Preserving Dunkirk’s Little Ships, 80 years on

Sir – This week marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Dynamo – the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.

Although it would be wrong to characterise this event as anything other than a comprehensive defeat for the British and Allied forces, it was nevertheless a seminal moment in our history. The phrase “Dunkirk spirit” has entered our lexicon for good reason. The heroic action of all our forces – but particularly that of the Royal Navy – has never been fully acknowledged. With the passing of the last of the Dunkirk veterans, the Little Ships that played a crucial role in that evacuation will become the last tangible link to events that many historians consider the beginning of the end of the Third Reich.

As the honorary vice-admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, I have written to Johnny Mercer, the minister for veterans, to request that the Dunkirk Little Ships be designated “veterans” under the Armed Forces Covenant. The covenant is a commitment to treat veterans fairly and with respect. Our Little Ships are all privately owned; their owners receive no support of any kind. The average age of such a ship is 85. Even the best boatbuilder in the Thirties would never have expected any creation to last more than three decades. Our owners are now cosseting boats that, by rights, should have been firewood 60 years ago.

These are the boats that we take to commemorative events all over the country and had planned to take to Dunkirk last weekend. We are not seeking direct financial assistance, but recognition for the unique role these little boats played in one of the most important events in our history.

Ian Gilbert

Honorary Vice-admiral, Association of Dunkirk Little Ships