Late on Tuesday afternoon, with the sun setting gloriously in the west,

came the comman from the Navy, “Commence loading!” Lundy’s steers and ponies were shepherded up the ramp of the tank landing craft from the pebbly beach, and they will be the ‘stars’ at Barnstaple Cattle Market.

A simple story – but there’s real romance about the whole transaction.

In past years the owner of Lundy, Mr M C Harman, has used the former drifter, m.v. Lerina, now lying alongside Bideford Quay for shipping his cattle ashore but prohibitive expense forced him to lay her up. Mr F W Gade, Mr Harman’s agent on Lundy since 1926 sought other shipment possibilities. He approached the Admiralty for the use of a landing craft, and they readily agreed but the weather has been unsuitable for months.

The Tank Leading Craft, which did the ‘operation beef’ was herself in grave peril in a pre-Christmas gale, and sought shelter in Lundy’s shipping roads.

However, all was set for last week. Four experienced cattle drovers were flown over to the island, and the animals rounded up for embarkation. Unfavourable weather brought more delay.

A Bideford and North Devon Gazette reporter flew out with a small editorial sortie to cover the climax. LCT 4063, the landing craft engaged, had left Instow about 10am carrying more pressmen, photographers and newsreel and television cameramen. She was accompanied by an LCH usually berthed in the Torridge. Mr Gade gave us all a friendly welcome. Close by were the cattle, some in an old smuggler’s cave, and another batch in a fenced ring, with ‘Jock’ Rochford, the farm bailiff, Mr G Symons the head ‘cowboy’ and others.

Late afternoon light was having its effect when the order to load came. Sailors, islanders and cow-hands, joined in the miniature ‘wild west scene’ as they ran the cattle down the beach and up the ramp to a rich diet of fodder to cheer them up! Some cattle nearly missed their sense of direction but the sailors went waist-deep into the water to head them off and joined in the special calls they gave to ‘beeves’ on these occasions!

#royalnavy

Complete article dated 16 May 1951