as weather moderates sufficiently

30.10.40

Dragged across a merchant ship; bow holed in the tiller flat.

30/10 From C in C Rosyth: LEDA is to proceed to Aberdeen as soon as weather moderates sufficiently

1.11.40

Aberdeen

?

1/11 From NO i/c Aberdeen: Taken in hand for repairs and boiler cleaning, completes 15/11

25.11.40

Scapa

26.11.40

?

Aberdeen

27.11.40

29.11.40

Londonderry

27.12.40

26/12 From 5^th MSF: Propose LEDA sails for Aberdeen 27/12 to clean boiler on arrival and give 6 days leave.

29.12.40

Aberdeen

11.1.41