My Grandad's interview with a local paper The follwing appeared in one of the Wakefield local papers Ship sunk by nazi bombs. Tired and dishevelled with the happy consciousness of duty effectively prerformed. Several local active servicemen returned home for a short rest during last weekend direct from their exciting experiences and narrow escapes from death at Dunkirk. Leading stoker Leonard Kaye of Ingfield avenue Ossett, arrived on Monday morning. He was carring the new kit which had been served him following the loss of his belongings caused by the sinking of his ship the destroyer Basilisk off Dunkirk beach on Saturday morning. Kaye is an experianced rating being recalled to service on the outbreak of war after completing twelve years with the Royal Navy in June of last year. He has been engaged with the Dover Patrol and operations at Narvik. Over a fortnight ago the ship moved to the channel to assist in the evacuation from Dunkirk. Modestly he described the important part played in the rescue by the crew of the Basilisk. Three trips heavy loads of soldiers and refugees ,culminating with the disaster and toll of so many of the brave crew. He states: On the forth trip we were busy picking up the crowds from the beach. When a charge from a nazi bomber fell on the deck and serverly damaged the ship. She was still afloat however and with the assistance of a light trawler endeavoured to get away. About two hours later while limping along we got another dose from two or three bombs finding their billet only too truly. We quickly sank with the upper works still showing. Following the first attack when I happened to be forrard' under cover. We had launched the boats and after the second attack when I was in the officers galley aft. We had to jump for it unfortunatley alot of our lads were killed . I understand that the watch below gunnery officer and an AB were blown over the side. Ater rowing for a considerable time subjected to bombing and machine gunning with little respite we were picked up by a destroyer and landed on the east coast. In the course of further conversation Kaye spoke of the scenes. Our heavy naval units out at sea were pounding away continuosly into the enemys quarters our aircraft were fighting magnificently and all the time the troops being steadily evacuated. HMS Basilik 1st June 1940 131 Survivors rescued by LA JOLIE MASCOTTE The true losses will never be known. Geoff
