Keeping afloat memories of the Little Ships that saved our troops
Vessels that helped to win grim ‘victory’ sailing on
CUT OFF and surrounded, the bulk of the British Army seemed destined to be killed or captured in the Nazi onslaught.
Their rescue from the beaches around Dunkirk in May and June 1940 by boats and ships, both large and small, has never been forgotten and it is a story which has shaped the nation’s psyche.
Yesterday, some of those wooden boats which helped rescue more than 338,000 British soldiers left for the French port.
About 55 boats will cross the Channel this week to help mark the 75th anniversary of the evacuation.
Some left yesterday, two days ahead of schedule, in order to ensure the crews and vessels are safe from poor weather.
Ian Gilbert, commodore of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, said there is huge pride in being involved on the 75th anniversary.
He noted that the boats were part of “the great response of the British Naval tradition in 1940” and he hopes the public were interested seeing them close up.
Mr Gilbert said: “As we go further away from 1940 the little ships become the sole living reminder of Operation Dynamo which resulted in the phrase ‘the Dunkirk spirit’.
“The little ships represent that and there are very few veterans left who can tell that story, but the ships help with that. I think it gives us all a sense of pride and purpose.”
All the boats are British-made, average around 80 years old and were built in an area that marked the “zenith of boat building”, according to Mr Gilbert.
He added that it is “a wonderful privilege” to own and sail on the boats.
The grandson of a soldier who was rescued by one of the wooden boats at Dunkirk hailed the ships’ “massive” role in shaping British history.
Joe Radmore, 35, originally from Devon and now living in London, owns the Silver Queen – one of the Dunkirk Little Ships – having bought it about six years ago.
His grandfather, Barry Wareham, who died a couple of years ago aged 90, was rescued by one of the boats 75 years ago.
Mr Radmore is taking his boat across to Dunkirk this week and joked that he is hop- ing for good weather, but added: “Regardless of the weather, five years ago when we did the crossing... really puts a lump in your throat.
“There were thousands of people in the rain in Ramsgate five years ago waving us off. It’s a very special thing.
“And also because you think if it wasn’t for these Little Ships the liberties which we feel we have in the UK now we would not have.”
He said that if we look at turning points in British history this was a “massive” one.
“I bought the Silver Queen, being a Dunkirk Little Ship, because my grandfather was one of the soldiers rescued in 1940, then he won the Military Medal for fighting in the rearguard.
“He was lucky because about 70,000 of the soldiers who were fighting in the rearguard never came back, so he was very fortunate.”
Mr Radmore takes people out on trips to help pay for the vessel’s upkeep. He said it would be great if the ship was around for another few decades, adding: “I’m sure she will.”