Pictures of lifeboat and crew in Dunkirk rescue colourised for 85th anniversary
The RNLI has had two of its images from the time painstakingly cleaned and colourised using digital technology to mark the bravery of the crews that took part in Operation Dynamo 85 years ago, which began on May 26.
Coxswain Parker, who was 53 when he led his crew to the French coast, was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his services at Dunkirk.
He previously said of the operation: 'Margate lifeboat crew were standing by in their favourite pub, playing a quiet game of darts when I was called down to the boathouse.
'I asked them if they would help take the boat to Dunkirk to help rescue our boys. That was a shock to them, but they all volunteered without a murmur.
'They rushed home to tell their wives to get some food and then we were off.
'Margate was a pretty dead town then, more than half the residents had evacuated.
'But when we got to Dunkirk it was a bit different. With shells bursting and fires raging, it was like hell.'
One of the images of Margate Lifeboat Station shows Coxswain Parker with his crew in front of the Lord Southborough lifeboat which made the journey to Dunkirk.
The original black and white photo has been brought to life with colour, revealing the crew in brown kapok lifejackets and brodie helmets.
Kapok lifejackets were worn by RNLI crews during the Second World War.
Kapok is a fine, cotton-like material which is more commonly used to stuff cushions and toys and is highly buoyant, the RNLI said.
For crews taking part in wartime action, brodie helmets replaced the traditional yellow sou'wester.
The second photo shows the Lord Southborough in full colour, revealing a blue lifeboat with the RNLI logo.
It also shows the crew in their signature bright yellow waterproof oilskin coats.
The RNLI sent 19 boats across in total as part of the maritime rescue, with two crewed by its volunteers and 17 crewed by the Royal Navy.
When Coxswain Parker and his crew got to the shore, the sound of shell fire and the smell of burning was everywhere.
In the darkness, the crew had to feel their way towards the shore.
Once there, they got to work, moving people from the shore to the larger ships anchored in deeper water.
The crew from Ramsgate Lifeboat Station also went to Dunkirk for Operation Dynamo.
Both RNLI boats helped to save 3,400 people in the evacuation, the charity said.
Hayley Whiting, RNLI heritage archive and research manager, said: 'As we mark the 85th anniversary of Dunkirk, it feels fitting to bring these images of Margate Lifeboat Station to life with colour and remember the bravery of the crews that went across to Dunkirk and the lives they saved.
'I'm delighted to see Coxswain Parker and his crew in colour, it gives us an opportunity to share this remarkable story of courage and take a moment to reflect on the bravery of those that set sail for Dunkirk all those years ago and the difficult journey they faced. We're so proud of their courage and lifesaving efforts.
'Both of these images have been worked on by our in-house creative team to bring the original colours to life, with hours spent on the detail and research, to ensure they are a true representation.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to prune three plants before end of week or 'face problems'
Pruning is one of the most important tasks when it comes to keeping a garden looking its best - and there are three popular plants that should be pruned before the end of the week Keeping a stunning and flourishing garden demands regular dedication, with trimming being amongst the most vital jobs. Trimming not only assists in controlling plant dimensions and form but also stimulates fresh growth, boosts blooming and supports general plant wellbeing. Since every plant has its own distinct requirements, knowing the proper timing and technique for trimming is crucial. Horticultural specialists have offered particular guidance on caring for some of the most beloved garden plants, including wisteria, lavender and rambling roses. These recommendations will help guarantee that your garden stays lively and thriving all year round. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. One popular flower that needs maintenance this summer is wisteria. To manage its energetic growth and boost flowering, the flower needs routine trimming, reports the Express According to specialists at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): "wisterias can be left to ramble unchecked where space allows, but will usually flower more freely and regularly if pruned twice a year". Summer trimming improves air flow and permits more sunlight to reach the bottom of young shoots, encouraging better wood maturation and boosting the likelihood of flower bud development. Cutting back the flexible green shoots of the current year's growth to five or six leaves assists in managing the plant's dimensions and promotes the development of flower buds rather than green growth. Lavenders are another plant which should be pruned. Known for its delicate floral scent, this purple flower attracts butterflies and other pollinators to your garden. Michael, known as @themediterraneangardener on TikTok, recommended that August is the ideal time to trim lavender. He warns against cutting into old wood, as it may not regrow. In a pruning guide, Michael clarified: "It's going to continue to grow, it will put on probably another two inches or so worth of growth but that's ok, we leave that. "That growth will protect over winter and then come next year this is in a good compact shape ready to put out some new flower buds for you to enjoy." Another popular flower in British gardens is the rambling rose, which brings with it connotations of romance and adds beauty and charm. However, rambling roses can become knotted and unsightly if left unpruned, making regular trimming crucial. The RHS suggests pruning ramblers in late summer, after their display of flowers and hips. "Ramblers are routinely pruned in late summer, after their show of flowers and hips. When supports have been covered, thin and shorten excessive growth by removing one in three of the oldest stems entirely," advises the RHS. For confined spaces, it's recommended to prune out all stems that have flowered and tie new ones in to take their place.
