Frank Judson's Story.
Frank Tomkinson was an officer on the Steam Gun Boat ( SGB) HMS Grey Shark based in Portsmouth as part of the 1st Steam Gunboat Flotilla.
HMS Grey Shark
The Events of 26/27th July 1943
1. On the night of 26th July, 1943, the First Steam Gun Boat Flotilla, consisting of GREY GOOSE (Senior Officer's boat) GREY WOLF, GREY SHARK and GREY SEAL, was proceeding to carry out a patrol in the Baie de la Seine.
2. Between 0149 and 1242 on the 27th, enemy plots were received and it was decided to pursue the enemy, on the supposition that he was returning to Cherbourg.
3. At about 0350 a Radar contact was obtained, bearing 250 degrees 3,500 yards, and the force closed the enemy at 20 knots to bring him into action before he entered the harbour.
4. The sea was glassy calm and the moon, which had just risen and gave little light, was directly behind the force.
II. THE ACTION.
5. The enemy was sighted at a range of about 1,500 yards and appeared to consist of 3 trawlers and 8 or 9 "R" boats travelling at slow speed on an approximately parallel course, but visibility did not allow an accurate assessment of the strength of the formation to be made.
German R boat
6. When the force was 600 yards away, one "R" boat challenged with a blue light, but fire was held to bring the whole force into effective range.
7. At 0357, when in position 320 degrees Cap Levi 4.3 miles, all the S.G.Bs opened fire on the port side at 300 yards range and very heavy return fire was encountered.
8. The "R" boats increased speed but held course and GREY GOOSE, leading, overtook them one by one, closing the range in an endeavour to turn the enemy's line. About 6 "R" boats were engaged in turn and hits with 3 inch shell from GREY GOOSE were observed on three occasions before the gun's crew was wounded.
9. Early in the action, the rudder of GREY SHARK (second in the line) became jammed 'hard-a-starboard' due to two hits. This left a gap in the line and GREY GOOSE became the principal target. A cordite fire was started in the starboard 3-inch ready-use locker and forced GREY GOOSE to disengage. By this time, shore batteries, firing H.E. and starshell, had joined in the action.
10. The trawlers, which had been strongly engaged by GREY WOLF and GREY SEAL, had, by now, been left some way astern and one was seen to be on fire and emitting clouds of black smoke.
11. Meanwhile GREY SHARK rigged hand steering and, observing that GREY GOOSE was on fire, regained her place ahead of GREY WOLF and manoeuvred in between the enemy and GREY GOOSE. For several minutes a very fierce and confused battle raged, in the course of which GREY SHARK and GREY WOLF were hit severely, the former being brought to a standstill by a hit in the Boiler Room.
12. The line again became disorganised. GREY SEAL, after overtaking GREY WOLF without realising the fact, passed the stopped GREY SHARK and, observing that she was in trouble, was turning back to starboard to go to her aid, when GREY WOLF appeared on the starboard bow. At 0403 a collision occurred between these two boats, badly damaging the port bow of GREY WOLF. GREY SEAL sustained minor damage to her starboard bow.
13. By this time GREY SHARK and GREY WOLF had sustained fairly heavy casualties. The former was stopped without prospect of repair and the latter was in some danger of sinking. Four fires were burning in GREY GOOSE, her 3-inch gun's crew had been wounded and her W/T aerials, Radar aerials and recognition lights had been shot away.
14. GREY GOOSE, having extinguished her fires, had got well ahead of the others and was proceeding to the pre-arranged rendezvous, when at 0407, a distress signal was seen and GREY GOOSE set course 180 degrees in answer.
15. On close approach, four stationary vessels (at least one enemy) were sighted close together. The nearest was identified as an "R" boat, but was not engaged as the identity of the others had not been established.
16. The reason for this grouping was that GREY SEAL was preparing to take GREY SHARK in tow and had fallen out some of the guns' crews for this purpose, when an "R" boat appeared signalling. GREY SEAL, not in a position to engage, signalled "WAIT" in German V/S procedure, with the result that she was able to take GREY SHARK in tow within 4 minutes and proceed northwards.GREY WOLF had already set off to the north indicating her intentions by W/T.
17. The main force of the enemy was seen to be concentrating only about 1,000 yards away to the westward, with the advantage of the moon and the approaching dawn. GREY GOOSE therefore moved into position between the enemy and the tow and commenced to lay a smoke screen. The enemy increased speed and opened fire at 0427 at a range of about 500 yards. At least seven of the enemy were firing, principally at GREY GOOSE as the other two were obscured, but this fire was inaccurate compared with that of the earlier part of the action and GREY GOOSE scored a number of hits on the second ship in the enemy line.
18. The enemy, either from the shore or from the trawlers, fired starshell and H.E., but the "R" boats turned away. The tow was able to withdraw to the North East at about 10 knots and was further hidden by the smoke which GREY WOLF had laid previously.
19. GREY SEAL continued to tow GREY SHARK, GREY GOOSE escorting. At 0655 BLEASEDALE and the destroyer HMS STEVENSTONE, with GREY WOLF in company, were encountered in approximate position, 160 degrees St. Catherine Point 28 miles, and GREY WOLF's wounded were transferred to BLEASEDALE, the remaining wounded ( including Frank Tomkinson) being transferred to STEVENSTONE. Frank died before reaching port.
20. At 1130 GREY GOOSE and STEVENSTONE entered Portsmouth Harbour and at approximately 1330, GREY SHARK, still in tow by GREY SEAL, entered harbour in company with BLEASEDALE and GREY WOLF.
Grey Shark Casualties
Killed - 1 officer ( F. J Tomkinson) 2 ratings.
Seriously wounded - 2 officers, 3 ratings.
Slightly wounded - 4 ratings.
Frank is buried in Acton Churchyard and is memorialised on the Wistaston War Memorial and the Wistaston Memorial Hall Memorial.
Frank's grave at Acton Church yard