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Researching the Breton islanders |
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Thursday, 17 August 2006 |
Q. I am researching the Breton islanders who sailed from Ile de Sein in several FV's - smacks, luggers etc - to the UK in late June 1940 to join the Free French. Three of the boats arrived in Newlyn about July 1 or 2 of 1940, with around 120 people on board - all male, aged from 14 to about 60. The boats, I gather, had no auxiliary engines, a single Michelin map, and just one compass. There is a 'Friendship Rally' for sailing boats taking place in Brittany this year which is partly to commemmorate this event and the end of the war and in which I have been invited to take part.
My father was a destroyer captain and involved in some 'escapades' out of Falmouth and Helford, and we plan to close the circle by sailing out to Audierne from Newlyn for the start of the rally.
What I am desperate to find is some local info about the French boats and their people, if anyone can recall them; if there's any local history. I have met with a blank wall in Plymouth, and several of my Breton sources say it is 'a very difficult episode' in their history.
Porquoi?
Any help would be welcome!
A1. Corbeau des Mers. Ile de sein crabber.11.50mX3.75mX1.50mdraught.9 tons. Built Belbeoch yard Camaret 1931. Skipper PierreCouillandre. Escaped from Ile de Sein to Newlyn26.6.1940.Returned to Ile de Sein7.9.1940. Rebuilt by Chantier de guip, Ile aux Moines for Museum of the Resistance, Malestroit 1987-88. Believed to be in need of further restoration. Maris Stella Au 1703. Ile de Sein aux sloop crabber. Skipper Martin Guilcher. Baudouin engine. Escaped from Ile de Sein 26.6.1940. Painted green & white. War years long lining from Newlyn. Starred in film Johnny Frenchmanwith Suzanne Renee Cm2488. Lost with 4 of 6 crew 2.12.1949. Appears in photo of Newlyn wartime, Richardscollection, Penzance Morrab Library. Valleda. lighthouse tender to Armen & lighthouses in Four Channel. Escaped Ile de Sein24.6.1940 with 24 soldiers & 25 civilians. Served as examination vessel from Penzance. Ruanez ar Mor. Ile de Sein aux sloop crabber. Skipper Prosper Couillandere. Escaped from Ile de Sein with lighthouse tender Velleda 24.6.1940 bringing 89 between them. Sent back to Ile de Sein by Free French & SIS 6.9.1940 to land agents. Very successful long lining career from Newlyn where known as the TurbotbKing. Baudouin petrol engine replaced by 26hp Kelvin petrol/parrafin engine. One of crew died while on leave from Free French. Ruanez ar Peoc'h. Ile de sein aux sloop crabber. Skipper Francois Fouquet. Sailed from Ile de SEin 26.6.1940.
A2. I recently provided some information for a book written by Frank Bauer who escaped from France at the beginning of WW2 to join the Free French, he spent most of the war broadcasting to France from the BBC but initially was sent to Newlyn to make arrangements for French arriving there. The book is principally about his time in London but he was in Newlyn at the time you are interested in and might remember something of the people you want to know more about. You should be able to contact him through his publishers - Bayard 3 et 5 rue Bayard, 75008 Paris. The book is '401 a Londres - L'espion qui venait du jazz.' ISBN 2.227.47311.8. Another book 'Growing up with Boats' by William Stevenson, which I edited, is divided into three sections, one of which is the war years. On page 74 there is a picture of the Maris Stella Au 1703 and on page 67 one of the Valida (Velleda?) I think that the spelling in the book could be incorrect. This bears the caption: Valida, she came to Newlyn with 12 French soldiers aboard after Dunkirk and was quickly commandeered by the Navy as an examination vessel. She was manned by Nicholls Richards (skipper) and Jack Wallis (engineer). Both were Mousehole men. In France she had been a lighthouse tender and was painted red, green and white. As I understand it as French and Belgian men arrived in Newlyn (and elsewhere) they were sent to London to have their credentials checked and to discuss and decide on their future roles. Some, especially fishermen who came in their own boats with their families returned to Newlyn or other south-west ports to fish and remained through the war years. Some boats were commandeered for naval service. You should be able to borrow 'Growing up with Boats' from a public library. It is available for sale, see details under publications on this site.
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We would both like to know more about the boat and its history.
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