Press and Journal
3 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Gallery: Looking back at memories of Foveran and Tipperty schools in 60 photos, from 1931 to 2024
When school returns after summer, pupils of the former Foveran and Tipperty schools will be forging a new future together as Ythan Bridge School. It will be a big change for the pupils, teachers and parents of both schools as they encounter different faces and places. Foveran was the first of the two Victorian schools to be formally established in 1873, with Tipperty following in 1878. The first log book entry at Foveran on November 24 1873 tells of the school opening in the presence of the Reverends Keay and Clark. Subsequent entries, right up to its centenary in 1973, provided a valuable record of changing social circumstances in a rural community. Recorded were vast attendance drops during sowing and 'hairst' times, snowstorms in March and April, and ominous outbreaks of scarlet fever. They also record pass marks in Latin, French and Greek. The very first person to be registered on the school roll back in 1873 was farmer's daughter Isabella Allan, of Aikens Hill. The roll totalled 110. Speaking in 1971, headteacher Mr Smith said one aspect of education that has not changed over the years is the constant call for improved facilities. 'One of the very early entries,' smiled Mr Smith, 'complained about the lack of space in the building.' Like many schools across Scotland, Tipperty had previously been a Free Church school until it was taken over by the Logie-Buchan school board in 1878. The Education (Scotland) Act in 1872 made education mandatory until the age of 14 and formalised both schooling and record keeping. Originally the proposal had been to establish a girls' school in Tipperty, but ratepayers were more keen on another co-educational school in the district. There were concerns even before it was built that there would not be enough pupils for the school and as early as 1923 the Kincardine Education Authority wanted to close it. But the local education department fought back, pointing out that closing Tipperty meant 'infants of five years old' would have to walk 2-3 miles to their next nearest school. Tipperty was reprieved until closure threats came calling again in 1973 and 1986, but remarkably each time it was saved. Now, both schools will face the biggest change in their 150 or so years by uniting as one. The newly-named Ythan Bridge School will be split over both Foveran and Tipperty school sites. Primary 1-3 pupils will be educated at Foveran, and primary 4-7 will be educated at Tipperty. The decision to merge the schools was made by Aberdeenshire Council to balance out an increasing roll at Foveran and a decreasing roll at Tipperty. Ythan Bridge was chosen to equally represent both schools, which are in the Ellon cluster near the Forvie reserve. The name reflects the Ythan area in which both schools stand, and Bridgend, which sits between each building. Just before the new chapter starts, we've opened our archives to look back at photos of Foveran and Tipperty schools.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Our lame-duck £1BILLION destroyer that won't be heading over to help Kyiv... due to its record
While British warships are poised to defend Ukrainian waters a £1billion destroyer has been ruled out due to its maintenance record. HMS Daring has spent more time being repaired and worked on than it has at sea, according to independent analysis. A respected social media account which reports on UK ships said the vessel had spent more than eight years out of service, a total of more than 3,000 days. The next longest absent ship is the Astute-Class submarine HMS Ambush, which has not been used in just over three years. HMS Daring is not expected to report for duty before the end of 2026. It is currently being refitted. Six Type 45 destroyers, known as Daring Class, replaced the Royal Navy's Sheffield-Class destroyers which served in the Falklands War. The warships are primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare. At the Royal Navy's peak in 1945 there were over 800 destroyers and frigates in its fleet. A 2009 Ministry of Defence report stated that the warships cost more than one billion pounds each to build, including the research and development. HMS Daring's worst problems have been associated with its propulsion systems. All Daring-class ships are expected to be upgraded by 2028. It is hoped that all Daring-class ships will be fully upgraded by 2028. HMS Daring was originally removed from service in April 2017, with the Covid-19 pandemic causing several delays. She was taken to Merseyside for work before returning to Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 2023, but remains in the trial phase and unable to operate. A naval expert posting on X as Britsky said HMS Daring's problems showed the 'severe issues' facing the Royal Navy. He told the Portsmouth News: 'It's not just one issue for HMS Daring, it's many compounding issues over years and years. 'A shortage of personnel is making it hard to crew ships, there's a lack of support infrastructure such as docks delaying work and an insufficient stock of parts meaning ships can't be kept operational and others are robbed for parts. On Tuesday the Royal Navy said: 'We do not comment on the material state of our ships. The Royal Navy continues to fulfil all of its operational commitments.'
