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ITV News
21-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Dunkirk 'Little Ships' to make historic journey to mark 85th anniversary of World War Two evacuation
The Little Ships are all gathered together in Ramsgate Harbour On this day 85 years ago, Britain began the rescue of hundreds of thousands of troops stranded on the beaches of Northern France during the Second World War. The operation - co-ordinated from Dover Castle, became known as 'The Miracle of Dunkirk' and allowed Britain to fight on when all had seemed lost. Today for the first time in 10 years, more than 70 of those ships will set off from Ramsgate in Kent and return to France - to mark a mission that changed the course of history. The flotilla of Little Ships will begin the long journey across The Channel at 6am local time, with the journey expected to take around 10 hours. Twenty-one personnel from Victory Squadron at HMS Collingwood are also involved, embarked in the Little Ships for the are four Royal Navy veterans who are part of crews of the Little Ships. Squadron Commanding Officer, Commander Carla Higgins, said: 'It is hugely important to continue to commemorate such events in our history and highlighting the role such 'little ships' had to play in Operation Dynamo. 'Coastal Forces Squadron is very proud to be a part of this event, particularly since it has been 10 years since the last commemoration of this scale. 'It will be quite a spectacle to see so many paying their respects across the channel. We wish for fair winds for all.' Kevin Finn, Commodore of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, said: 'Ramsgate is my hometown, it will be great to have a fleet of the Little Ships here again for our five-yearly crossing to Dunkirk. 'Ramsgate and Dunkirk are pulling out all the stops to commemorate, celebrate and educate throughout our stay in the very centre of these two excellent ports.' Kevin Finn, Commodore of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Ian Gilbert, Honorary Vice Admiral of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships added: 'The fleet will soon gather in Ramsgate for this return to Dunkirk, which is made all the more special by the number of Little Ships involved, more than has been seen previously. 'A vast amount of work is going on at present to make sure the Little Ships look their very best and are fully prepared for the channel crossing.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Little ships gather ahead of Dunkirk commemoration
Dozens of little ships have gathered in a Kent harbour for an event marking the 85th anniversary of one of the most important episodes of World War Two. A total of 66 boats from across Europe will set off from Ramsgate on Wednesday morning for Dunkirk as part of the commemorations of Operation Dynamo. More than 338,000 soldiers were rescued from the French coast between 26 May and 4 June 1940 with almost 100,000 troops picked up off from the beaches by the little ships and ferried to larger vessels. A spokesperson for the organiser, The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, (ADLS), said the Ramsgate gathering was "a chance for the public to view the fleet, speak to the owners and learn about their vessels". In May 1940 the call went out for the owners of pleasure craft to join the effort led by the Royal Navy to help bring soldiers back to Kent by donating their ships. The allied forces had been driven into a small pocket around Dunkirk by the advancing German army. Without a swift evacuation they faced capture or death. Matt Cain now owns Lady of Mann, one of the little ships that was part of the operation that rescued his grandfather, George. He said: "My grandfather used to talk to me about Dunkirk a lot. "It was always a huge ambition to be able to do this." The journey to Dunkirk is expected to take around 10 hours. Bryan Cox will be sailing in Bou Saada, which is now owned by the ice skater Jayne Torvill. He said: "For me it's about the sacrifice which a lot of people made. "Even with the little ships, 200 of the 800 that went across didn't survive. "It's like a pilgrimage, really." Ramsgate Lifeboat will also be part of Wednesday's fleet. Ian Cannon, its coxswain, has family links to the events of 1940. "My great, great, great uncle Alf was second coxon when the call came in for Dunkirk," he said. "My father, brother, myself and now my children have all been involved with the Ramsgate crew." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. The little ship crews returning to the miracle of Dunkirk 'These little ships are our last link to the war' Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
